The Friday Focus

• 2025-26 Kindergarten Registration: Information and Forms are linked HERE.

• Kindergarten Camp: Information and forms are linked HERE. Please Note: your child must be registered for Fall 2025 Kindergarten in order to attend.

Upcoming:

• NJ Stride 2025 Virtual Job Fair, March 20th, 4:30-7:30pm. Calling all NJ Educators! Meet dozens of NJ school districts seeking candidates for all grade levels and content areas!

• The Hopewell Valley Education Foundation Annual “Above & Beyond Gala” Friday, March 21st at Hopewell Valley Vineyards. Join us from 6:30-9:30 as we celebrate our well-deserving Teachers and Support Staff of the Year from each district school. Please click here for more event information and to buy Gala tickets

• Hopewell Valley Bulldog Blossom 5K, Saturday, March 22: Sign up today! Time is running out to guarantee a T-shirt for the Hopewell Valley 5K & 1M Fun Run

  The Hopewell Valley 5k is in its third year, and this will be the first year we’ve added a 1-mile fun run to the event. This wonderful community event is open to everyone, runners and walkers alike, and it takes place on Saturday, March 22, 2025 at HVCHS. We will have a top teacher/administrator award, and 100 points awarded to the black or gold team from Hopewell Valley Central High School that has the highest number of participants registered. All registrants, including faculty, students, family members, and friends, can affiliate with either the black or gold team by selecting the appropriate grade for the CHS student they wish to support Visit our website at https://hopewellvalley5k.com/ to register or to learn more about the event. Our race will have free T-Shirts while supplies last, so sign up today!

Final shows: Alice by Heart, a musical inspired by Lewis Carroll’s novel Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland on March 7 & March 8 at 7 p.m. in the HVCHS Performing Arts Center. Tickets can be purchased online; please consider joining us for this celebration of the transformational power of the imagination!

HVCHS Updates: Please see the February edition of HVCHS Updates from Ms. Riley and the January Counseling Newsletter from Ms. Rutt.

Local Scholarships for Class of 2025: The HVCHS Counseling Department coordinates our Local Scholarship Program and the Scholarship Application is available to seniors now - both on the link as well as on on the HVCHS Scholarship site. The deadline to submit the application is March 14 at 3pm - no exceptions.

Freshman/Sophomore Semi-Formal: Tickets for the Freshman/Sophomore Semi-Formal will be on sale during lunches next week. This fun-filled event featuring music, games, and prizes will take place on Friday, March 21, from 7 p.m. until 10 p.m.

• Absences, Late Arrivals, & Early Dismissals: Parents/Guardians should call our TeleSafe number 609-737-4003, Ext 2, by 8:00 am to report an absence or late arrival. Please provide a note if your child needs to be dismissed from school early. Freshmen, sophomores, and juniors MUST be signed out by a parent or guardian before leaving the building. Please also review our attendance procedures for details about the district policies. *As a reminder, students must be in school for at least four hours in order to participate in all athletic or extra-curricular activities and events*

• What’s Happening at HVCHS? Please follow us on Twitter: @HVCentralHS and Instagram: hopewell_valley_central_hs for pictures, updates, and fun facts. Our daily morning announcements can be found on the school website and via this link. Fundraising activities from our classes, clubs, and teams can be found on our fundraising calendar. Also, check out our HV Student Publications Network page for student-created podcasts, digital videos, and more! If you are a graduate of HVCHS, and you would like to join our Alumni Directory, please complete our Database Form and indicate what type of information you would like to receive from HVCHS.

The Counseling Services Calendar for 2024-25 can be found HERE with links to upcoming programs and events.

• March 10, 11: NJGPA Testing, Special Schedules

• March 15: Deadline to submit for local scholarship program
• March 21: Class of 2027 & 2028 Dance 7pm-10pm CHS Cafeteria, Click HERE
• March 21: HVEF Above & Beyond Gala 6.30pm Hopewell Vineyards Tickets HERE
• March 22: Hopewell Valley Bulldog Blossom 5K Register HERE

Hope to see you at "Shake Your Shamrock" Family Game Night, Friday from 6-8 pm!

Our CUTTING HAIR BECAUSE WE CARE event is on Wednesday, March 18th. JOIN OUR TEAM! The event will take place between 9am-12pm (each grade level will have roughly an hour slot) on 3/18. If you'd like to donate to or join Team Timberlane 2025, CLICK HERE. If you'd like to donate your hair to Maggie's Wigs for Kids, CLICK HERE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

TMS Spring Sports - Boys and Girls Lacrosse (7th & 8th Grade Only), Boys & Girls Spring Track (6th, 7th & 8th Grade), Baseball 7th & 8th Grade) and Softball (6th, 7th & 8th Grade) start Monday, March 17th!

• Yearbooks are on sale! The early bird price is $35. Click HERE to order your student's yearbook now!
• Absences, Late Arrival & Early Dismissal: Parents should call our TeleSafe # 609-737-4004, Ext 2, by 8:00 am, to report an absence or late arrival. If your child is leaving early, please be sure to send in a note when possible. If the need occurs after the start of school, please call the Main Office.
• Timberlane Drive is closed between 2:30 - 3:00 for TMS and CHS dismissal.
• TMS Updates: For additional information about TMS, please visit our webpage, or follow us on Twitter @Timberlane_HV, or instagram @timberlane_timberwolves
• The Timberlane ``Principal's Page" is on the TMS Website.

Upcoming Dates:

March 7 - Shake Your Shamrock Night of Fun, 6-8pm

March 14 - PTO 76ers Game

March 18 - Cutting Hair Because We Care! (St. Baldrick's & Wigs for Kids)

March 18 - Early Dismissal

March 21 - HVEF "Above and Beyond Gala" to celebrate our Educator of the Year, Ms. Adler!

March 31 - Friday, April 4 - SPRING BREAK

BT Principal's Page

BT On Instagram

BTPTO March Bear Flash

BT Kids Heart Challenge - until March 14th: Please click here to see this note from

Carl Corino, BT Wellness teacher.

ReadaFun - We will run a BT Reading Raiser from Mar 1-28. This is like a jog-a-thon, except your child will be reading books instead of running laps and earning pledges based on how much they read. Everything is tracked online, which makes inviting sponsors and logging reading much more manageable. Here are two videos that explain how to participate.

• How to authorize your child's Reading-Raiser account: https://youtu.be/X4KCsWBwA7M
  
• How to become a sponsor and invite more sponsors: https://youtu.be/NrUbWdEfy24

Your child will receive a private online account at https://app.readafun.com/, where he/she will log reading. Parent and student instructions on how to use the website have been sent home. Your child will not be able to invite any sponsors without your authorization. Follow this link to view instructions on how to use your parent account.

Hopewell Valley YMCA Tom Jackson 3v3 Basketball Tournament - Please click on the links for rosters and scheduled games

BT St. Baldrick’s Day -March 14th! There is still time to join our St. Baldrick's Team! Your donations or volunteer support are helpful. Here is the team link: Bear Tavern ES. Thank you!

BT Bows For Baldrick’s - Want to support kids with cancer? Check out the flyer to buy a bow. Please include the students' names and the homeroom teacher for cash only. (1 for $3 or 2 for $5).

World Down Syndrome Day - On March 21st, we will celebrate World Down Syndrome Day. On this day, we will wear mismatched socks. If you want to support and honor our students and families and this cause, here is a link to purchase mismatched socks for the day.

• School Lunch Information - Please click this link for the 2024-2025 information.
• Absences & Late Arrivals - Parents/Guardians should call our TeleSafe number:
• 609-737-4005, Ext 2, by 8:00 a.m. to report an absence or late arrival.

• Changes In Students’ Dismissal - If there is a change in how students will be going home (pick up, take the bus, after-school program, etc.), please be sure to call or email the main office at 609-737-4005 btmainoffice@hvrsd.org

  
  

Dates To Remember

3/1-3/31 Read a Fun

3/9 - Daylight Savings Time starts

3/14 - St. Baldrick’s Day @ BT - Wear Green!

3/21 - World Down Syndrome Day

3/21 HVEF "Above & Beyond Gala"

3/31 - Schools Closed, Eid-al-Fitr

The Principal’s March Newsletter - Hopewell’s Happenings is our monthly update.

The Claw Machine Chronicles! - Get ready for a whimsical adventure as the Hopewell Elementary School Mini Theater presents The Claw Machine Chronicles! Join us on Saturday, March 15th at 2 PM in the HES Cafetorium for a fun-filled performance—admission is free!

Hygiene Kit Collection - Until March 14th, the HES Student Council is collecting hygiene items to support The Chubby’s Project, a local organization helping families in need. Click HERE to see the list of needed items, or donate cash/check (payable to Hopewell Elementary School).

Hopewell Valley YMCA Tom Jackson 3v3 Basketball Tournament: Click here for team rosters and schedules. Good luck to all!

HES Coin Wars - Get ready for some friendly competition—Grade-Level Coin Wars is coming to HES from March 17th-21st! Teams K/5 vs. 1/4 vs. 2/3 will battle it out with coins only, raising funds for Student Council and Green Team projects, with the winner announced at the Spring Pep Rally!

World Down Syndrome Day - On March 21, we will be celebrating inclusivity and acceptance by wearing mismatched socks. It’s Rock Your Socks Day! Mismatched socks symbolize diversity and acceptance, as each sock represents a unique person with their own qualities. Any crazy or mismatched socks work! If you want to support and honor our students and families and this cause, here is a link to purchase mismatched socks for the day.

HVEF Gala - Join us in celebrating Ms. Leah Anderson, our 2025 HES Governor’s Teacher of the Year, at the Annual HVEF Gala! Join us on March 21st at Hopewell Valley Vineyards. Get your tickets HERE!

HES Spirit Wear - Support the HES Elementary School PTO by purchasing our SPRING Spirit Wear! Deadline to order is March 14th.

Order your HES Yearbook! - Online ordering is now open. Please click here to view the Yearbook Flyer. The order deadline is Friday, May 9th.

• Lost and Found - Be sure to LABEL your children’s coats, hats, and other clothing!

• School Lunch Information: Please click this link for the 2024-2025 information.

• Absences & Late Arrivals - Parents/Guardians should call our TeleSafe number, 609-737- 4007, Ext 2, by 8:00 a.m. to report an absence or late arrival. Thank you.

• HES Changes in Students’ Dismissal - If there is a change in how students will be going home, please be sure to call or email the main office at 609-737-4007 hwmainoffice@hvrsd.org

Dates to Remember:

Principal’s Page on the SB website.

Hopewell Valley YMCA Tom Jackson 3v3 Basketball Tournament - Please click on the links for rosters and scheduled games. Games are scheduled March 3-7, March 10-14, and the championship games will be scheduled for March 19 & 21. Good luck to all!

World Down Syndrome Day - On March 21, we will be celebrating inclusivity and acceptance by wearing mismatched socks. It’s Rock Your Socks Day! Mismatched socks symbolize diversity and acceptance, as each sock represents a unique person with their own qualities. Any crazy or mismatched socks work! If you want to support and honor our students and families and this cause, here is a link to purchase mismatched socks for the day.

HVEF Gala - Join us in celebrating Mr. Morrison, our 2025 HES Governor’s Teacher of the Year, and Ms. Roell, our 2025 Support Professional of the Year, at the Annual HVEF Gala on March 21st at Hopewell Valley Vineyards!

Order Your Stony Brook Yearbook! - Click HERE to pre order. Paper forms will also be sent home later in the year. Our yearbook ID to order online is 14277925.

• Lost & Found - Please label your jackets, gloves, hats and scarves!
• Breakfast - See the school breakfast & lunch menus. Students pick up and eat in the classroom. The cost is $3.25 unless your family qualifies for free/reduced meals.

• School Lunch Information: Click this link for the 2025 information.
• Dismissal Changes - Call our Attendance line at 609-737-4006, Ext 2, by 8:00 am to report an absence or late arrival. Please refer to our Attendance Procedures for details.
• PTO Membership Toolkit - Click here to register for volunteer opportunities, obtain class lists & apparel. Contact StonyBrookPTO@gmail.com with any questions.
• All Star Donation Drive - While the prize raffle is now closed, you can still donate to the All Star Donation Drive! Click here to donate.

*Dates To Remember*

Hopewell Township Parks & Recreation: Spring and Summer Guide 2025 is here!

Upcoming Children's programs include: Tennis, Skateboarding, Multi-Sports

Summer Programs listed here and camps in our "Summer Camps & Programs" section.

• Read & Explore: Birds, Nesting & Birdhouses, March 8th, 10am-11am, Terhune Orchards.

  Birds are starting to think about making homes for their babies. We will read stories about birds. Each child will make a birdhouse and get some nesting material to take home. Pre-registration is required.

• Special Edition Storytime with Sara T. Behrman, March 9th, 2-3pm Princeton Public Library.

  Children's author Sara T. Behrman shares her book, "The Sea Hides a Seahorse." There will also be seahorse-related activities and crafts.

• 93rd Annual Bryn Mawr Wellesley Book Sale, March 12-16, Stuart Country Day School.

• Workhorse Rides at Howell Living History Farm, March 15th, 10am-4pm. Kids 5-12 will learn about draft, saddle, and carriage horses; take rides, and help with barn chores.

• Family Concert: Meet the Music: Inspector Pulse Takes His Pulse, Sat. March 15th, 1pm, For Ages 6-12 and their families. The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. The world’s greatest and only private ear, Inspector Pulse, inspects his own pulse and discovers the rhythm of life—the heartbeat! This leads him to explore stethoscopes and metronomes as well as a marimba, and concepts like tempo, beat, and polyrhythm!

• Celebrate Pi Day & Einstein's birthday at Pi Day Princeton 2025! March 14th & 15th! Click on the link for a comprehensive listing of local events!

• Princeton Public Library: Einstein Exploration Stations: March 15th, For Ages 5-10, 2-4pm. The Princeton Einstein Museum of Science presents activities and challenges, and a chance to interact with a Princeton University physicist, at this Pi Day event.

• The Wonder of the Night Sky, The Watershed, March 15th, 7-9pm: Adults will enjoy a program about the wonder of the night sky and inspiring efforts to reduce light pollution in our own area. Meanwhile, children will join Watershed Educators to learn about the cosmos and nocturnal creatures through fun games and activities. Everyone will come together for a night hike and guided star gazing.

• Hopewell Basketball Spring Hoops Registration is Open! Space is limited! Games at Timberlane Middle School Gyms Boys and Girls Teams, Grades 3-5! For more information or to register: www.hopewellbasketball.com

• Hopewell Valley Lacrosse: Spring 2025 Registration is open for our HVL 3-8th Girls/ Boys Teams and Little Laxers. Open to boys and girls ages K-8th grade, HVL’s Program provides developmental lacrosse instruction for boys and girls, K-8th grade of all skill levels.

• Hopewell Valley Soccer Association: Spring 2025 Rec Soccer is Open! For children ages 2-18. Program will run from 4/13-5/25, with the exceptions of Eater and Memorial Day Weekends.

• Healthy Kids Running was created to motivate kids to lead a healthy and active lifestyle through a positive introduction to the world of running! HERE is the information about the series in Lawrence Township which starts in April.

• McCarter Theatre Spring Break Theater Camp: April 14-17, for ages 7-10 Join us for four exciting days of improvisation, theater games, and creative exploration! Young actors will laugh, play, and collaborate as they build confidence, develop storytelling skills, and bring their imaginations to life. With an emphasis on teamwork, self-expression, and imaginative play, campers will experience the inspiring magic of theater!

• The Watershed Institute: Spring Break Mini Camp, April 3 & 4: Bring your campers for a mini-camp experience complete with a day of hiking, exploring, playing, and enjoying the start of spring.

Here are the links to the local libraries for upcoming storytimes, events and programs:

Hopewell Public Library

Pennington Public Library

Mercer County Library - Hopewell Branch

Apple Hart Farm Camp: provides a rich, outdoor experience in which budding nature lovers connect with the natural world in a safe, nurturing environment through hands-on animal care, imaginative play, nature hikes, art, gardening, cooking and more. Camp groups are led by are professional teachers who have undergone background clearances.

ArtSparks Summer: Summer Camp at Art Sparks provides theme-based creative experiences during which children get to explore a variety of media such as acrylics, collage, watercolors, pastels, charcoal, printmaking, sculpture, assemblage, colored pencils, clay and more.

Champs Camp Great Outdoors: Welcome to a whole new immersive summer experience. We’re elevating day camp to Champion status. Picture a mix of explorations in nature with brainy STEM challenges, fabulous field trips, and games galore!

The Chapin School, ESF Camps: For Boys and Girls, Rising Preschool to 10th Grade

The extensive indoor and outdoor facilities allow us to offer our unique blend of activities, sports, and special events throughout the summer, rain or shine.

Garden Theatre, Princeton "Film Camp": The Garden Theatre is hosting two different week-long film camp experiences this summer. Our “Elements of Film” curriculum, which launched last year, will be returning. We will also be debuting a new week-long curriculum, “Intro to Filmmaking.”

*Hopewell Recreation's Summer Camp site: Registration is open for all of our summer camp options!

Hopewell Swim & Tennis Sumer 2025: Registration is Open for Firefly and Tennis Camps! An ideal balance of sports and fun summer activities with instructional programs created for all ages and skill levels.

Hopewell Valley YMCA Summer Camp: offers high-quality summer day camp programming to meet the needs of the community. Campers will learn teamwork, embrace their artistic side, develop their sports skill sets and engage in their love of STEM activities and more.

Hun Day Camp: Campers will explore Hun’s 45-acre campus through eco-nature walks and field games, and use some of our academic buildings for art & crafts, mini-STEM projects, performing arts, LEGO builds, and weekly design challenges.

Inclusion Sports Performance Training Summer Day Camp: All campers will enjoy engaging activities such as gymnastics, biking, basketball, and a variety of other multi-sport games. Our camp emphasizes fundamental movement, functional skills, and the enhancement of social and life skills throughout the program.

Iron Peak: offers a variety of Youth Programs, including "Never-Ending Summer", a Multi-Sport and Adventure Day Camp.

Mercer County Community College: Summer Camps Guide

Music Mountain Theatre Summer Camps: Our theatre camps are perfect for budding performers eager to explore acting, singing, and dancing. Led by our talented teachers, each camp is designed to immerse campers in a magical world of theatre, creativity, and storytelling.

NLSA Surf Summer Soccer Camps: Offering a number of local day and overnight programs.

Nike Boys Basketball Camps are open for registration! Locations include: The Pennington The College of New Jersey, Princeton Day School and The Lawrenceville School.

The Pennington School: Summers at Pennington: Offers several program streams for ages 6-17 with a variety of camps to find the perfect option or combination of options to make this summer one of discovery and adventure!

Primetime Athletics Basketball Camp: Basketball camp will be held at Hopewell Valley Central High School with CHS Coach Matt Stein. Kids will participate in exciting drills, competitions, and games. All levels welcomed!

Princeton Ballet School Summer Program: Programs include courses, camp and intensives.

Princeton Day School: Summer Programs offers seven weeks of academic, athletic and enrichment programming on the school's 106-acre campus. Camp facilities utilize our entire campus, including our STEAM Centers and classrooms, state-of-the-art athletic facilities, organic garden and one-of-a-kind ropes course.

Princeton Friends School: Campers are offered days filled with adventure, creativity, and fun framed by the Quaker testimonies of simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality, and stewardship. And for those who seek something beyond or in addition to the classic camp experience, we offer three specialty camps: Art, Drama, and Kungaloosh Camp.

Princeton University’s Campus Recreation Summer Day Camp for children entering grades 1-8. The camper's day will be filled with a variety of sports, games, arts and crafts, and camp activities that will keep your camper active and engaged throughout the week. Each camp also provides weekly programs or trips for their specific grade level. Registration for Non-University/Community members opens Monday, March 3, 2025. Questions? Email reccamps@princeton.edu

Princeton University Sports Camps offers sport-specific camps for young athletes. All camps and clinics are held on campus and run by the Department of Athletics. Each camp is directed by the Princeton University varsity coaches, with assistance from college coaches and players. Questions? E-mail: camps@princeton.edu

Rambling Pines Summer Camp: Each program provides structured activities chosen for your child's age group, along with well-trained and caring counselors and all the fun and excitement your child needs.

Schafer Summer Camp: Offers campers a variety of activities including gymnastics, sports and playground games, both full and half day programs.

Stuart Country Day School Summer Experience: All camps and workshops will be directed by dedicated Stuart faculty who are committed to developing the hearts and minds of young learners, from Early Childhood to Upper School.

The College of New Jersey:

Precollege Camps: TCNJ offers pre-college programs for high school students who want to explore careers on a beautiful college campus. Programs include: Innovation, AI, Biomedical Engineering, Future Music Educators, Design and Creative Technology and Archaeology.

Sports Camps: Women's lacrosse, Men's & Women's Soccer, Baseball, Field Hockey, Football, Men's & Women's Basketball, Swimming & Diving, Wrestling and Soccer.

Waldorf School of Princeton

Rising Kindergarteners have the opportunity to explore our beautiful campus and immerse themselves in the world of creativity, Our summer camp is the perfect opportunity to practice and learn a variety of languages or develop a new skill for rising first through eighth graders.

The Watershed Nature Camp - Campers will spend most of their time exploring our 950-acre Watershed Reserve of fields, forests, trails, ponds, and streams. They will also have access to the exhibits and animal ambassadors inside the nature center

The Watershed Summer Academy for High School Students: Each five-day session engages students in a world of science where they ask questions and identify problems, gain skills and knowledge.