The Compass Rose
March 22, 2024
Principal's Message:
To the East Elementary community:
We're up and running with MCAS! A huge shout-out to our hard-working 4th and 3rd graders for their efforts this week!
We will be having a spirit day coming up on April 9th! Students are encouraged to wear Red, White, Blue or a jersey of their choice to celebrate Red Sox Opening Day. There will also be a frozen treat accompanying that day's lunch. Students who wish to purchase this separately may do so.
Have a great weekend!
-Mr. Hawes
Eclipse Information/Guidance
A total eclipse will occur on April 8, 2024. A solar eclipse is an exciting and memorable event that can capture the public imagination and help students appreciate scientific phenomena and the wonders of the natural world in a personal way. A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes directly between the Earth and the Sun. For a moment, the Earth, the Moon, and the Sun are perfectly aligned, and the Moon’s shadow blocks the Sun as seen from the Earth.
The path of the eclipse across North America will travel from Mexico, across the United States, and into Canada.
Massachusetts will not see a total eclipse, but weather permitting, will witness 93-95% of the sun eclipsed!!
The sky will darken as the moon covers the sun.
In Hingham, the eclipse will begin at 2:16 PM, reach its peak at 3:30 PM, and end at 4:39 PM.
Looking directly into the sun during a solar eclipse (or anytime) is unsafe. Looking through a camera lens, binoculars, or telescope can also be dangerous. It is safe to look directly at the Sun only through special-purpose solar filters, such as “eclipse glasses,” that comply with the ISO 12312-2 international standard requirements.
To ensure a safe and smooth dismissal, we are implementing the following:
Parents of walkers may choose to walk home with their children on April 8th, or may elect to drive their children home. Please let the school office know if you will change your child’s usual dismissal that day.
To minimize any unprotected views of the sun, students will remain inside the buildings after 2:00 pm, as the time frame for our area is approximately between 2:15 pm and 4:30 pm. There will be no outdoor recess that afternoon.
Some families may choose to dismiss early to view the event together. If your plans for regular dismissal will differ, please use your building's regular procedures and communication processes.
No outdoor after-school activities, including all sports, per the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) guidance, will take place during the time of the eclipse.
Hingham Public Schools is not planning formal viewing events during the school day due to the eclipse coinciding with dismissal. However, several viewing events are scheduled in and around Hingham, including at the Hingham Public Library, which is hosting a Solar Eclipse Viewing Party.
Hingham Public Schools is not planning formal viewing events due to the eclipse coinciding with dismissal. However, several viewing events are scheduled in and around Hingham, including at the Hingham Public Library, which is hosting a Solar Eclipse Viewing Party.
Additional information and resources on the upcoming solar eclipse are in the attached document below:
Class Placement (2024-25 School Year)
*Please note- current Gr 5 parents will have an opportunity to provide input to Hingham Middle School via Google Form later this Spring.
DESE Comprehensive Review (4/22-4/26)
DESE District Comprehensive Review (4/22-4/26/24)
This year, Hingham Public Schools has been selected by DESE to participate in a required comprehensive district review. For a full description of DESE’s comprehensive district review process, please see the attached overview letter. As part of the review process, DESE representatives will be on site during the week of April 22-26th to conduct focus groups and classroom observations. DESE representatives will conduct a virtual parent/caregiver focus group on Tuesday, April 23, 2024 from 6:30-7:30 pm to gather perspectives on communication with families, opportunities for family involvement and leadership, opportunities for students within the district, and more. If you are interested in joining, please register ahead of time at the attached link.
Cleaner Greener Hingham
Cleaner Greener Hingham Day is coming April 27, 2024 from 9am - 11am! Gather your friends and family and help us make this annual tradition a success. Sign up using this link to clean up one of the many beautiful spots in Hingham. Please note that the DPW will not be providing trash bags and gloves this year so please bring your own supplies. If you find any needles, do not put them in a trash bag as they are a potential hazard to anyone who handles the bag. If you find any needles, please place inside a water bottle, screw the top on and toss the bottle in the trash bag or bring needles to the Police Department for safe disposal in their sharps disposal bins. Once you have completed your cleanup, please email DPWAdmin@hingham-ma.gov to have your bagged trash picked up. And remember to post any photos on your school or Hingham Facebook pages using the hashtag #CleanerGreenerHinghamDay. Thank you for keeping our town clean!
Toolbox Tool of the Month: Taking Time
Throughout April, we'll be focusing on the Taking Time tool. In our conversations with students about this tool, we coach Taking Time to reflect on our actions, regulate our emotions, and make sure we're ready to rejoin a situation.
Please see the overview and home connection activity below-
Camp Invention
Calling all inventors… CAMP INVENTION Returns!! We are bringing Camp Invention back this summer. It will be held at South School this summer, the week of July 8th through the 12th. From 9:00 AM until 2:30 PM students entering grades two through five will have the opportunity to participate in this national program. Inquiry-based, hands-on activities focus on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). The price for the week is $349. This will be our 12th summer organizing camp, and every year it gets better! This summer we will be offering the ILLUMINATE™ Program - you can learn more about the program and register for camp at fosterinvents.weebly.com
**REGISTRATION IS OPEN! Reach out to camp director, Stacy Heinlein at sheinlein@hinghamschools.org, with any questions. We can’t wait to see you at Camp Invention 2024!!
Table Talk Math
Save the date! On Wednesday, May 8th, John Stevens, author of Table Talk Math, will join HPS parents and caregivers for a virtual author talk to discuss strategies for bringing math into everyday conversations at the dinner table and beyond. Please register at the attached link. This event is sponsored by Title I funds.
Electronic Device (cell-phone, smart watch) Policy
Please note, within the elementary handbook is language regarding the use of electronic devices during the school day. Many of our students bring phones and AppleWatches to school with them each day, however, they're prompted to put them into their backpacks or lockers. We recognize that students may be able to use these devices appropriately and without incident, but the temptation and opportunity for distraction and/or misuse drives the intentions behind this policy.
Handbook section 1.M.: "The use of electronic equipment that can include devices that can make or receive phone calls or text messages, such as cell phones, smart watches, etc. in school is not permitted as it can interrupt instruction or interaction with peers. Devices that are used solely for reading are allowed. All other devices should be off and in the backpacks."
Art Show: 4/25
CARE SOLACE
As we start the new school year, we want to remind you of the invaluable resources available to our community.
Aspire Health Alliance To Make an appointment 617.847.1914 In a Crisis 800.528.4890
Quincy Family Resource Center 617.481.7227
Plymouth Family Resource Center 774.283.6531 aarcuri@baystatecs.org
South Shore Coalition of Independent Therapists Find a licensed mental health provider near you
The Baker Center for Children and Families 617.232.8390
Boston Child Study Center 617.800.9610
In addition, Care Solace offers mental health care coordination services and can help connect you and your child with appropriate community-based providers. Whether it's counseling, therapy, or other mental health services, Care Solace can assist you in finding the support your family may need.
To access Care Solace's coordination services, simply reach out using the following options:
Call 888-515-0595: Their multilingual helpline is staffed 24/7/365.
Visit www.caresolace.com/hinghamschools: On their website, you can explore mental health providers independently or click "Book Appointment" for personalized assistance through video chat, email, or phone.
Save The Date 📅
MCAS Testing Gr5
Monday, Apr 8, 2024, 09:00 AM
PTO Meeting
Wednesday, Apr 10, 2024, 07:00 PM
East MPR
Contact Us:
Have questions or need assistance? Reach out to us!
Jonathan Hawes, Principal: jhawes@hinghamschools.org
Dr. Amanda Donovan, Assistant Principal: adonovan@hinghamschools.org
Karen Mariani, Administrative Assistant: kmariani@hinghamschools.org
Elisa Nelson, Administrative Assistant: enelson@hinghamschools.org
Tel: (781) 741-1570