September 3 Newsletter.
Dear Parents,
With such devastation in our State, I am thankful that we were able to open school on time. We had a wonderful first week of school. Students returned rested, full of summer stories, and ready to learn.
I also feel grateful that damage to Hartland was minimal compared to so many other Vermont communities. Conversations have started about getting students involved in either assisting neighboring communities with clean up projects, raising money for disaster relief, and food and clothing drives.
We would like to welcome our 26 Kindergarten students and their families to a new school year. In addition, we welcome 16 new students and their families to HES.
- First my yearly plea: Please do not drop off children before 7:30 AM. Supervision is available only after this time. After school students are expected to go home unless they are attending homework club or sports. PARENTS MUST SEND NOTES TO THEIR CHILDREN’S TEACHERS STATING WHERE THEY SHOULD GO AT THE END OF THE DAY. If students intend to go to the library at the end of the day, we need a note from parents. Accounting for the whereabouts of each child is difficult to manage. Please keep us informed. Thank you.
- Now that students, staff and parents are back in the routine, we are returning to our security protocols. The front door will be locked after 8:00 AM. Visitors after that time will be “buzzed in”. All visitors need to sign in outside of the office and wear visitors badges.
- We have ordered staff identification name tags as well as substitute and volunteer badges.
- Homework club for students in grades 5 – 8 begins next week on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 2:45 – 4:00 PM in the HES library.
- The 5 – 8th grade student council members for 2011-12 were elected on the last day of school last June. They are: Lexie Urase, President, Daisy Hutt, Vice President, Cammie Rediker, Secretary, Jakob Farewell, Treasurer, and Camden Moffit, 5th grade representative.
- Peter Driscoll called Thursday morning from Vietnam to wish us all a terrific first week of school. He and Jennifer started teaching several weeks ago. They are still settling in to their new school, learning the language and customs, and deciphering the rules of driving, which apparently make absolutely no sense. …Something about not making eye contact….
- If your family is in a custody dispute and you wish to limit access to your child by a non- custodial parent or relative, please meet with me. We will need legal documents showing that you have full custody in order to prohibit access by anyone else. We also need photos of those who should not be allowed to see your children.
- Children from homeless families are automatically qualified for free lunch and breakfast. If you have moved in with a parent, relative, or friend because you have been unable to find housing, you may qualify. Again, please contact me to discuss how our school can support you.
Enjoy the long weekend. It feels good to be back among students again. As always, give them a hug for me.
Judy Callens, Principal
