The Friday Focus

Our HVRSD 25-26 Calendar has been updated.

Schools and Offices will now be open on Monday, April 6th.

Strive PTO Presents: Special Services Resource Fair and Summer Camp Expo: Sat. Feb 7th, HVCHS, 10am-1pm: Learn about resources and camps in the area. Meet staff, gather materials and ask questions! Also, while here, please visit our Used Book Sale to update your family bookshelf with new and gently used books!

HVCHS Leave of Absence Position: HVCHS is currently in need of a high school Spanish teacher for a leave of absence position. If you or someone you know is interested in this position, please contact World Languages Supervisor Lois Baldwin at loisbaldwin@hvrsd.org

Douglass Day: Transcribe-a-thon in Honor of Frederick Douglass, Friday, Feb 13, 12-3pm, Hopewell Branch: Celebrate the birthday of Frederick Douglass by helping make history accessible. Drop in with your laptop to transcribe historical documents related to Black history and culture, contributing to projects such as The Colored Conventions Project. You can also stop by to watch the DouglassDay.org livestream featuring inspirational speeches and songs. Light refreshments will be served. Registration is requested at events.mcl.org.

Girls in Gear volunteers needed in Hopewell!

Girls in Gear is looking for enthusiastic volunteers of all biking abilities and gender identities to lead our easy-to-follow curriculum. Girls in Gear is powered by dedicated volunteers in our communities who share our passion for getting more girls on bikes. Neither coaching nor biking experience is required. All coaches receive training and are supported by staff throughout their volunteer experience. We supply all lesson plans and coaching materials.

Email Diana at diana@girlsingear.org for more specific information.

QUEST registration for Summer 2026 is officially open! Thanks to our wonderful campus collaborations and sponsors, we are able to offer 4 incredibly unique STEM learning experiences for teachers across grades K-12 during our week-long institutes, held between July 13-August 7th.

Kindergarten Registration will begin on Tuesday, February 17th.

Kindergarten Camp information will be available shortly.

Due to continued growth in the district and fluctuations in enrollment, the School District may need to adjust attendance zones and/or school assignments before the start of the school year. As a result, the school listed at the time of registration may change. Families will be notified of any changes to their child’s school assignment before the start of the school year.

The HVCHS Student Council is hosting a food/personal items drive from Feb 9-Feb 13

to support the Hopewell Valley Mobile Food Pantry.

If you are able, please support this school wide initiative by sending in non-perishable food or personal hygiene items. Each grade will have ONE DAY to bring in as many items as they can! Collection bins will be placed in each grade level recitation room prior to their collection day by a student council member. Please click here to see the items being requested.

Thank you for your generosity!

The HVRSD Digital Wellness Committee presents an HVCHS Essay Contest - to promote, encourage and initiate student learning and interest in the concept of digital wellness. Please encourage your students to participate! Due by Feb 27th - see the flyer for details.

HVCHS Summer Job & Community Service Fair: Is your student looking for a job or volunteer opportunities this summer? The HV Central High School Summer Job & Community Service Fair is open to all students on Thursday, February 19 during the lunch session in the Media Center. Over 25 employers and service organizations will be participating. Paid positions are available to students 16 and up. Volunteer positions are available to students 13 and up. The fair is also open during Session 3 & 4 for students who have study hall. Questions? Please contact the Hopewell Valley Municipal Alliance at hvmunicipalalliance@gmail.com.

Spring Athletic Registration: Registration for the spring season of HVCHS Athletics is now open. Students interested in participating in baseball, softball, girls lacrosse, boys lacrosse, boys tennis, boys volleyball, girls track, or boys track must register by February 20. Please click here to access the registration page and print medical forms. Any student who is not registered and does not have either a physical form or health history update form on file with the school nurses will not be able to try out or practice until they do. Spring sports will begin on Monday, March 9.

Attendance Notifications: Our automated attendance notifications have returned. If we do not receive notification of a student's absence prior to 7:45 am, parents and guardians will be contacted by email and phone call to ensure that they are aware of the student's absence. Please contact our TeleSafe number 609-737-4003, Ext. 3506, by 7:45 am to report an absence or late arrival, and be sure to provide a note if your child needs to be dismissed from school early. If you have any questions regarding attendance records, please contact our attendance secretary (Mrs. Schaub). *As a reminder, students must be in school for at least four hours in order to participate in all athletic or extra-curricular activities and events*

Local Food Resources & School Lunch Information: Please see the information sent by the district for information about nearby resources as well as school lunches, menus, pricing and Free & Reduced forms.

What’s Happening at HVCHS? Please follow us on Twitter: @HVCentralHS and Instagram: hopewell_valley_central_hs for pictures, updates, and fun facts. Our daily morning announcements can be found on the school website and via this link. Fundraising activities from our classes, clubs, and teams can be found on our fundraising calendar. Also, check out our HV Student Publications Network page for student-created podcasts, digital videos, and more! If you are a graduate of HVCHS, and you would like to join our Alumni Directory, please complete our Database Form and indicate what type of information you would like to receive from HVCHS.

TMS Spring Musical

On Monday, Feb. 9th, TMS is holding auditions for the spring musical "Freaky Friday"! Anyone who auditions must complete a general audition (singing one of the provided song options, and reading lines in one of the provided scene options), as well as a dance audition. Please note: not everyone who auditions will be selected for the cast. If a student is not cast, they are encouraged to join the tech crew, which will have information available after spring break.

To access the audition form and audition material, please click here: https://timberlanemusical.blogspot.com/

Next week is "Hope Week - Make Life Sweeter" at TMS - with a themes, challenges and spirit days to reinforce our sense of belonging in a positive community. See flyer for details.

Cocoa Cafe, Tuesday, Feb. 10th 3-4:30 TMS Main Lobby: Snack and Cocoa sales to benefit the TMS Band Program. Performances by the Jazz Band, Chamber Winds, Soloists, Mr. Emmich?!?

All are welcome - including family and friends!

The HVRSD Digital Wellness Committee presents a TMS Essay Contest to promote, encourage and initiate student learning and interest in the concept of digital wellness. Please encourage your students to participate! Submissions deadline February 27th. See Flyer for details.

2026 TMS Spring Sports

• Registration and medical forms for Spring Sports are due by Friday March 13th1! Please click here to access the registration page and print medical forms. Any student who is not registered and does not have either a physical form or health history update form on file with the school nurses will not be able to try out or practice until they do.
• In-House Physicals will be offered on Friday, February 13th for all student athletes in grades 6-8 planning on trying out for a spring sport. Please click here to schedule an appointment from 9am-12pm in the TMS School Nurse's Office. Physicals are $25 a child and checks should be made out to HVRSD.
• TMS Spring Sports will begin on Monday, March 23rd! Baseball and Boys & Girls Lacrosse (Open to 7th & 8th Grade Only). Softball and Boys & Girls Track & Field (Open to All Grades)

*Dates To Remember*

Feb 9-13 Hope Week

BT Principal's Page

BT On Instagram

BTPTO Flash- Everything you need to know for the next month

BT Kid’s Heart Challenge 2026 - Throughout the month of February in PE class, we will be participating in fun jump roping challenges and continue our ongoing discussions about the importance of daily physical activity. Click here for information.

Interested in Girl Scouts? Join us for Slime Time! Sunday, Feb. 8th, Timberlane Middle School Cafeteria, 2:30-4:00pm: Stop by and enjoy the fun of making slime & get more information about Girl Scouts! See the flyer for more info!

Author in Residence - HVRSD Author in Residence, Laurie Wallmark, will visit Bear Tavern on February 18th! Laurie Wallmark is an award-winning children's Author who writes full-time, creating books that celebrate curiosity and STEM. For more information, and to purchase copies of her works that will be signed the day of the visit, please visit the BTPTO website here: https://beartavernpto.membershiptoolkit.com/form/m/364639

BTPTO Dine Out - On Sat, Feb 21st, Bubbakoos will donate a portion of all sales to the BT PTO.

Stop by, grab a meal, and give back! See Flyer.

BT St. Baldrick’s Day - Each year, Bear Tavern students shave heads and raise money for the St. Baldrick's Foundation. St. Baldrick's Foundation is a leading charity funding childhood cancer research, known for its signature events where volunteers shave their heads to support kids losing hair during treatment, raising money for cures and promoting awareness, operating as a volunteer-powered organization with a mission to give survivors long, healthy lives.

Whether you or your children want to shave their heads, contribute to others who shave, or just raise money for the foundation, help us reach our goal of $28,000. Join our team: Bear Tavern ES and get started now. We will have our Bear Tavern Shaving Event on March 13, so get ready!

• School Lunch Information - Please click this link for the 2025-2026 information.

• Absences & Late Arrivals - Parents/Guardians please call our TeleSafe number: 609-737-4005, Ext 2, by 8:00 a.m. to report an absence or late arrival.

• Changes In Students' Dismissal - If there is a change in how students will be going home (pick up, take the bus, after-school program, etc.), please be sure to call or email the main office at 609-737-4005 or btmainoffice@hvrsd.org. Please CC your child’s homeroom teacher.

*Dates To Remember*

2/13- Wear Pink For Valentine's Day

2/16- Schools & Offices Closed for President’s Day

2/17 - Schools For Lunar New Year

2/18 - Author Visit

2/21 - Bubbakoos BTPTO Dine Out

2/27 - 1,000th Day

The Principal’s Monthly Newsletter - Hopewell’s Happenings

The HES Website.

SOUPER Bowl of Caring: We are collecting nonperishable food items from February 9–13 to benefit The Chubby’s Project. Click HERE for more information. Thank you for your support!

Interested in Girl Scouts? Join us for Slime Time! Sunday, Feb. 8th, Timberlane Middle School Cafeteria, 2:30-4:00pm: Stop by and enjoy the fun of making slime & get more information about Girl Scouts! See the flyer for more info!

Valentine’s Day Dance (Gr. 2-4) - Put on your dancing shoes! The PTO will host a Valentine’s Day Dance on Friday, February 13, for 2nd–4th graders, featuring DJ Gabe, dancing, a photo booth, and a snack included with each ticket; additional items will be available for purchase—visit the link HERE for details and tickets.

HES Book Fair - The 2026 Book Fair is coming March 2–4! Students will visit with their homerooms, and families are welcome to shop March 2nd – 3rd (3:30–7:30 PM) and March 4th (3:30–5:00 PM). Watch your email for volunteer info!

New HES Spirit Wear is Here! - To celebrate Hopewell Elementary’s 100-year anniversary, the HES PTO is excited to launch two new spirit wear options:

1. Spirit Wear Store - Shop classic HES tees, pajamas, cups, and more. → merch.hopewellpto.org

2.Rooted Rags Collection - Hand-dyed and embroidered HES apparel made by a Hopewell school mom. Orders take 1-3 weeks. → handmade.hopewellpto.org

Yearbook Ordering - Yearbooks for the 2025–2026 school year are now available to purchase online. You can click here for ordering details. Orders are due by May 8, 2026

• School Lunch Information: Please click this link for the 2025-2026 information.

• Absences & Late Arrivals - Parents/Guardians should call our TeleSafe number, 609-737- 4007, Ext 2, by 8:00 a.m. to report an absence or late arrival. Thank you.

• HES Changes in Students’ Dismissal - If there is a change in how students will be going home, please be sure to call or email the main office at 609-737-4007 hwmainoffice@hvrsd.org

Dates to Remember:

Fri, 2/13: Kindergarten 100 Day of School & 5th Grade 1000th Day of School

/PTO Valentine Dance Gr. 2-4 (6:30pm)

Mon, 2/16: Schools/Offices Closed for President’s Day

Tues, 2/17: Schools Closed for Lunar New Year

Thurs. 2/19: Author Visit - Laurie Wallmark

Fri, 2/20: PTO Meeting (8:45am)

Principal’s Page

SB website

Thank you to all of the students and families who participated in the the SB PTO Family Game Night. A great time was had by all!

Donut Sales Are Underway!
Help chase away the winter blues by buying a dozen PQM donuts to support the SB PTO! Donut orders are due by Monday, Feb 9th. You can order for yourself, share with friends or coworkers, or donate to the SB staff. Donut boxes include a mix of flavors, including glazed, chocolate, vanilla and sprinkles. Click here to order your donuts today!

Interested in Girl Scouts? Join us for Slime Time! Sunday, Feb. 8th, Timberlane Middle School Cafeteria, 2:30-4:00pm: Stop by and enjoy the fun of making slime & get more information about Girl Scouts! See the flyer for more info!

Save the date for the SB Science Fair on Sat, Feb 28th, from 8am-12pm in the SB Cafeteria! This is a wonderful opportunity for our young scientists to showcase their curiosity, creativity, and love of discovery. The Fair will include:

• Pre-K through Grade 2 Poster Session: 8:30-9:30 AM

• Mad Science Show (All Grades): 9:45-10:30 AM
  A high-energy, hands-on science show that all children in attendance will enjoy!

• Grades 3–5 Poster Session: 11:00AM-12:00PM

Students are encouraged to work independently or with a friend or classmate, so teamwork is welcome and celebrated! Be sure to register each student who is participating!

We also need parent volunteers to help interview students about their projects and make the day a success. If you’re able to help, please consider signing up-your support makes a big difference.

Science Fair Webpage
Student Registration
Parent Volunteer Sign-Up (SignUpGenius)

Soft-Pretzel Snack Sales

Buy-in for soft pretzel snacks for January-June is now open! If you only paid for the first few months of the year, or you haven't yet participated but now want to, please use the link below to purchase for the remainder of the year!

https://stonybrookelementarypto.membershiptoolkit.com/2025SoftPretzelSnacks

• SBPTO Membership Toolkit - Click HERE to register for volunteer opportunities, sign up for the directory to find your friends and order apparel!

• School Lunch Information

• Absences & Late Arrivals - Call our Attendance line at 737-4006, Ext 2, by 8:00 am to report an absence or late arrival. Refer to our Attendance Procedures for details.

• Dismissal Changes - Email the main office in advance at sbmainoffice@hvrsd.org and refer to our Attendance Procedures for details regarding early dismissals.

Ms. Lauri’s Principal Page

Toll Gate Grammar School Website

Toll Gate Grammar on Instagram

Email the Toll Gate Main Office

Toll Gate's Day of Service is on Friday, February 20, 2026 (NEW DATE!!!). For this school year’s Day of Service, Toll Gate will be donating to The Jared Box Project. This will be our 5th year participating in this project. In addition to the items listed on the signup genius Day of Service 2026 - Donations, we will also need items to fill the boxes that will be given to local hospital patients at Penn Medicine Princeton and Capital Health Hospital in the Pediatric ER and the Pediatric floor. We also have a need for volunteers. Please use this link to help in your child’s classroom during Day of Service. Day of Service 2026 - Volunteers. Please send in the donated items to school with your student(s) from now until February 20th. Thank you for your help with this very special project.

Interested in Girl Scouts? Join us for Slime Time! Sunday, Feb. 8th, Timberlane Middle School Cafeteria, 2:30-4:00pm: Stop by and enjoy the fun of making slime & get more information about Girl Scouts! See the flyer for more info!

• School Lunch Information

• Dismissal Changes: If your dismissal plans change on any given day, please email tgmainoffice@hvrsd.org, (this email will go to both main office secretaries, Ashlee Dana and Patricia Jaczko) to inform them of the change. Please also cc' your child's homeroom teacher.

• Reporting Student Absences: Please remember to call the Telsafe line (609-737-4008, option 2) by 8:00am for any absences or tardiness. Emails to a teacher may not be seen in a timely manner. Telsafe is the best way to report an absence. If your child is not at school and you haven’t reported them absent or tardy, you will get a phone call from Mrs. Smith, our school nurse.

Dates to Remember:

Wednesday, 2/11: 100th Day of School - Dress as a 100 Year Old

Thursday, 2/12: PTO Meeting via Zoom at 7:30 PM

Friday, 2/13: 5th Grade Tile Project / 5th Grade Centennial Celebration - Alumni Panel

Monday, 2/16: Schools/Offices Closed - Presidents’ Day

Tuesday, 2/17: Schools Closed - Lunar New Year

Thursday, 2/19: TGG Family Game Night at 6:00 PM

Friday, 2/20: Toll Gate's Day of Service (**NEW DATE!**)

Thursday, 2/26: Author Laurie Wallmark Visit

Black History Month Events at Mercer County Libraries! Join us for a variety of events - music, reading, crafts. Registration is required for most programs. Visit events.mcl.org to register.

Hopewell Basketball: Registration is Open for Spring Hoops!

Hopewell Valley Baseball & Softball: Registration is Open for Spring 2026!

Science on Saturday at Princeton Plasma Physics Lab, Sat. Feb. 7th, 9:30-11am Kristin Dana of Rutgers University speaks on “Training Robots: Deep Learning for Embodied Artificial Intelligence.”

Tree Tapping, Howell Living Farm, Sat. Feb 7th, 10-4

In February farmers begin the annual work of sap collection and maple syrup production. The first step takes place in the sugar bush. Visitors can join Howell Farm’s expert tree-tappers for a lesson in how to tap a backyard maple tree and make syrup at home.

Maple Sugaring, The Watershed Institute, Sat. Feb. 7th, 12:30-2

Join Watershed Education staff to discover the history, folklore and science of maple sugaring. Visit our maple trees, find out how we tap them using drills and spiles, and try a sample of sweet maple sugar

Family Sundays: Feed the Animals,Tulpehalking Nature Center, Feb. 8th, 1:30. No registration required

Valentine's Day Candlelight Walk, Friday, Feb. 13th, 6-8pm, Colonial Lake Park.

Food Trucks, Fire pits, Live Music, Photo Booth. Sponsored by Lawrence Recreation

Huggable Heart Pillows, Grounds for Sculpture - Indoors, Feb. 14, 10:30-11:45AM, 10 materials fee per child, Adults free with cost of admission. Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a cozy craft and a reading of The Valentine Bears by Eve Bunting & Jan Brett! During this themed program kiddos will create something to special to share, just like in the book, as they design a huggable heart pillow using soft felt and fluffy filling. With no sewing required, participants will practice tying knots to connect two colorful heart halves, building fine motor skills while making something special to take home. All Creative Kiddos workshops are designed for kids ages 6 to 8 working alongside their adult caregivers.

Special Storytime with Author Pooja Makhijani, Princeton Public Library, Feb 14 10:30 a.m.: Special Storytime with Pooja Makhijani, who signs copies of her new book Bread is Love, followed by a love-themed craft activity for children 2 and up with an adult caregiver.

Wildflowers in Winter – Zoom Presentation, Wed. Feb. 18th, 7pm

Even in winter, native plants are still all around us—if you know what to look for! Join Hopewell Valley Gardens for Wildlife for a Zoom presentation, Wildflowers in Winter, with naturalist Mary Anne Borge. Learn how to recognize the standing “skeletons” of common native plants, identify winter fruits, discover which plants photosynthesize during winter, and explore the important benefits native plants provide to wildlife and your garden all season long.Perfect for gardeners, nature lovers, and anyone who enjoys winter walks! Register here.

Old-Fashioned Valentines Day, Howell Living Farm, Sat. Feb 14th, 10-4

Families can ride in a bobsled or hay wagon pulled by a handsome team of drafts. No matter the hitch, the horses will be wearing their finest bells. At the farmhouse there will be soup on the stove, and a children's craft program from 11 to 3 p.m. for a small materials fee.

$5 Family Matinees, Saturdays, The Princeton Garden Theatre: This series is designed for folks of all ages — from the burgeoning film-lover to those who simply wish to embrace their nostalgia. Feb movies include: 101 Dalmations, Son of Godzilla, The Muppet Movie, Batman: The Movie.

Open Studio Hours at the Princeton University Museum of Art: We provide the materials, you bring the creativity! Drop in for arts activities rooted in discovery and inspired by works from the Museum’s collections and special exhibitions.

Capital Flights Foundation: Become a certified Drone Pilot! Free Program for ages 14-18, Mercer County residents only. Trenton native and American Airlines pilot, Karon Chambers founded this organization to help students develop knowledge about aviation and drone technology, helping them earn their FAA Drone Certification and discover new career paths in STEM and aerospace. This program builds confidence, skills, and access to the world of aviation. It is currently focusing on grades 9th-12th. For more info, please click HERE.

United NJ AAU Basketball: We are a local non-profit (501C3) youth basketball program for students 3rd-11th Grade. Please click the link for information about our AAU Team Tryouts for all divisions which begin in Feb.

McCarter Theatre, Theater Explorer Camp, Ages 7-12, March 30th - April 3rd:

Campers will rotate through mini creative projects—imaginative games, scene-building challenges, music jams, and movement activities—that keep every day fresh and exciting. Along the way, they’ll develop new skills, spark creativity, and practice teamwork in a playful, supportive environment. Perfect for curious young performers eager to explore the magic of theater and make new friends!

Kelsey Theatre at Mercer County Community College: Click link for upcoming shows

Music Mountain Theatre, Young Audience 2026 Season: Frozen, Sleeping Beauty and Robin Hood.

Cure Arena Upcoming Shows include: Monster Trucks, Northeast Cheer Championships, The Harlem Globetrotters, Disney on Ice.

Here are the links to the local libraries for upcoming storytimes, events and programs:

Hopewell Public Library

Pennington Public Library

Mercer County Library - Hopewell Branch

Apple Montessori Summer Camp, Princeton: Apple campers and their families love the exciting, imaginative, and enriching environment of our summer camp program.

The Chapin School, ESF Camps: The extensive indoor and outdoor facilities allow us to offer our unique blend of activities, sports, and special events throughout the summer, rain or shine.

Hopewell Recreation "Summer at a Glance 2026": A sneak peek of upcoming programs, pending release of registration info.

Iron Peak: This year, campers will spend their days learning and playing sports, adventuring on climbing, and aerial ropes courses, creating masterpieces in arts & crafts, experimenting in science, and much, much more!

McCarter Theatre Center 2026 Summer programs: Youth Summer Camp Ages 7-12 and Teen Conservatory Summer Camp Ages 13-17

Nike Summer Camps: Local camps for Basketball, Field Hockey, Lacrosse, Soccer, Swim and Running.

Pathways is Girls Who Code’s free, virtual summer program for high school girls to explore tech, build in-demand skills, and create projects that make a difference—no experience required! Apply by February 25 for priority consideration; applications close April 10.

The Pennington School: Summers at Pennington: We offer several program streams with a variety of camps to assist you and your child in finding the perfect option or combination of options to make this summer one of discovery and adventure!

Princeton Day School Summer Programs offers academic, athletic, and enrichment activities! Open to local students in Grades PK-12, we offer flexible schedules and access to our STEAM centers, athletic complex, garden, and unique ropes course.

Princeton Friends Summer Camp: Campers are offered days filled with adventure, creativity, and fun.

Princeton University Summer Day Camp

Rambling Pines Summer Camp: a quality summer day camp near - with door to door busing.

Stuart Country Day School Summer Experience: Expanded weeks and age groups for Camp Stuart; full-day arts, athletics, and leadership camps; a new Counselor in Training (CIT) program; and lunch included.

The College of New Jersey: Precollege Programs: for high school students to explore potential careers in an intellectually stimulating environment.

Tomato Patch Youth Theater, Dance, Vocal & Visual Arts Programs at Kelsey Theatre

Summer Sessions for Ages 7-9. Registration opens Feb 9th!

Ying Hua Summer Camps: Chinese Immersion/STEAM/STEM Camps for ages 18 mos - Grade 5

The Watershed Institute Summer Camp