Dear Hardy Families,
Welcome to the 2020-2021 school year! I am excited to be serving as the new principal of the Hardy School. As I have met several Hardy parents/guardians, if not in person, over Zoom, it has been a pleasure getting to know these community members and I look forward to meeting everyone else soon. For families who have selected the Remote Learning School, the PTO leadership and I have begun discussions about ways we can help support these families to remain connected to the Hardy community during this upcoming school year. Stay tuned for more information on this piece as plans are developed and information is communicated through the PTO newsletter.
For parents/guardians of children attending the Remote Learning School Model & the Hardy Hybrid School Model:
Wellesley Public Schools Reopening Plan:
For detailed information regarding the 2020-2021 school year please refer to the Wellesley Public Schools reopening plan as found on the WPS website: https://wellesleyps.org/
As we embark upon this school year, please remember that school attendance is required. Teachers will be taking attendance (page 23 in reopening plan) each day during zoom meetings and during in person learning days (for hybrid students).
PowerSchool Parent Portal & Classroom Assignments:
The Wellesley Public Schools use PowerSchool, an online platform, to maintain the emergency contact information, directory information, and other important permissions for each of our students. The PowerSchool Parent Portal will be open September 8th at 12 Noon. We ask that all of our parents/guardians login at this time and update/confirm this important information. Homeroom and cohort information for Grades K-8 will be available after the parent portal forms are completed. As in prior years, you will not be receiving a class list due to security and privacy laws (see MGL 603 CMR 23.00) for more information.
District approved parent and community partners such as our PTOs, Wellesley Education Foundation, etc. request contact information for our families to produce school directories, which we recognize are a valued resource for our families. In accordance with our Student Records Policy (JRA, JRA-R) and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), parents may opt out/customize the information released through the PowerSchool Parent Portal. Please note that directory information shared with parent organizations is done so with the understanding that this information will not be used for commercial, political, or other third party purposes.
To find out more and access the PowerSchool Parent Portal please click here:
https://wellesleyps.org/students-families/parent-portal-info/powerschool-parent-portal/
School Materials Pick Up
On Friday, September 11th parents/guardians of children attending the Remote Learning School model or the Hardy Hybrid School model are asked to pick up their child(ren)’s school materials for the start of school. These materials can be picked up at the Hardy School at the designated times indicated in the chart below. Grade 3-5 students will be given an iPad for the school year as part of this pick-up. Kindergarten – Grade 2 students will receive their iPads at a later date in the next week or two. Stay tuned for updated information on the iPad pick up plans for Kindergarten-Grade 2 students as this is finalized by the district.
Student Material pick up times for both Remote Learning School students and the Hardy Hybrid students
Friday, September 11th Schedule
|
Grade |
Time |
|
Kindergarten |
8:00-8:30 a.m. |
|
First Grade |
8:30-9:00 a.m. |
|
Second Grade |
9:00-9:30 a.m. |
|
Third Grade |
9:30-10:00 a.m. |
|
Fourth Grade |
10:00-10:30 a.m. |
|
Fifth Grade |
10:30-11:00 a.m. |
*This will be a drive through pick up plan. Families are invited to pull into the drop off/pick up loop on the side of the building (on Hardy Road).
*Families with multiple children can either come once (at the time slot that matches their youngest child) OR they can come multiple times to the assigned time block for each of their children. At each time block, we will have the corresponding grade level teachers who are working in the Hardy Hybrid program present. Therefore, if families of multiple children want to wave/say hello to each of their children’s classroom teachers, they would need to come multiple times . If a family is NOT able to be present for the materials pick up on Friday morning, please email School Secretary Janet Rixon at rixonj@wellesleyps.org to coordinate an alternate pick up time on Monday or Tuesday of next week.
1-1 Remote Check-ins
On Monday & Tuesday, September 14th and 15th, classroom teachers will be scheduling remote 1-1 check-ins. The purpose of these check-ins is for teachers to say a brief hello to parents/guardians and then spend time connecting 1-1 with students to support building a positive social-emotional connection. Stay tuned for information from your child(ren)’s classroom teacher(s) who will be sharing further information about these check-in meetings, including the schedule sign-up.
PTO:
The Hardy Parent/Teacher Association is an invaluable resource for our community. The PTO works tirelessly on behalf of the Hardy community and the Hardy Staff and I am grateful for their support. As you have the opportunity to volunteer your time and talent to support the work of the PTO, it is most appreciated!
Calendar:
Please see the newly approved district calendar at the following link:
https://wellesleyps.org/academic-calendar-2020-21/
Hardy School Details:
As I have begun my work with the talented Hardy School Staff, we have discussed ways to promote joy within the school community. To that end, we have created a welcome video that we hope you will enjoy:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bnSLUBxYkP_K0NxPLhP-ypftox9nFygQ/view
Staffing Updates:
Felicia Moran (4th grade teacher) will be transitioning to teaching in the Remote Learning School this year. We wish Felicia well in this new role in the district. Erin Matranga will be teaching 4th grade.
The classroom staffing is as follows:
Kindergarten: Caryn Berkowitz, Trisha Czyrcya
First Grade: Annie Bresnahan, Renee Lilley
Second Grade: Kate Carrier, Allison Hutchins/Brie Lemire
Third Grade: Karen Poole, Neysa McNamara
Fourth Grade: Kristi Thompson, Erin Matranga
Fifth Grade*: Megan Sjostedt, Cailin Andruskevich
*We had a reduction of one section in fifth grade due to enrollment
Important Dates:
-
Friday, September 11th- Material pick up for students- see times above
-
Monday & Tuesday, September 14th & 15th- 1 to 1 Remote Check-ins (stay tuned for more information from your child(ren)’s classroom teacher)
-
Wednesday, September 16th – First day of remote learning for all students- dismissal will be at 12:15 p.m.
-
Thursday, October 1st – First day in-person for Cohort A
-
Friday, October 2nd – First day in-person for Cohort B
First Day of School Remotely
With school beginning on September 16th, I look forward to joining your children’s classes over Zoom to welcome them into the 2020-2021 School Year! Your child(ren)’s classroom teacher will be sharing additional information about classroom-related details as part of a class Welcome Letter that you’ll be receiving soon.
First Days of In-person Learning on October 1st and 2nd
As we get closer to the start of the in-person portion of the return to school on October 1st and 2nd, I’ll be sharing information about our arrival and dismissal plans and other details tied to the in person start of the school year. As part of this communication, I will also share information about important dates tied to upcoming school events.
Before/After School Care:
Hardy Before School Care is available from 7:30-8:15 am. If you are interested in enrolling your child, please contact School Secretary Janet Rixon at rixonj@wellesleyps.org
WCCC After School Program from 3:00-5:00 pm on M, T, Th, F. For information on the WCCC after school program, visit their website at http://www.wccc.wellesley.edu
Free/Reduced Lunch Forms:
To find Wellesley Public Schools free/reduced lunch forms, please visit
and click on the application form.
Additional information:
You are invited to visit the Hardy School website at https://wellesleyps.org/hardy/. Here you will find information about Back-to-School including school supply lists.
The entire staff and I are looking forward to seeing all of you soon. Enjoy the remaining days of your summer vacation!
Respectfully yours,
Grant Smith
Principal