Hathaway Happenings - Home
December 21, 2023
Dear Hathaway Families,
We started the week in our Hathaway community with a Building Leadership Team meeting which included a presentation of proposals from our very own Green Team! Check out their ideas! We are super excited to work with these school leaders on the following projects!
Promise monthly cleanups of Hathaway grounds - one grade at a time and work with Mrs. Brennan and Mrs. Freeman.
Visiting plant program - plant pets with names and information sheets to visit classrooms for 1-2 weeks. Students learn about how to care for plants and observe the plants.
Guided tours of the Hathaway gardens and habitats - 1-2 classes at a time. Scavenger hunts, worksheets, earth friendly activities.
Thank you to Mrs. Freeman for guiding the group!
It was wonderful to see all of the holiday celebrations! Smiles, laughter, dancing to disco balls and more! Thank you to all of our room parents and volunteers for making it happen! Thank you also for your patience and understanding as we worked to ensure we maintained a safe environment.
Officer Dave and I had fun with the Anchors handing out hot chocolate and kisses to our bus drivers and monitors in the morning. Mrs. Arruda, Mrs. Vitale and I enjoyed passing out the popcorn in classrooms and at pick up! One of our neighbors popped her head out the door, smiled, and said "I just love Hathaway School!" What a wonderful feeling!
Check out some of the great ideas for over the break from Mrs. Miezejeski, our Behavior Interventionist, below!
Our Abound word of the week is accept. Please accept our warm wishes for a most wonderful holiday season! Please be sure to use Abound over the holidays to start fun conversations with your child(ren). Every time you engage them in the Abound back-and-forth conversations, they get a chance to hear and talk about ideas, books, and new vocabulary words, and build the kinds of skills they need to read well.
Reminders
Please remember that we are a nut free facility. No products containing nuts are allowed as snack or in lunches. This includes peanut butter, nut butters, including Nutella, desserts in lunchables (peanut butter cups), and the like.
Please note that changes to dismissal method (such as pickup instead of bus) must be requested via written note sent into the office only when absolutely necessary.
Early dismissal learning time adds up quickly! We encourage everyone to make every effort to maintain a consistent dismissal method throughout the year.
As always, thank you for being our partners in education!
From the Behavior Interventionist
Dear Families ,
The most wonderful (and craziest) time of year is finally here! It is easy to get “wrapped up” in the hecticness of holiday shopping, cooking, and traveling, but I wanted to remind you about the greatest gift of all for your children: PRESENCE. In an effort to slow down and enjoy the holidays with your families, I wanted to share simple techniques that you can use to give your children the gift they truly crave: your presence.
Here are a few for you to consider:
1. Family Night
During the holidays, choose a night that can be designated “Family Night”. Watch a movie, read stories, order pizza, whatever suits your family’s needs.
2. Unity
Do not commit to activities that pull you and your children in different directions. Plan activities that include all members of the family.
3. Give Time
Visit a nursing home or hospital, elderly neighbor or relative, local shelter, etc. to spread holiday cheer.
4. Volunteer
Volunteer as a family to partner with a community organization that provides for under-privileged families.
5. Destress
Keep your house as calm and soothing as possible. Eliminate clutter and noise by working together to get the gifts wrapped and turning off the TV, video games, and electronics.
6. Old Traditions
Continue with family traditions that are part of your history. If you do not know of any, ask an older relative to share memories of their holidays and see what you can find out.
7. New Traditions
Start a new family tradition of baking cookies, making homemade greeting cards, singing carols together, lighting candles at dinner or bedtime, start a family scrapbook or diary, etc. Be creative!
8. Minimize Consumerism
Try to avoid taking young children shopping, as they cannot understand the concept of selflessness. Cut down on their exposure to commercials that encourage lots of spending.
9. Keep Priorities
Use the rule of thumb “Spend half as much money as usual and spend twice the amount of time with your family as usual”.
10. Family Time
Focus on activities that bring your family closer together and acknowledge the needs of others.
11. Incorporate your faith into your celebrations
Kids love to learn and process, so make it a learning experience for them to understand what you believe. Make a cake for Jesus’ birthday, discuss the importance of the Menorah, etc.
12. Make reindeer and Santa treats with your children
These are simple projects that allow you and your children to spend time together enjoying each other. Cutting carrots or baking cookies are easy things for kids to do. If you want to be more creative, make reindeer food with granola, marshmallows, sprinkles, etc. to throw on the ground outside.
13. Help kids “look” for Santa
You can make a scope with two toilet paper rolls taped together, paint it red, and decorate it with cotton balls. Older kids might like www.noradsanta.org to track Santa’s progress.
14. Go to a special service or activity
Many city events and church activities are planned during December. Ideas include a pageant, nativity, festival, concert, tree lighting, etc.
15. Go on a “Festival of Lights” tour
Make it a family outing to view the lights, decorations, displays and festivities in your community. It can be better with cookies and hot chocolate!
15. Watch a Holiday Classic
Choose a movie that your family can enjoy together. Maybe watch an old choice (Miracle on 34th Street) and a newer one (Elf).
Happy Holidays!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Miezejeski
Golden Apple Winners
Abound APP/Newsletter
If you have technical questions about the app please email "sue@aboundparenting.com" for troubleshooting on their end.
Save the Date
We are Hiring!
How to Connect with Unified Arts Teachers
Choose Love
From the Nurse
STREP THROAT
There have been some cases of Streptococcal throat infection in the school. Here are some important signs and symptoms to look out for during this cold, flu and strep throat season!
Watch your child for signs of a sore throat and other signs of strep
(headache, fever, and stomach ache, swollen and tender neck glands).
Please see your health care provider if your child develops a sore throat
or any of these signs of strep infection. If strep is found, your child
will be treated with an antibiotic.
Strep throat is a sore throat caused by Streptococcus bacteria that are
passed around through nose and mouth droplets. It is very common in
children. Most sore throats are caused by viruses and are not treated
with antibiotics. Strep throat must be treated with antibiotics to
prevent spread to others and to prevent rare but serious complications.
Children who have been diagnosed with a strep infection may return to
school after taking medication for at least 24 hours and fever is gone.
LICE
We recently have had some cases of lice in the school. I wanted you all to be aware of this and wanted to clarify the policy on lice as many of you have had questions! While lice is a tremendous nuisance, the CDC does NOT require children to be removed from class for having lice, nor do they require head checks of students in classes that have been exposed to lice. It is also stated that notifying families of exposure is not necessary. At Hathaway, as a courtesy, I will notify classrooms who have been affected with a letter. It is strongly encouraged to check your child for lice as well. For more information please click on CDC regulations below. Thank you!
Free COVID Tests Available
Every U.S. household can again place an order to receive four more free COVID-19 rapid tests delivered directly to their home. Before You Throw Out "Expired" Tests: Check FDA's website to see if your COVID-19 tests' expiration dates have been extended.
To order, use this link: www.covid.gov/tests
Very easy to order and absolutely free!
Progress Reports and Report Cards
Last year as we navigated a new ELA curriculum, and as the year progressed we recognized a need to revise our grading process. Through the work of our grade level teams, teacher leaders, administrators, and coaches, we revised the Report Card and developed Mid-Trimester Progress Reports to better communicate student progress with parents and caregivers.
All families have been invited to attend a parent teacher conference with their child's teacher over the past two weeks. At the conference teachers reviewed the Mid Trimester Progress Reports. These reports include data from the benchmarking assessments. Benchmarking assessments are assessments given to students three times a year to measure their progress towards achieving the end of year standard for their grade level. In addition, you should have received a parent STAR Assessment Report. If your child qualified for a Response to Intervention Plan, this was presented and discussed during the conference.
Report Cards are published three times a year and will be available on the ASPEN Platform. You will be able to access your child’s Trimester 1 Report Card on the ASPEN Family Portal on December 8th, 2023. We will send out reminders as we near that date.
Report Cards reflect your child's current mastery of end-of-grade level standards. The grades earned by your child, as reflected on the Report Card, are their current mastery of end-of-grade level standards. For example, if your child is in second grade they are being assessed on the standard that is expected of a student exiting second grade. If your child receives an S (secure), this means that they are secure and have reached the end of the year benchmark. Earning a D (developing) means your child is demonstrating growth towards meeting the end of grade level with support. If your child is beginning to progress towards meeting the end of year standard, then they will receive a B (beginning). It is common for most students to receive B’s and D’s during the first trimester now that we are switching to reporting out on end-of-year standards. An N/A means that this standard has not yet been taught. NP means that your child did not participate in the learning/activities related to this standard.
Nurse Updates
Hello Parents!
Below are the recently updated protocols for COVID, as well as when to keep your child home from school due to illness. If your child is ill, please complete the absence notification online. If you would like to provide more information you can email or call me directly at habershawk@portsmouthschoolsri.org or ext 4911. Thank you!
Stomach Bug - student can return after being vomit-free for 24 Hours.
Fever - Students can return after being fever free for 24 Hours WITHOUT the use of Tylenol or ibuprofen.
Strep Throat - Students can return once on antibiotics for 24 hours.
Pink eye - Student can return to school after 24 hours of antibiotic (topical or oral)
Lice - Students can come to school with lice however we STRONGLY recommend students be treated prior to returning to school.
COVID - we are following RI Department of Health and CDC regulations, please see info below for COVID recommendations:
In preparation for the 2023-24 school year, RIDOH expects increases in COVID-19 this fall and winter season. Centers for Disease Prevention and Control’s (CDC) COVID-19 guidance for schools remains largely the same. The goal remains to prevent students and staff from getting very sick from COVID-19 and to minimize disruptions to school and families.
RIDOH encourages you to review the following COVID-19 information and updates:
COVID-19 Key Recommendations
Students and staff should continue to take preventive actions to avoid getting very sick and/or spreading COVID-19 including:
• Staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccine;
• Staying home when sick and getting tested when you have COVID-19 symptoms;
• If exposed to someone with COVID-19, monitoring symptoms; testing after day 5; and
wearing a mask through day 10;
• If you have COVID-19, isolating at home for 5 days and wearing a mask through day 10;
• If at higher risk of getting very sick, have a COVID-19 plan.
Krissy Habershaw, RN
Hathaway Elementary School Nurse
(401) 683-0500 ext 4911
Principal Read Aloud
Grades 1-4 have all heard about The Energy Bus for Kids! Please ask your child about the energy bus rules. They will help us have a wonderful year!
Kindergarten heard The Magical Yet. Please ask them what the magical yet is helping them with at this time!
1. Create a Positive Vision - Please consider having your child create a picture of a goal for the week, month, year, etc.
2. Fuel Your Ride with Positive Energy - I asked all students to think of a success from their days in school - one thing that made them smile and feel great - and share that with someone at home. Remind them that they have the power to turn negative thoughts into positive ones. Smiles, laughter, gratitude, faith and positive beliefs and thoughts are all it takes!
3. No Bullies Allowed - We continue to encourage our students to be kind and support one another. Ignore or confront bullies and ask for help when needed.
4. Love Your Passengers - We encourage the students to show kindness and love to others.
5. Enjoy the Ride - Need I say more?
Drill Information
Fire drills occur on a regular basis. State law requires each school to conduct eleven fire drills, two lockdown drills and two evacuation drills each year. Shelter in Place drills are conducted throughout the school year. Children are given instruction on all procedures. Children are expected to behave in a calm, orderly manner during these exercises. Please review the importance of such exercises with your child and emphasize the need for appropriate behavior.
A lockdown is an alert to a school community that students and staff should not leave the classroom and should gather in one area of the room until provided with further direction.
An evacuation requires all students and staff to exit the building and meet at a designated safe place.
A shelter in place is an alert to a school community that movement outside of classrooms is being restricted for a brief period of time. It is typically used when a student or staff member is requiring some sort of attention (sometimes medical) and the school is trying to keep that area clear and/or protect that person’s privacy. If there were a serious safety concern the school would not issue a shelter in place.
We will send notification of lockdowns, evacuations, and shelter in place drills and events via email.
Here is the presentation that was shared at a Parent Safety Forum that was hosted in conjunction with the Police and Fire Departments. The Run, Hide, Fight FBI philosophy guides our safety training.
The P3 Sandy Hook Promise Anonymous tip line is a resource that we encourage anyone to use if there is ever an immediate safety concern.
Hathaway Notification Form
Please complete the Hathaway Notification form to let us know!
Arrival and Dismissal Map
Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
Entrance System
During the school day, we are responsible for keeping all students safe as well as protecting their privacy. For this reason, we have limited guests in the building during school hours and we require anyone working directly with children to go through our Volunteers in School Process. This year we have a new security system.
Visitors who are entering the building for a meeting, volunteering, or an event etc...
When you arrive:
- Enter the vestibule.
- Approach the platform and tap the button on the screen that aligns with the purpose for your visit.
- Follow the cues on the screen. All visitors must have their license with them to enter the building.
- Once complete, then ring the buzzer.
- Our office staff will verify that you are ready to enter the building and will unlock the door for your entry.
*There is also a QR code on the screen that you can scan with your cell phone's camera and it will bring you through this same process.
If you are dropping something off for the school, class, or a particular child, then you do not need to sign yourself in on this system.
- Ring the buzzer and the office staff will respond.
- Notify the office staff of the purpose for your visit.
Thank you for your support in keeping our community safe.
School Meals Program
Breakfast, lunch, and milk are available to purchase for all Hathaway School students. Students order lunch each morning through their teacher that day. Breakfast can be picked up by students in the cafeteria as they arrive at school.
Full price Breakfast is $1.00 and Lunch is $2.60. If your family qualifies for reduced prices, breakfast is $ 0.30 and lunch is $0.40. Milk is offered for $0.55 as a stand alone item.
Please apply for free or reduced lunch online by visiting this site: https://www.myschoolapps.com. Or, paper applications will be sent home the first week of school.
Payment for breakfast, lunch and/or milk can be made online at www.myschoolbucks.com. A student LASID number will be needed to create and make payments online using your “My School Bucks” account.
Payment can also be made by sending cash or a check in an envelope to school labeled with your student’s name, teacher’s name, LASID number and amount included. If paying by check, please make it payable to Portsmouth School Department with your child’s LASID number noted on the memo line. Send a separate check for each child in your family as payments cannot be split between accounts. KEEPING YOUR BALANCE PAID IN FULL IS VERY IMPORTANT.
Please note per the PSD policy, "Elementary and middle school students may not purchase “a la carte” items ( i.e. milk) or snacks until all charges on the account have been satisfied."
Please refer to the family portal navigation below to access your child's LASID number.
Frequently Asked Questions About Free And Reduced Price School Meals
AlphaBEST
A Letter From the HPTA
Hello Hathaway Families,
The HPTA is busy working on some great events for the upcoming school year. Check out the flier below for upcoming events!
Monthly Meetings
We have meetings monthly in the school library, generally the third Wednesday of the month.
We encourage the Hathaway community to attend.
Becoming a Volunteer in School
Visit the district volunteer page for information if you would like to become VIS approved to volunteer in school.
VIS Authorization Form: A background check must be completed annually, by law in Rhode Island. You must fill out the authorization form for the background check and have it notarized. It also needs to include a copy of the front and back of your driver’s license, and a $5 check made out to ‘BCI.’ This form can be turned in at the school’s main office or at the school department building.
If you have any questions, please email us at Hathawaypta@gmail.com. And as always, we thank you for your continued support!!
Celebrations and Recognitions
Nut Free Facility
Thank you for your support in keeping all of our students safe in our Hathaway community.
Securly Home
Securly Home is an app that allows parents to monitor their child’s Chromebook activity at home and add rules for home use. Please take some time to review the slideshow and recording of the parent meeting that took place on 9/16.
We encourage you to sign up now for Securly Home!
Hathaway Notification Form
Please complete the Hathaway Notification Form.
Thank you in advance for helping us to keep things organized and safe in our Hathaway community.
Accessing Aspen
If you are having issues accessing Aspen, you will have to email familyportal@portsmouthschoolsri.org with your child's name, date of birth, grade level, and your name. The system administrators will be able to restore access to your account and make sure that you can login.
Where Can I Find Past Parent Newsletters?
Important Dates
Important Dates
2023-2024
December 22nd - January 1st – Holiday Recess (No School)
January 7th - Hathaway P Bruins Game, 3:05
January 12th - Staff Professional Development Day (No School for Students)
January 15th – Martin Luther King Day (No School)
January 26th - Progress Reports Sent Home
February 19th-23rd– Winter Recess (No School)
March 12th - End of Trimester 2
March 20th - Family Portal Open
March 29th– Good Friday (No school)
April 2nd– Staff PD Day (No School for Students)
April 15th-19th– Spring Recess (No School)
May 20th - KW Musical, 9:15 AM
May 21st - KM Musical, 9:15 AM
May 23rd - KS Musical, 9:15 AM
May 24th - Hearing Screening
May 24th - KG Musical, 9:15 AM
May 27th – Memorial Day (No School)
June 14th - Last Day of School
Howard Hathaway Elementary School
Email: littlel@portsmouthschoolsri.org
Website: https://www.portsmouthschoolsri.org/Domain/10
Location: 53 Tallman Avenue, Portsmouth, RI, USA
Phone: (401)683-0500
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hathaway.principal/
Twitter: @HathawaySchool