The Hatter Chatter

Greetings, Hatboro-Horsham Students, Staff, and Families,

As we begin the new year, we are excited about all that January and the months ahead have to offer across the Hatboro-Horsham School District. From music and art to athletic competitions, classroom projects, assessments, field trips, and the completion of the first semester, this is a busy and meaningful time for our students.

Regular school attendance plays an important role in helping students take full advantage of these opportunities. Being present each day supports academic growth, builds routines, and allows students to stay connected to their peers, teachers, and learning experiences that cannot always be recreated.

We recognize that occasional absences are sometimes unavoidable. At the same time, consistent attendance helps students stay on track and engaged, especially during this critical point in the school year when learning builds quickly, and key milestones are reached.

Our schools remain focused on creating welcoming, supportive environments where students are excited to learn and feel a strong sense of belonging. When families and schools work together, students are best positioned for success.

We are grateful for our families’ continued partnership and look forward to a positive, productive, and exciting 2026 for our Hatters.

Enjoy this January edition of The Hatter Chatter.

Scott Eveslage, Ed.D.

Superintendent of Schools

The newsletter may be easier to view via the link: https://app.smore.com/n/aqe34

January 1- District Closed (New Year's Day)

January 19- District Closed (MLK Day)

January 30- No School for Students (Staff Professional Development)

January 2026 School Board Meetings (7:00 pm, Keith Valley Community Room)

January 12 (Monday) -Work Session/Committees Meeting

January 26 (Monday) - Legislative Action Meeting

Click HERE to access the recap of the School Board Meetings

Click on the image to view our 2025-2026 District Calendar, which provides important dates for the upcoming school year, including holidays, professional development days, and other key events. To ensure you have all the information you need, you can also download the calendar directly from the link below. Stay informed and plan ahead with ease!

Pennsylvania law requires compulsory school attendance for all school-age students. Regular attendance is essential to student learning, continuity of instruction, and engagement in school activities.

While we understand that absences may occur due to illness or other circumstances, it is important that families communicate with the school whenever a student is absent or tardy. Timely communication allows schools to provide appropriate support and ensures attendance records remain accurate.

The District’s Attendance Manual outlines attendance definitions, how to report absences, access to online attendance forms, and the district’s response to excessive absences and excessive tardiness, as required by law.

Families are encouraged to review the Attendance Manual and related resources available on our website at:
https://www.hatboro-horsham.org/page/attendance

As we are in the middle of winter, severe weather is inevitable. We want to take the opportunity to remind our HHSD community of our weather emergency protocols.

Reminders about weather emergency protocols:

• During a 2-hour delay, students should report to their bus stops 2 hours later than their scheduled bus arrival times. Families are encouraged to enroll in the Here Comes the Bus app for transportation updates. On delayed arrival days, childcare also opens 2 hours later, at 8:30 am.
• The District provides school breakfast and lunches for students regardless of the schedule.
• When making an early morning determination, we aim to communicate a school decision no later than 5:30 am, two hours before the start of our High School. We will share our decision through our messenger system so that you will receive an email, phone call, and notification in the app, based on your personal settings. Decisions are also broadcast on the district website, social media (Facebook, X, Instagram), and local television networks (6abc, Fox29, CBS3, NBC10).
• We constructed the school calendar to include two weather emergency days. On the first two days schools are closed, there is no instruction. Beginning on the third closure, we will hold virtual instructional days.

Throughout December, Hatboro-Horsham student musicians filled our schools and community with music, creativity, and holiday spirit. From elementary performances to high school ensembles, our music programs provided countless opportunities for students to showcase their talents while bringing people together.

At Hatboro-Horsham High School, student musicians were front and center all month. The high school band and choirs delivered strong performances that highlighted both musical excellence and student dedication. The Rock Group energized audiences with contemporary selections, demonstrating versatility and student leadership within our performing arts offerings. In addition, the Madrigals traveled throughout the district, spreading seasonal cheer as they performed for students and staff in multiple buildings, creating moments of connection and celebration during a busy time of year.

At Keith Valley Middle School, band and choir students proudly took the stage, showcasing their growth and commitment to their craft. Their performances reflected the strong foundation being built as students continue their musical journeys from elementary school through high school.

Our elementary schools also played an important role in December’s musical celebrations.

Elementary choir performances brought families together and highlighted the joy of music at an early age. These concerts emphasized confidence, collaboration, and the excitement of performing for an audience.

Beyond our school walls, Hatboro-Horsham musicians shared their talents with the broader community. Students participated in Project Blue Light in Horsham, contributing music that supported a meaningful community initiative and demonstrated the power of the arts to connect and uplift.

As we move into the new year, our music program continues to build momentum. Additional concerts and performances are scheduled throughout January, providing even more opportunities for our students to take the stage and for families and community members to celebrate their achievements.

December served as a reminder of the strength of our K to 12 music program and the dedication of our students and staff. Through performances large and small, in schools and in the community, our musicians represented Hatboro-Horsham with pride, professionalism, and heart. We are grateful for the time, talent, and teamwork that make our music program thrive year-round.

Hatboro-Horsham High School students recently took the stage to present The Play That Goes Wrong, delivering a performance that combined sharp comedic timing, strong acting, and impressive theatrical skill. The cast demonstrated remarkable talent as they navigated the physical comedy and fast paced pacing required to bring this complex production to life.

While the actors captivated audiences on stage, the success of the production extended far beyond the spotlight. Behind the scenes, an equally talented and dedicated crew worked tirelessly to ensure every element of the show came together seamlessly. From set construction and technical effects to lighting, sound, costumes, and stage management, the crew played a critical role in making the controlled chaos of the performance appear effortless.

The backstage team managed precise cues, intricate scene changes, and technical challenges that are essential to a production where things are designed to go wrong. Their attention to detail, problem solving skills, and collaboration allowed the cast to perform with confidence and ensured that each performance ran smoothly.

The Play That Goes Wrong showcased the depth of talent within Hatboro-Horsham High School’s performing arts program. Together, the cast and crew demonstrated creativity, teamwork, and professionalism, reminding audiences that exceptional theater is built through collaboration both on stage and behind the scenes.

Hatboro-Horsham High School marked an exciting milestone this winter with the launch of its first-ever Unified Bocce team, officially joining the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association as a PIAA winter sport.

The team recently competed in its inaugural match on the road against Norristown, making history for the school and the district. While the match itself was a first, the preparation leading up to it reflected weeks of hard work, commitment, and collaboration among student-athletes.

Throughout the competition, the HHHS Unified Bocce team demonstrated strong teamwork, leadership, and skill, showcasing the inclusive spirit that defines Unified sports. The match highlighted not only athletic ability, but also the power of belonging, shared goals, and mutual support among students.

The creation of the Unified Bocce program represents an important step in expanding inclusive athletic opportunities at Hatboro-Horsham High School. Students and coaches alike are looking forward to building on this momentum as the team continues through its inaugural season.

The district is proud of the student-athletes and staff who helped bring this program to life and looks forward to following the team throughout the remainder of the season.

Dr. Butler-Waters, Assistant Principal at Blair Mill, has been honored with a prestigious fellowship from Pew Center for Arts & Heritage, earning an $85,000 unrestricted grant in recognition of her significant contributions to the Philadelphia music community.

As a composer, pianist, vocalist, and educator, she draws on classical and jazz training enriched by gospel and soul influences. Her work often explores themes of identity, belonging, faith, and cultural memory — and she blends music with film, spoken word, and performance to tell meaningful stories.

Beyond her musical achievements, Dr. Butler-Waters continues to contribute to education in our community, bringing a deeply creative perspective and a commitment to excellence into her leadership role at Blair Mill continues to make a meaningful impact.

As a school district, we truly believe that ALL ARE WELCOME HERE and are constantly looking for opportunities to be more inclusive, build awareness, and develop our cultural competence to be more equitable in supporting and serving our students, staff, and community. This monthly inclusive newsletter will serve as a resource for our staff and families to learn more about the diverse cultures and members of our community.

In the latest edition of the Hat Chat Minute, Superintendent Dr. Eveslage highlights the value of music education across the Hatboro-Horsham School District. He shares appreciation for the students, staff, and families who support the arts and emphasizes how music programs enrich student learning and strengthen school culture.

The Hatboro-Horsham Educational Foundation (HHEF) is dedicated to enriching our schools by funding innovative programs, resources, and opportunities that inspire student success. Through community support and generous donations, HHEF helps create a vibrant learning environment where every student can thrive and reach their full potential.

Information about Power School, Canvas, lunch menus, attendance forms, and much more can be found our website here: https://www.hatboro-horsham.org/page/family-resources-portal-links

Website: https://www.hatboro-horsham.org/
Location: 227 Meetinghouse Road, Suite 100, Horsham, PA 19044
Phone: 215-420-5000
Facebook: www.facebook.com/HHSDK12/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hatborohorsham_sd/
Twitter: @HH_Schools