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Family Newsletter 3-25-26

Posted Date: 03/25/26 (05:54 PM)


Family Newsletter | March 25, 2026
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Dear HES Families,

We had a beautiful Festival of Cultures last night! Thank you to all the families and students that participated. 

Our third graders are finishing up their second module of our new literacy curriculum and have become quite the experts on frogs! Students began their exploration by reading poems and parquoi tales about frogs. After generating lots of "why" questions, students read and wrote about the physical and behavioral characteristics of frogs. They finished the unit by researching specific types of frogs and creating fabulous informational posters, pamphlets and trading cards!



Coming up we on May 1 have a fantastic opportunity to bring award-winning author Dan Santat to visit grades 3-5. His newest graphic novel, Sashimi, comes out on April 14. To preorder a copy, please send a check to school with your child ($8.99 paperback, $19.99/hardcover) payable to Hildreth Elementary School by April 1. Books will be distributed to students on May 1 and signed by the author. A huge thank you the Silver Unicorn Bookstore and Literacy Specialist Kerry Cusick for making this visit possible!


Have a great week!

Rebecca and Hilary    
   
Dr. Rebecca Katsh-Singer, Principal
Mrs. Hilary Sturgis, Assistant Principal                  

Upcoming Dates
Friday, March 27: Husky Headlines, Grades 3-5, 8:00 am 
Tuesday, March 31: BeyBlade Club, Grades 3-5, 8:30 am 
Tuesday, March 31 & Wednesday, April 1: ELA MCAS, Grades 3-5
Friday, April 3: NO SCHOOL
Tuesday, April 7: BeyBlade Club, Grades 3-5, 8:30 am 
Wednesday, April 8: Half Day, Dismissal at 12:15 pm, Parent/Guardian Conferences
Friday, March 10: Husky Headlines, Grades 3-5, 8:00 am 
Tuesday, April 14: Grade 4 Nature's Classroom Informational Meeting, 6:30 pm on zoom  
Wednesday, April 15: Half Day, Dismissal at 12:15 pm, Parent/Guardian Conferences, NO PREK
Friday, April 17: Yearbook Meeting, Grade 5, 8:00 am
Monday, April 20-Friday, April 24: NO SCHOOL

Spring 2026 MCAS Dates
March 31 and April 1: English Language Arts (grades 3-5)
May 5 and 6: Math (grades 3-5)
May 12 and 13: Science and Technology/Engineering (grade 5 only)

Attention Grade 4 Families: Nature's Classroom next fall will be October 19-23, 2026. Please contact Marie Phillips with any questions


School Announcements

In the coming weeks we will start working on class placements for next year. 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/caregiver 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 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 17 so we have time to review and use this information. Thank you!


We are looking for donations of lightly used or new sweatpants and socks, especially in larger sizes. Students can drop them off in Nurse Amanda's office. Thank you!




Fall kindergarten enrollment for children turning 5 on or before August 31, 2026 began on February 9. Students must live in Harvard or Devens and submit a proof of residency. Click HERE for additional information and to start online registration. Please contact Jessica Reynolds at jreynolds@psharvard.org with any questions.



BINGO Night is Back! Ready for a night of big wins and community fun? TOMORROW NIGHT!!!
Join us for the second annual Harvard Community BINGO Night at the Bromfield School!
When: Thursday, March 26th
Time: Doors open at 5:30 PM | Games start at 6:00 PM
Where: The Bromfield School

Incredible Prizes spread over 11 rounds
Grand Prize: Handcrafted fire pit from Beyond Construction ($2,500 value!) 

Must-Haves: Nintendo Switch 2, L.L.Bean, Sephora and Burts Bees gift cards
Local Love: Gift cards to Harvard Lanes, Silver Unicorn, Around the Rocks
Flower Farm, Little Bee Bookshop, Bodylines Pilates, Harvard Alpaca Farm, local
eateries and many more

Fuel Your Luck
Enjoy $1 pizza slices, refreshing drinks, and home-baked treats available for purchase
throughout the night.

Get Cards
Pre-order your BINGO cards online by clicking here or bring cash to buy them at the door. All proceeds benefit the Harvard Schools PTO.


Harvard Public Schools PTO – Annual Spring Soirée Fundraiser (2026)

Theme: School Spirit! 

Get ready for a fun night out with friends, neighbors, and the Harvard school community! The Harvard Public Schools PTO invites you to our Annual Spring Soirée Fundraiser—a high-energy evening celebrating School Spirit while raising critical funds for PTO programs that support our students and teachers all year long.

Wear your favorite school colors, college gear, spirit wear, or your best “school pride” look and join us for a night of food, drinks, and fundraising for a great cause.


Friday, May 29, 2026
5:30-10:30 pm
Craft Food Halls, Boxborough



Annual School Supply Sale – New Program Lead needed!

The PTO is looking for a HES parent/guardian to lead the annual School Supply sale. They will train this spring with the current lead for this program, which provides convenience to families while generating funds to provide a full set of school supplies to HES students in need as well as additional supplies for Specials classrooms. It’s a relatively small time commitment to provide a big impact. Anyone interested please email info@harvardpto.org by April 1st.







Community Announcements

Registration for Foundational Engineering 2 - Machines & Contraptions (K-2nd)

Registration for Real World Robotics (Grades 3rd-5th)


Come explore the beautiful land surrounding Hildreth Elementary School this Winter and Spring, in this fun, hands-on, outdoor nature class! Students will learn about the seasonal changes in our woods as they explore the plants and animals around our school. We will meet Mondays directly after school, and 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 5:  April 6 - May 11                       3:30-5:00 pm

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. This program is not a Hildreth Elementary School sponsored event and is the sole responsibility of Hands on Nature.



Snapology School half-day: Science of Slime. April 8, 12:30-4pm

Felting School half-day: Bunny. April 8, 12:45-2:30pm 

Snapology School half-day: Castles & Kingdoms, Medieval Engineering & Design. April 15, 12:30-4pm.

Felting School half-day: Duck. April 15, 12:45-2:30pm

April Vacation Week with Snapology Favorites: Video Game Edition, Everyday Engineers Vehicle Edition. April 20-24, 9am-3:30pm.

Harvard Youth Baseball & Softball
Registration for softball, baseball & T-ball for Spring 2026 is open! We offer teams for boys and girls ages 4-12, no experience necessary. Please register at https://go.teamsnap.com/forms/503543

Free, optional winter clinics begin the week of January 19 at AtBats (235 Summer Rd, Boxboro): 
Softball - Tuesdays 5-630PM 10U/12U
Baseball - Thursdays 5-6PM Minors (U10), 6-7PM Majors (U12)
Contact harvardyouthbaseball@gmail.com with any questions. PLAY BALL!


Spring 2026 HSC Soccer Sign Up for Pre-K through High School!
The Harvard Soccer Club's mission is to promote and enhance the game of soccer for the enjoyment of the youth and residents of the town of Harvard and Devens. We have multiple In-Town and Travel programs spanning Pre-K to High School. For In-Town, we have a Co-Ed U6 league that practices and plays on Saturday. We also have separate Boys U8 and Girls U8 programs with one practice per week plus games on Saturday. For Travel, we have separate Boys and Girls teams and Grade 3/4, Grade 5/6, Grade 7/8, high school, and PG teams across a range of skill levels. Two practices plus one Saturday game per week is typical. Represent your town with friends in the Nashoba Valley Youth Soccer League! If your child is just starting soccer or looking to grow their skills competitively, we have the programs to help! Normal price registration continues through the end of February. Please go to harvardsoccer.org to sign up.


Celebrations Around the World Exhibit
Arm in Arm, in partnership with the Children’s Room in the Harvard Public Library, present the Celebrations Around the World exhibit. Every month through May a holiday celebration will be honored in the display case in the Children’s Room.
Want your Cultural Celebration on display? Have something to loan the HPL in support of a scheduled display? Please see Children’s Librarian or contact Arm in Arm at arminarm.townofharvard@gmail.com.
April display: Orthodox Easter



Join us for a Cider Hike to explore the beauty of early spring with biologist and naturalist, Bob Douglas, on Saturday, April 4, 2026 @ 1:00 p.m. This family-friendly hike begins at Carlson Orchards and winds through Harvard Conservation Trust land before returning to the orchard. The hike is under a mile and takes about an hour. Afterward, enjoy fresh donuts and cider by an outdoor fire pit. Register here: https://bit.ly/hct-cider-hike-2026



TBS students get extra credit for their science classes if they bring a parent or guardian!

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