Hopewell's Happenings

November was a heartwarming month at Hopewell Elementary, filled with gratitude and appreciation for our exceptional students, dedicated staff, and supportive community. Together, we celebrated the many reasons we are thankful through various meaningful events.

During our whole-school meetings, students expressed their appreciation for staff members, while the staff, with the help of Freddy, shared their gratitude for our amazing students. These moments left us all feeling connected and thankful. Check out the photos below, including one of Ms. Rose, our beloved crossing guard and Mr. Earl our Custodian, being recognized with gratitude.

Thanks to the generosity of HES staff, students, and families, The Chubby's Project provided 26 turkeys, hundreds of side dishes and 56 pies to families in need. Your kindness has made a meaningful difference in our community, reminding us of the power of giving during this season of gratitude.

We also celebrated our incredible educators by receiving over 20 nominations for the Governor’s Educator of the Year award. Thank you for taking the time to recognize the hard work and dedication of our teachers and staff. Our winner will be announced later this month!

As we look ahead to December and the close of 2024, we are excited for what’s to come.

Welcome to the first edition of our school news! News for students by students! We are so proud of all of our members of Newspaper Club who put a lot of effort into making their articles. You will get to learn more about what is happening at the school, learn more about teachers, pets of HES and so much more! Thank you for taking the time to read our paper! Don't forget to check out the special podcast all about school news!

November Paper - 1st Edition

The first trimester ends on December 6th. Report cards will be available on OnCourse beginning December 16th. At the elementary level, the district uses standards-based grading. Look for an email from HVRSD on December 11th with information about standards-based grading and how to access your child's report card.

Hopewell Elementary School (HES) is excited to announce our 2nd Annual CHOP Fundraiser in support of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia! From Monday, December 2nd, through Friday, December 6th, we’ll be raising funds to help the children and families cared for by CHOP.

The highlight of the week will be Pajama Day on Friday, December 6th! Students are invited to wear their favorite school-appropriate pajamas and bring an optional donation to contribute to this meaningful cause.

Let’s come together as a community to make a difference. For more information about how to donate, click HERE. Thank you for your support!

The 5th Grade will be collecting hats & gloves for Chubby’s Project this December. Donations will be accepted from December 4th through December 18th, with collection bins placed throughout the building and near the main office. Thank you for supporting this meaningful cause!

Would you like to recognize a special staff member at Hopewell Elementary? Fill out a "Shout-Out" form and drop it off at the main office. Your kind words will be proudly displayed on our Staff Shout-Out Board outside the library for everyone to see. Let’s come together to celebrate the dedication and hard work of our amazing team!

Hopewell Elementary School will be celebrating a monumental milestone: 100 years of excellence. Since its opening in 1926 as the Hopewell Grammar School, this cherished institution has been a cornerstone of our community and a place where memories have been created for a century.

The school originally opened on Princeton Avenue, replacing the historic Lincoln Grammar School, which had stood on Model Avenue since 1888. Over the years, our school has seen countless students walk through its doors, and we are thrilled to honor its enduring legacy with a year of celebrations.

To make this celebration unforgettable, we are forming a 100th Anniversary Planning Committee and invite members of our community to join! Whether you're an alumni, parent, current or former staff member, or community resident who treasures the school’s history, your input is invaluable.

What We’re Looking For

• Volunteers to assist with event planning, fundraising, and historical displays.

• Ideas for commemorative events to celebrate Hopewell Elementary's rich history and lasting impact.

• Connections to alumni or historical artifacts, such as photos, yearbooks, and memorabilia from the past century.

This is an exciting opportunity to come together, honor the past, and create lasting memories for future generations.

If you’re interested in joining the committee or contributing in any way, please fill out this Google Form.

Let’s celebrate 100 years of Hopewell pride and ensure this milestone is unforgettable!

The HVCHS Class of 2026 will be hosting their annual Flapjacks with Frosty event in the CHS Cafeteria on Saturday, December 7th from 10:00am-Noon. This is a great event for elementary level students or staff members with young children. The event provides breakfast with Frosty the Snowman, crafts, winter games, stories, and lots of fun. All proceeds benefit the Class of 2026.

Yearbook Update: Preparations for the 2024-2025 HES Yearbook are underway. Yearbooks are now available for purchase via the online store. Please click here for order details. Orders will be accepted through May 9th, 2025.

Retake Photos Update

Retake photos will be available for viewing and ordering in about a week. A note with instructions on how to place your order will be sent home around the same time. Stay tuned for more details!

The Nature Harmony Committee and HES Green Team continue to work diligently towards improving and maintaining outdoor learning spaces at Hopewell Elementary School. After significant fundraising efforts, we are nearing our goal to construct an outdoor learning pavilion on the grounds of HES. We have reached out to several organizations for the final phase of funding, however; please feel free to reach out to Dr. Brettell should your family (or your employer) wish to contribute. Please see the flyer attached here for additional details.

Thank you for your continued support!

Thank you for supporting your child(ren)’s pursuit of Gratitude last month. Students engaged in gratitude activities in their morning meetings and classrooms through CharacterStrong lessons, our Thanksgiving collection benefitting The Chubby’s Project, as well as our district-wide SEL Day of Gratitude on November 27th. See some 5th grade students engaging in whole body Rock Paper Scissors with a Gratitude twist!

During December we will be focusing on the trait of Empathy. Empathy is one of our core LEAP values as well as the CS trait of the month. You can use this definition from the Character Strong program to talk about the meaning of Empathy as a family. If you’d like to learn more about the Character Strong programming or get some ideas to support your learner at home, you can access additional resources on the Family Strong Web

Our Lost and Found near the front office is full of wonderful treasures waiting to be reunited with their owners—shirts, sweaters, water bottles, lunch boxes, and lots of cozy winter jackets! Please take a peek at the photos below and remind your child to swing by and check for any missing items. All unclaimed items will be donated on December 15th, so let’s find these lost goodies a home before then. Thank you! 🧥🥤🧢

1. Minted Partnership: Sending holiday cards this year? Please consider using the HES PTO's coupon code for Minted.com. You save 20% and we get 15% back! Feel free to share this coupon with family and friends (users do not need to be affiliated with HES) The code works on wedding stationery, thank you cards, birth announcements, invitations, and so much more! Minted Code: FUNDRAISEHOPEWELLELEM
2. The HES PTO is thrilled to continue our partnership for the annual Holiday Experience Family Photo Fundraiser. This year, they’re offering two stunning settings for your family photo sessions:

• Outdoor Holiday Greenhouse: A natural, festive backdrop perfect for holiday-themed photos.
• Indoor Elaborate Holiday Setting: A warm and inviting holiday scene within our studio.

• December 3rd - Green Team Meeting (3:40pm)
• December 4th - Vocal Ensemble Rehearsal (8:00am)
• December 5th - Student Council Meeting - Officers ONLY (8:05am); Orff Ensemble Rehearsal (3:45pm)
• December 6th - Trimester 1 Ends; CHOP Pajama Day Fundraiser (Wear your pajamas to School!); Princeton Symphony Orchestra BRAVO Woodwinds Performance for 3rd Grade
• December 9th - Trimester 2 Begins
• December 11th - Kindergarten Gingerbread Day; Vocal Ensemble Rehearsal (8:00am)
• December 12th - Orff Ensemble Rehearsal (3:45pm)
• December 13th - Whole School Meeting (Wear HES T-Shirts)
• December 16th - Board of Education Regular Meeting (6:30pm)
• December 17th - Debate Team Meeting (8:00am); 1st Grade's Walking Field Trip to Post Office; Green Team Meeting (3:40pm)
• December 18th - Vocal Ensemble Rehearsal (8:00am)
• December 19th - Student Council Meeting - Officers & Reps (8:05am); Orff Ensemble Rehearsal (3:45pm)
• December 20th - Early Dismissal (12:45pm); Preschool Half Day - AM ONLY; Newspaper Club Meeting (8:00am); Whole School Sing-Along PreK-5 (Wear Something Festive)
• December 23rd - December 31st - Winter Break - Schools Closed
• January 1st - New Year's Day - Schools & Offices Closed

• HES Dismissal Waiver Form

• HES Lunch Info
  
• HES School Calendar
• HES School Times
• HES Student Handbook
• HVRSD Calendar
• HVRSD Superintendent's Update

This section of our monthly correspondence is dedicated to posting our older community newsletters so that you can refer back to previous HES communication. We also recommend that you regularly visit our school's website to stay informed with the latest events and happenings at HES.

Previous Newsletters:

• November 2024
• October 2024
• September 2024
• Back to School Edition