Greetings, Hatboro-Horsham Students and Families,

Happy December! This month we will experience colder weather, the beginning of our winter concert series, the holiday season, and opportunities to conference with our staff.

I encourage families to engage with our staff in our upcoming conferences so we can cooperatively understand and share the strengths and needs of your students, and partner about how we can best support their improvement and growth.

Enjoy this December edition of The Hatter Chatter!

Wishing you a happy and healthy holiday season,

Scott Eveslage, Ed.D.

Superintendent of Schools

The newsletter may be easier to view via the link: https://www.smore.com/kyg3v

School Calendar

December 6 (Wednesday)- Early Dismissal for Students

December 8 (Friday) - Early Dismissal for Students

December 22 (Friday)- Early Dismissal for Students

December 25 (Monday) -District Closed (Christmas)

December 26 (Tuesday)- January 1 (Monday) No School for Students (Winter Break)

***DISTRICT CALENDAR CHANGE REMINDER***

A reminder of the adjustment to the district calendar for two dates in December. The change was communicated to families on October 25, 2023. In summary, the originally scheduled early dismissal on Thursday, December 7 has been switched to Wednesday, December 6 due to the observance of the first night of Hannukah. Thursday, December 7 will now be a full day of school for all HHSD students with no conferences being held on this date. This change will not impact the early dismissal on Friday, December 8, which was already in place.

Click HERE to Access the Updated 2023-2024 District Calendar

Conferences K-8 - December 6 & 8 (Progress Reports December 5)

Elementary School Conferences:

• Wednesday 12/6, 1:30pm - 6:30pm
• Friday 12/8, 1:30pm - 4:00pm

Keith Valley Middle School Conferences:

• Wednesday 12/6, 12:30pm - 6:00pm
• Friday 12/8, 12:30pm - 3:30pm

Board Meetings

December 4 (Monday) - Reorganization Meeting 7:00 pm (HHHS Auditorium)

December 4 (Monday) - Legislative/Action Meeting - immediately after Reorganization meeting

December 12 (Tuesday) - Curriculum Committee Meeting 3:00 pm (via Zoom)

Prepare to cast your votes in support of the talented Hatboro-Horsham High School Madrigals! We're thrilled to share the news that they've earned a well-deserved spot as semi-finalists in B101's Christmas Choir Competition. Voting kicks off on Monday, December 4th. Tune in to B101 (101.1) radio station on Wednesday, December 6th at 7:00 AM, 12:30 PM, and 3:30 PM to revel in their outstanding performance. We are so excited for them.

The Strive Thru celebrated its grand opening at the high school on November 2. This new student-run dining alternative, located in the A wing, goes beyond the typical cafeteria experience by offering a menu that caters to busy high school schedules. The Strive Thru is entirely run by students, which fosters community engagement and provides valuable hands-on experience for those involved. With welcoming faces behind the counter, this operation is a testament to student innovation and entrepreneurship.

In a heartfelt display of gratitude and appreciation, HHSD came together to honor and celebrate our nation's heroes during this year's Veterans Day festivities. The District's commitment to recognizing the sacrifices of our veterans and active-duty members was evident as Blair Mill, Keith Valley, and the High School hosted special breakfast events to express their profound thanks.

The Veterans Day celebrations across the district were more than just breakfasts; they were a united expression of thanks and recognition for the men and women who have dedicated their lives to serving our country. These events exemplified the district's commitment to instilling a sense of gratitude, patriotism, and civic responsibility in its students.

During American Education Week in November, we were delighted to welcome families into our classrooms, fostering a vibrant atmosphere of shared learning and collaboration. The week was a celebration of education, providing an opportunity for families to actively engage in various activities alongside their children. From interactive lessons to collaborative projects, the presence of families added depth and enthusiasm to our educational endeavors. This shared experience reinforced the valuable connection between home and school, highlighting the collective effort required to support students on their educational journey. We extend our heartfelt appreciation to all families who participated, making this week a memorable celebration of partnership, education, and community in our district.

At the November 14th School Board Curriculum Committee meeting, Dr. Ted Domers, Assistant Superintendent, and Dr. David Weber, Director of Curriculum, presented a comprehensive overview of student performance on state assessments, including areas of achievement, growth, and need within the academic landscape. The overall trend of improving achievement, combined with our students as a whole meeting their growth projections, remains encouraging. It is also crucial that we understand the needs of our students and critically reflect on areas of our curriculum and instructional practices that need improvement to best support their learning. There will be another public Board presentation on Achievement and Growth, as well as AP results, at the January 8, 2024 Work Session of the Board meeting. Click on the picture to view the recording or download the presentation below.

As we enter winter, we are prepared for how we will respond in the event of a school closure due to a weather emergency. Early morning weather announcements are sent via the website, social media, the district app, and phone calls. In the event of a school closure, the initial two weather emergency days in the academic calendar will follow the traditional "snow-day" approach, with schools being closed and no instruction occurring. However, beginning with the third weather emergency day (if needed), and for subsequent occurrences, we will implement a remote instructional model for the day. The remote instructional schedules are below for each academic level, featuring synchronous instruction—wherein the teaching will be conducted live with the guidance of the teacher.

The Fall season wrapped up in November with some impressive Hatter Pride athletics highlights:

• Congratulations to Hatters Rocco Pugliese, Cole Scattergood, and Lily DiCola for their performances Nov 4 at the PIAA Cross Country State Championships. Lily finished in 6th place, earning her 3rd state medal!
• Congratulations to our incredible HH Cheer team for their outstanding achievement in securing 1st place at Regionals! Their dedication, teamwork, and exceptional skills have earned them a well-deserved spot at Nationals in Florida. Best of luck!

Our community treasures its traditions and cultures as invaluable assets. We are committed to engaging families, celebrating these traditions, fostering inclusivity, and promoting mutual understanding, with food as a powerful medium.

To explore and honor the traditions in our community, we invite families to share their beloved recipes. Your contributions will become part of our online Hatter Family Recipe Book, readily accessible for you to try at home. Some recipes will be featured in future editions of The Hatter Chatter, and in our school cafeterias.

As a school district, we truly believe that ALL ARE WELCOME HERE and are constantly looking for opportunities to be more inclusive, build awareness, and develop our cultural competence to be more equitable in supporting and serving our students, staff, and community. This monthly inclusive newsletter will serve as a resource for our staff and families to learn more about the diverse cultures and members of our community.

The Hatboro-Horsham Educational Foundation is a nonprofit organization created to encourage excellence and to enhance and enrich educational opportunities offered to the students of the Hatboro-Horsham School District.

The Annual Report District Newsletter has been mailed to all HHSD families. Check out this edition, which includes:

• Letter from the Superintendent
• Understanding the 2023-2024 Budget
• Task Force Focuses on Improving Achievement
• District Accomplishments
• Increased Involvement Energizes and Expands Music Program
• Keith Valley Middle School Construction Underway
• Building Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics at Keith Valley

To see an electronic version of the Newsletter, click below.

Information about Power School, Canvas, lunch menus, attendance forms, and much more can be found our website here: https://www.hatboro-horsham.org/domain/20

Website: https://www.hatboro-horsham.org/
Location: 229 Meetinghouse Road, Horsham, Pa 19044
Phone: 215-420-5000
Facebook: www.facebook.com/HHSDK12/
Twitter: @HH_Schools