HES HEADLINES!
HOPEWELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Week of March 10th
Hippity Hop Hooray!
The first week of March was full of reading and books! Thank you to Lea White for her invaluable contribution to the success of the PTO Book Fair and for organizing our Read Across America Week with our themes and spirit wear. Both events went off smoothly and were enjoyed by parents, staff and students.
Thank you to Senora Benavides for organizing the National World Language Week contest and for showcasing our HES students who speak many languages from around the globe! The students really enjoyed educating their fellow students.
As Trimester 2 came to a close on Friday, the 8th, we are getting a little closer to the end of the year! With a touch of "Luck" 🍀 , we will have a smooth journey ahead.
Lastly, please help us give a big HES birthday celebration to the following staff members on their upcoming special day:
- March 12th - Ashlie Lance
- March 24th - Bob Dispoto
- March 26th - Hannah Cohen
Book Fair Readers
Ms. Agriculture USA visiting HES
Buddy visiting Ms. Calo's Class
Report Cards for Trimester 2
March's Grade Level Meeting is dedicated to completing Trimester 2's report cards. Please find the N/E for Trimester #2 in this folder by grade level. Just a reminder that report cards need to be finalized by the end of the day, Tuesday, March 12th. Let us know if there are any questions or concerns. Thank you!
DUE FRIDAY: HES Staffing Placement Preferences Form
From Scott:
Also, we put together a timeline of scheduling events for the upcoming months with feedback from our Principal's Cabinet. Please look this over and let us know of any questions or concerns.
Trimester 3 - Lunch Duty
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.
March 13th Professional Development
Elementary Expectations:
You can find Wednesday's Professional Development Schedule HERE. Below is the information shared in Dr. Pilitsis' C&I newsletter, Dr. Hoffman's SPED newsletter and in Ms. Baskin's Literacy newsletter.
We will meet at TMS and the future ELA program presentations will begin at 1:45 pm.
Timeline:
1:45-2:30: Gr. K-2 will begin in the Media Center while Gr. 3-5 will begin in the Cafeteria.
2:30-2:40: Break/Transition to other room
2:40-3:35: Gr. K-2 in the Cafeteria & Gr. 3-5 in Media Center for second presentation.
You will have the opportunity to listen to representatives from each company as they present the programs, so please come with any questions you may have. Following both presentations, you will be asked to complete a survey to offer your feedback.
Here are the links to instructions for trying out the digital formats.
HMH - Into Reading
Great Minds - Wit and Wisdom
We have requested that physical samples to be sent to each building for all grades. Most have arrived but we will have a set of each at the presentations.
*Special Area Teachers will be given expectations from their supervisors**
*Autism/MD teachers, and full day preschool teachers will go to the AAC talk. The preschool integrated teachers will meet at Stony Brook to review preschool Fundations and lesson planning.
*Elementary CST members have the choice to work on IEPs/evaluations, attend the ELA presentation, or attend the LGBTQ+ talk with the nurses.
Professional Development Hours: 2023-2024:
Please refer to this document for district PD hours this year. This should be included in your PDP.
LinkIt Information for Elementary Faculty:
Thank you for your continued support to integrate data on the LinkIt platform. Please view the document here for some helpful hints/information.
Roxie Munro Author Visit
Author Roxie Munro will be visiting HES on Tuesday, March 19th. Below is a tentative schedule for the day.
- 8:50-9:50AM: Grades 3-5, "How to Make a Nonfiction Book", Media Center
- 9:50-10:00AM: Break
- 10:00-11:00AM: Grades PreK-2, "Nature Books", Media Center
- 11:00-11:30AM: Author luncheon with select 4th Grade Students, Conference Room
- 11:30-12:00PM: Author book signing in Media Center
Nature Harmony Update
The Nature Harmony Committee has been hard at work planning new outdoor learning spaces and events for students and staff at HES. The committee, composed of both staff and parent volunteers, has met monthly throughout the year to identify additional opportunities to promote outdoor education each day.
To support our efforts, the Nature Harmony Committee, in partnership with the Green Team, will be hosting a Color Run on Saturday, April 27th at 11am. Additional announcement and details to follow. We hope to see you there!
2024 AIR T-Shirt Contest
Every year, AIR (Attitudes in Reverse) runs a t-shirt contest for students in elementary through high school. The AIR plan is to start one-on-one conversations to raise awareness, increase empathy, encourage early intervention and eliminate the stigma associated with mental illness. Designs must include the words “AIR Attitudes in Reverse” (not necessarily together) and may also include “Are you AIR Aware?” or “Take a Breath” or “Kin is the new cool!” or “Remember to Breathe.” Entry/Release form must be received no later than Friday, March 22, 2024. The release and contest information can be found HERE.
Lucky Bulldog Dash - 5K Run/Walk
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a family friendly 5K run/walk event at Hopewell Valley Central High School!
Lace up your running shoes and wear your “Lucky” green attire as we fill the streets of Hopewell Valley with festive cheer. Be the first to the Pot of Gold at the end of Dublin road and then get back to the finish for our great awards, music, and merry making! Register HERE.
CounSELor Comments
This week, we are celebrating International SEL Day with our first HES SEL Day of Play. SEL Day for 2024 is scheduled at HES on March 13, 2024. This year’s theme is “Today’s Students, Tomorrow’s Leaders.” SEL Day is a global, grassroots campaign for social-emotional learning to support children’s academic recovery, mental health, and well-being.
For information on the day and a schedule of events, please check out this slideshow.
In addition there will be a staff activity to encourage cooperation and fun! Please check your mailbox on Wednesday and enjoy a treat once you’ve found your match!
As always, please let me know if you need any support – with CS implementation or other SEL concerns.
HVEF Spring Fling Luncheon
Join the Hopewell Valley Education Foundation for their Spring Fling Luncheon on Sunday, March 24th, from 11-3:00PM. View the flyer for registration information.
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.
PTO Discretionary Fund Allocation
The HES PTO has allocated money to teachers, to help offset some of your classroom expenses. So far only 14 staff members have taken advantage of this opportunity. 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.
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 Human Resources Newsletter
- Latest Faculty Meeting's Slides
- Latest Principal's Cabinet Meeting Minutes
- School Counselor Lesson Schedule 2023-2024
- Yearbook Photo Dump
- Grade Level Meetings 23/24
Save the Date
- March 11th - Trimester 3 BEGINS, Whole School Meeting (9:00AM), PreK - 5 Grade Level Meetings (3:45PM)
- March 12th - Grades DUE (by end of day), Principal's Cabinet Meeting (3:45PM)
- March 13th - Early Dismissal/Staff Development, Staff Luncheon (Sponsored by HVEA), Preschool AM ONLY, SEL Day of Play at HES
- March 14th - Green Team Meeting (8:00AM), 3rd Grade's Biography Bonanza (2:00PM)
- March 15th - Report Cards Available to Parents, 5th Grade Advanced Orchestra Field Trip (Montessori School), Staff Breakfast compliments of PreK (8:00AM)
- March 18th - HES Talent Show Dress Rehearsal (3:00PM), Faculty Meeting (3:45PM)
- March 19th - Gr. 3-5 Roxie Munro Author Visit (8:50AM), Gr. PreK-2 Roxie Munro Author Visit (10:00AM); Author Visit Luncheon with 4th Gr. Students (11:00AM)
- March 20th - Student Council Officers & Reps Meeting (8:00AM); HES Talent Show Dress Rehearsal (2:30PM); TMS 5th Grade Parent Night (Zoom 6:30PM)
- March 21st - HES Talent Show (6:30PM)
- March 22nd - Open House for Violins - HR 2MD (3:00PM)