Week of March 30

Posted Date: 03/31/2025

Dear Families,

This week we enter the month of April. The school year really seems to be flying by. The next few months will be very busy with activities and events so please make note of the upcoming dates in my weekly emails. 

Author visit

Through the generous funding of our PTO, Sharon Rodko hosted an author visit in our library this week. Abi Cushman spoke to the students about her process for writing, illustrating and shared several of her favorite stories with us. Her engaging and animated presentation was enjoyed by all. Our students were even led through a guided drawing of one of the characters in her story. We hope that meeting and hearing from a published author inspired our students to continue to write and read with passion. 

Music in our Schools Month

We enjoyed celebrating music in our schools this month. Our students particularly enjoyed our mystery moments during morning announcements when they listened to music and tried to identify either the name of a song or the instruments they heard in the music. We hope our students come home sharing their love of music, and perhaps even singing some of the songs they are learning in music class.

Progress Reports

Hurlbutt’s progress reports were released for the second trimester for you to view starting at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, March 28.  Mr. Paylor sent an email with step-by-step instructions for accessing the reports through PowerSchool and Portfolio+.

If you need help logging into your child’s PowerSchool account, please contact the main office for assistance.  In addition to the progress report,  please take note of the attendance section at the top of the progress report which lists tardies and absences for the first and second trimesters. We understand that school absences are sometimes unavoidable due to illnesses, family obligations or other unexpected situations. If arriving at school on time is a challenge and you notice a high number of tardies, don't hesitate to reach out to us for support. Jillian Desiderio, our school social worker, is a valuable resource for ideas and strategies including transitions to school.

Kindergarten Registration

If you have an incoming kindergarten student for the 25-26 school year, you can begin the registration process.  Follow this link to our district website to register.  Children are eligible for kindergarten if they are 5 on or before September 1, 2025.  Registration

Lost & Found

It's time for spring cleaning! All unclaimed items remaining in the Lost & Found on April 10th will be donated to Clothes to Kids of Fairfield County. To claim an item, please go to the main entrance and the security guard will direct you to the lost and found area. If you have specific questions, please contact our PTO Lost & Found Chair, Abby Finan, via email at abigail.finan@gmail.com. 

Planning for the 25-26 School Year

We are beginning the initial planning of classes for the 2025-26 school year. The process is a collaborative effort that involves the classroom teacher, school psychologist, social worker and other essential staff who work closely with your child.  We share the goal of creating well-balanced classes that meet the needs of all children. To that end, the following criteria will be used to create each class:

* a range of academic abilities, needs and modifications.

* a balance of boys and girls.

* a combination of children who we feel will work well together, and have a mix of learning styles, interests and personality traits.

* an attempt to place children with at least one familiar classmate from the current year.

If, as part of this planning process, you would like to share information of which we are not aware, please use the Optional Parent Input Form accessible through the following link:  Forms must be submitted by April 11.    Optional Parent Input Form

Communication protocol link to website

Please remember we have a HES Communication Protocol 2024-2025.pdf to help you navigate the common occurrences in the daily lives of students, families, and staff. For many of your concerns, this protocol will let you know how to proceed. 

Sincerely,

Laura Kaddis

Principal

Important Dates:

April 14-18: Spring Recess - School Closed

April 21: Weston Board of Education meeting 7:00 - 10:00 p.m.

April 23: HES/WIS General PTO meeting 9:00 - 10:30 a.m. at WIS

May 15: Art Jam 5:30 - 6:45 p.m.

May 16: 12:35 p.m. Early Dismissal - Professional Development

Please note the projected last day of school for the 24-25 school year is June 16.