Family Newsletter

Dear Hyde-Addison ES Families,

Please be reminded that students will not have school on Friday, February 13, 2026, due to a DCPS professional development day.

As many of you may have noticed the new banner in our lobby, I am excited to share that Hyde-Addison Elementary School has been designated as a Cahn Fellowship School. This designation is connected to my selection as one of a small number of principals chosen nationally to participate in the Cahn Distinguished Principals Fellowship. This highly selective fellowship recognizes school leaders for their commitment to strong instruction, equity, and continuous improvement, and it reflects the meaningful work happening across our school community and the shared dedication of our staff, students, and families.

This honor brings opportunities to collaborate with schools across the country and to build new partnerships that support innovation and growth. I am deeply proud of our Hyde-Addison ES community and look forward to how this experience will continue to elevate the work we do together on behalf of our students.

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

Registration for Summer Learning 2026 opened on Monday, February 2. Students and families can learn more about Summer 2026 at this site. Please note that K-8 sites will hold programming 5 days a week (Program Dates: Monday, June 22 to Friday, July 31). High schools will hold programming Monday-Thursday, with no programming on Fridays (Program Dates: Monday, June 22 to Thursday, July 30).

Congratulations to the Hyde-Addison ES basketball team for defeating Oyster-Adams, 34-32!

Please drop in to meet Principal Westover and the Hardy Middle School team on March 5th from 8:10–8:35 a.m. This will be an opportunity to connect, build relationships, and learn more about Hardy’s programming and transition supports.

Later that morning, the Hardy Middle School team will present to 5th grade students, giving them an opportunity to learn more about the Hardy Middle School experience and ask questions. This presentation is for students only. Families are welcome to join us during the coffee session.

Details

• August 4th-6th, from 8:30am-12:30pm
• Summer Bridge enrollment opens March 27th, and your student MUST be signed up to participate
• Hardy Bridge Sign Up

Learn about all your amazing DCPS middle school options. Use this guide as a tool to learn about DCPS middle grade schools, the amazing programs offered, and how your student can enroll.

We’re looking for volunteers to support setup, concessions, and clean up on Saturday, Feb. 7. Even one hour makes a big difference!

🛠 Set Up (12–1 PM): 0/5 filled
🍿 Concessions (1–2 PM): 0/2 filled
🍿 Concessions (2–3 PM): 0/2 filled
🧹 Clean Up (3–4 PM): 0/4 filled

It’s a fun, festive way to support our school and be part of a community event the kids love. Please consider signing up if you’re able—thank you for helping us spread the love!

👉 Sign up here: https://www.konstella.com/app/school/5f3ec103b63aaba471bba1f9/signups/696ab166f6ba5b2d3ab90f51

👉 Register in under 2 minutes:

https://www.read-a-thon.com/readers/r/GdxXBQ/1?utm=email

Steps:
1. Search for your child’s teacher
2. Click “I can’t find my reader”
3. Follow the quick prompts

-Tip: Enter phone numbers without spaces or symbols.
-Multiple kids? Don't forget to register each of them! It’s easy to toggle between readers on the site.

Why Join?
📖 Builds reading skills
💙 Supports Hyde-Addison
❄️ Fun, cozy February activity
🎉 Kids earn prize money for the Read-A-Thon prize store (arcade-style — fun and motivating!)

Our Goals:
🖐️ Register every possible reader — because every reader truly matters.
📚 Reach 50,000 minutes of reading as a school community!

This Read-A-Thon is designed to be simple for families and motivating for our young readers.

Thank you for helping us make our first Read-A-Thon a success!

Get ready for an unforgettable adults-only night supporting Hyde-Addison — and don’t wait, this event typically sells out!

Here’s what to know:

• 🎟️ Tickets go on sale ASAP — watch Instagram (@hydeaddisonpta) and Konstella for the official go-live announcement

• ✨ Early Buyer Perk: The first 50 tickets sold receive a VIP Fast Pass for priority bar access--new this year!

• ⏳ Limited capacity — plan to purchase right away when tickets drop because we will sell out!

  
  

Want to get involved now?

• 🤝 Explore event sponsorships and auction donation opportunities: hydeaddisonpta.org/jazzafterdark

• 📧 Questions or ready to sponsor or donate an item? Email PTA.HydeAddison@gmail.com

• 👉 Want to join the Gala Planning Committee? There's still time! Join the group on Konstella!
  

  
  

We can’t wait to celebrate with our Hyde-Addison community! 🎶

Hello Champions and Interested Families!

Starting February 2, Champions, our before and after-school program, will launch a new system to help families handle schedules and payments more easily.

The current family portal will be unavailable starting January 26. Before January 21, please check your child’s schedule for the weeks of January 26 and February 2 before the portal shuts down so you’re only charged for the days you need.

Keep an eye out for more information or contact your site director with questions.

Sincerely,

Funmi Akintunde

Site Director Hyde-Addison

Cell: 202-733-7411

To support families with long-term planning, we have attached the academic calendars through the 2028–2029 school year. We are sharing these calendars in advance to help with scheduling travel, appointments, and other commitments.

This school year, one of the most common factors contributing to chronic absenteeism has been extended travel during the school year. Having access to future calendars may help families plan trips during scheduled breaks whenever possible, supporting consistent student attendance and learning.

Thank you for your partnership and continued support in helping our students be present and engaged every day. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out.

View the academic calendars for School Years 2026 through 2029 below.

As a reminder, per DCPS , “A cold weather advisory is announced when cold weather conditions have a high risk of bodily harm. Children should be indoors under temperatures below 32 degrees Fahrenheit including the wind chill index, which is the temperature the body feels when exposed to wind speed. Teachers should exercise caution at temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Dangers to children under these weather conditions include frostbite and hypothermia.” This is in addition to the requirement for a safe playground, that would need to be clear of slipping hazards, such as water, snow and ice.

If you need help or have questions, email: ch002523@discoverchampions.com

To enroll your child in Champions aftercare for SY25-26:

1. 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/

   
   

2. Fill out the attached Enrollment Packets [STEP 2]

1. Ensure to have your REQUESTED SCHEDULE completed.

2. Ensure you fill out all 3 OSSE forms.

3. Ensure you fill out a separate form for each of your students.

4. Ensure there is contact information for primary and secondary payer (email and number).

5. Ensure you are putting your child/children grade on the enrollment form.

6. When finished please email a copy to CH002523@DISCOVERCHAMPIONS.COM.

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

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)
🍗 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!

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:

1. Go to campaigns.mabelslabels.com.
2. Search for and select "Hyde-Addison PTA (Washington)"
3. Start shopping! It's that easy!

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

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.

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.)

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.

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 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.

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.

Continuing this school year, Hyde-Addison’s cell phone policy will remain in effect. If families choose to send their child to school with a cell phone or other personal technology, it must be kept in the student’s backpack and turned off or set to airplane mode for the duration of the school day as referenced in the Family Handbook.

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

To ensure students and families receive the appropriate technological support, DCPS IT and OCTO will provide dedicated assistance.

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).

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.

DCPS Anti-Discrimination Policy

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.

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.

February 13: PD for Staff / No School for Students

February 16: Holiday for Students, Teachers, and Staff

First Tuesday of Each Month: LSAT