Family Newsletter

Dear Hyde-Addison Community,

It's almost time to welcome our students back to school, and it is truly an exciting time! Teachers return to the building on Monday, and our team will be busy preparing for our students' return.

Here is what you can expect next week:

Tuesday - You will be notified of your child's class assignment.

Wednesday - You will receive an introductory email from the classroom teacher by the end of the day.

Friday (2:00 - 2:45pm) - Stop by for the Sneak Peek event for an opportunity to meet the teacher, see the classroom, and drop off supplies.

Reminder: Please take a few moments to review the important information included in this newsletter. In particular, we encourage all families to read the updates regarding:

• Review the SY26-27 Hyde-Addison Family Handbook.
• NEW SY26–27 DCPS Elementary Student Dismissal Authorization Form, which must be completed for every student (PreK-5), to ensure we have accurate dismissal information for your child.
• Student Cell Phone and Electronic Device Policy
• Volunteer Clearance Process for parents and guardians interested in volunteering or serving as field trip chaperones.

I hope you enjoy the last week of summer vacation! Looking forward to seeing all of you at the Sneak Peek!

Warm regards,

Kim Bigelow

Interim Principal, Hyde-Addison Elementary School

The SY26–27 Family Handbook is available below. Please take time to review it for important information about school policies, procedures, expectations, and resources for the upcoming school year.

Commanders Back to School Fair (8/17)

The Commanders are hosting their Back to School Fair on Monday, August 17 at Northwestern Stadium from 4-7 p.m. Families will receive backpacks, school supplies, free haircuts, screenings, resources, and more! Interested families should register here.

Join Chancellor Jackson and DCPS leadership on Tuesday, August 18, at 6:00 p.m. for a virtual information session to learn important updates for the coming school year. Topics include academic support, family engagement, technology, student health resources, and more. Spanish and ASL interpretation will be available. To register and learn more, please click here.

Room Parents are an important link between classroom families, teachers, and the PTA—and a great way to get involved in your child’s classroom and help build community throughout the year.

Each classroom typically has 1–2 Room Parents, selected by the teacher. While the role varies based on each teacher’s needs, Room Parents generally help:

• Create a classroom contact list and WhatsApp group at the beginning of the year so families can connect
• Collect and manage voluntary classroom contributions for teacher gifts, Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week, and other classroom needs
• Help organize a beginning-of-year playdate or family get-together
• Coordinate volunteers or supplies for classroom celebrations or special activities
• Help communicate classroom needs, such as snacks, tissues, supplies, or volunteer opportunities as they arise
• Serve as a bridge between the teacher, classroom families, and the PTA

The role is typically most active at the beginning of the school year while contact information, classroom groups, contributions, and initial gatherings are being organized, with responsibilities becoming more occasional throughout the year.

The PTA’s Room Parent Co-VPs, Madi and Gelila, support Room Parents throughout the year with an orientation, resources, guidance, and assistance whenever needed.

Interested? Teachers will share information about Room Parents at the Sneak Peek next Friday, August 21. Let your child’s teacher know then—or reach out directly after the school year begins—to express your interest! If you have any questions for Madi and Gelila, you can message them on the Room Parents group on Konstella or email pta.hydeaddison@gmail.com!

All Hyde-Addison families are encouraged to attend Friday, September 11 at 8:45 AM in the school gym, immediately following the School-Wide Meeting.

Come meet the SY 26–27 PTA Executive Board, hear what’s ahead for the year, and help conduct important PTA business—including voting to approve the annual budget and proposed bylaws updates.

No dues or sign-up required—all Hyde-Addison parents and guardians are members of the PTA and welcome to participate. We hope to see you there!

🗓️ Add this event to your personal calendar!

The current DCPS policy prohibits students from accessing a cell phone or personal electronic communication device during the bell-to-bell school day while on DCPS school grounds, aligning with our school’s current cell phone policy. Personal electronic communication devices include some wearable devices such as smart watches or Bluetooth headphones, laptops, tablets, and other future personal electronic communication devices.

For more information, please click the link below:

DCPS Student Cell Phone and Personal Electronic Device policy

We encourage all families who are interested in volunteering or serving as chaperones on school field trips to complete the volunteer clearance process as early as possible. Processing times can vary, and completing the requirements in advance will ensure you are eligible to participate in upcoming school events and excursions.

All volunteers, including parents, must complete the DCPS Clearance process before volunteer services can be provided. Please send a proof of your completed clearance status to hyde.addison@k12.dc.gov.

At DC Public Schools (DCPS), we are committed to the safety and security of our students. Beginning in School Year (SY) 2026–2027, all students in grades PreK–5 will be required to have a completed and signed Elementary Student Dismissal Authorization Form on file.

The Elementary Student Dismissal Authorization Form has two parts:

• Part 1: Authorization to Release (Required for all students in PreK–5)
  This section asks you to list the adults who are authorized to pick up your child, if needed, during the school day or at dismissal.

  
  

• Part 2: Permission to Self-Dismiss (Required only if applicable for students in grades K–5)
  This section allows you to give permission for your child to self-dismiss—either alone or with an older, authorized child-- at the end of the school day. Please note that only students in grades K-5 are eligible to self-dismiss, and DCPS recommends students in K-3 dismiss with an older, authorized student rather than alone. Pre-K3 and Pre-K4 students should be picked up by a parent or authorized adult and may not be released to another elementary-age child.

You can learn more about the form, including recommendations for completing it, on the DCPS website. You may download a fillable version of the form online or pick up a paper copy from our main office at any time.

Required Task: Please complete a separate form for each child and submit completed forms to the main office or via email to hyde.addison@k12.dc.gov by the first day of school:

• Monday, August 24, 2026, for students in grades K–5

• Thursday, August 27, 2026, for Pre-K3 and Pre-K4 students

  
  

Thank you for helping us keep your child safe and accounted for each day.

We invite all families to share information with our team in advance so we can better understand each child's strengths, interests, and learning needs. This information will be shared with your child's classroom teacher before the first day of school to help them prepare for a smooth, successful transition into the new school year.

Please click the button below to complete the form by Friday, August 14, 2026.

Please note that our Back-to-School Night is now Wednesday, September 2. To better support Hyde-Addison families with students attending both Hyde-Addison ES and Hardy Middle School, we have adjusted our schedule to help impacted families attend both events.

We look forward to welcoming you and kicking off a successful school year together!

The School Year 2026–2027 supply lists are now available and attached below. Please review the lists for your child’s grade level to ensure you’re all set for the first day.

Hi Families,

Enrollment is quick and done online at DiscoverChampions.com.

Current families: Log in and click “Add a Program.”
New families: Follow the flyer instructions to get started. (See below)

Questions? Contact Ms. Funmi at ch002523@discoverchampions.com or Ebony Tucker at ebony.tucker@discoverchampions.com.

We can’t wait for another great year!

Dear Hyde Families,

Registration for our Fall 2026 After-School Enrichment Programs opened last month.

Spots are filling up!

As a reminder, registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. This fall, we are excited to offer new program options. Families may choose from the following:

• One-Hour Enrichment (3:30–4:25 p.m.) – Student dismissal is at 4:30 p.m.
• Two-Hour Enrichment (3:30–5:30 p.m.) – Students participate in a two-hour enrichment program, with dismissal promptly at 5:30 p.m.
• New Spanish Language Programs – Available in both one-hour and two-hour formats.

As families begin planning for the upcoming school year, we are also offering a 20% discount for students enrolled in three or more enrichment classes per week. A detailed program packet, including schedules, class descriptions, and pricing information, is available under the "Catalog" section of our website.

Programs will begin on the first day of school, August 24, and will be offered on all full school days in accordance with the DCPS calendar.

Registration Link:
https://www.activeplayllc.com/hydeaddisonelementary

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at HydeEnrichment@ActivePlayLLC.com.

We look forward to welcoming your children back in the fall!

Sincerely,

Active Play

We are pleased to report that the spring DCPS Panorama Survey results have arrived. Please see several key data points below. When officially published by the district, family facing data will be available on the OSSE school report card, at schoolreportcard.dc.gov, in the school climate section.

As part of the DC Youth Meals Program, DCPS provides free breakfast (8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.) and lunch (11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.) to children 18 and under at participating schools throughout the summer.

DCPS summer meal locations can be found here. Note that sites below with a ✓ are participating are open to children and youth 18 and under. Sites marked with an X are for students enrolled at that specific summer school. No registration or pre-enrollment is required.

POC: HealthServices.dcps@k12.dc.gov

The PTA is looking for volunteers to help organize and deliver school supply kits to classrooms before the first day of school. Whether you can stay for an entire shift or just an hour, every helping hand makes a difference!

It's a fun way to meet other Hyde families, get involved, and help ensure every classroom is ready for a great start to the school year.

Click below to sign up and view all volunteer details. 💙💛
Sign Up Here: https://www.konstella.com/app/school/5f3ec103b63aaba471bba1f9/signups/6a736057321a2bd0b639fda2

Help us get Hyde-Addison ready for the new school year! Join us for a fun, family-friendly morning of light gardening, school yard cleanup, rock painting, and play.

This is a casual, family-friendly event--bring friends, family & siblings! RSVP or sign-up is necessary—just stop by the Hyde-Addison playground anytime between 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM and stay for as little or as long as you'd like.

Add the event to your calendar here!

See the graphic above for all the details on what we'll be doing and what to bring. We hope to see you there! 💙💛

The Hyde-Addison PTA is seeking a VP of Events to fill a vacancy for the 2026–2027 school year. If you enjoy planning events, staying organized, and bringing our community together, we'd love to hear from you!

Interested or have questions? Email us at pta.hydeaddison@gmail.com. 💙💛

Before we officially kick off the new school year, now is a great time to learn more about the Hyde-Addison PTA’s committees and join the ones that interest you!

Our goal is to build robust, active committees that reflect the diversity, perspectives, and interests of our entire school community. We want every family who would like to be involved to have a place to contribute—and we want our PTA’s work to represent our students and families to the best of our ability.

Making that possible requires your participation! Whether you are interested in events, gardening, fundraising, sponsorship, school swag, teacher and staff appreciation, the Audit Committee, or something else, there is a place for you.

🔗 Learn more: hydeaddisonpta.org/committees

✅ Ready to join? Log in to Konstella and select: Directory → Browse Committees → Openings (orange button)

Your time, ideas, talents, and perspective can make a meaningful difference. We hope you’ll join us!

Whether you own a business, know a local business you'd love to see partner with our school, or have a friend, family member, nonprofit, or organization looking to make a meaningful impact in the community, we'd love to connect.

📖 Learn more about the program: https://hydeaddisonpta.org/sponsor

✅ Confirm your sponsorship here: https://app.moonclerk.com/pay/7eta78f4zkvx

📄 View the 2026–2027 Annual Business Sponsorship Plan

As a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, all sponsorship contributions to the Hyde-Addison PTA are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law, and we're happy to provide receipts for your records.

There are three easy ways to stay informed, get involved, and connect with our school community throughout the year:

💬 Join Konstella
Our private family communication platform where you can connect with other Hyde families, sign up to volunteer, join committees, and receive important PTA announcements. Join here: https://www.konstella.com/cd/FABTS7

📸 Follow us on Instagram
For school highlights, event reminders, volunteer opportunities, and PTA updates. @HydeAddisonPTA

🌐 Visit our Website
Find everything you need in one place, including upcoming events, programs, volunteer opportunities, fundraising information, committee details, and more: https://hydeaddisonpta.org

We look forward to another fantastic school year together! 💙💛

Label It Before You Lose It! Back-to-school means water bottles, backpacks, jackets, lunchboxes… and the return of the endless Hyde Lost & Found. Now is the perfect time to get organized and label EVERYTHING before the school year begins!

Now through August 31, shop Mabel’s Labels and:

✨ Get 15% OFF sitewide with code LABEL15
💛 Hyde-Addison PTA receives 20% of your purchase when you select “Hyde-Addison PTA (Washington)” as your organization.
👉 Start shopping here: campaigns.mabelslabels.com

If your child needs to take medication or requires medical treatment during school hours, please have your medical provider complete the appropriate forms, which may include the Medication and Treatment Authorization Forms, the Asthma Action Plan and the Action Plan for Anaphylaxis. Please email forms to hyde.Addison@k12.dc.gov and ask them to be submitted to the nurse. We will confirm receipt.

If your child needs a dietary accommodation, your provider should also complete the Dietary Accommodations Form. Please submit the completed form to dietary.forms@k12.dc.gov and cc hyde.addison@k12.dc.gov.

Attendance is a top priority for both DCPS and Hyde-Addison ES, as consistent, on-time attendance is essential to student achievement, growth, and overall success. We encourage families to review the DCPS Academic Calendar below or directly on the dcps.dc.gov website, to plan vacations, appointments, and events in a way that supports uninterrupted learning throughout the school year.

During the school year, please notify the school every time your student is absent. Excuse notes must be emailed to hyde.addison@k12.dc.gov within 5 school days after the student’s return to school for the absence to be excused, in alignment with DCPS Attendance policies. (Classroom teachers cannot excuse absences.)

DCPS is pleased to announce the release of the SY 25-26 Feeder, Middle School, and High School Booklets. These comprehensive booklets provide essential information including school overviews, programming details, geographic and programmatic feeder patterns, and much more.

Please find attached a message from DC Public Schools Chancellor Dr. Lewis D. Ferebee regarding changes to sibling phase-in policies for students enrolling in 9th grade in School Year 2026-2027 and later.

For students and families:

• OCTO Student & Family Call Center – Assists parents and students with technical and password issues. Contact number is: (202) 442-5885 (Option 1).

DCPS is committed to creating a discrimination-free environment for all students. To meet this commitment, DCPS is focused on creating an environment in which we eliminate opportunity gaps, interrupt institutional bias, and remove barriers to academic and social success, particularly for students of color. Please review the following policies regarding anti-discrimination within DCPS.

DCPS Anti-Discrimination Policy

When you receive the Family Newsletter by email each Friday, as well as most other school-wide communications, you will have the option to view it in a web browser. Accessing the newsletter this way allows for automatic translation into over 20 languages and provides enhanced accessibility features, including high-contrast display settings and adjustable font sizes for improved visibility.

All Family Newsletters will also be archived on the Hyde-Addison website https://hydeaddisondc.org/home throughout the year for your ongoing reference.

Aug 24: First Day of School (K-5)

Aug 27: First Day of School (ECE)

Sept 2: Back to School Night

First Tuesday of Each Month: LSAT