Henry Happenings

Dear Henry Families,

As we head into Spring Break, we want to wish all of our families a relaxing and enjoyable week filled with time to rest, recharge, and spend time together.

Before the break begins, we are also looking forward to our Spring Parties on Thursday, March 12. Thank you to the many parents who have volunteered their time to plan and organize fun celebrations for our students. We truly appreciate the effort and care that goes into making these events special for our school community.

We would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you for the incredible support of our Read-A-Thon. Because of the generosity and enthusiasm of our students and families, our school raised $8,001 and logged an amazing 188,967 minutes of reading in just two weeks. This is an incredible accomplishment and reflects the strong culture of reading and learning within our school community.

Thank you for encouraging your children to participate and for supporting this effort. Your involvement makes a meaningful difference for our students and our school.

Have a wonderful Spring Break—we look forward to welcoming everyone back refreshed and ready for the final stretch of the school year!

Continue reading below for more information about: Spirit Week, Book Fair, Notes from the Nurse, Service Learning Projects, PTO Updates, and More!

With Gratitude,

Dr. Jodi Oliver

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Facebook: facebook.com/henryelementaryschool
Instagram: @pkwyhenrybulldogs

March 9 -12- Book Fair

March 9 - Book Fair Evening Hours, 5:00pm-7:00pm

March 10 - 3rd Grade Strings Concert, Bunsick and O'Connor, 6:00pm

March 10 - 3rd Grade Strings Concert, Meyers and Zinselmeier, 7:00pm

March 10 - Book Fair Evening Hours, 5:30pm-7:30pm

March 12- Spring Parties

March 13- Half Day, 1:05pm Dismissal

March 16-20- No School (Spring Break)

March 22- School Resumes

March 24- Reader in Me Minutes Due

March 24- Honors Orchestra, 8:00 AM

March 25- PTO Chuck E. Cheese Night

March 27- Hats On Day

March 27- Reader in Me Prize Distribution

March 27- Talent Sharing in Music (Grades 4 & 5)

With spring weather approaching, we would like to remind families of our safety procedures in the event of severe weather.

If a tornado warning occurs and St. Louis County emergency sirens sound while families are in the parent pick-up line, the parent-led walker line, or waiting for student walkers, we invite you to leave your station and enter the school. Staff members will open the doors and guide you to a designated safe area where you may remain until the storm has passed and the all-clear has been given. Please remember dismissal will be delayed in this instance and students will not be dismissed until school officials have been given the all clear.

The safety of our students, staff, and families is our highest priority. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding should this situation arise.

Spring Book Fair will be the week before Spring Break, March 9-12. We can’t wait to see our Bulldogs explore shelves full of exciting new reads! Every purchase helps grow our Henry Library collection—since all profits go right back into buying books, supporting programs, and creating engaging experiences for our students.

Book Fair Schedule:

Monday, March 9th, 9:00 am- 12:00 pm (student shopping)

Monday, March 9th, 5:00 pm- 7:00 pm (evening shopping with Kona Ice available for purchase)

Tuesday, March 10th, 9:00 am- 12:00 pm (student shopping)

Tuesday, March 10th, 5:30 pm- 7:30 pm (evening shopping)

Wednesday, March 11th, 9:00 am- 12:00 pm (student shopping)

Thursday, March 12th, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm (student shopping)

More Ways to Participate:

• Book Donation for Henry students in Need
• Book Donations for Teachers
• Set Up an eWallet
• Henry Book Fair Website
• Volunteers Still Needed

Questions? Contact Mrs. Goyal at agoyal@parkwayschools.net or HenryBookFair@gmail.com

As we begin planning for the upcoming school year, we value and welcome family input regarding class placement for your child. Your insights into how your child learns best are an important part of our thoughtful placement process.

Please take a few moments to complete the survey for each child you have attending Henry.

Thank you for partnering with us and for sharing your valuable feedback.

Responses are due by Friday, March 27, 2026.

Two classes have teamed up for a special service-learning drive to support the paws (and claws!) at Stray Rescue of St. Louis. By combining their efforts, students are learning the importance of identifying a need in our community and taking action to provide much-needed resources for animals rescued from difficult situations.

We are currently collecting essential supplies—including blankets, toys, paper towels, sheets, and leashes—to help these resilient animals on their journey to forever homes. The drive will begin Monday, March 2, and continue until Thursday, March 12. Please drop off your donations in the boxes by the front office to help us make a meaningful paw-print in our local community.

As part of their service learning project, two classes of students are working to identify a community need and take meaningful action to help others. One need we have learned about is the shortage of socks at local homeless shelters. To support this project, students will be collecting new socks to donate to a local shelter. If you would like to participate, please send in new socks with your child by Thursday, March 12th. This project helps students practice empathy, responsibility, and community involvement. Thank you for your continued support as we encourage students to make a positive impact.

Dear Parents,

Seasonal allergies, also known as hay fever or seasonal allergic rhinitis, are allergy symptoms that occur during certain times of the year, usually when outdoor molds release their spores, or trees, grasses and weeds release tiny pollen particles into the air.

If your child tends to display severe allergy symptoms, please talk with your Dr. to see if a daily non-drowsy antihistamine, nasal spray, or eye drop would be a good idea. The school nurses will be attentive to symptoms of runny nose, congestion, sore throat, headache, and cough as these are symptoms of allergies and colds as well as other viral and bacterial illnesses. The nurses follow a strict protocol to screen students and will determine if a child can stay at school, go home, or need to see a physician to be evaluated.

There is no real cure for seasonal allergies, but it is possible to relieve symptoms. Start by reducing or eliminating exposure to allergens. During allergy season, keep windows closed, use air conditioning if possible, and change your air filter often. It is also a good idea to give your child a bath at night if they have played outside that day.

At school, we are reminding students to wash their hands. In the nurse’s office, we can rinse the eyes if necessary with water and give a cold wet towel or ice pack to place on the eyes for comfort. If a child is having an extreme reaction they may stay inside, but this needs to be a temporary solution.

If reducing exposure to allergens isn’t possible or is ineffective, medicines can help ease allergy symptoms. There are many non-drowsy antihistamines, nasal sprays, and eye drops available as a prescription and over the counter. Many of these medicines can be taken at home once or twice a day. ** In order to reduce the severity of allergy symptoms in a person with known seasonal allergies, it helps to start the medication on a daily basis before pollination starts. This is much more effective in controlling symptoms than taking the medicine on an as-needed basis.

Please talk with your physician about what would be best for your child and remember that a consent form from the parent and a physician’s order is needed to give medications at school. The doctor can fax the order to the school nurse at 314-415-6361.

Jen Baker

314-415-6360

Jbaker4@parkwayschools.net

Multicultural Day is coming up, and we would love your help! This year, the event will take place during the school day on Friday, April 10, so that all students can participate. We are inviting parents and guardians to volunteer to help bring the experience to life in classrooms across the school. Find out all of the details and sign up at this link. We are looking forward to having you join us for this special day!

The deadline to secure your copy of the 2025-26 Henry Elementary Yearbook is quickly approaching on Friday, March 20th. From field trips to classroom smiles, make sure your student has a keepsake of this year's best moments.

Ordering is quick and easy through our online shop. Click the link below to grab yours today:

Order Your Yearbook Here

Not sure if you have already ordered a yearbook? Click HERE to check.

Online orders will be available until March 20, 2026.

Do you have a child that will be 5 before August 1 in 2026? If so, Kindergarten might be on the horizon for your child! Please click here for more information about Kindergarten registration!

Henry Families,

Your PTO Board is already looking ahead to next school year, which means it’s time for Board Elections for the 2026–2027 school year.

Our PTO works best when it reflects the voices of our entire school community. Serving on the PTO Board is a meaningful way to support our students and staff, connect with other families, and help guide decisions that directly impact fundraisers, community events, and enrichment opportunities.

If you are interested in running for a board position, please complete the Nomination Form prior to the April 13 General PTO Meeting. Nominations may also be made from the floor at the 4/13 meeting. Elections will take place in person at the April 27 General PTO Meeting at 7:00 PM. All parents are encouraged to attend and participate.

As stated in PTO bylaws, a Nominating Committee made up of outgoing president Samantha Stirling and Dr. Oliver will oversee the nomination and election process. Once board members are elected, planning will begin for next year’s events, fundraising efforts, and committees.

Upcoming PTO Business:

• April 13 – General PTO Meeting, 7:00–8:00 PM in the Henry Library (Board nominations due)
• April 27 – General PTO Meeting, 7:00–8:00 PM in the Henry Library (Board elections)

As always, please email henrypto@gmail.com with any questions.

Sincerely,
Henry PTO Board

**ATTENTION 5TH and 4TH GRADE PARENTS!** We need your help to stock the lounge for our dedicated teachers, staff, and administration this March. Please visit the Sign Up Genius link to contribute and drop off your items at the school office by March 11th. Your generosity will help keep our amazing school team energized and appreciated.

Chuck E. Cheese Restaurant Night is 3/25 from 3pm-9pm

Chuck E. Cheese Ellisville

15913 Manchester Road, 63011

Chuck E. Cheese will donate 20% of sales from the evening to Henry Elementary PTO.

Henry Families, we need your help! Join the Box Tops March Challenge in your app! Contact HenryBoxTops@gmail.com if you need help!

Did you know that families can recognize staff members with Bulldog Brags, just like we do for students? If you or your child notice a staff member demonstrating one of our Henry Core Values—Kind, Responsible, Persevere, or Inclusive—we invite you to share it using the button below.

Each staff member who receives a Bulldog Brag will be honored with a certificate and a special surprise. As part of our character education, it is important for students to see adults modeling these values every day—and to hear real examples of what they look like in action!

Exciting updates with Parkway Nutrition Services- check out more information about catering at Highcroft, Student Feedback Spotlight, and our Discovery Kitchen.

Have you ever wanted to jump, dance, cheer, and have tons of fun with your friends? Jr Longhorn Cheerleading might be perfect for you! Cheerleaders learn awesome moves, cool chants, and exciting routines that help support Jr Longhorn football and spread West Middle school spirit.

Cheerleading helps you build confidence, strength, and teamwork skills. You’ll make new friends, stay active, and learn how to work together to reach big goals. Whether you love to dance, jump, lead a crowd, or just try something new, Jr Longhorn cheer has a place for YOU!

If you will be in grade 5th - 8th this upcoming school year Come join the fun, show your spirit, and shine like a star!

Email: joliver2@parkwayschools.net

Email: lsmith6@parkwayschools.net

Website: https://henry.parkwayschools.net/

Instagram: @pkwyhenrybulldogs