The Friday Focus

If you are looking for gifts or activities over the holidays: Common Sense Media site is a great resource as it provides trustworthy ratings and reviews of movies, tv, books, gaming and social media - as well as guidance on setting parental controls.

SAVE THE DATES:

Robotics Demonstration, Sat., Jan. 3rd, 2pm-3pm, Lawrence Public Library.

See robots in action with The Hopewell Valley Regional School District's Robotics Team! Learn how the robots work and how they are made, interact with them and join in on a STEM related activity. Recommended for ages 8 and up, with a caregiver. Registration is required prior to the event.

Join us for the Native Seed Sowing Extravaganza Event Series:

Whether you’re brand-new to native plants or looking to deepen your expertise, this year’s lineup offers something for everyone. The series includes:

Build your Best Native Garden! Wed., Jan. 14th, 6-7:30pm Video Call: A fun, informative session during which you'll learn about native plants and how to start a garden of any size. Please click the link above to learn much more!

Native Seed Sowing Extravaganza (In Person), Saturday, Jan.17th, 10:00am–1:00pm
Choose from 70+ native plant seed species and leave with your seeds sown in germination jugs. Experienced native plant enthusiasts will be on hand to guide you through choosing species and the seed-sowing process. Jugs filled with premium soil are $5 each, and each jug typically produces about 12 plants—an unbeatable price, so stock up!

Register for one or both events at: https://tinyurl.com/NativeSeeds2026

These events are organized by Hopewell, NJ Native Plant Swap and the HVRSD EcoPTO, with support from Y.E.S.

After School Enrichment Program Winter Session: A 7-week session will begin the week of January 20th and will include Science, Chess, Cooking, Dance, Jewelry-making programs and more. All classes will run from 4-5pm. We are also offering some new At-Home Coding classes that run from 4:45-5:45. Registration will end on January 16th, so please mark your calendars and sign up accordingly. Click here to access the registration page ***Please make note of the registration deadline and there will be no exceptions to the deadline date*** Please reach out to Lorri Cefalone lcefalone@hvymca.org with any questions.

HVCHS Updates: Please review the November edition of HVCHS Updates, which was sent to all HVCHS students, parents, and guardians on November 20

Spirit Week: The HVCHS Student Council is excited to present our Winter Spirit Week, which culminates in the winter pep rally on December 23. Students are encouraged to participate in our theme days as we approach winter break!

December 23 Special Schedule: We’ve adjusted our bell schedule on December 23 to account for the early dismissal and pep rally. Please view the special schedule that will be used.

Distinguished Graduates: Hopewell Valley Central High School is seeking nominations for its Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame Award. If you know of a person who graduated from HVCHS more than ten years ago and has outstanding accomplishments, please complete this form. Nominations must be received on or before Friday, January 16, 2026 in order to be considered for this year. All nominations received after January 16 will be held for future consideration. Previous inductees include published authors, government officials, musicians, community advocates, and many others. We're excited to celebrate the accomplishments of HVCHS alumni. Please contact Principal Patricia Riley at patriciariley@hvrsd.org with any questions.

Attendance Notifications: Our automated attendance notifications have returned. If we do not receive notification of a student's absence prior to 7:45 a.m., parents and guardians will be contacted by email and phone call to ensure that they are aware of the student's absence. Please contact our TeleSafe number 609-737-4003, Ext. 3506, by 7:45 am to report an absence or late arrival, and be sure to provide a note if your child needs to be dismissed from school early. If you have any questions or concerns regarding attendance records, please feel free to contact our attendance secretary (Mrs. Schaub), or your child's vice principal.

Local Food Resources & School Lunch Information: Please see the information sent by the district for information about nearby resources as well as school lunches, menus, pricing and Free & Reduced forms.

Absences, Late Arrivals, & Early Dismissals: Parents/Guardians should call our TeleSafe number 609-737-4003, Ext 1, by 7:45 am to report an absence or late arrival. Please provide a note if your child needs to be dismissed from school early. Please also review our attendance procedures for details about the district policies. *As a reminder, students must be in school for at least four hours in order to participate in all athletic or extra-curricular activities and events*

What’s Happening at HVCHS? Please follow us on Twitter: @HVCentralHS and Instagram: hopewell_valley_central_hs for pictures, updates, and fun facts. Our daily morning announcements can be found on the school website and via this link. Fundraising activities from our classes, clubs, and teams can be found on our fundraising calendar. Also, check out our HV Student Publications Network page for student-created podcasts, digital videos, and more! If you are a graduate of HVCHS, and you would like to join our Alumni Directory, please complete our Database Form and indicate what type of information you would like to receive from HVCHS.

BT Principal's Page

BT On Instagram

BTPTO December Flash

Clothing Donations for the Nurse’s Office - We’re collecting gently used pants in sizes 3T - Size 8 for students who may need a change of clothes during the day. If your family is ready to part with outgrown items, especially with new holiday clothes arriving, we’d be grateful for your donations.

BT Winter Concert - Wednesday, January 14th, 2026, at the CHS PAC. All 4th and 5th-grade students will perform at our annual winter concert, featuring 4th and 5th-grade choruses, orchestras, 5th-grade band, and the TrebleMakers. Stay tuned for more information.

BTPTO Annual Appeal - We have reached 57% of our Annual Appeal goal, and with your help, we can close that gap. If you have already donated to the appeal, thank you! Your support directly funds field trips, assemblies, visiting authors, outdoor learning areas, and classroom technology. Significant Donations Make Big Things Happen. Every student at BT benefits from our generous community, whether they donate their time, talent, items, expertise, or monetary gifts. Any donation of any size is optional and appreciated. Help us reach our appeal goal to fund activities and programs for the outstanding students at Bear Tavern. Please click here to donate

BT YMCA Winter 2026 Enrichment Programs - Fun after school programs for your child. Registration closes 1/16. Classes will start 1/20/26. Click here for more information.

• Absences & Late Arrivals - Parents/Guardians should call our TeleSafe number: 609-737-4005, Ext 2, by 8:00 a.m. to report an absence or late arrival.

• Local Food Resources & School Lunch Information: Information about nearby resources as well as school lunches, menus, pricing and Free & Reduced Lunch forms.

• Changes In Students' Dismissal - If there is a change in how students will be going home (pick up, take the bus, after-school program, etc.), please be sure to call or email the main office at 609-737-4005 or btmainoffice@hvrsd.org. Please CC your child’s homeroom teacher.

*Dates To Remember*

12/23 - Pajama Day, Early Dismissal 12:45, PreK AM Only

12/24/25-1/2/26 - Schools Closed - Winter Break

1/5/26 - Schools Reopen

1/14/26 - BT Winter Concert 7 pm @ CHS PAC

1/16/26 - No Preschool (Collaboration Day)

1/19/26 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day - Schools and Offices Closed

The Principal’s Page

Toll Gate Grammar School Website

Toll Gate Grammar on Instagram

Email the Toll Gate Main Office

Please take a look at Mrs. Lauri’s Principal Lauri’s December Newsletter

CHOP Fundraiser - Pajama Day, Dec. 23rd: Toll Gate is hosting a Pajama Day to support both Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and the Doyle Family. The Doyle Family is a Toll Gate family that has a daughter, Caroline, who will be ringing the bell to celebrate the end of her treatment for Leukemia at CHOP. Students will see one of the many ways in which we can show empathy, the December character trait in the Character Strong curriculum by participating! Click on this link for more information and please consider supporting us by making a tax-deductible donation as we say YAY to Pajama Day. Thank you!

Toll Gate Winter Concert Parent Information: Please click on the for details about our 4th and 5th grade winter concert on Thursday, January 15th. If you haven't filled out the permission slip for the concert rehearsal that day, please click here to fill it out.

• School Lunch Information

• Dismissal Changes: If your dismissal plans change on any given day, please email tgmainoffice@hvrsd.org, (this email will go to both main office secretaries, Ashlee Dana and Patricia Jaczko) to inform them of the change. Please also cc' your child's homeroom teacher.

• Reporting Student Absences: Please remember to call the Telsafe line (609-737-4008, option 2) by 8:00am for any absences or tardiness. Emails to a teacher may not be seen in a timely manner. Telsafe is the best way to report an absence. If your child is not at school and you haven’t reported them absent or tardy, you will get a phone call from Mrs. Smith, our school nurse.

Dates to Remember:

Tuesday, 12/23: CHOP Fundraiser Pajama Day & Early Dismissal at 12:45 PM

12/24/25-1/2/26: Schools Closed - Winter Break

Monday, 1/5/26: Schools Reopen

Thursday, 1/15/26: TG Winter Concert at 7:00 PM (at CHS PAC)

Monday, December 22 | 1–4:30 p.m.

Tuesday, December 23 | 1–4:30 p.m.

Wednesday, December 24 | 10 a.m.–2 p.m.

Thursday, December 25 | Closed

Friday, December 26 | 10 a.m.–7:30 p.m.

Saturday, December 27 | 1–4:30 p.m.

Sunday, December 28 | 12–4:30 p.m.