The Hiawatha Buzz!
September 27th, 2024
Dear Hiawatha Families,
We had our first real snowfall this week and our students had a wonderful time playing outside in it! As the winter weather settles in, please be sure your child comes to school each day with snow pants, gloves, boots, a hat, and a warm coat so they can enjoy recess comfortably. It’s also a great time to practice independence with putting on winter gear at home. Students who can get ready on their own spend much more of their recess actually playing instead of waiting for adult help.
For families using the front drop-off lane, thank you for helping us keep mornings safe and smooth. Please pull all the way forward before letting your child out, avoid backing up in the lane, and be sure car seats are arranged so children can exit on the passenger side. If you haven’t tried using the drop-off lane yet, we encourage you to give it a try between 7:15 and 7:35. Parking on campus is extremely limited, and the drop-off lane is the quickest and most convenient option for everyone.
Warmly,
Kolby Snellenberger
Principal
November 15th, 2025 - Cardboard Challenge - 2:00-4:00 PM - HIA Gym
November 24th - 28th, 2025 (Fall Break) - No School - Please plan accordingly
Dear Hiawatha families,
If you haven't registered yet with PickUp Patrol, you can find the link to PickUp Patrol on our website by clicking on the Report an Absence tab on our Hiawatha homepage. Please take a few minutes to set up your account so that we can accurately dismiss your child(ren).
*** If you need to make a change in your student's default plan in PickUp Patrol, please contact the front office at hiawathaoffice@ewsd.org. ***
PickUp Patrol is to help us communicate about a change in your student's attendance or change in their after school plan for that current day. You DO NOT need to put your student's after school plan into PickUp Patrol daily if there are no changes for that day.
Absence? Early Dismissal? Here’s the “How to”
After you select the day that you want to change to an Early Dismissal, you will see your child’s default dismissal plan for that day (Pick Up, Bus 10, etc.). Select that plan and you will be brought to another screen where you can choose from a drop down of options to change the dismissal plan including options for Absence or Early Dismissal (you might need to scroll up to see all of the options available).
Does your child have an appointment midday? Looking for the late arrival option?
This option is available under Leave and Return or Late Arrival towards the bottom of the main screen. In addition to the late arrival option, the Leave and Return or Midday option is where families can enter timing for a child’s appointment that is part way through the day.
Did you know that your child’s absence can be entered ahead of time?
If you know your child will be absent or has an appointment for a future date, you can enter this into Pick Up Patrol at any time by selecting the date of the appointment or absence and updating the information as needed.
Reminder: After School Plan change cut off times
Any changes to an student's After School Plan must be done in PickUp Patrol by 1:30pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. The cut off time for Wednesdays is at 12:30pm. After those times, you must contact the Front Office by calling 802-878-1384 or email hiawathaoffice@ewsd.org
ALL plan changes should now be submitted through PickUp Patrol. When making changes, please do not send notes, emails, or call the office, except in an emergency.
The link to PickUp Patrol can now be found on our Home page of our website by clicking on the Report an Absence Tab
We use PickUp Patrol to track: Plan Changes, Absences, Early Dismissals, Late Arrivals, Daily Dismissal Plans (default plans).
If you have any questions, please first check the PickUp Patrol Parent Guide & if you need additional assistance, contact our Front Office at 802-878-1384 or hiawathaoffice@ewsd.org
Now that we have already had our 1st snow, this is a reminder that during the winter months, please send your student to school with a hat, a pair of gloves or mittens, a coat, snow pants, and boots. Students go outside for recess unless the ‘feels like’ temperature is below zero degrees.
Also, please pack extra shoes for your student to wear inside the school building. Wearing wet snow boots is not only uncomfortable but makes for wet floors, which can lead to injury.
If you need assistance with obtaining winter coats, please contact me.
Thank you,
Reyna Maher, RN
802- 857-7740
Global Cardboard Challenge
Hiawatha students will be learning about the Global Cardboard Challenge during library classes next week! They will watch a video about Caine’s Arcade to explore design, creativity, and the power of imagination. After that, students will sketch their own plans for something they’d like to build out of cardboard.
Please join the PTO and other Essex Junction families for our annual Cardboard Challenge — a fun, hands-on event for all ages. Come out and enjoy time with your friends and neighbors!
Event Details
When: Saturday, November 15
Time: 2:00–4:00 PM
Where: Hiawatha Gym
What to Bring
Start saving cardboard to bring for yourself — and a little extra to share!
Because of space limitations, the school cannot store cardboard in the shed this year. We’re asking families to bring enough to share, and any leftover materials will be recycled after the event. When you arrive for the event, you can pull right up to the gym door to drop-off your cardboard.
What the School Will Provide
Scissors
Cardboard cutters
Packing tape
Markers
Glue sticks
Taryn Hennebicque
Hiawatha PTO Co-President
Please click the link below to see the hot lunch menu, be sure to select the correct month you need and select lunch in the drop down in the top of the page. If needed, there is a print option. The menu can also be found on our website :-)
HIAWATHA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Email: hiawathaoffice@ewsd.org
Website: www.EWSD.org/HIALocation: 30 Hiawatha Avenue, Essex Junction, VT, USA
Phone: 802-878-1384