Parent Newsletter
June 12, 2026
Note from the Principals
This week HHES hosted several special events to celebrate the final days of our school year. On Monday, students from all grade levels participated in field day. Students played games and enjoyed a slice of watermelon. Thank you to our PWT volunteers for organizing the event and for our parent volunteers who supported students during Field Day! On Tuesday, our fifth grade band performed at HHS for their Spring Concert. On Tuesday and Thursday, we hosted our family picnics. It was wonderful to see so many HHES students enjoying a meal with their families! Thursday we also held our TK graduation where we celebrated our littlest learners as they transition to Kindergarten. Our HHS graduates also stopped by for a Grad Walk on Thursday afternoon.
Student Recognition
We recently had the chance to honor our May student recognition award winners. Please join me in congratulating the following students who were honored at our assemblies...
Presidential Award Winners
Noah C., Isabel M, Sylvie M., Charlotte S., Josue A., Ryder B.., Trenton H., Ruby J., Lindy P., Paisley P., Mason F., Alina S., Kit M., Bridget B., Henry F., Azyl H., Fiona R., Kate Z., Eleanor L., Evie F., Elliot O., Tim N., Everett C., Kylie C., Aila N., and Norah R.
Language Artists of the Month
K: Emmanuel O., Nicholas Z., Mario H., Camden B., Hannah S., Parker K.
1: Mavis C., Sullivan M., James B., Luna T., Kelvin H., Vienna N.
2: Piper M., Carter S., Nore K., Paige S., Carter B., Emma D., Lucas P.
3: Luna G., Briar M., Aaron K., Amen S., Addison W., Rey E., Olivia S.
4: Jade G., Baccari G., Clark M., Evelyn C., Willow L.
5: Connor W., Khadija J., Gabriel R., Finn M., Morris C., Elise M.
Mathematicians of the Month
K: Kaden C., James S., Beckett B., Runa K., Lana S., Harper G.
1: Colt B., Zeke M., Isabel G., Chloe K., Zander F., Rebekka T.
2: Imran R., Croix W., Samantha G., Everett G., Emberly B., Aubrianna T., Lena S.
3: Juliet M., Eleanor B., Bowen T., Jamie R., Jack O., Mia V., Anna O.
4: Hadley S., Tucker W., Eddie K., Connor M., Kennedy C.
5: Max L., James S., Henry B., Lane T., Arda S., Rollan M.
Hornet Super Stars
K: Jack R., Freya N., Juniper M., James W., Claire S., Mia T.
1: Livia P., Carly H., Liam Z., Henry W., Autumn C., Violet M.
2: Riley N., Finley B., Paige B., Olivia B., Layla S., Elise A.
3: Rhett D., Addie R., Arabella M., Carliana M., Kaylee M., Jorn H., Tyson S.
4: Brooklynn B., Eleanor F., Everett C., Tyberius T., Aidryn M., Adele M.
5: Porter F., Hayden D., Nelly K., Isaac G., Lindy P., Kit M.
Artist of the Month
K: Elowen P.
1: Zander F.
2: David I.
3: Addalyn B.
4: Kenna H.
5: Axel A.
Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership!
~ Meredith and Michael
School Supplies for 2026-2027
Update Regarding a Potential 5th Grade Move
HHES Families,
I am writing to provide an update about ongoing discussions related to overcrowding at Hockinson Heights Elementary School and a proposed grade reconfiguration in our district that, if approved, would move 5th grade to the HMS campus.
At the June 8 School Board meeting, the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) presented its findings as well as a recommendation to transition 5th grade to Hockinson Middle School beginning in the 2027-28 school year. The recommendation is the result of several months of study and community input focused on addressing overcrowding at Hockinson Heights Elementary School following the February 2025 bond measure failure.
The school board will continue to discuss the CAC’s recommendation and consider support for students, families and staff at its July 27 meeting before making a decision.
Why is this being considered?
Hockinson Heights Elementary currently serves more than 900 students and uses 24 portable classrooms, making it one of the largest public elementary schools in Washington state. The school's size creates challenges related to student support, campus safety, traffic flow, lunch schedules, and available learning space.
Moving 5th grade to Hockinson Middle School would help better balance enrollment between schools, bringing HMS enrollment levels closer to the average middle school size in Clark County while helping reduce enrollment pressure at Hockinson Heights Elementary School.
Some efforts to address overcrowding, like restrictions and reviews on boundary exceptions, are already being put into action. Boundary exceptions make up a very small percentage of our school population, and this action alone would not meaningfully reduce overcrowding at HHES. In some cases, boundary exceptions help balance class sizes when a grade level has available space, and state law requires districts to allow boundary exceptions for children of instructional staff.
Supporting students and families
Community feedback has played an important role throughout this process. In the most recent CAC survey, over 70% of respondents supported moving 5th grade to Hockinson Middle School beginning in 2027-28 with the right student support in place.
If the transition moves forward, a steering committee made up of CAC members and school staff will help guide planning and implementation. Family input will continue to be an important part of the process. Based on survey responses, areas of focus include:
Creating age-appropriate spaces, routines, and supports for 5th grade students
Exploring transportation options that meet the needs of younger students
Preserving valued 5th grade traditions and experiences
Supporting a positive transition for both 5th and 6th grade students
Next steps
The school board will continue discussing this topic at its July 27 meeting before making a decision.
We understand that conversations about potential school changes can create uncertainty for students and families. Throughout this process, we will work to support students and families by listening to feedback and communicating regularly.
Thank you to everyone who has shared feedback and participated in this process. Families can learn more and stay informed through the district's Family Engagement page and future email updates.
Sincerely,
Meredith Gannon
Hockinson PWT - People Working Together
Upcoming Events Calendar
Upcoming Events
June 12: HHS Graduation
June 15: Fifth Grade Bottle Rockets
June 15: Report Cards Sent Home
June 16: Fifth Grade Fire Truck Visit
June 17: Final Day of School - 3 Hour Early Release
2026-2027 School Year Important Dates
August 20: Back to School Community Fair - 5 - 7 p.m.
August 24: First Day of School - Grades 1-5
August 24-26: Parent-Teacher Meetings - Grades TK and K
August 27: First Day of School - TK and K
September 7: Labor Day - No School
September 8: Fall Picture Day
Important Information
Hockinson Heights Elementary School
Website: https://hhes.hocksd.org/
Location: 20000 Northeast 164th Street, Brush Prairie, WA, USA
Phone: (360)448-6430
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HockinsonHES/