Harding Elementary Newsletter

It is hard to believe we are over halfway through the school year already. The staff at Harding Elementary has witnessed growth in the students, both academically and socially. We hope families continue to reinforce the importance of attending school each day to continue fostering lifelong learners who contribute to the positive culture within Harding.

A couple reminders for the month of February:

* If your child is participating in Valentine's Day festivities, please make sure food is not included with notes or cards. Other options could be stickers, pencils, valentine notes, etc.

* There WILL BE SCHOOL on Monday, February 16th as a weather makeup day.

* Parent-Teacher Conference - Friday, March 13th (8:00-3:30). More information located below.

Thank you for the support and communication between home and school. If you have questions or concerns, please reach out to our office.

Thank you,

Harding Elementary Administration

English Language Learners will be completing the Access tests beginning in January (January 5, 2026 - February 20, 2026). Testing is for students in K5 through 5th grade who are in ELD classes. The test assesses a students abilities in Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing.

Friday, February 13th

Normal school day on Monday, February 16th

On Friday, March 13th, there will be parent-teacher conferences from 8:00-3:30. This date is set as "Invite Only" based on student need. Invites will be sent home by your teachers. If you wish, you may request a conference through your teacher. Please look out for communication to schedule conferences. Invites will be sent out within the next couple weeks.

Flexible Instruction Days (FID) are alternatives instead of snow days. We have already had two FID's this year. The district is only allowed 5 total FIDs, allowing three remaining for this school year.

On a FID, students will not attend in-person school but will complete learning assignments and activities at home. The district calendar contains a limited number of weather makeup days, so implementing FID days would limit the number of days added to the end of a school year if winter hands us harsh weather. The important informational points Harding would like you to know are:

• All teachers, including special area teachers, will assign activities or assignments that are equivalent to time spent on a similar activity during a regular day.

• Administration and teachers will ensure our students are prepared with at-home learning activities for FID days, primarily by paper packets that will be returned the next school day.

• Attendance will be marked based on completed work that is turned in the following school day.
  

Please note: The district will make every effort to notify students and families of an impending FID day if the weather forecast is unfavorable.

For additional, detailed information, please visit Dr. Malinoski's newsletter. You may also contact the office with questions.

A few reminders when we have 2-hour delays in the future:

- No breakfast is served

- The school day starts at 11:20. After that time, students need to enter at our main office to be checked in as late

- Doors open at 11:10 for students to enter. K5 students use the usual alley doors, while 1st-5th use Door C (corner of 6th and Chestnut). K4 students enter through the breakfast doors to meet in the cafeteria

- Dismissal is at the usual time (between 3:30 and 3:45, depending on your grade level)

School closings can occur with bad winter weather. Please stay connected to remain updated on delays, early dismissals, or closings. The Lebanon School District and Harding Elementary will use the following methods to communicate changes in schedule:

- District and Harding Facebook Pages (please follow our Facebook page using the "Like us on Facebook" button)

- SchoolMessenger system: phone call/text/email will be sent out. PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION IS UP-TO-DATE WITH OUR BUILDING OFFICE (717-675-2138)

- Messages through a Seesaw announcement

If you missed your chance to purchase one for yourself or a friend, we have them for sale at Harding. Blankets are $25 each and supports our Harding PTO. Checks could be made payable to Harding PTO.

Please contact the office to ask about purchasing a blanket.

We would like to remind everyone that breakfast is served each morning from 8:35 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. This schedule helps ensure that all students have enough time to enjoy a healthy breakfast and still arrive to class on time, ready to learn. At 9:00, the breakfast door will close, and remain closed, until K4’s designated breakfast at 9:15.

- Ramp doors open at 8:35 for breakfast K5 through Fifth. K4 entry/breakfast is 9:15.

- Door C (6th Street by the light) is for First through Fifth grade.

- Doors G and I (back alley) is for K5 entry.

At Harding Elementary, we strive to stay connected with families through a variety of resources. Here are a few tips to prepare for the school year.

- Make sure phone numbers and email addresses are up to date. The forms to do this will be sent during the first week of school. You may also contact our school office to update information.

- Be sure to have the Seesaw Class app downloaded onto your smartphone (picture shown). The app can connect you to teachers and office staff. Specific class codes will be shared by teachers during the first week of school.

- Like us on Facebook

Attendance matters! Regular attendance is necessary in order for your child to grow academically and socially in school. Please make on-time attendance a top priority this school year. In the event of an illness, medical appointment, or other verified absences, please use turn a slip into the office within three days of the absence. You can drop off your note in person, contact our SAIP Coordinator Emily Carnegie at 717-280-0144, or email our attendance secretary: HD-Attendance@lebanon.k12.pa.us

Mrs. Emerich is our school counselor. She is working on building positive relationships with your child through classroom and small group lessons. Please take a moment to learn more about Mrs. Emerich, or discover mental health resources, by clicking the orange button below.

If you are picking up your child from school early, please remember a form of ID. To ensure student safety, personal identification is necessary upon pick up.

Harding's School-Wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (SWPBIS) program is committed to establishing a social culture within our school in which students expect and support appropriate behavior from one another. At Harding, we strive to...

Be Respectful

Be Responsible

Be Safe

Students who show these traits are rewarded with blue tickets from teachers as recognition of their positive character traits. Each week, winners from each class are selected from the collected blue tickets to earn special prizes (see picture).

Our monthly 3:2:1 reward recognizes students who do not have 3 or more minor behavior incidents, 2 or more missing assignments, or no more than 1 major behavior incident documented for the entire month.

To remain clear with Harding's behavioral expectations, please refer to the steps our trained staff implement while handling behavioral situations.

Congratulations to Harding's Second Quarter Shining Star: Custodian - Mr. Bailey!

Do you know someone who is Inspiring Minds, Enriching Lives, or Shaping Futures? If so, consider nominating them as a Shining STAR using the form below.

Are you looking to start a profession with the Lebanon School District. Click here to find out how to apply for open positions within the district.

Volunteering is also an option within the district. Our building is always looking for adults interested in opportunities to read to students, work within the classrooms, or chaperone field trips. If you have submitted paperwork before, please be sure clearances are up to date and on file at the district office. Please click here to begin the volunteer process.

The bulletin board is a place to promote community events, programs, and activities in Lebanon City and the close surrounding area, that may be of interest to our learning community. Activity calendars from out community partners, such as Lebtown and Macaroni Kid, are available as well. Take a look!

Power Packs Project is back! Register for your family's Power Pack of pantry staples and local items like fresh produce and milk. Sign up here.

The parent compact outlines ways in which Harding will be ensuring instruction will be held to high standards during the school year. Also, it includes ways in which parents can help support student learning at home to maximize academic growth in our students and your children.

The 2024-2025 Student Accident Insurance form will be available on our website under the parent section if you want to purchase insurance. Injuries caused by accidents at school are only covered if the student accident insurance is purchased. Otherwise the parent, through your personal insurance, is responsible. A direct link can be found here.

Email: jalbright@lebanon.k12.pa.us
Website: https://harding.lebanonsd.org/
Location: 622 Chestnut Street, Lebanon, PA, USA
Phone: (717) 675-2138
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HardingCedars