Back to School News 2022-2023
Hawley Elementary School / August 2022
From the Desk of Mr. Moretti
Well, after what we all have been through the last year and a half, it is my hope that you all have had some time to enjoy summer reconnecting with family and friends, while making some nice new memories.
That is what I have been doing. My wife and I, along with our 3 boys (well, young men) headed out west to experience National Parks in Utah, Arizona & Colorado. The background of the Newsletter is Bryce Canyon which was breathtaking to horseback ride through. The picture to the left is my boys and I "getting out and about," "communing with nature," and "getting some exercise." There is a reason it is called The Road Less Traveled! I knew I should have gone left at the dead stump. This is what happens when dad is left in charge. (NO Principals were hurt in the taking of this photo ;0)~
We have been busy getting our TWO Houses in order (Hawley @ Sandy Hook AND Hawley at Reed). Although in different locations, the Hawley Spirit will be present wherever we are and throughout the school year.
We are looking forward to seeing all of our returning faces while welcoming our new students and families to the Hawley School Community. This Newsletter shares a lot of IMPORTANT Information that will be helpful for you to have prior to the start of school. Please read carefully and save pertinent information to reference as needed.
As I have shared, there will be a Before School Parent Night on Wednesday, 8/17, 5:30 in the Reed Cafe for ALL Hawley Parents. It is an adult only meeting where I will review this information as well answer questions.
As always, if you have any unanswered questions, do not hesitate to contact me.
See you soon-
Christopher Moretti
Excited Hawley Principal
203.426.7666
Greetings from Ms. Tischio, our Lead Teacher
Dear Hawley Families,
Welcome to all of our new families and welcome back to those of you who are returning! I hope you have enjoyed summer with each other. I was able to get away to Ocean Grover, NJ with my family. About 20 of us rent a big house on the beach. The cousins play, the aunties cook, and the uncles mostly snore on the couch. I am considered an “autie” at this point. My two children, Teresa and Julia, enjoy their time with cousins and my husband enjoys his time on the couch. We all look forward to it each year.
It’s good to be back at school. Mr. Moretti and I have been hard at work preparing for the start of the school year. We are looking forward to some exciting events that will keep us connected--even if we are in two different buildings. Both buildings are beautiful! Hawley students will be quite impressed with their new classrooms. Reed and Sandy Hook have been very welcoming, so we know the year will present many unique opportunities for Hawley students. Teachers are also hard at work personalizing their individual classrooms. As always, they are pulling out all the stops for their students.
By now, you must also be getting ready for school. Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions you may have. You can reach me by email at tischioc@newtown.k12.ct.us or simply call the Hawley office at 203-426-7666. I look forward to working with our amazing Hawley students this year!
Sincerely,
Carla Tischio
Lead Teacher
Not This Year.... but Remember?
Contacting the School(S)
Hawley @ Sandy Hook & Hawley @ Reed
- We will have a Hawley Main Office in both buildings.
- Our Main Phone Number remains the same, (203)426-7666. The phone will ring in both our offices. You will then be directed as needed.
- Staff email remains the same (last name with first initial @newtown.k12.ct.us)
ATTENDANCE/Going Home a Different Way
- If your child is going to be absent, instead of a call, we would like you to use THIS EMAIL (hawattendance@newtown.k12.ct.us). This is a new procedure but IMPORTANT as our secretaries are in different buildings. This is the best way we can assure everyone gets the information.
- If your child is going home early or a different way, you can use that email address as well, if it is 24 hrs notice. Otherwise, a call to the office is still best.
GRADE LEVEL / DEPARTMENT TEAMS
Here is our Amazing Starting Lineup
Lead Teacher
- Carla Tischio
Kindergarten
- Ms. Albano, Ms. Lubin & Mrs. Whitmore*
Grade 1
- Ms. Boxer *, Mrs. Davies, Mrs. Leja & Mrs. Massett*
Grade 2
- Mrs. Fusco *, Mrs. Fries, & Mr. Poeltl*
Grade 3
- Mrs. Galassi, Mrs. Pirone & Mrs. Vazzano
Grade 4
- Mrs. Dora *, Ms. Markelon, & Ms. Tatto
Art
- Ms. Griffin & Ms. Giddings
Library
- Mrs. Carlson
Music
- Mrs. Marak
PE
- Mr. Michlovitz & Mr. Sortino*
Spanish
- Senora Grenier* & Senor Pereira *
Special Education
- Jorie Howgego, Stephanie Kim & Kelly Lilly
Mental Health
- Caitlin McLarnon *- Psychologist
- Casey Sollazzo- Counselor
Related Services
- Amy Speiser- Speech and Language
- Deb Carty- OT
- Kristen Espitee- PT
Intervention
- Patti Vitarelli- Language Arts Consultant
- Elisabeth Douglass- Reading Teacher
- Nancy Scallon- Reading Teacher
- Amy Hiruo- Math Science Specialist
- Gina Cappelli*- Math Teacher
Gifted/Enrichment
- Kate Magness*
NEW TEACHERS / ROLES
- Gina Cappelli is leaving Kindergarten to be our new Math Intervention Teacher.
- Kim Whitmore is moving from Grade 2 to Kindergarten.
- Melissa Massett is moving from Kindergarten to Grade 1.
- Mike Poeltl is moving from Grade 4 to Grade 2.
- Tony Sortino & Marianne Grenier have taught PE and Spanish respectively at Hawley before. They are returning due to enrollment numbers and the split locations.
- Jessica Boxer is joining our Grade 1 Team. She is a graduate of Quinnipiac University and comes to us with experience at Ridge Road Elementary School in North Haven.
- Dana Fusco is coming to us with 6 years of experience from Shelton Public Schools.
- Adrianna Dora has taught 4th and 5th grades in Ridgefield Public Schools.
- Cristiano Pereira joins our World Language Department. He taught Spanish at the Wooster School and at Newtown High School.
- Caitlin McLarnon is our new school psychologist. She has worked in Greenwich Public Schools.
- Kate Magness has taught enrichment in Newtown for many years. She is now also at Hawley as Dr. Earle has retired.
Teacher Placement
If you have any difficulty accessing this information, you can call our main office at 203-426-7666. Teacher Placement is final. Any questions can be emailed to me at (morettic@newtown.k12.ct.us)
K BUS RUN / WALK-THROUGH
Kindergarten Bus Run
We are holding this event on Friday, 8/26, from 8:00-9:30. Buses will pick students up between 8:05-8:45 (depending on the route). Students arrive at Hawley/Sandy Hook between 8:45-9:00. Students not riding the bus or that won't board a bus, can be dropped off at Hawley/Sandy Hook around 9:00. No parent or sibling is to ride the bus. Students will meet their teacher and classmates, see their classroom, do an activity and watch a bus safety video. Parents will then pick students up in their classrooms at 9:30 where you can then see the classroom and also meet the teacher.
Walk-Through
A highlight of mine each year is the Walk-Through. I just love the excitement of all the kids back in the building(s) and the energy of seeing everyone again.
- For Grades K-1, it will take place at Sandy Hook on Friday, 8/26, from 9:30-10:30. Teachers have a scheduled Professional Development workshop at 10:45 so there will be an announcement for a prompt departure.
- For Grades 2-4, it will take place at Reed on Friday, 8/26, from 12:00-1:00. Teachers have a scheduled Professional Development at 1:15 so there will be an announcement for a prompt departure.
ARRIVAL & STUDENT DROP OFF
Hawley at Sandy Hook
Buses: HAW buses will drop off students in the bus loop at Sandy Hook and students may enter the building beginning at 8:45 a.m. Ample staff from both schools will be on bus duty and stationed throughout the building to assist students.
Parent Drop Off: SHS and HAW students will be dropped off at the designated parent drop-off circle in front of the school between 8:45 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. The drop off line will go all the way down to the entrance by the Library (Door 2). This line can fit approximately 15 cars at a time. Staff members from SHS and HAW will be present outside to safely cross students into the building at two designated points in the loop. Students will enter the building through the “Library Entrance” or the “Be Kind Entrance.” Students dropped off after 9:00 must be walked in the building and signed in by an adult.
Hawley at Reed
Parent Drop Off: Reed and Hawley students will be dropped off in the front of the building by driving through the car loop at the main entrance. Students enter the building through the cafeteria side door and proceed to their classroom. Drop off is from 8:45 am-9:00 am. Students dropped off after 9:00 must be walked in the building and signed in by an adult.
Dismissal & Student Pick-Up
Reminders (for BOTH locations)
Pick-Ups
- Students being picked-up after school need a note saying so. Notes can be sent in as needed, daily, or a permanent one-time note (ex. everyday, every Tuesday).
- All pick-ups will occur in the locations using the process described in the below section
- Reed students (Grades 2-6) WITH Hawley siblings can be picked-up together at Hawley (Sand Hook). We get a list of pick-ups from Reed, the Reed students get off the bus at Sandy Hook, walks in the building, and meets their sibling until picked up by a parent.
- Students at Reed (Grades 2-6), with no sibling at Sandy Hook, will be picked up together at Reed with the older sibling joining the younger one in the Gym.
- There are NO WALKERS this year with us being in the two other schools.
Hawley at Sandy Hook
Parent Pick-Up: Hawley Parent Pick-Up will take place outside the Library Door. Parents may park in the visitors lot and line up outside the Library Doors. A Hawley staff member will release your child to you. Any adult picking up a child must be prepared to present a photo ID.
Hawley at Reed
Parent Pick-Up:
Hawley Parent Pick-Up will take place in the Reed Gym. Parents may park in the front of the building and line up outside the gym door. A Hawley staff member will release your child to you. Any adult picking up a child must be prepared to present a photo ID.
Bus Information / Reminders
Bus routes will be available on August 19, 2022, online at the Newtown Public Schools website, under Parents then Transportation, or by Clicking HERE. They will also appear in The Newtown Bee’s Back To School Edition.
Here are some helpful reminders and information regarding bussing.
- Each year, buses are delayed the first few days of school as routes and stops are ironed out and tweaked. The speed of routes depend on the number of students on the bus and, of course, weather and traffic. A routine and dependable time does emerge.
- Bus Passes to other houses, per District Protocol, is usually restricted and/or limited. Parents needing a student to ride a different bus for Day Care purposes need to call AllStar Bus Company (203-304-9779) to determine if there is room, the school is then notified by AllStar, with the parent following up for confirmation.
- If your child goes to different locations during the week (ex. daycare Tuesday and Thursday) in which bus transportation is available, you can fill out an Alternative Bus Stop Form. The form is available on our school website under Parents then Transportation or by Clicking HERE.
- If you are allowing your student to be dropped off at a bus stop with NO adult present, a Bus Drop Off Waiver form must be filled out YEARLY. The form is available on our school website under Parents then Transportation or by Clicking HERE.
- It is important to be at the bus stop to greet your child. Without a waiver, or for younger students, they will NOT be dropped off if no adult is present. Students are then driven back to school where parents will then need to pick up the student. Although school staff is there to greet them, most students get nervous by this experience.
Your patience the first few weeks is greatly appreciated. At first, please arrive at bus stops a little early and remain at bus stops a little afterward just to be safe until predictable routines are established. Let the bus company know directly if there are any issues.
You certainly can also feel free to contact the school with any questions that you may have.
Miscellaneous Information
- District School Calendar 2022/2023: click here
- 2022-2023 Supply Lists: Located on our school website under the Hawley Parent Resources tab or Quick Links, or you can click here
- District Early Release and Delayed Opening Professional Development Days: click here for a complete list. PLEASE Save and Reference throughout the year.
- Current/Updated Contact Information: It is imperative that our database contains updated and accurate information. This includes, but is not limited to, addresses and all phone numbers, local emergency contacts, and the email addresses that you would like to use to receive school communications. New families have had information mailed to them on setting up accounts.
- Student Picture Use: There are many wonderful events that occur throughout the year at Hawley School. We love to share pictures of them with you through our website, newsletters, Twitter and the Newtown Bee. We can only use your child's likeness with your yearly permission. You can grant this by updating your student's information in PowerSchool using the ParentPortal. Again, we need permission granted each year.
Dates to REMEMBER
- Mon, 8/15- ParentPortal Opens: Find out your student's teacher
- Wed, 8/17- Before School Parent Night for ALL Parents, Reed Cafe (5:30-6:30)
- Fri, 8/26: K Bus Run (8:00-9:30)
- Fri, 8/26: Student WalkThrough for Grades K-1 at Sandy Hook (9:30-10:30)
- Fri, 8/26: Student WalkThrough for Grades 2-4 at Reed (12:00-1:00)
- Mon, 8/29- 1st DAY OF SCHOOL
- Mon-Wed, 8/29-8/31- 3 Hr Early Dismissal (12:37 pm)
- Mon, 9/5- No School: Labor Day
- Tues, 9/13: Open House K-1, 6:00-7:00
- Wed, 9/14: Open House 2-4, 6:30-7:30
- Fri, 9/23- 3 Hr Early Dismissal (12:37 pm)
- Mon, 9/26- No School: Rosh Hashanah
Funny Bones
Tag... WE'RE It ;0)
Our Website
- For us to use your child's likeness, we need your permission. Permission must be given yearly. You can grant it via the ParentPortal.
Final Thoughts
As another school year approaches, I can't help but reflect back on the last few. I have trouble doing that because, actually, I have blocked them from my memory ;0)
However, yet again, we are not beginning a typical school year. We are separated into two buildings. I like to view this challenge as an opportunity.
An opportunity to try new things. An opportunity for Field Trips to the other school for assemblies and activities. An opportunity to do joint school events or have ex-students (now 5th or 6th graders) mentor younger students. An opportunity to co-teach with different colleagues or grade levels.
I know and trust my staff. I have experienced the total support of parents. I love our Kidz! There is nothing that the Hawley School Community can not accomplish. I am convinced, no matter what, It is going to be a Terrific Year!!!!
Christopher Moretti
Email: morettic@newtown.k12.ct.us
Website: http://newtown.hawley.schooldesk.net/
Location: 29 Church Hill Road
Phone: 203.426.7666
Twitter: @hawley_school