What's Happening??!!

Dear Hawley Parents/Guardians, Teachers, and Staff,

What terrific 1st week of school. OK, there were some bus issues, and some cafe issues (as we realized 1/2 the building has never eaten nor been served lunch in our cafe before), student pick up needed some adjustment, and oh, there was this flood in the library, gym and office we needed to attend to. All par for the course ;0)

What I remember from the week is the sounds of cheers and laughter, happy kids, fun activities, friendships rekindled or beginning, and through it all, teaching and learning.

Buckle up, stay seated, and keep your hands and feet in the car at all times, as you read on to find out What's Happening at Hawley .....

I want to clarify the difference between 2 different types of ways to go home. It is important to know the difference as it puts students in very different locations at the end of the day.

Walker: A walker is a student that walks off the property without any adult with them. They must have a signed Walking Waiver on file giving them parent permission and showing that you have mapped out a safe route home for them. They gather in the lobby at dismissal, exit the building from the front, walk down the bus loop and out the sidewalk by the parking lot entrance. Walking Waivers are on our website under Hawley Parent Resources then Forms. You may also Click HERE.

Pick-Up: A pick-up is any student not riding the bus and meeting an adult at the end of the day (whether by car or to walk home together). These students gather in the gym at the end of the day and wait for their parents. Cars drive into the blacktop area with their sign displayed and wait to be waved around. Again, it is imperative, NOT to arrive before 3:30 PM as the line cannot interfere with buses entering and road traffic.

Parents picking up to walk home together come up the back sidewalk to the left of our building, wait on the grass area, give an adult their name and wait until their child is escorted to them. You then exit the same way you arrived. Also- please do not engage in ongoing conversation with staff as their priority is supervising children and keeping the line moving.

Drop-Off: Drop off with cars is the same as pick-up. Parents walking to school with students, again, walk up the back sidewalk and get an adults attention as they will then walk your student into the gym.

We also remind all cars to drive slowly (our speed limit is 5 mph) and not to be on cell phones while driving through the parking lot.

All our protocols are designed solely for student safety. Our parking lot is small and narrow and there are a lot of moving pieces. Your support and understanding is greatly appreciated.

COVID has not only impacted health but the income of many families. Newtown Public Schools is partnering with local community volunteers and donors to provide the Backpack Program to children in need of snacks at home in Kindergarten through 8th Grade.

Students who participate in the Backpack Program will bring home a small bag of kid-friendly, shelf-stable foods each week. The bag will be sent home with the student in his/her backpack on the last day of the school week, typically Friday. There is no cost to the family or to the school for participating.

Click HERE or contact our school counselor, Ms. Sollazzo (sollazzoc@newtown.ct.k12.us) for more information.

As I have shared, the Board of Education voted to move Open House from the beginning of the month to the end of the month. This was to give us time to settle in and closely monitor the number of potential illnesses.

At the moment Open House is in-person. Depending on the situation as we get closer, we may need to limit the number of parents to 1 per family or they may convert to Virtual. I will keep you posted.

For Now:

*Wednesday, September 29: Kindergarten-Grade 2, 6:30-7:30 PM in classrooms.

*Thursday, September 30: Grades 3-4, 6:30-7:30 PM in classrooms.

Throughout the year, our school counselor and psychologist run a variety of small groups. Students in the groups are periodically allowed to bring a friend to participate in the group activity.

If you have questions or would like your child NOT to attend these activities, please contact Mrs. Perna and Ms. Sollazzo (pernaa@newtown.k12.ct.us and sollazzoc@newtown.k12.ct.us) or your child's classroom teacher.

Volunteers Wanted (and allowed back ;0)

Parents are always looking for an opportunity to Volunteer in school. The library is a terrific place to do so.

Volunteers can sign up for their child's library class and / or other library class times if interested. Christi Carlson can let you know the day and time your child's class has library, and give you more information!

Please Note, to Volunteer for anything at school, including being a Chaperone on a Field Trip, you must fill out a Volunteer Form allowing a background check and waiving liability. The form is on our website as well as the District website. You may also Click HERE for the form.

If you would like to volunteer in the library this year please contact Christi at crcarlson25@yahoo.com. Thank you!

Each student at Hawley School is assigned a Chromebook. There are times throughout the year the Chromebook goes back and forth from school to home. It will be occurring more often in grades 2-4.

There is a Chromebook Insurance Program which provides families with protection against unanticipated costs arising from the device being damaged or stolen. This program is offered to students in all grades who are assigned a Chromebook to take to and from school.

This is Optional and the cost is $20. Click HERE for the form and more information.

Thursday, September 9, we are partnering with Project Pizza for a Fundraiser. Our PTA will receive 20% of all meals ordered this day (take-out or delivery). Just order, mention the Hawley PTA, and enjoy your delicious meal knowing that you are helping to raise money for Hawley School.

Click HERE for more information.

• No School Monday or Tuesday (Labor Day and Rosh Hashana)
• Wednesday will be a DAY 6
• Please continue to discuss with your student if the have a lunch from home or need to order one at school. Also review the menu so they know what they would like to order for lunch. Although lunches remain free (and come with a milk), water and snacks do need to be purchased. You can send in money with your child or see our website to add money to your child's account.
• Thank you for your continued support and for all the kind words and messages. They truly keeps us going!

• Mon, 9/6: NO SCHOOL- Labor Day
• Tues, 9/7: NO SCHOOL- Rash Hashana
• Thurs, 9/9: PTA Fundraiser with Project Pizza
• Thurs, 9/16: NO SCHOOL- Yom Kippur
• Wed, 9/29: General PTA Meeting, 4:00-5:00
• Wed, 9/29: Open House- Grades K-2, 6:30-7:30
• Wed, 9/29: Open House- Grades 3-4, 6:30-7:30

Kindergarteners were doing a building-wide Scavenger Hunt to learn about the different rooms and locations of Hawley School. They were on the hunt for Pete the Cat. This is what occurred when they got to Mr. Moretti's office.

K Students, "Have you seen Pete the Cat? "

"Yes, he ran in, jumped over my stuffed monkey and out the window" replied Mr. M

"This is Mr. Moretti's office boys and girls" the teacher informed them.

"This is where you live?" inquired one student.

"Where's your bed?" asked another.

While a third student added, "and your Play Station? "

Click Here to view our Twitter page.

*For us to use your child's likeness, we need your permission. Permission must be granted annually via the ParentPortal.

Twitter: @hawley_school

Our website contains a tremendous amount of information and has the answers to most questions, PLUS, a staff directory/emails, handbooks, forms and more. Click Here to check it out!

Inspired Hawley Principal

Email: morettic@newtown.k12.ct.us
Website: http://newtown.hawley.schooldesk.net/
Location: 29 Church Hill Road, Newtown, CT, United States
Phone: (203) 426-7666
Twitter: @cmoretti66