Hello Hardy

Dear Hardy families,
It was great to welcome students to Hardy this past week! 
With each PTO newsletter, I will include a Principal letter that will include highlights from the previous week, information about upcoming events, and other miscellaneous information. Here are a few updates for this week:

Highlights from the Past Week

• We welcomed 325 students and 95 teachers and staff members into our school!
• We had three arrivals, three dismissals, three days of breakfast, and two days of lunch served. With a few minor bumps outstanding, overall things went smoothly.
• We established clear expectations for classroom routines and school-wide routines. 
• We began to build positive relationships within our classroom and school community as teachers facilitated classroom connections through get to know you activities.

Back to School Night

We will have our Back to School Night on Thursday, September 17th. The schedule will be as follows:

• 5:45-6:15- 3rd-5th grade classroom presentations
• 6:20-6:40- Principal & PTO welcome
• 6:45-7:15- K-2nd grade classroom presentations

This is an event for parents/guardians. There will be babysitting available on site. The PTO will be sharing information on this (advance registration required and first come, first served).

School Council Parent Representatives

We have parent representative vacancies on the School Council. The School Council meets on the first Thursday of the month (with meetings held in October, November, January, March and May) from 7:45-8:30 AM over Zoom. The Council is composed of the principal, a community representative, and an equal distribution of teachers and parents. Councils are tasked with assisting the principal by reviewing the school building budget and the school improvement plan. The Council also helps to support overall school improvement initiatives. If you have an interest in serving on the School Council or if you have any questions about this opportunity, please email me directly at smithg@wellesleyps.org by this Thursday, September 10th. There will be an election to determine these representatives, which will take place through a Google Form facilitated by the PTO and will be sent out on the evening of Back to School Night on September 17th. 

Attention 2nd-5th grade families- After-school Bike Rodeo

The After-school Bike Rodeo for 2nd to 5th graders is a fun, hands-on way to learn bike handling and safely. Participants will learn important bike safety skills and confidence so they can ride safely and legally.  After a brief safety lesson with MassBike instructors, participants will practice skills on an obstacle course. This lesson is for students who already know how to ride a bike but need to practice safety skills. Participants should bring a rideable bike, close-toed shoes, and a helmet. Bicycles and helmets can be parked at the bike racks in the morning.  Students who are participating in WCCC can be escorted back to the program.  Registration is through Recreation’s After School Program. Hardy activity # is 422504-09.  Space is limited and registration is required. This will take place on Tuesday, September 22 from 3:10 – 4:10 pm. 

Car Drop Off Reminder

When doing morning drop off, parents/caregivers doing drop off are asked to follow the car line in a single file and drop students off directly to the curb. Parents/caregivers are asked to remain in their cars and Hardy staff will assist your child out of the car as needed. If parents/caregivers want to help their own child out of the car, we’d ask that you park on Hardy Rd./other nearby side streets and walk your child up to the building. Thank you for your cooperation, which helps to support a smooth and efficient drop off lane. 

Procedures When Your Child is Tardy

If a family arrives at school after 8:30 AM, the parent/caregiver is asked to park along the front loop and walk their child into the building. Mrs. Rixon will give a tardy slip to the child in the vestibule entrance before the child goes on to their classroom. 

Car Pick Up Name Signs

On Wednesday of last week, new students to Hardy brought home a 8 ½ x 11 card with their last name printed on the card. This is to be used for car pick up at dismissal. Returning families are asked to use the card from last year OR make a new card with your family last name noted. Families are asked to post this in a vehicle’s passenger window, which will assist staff in matching students to cars. 

Pick Up Patrol Reminder

As a reminder, families are encouraged to use PickUp Patrol to inform the school of their child’s absence. Also this tool is to be used to keep dismissal plans up to date. If your child takes the bus, please note we now have 2 Wellesley buses- Bus D and Bus Y. Please use the drop down menu to enter the correct bus letter. 

Dismissal Guidelines

As a reminder, students in Kindergarten through grade three are to be dismissed directly to an adult. In April of each year, third graders will be dismissed independently following the dismissal plan set by parents. Parents will note their children’s dismissal plans on the Pick Up Patrol online system.

Free School Breakfast & Lunch

As a reminder, to ensure children have continued access to nutritious meals, the State of Massachusetts has voted to offer free meals on a permanent basis. All students, regardless of a family’s financial means, will be offered No Cost meals.

Dogs on School Property

As a reminder, dogs are to be kept at the edge of the property during arrival/dismissal times. Thank you for your cooperation.

Special Thanks

• Thanks to the PTO for providing staff with breakfast pastries & coffee in the teachers’ room.
• Thanks to the PTO for providing staff with a delicious lunch on the first day of school.
• Thank you to all parents/guardians for supporting Hardy as we begin the 2026-2027 school year!

Have a great week!

Respectfully yours,

Grant Smith

Principal