Dear Johnston and HAIS Families,
Welcome to a brand-new school year! We are so excited to have our students back in the building and to begin another year of learning, growing, and building community together. We are “Two Schools, One Community,” and we are committed to making sure every student feels known, valued, supported, and challenged. The beginning of the school year brings lots of excitement and lots of information, so we want to share a few important reminders to help your family start the year successfully.
Please remember that HAIS students begin their school day at 8:17 a.m. and Johnston students begin at 8:22 a.m. We encourage families to arrive with enough time for students to enter the building, unpack, connect with their classmates and teachers, and be ready to learn. A calm and predictable morning routine helps children begin their day feeling confident and prepared. If your child arrives after the first bell, please make sure they check in through the school office before going to class.
As we begin the school year, our teachers are focused on establishing strong classroom routines while providing students with high-quality, standards-aligned instruction. Students will engage in reading, writing, phonics, mathematics, science, social studies, and enrichment throughout the week. Our instructional teams use student data to identify strengths, determine areas for growth, and provide the appropriate support or challenge for each learner. We are particularly focused on ensuring that students develop strong foundational reading skills, mathematical understanding, vocabulary, critical thinking, and the ability to communicate their learning.
One of the most powerful things families can do to support learning at home is read with and to your child every day. We encourage families to make reading a regular part of their daily routine. Talk with your child about what they are reading, ask questions, discuss new vocabulary, and encourage them to share their thoughts. Even 15–20 minutes of reading each night can make a meaningful difference over time. Teachers will communicate homework and homework expectations for their grade levels.
We want to make sure families understand the meal benefits available to students at each school this year. For the 2026–2027 school year, HAIS (Hmong American Immersion School) was not awarded the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) or the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). As a result, HAIS families must complete the Free & Reduced Meal Application in Infinite Campus to determine whether their student qualifies for free or reduced-price meals. HAIS students will receive free breakfast.
Johnston Elementary School was awarded both the FFVP and CEP for the 2026–2027 school year. This means that all Johnston students will receive free lunch and fresh fruits and vegetables during the school day at no cost to families. Although completing the Free & Reduced Meal Application is not required for Johnston students to receive these meal benefits this school year, we strongly encourage all Johnston families to complete the application in Infinite Campus.
Completing the household application is important even when families do not currently need meal assistance. The information collected helps determine eligibility for future funding and is an important factor in helping schools qualify for programs such as FFVP and CEP in the years ahead. We appreciate families taking the time to complete the application and helping us ensure that our schools have access to valuable resources and programs.
We are fortunate to have outdoor spaces that support movement, play, and connection for our students and families. Our walking path is an important part of our school community and provides students with opportunities to get outside, move their bodies, and enjoy the benefits of physical activity throughout the school year. We look forward to continuing to use the path for classroom activities, wellness opportunities, and schoolwide events such as our Mustang Mile.
We are also excited to continue utilizing Tuj Lub Court as another space for students to be active, practice teamwork, and build positive relationships. These spaces are more than just places to exercise—they are opportunities for students to develop healthy habits, perseverance, cooperation, and cultural and school pride.
Please make sure your child's transportation and dismissal information is current with the school. If your child's dismissal plan changes during the school day, please contact the office as early as possible. For the safety of all students, we cannot make changes based solely on your child's verbal request. We also ask families to help students understand the importance of following adult directions and staying with their assigned group during arrival and dismissal.
We encourage families to make sure they have access to Infinite Campus and that all contact information is current. Infinite Campus provides families with important information regarding student schedules, attendance, grades and progress, meal benefits, and other school information. If you need assistance accessing Infinite Campus or completing the meal application, please contact the school office.
Strong communication between home and school is an important part of student success. Please watch for information through classroom and school emails, Infinite Campus, newsletters, phone calls, school websites, and other school communications. It is especially important that we have an up-to-date phone number and email address for your family. If you have a question or are unsure about something happening at school, please reach out. We are always happy to help provide clarification.
We also value the partnership between families and teachers. Your child's teacher is an important partner in your child's education, and we encourage you to reach out with questions, celebrations, or concerns. Teachers are often actively teaching during the school day, so email is typically the best way to begin communication, and teachers will respond as soon as they are able. We encourage all conversations to begin with curiosity, collaboration, and a shared commitment to doing what is best for each child.
The safety of our students and staff is always our highest priority. Visitors must check in through the school office, and anyone entering the building should follow our visitor procedures. Students who arrive late must report to the office, and families should keep emergency contact and dismissal information up to date. If someone other than a parent or guardian will be picking up your child, please make sure the school has the appropriate information in advance. Thank you for helping us maintain a safe and welcoming environment for everyone.
As we begin this year, we are excited to continue building our “Two Schools, One Community” culture. Johnston Elementary and the Hmong American Immersion School are proud to share a school community. While each school has its own identity, programs, traditions, and celebrations, we are committed to creating an environment where all students, families, and staff feel that they belong. We look forward to the many opportunities our students will have to learn from one another, celebrate our differences, and grow together.
Finally, we want every student to remember our schoolwide message: Work Hard. Be Yourself. Do the Right Thing. These simple words capture what we hope to see from our students every day. We want children to work hard, know that they are valued for who they are, and make choices that demonstrate kindness, responsibility, and integrity.
Thank you for trusting us with your children. We recognize the tremendous responsibility and privilege that comes with educating and caring for your child each day. Our goal is not simply for students to have a successful school year, but for them to feel successful, connected, confident, and excited about learning. Thank you for being an important part of our school community. Here's to a wonderful 2026–2027 school year!
With gratitude and excitement,
MaiKou Heu
Principal
Johnston Elementary & Hmong American Immersion School
💙 Two Schools. One Community. One Amazing Year Ahead!
