The Compass Rose: 1/6
Principal's Message
To the East Elementary School community:
It was wonderful to have all of our students back with us after break, and we jumped right back in to action. We've been working through our Winter testing & assessments with each grade level taking Reading or Math assessments and/or engaging in Winter writing prompts. These assessments help us measure student growth and progress relative to similar assessments administered this fall.
We want to remind parents as we continue through the winter season that students should be dressed appropriately for the cold weather and snow, should that be needed.
- Mr. Hawes
PTO Meeting Date TBD
Our upcoming PTO meeting date conflicts with a Kindergarten information session, and we'd like to be conscious of those wishing to attend. The PTO will email out the date and location of the January meeting which will be adjusted this month due to the Hingham community meeting schedule.
Safe Schools PD
During Wednesday's early release, all elementary staff from across the district participated in professional development led by Landon Callahan from the Safe Schools program.
The Safe Schools program is a joint initiative between the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and the Massachusetts Commission on LGBTQ Youth. The presentation focused on best practices to support LGBTQ+ youth and a review of the state's anti-bullying law, gender identity law, and student anti-discrimination law.
Kindergarten Information Session
The Hingham Public Schools will host a Kindergarten Parent Forum for parents of children who are eligible to enter kindergarten in September 2023. We especially welcome families new to Hingham or those who will have children in the HPS for the first-time next fall.
The meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, January 11th at 6:30 PM at the North/South Meeting Room located on the 2nd Floor of Town Hall. Central Office and building administration will join HPS kindergarten teachers in a presentation that includes enrollment guidelines, timelines, and an overview of the kindergarten program.
Spanish Immersion (Pre-K)
HPS is excited to announce to opening of the Spanish Immersion Pre-K pilot program coming this fall. This full-day program running 8:30 AM to 2:00 PM from September 2023 to June 2024. Kids In Action is operating this program, and registration begins Monday 1/23. The enrollment deadline for the program is 2/15.
There will be information sessions held for the program in January. The first is in-person on 1/23 (7-8 PM, Foster Elementary School). The second session will be virtual (1/24, 7-8 PM) and the link will be posted on our website.
For more information on this program, visit: https://hinghamschools.org/spanish-immersion-prek/
Anxiety & Depression
The Hingham SEPAC and HPS PTOs are sponsoring a Dr. Nadja Reilly, Clinical Psychologist, for a presentation titled "How to Handle Anxiety, Depression, and Your Kids". The topics included will be anxiety/depression, self-harm, what to look for, and coping mechanisms. The session will be held January 17th at 7PM in the HHS Auditorium. This session is limited to parents and caregivers.
Integrated Pre-K
HPS Integrated Preschool program is looking for children who will work, play, and learn alongside children with special needs in our integrated preschool settings. If you are interested, please return the application (linked below) by January 27th. Parents/Guardians of applicants will be called with an appointment time for our placement screening on 2/7/23. If you have any questions, please reach out to Elizabeth Costanza at ecostanza@hinghamschools.org.
After School Strings Program
The HPS Fine Arts Department is pleased to announce the introduction of the After School
Strings Program operating under Kids in Action (KIA).
This pilot program is open to Hingham Public Schools students in grades 3 and 4. The program
will start on January 31st, 2023, and run for 15 weeks.
Registration for this program will open on Saturday, January 7th, at 9 AM and close on
Saturday, January 21st. Registration will be through UniPay, links here:
For more information on the KIA After School Strings Program, please visit:
SEPAC Invitation
Attention all parents/caregivers raising a child with special needs. If you are interested in connecting with other parents/caregivers who are also on this unique journey then please join us for a special needs parent/caregiver support and connection meet up. This is intended to be an informal gathering that will be held January 9th @ 7pm at the Hingham Public Library - Fearing Room.
For more information please join our community on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/HinghamSEPACForum)!
Save The Date! 📅☑️
After-School Explorers begins
Mon, Jan 9, 2023, 03:00 PM
Kindergarten Information Session
Wed, Jan 11, 2023, 06:30 PM
Term 1 Closes (Report Cards sent home 1/27)
Fri, Jan 20, 2023, 03:00 PM
Contact Us:
Have questions or need assistance? Reach out to us!
Jonathan Hawes, Principal: jhawes@hinghamschools.org
Dr. Amanda Donovan, Assistant Principal: adonovan@hinghamschools.org
Karen Mariani, Administrative Assistant: kmariani@hinghamschools.org
Elisa Nelson, Administrative Assistant: enelson@hinghamschools.org
Tel: (781) 741-1570