I have attached a link to a wonderful article passed onto me by our fantastic music teacher Magen Slesinger. I am sure we have all heard about the academic benefits music has on children; this article supports that notion. We are lucky that Wellesley offers such an excellent music program. This week, students in grades 2 through 5 will have an opportunity to hear and see various musical instruments as the music department presents various instruments to them on Friday.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/02/harmony-project-music-study_n_5755448.html
Kathy Dooley, the Wellesley Technology Director will be here during our Back To School Night to assist any parent who is having difficulty navigating the Parent Portal or who just hasn’t had a chance to log on and make updated changes. It is so important for us to have up to date contact information. You will also need to check off on your media release permission on Power School.
Mrs. Rixon our school secretary does an amazing job keeping our Hardy website up to date. She will be adding a new feature to our home page and it will be called “Back Pack Communications”. In this, Mrs. Rixon will load all notices that are sent home through the main office. This way, if families need to find “that form” that was sent home last week, but you just can’t find it, you will be able to get the notice from The Back Pack… piece of cake! It’s not up yet, but will be within the next week. If you have some suggestions for our web page, pass them along. We are always looking for ways to improve.
Spending time in the classrooms is the best part of my day. Hardy parents should be so proud of their children! They are back into the routines and are actively engaging in academics. Our curriculum builds from year to year so the transition between grades is easier since many of the routines are similar from year to year. For example, writers workshop follows similar structures in the classes and students at all levels engage in sustained independent writing in addition to conferencing with their teacher and sharing/reflecting upon what they learned during the mini-lesson at the close of their workshop.
I met with all of the bus students and congratulated them for demonstrating RISE behavior as they wait for the bus, walk to the bus and ride on the bus. I also encouraged our students to wear their seat belts. I know our bus driver Henry agrees with me that Hardy students should be safe by buckling up and showing RISE all the way home. A Hardy teacher will check to make sure our students are safe and smiling before they travel home. Way to go Hardy bus students!!!
A parent asked me how long the crossing guards are at their post in front of Hardy, at the Fells and further down by Bates (on Weston). The time frame is: 8:00 to 8:30. If you should notice that a crossing guard is not on duty please let me know.
Hardy students are taking advantage of every instructional minute!!! We are ringing the bell at 8:26. This allows our students time to get in line and start to walk into school at 8:30. The doors are locked between 8:30 and 8:35 and those teachers on duty need to enter the school to begin their instruction in classrooms at 8:30 too. If you arrive after 8:30 and you do not see a staff member on duty, please make sure to have your child enter through the front door.
I look forward to seeing all of the Hardy Families on Back to School Night, Wednesday September 17 from 6:30 to 8:00.
Charlene Cook, Principal