Hearst Family Update
June 29, 2022
Principal's Message
Dear Owl families,
The 2021-2022 has felt like a marathon, a sprint, and several ultra-marathons all in one and as we wrap up June, I happy to say, WE MADE IT!! There were some rough spots this year for sure as we dealt with the ongoing pandemic and all its repercussions, and I thank you for all that you've done to make this year like no other as successful as possible for our kids, each other, and our community.
My hope for you is that you and your kids get lots and lots of time this summer to rest, relax, and recharge because everyone surely deserves it. When you're ready to start thinking about the coming year, know that I'll be sending out a family update on July 29 with additional information to prepare us for a joyful and successful 2022-2023 school year.
Thank you for your continued partnership and support and see you in August,
Jen
PS - Thank you as well for the end of year cards and treats! I'm so appreciative of your generosity and kindness! A special thanks to the Hearst family who handed me the bag from Trader Joe's after school. In the blur of the last day I'm not sure who you are, but you and your gift are wonderful!!
About Us
Email: attendance@hearstes.org
Website: www.hearstes.org
Location: 3950 37th Street Northwest, Washington, DC, United States
Phone: (202) 282-0106
Facebook: facebook.com/hearstes
Twitter: @hearstes
News and Announcements from Hearst
Upcoming Key Dates
- June 30 - K-5 Grades Published in Aspen
- July 5 - August 5 - DCPS Offers Summer Programming for Students (see Chancellor's 3/7/22 email to families for additional details)
- August 17 - Back To School Info Sessions for Families, 9-10am & 7-8pm (meeting links to be sent in 7/29/22 update)
- August 19 - 10-month staff report to work for SY22-23
- August 26 - In Person Open House for All Families, 2:30-3:30
- August 29 - First Day of SY22-23 for K-5
- September 1 & 2 - First Day of SY22-23 for PK
Preliminary End of Year (EOY) Data
DIBELS (K-2 phonics/phonemic awareness assessment)
- Started year with 41% of students on/above grade level
- EOY goal = 54% of students on/above grade level
- EOY results = 90% of students on/above grade level
TRC (K-1 reading comprehension assessment)
- Started year with 65% of students on/above grade level
- EOY goal = 75% of students on/above grade level
- EOY results = 90% of students on/above grade level
RI (2-5 reading comprehension assessment)
- Started year with 70% of students having met growth expectations in previous year
- EOY goal = 75% of students meet growth expectations in previous year
- EOY results = 77% of students met growth expectations in previous year
iReady Math (K-5 math assessment)
- Started year with 35% of students on/above grade level
- EOY goal = 53% of students on/above grade level
- EOY results = 78% of students on/above grade level
SY22-23 Information
Our goal is to send out the information we have available about the upcoming school year to all registered families on July 29, one month prior to the start of the SY22-23 school year. In addition to receiving an update like this one, families will receive an invitation from Bloomz, our family communication platform. Each family will be connected to the school wide Hearst Bloomz site, as well as the page for their child(ren)'s homeroom. Be on the lookout for these invitations as this is how your family will receive notice of homeroom assignments for your child(ren).
Please note that we remain unwavering in our dedication to equity and closing opportunity gaps. Therefore, students will be scheduled and placed in homerooms in ways that promote equity, including some grouping based on current academic needs as well as whole group academic opportunities. Due to the complexity of scheduling and class list creation, we will not be taking homeroom requests from families.
Additionally, it's important to note that the vast majority of our staff, including teachers and partner teachers, are on summer break from June 28 until August 19. While you're welcome to reach out to staff before August 19, please know that after June 27, they will likely not respond until they report to work on August 19.
If you have questions the upcoming about the upcoming school year that are not answered in the information you receive on July 29, you're welcome to reach out to me (jennifer.geoffroy@k12.dc.gov), Ms. Johnson (kestaganer.johnson@k12.dc.gov), or Ms. Hinchey (manik.hinchey@k12.d.gov). Please note that Dr. Chen will be on maternity leave this summer and unavailable to respond to emails. Thanks!
Tentative Staffing Assignments for SY22-23
Below is a tentative list of our staff and their roles for the coming school year. While we have selected candidates for almost all positions, until they receive their official offer letters from DCPS, we are unable to share their names here. Stay tuned for additional information about our new staff in our July 29 summer update and visit https://www.hearstes.org/faculty_staff_directory in August for more information.
- PK - Denise Dawkins & Grace Fraser, Skyelar Haith & Pati Morales
- K - Beth Prince & Courtney Evans, Dawn Gray & Jonyce Cole, Sarah Schiers & Sumita Singh
- 1 - Victoria Ouellette & New Partner Teacher, Elizabeth Volpe & Evie Hicklin
- 2 - Takiyah Thompson, Ashley Boyle, New Teacher
- 2nd grade partner teacher - New Hire
- 3 - Hannah Halpern, Megan Burleigh
- 3rd grade partner teacher - New Hire
- 4 - Cassi Duvall, Amanda Liberman
- 4th grade partner teacher - New Hire
- 5 - Katie Dilley, Chanmi Lee
- 5th grade partner teacher - New Hire
- ECE CES - New Teacher, Kendra Schenck, Ellen Hicks
- K-2 CES - Elana Marber, Rhonda Forbes, New Partner Teacher
- 3-5 CES – Carolyn Diaz, Lyssa Weaver, New Partner Teacher
- Art - Josh Harms
- Music - Carol Baker
- PE - Hunter Coleman & Roy Mitchell (part-time)
- Library - New Teacher
- ELL Teachers – Erica Geppert, Maggie Clark, Brian Garfield
- Special Education Teachers - Shareen Beech, MaryEllen Noonan, New Teacher
- Math Specialist - Jana Banks
- Reading Specialist - Jana Walker (on maternity leave through October)
- School Psychologist - Caroline DeWerd
- School Social Worker - Keri Sartin
- Instructional Coach - Tara Souza (on maternity leave through October)
- Registrar - Manik Hinchey
- Business Manager - Kestaganer Johnson
- Custodial Team - Lawrence Stephenson, Shawn Harrington, Russell Hart, Ramon Zamora
- Assistant Principal - Elke Chen (on maternity leave through October)
Reminder: Goodbye, Farewell...
Ms. Boone
I will not be returning to Hearst next school year, as my husband and I have decided to take some time to travel around the country. Hearst has been such a welcoming community and I have really enjoyed my time here. It has been a privilege to work with Hearst families, students, and colleagues- thank you all!
Ms. Hargrove
Hello Hearsties,
After more than 12 years here at the “Best Little School in the District” I’ve decided to retire. It’s been quite an awesome journey, and I’ve met some wonderful, talented people along the way. I will definitely miss my students as they go on to be great. Of course, I’ll miss you all as well. Many of you know that I am raising one of my granddaughters. I’m excited to say that Jordyn will graduate from high school on June 13th and she turns 18 later this month. I can now spend more time with family and travel where ever and whenever I want! I wish all the best to everyone. Have a GREAT Summer.
Best,
Janice
Ms. Madzongwe
No matter what was happening in my life, just seeing our sweet scholars and hearing "Ms. Madzongwe, I want to tell you something!" from them always put a smile on my face.
I have learned so much from so many kind, hardworking, and patient colleagues. Hearst's greatest stength is its loving and ambitious teachers. I'm proud of the challenges I met head-on and the personal and professional growth I made.
I hope you all remember me as the woman and educator who embodied the meaning of my Shona name - "Be Happy!"
Farai
Mr. McCright
Last August I came to Hearst Elementary as my first retirement adventure. My next retirement adventure begins in July when I house-sit for my oldest child in Philadelphia. Then I'll return to Iowa and ride my bicycle every day. My wife and I will take a cycling trip in 2022 as well. I look forward to spending much more time with my family; I have missed them a lot. Among my favorite Hearst memories will be the hundreds of times the younger elementary students and I laughed together, and the older students begged for specific online games to practice their vocabulary in Spanish. Thank you for welcoming me to your community.
Ms. Potter
It was such a pleasure being a part of the Hearst community this past year. I learned so much from everyone I had the opportunity to work with. I loved working with all of the students in the CES classrooms and learned a lot from each classroom. I also enjoyed getting to know the students and staff in the aftercare program. Thank you to everyone who encouraged me while I was finishing my degree and deciding what my next step would be! Next year I will be a special education teacher at Loiederman Middle School in Silver Spring. I am so grateful for my time here and will miss Hearst next year!
Ms. Solms
Thank you for welcoming me this past year into the Hearst community. I enjoyed partnering with the families of my students and teaching the bright, compassionate, and curious children in my 2nd grade class. It is with mixed emotions that I’ve decided to transfer to the elementary school that my boys attend. As much as I’ve loved my experience at Hearst, this decision makes most sense for my family.
I’m so grateful for all of the relationships I’ve made here at Hearst, all that I have learned from my colleagues and the joy that your kids have brought me this past year in the classroom and on the playground.
I hope to bump into you in the neighborhood and wish you all a summer full of fun and adventure.
Oda Solms
Teacher of the Smart Serpents
Ms. Vandivier
Good morning Hearst family! I want to share with you my exciting news. After 24 years as a teacher and a parent of grown up Hearst Owls, I have decided to retire. I will be spending time with my 4 children and my granddaughter Tessa.
It has been a privilege to be a part of the Hearst community for two and a half decades. Much has changed, including the development of a new campus with a modern library, cafeteria, gym, music and art spaces. But much has stayed the same. The guiding spirit of respecting and teaching the whole child is as strong as ever.
I want to thank every member of the Hearst community, past and present, for allowing me the opportunity of providing library services to you.
It doesn't get much better than dressing up as Cruella de Vil and leading 40 PreK puppies around the neighborhood to celebrate literature and literacy.
Thanks for everything and please stay in touch.
Much love, Ms. V