HES Shark Scoop
October 6, 2023
A Message from Principal Cutone
October 18, 2024
Dear HES Families and Caregivers,
At HES, we believe in more than just being a school; we are a community, a family. We emphasize the importance of belonging because we know how deeply it impacts our children's learning and growth. Our Sharks deserve to know they matter to us, and we strive to show that every day.
This week, our community experienced an unimaginable loss with the passing of our beloved colleague and friend, Shannon Hubbard, and her baby, Maggie. Your kindness, support, and understanding during this difficult time, especially as we rescheduled some parent-teacher conferences, has meant the world to us. We were fortunate to have the support of MRSD school counselors, along with Sharing Kindness, a local nonprofit organization providing grief support and mental health services, to help us navigate through this tough time.
In line with supporting our students' well-being, I want to share an exciting new opportunity. Children & Family Services is offering counseling services for our Sharks at HES during the school day. You can find more details about these services and how to connect your child in the brochure linked below in the Scoop.
We are so grateful to those of you who joined us for parent-teacher conferences this week. Your involvement is vital to the success of our Sharks, and we deeply value your partnership in their education.
A quick reminder: Our office phone number is 508-430-7216. Adding this number to your contacts may help ensure you recognize important calls from us.
Wishing you and your family a safe and healthy weekend. As always, please don't hesitate to reach out if there's anything I can do to support you.
Warmly,
Christie
Important Safety Information
We love to have special grownups volunteering and visiting Harwich Elementary School. For the safety of all, please call the office to ensure that your Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) is on file and up to date. If you need to submit a new CORI, please note that it can take up to a week to process. The security check is valid for three calendar years. Thank you!
Student Ambassadors Prepare for All Shark Meeting
Mark Your Calendar
Wednesday, October 23 -- Early Release 1:20 pm Dismissal
Tuesday, October 29 -- All Shark Meeting
November 4 & 5 -- Professional Development Days NO SCHOOL
Wednesday, November 6 -- Early Release 1:20 pm Dismissal
Monday, November 11 -- Holiday NO SCHOOL
Wednesday, November 20 -- Early Release 1:20 pm Dismissal
November 27, 28, 29 -- Holiday NO SCHOOL
Notes from the Health Room
Now that we have all adjusted to the new school year, we are moving on to tasks that must be completed. Starting Monday, Oct. 21, we will begin our annual health screenings.
The state mandated screenings are as follows:
PK - vision
K - vision and hearing
1st - vision, hearing, height and weight
2nd - vision and hearing
3rd - vision and hearing
4th - vision, height, and weight.
If you do not want your child screened, please let us know in writing that you want your child excluded from screening and which ones you want to exclude them from. You can send an email to HESnurse@monomoy.edu to do this. If you have any questions or concerns, please let us know.
Harwich Children's Fund Outerwear/Gift Drive
Hello Families! Your student should have brought home a form from the Harwich Children’s Fund Outerwear/Gift Drive, which provides assistance for the holidays in December. Please note the deadline to return the form to school is October 25th. If you did not receive a form call (508) 430-7216 or email Kelly Emmett at kemmett@monomoy.edu to request one. Translated forms are also available upon request! Thank You!
Harwich Elementary School Council
We look to build a strong School Council this year to guide our important work. A School Council is a representative, school building-based committee that meets quarterly and is composed of the principal, parents, teachers, community members, and students. School Councils are tasked to assist principals in:
Adopting educational goals for the school that are consistent with local educational policies and statewide student performance standards
Identifying the educational needs of students attending the school
Reviewing the annual school building budget
Formulating a school improvement plan
Reviewing the student handbook
If you are interested please send an email message to principal Christie Cutone at ccutone@monomoy.edu indicating your interest in serving on the school council.
Now Hiring
Friends of the Harwich Early Childhood Advisory Council (501c3) are hiring a treasurer / bookkeeper. Hours vary up to a maximum of 10 hours per month Sept - June. Please help us fill this position! Inquiries can be sent to Lucy Gilmore: lgilmore@monomoy.edu.
The Friends of the HECAC Treasurer and Clerk responsibilities include:
balancing the monthly statement and creating a breakdown of the income and expenditures of the Council using Excel;
accounts receivable and accounts payable;
preparing and submitting the Massachusetts 501(c)(3) Annual Report;
preparing and maintaining the records needed for the bookkeeper to file the council's annual taxes (Form PC and 990-EZ);
preparing yearly 1099 and 1096 forms (as needed);
preparing and submitting the appropriate MA regulatory forms (as needed) to ensure the Council's records are up to date and is in compliance (e.g., Certificate of Tax Exemption,Certificate of Change of the Directors, Certificate of Change of Principal Office);
assisting in fundraising;
(optional) taking the monthly meeting minutes for the Council (first Thursday of the month, typically September through June);
(optional) taking the meeting minutes for the Executive Board meetings (one to two meetings per year); and
secretarial support.
PTO Updates
Community Resources and Events
Important Links
Bureau of Special Education Appeals
The Bureau of Special Education Appeals, which derives its authority from both federal and Massachusetts statutes and regulations (the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act; "IDEA"; MGL ch.71B; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973) conducts due process hearings and renders Rulings and Decisions concerning eligibility, evaluation, placement, individualized education programs (IEP), provision of special education and procedural protections for students with disabilities.
To join an Informational Session: https://www.mass.gov/service-details/mediation-and-facilitation-informational-sessions
To learn about BSEA Mediation: https://www.mass.gov/mediation-at-the-bsea
To learn about Hearings at the BSEA: https://www.mass.gov/due-process-hearings
Did you know? Past issues of the HES Shark Scoop can be found on our website at https://hes.monomoy.edu/news/hes-shark-scoop.
Stay in Touch
Ms. Allyson Joy, Assistant Principal
Email: ccutone@monomoy.edu
Website: https://www.monomoy.edu/Domain/9
Location: 263 South Street, Harwich, MA, USA
Phone: 508-430-7216
Twitter: @monomoyschools