Greetings from the Grove
Summer Edition - August 2022
At Hazel Grove Elementary, we positively transform lives.
H - Helping inspire children to make a difference.
G - Growing leaders and learners in a changing world
E - Engaging students in their school and community.
Calendar of Events
Character Trait: FAMILY
Tues 8/16 HGE Teachers Return
Mon 8/22 Meet the Teacher 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Tues 8/23 First Day of Classes for Students - Tears and Cheers Drop Off for Kinders 8:55
Fri 9/2 ALL SCHOOL Picture (wear blue/yellow, or spirit wear)
Mon 9/5 No School - Labor Day
Fri 9/9 Fall Picture Day
Thurs 9/29 HGE Pancakes with my Peeps
Fri 9/30 PTA Movie and Dinner Night
Welcome Back!
Dear HAWK Families,
We hope this letter finds you well and enjoying the summer with family and friends while reading, resting, staying active, and having fun! On behalf of the Hazel Grove Elementary staff, we would like to welcome you to the 2022 - 2023 school year.
For those of you who are new to Hazel Grove, I'm Mrs. Kristen Merrell, Principal. I'm beginning my seventh year at HGE and my twenty-seventh year in education. My husband and I reside in downtown LS with our two rescue dogs and cat. We have three super cool grown children who are also nearby. I believe in hard work, celebrating successes, raising up others, and believing the best in everyone. I also LOVE my job and feel so very lucky to get to serve our HGE folks!!
I am so thrilled to share that Mr. Jed Prickett is joining our administration team this year as our new assistant principal. He will share his time at HGE as well as Greenwood Elementary. More about Mr. Prickett can be found below.
Once school starts, you'll receive a link to the latest edition of Greetings from the Grove newsletter on Fridays. You can also find more information about HGE via our HGE website, Hawk Twitter, and HGE Facebook. We encourage you to connect with us so you can always be in the know.
We can't wait to see you all again! It remains an honor and privilege to serve as your principal. Please stop by and say hello. Together, I know we will make this school year one of learning, leading, fun, and achievement for all children. Enjoy the rest of your summer days with your kids.
Proud to be a Hazel Grove Hawk!
"Life is Better at The Grove"
~ Kristen Merrell, Principal Jed Prickett, Assistant Principal
Updates for the Year
STAFF - see below for new additions to our HGE staff. We are excited to welcome them into our Hazel Grove school family.
TIME TO REGISTER - If you have not registered, please do so ASAP so we can make sure all HAWKS are assigned to a classroom. ALL returning students (including new kinders) must register. REGISTRATION CLOSES MONDAY, AUG 8TH.
GET INVOLVED - click on the button above for the calendar of events for HGE. Put those on your calendar and join us for the fun!
CLASS ASSIGNMENTS - Families who have completed their online registration will be able to view their child’s class assignment later this summer.
MEET THE TEACHER- August 22nd 4:00 - 6:00 Join us at HGE to get ready for a new school year.
NO MORE AUTOMATIC FREE LUNCH - We'd like to remind those families eligible for free and reduced meals to also visit the Nutrition Services website to fill out the application before the school year begins. During the pandemic, school meals were free for all LSR7 families so it is important for those who qualify to apply now. More information about who qualifies for free and reduced meals can be found online at our Nutrition Services website. Lunch and breakfast prices can be found here, as well.
HAWK HEROES OF THE HALLWAYS - HAWK Heroes program returns this year. It connects adult volunteers to activities such as classroom helper, lunch buddy, recess buddy, reading or math support mentor, and special projects. This program invites parents and grandparents into the classroom. Typically, our heroes will meet with students one-on-one or help in a classroom once a year, however, multiple sign ups are welcome! More information available at Meet the Teacher.
PTA - Our Hazel Grove PTA is the BEST! Trust me - - - - you will want to be INVOLVED with this organization. Our students and staff are very fortunate to have the on-going support of our parent group. Please see below for more information.
SCHOOL SUPPLIES - A huge THANK YOU to our PTA for providing several school supplies for each grade level. This really helps our families out! See the bottom of this page for the 22 - 23 School Supply List.
NEED HELP? - - - call our HGE office at (816) 986-3310
Dismissal Car Rider Procedures
Parents are asked to wait until 3:55 before lining up for pick-up in order to not crowd the HGE parking lot. Please refrain from coming in the building to pick up students this interrupts HGE’s important end-of-day procedures that ensure students get home safely. Cars are asked to approach the parking lot from the south (Rhinehart via Blue Parkway). This will allow the southbound lane of Rhinehart Road to remain clear for through traffic. Parents show “family number” and then pull all of the way forward in the pick up line. Students will begin exiting the building a little after the 4:05 dismissal bell.
*Thank you to our families who made this procedure successful this past school year!
WELCOME TO THE HGE FAMILY
Let's Welcome our New Assistant Principal
I'm Tracy Kipper, HGE RN. I've been married to my husband Brian for 15 years and we live in KCMO with our 4 cats (crazy cat lady). We love Kansas City sports especially the Chiefs and Royals and also the Kansas Jayhawks. We own a small farm in SE Kansas that we plan to retire to in a few years and I hope to raise chickens, goats and sheep. I've been a nurse for almost 30 years and have loved every minute of it and am very excited to be joining Hazel Grove Elementary!
School Hours - Arrival and Dismissal Times
*Doors will open at 8:55 each morning. Please do not drop students off earlier than 8:55 as we do not have supervision available.
*Busses depart by 4:10 each afternoon.
* Car riders are dismissed between 4:05 - 4:10.
*The HGE office is open 8:25 - 4:25 each day to assist with absences or other questions.
From our PTA
Your PTA board has been busy this summer making plans for all your favorite HGE events. We have a great line-up of events for everyone.
And, we would love your help! Visit our table at Meet the Teacher to hear about ways you can help us out this year, and sign up to volunteer so you don't miss out on the fun!
We can't wait to see our returning families, and to meet all our new Hazel Grove families! Have a great last few weeks of summer!
School Supply List click below
Covid Updates
View Building and District Covid Cases at
COVID-19 - Lee's Summit R-7 School District
.About HGE
Fax: 816-986-3335
Office Hours: 8:25 - 4:25
School Hours: 9:10 - 4:10
Email: Firstname.lastname@lsr7.net
Website: https://hge.lsr7.org/
Location: 2001 Northwest Blue Parkway, Lee's Summit, MO, USA
Phone: 816-986-3310
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hgehawks
Twitter: @HGEhawks