Elementary Newsletter 📰

Dear Elementary Families,

As the crisp autumn air settles in and the leaves begin to fall, we find ourselves entering a season of reflection, gratitude, and togetherness. November is a special time at our school, filled with meaningful opportunities to celebrate the growth of our students and give thanks for the support of our wonderful community.

This month, we will be honoring Veterans Day, teaching our students the importance of gratitude and respect for those who have served our country. We’ll also take time to reflect on all the things we’re thankful for—our incredible staff, supportive families, and, most importantly, your amazing children who make our school such a vibrant place to learn and grow.

As Thanksgiving approaches, we encourage you to talk with your children about the many blessings in their lives, big and small. It's a perfect opportunity to foster an attitude of gratitude that can carry them through the school year.

With the changing weather, please remember to dress your child warmly as they head out for recess. We look forward to seeing hats, mittens, and coats making their seasonal debut!

We are truly thankful for your continued partnership in your child’s education. Let’s embrace this season of gratitude and work together to make November a month to remember!

Jared Thomsen

Elementary Principal

(308) 368-5572

jared.thomsen@hpspanthers.org

Empowering All Students to Reach Their Full Potential.

“Learn, Grow, Thrive - Hershey Public Schools”

Everything you do online leaves a mark. Be intentional with your posts and comment —your digital footprint is forever! #ThinkBeforeYouPost #DigitalCitizenship #PANTHERMOJO

Digital parenting is essential in helping kids navigate the online world safely and responsibly. Staying informed about the apps, games, and websites your child uses allows you to monitor and supervise their activity effectively. Utilizing parental controls can help limit exposure to inappropriate content. Keep your child safe from online dangers like cyberbullying, predators, and harmful material.

It's important to teach your child how to report negative behavior and block harmful individuals. Additionally, be a digital role model by maintaining open communication and setting clear boundaries. This helps build trust and ensures that your child knows how to engage safely online.

Educationally,

Mrs. Davis

Supporting your child’s learning at home doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. Here are some simple, practical ways to reinforce math and reading skills, foster responsibility, and promote mindfulness and positivity that fit naturally into your daily routine. These small steps can make a big difference in their overall learning and personal growth!

1. Reinforcing Math Skills

Math can be a fun part of everyday life. Try these activities to keep math skills sharp:

• Play Math Games: Card games like "War" or board games like "Monopoly" can build basic addition, subtraction, and multiplication skills.
• Real-World Math: Involve your child in activities that require math, such as measuring ingredients for a recipe, managing a small budget for shopping, or calculating travel time for a family outing.
• Counting & Patterns: Practice counting objects at home or spotting patterns in nature. These skills strengthen understanding of numbers and sequences.

2. Building Reading Skills

Reading at home reinforces skills they’re building at school and strengthens their vocabulary and comprehension:

• Read Together: Choose a few minutes each day to read together. Let them pick out books they enjoy, even if it’s the same one multiple times!
• Ask Questions: After reading, ask questions like, “What was your favorite part?” or “Why do you think the character made that choice?” to boost comprehension.
• Encourage Storytelling: Ask them to tell you a story about their day or make up one of their own. This develops creativity, language skills, and confidence.

3. Fostering Responsibility

Helping your child build responsibility can make them feel more capable and independent:

• Daily Routines: Involve them in age-appropriate tasks like setting the table, feeding a pet, or organizing their homework space. These small tasks teach them about managing their time and taking ownership of responsibilities.
• Create a Calendar Together: Mark important dates, school assignments, or family events on a calendar they can help manage. Seeing responsibilities laid out visually can encourage accountability and organization.
• Celebrate Progress: Recognize their efforts, whether they complete chores or stick to a routine. Positive reinforcement motivates them to keep building good habits.

4. Promoting Mindfulness and Positivity

Learning how to stay calm, focused, and positive can help your child handle school challenges more effectively:

• Set Intentions: At the start of the day, talk about one thing they’re excited about or one goal they want to achieve. This helps them focus on positives and set small, meaningful goals.
• Encourage Gratitude: Take turns sharing one thing you’re each grateful for during dinner or bedtime. This builds a positive mindset and helps children appreciate the good things around them.

Supporting your child’s growth is all about making learning a natural, enjoyable part of daily life. By reinforcing skills, nurturing responsibility, and encouraging mindfulness, you’re not only boosting their academic success but also helping them grow into confident, resilient individuals. Thank you for partnering with us in your child’s learning journey!

We are thrilled to share some fantastic news about our recent parent-teacher conferences! An astounding 291 out of 297 parents attended, resulting in an impressive 98.03% attendance rate. This remarkable turnout speaks volumes about your commitment to your child’s education, and we want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to each of you for your active involvement.

Your dedication to staying connected with your child’s progress is truly commendable. We believe that the strong partnership between home and school is vital in fostering a supportive learning environment for our students. Your presence at the conferences not only demonstrates your commitment to your child's education but also helps us work together to provide the best possible support for their learning journey.

As we move forward, we encourage you to continue your engagement with our school community. There are many ways to stay connected:

• Apptegy Rooms: Message teachers directly to ask questions or share updates.
• Classroom | District Facebook Pages: Join in the conversation and stay informed about classroom activities.
• Weekly Classroom Newsletters: Keep an eye out for important updates and information.

Additionally, don’t forget to make the most of Parent PowerSchool. This platform allows you to easily check your child’s daily grades, assignments, and attendance records. Your proactive involvement in these areas significantly impacts your child’s educational growth.

Thank you once again for being such dedicated and involved parents. Your partnership is invaluable to us, and we look forward to continuing this journey together. Together, we can ensure that every child reaches their full potential!

As we enter the month of November, we can all feel the weather pattern shifting, with lower temperatures becoming a part of our daily routine. With the onset of colder weather, it’s essential to ensure that your child comes to school prepared for the changing outdoor elements, especially as our students enjoy going outside for recess.

Now is the perfect time to start wearing winter coats, gloves, stocking caps, and long pants to help them stay comfortable and warm during outdoor activities. In line with our commitment to safety and ensuring that our students are appropriately dressed for the conditions, we will closely monitor the "real feel" temperatures during recess.

Here are some important guidelines to keep in mind:

• Indoor Recess: When the "real feel" temperature falls below 0°, all students will have indoor recess to keep them safe and warm.
• Coat Requirement: When the temperature falls below 40°, students will be required to wear a coat to help ward off the chill.

Your cooperation in adhering to these guidelines ensures that our students can continue to enjoy outdoor activities while staying cozy and protected. Thank you for your attention to this important matter. Let’s work together to make this a safe and enjoyable winter season for all!

We’re excited to remind all kindergarten through 6th grade families that the Panther Branch is open every Thursday from 7:50-8:05 AM in the cafeteria/commons area! This is a fantastic opportunity for our young students to start building healthy saving habits early on. Whether it's a few coins from allowance or birthday money, every deposit counts toward learning the value of saving for the future.

Encouraging your child to save regularly can help them develop essential life skills like budgeting, goal setting, and financial responsibility. Even small, consistent deposits can add up over time and teach the importance of setting money aside for something special or unexpected. It's never too early to start saving, and the Panther Branch is here to make it fun and easy for your child to begin their financial journey!

On Monday, November 11, 2024, from 9:30-10:30 AM in the Activity Center, we will hold our annual Veterans Day Program to honor the men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces. This program, open to the public, will be a time for students, staff, and community members to come together and recognize the bravery, sacrifice, and dedication of our veterans.

Veterans Day is a special occasion that reminds us of the extraordinary individuals who have protected our freedoms and defended our country. It’s a day to express gratitude for their service and to reflect on the importance of duty, honor, and patriotism. By honoring our veterans, we teach younger generations about the sacrifices that have been made to ensure the liberties we enjoy today. We invite all families and community members to join us in this meaningful celebration of our nation’s heroes.

We are excited to celebrate American Education Week from November 18-22, a time to honor and recognize the outstanding teachers, staff, and educators who make a difference in the lives of students every day at Hershey Public Schools. This week-long celebration highlights the importance of public education and the dedicated individuals who work tirelessly to ensure every child receives a quality education.

American Education Week was established to shine a spotlight on the great work happening in schools across the country and to show appreciation for the commitment and passion of educators who shape the future through their work with students.

We encourage parents to take this opportunity to show their appreciation to our amazing teachers and staff. A simple thank-you note, a thoughtful email, or even a small token of appreciation can go a long way in expressing gratitude. Parents can also get involved by volunteering in the classroom or participating in school events to further support our educational community.

Let’s come together to celebrate and thank the incredible educators who make Hershey Public Schools such a special place for learning!

We are excited to invite parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and family members to join us for our annual Thanksgiving meal on Thursday, November 21, 2024. This is a special opportunity for families to come together and enjoy a meal with their child during their regular lunch time. The gym will be set up with tables and chairs for everyone to sit and eat together, creating a warm, festive atmosphere.

The lunch schedule is as follows:

• TK: 11:00 AM
• Kindergarten: 11:10 AM
• 1st Grade: 11:20 AM
• 2nd Grade: 11:30 AM
• 3rd Grade: 11:40 AM
• 4th Grade: 11:50 AM
• 5th & 6th Grades: 12:00 PM

To help us plan accordingly, we kindly ask that parents complete a short survey HERE to let us know if they plan on attending. We also encourage families to prepay for the meal prior to the event, or, if paying on the day, to bring exact change (GUEST MEAL PRICE $4.80) or plan to charge their student's account. We look forward to sharing this special meal with you!

As the school year progresses, maintaining regular attendance is key to your child’s academic success. Consistent attendance not only helps students stay on track with their learning but also allows them to fully engage in classroom activities, build strong relationships with their peers, and develop essential social and academic skills. Missing just a few days can create gaps in understanding, making it harder for students to catch up.

We strongly encourage all TK-6 parents to use the west parking lot as the primary pick-up and drop-off location. This area is specifically designed to ensure a smooth and safe process for students arriving at and leaving school.

Concerns About Alternate Locations: We understand that some parents have been using the south gravel lot or the paved concrete lot for pick-up and drop-off. However, both of these areas can become extremely busy during the morning and after school, which poses safety concerns for our students.

Safety First: To ensure the safety of all students, we urge parents to begin using the west parking lot. Students may enter the school through the west doors or walk around to enter through the activity center. Your cooperation in following these guidelines will greatly contribute to the safety of all students

Students who must wait for older siblings (7-12) after school, are asked to wait in the cafeteria.

• Paras will be stationed throughout the hallways and outside to help ensure safety of the students

• Paras will help children cross the street and ensure they find their parent(s)

• All students who ride the bus meet in the cafeteria with their corresponding driver. Buses leave the parking lot at 3:50 PM (Mon-Thurs) and 2:45 PM (Friday).

This year, we've implemented a new procedure where all students head outside for recess before going to lunch. Research shows that recess before lunch can lead to better behavior in the cafeteria, improved focus in the classroom, and students eating more of their lunch. To ensure a smooth transition, students arrive at recess in a 10-minute staggered timeframe, starting with transitional kindergarten at 11:00 AM and ending with 5th and 6th grades at 12:00 PM. This staggering not only reduces the number of students on the playground at one time but also allows for more adult supervision, as both teachers and paras are actively involved. Students have 20 minutes scheduled for lunch but can take up to 30 minutes to finish eating, ensuring they don’t feel rushed. As we continue to settle into this routine, I'm confident that it will become even smoother as the week goes on.

K-6 Lunch Times

We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to several exceptional groups and organizations whose contributions have greatly enriched our school community: The Hershey Volunteer Fire Department has been an incredible source of support and education for our elementary students, dedicating an entire day to impart valuable knowledge. We are immensely grateful for their unwavering commitment to our district and the community of Hershey. Your time and effort are instrumental in shaping our students' understanding of fire safety and emergency preparedness.

A big round of applause goes to the HELP Club for their outstanding efforts in organizing, decorating, and running a delightful Scholastic Book Fair. This annual event is a highlight for our school, creating an atmosphere where lasting memories and smiles are shared. Your dedication ensures that our students have access to an array of engaging literature, fostering a love for reading.

Special recognition is also extended to Mrs. Winder for her exceptional work in organizing an educational and engaging Red Ribbon Week. This weeklong initiative plays a crucial role in raising awareness about the importance of leading a drug-free life, and Mrs. Winder's dedication and creativity have made it a memorable experience for our students.

We are immensely grateful for the tireless efforts of these groups and individuals, whose contributions continue to make a significant impact on our school. Your commitment to education and the well-being of our students is truly commendable, and we look forward to more collaborative endeavors in the future. Thank you for your outstanding support!

Hershey Public Schools utilizes Rooms, a tool for parent-teacher chat and classroom announcements. If you weren’t able to link your child, please email your teacher and they can get you added. Parents are encouraged to download the HPS Panthers App; once downloaded, parents will be able to toggle between the school app & rooms.

https://www.hpspanthers.org/