Family Newsletter
December 19, 2025
A Note From Dr. Hooks
Dear Hyde-Addison ES Families,
We wish all of our families a safe Winter Break. We look forward to welcoming all students back to school on Monday, January 5, 2026.
Last week we shared some Hyde-Addison ES data points for students approaching, meeting and exceeding expectations on DC CAPE. This week includes data points for students meeting and exceeding expectations.
DC CAPE English Language Arts for students meeting or exceeding ELA expectations (Levels 4 and 5):
- Ranked #2 among DCPS elementary schools for students identified as economically disadvantaged scoring at levels 4 or 5
- Ranked #3 among DC elementary schools for students receiving ELL Services scoring at levels 4 or 5
DC CAPE Mathematics for students meeting or exceeding Math expectations (Levels 4 and 5):
- Ranked #5 among DCPS elementary schools for students identified as economically disadvantaged scoring at levels 4 or 5
- Ranked #7 among DC elementary schools for students receiving ELL Services scoring at levels 4 or 5
As always, please feel free to email hyde.addison@k12.dc.gov with any school specific inquiries.
Warmest regards,
Dr. Calvin Hooks, Principal
Hyde-Addison Elementary School
NEWS & UPDATES
DCPS FY26 IMPACT Aid Survey
The SY25-26 Impact Aid Survey is available now! Each year, DCPS asks all families to complete the Impact Aid survey to generate additional federal funds for DCPS. Please access the electronic survey using the links here and complete one survey per child, not household, by Friday, December 19.
‼️ Please Read: PTA Mid-Year Newsletter ‼️
The Hyde-Addison PTA has released our mid-year newsletter, which includes:
A recap of PTA programs and initiatives since July
A transparent look at fundraising to date
How much has been raised
Where funds have come from
How funds have been used to support the PTA and the school so far
Upcoming events and ways to stay involved
A mid-year check-in survey (located after the financial section). It's also available here!
📝 Please take a few minutes to read the newsletter and complete the survey. Your feedback is critical in helping the PTA best support the Hyde-Addison community for the remainder of the school year.
PTA: ☕ Save the Date: Morning Mingle Coffee with Sponsor Banner Reveal | First Week Back from Break!
PREVIOUS UPDATES
COMMUNITY EVENTS & RESOURCES
Hardy Middle School Open House Dates for SY 2025-2026
During the 2025-2026 school year, Hardy MS will be hosting several Open Houses for families with prospective students.
SY 2025-2026 Open House Dates:
January 28, 2026 from 5-7pm
February 5, 2026 from 10-11:15am
Champions Aftercare Enrollment is Open for SY25-26
If you need help or have questions, email: ch002523@discoverchampions.com
To enroll your child in Champions aftercare for SY25-26:
Create a parent portal [STEP 1]
a. Your parent portal will give you access to billing, scheduling and many more things that will assist you.
Link: https://connect.klcschoolpartnerships.com/
Fill out the attached Enrollment Packets [STEP 2]
Ensure to have your REQUESTED SCHEDULE completed.
Ensure you fill out all 3 OSSE forms.
Ensure you fill out a separate form for each of your students.
Ensure there is contact information for primary and secondary payer (email and number).
Ensure you are putting your child/children grade on the enrollment form.
When finished please email a copy to CH002523@DISCOVERCHAMPIONS.COM.
Active Play Scholarships
Active Play has a combination of parent donations and Active Play scholarships for enrichment programs at Hyde that Active Play would love to put to use. Please contact Active Play if you are in need of support. sarah@activeplayllc.com
PTA ANNOUNCEMENTS
📣 ActivePlay Survey — We Need Your Feedback!
If one or more of your children participated in an ActivePlay enrichment class this fall or winter, please take a moment to complete the survey.
Your feedback helps them understand what’s working and what needs improvement.
This information is essential for ensuring the program continues to meet the needs of our families.
The more voices we hear, the better!
Take the survey here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe7yxiwvapuRhp_8agHH-VB8e0hIGLjZpxbS8JQp7urFYmJoQ/viewform
Label your gear, support our school and help keep the lost & found pile a little smaller this year!
With back-to-school around the corner, we have an easy way to help you avoid the lost & found and support our school at the same time!
Mabel's Labels are waterproof, dishwasher and washing machine-safe, durable, and come in a wide variety of sizes, colors and kid-favorite graphics. They're perfect for water bottles, lunchboxes, headphones, jackets and more!
Extra Perk! 20% of every purchase goes right back to Hyde-Addison to support our students and staff.
How to order:
- Go to campaigns.mabelslabels.com.
- Search for and select "Hyde-Addison PTA (Washington)"
- Start shopping! It's that easy!
PTA: Minted. | Looking for holiday cards or upcoming graduation announcements?
We’re excited to share that our Minted fundraiser is back! When you use code FUNDRAISEHYDEADDISON, you’ll save 20% on your order—and Minted will donate 10% back to the Hyde-Addison PTA.
This code works all year long, so whether you’re ordering holiday cards, change of address cards, baby announcements, graduation invitations or announcements or personalized gifts, every purchase gives back to our school!
Minted offers beautiful, high-quality designs, easy address collection, and free recipient address printing on envelopes, making any large send-out a breeze.
Thank you for considering supporting Hyde-Addison while checking a few things off your to-do list! Happy Shopping! --> https://www.minted.com
PTA: Volunteer for the 2026 Hyde-Addison Gala!
Planning is underway for this year’s Gala, and we’re looking for parent volunteers to help bring our biggest celebration of the year to life. Whether you can give a little time or a lot, every contribution makes an impact.
Ways to Get Involved:
Sponsorships & Donor Outreach – help secure business and community support
Décor & Theme – shape the look, feel, and creative direction of the event
Auction & Raffles – source, organize, and manage exciting items and experiences
Entertainment & Program Flow – assist with music, speakers, and special elements
Logistics & Operations – support venue setup, check-in, and event-night coordination
Communications & Marketing – help craft invitations, manage social media, and spread the word
If you’d like to join the Gala Committee, please email tami.twymanpta@gmail.com or sign up on the Konstella Gala Committee page.
Let’s make this year’s Gala unforgettable—together!-gala planning
💛 PTA Ongoing Fundraisers — Support Hyde-Addison!
The lost & found pile is already growing! Help keep track of water bottles, jackets, and more by labeling everything. Through Mabel’s Labels, you can purchase durable, waterproof labels in fun designs — and 20% of proceeds go directly to Hyde-Addison!
👉 Visit campaigns.mabelslabels.com, search for Hyde-Addison PTA (Washington), and start shopping.
We also have ongoing restaurant fundraisers each week at Georgetown favorites:
🍕 Manny & Olga’s Mondays (1641 Wisconsin Ave NW)
🌮 Taco Tuesdays at Los Cuates (1564 Wisconsin Ave NW)
🍗 Wingo’s Wednesdays (3207 O Street NW)
✨ 25% of your order comes back to Hyde — just mention Hyde-Addison at checkout! No online delivery apps- in-person dining or takeout only!
For more information and a full catalog of our ongoing fundraisers, visit our website:https://hydeaddisonpta.org/ongoing-fundraisers. Thank you for supporting our school community!
RESOURCES AND REMINDERS
Late Pick-up Reminder
Please be mindful that students should be picked up each day by 3:25 p.m. We ask that every effort be made to arrive on time, as the tour of duty for most staff concludes at 3:30 p.m. If you require extended care, please contact one of the aftercare or enrichment providers to arrange enrollment in an after-school program.
Medications and Allergies
If your child needs to take medication or requires medical treatment during school hours, please have your medical provider complete the appropriate forms, which may include the Medication and Treatment Authorization Forms, the Asthma Action Plan and the Action Plan for Anaphylaxis. Please email forms to hyde.Addison@k12.dc.gov and ask them to be submitted to the nurse. We will confirm receipt.
If your child needs a dietary accommodation, your provider should also complete the Dietary Accommodations Form. Please submit the completed form to dietary.forms@k12.dc.gov and cc hyde.addison@k12.dc.gov.
DCPS Calendar and Student Attendance
Attendance is a top priority for both DCPS and Hyde-Addison ES, as consistent, on-time attendance is essential to student achievement, growth, and overall success. We encourage families to review the DCPS Academic Calendar below or directly on the dcps.dc.gov website, to plan vacations, appointments, and events in a way that supports uninterrupted learning throughout the school year.
During the school year, please notify the school every time your student is absent. Excuse notes must be emailed to hyde.addison@k12.dc.gov within 5 school days after the student’s return to school for the absence to be excused, in alignment with DCPS Attendance policies. (Classroom teachers cannot excuse absences.)
Self-Dismissal Requirements & Form
All students in grades Kindergarten–5 must have a signed permission form on file each school year in order to:
Be dismissed to the Jelleff aftercare program
Walk home
Take public transportation home alone
Leave with an underaged sibling
No student will be permitted to leave school alone or with an underaged sibling until the attached form is signed and returned to the main office or emailed to hyde.addison@k12.dc.gov.
Volunteer in Our Schools
All volunteers, including parents, must complete the DCPS Clearance process before volunteer services can be provided. Please send a proof of your completed clearance status to hyde.addison@k12.dc.gov.
DCPS SY25-26 Feeder, Middle School, and High School Booklets
DCPS is pleased to announce the release of the SY 25-26 Feeder, Middle School, and High School Booklets. These comprehensive booklets provide essential information including school overviews, programming details, geographic and programmatic feeder patterns, and much more.
Message to Hyde-Addison families about sibling phase-in feeder rights
Please find attached a message from DC Public Schools Chancellor Dr. Lewis D. Ferebee regarding changes to sibling phase-in policies for students enrolling in 9th grade in School Year 2026-2027 and later.
SY25-26 DCPS Student Cell Phone and Electronic Device Policy
Beginning in the 2025–26 school year, a new DCPS policy will prohibit students from accessing a cell phone or personal electronic communication device during the bell-to-bell school day while on DCPS school grounds, aligning with our school’s current cell phone policy.
DCPS Student Cell Phone and Personal Electronic Device policy
DCPS Help Desk Support Guidance
For students and families:
- OCTO Student & Family Call Center – Assists parents and students with technical and password issues. Contact number is: (202) 442-5885 (Option 1).
Anti-Discrimination within DCPS
DCPS is committed to creating a discrimination-free environment for all students. To meet this commitment, DCPS is focused on creating an environment in which we eliminate opportunity gaps, interrupt institutional bias, and remove barriers to academic and social success, particularly for students of color. Please review the following policies regarding anti-discrimination within DCPS.
Hyde-Addison ES SY25-26 Family Handbook
The Family Handbook for the 2025–2026 school year is attached below for your review. Please take a moment to read through it to familiarize yourself with important school policies and procedures.
Family Newsletter Features
When you receive the Family Newsletter by email each Friday, as well as most other school-wide communications, you will have the option to view it in a web browser. Accessing the newsletter this way allows for automatic translation into over 20 languages and provides enhanced accessibility features, including high-contrast display settings and adjustable font sizes for improved visibility.
All Family Newsletters will also be archived on the Hyde-Addison website https://hydeaddisondc.org/home throughout the year for your ongoing reference.
KEY DATES
December 22-January 1: Winter Break, No School for Students or Teachers
January 2: PD for Staff / No School for Students
January 19: Holiday for Students, Teachers, and Staff
January 26: End of Term / Half-Day PD & Half-Day Records Day / No School for Students
February 13: PD for Staff / No School for Students
February 16: Holiday for Students, Teachers, and Staff
First Tuesday of Each Month: LSAT