Hi Everyone,

Just a reminder that Monday, January 20 is a no school day due to the Martin Luther King Holiday and January 29 is a half day with dismissal at 12 due to teacher PD. There are also several PTO events coming up. You will receive paper flyers but I will add the most recent, PTO Winter Wonderland Family Dance, below this section.

Please see information relating to Box Tops and the HH Swag Store below. Both are opportunities to support the PTO.

Please see Notes from Nurse Deb.

Last week, recess was indoors for most of the week due to the temperatures. When we have indoor recess, it is in the classroom and there are quieter activities and children ay also have snack. The Weather Watch Guide at the end of the newsletter should help you determine our guidelines.

I will keep the Grade 5 Boat for Kids weekly schedule below. This is a program for our fifth graders in conjunction with CHS Career and tech and electric boat. The first week went very well.

January 9 - Cartesian Diver -- Students explore Ship Fitting

January 16 - Welding with Cheese -- Students explore Welding

January 23 - PVC Periscope - Students explore Pipe Fitting

January 30 - Fruit Batteries - Students explore maritime electrical

February 6 - Aluminum Foil Submarine - Students explore Sheetmetal

February 13 - Measurement and Fractions --Students explorer Machining

The children and teachers had very positive reviews about this experience.

January Breakfast

January Lunch

Best,

Mrs. Tancrelle

Attendance Updates:

Letters coming this week per policy guidelines.

RIDE ATTENDANCE TOOL STATS: No updates currently.

Please review Coventry's Attendance Policy approved by the Coventry School Committee on June 27, 2024 and modeled after changes in RI State Law about attendance and addressing attendance.

Coventry Food Service Program: The Coventry Food Service Program - Breakfast and Lunch - is managed by Sodexo. Click on the link, which is the food service page from the Coventry Public Schools web page, in order to get pricing information.

Please note that the lunch menu seems to be only for next week. I have a menu in a different format that I will send in a separate email.

January Breakfast Menu

January Lunch Menu

Free and Reduced Lunch: If you have been or think you might be eligible for free/reduced school lunch, you need to fill out the forms yearly before mid October. Once mid October comes and there isn't a new form on file, charges will accrue. You can find the on line application at the food service link above. This is now active, and I've linked it here - Free/Reduced Lunch Application. If you need a paper form, please let me know. The only exception to this process is if you are a direct cert from the state. You would have a letter and would just have to send us a copy.

Hopkins Hill Food Pantry: Hopkins Hill operates a food pantry throughout the school year. As part of this operation, we provide biweekly grocery deliveries from our food pantry supplies to any family that might be having a difficult time. All food pantry inquiries are confidential. You can call me or Nurse Deb if you are interested. We also have access to new coats, shoes, things like that, if needed. Reach out should any emergency arise and we are prepared to assist or help you find assistance.

Laws change all the time with respect to a school nurse being able to administer medications in school. Here is a guide from Nurse Deb that will be helpful:

Medication Policy: Medication is not allowed in school without prior approval. There are times when medications are necessary to assure a student’s attendance at school. All medications, both prescription and over-the-counter, are to be brought in the original container which is properly labeled with the name of the student, the name and dosage of the medication, instructions for administration, and physician’s name. The medication is to be brought to the nurse/teacher at the beginning of the school day with the current parent/physician authorization form. Medication forms are available through the school nurse.

No medication will be given without a physician’s order. This includes Tylenol/Ibuprofen products, allergy medication, and cough drops/pops.

Cough drops are allowed for students in grades 3 and up with a note from the parent granting permission rather than an order but note the age requirement.

Students in K-2 must have an order on file from the pediatrician to allow cough drops in school.

Orders may be faxed to the nurse from the doctor at 401-305-0104.

Physical Education and Health, Mrs. Marran; Mrs. (Berard) March:

Please click on the link to Mrs. Marran's Website. She updates it weekly. Here's the website address, too: https://marranjulie.wixsite.com/hhpehealth

We are excited to have received a grant at Hopkins Hill for 5th grade students to learn more about Nutrition. We have staff from URI and Farm Fresh RI working together to come and teach lessons to our students. They will be able to participate in finding healthy recipes and voting on them to eventually taste test some at school. We are excited to get this program going and it will be beginning this coming week. If you have any questions, feel free to email Mrs. Marran marranjulie@coventryschools.net

Here is the link for the Farm Fresh Family Newsletter for Week 1!

Notes From Music, Mr. Johnson; Mrs. Masse:

• Save the date: Hopkins Hill Chorus Winter Concert - Tuesday, February 4th, 2025 - 6:15 pm.

• Be sure to visit Mr. Johnson's website and check out the NEW Quarter 1 Music Class Podcast! Hear all about the songs and music skills studied in music class during the first quarter of the school year.

www.tinyurl.com/mrjcoventry

Library News, Mrs. Peters:

Check out this new website that Mrs. Peters created for Library! HH Library Website

Library Reading Challenge: Read a recipe to help make a meal or treat with someone special to you! Have an adult take your picture and send it to Mrs. Peters so it can be displayed. Check the website for details. https://sites.google.com/view/mrspeterslibrary/home

Art News, Mrs. McKay; Mrs. Gauthier:

2024-2025 SCHOOL CALENDAR

Weather Watch Recess Guide

This is where you will find a calendar of school events and other important dates. Here's the first fall dates to mark on your calendar:

January 14 - School Store

January 20 - Martin Luther King Day - no school

January 24 - PTO Winter Family Dance - watch for more information

January 29 - Teacher PD, Half Day for Students, Dismissal at 12

February 4 - Chorus Winter Concert

February 11 - School Store

February 17-21 - No School, Winter Break

PTO Meeting Schedule - All meetings are at 6 PM at Hopkins Hill. All are Welcome!

2/3, 3/3, 4/7, 5/5, 6/2

SCHOOL STORE DATES

1/14; 2/11; 3/11; 4/8; 5/20

PTO Officers for the 2024-2025 school year.

President - Kristina Fragose

Vice President - Shana Cinquemani

Secretary - Meghan Broz

Treasure - Kayla Mauldin

Social Media Coordinator - Christine Falk

HH PTO:hopkinshillpto@gmail.com

Families, if you haven't done so already, please sign up for our email. Below is the link to do so or you can email us directly at hopkinshillpto@gmail.com

Thank you for all your support and we are looking forward to a great year!

Facebook: Hopkins Hill Elementary PTO

Instagram: @HopkinsHillPTO

Website: Access Hopkins Hill from the district page: https://www.coventryschools.net/

or go to: Hopkins Hill Elementary School

Location: 95 Johnson Blvd, Coventry, RI, USA

Phone: 401-822-9477

E-Fax: 401-823-1801

• Kathryn Tancrelle, Principal tancrellekathryn@coventryschools.net
• Kathleen Mealey, Secretary, mealeykathleen@coventryschools.net
• Deborah Oliver "Nurse Deb", School Nurse, oliverdeborah@coventryschools.net