HES HEADLINES!
HOPEWELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Week of April 7th
Hippity Hop Hooray!
Welcome back! We hope everyone had a wonderful Spring Break.
The Paraprofessionals' Luncheon on Monday, March 25th was a success. Thank you to all of the teachers and staff who assisted with coverage, enabling our paraprofessionals to enjoy a lovely luncheon. Thank you again to our HES paraprofessioanls, our school could not survive without you!
A special thank you goes to Wendy Heiser, Dana Pontani, and Alyssa Salvitty for all of their hard work in organizing the 1st Grade Mammal Museum. Parents and students enjoyed the event and learned a lot.
The HVRSD Faculty Musicale triumphed, all thanks to Dana Pontani, who rallied a dozen or so staff to participate, wielding kazoos, washboards, etc. The evening was filled with fun, and proceeds went to a worthy cause - the Hopewell Valley Music and Theatre Parents Association.
Our inaugural HES Pep Rally was fun kickoff to our Spring Break. The competition was fierce, especially among the HES Staff. The 5th graders faced formidable opponents in the student-staff basketball game, but the enthusiasm and support were evident. See some highlights HERE. Thank you to Kelly Kirk-Papp and to all of the staff who contributed to the success of this event, from the music to the signage, cheerleading, games, and overall enthusiasm. It truly made the occasion extra special.
Thank you also to staff for labeling all your materials in the staff supply room. We were able to clear up some space. Thank you to Carlos, Earl, Paul and Andres for your assistance with this.
Lastly, please help us give a big HES birthday celebration to the following staff members on their upcoming special day:
- April 11th - Lea White
- April 13th - Caryl David
- April 22nd - Dana Pontani
- April 27th - Megan Creegan
"A Total Eclipse of the..."
Viewing the Great American Solar Eclipse
We hope you and our students are ready for our Great American Solar Eclipse that will take place Monday afternoon. There should be enough solar eclipse glasses for students and staff thanks to Dr. Pilitsis and Ms. Vagott from C&I. Since the eclipse will peak in our area right around 3:24ish, it might be best to have your students packed up for dismissal at the start of Period 6 and bring their belongings out with them for this historic event. You can dismiss outside as long as someone from your grade level has a radio. Again, please remind your students to have their glasses on especially when looking directly at the sun.
Resources from our MaST Teacher Leaders:
How do you prepare for a space party during an eclipse?...You planet!
In preparation for the upcoming solar eclipse, we have created slideshows and compiled resources for you to share with your students during Science class. Use the links below to access presentations appropriate for various grade levels. Be sure to check out the activities and printables linked on the InfoGraphic as well!
In case you have already set up your Inbox to move "Mystery Science" updates to SPAM, you may want to check out their two short mini-lessons about tomorrow's eclipse, "Why does it get dark during a solar eclipse?" and "How dangerous is it to look at the Sun?".
Please reach out if you need any help or are looking for something specific…OR if you would like a coach to join you for Science!
Fun Fact: The next total solar eclipse that NJ will be able to experience won’t happen again until May 1, 2079! Please consider celebrating this natural phenomenon with your students!
Jocelyn & Katie
Nature Harmony Update - Color Run
As you know, the Nature Harmony Project, with help from the Green Team, is hosting a Color Run on April 27th to raise money for outdoor learning spaces and to welcome Spring. Here is a link to photos from last time we did this, in case you weren't here!
To do this event at an affordable cost we will need help before, during and after the event. If you have any desire to assist with anything below, please SIGN UP HERE. Any and all help is welcome! Also feel free to RUN!
Yearbook Picture Submission Deadline
There is still time to submit pictures of your students from various events throughout this year. Please upload your pictures HERE by Friday, April 12th, so they can be considered for HES's 2023-2024 Yearbook! Please reach out to Mike DeLorenzo with any questions or concerns.
Trimester 3 - Lunch Duty
We are getting closer to filling these holes. Please consider signing up for lunch duty for the last trimester as a paid stipend. We could use your help. :)
STRIVE Award
You can now nominate a student for a STRIVE Award! Use the form and follow the directions for who makes an excellent candidate!
STRIVE is the HVRSD Parent Teacher Organization supporting students with physical, cognitive, developmental & medical challenges.
The STRIVE Student Recognition Awards highlight students within our community who have shown exceptional growth or had a shining moment over the past year that aligns with one of Hopewell Valley's Character Strong Attributes (Respect, Empathy, Cooperation, Responsibility, Perseverance, Courage, Gratitude, Honesty and Creativity).
The awards night will be held on June 13, 2024 from 6-8PM.
Nominations will be accepted through April 15th, 2024 by submitting the google form linked above. Any questions can be directed to HVRSDStrivePTO@gmail.com.
CounSELor Comments
I hope everyone had a restful and fun-filled Spring Break. This week is our first week focusing on Courage, the trait of the month. Everyone loves the Connect games, but have you checked out the reflection questions to the left of the embedded slide deck? You can learn a lot about your students through their responses to these thoughtful prompts!
Often, we need to be reminded more than we need to be taught. Try The Hot Seat as a fresh take on connecting with your students intentionally.
HVEF Spring Grant Cycle
The Hopewell Valley Education Foundation (HVEF) encourages HVRSD teachers and staff to submit applications for funding as part of its Spring 2024 grants cycle. Application materials are posted on the HVEF website – please fill out the requested fields on the application form and submit it to HVEF by the May 15, 2024 deadline.
Please note that HVEF offers the optional step of submitting a pre-grant inquiry form, which allows HVEF board members to get a sense for project ideas as they are being developed and provide feedback on their potential fit for funding. It’s meant to be an informal way to vet ideas before committing to complete the full application – we hope it offers a helpful exchange of feedback earlier in the grant cycle process.
We hope you will consider HVEF as a resource for supporting creative and innovative projects that strengthen the teaching, learning, and enrichment that you lead throughout the district. If you have any questions, please contact HVEF at info@hvef.org and we will respond to you quickly. HVEF is proud to be a partner in advancing educational excellence throughout the Hopewell Valley public schools, and we look forward to receiving your proposals.
HVRSD School Improvement Panel (ScIP)
As a follow-up to last month's Faculty Meeting, we wanted to pass along important information:
ScIP Initial Survey Data outlines our district PD goals based upon initial staff survey feedback.
ScIP Staff Survey is to be completed anonymously by April 17th.
Thank you!
PTO Discretionary Fund Allocation
ONLY 1 MONTH REMAINS! The HES PTO has allocated money for teachers, to help offset some of your classroom expenses. You should have received a letter at the end of September/beginning of October. Remember, all forms and receipts must be received by April 30, 2024. Please utilize this great resource!
Odds & Ends - The Help You Need!
Don't forget, we are lucky to have Mithul Murrali from CHS here from 12:15 - 2:00PM every Tuesday. If you have any jobs like cutting, making copies, taking down and putting up bulletin boards, sorting supplies, sharpening pencils, etc., please email Molly or Kimberly. Thank you!
CHEER - News & Updates
Reminder - Don't forget to sign up for Friday morning breakfast. Sign-up sheet is in the Front Office. We are looking forward to this Friday's Staff Breakfast compliments of First Grade! Thank you!
Dues - You will find info about CHEER dues in your mailboxes. While we have suggested prices on the form in your mailbox, we would be happy to receive any contributions. Thank you!
If you'd like to join CHEER, please let a representative know!
Important Links
- HES Bell Schedule 2023-2024
- HES Map & Room Assignments
- HES Master Schedule & Other Schedules
- HES New Dismissal Waiver Form for Families (FYI Only)
- HES Staff Listings 2023-2024
- HVRSD District Calendar 2023-2024
- HVRSD Educational Technology Shared Drive
- HVRSD Elementary Curriculum Corner
- HVRSD Grade Level Meetings 2023-2024
- HVRSD Human Resources Newsletter
- Latest Faculty Meeting's Slides
- Latest Principal's Cabinet Meeting Minutes
- School Counselor Lesson Schedule 2023-2024
- Yearbook Photo Dump
Save the Date
- April 8th - Great American Solar Eclipse (Period 6 & Dismissal); Grade Level Meetings (3:45PM)
- April 9th - Principal's Cabinet Meeting (3:45PM)
- April 10th - Student Council Meeting - Officers ONLY (8:05PM)
- April 11th - Green Team Meeting (8:00AM)
- April 12th - Staff Breakfast (Sponsored by 1st Grade)
- April 15th - Faculty Meeting (3:45PM)
- April 16th - Voluntary Paraprofessional Meeting (3:45PM)
- April 17th - Student Council Meeting - Officers & Reps (8:05PM); Bus Evacuation Drill (8:15AM)
- April 18th - 3rd Grade's Iditarod Race (2:15PM)
- April 19th - Aflac Representative David Forte Visit (10:30AM)
- April 20th - 4th Grade's Field Trip (Museum of American Revolution); PTO Meeting (8:45AM)
- April 22nd - Green Week BEGINS; CogAT Administration BEGINS (2nd & 3rd Grade ONLY); Yearbook Order DEADLINE; Whole School Meeting (9:00AM)