December 25 Newsletter

Dear Haymarket Families,

December has arrived, bringing with it the excitement of the holiday season and the anticipation of winter break. Our classrooms continue to be busy places filled with meaningful learning in reading, math, science, and social studies. Students are working hard, supporting one another, and building skills that will carry them into the new year with confidence.

As we move through the next few weeks, we also look forward to the joy and special traditions this season brings. From classroom activities to schoolwide events, there are many opportunities for students to learn, celebrate, and create lasting memories. Thank you to our families for your continued partnership and support.

Mrs. Shore, Mr. Seymour, and I wish everyone a warm, safe, and joyful holiday season!

Warm Regards,

Mrs. Mills

• No PTO/Advisory Meeting this month

• Tuesday, 12/9 - Den Day! Wear your Den Colors!

• Wednesday, 12/10 - Mad About Plaid! Wear FLANNEL today.

• Thursday, 12/11 - SWEET Holidays! Wear RED and WHITE.

• Friday, 12/12 - Tree Topper Day! Wear antlers, holiday hats, winter hats, etc.

• Monday, 12/15 - Keep warm! Wear your favorite scarf today.

• Tuesday, 12/16 - Den Day! Wear your Den Colors!

• Wednesday,12/17 - Merry and Bright! Wear RED and Green!

• Thursday, 12/18 - Snow-close to break! Dress like a snowman, snowflake or wear all white!

• Friday, 12/19 - Time to get comfy! Wear your PJs to school today.

• December 17th - Strings Concert at 6:00 PM

• December 22-January 2 - Winter Break (No school for students)
• January 7th - Make-Up Picture Day
• January 13th - 5th Grade Marstellar MS Math/Science Specialty Program Info Night at 6:00 PM

We love to celebrate birthdays! We recommend no edible treats due to allergies. Goody bags are preferred.

No lunch visitors the last two days before break (December 18 and 19) due to several celebrations and activities leading up to winter break.

The Haymarket Safety Patrols will be conducting a Winter Warm-Up clothing drive to help community members in need. I am attaching a copy of the flyer that will be sent home to families this week. New items only. Please include this flyer in your classroom communications or newsletter if you have one. We will also be resending this as the week approaches.

The collection window will be 12/8-12/12. Donations from families can be brought each day to your classroom, and then the patrols will pick up each morning of that week. Any student that brings in an item to donate can also receive 2 tickets for their Den. If there are any other changes or information I will provide another update.

The patrols are very excited to be giving back to the community so please help spread the word!

Nominations for the 2025-26 Teacher and Support Employee of the Year are open! Do you have an outstanding teacher or staff member in your student’s life who goes above and beyond? Now is the time to nominate them for these awards! View the online form for more details Haymarket Elementary - Teacher and Support Employee of the Year Nomination Form . The nomination window closes December 10.

Our PTO events are all about bringing our school community together—and we want to make sure those special moments are remembered! If you’ve snapped any great photos during recent PTO activities, we’d love for you to share them with us. Your pictures could be featured in our school yearbook!

Please upload your photos using the link below:
👉 https://www.yearbooksspm.com/haymarket/home3/PhotoPost.jsp?ID=294T038I3B92

Thank you for helping us showcase the fun and spirit of our school! Every photo tells a story, and we can’t wait to see yours.

To support student reading growth at home, families are encouraged to explore the following websites related to the Virginia Literacy Act (VLA). These resources offer helpful information, strategies, and tools to reinforce literacy skills outside of school:

• Virginia Literacy Act in PWCS – Prince William County Public Schools
• Virginia Literacy Partnerships – Resources for Families

For more information, please contact our Reading Coaches:
Erin Ebeck (K–2) or Jessica Slusher (3–5).

Prince William County Public Schools offers four specialty programs for middle school students. These programs include the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program (IB MYP), Math and Science programs, Traditional Schools, and World Language programs. These are great opportunities for students who hold special interests in one, or more, of those areas. There are an application process and important dates to monitor. Please see more information here:

https://www.pwcs.edu/academics___programs/advanced_academics___specialty_programs/specialty_programs/middle_school_programs/index

• 1. Save Time! Using ParentVUE to notify the school of your child's absence alerts both the office and the teacher of your child's absence.

  2. If you prefer to email about attendance, please use the office email: HMES-cubs-attendance@pwcs.edu. Using this email sends your message to everyone working in the office and ensures your message is read in a timely manner.

Whenever possible, please email your child's teacher the day before you need to pick your child up early. Doing this the day before ensures the teacher sees the email and can have your child packed up. This saves time, especially when you're picking your child up during lunch, recess or Encore. Any changes to transportation should be reported to the office by 3:15 PM. All early dismissals are required by 3:30 PM to allow for a smooth dismissal to the day. IDs are required when picking up your student for early dismissal.

In the corner by the cafeteria door,
Lies a mountain we can’t ignore.
Jackets, hoodies, lunchbox lids,
All abandoned by busy kids!

Water bottles, socks galore,
A single sneaker (maybe more!).
Hats and gloves from winter past,
How did this pile grow so fast?

A lonely scarf, a pencil case,
A backpack with a smiley face.
Each item waits to be reclaimed,
By someone who forgot it’s named.

So take a peek, come have a look,
Before it’s gone from our lost-and-found nook.
Claim your treasures, don’t delay—
Let’s clear this pile by Winter Break!

Copilot. (2025, November 10). The Lost and Found is Overflowing! [Poem]. Personal communication.

PWCS Code of Behavior ensures that education is provided in an atmosphere conducive to learning, free of disruption and threat to person or property, and supportive of individual rights.

https://codeofbehavior.pwcs.edu/

Online

Online payments are a simple, safe, and secure way to make payments to your student's account, 24 hours a day, at your convenience!

Please visit MySchoolBucks.com to make prepayments online any time to your student's meal account.

Questions or assistance regarding MySchoolBucks.com may be sent to sommaf@pwcs.edu or 703-791-7242.

Cash or Check

Cash or checks may also be used to place money on a student's meal account. Cash or checks must be given to the school's Food Service Manager. Checks must be payable to “Prince William County School's Food and Nutrition Department.”

Mental health telehealth services are available to PWCS students at no cost to families through Hazel Health, a well-established telehealth provider.

This initiative provides access to mental health care, ensuring students receive the support they need without delay – regardless of their ability to pay or insurance status.

Available in 19 languages.

Focus: Overcoming Language Barriers - Getting Information from Prince William County Public Schools in Your Preferred Language

Target Audience: All PWCS families

6:30-7:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 4, 2025 – Live Zoom Webinar

Join us on Thursday, December 4 for a helpful webinar to learn about how to effectively communicate with Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS), no matter what language you speak. Learn how to access important information and services in your preferred language, ensuring your voice is heard and your children's needs are met. We will go over the cultural and linguistic tapestry of PWCS and the available translation and interpretation services, resources, communication strategies, and helpful contacts within the school system for successful home-school communication. This session is designed to empower you to fully participate in your child's education.

Focus: National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Initial Eligibility

Target Audience: All high school and middle school student-athletes in grades 7-12, families, coaches, and high school counselors

6:30-7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 9, 2025 – Live Zoom Webinar

Join us on Tuesday, December 9 for an informative webinar in which participants will gain knowledge, tools, and resources on how to navigate the NCAA initial eligibility process which includes how to register, academic requirements for student-athletes, and best practices for college recruiting.

Focus: The Gifted Education Process

Target Audience: All PWCS students and families

6:30-7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 16, 2025 – Live Zoom Webinar

Join us on Tuesday, December 16 to learn about the Gifted Education and Talent Development program in Prince William County Public Schools, which serves eligible students in grades kindergarten – 12. Participants will learn about the identification process for gifted services, including how to refer a student for evaluation. The session also offers practical strategies for supporting gifted learners at home.

Register Here : https://www.pwcs.edu/parents/family_engagement_series/index

Language Accommodations available upon request, at least 5 days in advance.

• Shout Out to Mr. Nenni for supporting our students and communiy.
• Shout Out to our PTO for providing pies to our staff during the Thanksgiving holidays.
• Shout Out to Ms. Chavarriaga for organizing our 1st Quarter Perfect Attendance celebration.

Haymarket Cubs climbing towards excellence in all that we do.

Creative Unique Brilliant Students