HOD Family Newsletter
June ~ 2026
Principal's Message
Dear HOD Families,
As we prepare to close out another incredible school year, my heart is filled with gratitude and pride. It is hard to believe that the final days of the 2025–2026 school year are here. What a wonderful year it has been!
I am so incredibly proud of each and every one of our students. Throughout the year, they have worked hard, shown kindness, embraced challenges, and demonstrated what it truly means to BEE Respectful and BEE Responsible. Whether in the classroom, on the playground, on the bus, or throughout our community, our students have continued to make H. Olive Day a place where learning, laughter, and belonging thrive.
As we enjoy these final weeks together, our school is buzzing with many of the traditions and celebrations that make this time of year so special. We have loved watching students participate in field days, field trips, author visits, poetry celebrations, classroom showcases, and countless learning experiences that highlight their growth and accomplishments.
June still has so much excitement ahead, including our Kindergarten Memory Show, Move-Up Days, the Grade 2 Clap Out, and our Summer Reading Assembly sponsored by the Norfolk Public Library. These events provide meaningful opportunities to celebrate our students and create lasting memories together.
On a personal note, I would like to thank all of you for an unforgettable first year as your principal. It has truly been a privilege and an honor to serve the H. Olive Day community in this role. Every day, I am reminded how fortunate I am to work alongside such dedicated staff, supportive families, and amazing children. Thank you for your partnership, trust, encouragement, and kindness throughout the year. Together, we have continued to strengthen the special school family that makes HOD such a remarkable place.
As our little bees prepare to spread their wings for summer, I hope your family enjoys a season filled with sunshine, laughter, relaxation, adventure, and cherished time together. May your summer be filled with joyful memories.
Thank you for a wonderful school year. I look forward to welcoming everyone back in the fall for another amazing year of learning, friendship, and fun at H. Olive Day School.
Best, Kristen Giffune
….And All of Us Here at HOD!
Mark Your Calendar - HOD Events
Tuesday, June 9th
Kindergarten Memory Shows
9:30 am Performance
Mrs. Deguire, Ms McCracken, Mrs. Pfeiffer
1:30 pm Performance
Ms Day, Mrs Krauss, Mrs Prevett
Wednesday, June 10th
Last Day of Preschool
Thursday, June 11th
Last Day of Kindergarten
Kindergarten Report Cards Issued Electronically
Click on the following link for instructions for viewing your child's report card.
Thursday, June 11th
PTO Meeting - 7pm
Friday, June 12th - Tuesday, June 16th
Kindergarten Screening at HOD
Thursday, June 16th - Noon Dismissal
Friday, June 17th - Noon Dismissal
Last Day for First and Second Grade
First and Second Grade Report Cards Issued Electronically
Click on the following link for instructions for viewing your child's report card.
HOD News to Know
HOD Move Up Days
HOD will be hosting traditional Move Up Day activities,
providing students with the opportunity to meet their new teachers, explore their upcoming classrooms, and get to know their future classmates.
For your convenience, information regarding your
child's teacher assignment for the upcoming year
will be included in the comments section of their report card.
Please mark your calendars with the following Move Up Day schedule
Grade K to 1: Thursday, June 11th — 9:30–10:00
Grade 1 to 2: Wednesday, June 17th — 9:30-10:00
Grade 2 to 3: Friday, June 12th — 9:15–10:30 (FK School)
HOD Highlights
🐝 BEEs of the Month 🐝 ~ June
🐝 Preschool BEEs 🐝
🐝 Kindergarten BEEs 🐝
🐝 Grade One BEEs 🐝
🐝 Grade Two BEEs 🐝
Preschool Friends
Tie-Dye Shirts in Ms Ziniti's Class
Music with Mr. Ken in Ms Croke's Class
Getting Ready for Kindergarten
Preschoolers Practice Riding the Bus
Kindergarten Fun
Camp Out with a Favorite Book & Flashlight
in Ms McCracken's Class
and Mrs. Prevett's Class
Kindergarten Tie-Dye Fun
with Mrs. Deguire and Mrs. Jacobsen
Grade 1
Mrs. Horton's Ornithologists Study Bird Beaks
First Grade Field Day Fun
Grade 2
Field Day
🦋 🦋 🦋 Butterfly Release 🦋 🦋 🦋
Congratulations to Grade 2
Mrs. Pfeiffer's Class
Mrs. Antonellis' Class
Mrs. Antonellis' Class T-Shirts
Unified Champion Schools
Corn Hold Tournament
With Ms Siebert & Mrs. Henney/Sanford's Classes
Graduating Seniors Stroll Through the HOD
Congratulations to our HOD Alumni !
Then . . . . .
. . . . . and Now!
Curriculum Updates
ELA Curriculum - Into Reading Family Letters
Click the yellow bars below for more details.
New Math Curriculum - Amplify Desmos Math
Summer Reading and Math Challenge!
This summer, we encourage all students to keep their reading and math skills sharp by participating in our Summer Reading and Math Challenge! Students can use one side of the log to track their reading and the other side to record their math activities, including math game play and fact practice. Reading/Math logs will be sent home with students during the week of June 15th. The logs and directions will be found on a button on the Teaching and Learning page of our website and as a flip flop icon on the Student Start Page. Completed logs should be returned to school in the fall. As an added incentive, one class at each grade level will earn a special reward for returning the most completed logs. We hope you'll join us in making reading, math, and learning part of a fun and engaging summer!
Resource Corner
Lunch Menus
Click on the "Summer Fun" for June Menu
Notes from our School Nurse, Mrs. Steck
Medication Pick Up
Gently Used Clothing Donations Happily Accepted
From time to time, Mrs. Steck needs to offer clothing to our students. Our supply is dwindling,
so if anyone has gently used pants and shorts in sizes 6 - 10 that they no longer use,
we would be grateful to receive them.
Thank you!
Norfolk PTO News and Events
PTO Meetings
Parents and caregivers are invited to participate and share ideas. Please visit the website for the latest PTO meetings and events.
Thursday, June, 11th at 7pm at 9 Thomas Mann Circle
Click on the button below for more information about the PTO!