Family Newsletter | April 2, 2025
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Dear HES Families,
Our read-a-thon winners have been enjoying their prizes. Thank you to Officer Tim and Franny for driving students to school!
Tomorrow and Friday are the English Language Arts MCAS test for grades 3-5. HERE the letter we sent families last week. We want to remind you that it is crucial for students to arrive to school on time, and fifth graders should make sure to have their iPads fully charged. Students may bring a few pieces of gum or mints, but please no candy.
 We are thrilled to welcome Ms. Emily Fournier as our long-term sub counselor for the rest of the school year. Ms. Fournier is finishing up her internship in school counseling at an elementary school in Spencer, and will join us right before April break. During this transition, if you have questions about counseling services that your child was receiving from Mrs. Weatherbee, please contact Katie Lancey (IEP services) or Hilary (504 services). For any concerns or questions about your child's mental health or well-being, please reach out to your child's classroom teacher or Anna Morris. Here is some more information so you can get to know Ms. Fournier:
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Dear Families,
I am excited to join HES! I have enjoyed working with students in Spencer this year, doing small groups, individual counseling, and supporting students in their classrooms. I also have experience as a substitute teacher in Shrewsbury and at the Massachusetts Aggression Reduction Center at Bridgewater State University. When I am not in schools, I love being in the kitchen and trying new recipes, especially sweet treats. I also have two playful kittens named Rosie and Connie, who love spending their time watching birds from the window. I look forward to getting to know students and their families this spring! -Emily Fournier |
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Have a great week!
Rebecca and Hilary
Dr. Rebecca Katsh-Singer, Principal
Mrs. Hilary Sturgis, Assistant Principal
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Upcoming Dates
Thursday, April 3 & Friday, April 4: ELA MCAS for Grades 3-5
Tuesday, April 8: The Anxious Generation Community Book Discussion, 6:00 pm
Wednesday, April 9: Half Day, Dismissal at 12:15 pm, Parent/Caregiver Conferences
Friday, April 18-Friday, April 25: NO SCHOOL, Vacation
Wednesday, May 7 & Thursday, May 8: Science & Tech/Engineering MCAS for Grade 5
Spring 2025 MCAS Dates
April 3 and 4: English Language Arts (grades 3-5)
May 7 and 8: Science and Technology/Engineering (grade 5 only)
May 13 and 14: Math (grades 3-5)
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School Announcements
 We hope you will join us for this important event! The panel will feature local experts and all 3 Harvard Public Schools principals. AlphaBEST has opened up more babysitting spots, but pre-registration is required.
We love seeing families enjoy our playground and outdoor play areas, but we want to remind you of some of the rules established by the district, including that the playground is closed to the public from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm on school days. Thank you for adhering to these rules so everyone stays safe and has fun.
 Placement
2025-2026 School Year
With spring here, it is time for us to start thinking about next year. In a few weeks we will start work on placement, the process in which we create next year's classroom communities. This process involves many steps, as we recognize the importance of building a team of learners in every classroom. We take into account a variety of factors, such as academics, social/emotional needs, gender, existing relationships, and teacher observations. We also take into account parent input. If you would like to provide information to help us make placement decisions, please complete this form. Please do not request specific teachers or specific students for your child. Due to the complexity of meeting all students' needs, we can not honor these requests. Please complete the form by April 11 so we have time to review and use this information.
 Spring cleaning? From March 24 through April 10 we are looking for gently used clothing or new socks/underwear, sizes newborn to adult medium. Donation boxes are at drop-off locations throughout our community, including the Harvard Public Library, Bromfield, and Hildreth Elementary. The donations immediately support children in need.
Project 351 Club, the youth-led service organization at TBS, is running the drive in collaboration with the eighth grade to benefit Cradles to Crayons, the largest national non-profit focused on ending clothing insecurity. Thank you for your support of this important eighth grade tradition on behalf of children in Massachusetts.
 Get ready to groove!
The PTO Annual Spring Soiree is back with a Disco Theme!
Craft Food Halls - Boxborough
The Disco Soiree is happening on May 2nd, 2025
A night of dancing, live music, raffles, and endless fun!
Ticket Sales are now Open!
$95 - Early Bird Tickets are on Sale from February 24th - March 24th
$115 - Regular Priced Tickets are on Sale from March 25th - April 18th
Dear Harvard Families,
Our next online safety webinar, The Benefits and Risks of AI, with Teodora Pavkovic, Certified Digital Wellness Director of Linewize, is on Monday night, April 7 at 7:00 PM.
Here is the registration link again:
https://familyzone.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_uK-kPw2PS1yQfwIH3DGQzQ.
This topic is timely as we prepare for the town-wide book discussion of The Anxious Generation.
Dana Labb
Assistant Superintendent
Christopher Boyle
Director of Technology
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Community Announcements
 We invite you to celebrate the changing seasons on the Harvard Conservation Trust's Storybook Trail! Beginning April 1, we’re featuring And Then It’s Spring by Julie Fogliano and illustrated by Caldecott Medalist Erin E. Stead—a beautiful tale of patience, hope, and the promise of new beginnings. The Storybook Trail will be located on the Small Nature Trail, behind the Hildreth Elementary School. You can follow along as a young boy and his dog plant a garden, waiting for the brown of winter to turn into the green of spring. This story is perfect for all ages to enjoy while exploring the trail, enjoying the fresh air and experiencing the magic of the season.
Join Harvard Conservation Trust's biologist and naturalist, Bob Douglas, for a family-friendly hike on April 13th. The hike will begin at Carlson Orchards, travel through Harvard Conservation Trust land and back. We’ll stroll through peach and apple trees, beautiful woodland paths and wildlife meadows. The hike is less than a mile and takes about an hour. After the hike, we'll enjoy donuts and cider around an outdoor fire pit. Sign up for one of two sessions at: https://bit.ly/CiderHike2025
When: Sunday, April 13. Choose one session: 11:00 am or 12:30 pm Where: Carlson Orchards, 115 Oak Hill Road, Harvard What to Wear: Dress appropriately for the weather. Hiking shoes are recommended.
Click HERE to learn about all the events for children happening at the Harvard Public Library!
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HILDRETH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Dr. Rebecca Katsh-Singer, Principal
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| 27 Massachusetts Avenue, Harvard MA, 01451 | (978) 456 - 4145 |
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