An Update from Hough Elementary

Dear Hough Families,

What a wonderful season of celebration and talent it has been at Hough Street School this past week!

Last week, our talented 4th and 5th grade students lit up the stage with their incredible performance of The Lion King Kids musical! From the vibrant costumes to the heartfelt singing and powerful acting, it was truly a magical experience. We are so proud of the hard work, dedication, and teamwork that our young performers displayed. Please be sure to check out the Hough website with new video from the performance. The Friday school assembly highlighted Mr. Ross, winner of the new playground loose change contest, as a special guest star as the lion! A special thank you to our staff sponsors , volunteers, and families who supported this production — it was a roaring success because of you!

Last week, we also celebrated Earth Week and Arbor Day! Each day, students showed their school spirit while learning about ways to care for our planet. Thank you for encouraging your children to participate and for helping us foster environmental awareness and stewardship. Friday was extra special as the kindergarten students joined the Village of Barrington as they planted an American Horn Beam tree along Lincoln Ave near the big playground.

Looking ahead, we are excited to announce that our next Character Strong theme is creativity! Throughout May, students will explore ways to think outside the box, express themselves, and find innovative solutions to problems. We will have a guest author, Nicole Hewitt, sponsored by the PTO, that will be motivating and inspiring our students to explore their creativity through writing. We can't wait to see how they bring their creativity to life across the school! Please take a moment to check out the Character Strong monthly newsletter.

Finally, I hope to see many of you at the PTO art show, bake sale, mini-marathon and book fair this Friday! It’s a wonderful opportunity to celebrate student artwork, enjoy some delicious treats, get some cardio and stock up on new books for summer reading, all while supporting our school.

Thank you for all you do to make Hough such a vibrant and caring community!

Warmly,

Principal Schumacher

Mrs. Psaila's second graders were thrilled that their ongoing efforts were rewarded with the Character Strong Trophy last earlier this month.

If you are looking to check something off your list, you can purchase your child's school supplies in advance and they will be delivered to their classroom in time for Meet the Teacher in August. You can visit 1st Day School Supplies and click on the grade your child will attend in the '25-'26 school year. Orders must be placed by June 30th. If you prefer to purchase school supplies on your own, a complete list of grade specific supplies is available on the Hough website (under the Families tab). Students in Mrs. Haney's/Mrs. Christian's class will receive separate information regarding ordering school supplies.

Spring Art Fair & Bake Sale this Friday! Bring the whole family and celebrate the arts on Friday, May 2nd from 5:00 - 7:00 PM on the Big Playground. There will be live performances, artsy activity stations, yummy baked goods, awesome silent auction items, Hough spirit wear and 241 framed student masterpieces on display. All proceeds support the new playground. Pre-purchase your child’s artwork HERE. Suggested donation amount is $15. All families will receive their child’s creation. To volunteer for this fun event click HERE to sign up.

Three important things to know about Art Fair & Bake Sale

1. It will be a cashless event. ALL purchases will be through GiveSmart. Please take a moment to create an account with your secured payment method: Click HERE.
2. Bring your own water bottle. A refill station will be available. No single use plastic will be provided (no cups or bottles).
3. Bring your phone. You’ll simply scan a QR code to make purchases.

Mini Marathon - Stay after school this Friday, May 2nd for Hough’s annual Mini “Marathon.” Starting at 2:45 on the big playground, students are encouraged to run or walk around the block (Lincoln-Dundee-Lake). Everyone can choose their own distance (1-4 laps) before the course closes at 3:15. Students will earn a token to celebrate each lap they complete. Parents, please join the fun by either cheering for our Hawks or running/walking the course yourself. Parent supervision is required for K-2nd and encouraged for all due to the short timeframe. No student signup necessary – just show up! Parents who would like to volunteer as course marshals, please contact Abby at abigail.bellgrau@gmail.com. We are keeping a close eye on Friday's weather and will send an email to families by 12:00 PM if Mother Nature forces us to cancel this outdoor event.

Fifth Grade Escape to Middle School - Is your fifth grader ready to be locked inside of the school with Principal Shumacher or will he or she figure out how to escape? Save the date for the annual fifth grade escape room the evening of Friday, May 16. More details to follow.

Field Day - First grade through fifth grade will have Field Day at Citizens Park on May 22nd with a rain date of May 23rd. Kindergarteners enjoy their own special Field Day at Hough on the same day.

PTO DATES

April 28-May 2- Spring Book Fair

May 2-Mini Marathon (after school)

May 2-Art Fair and Bake Sale (5-7 PM)

May 16-Fifth Grade Escape to Middle School

May 22-Hough Field Day (Rain Date May 23)

May 30- Fifth Grade Recognition/Last Day of School

-Tuesday, 4/29

• Book Fair
• Spring Chess Club 2:40-3:45 PM
• Creativity Club (Lasky) 2:40-4:10 PM

• Book Fair
• Student Council Volunteer Activity (FMSC-Schaumburg) 4:45

• Book Fair
• 5th Grade Track Practice 2:45-3:45
• Creativity Clubs (Damiano/Conant) 2:40-3:40 AND (Hettlinger) 2:40-4:10
• Orchestra Concert (Station) at 5:15

• Incoming Kindergarten Meet-and-Greet at Salem
• Mini Marathon 2:45-3:15
• Art Fair/Bake Sale 5:00 - 7:00
• Book Fair 5:00 - 7:00

-Monday, 5/5

• 5th Grade Track practice 2:45-3:45
• Creativity Club (Donlon/Koegel) 2:40-4:10

• Spring Chess Club 2:40-3:45 PM
• Creativity Club (Lasky's) 2:40-4:10

• National Walk or Bike to School Day

-Thursday, 5/8

• 5th Grade Track practice 2:45-3:45
• Creativity Club (Damiano/Conant) 2:40-4:10
• Creativity Club (Hettlinger) 2:40-3:40

-Friday, 5/9

• 5th Grade Visit to Middle Schools 9:30-10:30

-Monday, 5/12

• 5th Grade Track & Field practice 2:45-3:30
• Creativity Club (Donlon/Koegel) 2:40-4:10