Hovatter Elementary
September 2024
Greetings Hovatter Families!
We hope you are having a great weekend!
Things are in full swing at Hovatter ES! Our Honeybees are digging into content in the classrooms, completing baseline assessments to guide future instruction, learning PBIS systems and expected behavior across learning environments, and building connections with each other...we are busy BEES. We are ready and looking forward to our first full week of school!
Calendar Highlights:
Wednesday, September 11th: First PTA General Meeting, 6:00 Henrietta Lacks ES Library
Friday, September 13th: Boosterthon Kick Off Assembly
Friday, September 20th: Back to the Hive Event for HEN and HOV
Monday, September 23rd: Boosterthon Fun Run
Tuesday, October 1st: Fall Picture Day
Thursday, October 3rd: School Holiday (Rosh Hashanah)
Friday, October 4th: Student Holiday (Teacher Professional Development Day)
Mrs. Mercer joins 5th Grade Kickball
Working to review expectations in and out of the classroom, Mrs. Mercer reviews safety expectations and sportsmanship at recess while joining in a game of kickball!
5th Graders Collaborate in STEM projects
5th Graders participated in STEM design challenge to create straw bridges.
5th Graders Collaborate in STEM projects
Accessing Schoology as a Parent
Loudoun County Public Schools recently migrated their website host to improve usability for our community. In doing so, the division has asked teachers to migrate their information over to Schoology, a password protected environment. Teachers have been working to update their Schoology pages to include information for parents such as nine week plans, their bios and Back to School Night presentations. Included is this handout on accessing Schoology as a parent.
Wednesday, September 11: Patriot Day
September 11th can be a challenging and sensitive subject to tackle, though when addressed with
thoughtfulness and care, it can be a rich source of learning about world history, empathy,
community service, and the sacrifices of heroic first responders. Patriot Day is a time to
commemorate those lost in the attacks of 9/11 and can also be a time to join together with your
community as a day of service.
You can learn more about volunteering in your community at the Americorps Website
and engage with some Patriot Day crafts, books, and discussions with your families at home.
Safety Drills, Terms and Resources
Hovatter Elementary, along with all LCPS schools, are required to plan, prepare, and execute safety drills throughout the school year.
If you attended Back to School Night, you most likely watched the Safety and Security Video Message. Prior to our first Lock Down Drill, we will also share the Elementary School Lockdown Training Video. These resources, along with drill terms and definitions, can be accessed using this link
https://www.lcps.org/o/lcps/page/emergency-response-terms-and-procedures
Please know, creating a safe and secure learning environment is paramount and we will consistently work together to ensure all students feel safe coming to school each and every day.
Reminder of "See Somthing, Say Something" and Mental Health Supports
As Dr. Spence said in his communication regarding the fatal school shooting in Georgia on Wednesday, we are all saddened by these tragic events, and they bring a "stark reminder to us that we must all work together and do our part to put an end to tragedies like this." We ask that you help remind your student(s) about the importance of notifying a trusted adult at school about any safety concerns they have or may hear about, including from online sources. As you know we have many security protocols and practices in place, but we depend on our community letting us know about these concerns to make sure every member of our school community is safe.
We know that these are difficult topics and they come with a lot of emotion. Should you or your students need any support resources, we have mental health professionals available to help any students with questions they may have or difficulties they might experience. Students or parents may reach out to SMHSleadershipteam@lcps.org and provide the best phone number to contact you. One of the team members will be in touch within 24 hours.
Hovatter Hall of Fame Nominations
Each month our staff receives an email presentation, The Buzz, which highlights important information for the upcoming month.
This year, we would like to continue monthly (individual) shout-outs to our amazing staff members, who are dedicated to the success of our students every day.
We would like to invite you to nominate HOV staff members, who you feel should receive a spot in our monthly Hovatter Hall of Fame. The nominee will have their picture posted in The Buzz, as well as a description of why they were selected and by whom.
You can nominate as many times as you would like! Click the link to nominate today!
From the Hovatter Cafe
MONDAY
Hamburger
Cheeseburger
Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Cold Lunch Options
Smoothie Meal
Sun butter & Jelly Sandwich
Tuesday
Beef Nacho Grande
Fiesta Bean Nacho
Spicy Chicken Sandwich
Cold Lunch Options
Yogurt, String Cheese & Bagel
Yogurt Parfait Meal
Wednesday
Pizza Crunchers
Hotdog
Cold Lunch Options
Garden Salad w/ Cheese & Croutons
Sun Butter & Jelly
Thursday
Macaroni & Cheese w/ Dinner Roll
Crispy Popcorn Chicken w/ Dinner Roll
Cold Lunch Options
Chicken Caesar Salad
Yogurt String Cheese & Bagel Box
Friday
Cheese Pizza
Pepperoni Pizza (turkey and beef)
Mini Corn Dogs
Cold Lunch Options
Smoothie Meal
Sun Butter & Jelly
Breakfast and Lunch are served daily during the school year. You can create your student's lunch account on LINQ Connect or send in cash/check. Meals include a main entrée, fruit, veggie, and a milk. Meal costs are $3.05 for lunch and $2.50 for breakfast. There are many different a la carte items which can be purchased additionally with the meal, including ice cream (coming soon). You are able to limit extra items in your student's LINQ account. https://linqconnect.com/
Our cafeteria manager is Mrs. Binni Gandhi and she can be reached a binni.gandhi@lcps.org.
Lunch Deliveries for Students
Occasionally, students will forget items at home (chromebook, lunch box, water bottle) and a parent or guardian will need to bring these items to school. We have office volunteers who help deliver these items to the classroom. We are unable to accommodate deliveries from Grub Hub, Door Dash, etc. for students who forget their lunch. These vendors are not permitted access into the school, and our staff cannot ensure the safety of the contents of the delivery. Our staff will ensure every student is offered a lunch choice in the event they do not have a packed lunch.
First Day Information Page
For resources and FAQs to help families with the Online Verification process and start of the new school year, go to the First Day Information page.
All families should complete their updates via the Online Verification process by Friday, September 20.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work through the details of dismissal. Day 2 improved from Day 1, and we are continuing to review our plans to ensure the most safe and efficient processes.
A few details to note:
- NO cars may park and walk students through the moving car line into the school. If you are dropping your child off at school by car, you must enter the car line.
- If you are a walker or bike rider, it means you are walking from your home, not from your car parked in any of the school parking areas.
- There are no left turns into the Hovatter school campus during arrival times. The cones are placed on Collaboration Drive at 6:45 and removed at 7:33.
- Please pay close attention to the staff supervising the car line by keeping cars moving and encouraging drivers to pull up as far as possible.
From the Equity Corner
At Hovatter Elementary, we believe every child deserves an equal opportunity to succeed. Our commitment to equity ensures all students, regardless of their background, have access to the resources and support they need to thrive. We are dedicated to creating an inclusive environment where diversity is celebrated, and every student’s unique strengths are recognized and nurtured. Join us in our mission to foster a community where every child can reach their full potential.
Each week, we will provide valuable resources and engaging activities designed to promote equity and inclusion within our community. These resources are tailored to be accessible and beneficial for all families, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to learn and grow.
New LCPS Personal Device Policy: Cell Phones and Smart Watches
At the June 25, 2024, school board meeting, the board approved a new policy - 8655 Student Personal Device Use, which restricts student cell phone use in schools and has requirements for each school level. Specifically,
Elementary school students are not permitted to use personal technology during the school day.
Middle school students must keep their devices silent and not visible, stored in their locker during the school day. Personal devices may be used before or after the school day.
High school students must place personal technology devices in a classroom storage location, not on their person or immediately accessible, and must ensure the devices are silenced during instructional time.
The full policy can be found at this link.
Daily Dismissal Change
Please use the form on the Hovatter ES webpage to make a change to your student's normal dismissal method for one day only. For example, they are going home with a friend for a playdate or need to be picked up in the car line for an appointment. All changes must be received by 2:00, as the form cannot be If an urgent change after 2:00 is necessary , please call the office at 571-367-4120.
Fall ASEP!
BEE sure to check out all of the after-school classes available using this link:
https://hovatter.schooltwist.org
Early Bird registration is Monday, 9/9 (PTA membership is required to qualify) and General Registration is Wednesday, 9/11.
Boosterthon
We're excited to introduce this year's main fundraiser, the Honeybees Fun Run. Our goal this year is to raise $100,000 for supporting the school community with staff appreciation, FREE events, playground enhancements including shade covering, ASEP and STEAM programs, and more to benefit ALL students at Hovatter and Henrietta Lacks Elementary Schools.
We’re excited for this fundraising experience because it offers 3 important things to our school community:
1️⃣ User-friendly fundraising platform
2️⃣ Character enrichment program
3️⃣ Fitness-focused event that includes ALL of our students
As a family, you will work together asking friends and family to donate on your student’s Donation Page at MyBooster.com. The best part is, you can still support our school just by SHARING about the fundraiser!
Students will also experience an amazing character enrichment program called “Castle Quest”, teaching students about how to be brave and live with character.
Key Dates to Remember:
💻 Sign up is live now at MyBooster.com
🎉 Kickoff in school – 09/13/2024
👟 Event Day – 09/23/2024
More details to come! Follow our social pages for updates on our fundraiser.
Join the PTA!
We are so excited for this year and can't wait to grow the Hive PTA! There are no time or volunteer commitments, just supporting our school community! Plus you get early access to our After School Program sign ups coming next week! Click this link to join! https://hovatterpta.givebacks.com/store?limit=21&live=true
First PTA Meeting!
Join us for our first general PTA meeting on September 11th at 6pm located in the Henrietta Lacks Library! We will go over the calendar overview for the year and chat about
Our Spirit Wear Store is up!
Click to access our Spiritwear store! https://bit.ly/hivespirit
Most pieces feature multiple logo options. Just click a piece and scroll to see all available logos below it. Show your support for Henrietta Lacks, Hovatter, OR the Honeybees!
This year's spirit wear store will stay open throughout the school year and your order will ship directly to you! More inventory is coming in September, including outerwear, bags, and more!
Business Sponsorships!
We are currently looking for Business Sponsors for the PTA! Do you own a business or know a business that may be interested? Click for more information and to become a sponsor! Sponsorship Form
Hovatter Elementary School
Email: Hovatter@lcps.org
Website: https://www.lcps.org/hovatter
Location: 41135 Collaboration Drive, Aldie, VA, USA
Phone: 571.367.4120
Twitter: @HovatterES