Family Newsletter 9-17-25

Posted Date: 9/17/25 (4:13 PM)

Dear HES Families,

Last Friday was our first school meeting of the year. It was wonderful to be together as a school community! First, we played a game to get to know 5 staff members -- did you know Mrs. Smith (math interventionist) loves to bake? Did you know that Mrs. Cutler (K teacher) used to be her school's mascot? After a fun movement break several 5th graders read aloud the book How Are You Peeling? Foods with Moods and we used pictures from the book to review the Zones of Regulation. We finished the meeting by singing Happy Birthday to Officer Franny!

We are looking forward to Curriculum Night on September 25. Curriculum Night will run 6:00-7:30 and we will have drop-in childcare in the cafeteria for children ages 3+ provided by high school students and Central Office staff. Younger children are welcome to accompany you to classrooms. If you are utilizing the childcare, please plan to come a few minutes early so you can drop your child off in the cafeteria and be able to join us in the gym by 6:00. HERE is a schedule for the evening.

We would like to remind families of bikers and walkers that it is important to solidify students' plans before they come to school. We want to make sure that once we release these students, they know when they are expected home and where they are allowed to go. Walkers may leave from door C-2 towards the library or our front door towards Fairbank Street. Students who park bikes at our bike racks may only leave from the front door so that they are supervised as they get their bikes. In addition, please review safe walking and biking practices with your child. We want all our students to arrive and depart school safely!

Have a great week!

Rebecca and Hilary

Dr. Rebecca Katsh-Singer, Principal

Mrs. Hilary Sturgis, Assistant Principal

Upcoming Dates

Monday, September 22-Friday, September 26: HES/PTO Book Fair
Thursday, September 25: Curriculum Night, 6:00-7:30 pm
Friday, September 26: Grade 1 Field Trip to Honey Pot Orchards
Wednesday, October 8: Half Day for K-5, Dismissal at 12:15 pm, No PreK
Thursday, October 9: K Field Trip to Westward Orchards
Monday, October 13: NO SCHOOL
Wednesday, October 15: K Walking Field Trip to Harvard Public Library
Friday, October 17: TIGER Anti-Bullying Show
Wednesday, October 28: K Walking Field Trip to Harvard Fire Station
Thursday, October 29: Picture Retakes
Monday, November 3-Friday, November 7: Grade 5 at Nature's Classroom
Tuesday, November 4: Professional Development Day, NO SCHOOL

School Announcements

We are looking for parent volunteers to assist students with drawing, writing, editing, research, and typing. Please reach out to jreynolds@psharvard.org to volunteer or with any questions.

Book Fair: 1 Week to Go!

Join us Monday, September 22 - Friday, September 26, 2025 as we partner with

The Silver Unicorn Bookstore for the PTO/HES Book Fair!

Calling More Volunteers! Fall 2025 Book Fair Signup
Students in grades pre-K through 5th grade will visit the book fair during their regularly scheduled library time with Mrs. Quaadgras. We are located on the stage of the HES gymnasium. Parents are invited to visit during Parent Night on Thursday, September 25, 6:00-7:30pm, during with Curriculum Night.

Teacher Classroom “Wish Lists”: Teachers have selected books from the book fair that they would like to use in their classroom libraries. Each book purchased for a teacher will have a bookplate placed inside the cover identifying your child’s gift.

This year’s fair features 215+ book titles, all published within the past 18 months, carefully selected by our very own amazing HES Librarian Mrs. Quaadgras and by Paul Swyndon, owner of The Silver Unicorn. From hardcover and paperback picture books to easy readers, early chapter books, middle grade titles, graphic novels, MCBA 2025-2026 selections, nonfiction, and activity books—there’s something for every young reader!

Proceeds from the PTO/HES Silver Unicorn Book Fair support the teachers and staff of Hildreth Elementary and The Bromfield School.

Questions? HarvardBookFair@gmail.com

Nurse Amanda is looking for donations of medium, large, and extra-large sweatpants as well as socks and underwear of various sizes. Donations can be brought to the main office or your child may give them directly to Nurse Amanda. Thank you for your generosity!

Community Announcements
We have two new community programs that will be offering after school workshops at HES!

Snapology of Harvard is thrilled to offer after school engaging, fun-filled, and educational Snapology programs! Registration is now open for classes, which will be held at Hildreth- Elementary School!! Snapology can release students afterwards to AlphaBEST or another approved caretaker. Scholarships are available!

Please see the individual links below to register for K-2nd grade and 3rd-5th grade classes. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions: naomi.ahuja@snapology.com.

Registrations Links:
Registration for Foundational Engineering - Machines & Contraptions
Registration for Combat Robots

Come explore the beautiful land surrounding Hildreth Elementary School this Fall, in a fun, hands-on, outdoor nature class! Students will learn about the seasonal changes in our woods as they explore the plants and animals around HES. We will meet Mondays after school from 3:30 - 5:00 pm. Classes will be small and will be held outdoors rain or shine. Each session is five weeks long and the program fee is $85, with scholarships available. Registrations will be taken in the order we receive them.

Session 1: September 22 - October 27th

Session 2: November 3 - December 1st

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO REGISTER: Email Heather at handsonnature@gmail.com.
Hands on Nature is a 501(c)(3) outdoor educational organization based in Berlin MA and information about our organization can be found on our website www.handsonnature.org.

2025–2026 Harvard Basketball Registration Is Open! Harvard Youth Basketball is gearing up for another fun season where kids in grades K–6 learn the fundamentals, sharpen their skills, and practice great teamwork.

K–2 Basketball – Registration closes November 15th
Grades 3–6 Nashoba Youth Basketball League – Registration closes October 19th

Whether your child is picking up a basketball for the first time or ready to take their game to the next level, there’s a program to help them grow on the court.
Visit harvardbasketball.org to sign up today!

PLEASE TAKE 2 MINUTES TO HELP US IMPROVE CELLULAR SERVICE IN HARVARD!

The Town Administration is working to improve cellular network coverage throughout Harvard to ensure broader, more reliable 911 access, and to enhance the effectiveness of all cellular communications and applications. Documented issues of poor coverage and dropped calls incentivize providers to expand coverage, so please participate in a simple 8-question anonymous survey about the quality of (or lack of) cellular service coverage at your home.

Survey results will be shared publicly with residents and with carriers to encourage equipment investments on existing towers and to attract carriers to the new cellular tower being built behind the Hildreth House. The more responses the better! Please reply by October 15th. Please click https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FCPWYJ2 to take the survey!

Let’s Bring Black Earth Compost to Harvard

Only 30 additional households needed! Composting preserves state and local landfills and improves our soil. Black Earth Compost accepts organic material, including items that are hard to compost at home like:
* Meat and seafood scraps (including bones and shells)
* Dairy products
* Cooking and solidified oil and grease
* Food soiled paper
* Corn cobs, fruit pits, and other dense organic matter
* Certified compostable tableware (BPI, CMA, or OK certified)

Add-on composting and recycling is available, such as:
* Leaves and garden waste
* Plastic Film, coffee pods, textiles, electronics, dog and cat food bags, styrofoam, and cartons.

The cost for Black Earth Compost is $94.99 for curbside pickup every other week for 6 months. There is a one time cost of $39.50 for starter kit (bin and bags). For more information or to pre-register:
https://blackearthcompost.com/residential-curbside-compost-pickup/. Already Pre-registered for Black Earth Composting? Please login to verify that your account exists using the above link.

Click HERE to learn about all the events for children happening at the Harvard Public Library!

HILDRETH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Dr. Rebecca Katsh-Singer, Principal

	rkatsh-singer@psharvard.org
	https://hildreth.psharvard.org/
	@harvardpublicschools
	@hildrethharvard

27 Massachusetts Avenue, Harvard MA, 01451 | (978) 456 - 4145