Dear Families,
One School One Book
This week we kicked off our One School One Book (OSOB program). We are reading Heartwood Hotel by Kallie George through the One School One Book program. You can participate in this fun event at home too. Here are some reminders about how you can help and participate at home.
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Students will bring the book home and back to school in their book buddy bags.
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Ask your child each day to recap the latest chapter. You may also want to re-read the day’s chapters with your child or whole family. PLEASE DON’T SKIP AHEAD. This is a great way to foster home school communication with your child.
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You can visit our OSOB website with your child for trivia, author info, photos and for the reading calendar. The link can be found on the Hurlbutt homepage and will be live on Wednesday.
Attendance
At this time of year, many families will receive or have already received a letter from school detailing student absences for the school year. State law and district policy requires us to notify families when students reach nine or more absences in a school year. We recognize that sometimes students have to miss school for illness. Absences after nine school days require additional documentation for those absences to be coded as excused. Please refer to the letter, if you received one, for details. While absences are often unavoidable due to illness, on time arrival to school is easier to manage. This year, we continue to strive to improve our on time arrival to school. Students who are tardy to school miss out on the opportunity to have a consistent routine which fosters a sense of security and readiness to learn. Each day at Hurlbutt starts with a class morning meeting. During this time, children connect with their peers, review the day's schedule, and participate in activities that promote social and emotional growth.
Wait Until 8th
The Wait Until 8th pledge—in which families commit to delay giving smartphones to kids until the end of 8th grade—is active in Weston. Over the last year, families at HES and WIS have signed, including about 30% of the current 5th grade class. Parent-organizers would love to continue the effort as we head to WMS.
More information has surfaced about the impact of smartphones and social media on children's mental health and development—Jonathan Haidt's book "The Anxious Generation" has presented findings on depression, anxiety, bullying and suicide rates. The benefits of delaying smartphones can be especially powerful for our rising middle schoolers as they face the emotional rollercoaster of puberty, social pressures, etc.
This is, of course, a personal choice for each family, but organizers are sharing information to make parents aware and to build solidarity.
To sign the pledge and learn more about WU8th, click here: https://www.waituntil8th.org/take-the-pledge
Kindergarten Registration
If you have an incoming kindergarten student for the 25-26 school year, please begin the registration process. Follow this link to our district website to register. Registration
If you have a student in the ELC program who is age eligible for kindergarten, you will need to register using the link above. Children are eligible for kindergarten if they are 5 on or before September 1, 2025. Planning for our classes is in process and having accurate registration information will help us design the best experience for our students.
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:
May 15: Art Jam 5:30 - 6:45 p.m.
May 16: 12:35 p.m. Early Dismissal - Professional Development
May 24-26: Memorial Day Fair
May 26: School Closed for Memorial Day
June 5: Family Fun Night
June 6: Rain Date for Family Fun Night
June 16: Last day of school
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