Mary Hogan Family Newsletter
March 27, 2026
Dear Mary Hogan Families,
This week's weather had some lion days (like today) and lamb days (like yesterday). These temperature and weather swings were the topic of many conversations this week and came into the kindergarten classroom learning with a guest speaker. NBC 5's Meteorologist Tyler Jankowski taught kindergarteners - and the adults - about why it is so hard for him and other meteorologists to predict the weather in the spring and how it is always changing.
Because of weather shifts, please be sure that your child is coming in with what they need for the weather each day (and it will change!). Today warm coats, hats, mittens and snow pants are helpful. Yesterday, if you were playing a sport you may have taken your coat off.
And a reminder, if it is rainy, we will likely still go outside, so send in rain coats and a change of clothes for all kids please!
💙, Jen
New Book Story Work Up in Buttolph Neighborhood
Thanks to Mrs. Bibb's class, there is a new story book walk up in the Buttolph neighborhood. They went out today and posted the book. Go check it out to read Don't Hug Doug and find out what hugs feel like to Doug and why he doesn't like them.
MUMS Road Show
We were treated to a musical performance from MUMS band and choir students on Monday. It was a beautiful way to start a week by listening to the band and then choir. Band played a variety of songs including Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit". Choir had us clapping and singing along. The highlight was being able to sing These Green Mountains with the MUMS students since we all know our state song!
After the Choir and Band concert, the 5th graders had a chance to play MUMS Jeopardy and learn more about the classes, schedule, and day at MUMS from Principal Wisell, Activities Director Hunt, and more teachers. MUMS students shared the "answers" to some of the Jeopardy "questions". And, our students seemed to know a bit about MUMS too! This is just one part of the transition of students from Mary Hogan to MUMS that began last month and will continue all spring long with events and connections for kids and families so stay tuned!
Meteorology 101
Tyler Jankowski, meteorologist from NBC 5, came by kindergarten this week to help deepen their understanding of the weather as well as how he forecasts the weather in the future. He showed students the instruments that he uses as well as the weather prediction maps and how he reads them to predict what may happen. He did note how fickle weather is in the spring and how the long range forecasts often change this time of year. The students were all in and very focused and principled throughout the presentation and asked lots of thoughtful questions!
Reptile Rendezvous
VINS came to visit with kindergarten and preschool this past week to help introduce reptiles and their adaptations to our students. The students got to meet a turtle and snake and hear stories about them. This visit was funded by ACEEF for kindergarten but we were able to include preschoolers because we found a big enough space. Ask your child what they learned and which has the cooler adaptations - turtles or snakes!
First Grade Readers
This week, I had a chance to see a lot of 1st grade readers. The books (Geodes) that the students are reading align with the word patterns they are working to learn, so students can apply their learning right away.
In the last month or so, the books have grown more complex in words as well as in the length of the paragraphs. Students are rocking it, reading whole paragraphs fluently and using strategies to sound out words they don't know. They are working hard!
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