Hathaway Happenings - Home

It was a five star week in our Hathaway community. If you did not see the news or have a chance to read the email we sent - check it out below!

Surprise Attendance Day: We celebrated our first Surprise Attendance Day this week with fun drawings and surprises throughout the day! The smiles on our students’ faces when they heard, “We’re happy you are here!” were absolutely priceless. Every day matters, and every student makes our Hathaway community a little brighter simply by being here. Thank you for supporting our attendance initiative and helping us reinforce the importance of showing up, connecting, and learning together.

In the Lunchroom: Each week, our General School Aides are recognizing students who are doing a great job following our lunchroom rules! One student from each class is selected as a Lunchroom Star and earns a special reward: choosing anyone they would like to sit with at lunch!

We hope this fun incentive encourages students to make positive choices, follow expectations, and help make our lunchroom a safe, respectful, and enjoyable place for everyone.

Congratulations to this week’s Student Stars! We are so happy you are here and proud of the positive choices you are making!

Principal Peek Into Classrooms

Math, puzzles, problem-solving, and a whole lot of thinking are happening in Enrichment!

With Mrs. Dyer, students were busy putting their math skills to work as they planned the seating arrangements for a party with 20 guests. The challenge? Everyone had to be seated with the same number of people at each table. Students explored all of the possible combinations and then made their choice… two tables of 10! Apparently, they wanted to make sure everyone had plenty of opportunities to socialize!

Meanwhile, Puzzle Detectives has officially begun with 2nd and 3rd graders! Students work both independently and collaboratively to solve logic and math puzzles. Students are developing perseverance, flexible thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving skills, all while having fun being detectives!

In PE, students had the opportunity to head outside and participate in an exciting game of soccer and the excitement was palpable! Students eagerly gathered their pinnies, found their places, and were ready to play. And what a backdrop for learning! With the beautiful Sakonnet River, green fields, lush vegetation, and our habitat and outdoor classroom area surrounding them, students were learning and growing in one of the most beautiful settings imaginable. Playing, learning, and growing abounds here at Hathaway!

New Counselors Corner: If you have a moment take a peek at the new Counselor's Corner. We encourage you to take the family challenge!

Report Card/Progress Report Information: Missed the email? You can find information on Report Cards and Progress Reports below.

Attendance Policy Information: Please take a moment to review our new Attendance Policy Information below.

Food Drive: Our HPTA is sponsoring a Food Drive in conjunction with our annual Fun Walk. Check it out below!

From Our Coordinator of Student Life, Mr. Marc Gonsalves

Student Voice: Recess Improvements!

The votes are in! Sports Equipment wins with 182 votes, compared to 148 votes for Art & Creativity. I have heard lots of fun ideas for new sports equipment and I will be working throughout the week to put together a list of new things for us to purchase! Thank you to everyone who voted and helped make your voice heard!

Attendance Challenge

We’re kicking off a fun new attendance initiative! Each time a class has every student present, they’ll earn a letter toward spelling ATTENDANCE. Once a class spells the entire word, they’ll earn a special bonus recess as a celebration of their great attendance and teamwork. We’re excited to recognize students for showing up, being ready to learn, and helping their classmates reach the goal!

Our Abound Word of the Week is select. What a joy it was to see our kindergarten students selecting a library book for the first time! Please be sure to use the word with your students this week to help us build their oral language skills!

Check out the Hathaway Live Morning Slides below!

Community Events

Be sure to check out the Community Events folder below! New fun events are added all the time!

Upcoming Events

Flu Clinic

Our Flu Clinic will take place on October 15th, from 4:00-6:30 PM in the gymnasium.

HPTA Movie Night

Friday, October 16th, 6:00 PM

Picture Day

Picture Day is on October 23rd. Please see below.

Reminders

We are including a new slide on our lobby slideshow called "Out and About." Doing something fun outside of school and want to share for the slideshow? Just email Mrs. Heath at heathe@portsmouthschoolsri.org and look for your photo on the screen!

Free & Reduced Lunch Applications are accepted throughout the school year. If you feel your family may qualify, please complete and return an application at any time.

Transportation, Drop-Off & Pick-Up Update

As a reminder, please do not get in line before 8:20 AM in the morning or 3:10 PM in the afternoon. This helps us prevent the line from overflowing onto East Main Road and causing traffic congestion.

We truly appreciate your patience, cooperation, and efforts to follow these procedures. Together, we can keep arrival and dismissal safe and running smoothly for everyone!

Hathaway Notification Form
Our Hathaway Notification Form has some slight changes this year. Please take a moment to review the updated information below so you are familiar with our procedures. Please note: the website is in the process of being updated with the new information. There will be no more written notes required.

Repeats & Reminders Resource
After receiving valuable feedback about our newsletter format, we have created a new resource for families called the Repeats & Reminders Resource. This resource will include important information, helpful reminders, and information that has previously appeared in our newsletters.

A link to this resource will remain available regularly in Hathaway Happenings – Home, making it easy for families to find information whenever they need it.

Email for Hathaway Office

Have a question? Need an answer? We have them! Email hathawayoffice@portsmouthschoolsri.org anytime!

Upcoming Important Dates

October 12th - No School, Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples' Day

October 13th - 16th - Parent Teacher Conferences

October 15th - Flu Clinic, 4:00-6:30 PM

October 16th - HPTA Family Movie Night, 6:00 PM

October 20th - School Committee Meeting, 7:00 PM

October 21st - Unity Day, Wear Orange

October 23rd - Picture Day!

October 28th - One Hour Early Release, 2:15 Dismissal

October 30th - Fun Walk, 9:15

As always, thank you for being our partners in education!

The Luckiest Principal Ever

Hathaway Families,

Today, I could not be more proud to share some incredible news with our Hathaway community! Hathaway School has earned Five-Star School status from the Rhode Island Department of Education!

This is an extraordinary accomplishment, and while this recognition is a tremendous honor, what makes us most proud is the community behind it.

Every day, our school is filled with countless moments, big and small, that make Hathaway such a special place. It begins with creating classrooms and spaces where children feel safe, loved, and valued, because we know these are the foundations for learning and growth. It continues through thoughtful instruction, collaboration, analyzing data, meeting the individual needs of students, and continually finding new ways to engage and inspire our learners.

It is the teacher who finds a new way to reach a struggling student. The staff member who notices when a child needs a little extra support. The team that works together to figure out what a student needs next. It is the warm welcome in the morning, the encouraging words, the shared laughter, and the countless connections that remind our children they belong.

And it is YOU, our families, who are an essential part of this community. Your partnership, encouragement, trust, and support help make Hathaway a place where children can thrive. We are grateful to have you as part of this journey!

A Five-Star School is not created by one person or one program. It is built by an entire community that believes in its children and works together to help every child learn, grow, and reach their potential. This recognition reflects the collective efforts of our students, staff, families, and community, and we have so much to celebrate!

Thank you for being part of our Hathaway family and for helping us create a school where we can all play, learn, and grow together!

We played I’m a Star this on our morning announcements. If you have a moment, it is a very cute video and perfect to celebrate the occasion.

With gratitude and so much pride,

The Luckiest Principal Ever ❤️

Picture Day is coming on Friday, October 23!

Fliers will be coming home this week.

You can place your order on mylifetouch.com using your Picture Day ID: EVTZFC6VW. Order before midnight on Picture Day to get FREE shipping!

Your child can also bring their completed flyer with cash or check on Picture Day. Orders after Picture Day must be placed online on mylifetouch.com

Student Data Safety and Security:
As the only SOC 3 compliant partner in school photography, Lifetouch delivers unmatched protection for student and staff information - backed by third‑party verification and trusted by schools nationwide. Learn More.

Dear Hathaway Families,

At Hathaway School, we value the partnership between home and school in fostering each student’s success. Strong partnerships between home and school make all the difference, and we are committed to building positive relationships with every family. Communication is the key to fostering this connection, and we are always here to support you. We thank you for the support you have provided in making the start to this year such a great one!

This letter is to share with you how we communicate with you about your child’s learning. All students will receive mid-trimester Progress Reports and end-of-trimester Report Cards.

Benchmark Assessments-All students take benchmark assessments three times a year—fall, winter, and spring. These short screenings help teachers understand each child’s strengths and areas for growth in reading and math. The results guide classroom instruction and help ensure that every student is making progress. Teachers will review this data with families and share any RtI (Response to Intervention) plans if additional support is needed.

Progress Reports-Progress Reports provide families with an update on how students are performing in their classes. They reflect academic progress, effort, and classroom participation. These reports, along with benchmark results, help families see how their child is growing over time and where continued support or enrichment may be helpful.

Report Cards-Report Cards show your child’s progress toward grade-level standards, which are designed to be mastered by the end of the school year. This year the Report Cards will be printed and sent home with students on the dates listed on page 2, they will also be available on ASPEN. Report Card envelopes must be signed and returned to school.

The following marks are used to describe student progress:

S (Secure): Mastered the benchmark
D (Developing): Growing and needs some support
B (Beginning): Needs more support
N/A: Standard not yet taught
NP: Did not participate

Please note: Many students will not yet be “Secure” during Trimester 1—this is completely normal and reflects that learning is still in progress.

Here are a few important points to keep in mind:

1. Growth Mindset: We encourage you to focus on your child’s growth, not just the grades. Learning is a journey, and each child develops at their own pace. Praise their efforts and help them set goals for the next grading period.

2. Attendance: Regular attendance is crucial to academic success. If you notice a pattern of absences or tardies affecting performance, let’s work together to improve attendance.

3. Communication: If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s progress, feel free to reach out to their teacher. We are committed to supporting your child’s learning and development.

4. Support at Home: Continue to encourage reading, problem-solving, and creative activities at home. A positive learning environment both at school and home makes a big difference.

This information remains in our Hathaway Repeats and Resources as a reference. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your child’s teacher.

Thank you for being such wonderful partners in your child’s education.

Warm Regards,
Lisa Little
Principal, Hathaway School

Changes to District Attendance Policy

New Report Links Consistent Arts Education Participation with Lower Absenteeism

Over the last two years, the Portsmouth School Department has made everyday school attendance a priority. It is well known that everyday attendance improves school connectedness, positive learning habits, and overall academic achievement. The attendance policy now has criteria for afterschool activities eligibility (sports and clubs) with regards to tardies and dismissals. Please take a moment to review the updated attendance policy linked here.

Portsmouth School Department has always supported the performance arts. There has been a positive correlation between participating in the arts and lower instances of chronic absenteeism. Please see the article below from the RI Education Commissioners Field Memo.

Recently, RIDE and the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts (RISCA) announced the findings of a new statistical review revealing a strong association between sustained participation in arts education and lower rates of chronic absenteeism among Rhode Island public school students. The study, Chronic Absenteeism and Arts Participation in Rhode Island Public Schools: A Statistical Review, found the strongest association among students with sustained, consistent participation in arts education rather than single-course enrollment, with attendance benefits especially notable among historically underserved student populations. When students have opportunities to explore their creativity, develop their talents, and connect with learning in meaningful ways, they are more likely to come to school and thrive. These findings suggest that consistent access to arts education may play an important role in helping students stay engaged in school.

Year-end data for School Year 2025-2026 shows that Rhode Island students have experienced a 14.4-percentage-point decrease in chronic absenteeism since the height of the pandemic, resulting in the recovery of approximately 4.4 million instructional hours.

In partnership,

Angélica Infante-Green

Please join us on our Abound learning journey! Together, we can help our students become strong, confident readers.

Take a moment to watch this less-than-4-minute introductory video to learn how the app works. The video explains why building strong oral language skills is so important for reading development and provides simple ways to use Abound at home. The program focuses on regular, rich, back-and-forth conversations and offers realistic, quick, and meaningful ways to boost your child's language skills—right in the everyday moments you already share together.

If you'd like a little more inspiration about the power of Abound and the research behind the program, you can also view the full presentation from a few years ago.

Thank you for partnering with us to build strong language and literacy skills for our Hathaway students!

Dear Hathaway Families,

The Hathaway Elementary Online School Store is open for the new school year! Shop spirit wear for students, families & staff, with a wide selection of clothing, hats, accessories and more—all shipped directly to your home.

Save 10% through September 16th with code HATHAWAY10
Be sure to look around while you shop—some items are already marked down, too!

A few helpful tips:

• Many items have multiple logo designs and color options, so be sure to click into each item to see all the choices.
• New this year: Look for the Portsmouth Patriots logo on select items! These district wide pieces can grow with your student through middle and high school.
• Clothing labeled “Youth” “Girls” "Boys" is sized for children. All other clothing is in adult sizing.
• A percentage of every purchase comes back to directly benefit Hathaway students!

Shop the Hathaway School Store:
https://teamlocker.squadlocker.com/stores/hathaway-elementary-school-store-2766302

Questions about the school store? Please contact Kelsea Godek at KelseaLGodek@gmail.com.

Thank you for supporting our school and showing your Hathaway pride!

Hathaway Parent Teacher Association

At Hathaway Elementary School, we utilize an online Notification Form for parents to use to notify the school of attendance that includes the following:

• My child will be Absent

• My child will be Tardy

• My child will be Dismissed early

Please note, the Notification Form is to be filled out the day of the attendance recording. There will be no more options to record an absence, tardy, or dismissal for a future date.

This form can be found on the front page of the Hathaway School website. Simply click the “A Note for the Office”, link and follow the prompts. The information submitted will be sent directly to the main office who will make sure your child’s attendance information is recorded accurately for that school day.

This year, we will also be utilizing this form for changes in dismissal. For example, if your child is a daily typical bus rider but needs to be picked up from school on a particular day, filling out the Notification Form on the day of the dismissal change is the best way to communicate this change to the Hathaway main office. Your child will be given a pass for that day and the dismissal change will be recorded for that day only, per the Notification Form submission.

While we encourage consistency in dismissal and keeping a consistent routine, we understand that changes in dismissal are sometimes necessary. When these circumstances arise and changes need to be made, we kindly ask that you fill out the Notification Form by 2pm. Changes after 2pm also require a phone call to the main office (401) 683-0500 to ensure the submission has been documented.

It is important to note that Hathaway bus and carline pickup dismissal begins promptly at 3:15pm and we encourage the latest early dismissal to be at 2:45pm as to not conflict with our daily dismissal routine.

At Hathaway School, safety is our first priority. Ensuring a smooth and orderly dismissal is essential for student safety and a positive end to the school day. Please make every effort to arrive on time for student pick up and bus arrival so we can facilitate a safe, smooth, and timely dismissal for everyone.

Hello Hathaway Families!

October is a great time to focus on kindness, friendships, and managing big feelings. Here are a few simple tips you can try at home this month!

💛 Managing Big Feelings

Big feelings are normal! Help your child learn to recognize and manage emotions with:

STOP → BREATHE → CHOOSE

🛑 STOP: Pause and take a moment.
🌬️ BREATHE: Take 3 slow breaths.
💭 CHOOSE: Pick a safe strategy—ask for help, take a break, or try again.

Remember: All feelings are okay, but not all behaviors are okay.

🤝 Practice Kindness

Encourage your child to:

• Include someone who may feel left out.

• Give a compliment.

• Help someone without being asked.

• Say “thank you.”

• Check on a friend who is having a hard day.

Try asking: “What is one kind thing you did or saw today?”

🍁 Helping With Change

October brings new routines and changes. Children often feel more comfortable when they know what to expect.

At home, try:

• Keeping consistent routines.

• Giving choices when possible.

• Preparing your child for transitions.

• Celebrating small successes.

🎃 October Family Challenge

Catch your child being kind!

Notice and name positive behaviors:

💬 “I noticed you helped without being asked. That was kind!”

💬 “You kept trying even when it was hard. That showed perseverance!”

Specific praise helps children recognize the positive choices they are making.

❤️ A Reminder

You don't have to wait for a big problem to reach out to the school counselor. I am here to support students with friendships, emotions, school concerns, problem-solving, and more.

Wishing all of our Hathaway families a happy, healthy, and kind October! 🍂

Nelia Almeida
School Counselor
Hathaway Elementary School

• At Hathaway, the safety of our students and staff is our top priority. Throughout the school year, we practice a variety of safety drills so that everyone knows what to do in an emergency. These drills follow the I Love U Guys Standard Response Protocol.
  
  

• Shelter: Used during environmental threats (e.g., severe weather, hazardous materials nearby). Students stay inside a safe area of the building until the threat passes.

• Evacuate: Students and staff leave the building and gather at a predetermined safe location outside. This is used when it is safer to be away from the building, such as a fire or other environmental hazard.

• Hold: Students stay in their classrooms while the hallways are cleared. Instruction may continue as usual. This is used when movement in the hallways needs to be limited, such as during a medical response.

• Lockdown: Students and staff stay in classrooms because there is a potential threat inside the building. Procedures include:

• Locking doors.

• Turning off lights and moving out of sight.

• Maintaining silence.

• Dispersing students around the classroom while standing to allow for quick evacuation if necessary.

• Doors remain locked until authorized personnel give the all-clear.

• Secure: Students and staff stay in place within the school building, but normal activities can continue. This is used when there is a potential concern outside the school, such as nearby police activity, and it is safer to remain inside.

• Family Notifications: After all drills except fire drills, we will send a notification to families to keep you informed about the drill and its purpose. We encourage families to review these procedures with their children and remind them to follow directions calmly and carefully during drills. Thank you for your partnership in keeping Hathaway safe.

Thank you for your support in keeping all of our students safe in our Hathaway community.

Important Dates

2026-2027

October 12th - No School, Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples' Day

October 13th - 16th - Parent Teacher Conferences

October 15th - Flu Clinic, 4:00-6:30 PM

October 16th - HPTA Family Movie Night, 6:00 PM

October 20th - School Committee Meeting, 7:00 PM

October 21st - Unity Day, Wear Orange

October 23rd - Picture Day

October 28th - One Hour Early Release, 2:15 Dismissal

October 30th - Fun Walk, 9:15

November 3rd - No School, Election Day

November 11th - No School Veterans Day

November 17th - School Committee Meeting, 7:00 PM

November 18th - HPTA Meeting, 6:00 PM

November 25th - 27th - No School, Thanksgiving Break

December 1st - Vision Screening, Lobby

December 3rd - Picture Day Retake

December 5th - Hullabaloo, 9:00-1:00, Hathaway School

December 9th - Report Cards Go Home, Parent Portal Open

December 10th - Dental Screening, Library

December 15th - School Committee Meeting, 7:00 PM

December 23rd - January 1st - Holiday Break

January 13th - One Hour Early Release, 2:15 Dismissal

January 18th - No School, MLK Jr. Day

January 20th - HPTA Meeting, 6:00 PM

February 1st - 5th - Parent Teacher Conferences

February 1st - Progress Reports Go Home

February 15th - 19th - Winter Break

March 1st-5th - Reading Week and Scholastic Book Fair

March 10th - One Hour Early Release, 2:15 Dismissal

March 15th - 2D Music and Art Showcase

March 16th - 2H Music and Art Showcase

March 17th- HPTA Meeting, 6:00 PM

March 18th - 2M Music and Art Showcase

March 19th - 2MO Music and Art Showcase

March 25th - Arts for Life Day

March 25th - Report Cards Go Home, Parent Portal Open

March 26th - No School, Good Friday

April 14th - One Hour Early Release, 2:15 Dismissal

April 19th - 23rd - Spring Break

May 3rd - May 7th - Teacher Appreciation Week

May 19th - HPTA Meeting, 6:00 PM

May 24th - 4H Recorder Concert

May 25th - 4G Recorder Concert

May 26th - One Hour Early Release, 2:15 Dismissal

May 27th - 4P Recorder Concert

May 31st - No School, Memorial Day

June 2nd - PHS Graduate Walkthrough

June 4th - PHS Graduation

June 16th - Grade 4 Stepping Up Ceremony, 9:30 AM

June 17th - Report Cards Go Home, Parent Portal Open

Email: littlel@portsmouthschoolsri.org
Website: https://www.portsmouthschoolsri.org/Domain/10
Location: 53 Tallman Avenue, Portsmouth, RI, USA
Phone: (401)683-0500
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hathaway.principal