HES Happenings
June 24, 2022: Last Newsletter of the 2021-2022 School Year
End of the Year Wrap Up and a Special Note from Mrs. Oldach
Hello HES Families and Caregivers,
This year at HES has been one for the record books with our educational team exceeding goals for student learning and social-emotional growth, all within the historic backdrop of COVID. Our kids are soon to be playing on a brand new playground, and a well-deserved summer is around the corner next week for all!
Next Tuesday, June 28, is the last day of school for kindergarten through fourth grade (Preschool’s last day is Monday, June 27). It is an HES tradition that on the last day of school we have “Step Up Day” when our K through third grade students visit their new teacher and classmates for next school year. Your child’s teacher for next year will be noted in their paper report card which they will bring home on the last day of school. Your child’s report card is also available online click here for more information on how to access Aspen for this information: https://www.monomoy.edu/Page/4934
As a final note, I wanted to let our school community know that I have accepted a principalship in another district effective July 1. Harwich Elementary is a special school with incredibly talented staff and caring families. I am proud of all that we have accomplished together as a school community during my 7 years as a principal at HES!
Most sincerely,
Mary Oldach, MEd
Principal, Harwich Elementary School
Last Day of School Schedule
The last day of school for preschool is Monday, June 27.
Happy Summer!
Mrs. Cloney and Mrs. Hirschberger bring back and HES Tradition - The Life Cycle Play!
Almost there!
The Harwich Community Playground behind Harwich Elementary School is nearing completion, however, it is not yet approved for use by children. The playground inspector visited the site on Monday, June 20, and found a number of small items that need to be completed before it can safely be opened for use. The playground also needs review and approval by Town of Harwich officials, as it is a town project. While the construction fencing has been removed in preparation for final work, there is caution tape around the equipment to remind all users to stay off the playground until final approval is granted.
Staff on the Move!
Classroom Teachers - Next school year, HES will have 5 homerooms in each grade level. This year we have 6 fourth-grade classes and so Ms. Marcincuk will be moving from fourth to third grade, and Mrs. Thonus will be moving from third to second grade next school year. Both Mrs. Marcincuk and Mrs. Thonus "looped" up with their classes this year, so they will be returning to their previous grade-level teams. Mrs. Fisler will be teaching first grade next school year.
School Nurse - Nurse Holly Tavano is excited to begin her own career in teaching and is joining the staff at Cape Tech in nurse education. Nurse Heather Stamp rejoins the HES staff as our School Nurse after being a nurse for us during COVID. She knows our staff students and routines already and will slip right back into this role for our school.
Special Education - We welcome Ms. Bauer as a special education teacher for third grade. Ms. Bauer comes to HES from West Springfield Public Schools with over 13 years of experience. Ms. Cully joins our staff as the preschool intensive special education teacher. and comes to us from Barnstable Public Schools. Ms. Pandiscio will be the special education teacher for kindergarten and first grade next school year. Ms. Fonts, School Psychologist, is transferring to Monomoy High School next fall and this position has been posted.
Owl Pellet Mysteries!
The students in Mrs. Piknick and Mrs. Krystofolski’s classes read a book about owls, and practiced both their note-taking and presentation skills while they shared what they learned. They finished up by dissecting owl pellets!
Harwich Mariners Visited Lunches on Tuesday!
HES Lost and Found - Last Call
can help students of all ages read more and improve comprehension for all ages and levels of readers!
Next School Year: Family Drop Off and Pick Up will only be at Door 3 - please carefully read the message below
Please Ride the Bus Next School Year!
Next school year, family drop-off and pick-up will only be at Door 3 on the Sisson Road side of the school from 7:35-7:45am. HES will be returning to the "pre-COVID" use of the Parallel Street (Door 6) side of the school for preschool and Special Education transportation.
We encourage all families to sign up their Kindergarten through Grade 4 students to ride the bus for convenience, to reduce traffic around the school, and plus bus riders are never tardy! If the bus is late to arrive at the school, students are not marked tardy.
In order to create appropriate bus routes and stops, families are asked to complete the online Aspen transportation form. Click here to log into your family Aspen account, and select 'Start a new Bus Verification.' Please note that you must complete the form for each student.
There are no distancing or masking requirements in place, and we encourage families to use the bus to transport their students for the 2022-2023 school year.
Early Morning Drop Off will continue every school day from 7:15 - 7:30 am at Door 2. Families can drop off their students who will be supervised in the cafeteria until the bell rings at 7:35 am.
100 Book Challenge - Reading 30 Minutes each Night is our only Homework!
The only MRSD elementary homework expectation for our Grade 1-4 students is reading for 30 minutes at home and filling out their reading log. Each student comes home every school night with this blue book bag full of books at their reading level. However, any reading at home counts! Kids can snuggle up and read a book together, listen to an audio book or read to themselves.
For every 100 "Steps" (15 minutes of reading), each student earns a collectible coin, and their name is announced on Morning Announcements. Kids love collecting the coins and we love that they are reading! For every 500 steps read, students receive a special reading medal on a blue a white ribbon.
Please click the video link below for more information on the 100 Book Challenge from our very own Mrs. Cleary, Grade 4 Teacher.
MRSD is Hiring!
Monomoy Special Education Parent Advisory Council
Peanut and Nut Free Lunches from Home
In order to ensure adequate social distancing, we have added more seating area to accommodate our grade level lunches. As a result, we do not have the flexibility with seating that we have had in the past to allow for students to bring peanut and nut items in their lunches. It is extremely important that students bring peanut and nut-free lunches to school. This effort will go a long way to protect all students and is greatly appreciated.
Snacks in the classroom do not need to be peanut and nut-free unless your classroom teacher has made you aware of an allergy accommodation in your student’s class.
Mrs. Mary Oldach, MEd.
Mrs.Sharon Hughes, MEd.
Harwich Elementary School
Website: https://www.monomoy.edu
Location: 263 South Street, Harwich, MA, USA
Phone: 508-430-7216
Twitter: @monomoyHES