Hardy Happenings

I’ve been in classrooms a lot lately, and I’m seeing some incredible learning happening across campus. Our current teacher focus is student engagement, specifically student talk and discourse, and it’s been so fun to watch. In TK, students wear “Mac and Cheese” lanyards and partner up with their buddy to practice talking, listening, and sharing ideas. In upper grades, students are using structured triad roles to support rich conversations: The Lion (explainer and checker), The Fox (reader and restater), and The Spider (strategy builder). Ask your student how they are incorporating more student talk in their classroom!

February is a busy month, and we don’t want you to miss anything! A full list of dates and events are listed at the bottom of the newsletter.

• February 17: 5th grade panoramic picture - 8:30 am (Tuesday after the long weekend, please don’t be late)

• February 17: Lunar New Year celebration at 1:00 on the new blacktop

• Parking will be limited. The large blacktop will be open for parking until it is full. Please do not double park. Once the blacktop is full, families will be directed to park in the SDSU garage or on neighborhood streets where parking is permitted.

• February 19: Walk Through California (4th grade)

• February 19: PTA Association Meeting, 6:15 pm, everyone is welcome, PTA has been working hard to offer both daytime and evening meetings so all families can attend

• February 20: Walk Through the American Revolution (5th grade)

The last week of February is Literacy Week. The PTA Book Fair will also be open that week. You can add money to your student’s eWallet today (directions below).

During Literacy Week, February 23-27, we have several fun family events. Monday kicks off with our Book Character Parade at 8:00 am. Students can dress up as a favorite book character and bring their book to parade with. Tuesday evening is Book Bingo in the library from 6:00 to 7:00 pm; every winner will leave with a new book. Wednesday, after early dismissal, we’re adding Lunch With Your Loves on the grass and new blacktop. There is no school on Thursday, February 26, due to the SDEA strike. We will wrap up the week on Friday with our all-school Read Out at 1:15 pm. Families are invited to bring a picnic blanket or lounge chair and read with their student.

With Gratitude,

Principal Aragon

• Thursday: minimum day dismissal at 11:55 am.

• Friday: no school

• Monday: no school

Families, staff, and community members are warmly welcomed to join us for our second Henry Cluster Meeting of the year on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, from 6:00–7:00 p.m. The location is TBD.

The Henry Cluster includes Patrick Henry High School, Lewis and Pershing Middle Schools, and the following elementary schools: Benchley-Weinberger, Dailard, Foster, Gage, Green, Hardy, Hearst, and Marvin.

This meeting is a time for members of all school communities to come together, get to know one another, and receive cluster information and updates. Together, we’re building connections across the TK–12 pathway, celebrating our vibrant community, and collaborating to support every student’s success. Here is a high level agenda of the topics you can expect to hear:

Topics for this upcoming meeting:

• Recap of last meeting and purpose of Cluster Meetings

• Collective Priorities and Action Planning

• Community Events and Announcements

All are welcome—let’s unite, connect, and build a bright future for our neighborhood schools!

What does that mean? It's a common Cantonese Chinese New Year greeting that means wishing you prosperity and good fortune :)

Here are some other traditional greetings, including how to pronounce them!

Next week, Hardy students will celebrate Lunar New Year with a special Lion Dance assembly performed by the Chánh Kiến Lion Dancers—a beloved all-school tradition funded by the Hardy PTA.

📬 Red envelopes will come home in students’ black folders this week.
Each student will receive two envelopes:

• One to support Hardy PTA programs like this one

• One for students to “feed” the lion dancers during the performance

The assembly takes place during the school day. Families are welcome to attend if they’re able to walk or park off campus, as no on-site parking is available.

We’re proud to celebrate Lunar New Year and the many cultures that make up our Hardy community.

Chúc mừng năm mới • Saehae bok mani badeuseyo • Happy Lunar New Year!

Why? Because it involves:

• Literacy (writing fortunes),
• Math (measuring ingredients),
• Science (the properties of cooking),
• Social studies (what these cookies represent in Chinese culture).
• Plus, yum!

• Carter G. Woodson (1875-1950) was a groundbreaking historian, author, and journalist, known as the "Father of Black History," who dedicated his life to studying and promoting the contributions of African Americans, leading to the establishment of Black History Month.
  
  
• Born to formerly enslaved parents, he overcame immense obstacles, working in coal mines to fund his education, eventually earning a PhD from Harvard, and founding the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) to ensure Black history was recognized and taught (Wikipedia)

February is a busy month, and we’ve had to adjust the dates for a few of our school tours. Please see the flyer below and help spread the word to incoming TK and Kinder families.

One of Hardy students’ favorite weeks of the year is coming soon! Literacy Week runs Feb 23–27, with our Scholastic Book Fair turning the library into a fun, travel-themed reading adventure as part of this year’s theme: “Reading Takes You Everywhere”

Students love exploring the Book Fair, dressing up for themed days, and celebrating reading together. Participation is always optional, come as you are.

Book Fair eWallets are now open

Families can start setting up Scholastic eWallets now– a cash-free way for students to shop at the Book Fair.

You can also donate to teacher eWallets to help classrooms build their book collections.

👉 eWallet link: https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/hardyelementaryschool1

We’ll share more details about shopping, dress-up days, and events in next week’s Hardy Happenings and on Instagram at @HardyOwlsPTA.

Hardy is hiring Noon Duty Supervisors. This is an hourly-paid position supporting student supervision during lunch and recess, helping ensure a safe, positive environment on the playground and in lunch areas. If you enjoy working with kids and being part of a school community, we would love to hear from you. Please contact the front office for information on how to apply.

Our teacher’s union has announced a one-day strike on February 26, 2026 regarding Special Education staffing issues as part of a statewide California Teacher’s Association initiative.

In order to maintain a harmonious learning environment for our students, we will honor the strike and close schools on that day. We apologize for any inconvenience this will cause you, but closing schools will ensure that students are not placed in situations where adequate supervision, instructional continuity, and campus safety cannot be reliably maintained.

Families should begin to find alternative arrangements for their children for February 26th. There will be no classroom instruction, and before/after school programs won’t be operating.

The make-up date for classes will be on March 9, 2026, to ensure students receive the instructional time and services to support their success.

We invite you—our students and families—to help us spread the love. If there’s a staff member who has made a positive difference in your school experience, let them know by sending them a LOVE Note. LOVE = Living Our Values Every(day). Your words of appreciation are powerful and lasting.

We’re forming our PTA Nominating Committee for the 2026–2027 school year and would love a few more voices. We have 4 members so far—thank you!—and welcome additional interest.

What this is: a short-term, supported role that helps identify and encourage candidates for next year’s PTA officer positions.
Who can participate: any current Hardy PTA member. No prior experience required.

👉 Interested? Fill out this non-binding interest form:
https://forms.gle/4eWfBRAdgqeBvTkx8

The Nominating Committee will be elected at the PTA General Meeting on Feb 19.

Please join us for our *evening* February PTA General Meeting. We need at least 13 members present to reach quorum and conduct elections and other important PTA business. Agenda coming soon, but your presence truly makes a difference.

Reminder: you must be an active PTA member to vote in elections. Not sure if you’re active? Check here! https://jointotem.com/ca/san-diego/hardy-elementary-pta

The Nominating Committee will be elected at the PTA General Meeting on Feb 19 at 6:15pm. Save the date!

This spring, Hardy PTA will host our first-ever online Silent Auction– a fun, flexible way to support Hardy students and programs without a big in-person event.

We’re now collecting donated items and experiences. If you have access through work, a business, or a personal connection, we’d love your help! Popular ideas include:

• Restaurant or coffee shop gift cards

• Family experiences (museums, attractions, camps)

• Date nights or staycations

• Kids’ parties, classes, or lessons

• Sports tickets, gear, or experiences

📧 Interested in donating or have an idea? Email fundraising@hardypta.com

🕡 6:30 PM
📍 Majorette
All dads and father figures welcome! Come connect and help plan upcoming events.

For the first time this school year, our attendance dipped below our goal. Let’s rally together and get back on track, Owls, every day counts.

If your student is home sick, please notify the front office by phone or by completing the REPORT AN ABSENCE form.

FEBRUARY

Tuesday, February 3: Dad's Club Meeting

Wednesday, February 4: Family Dine Out

Thursday, February 5: School Tour 8 AM

Friday, February 6: Family Friday

Monday, February 9: SSC/SGT

Thursday, February 12: Additional Minimum Day

Friday, February 13: No School

Monday, February 16: No School

Tuesday, February 17: Lunar New Year at 1:00 PM

Thursday, February 19: PTA Association Meeting 6:15 PM

Monday-Friday, Feb. 23-27: Literacy Week and Hardy Book Fair

Tuesday, February 24: 4th Grade NAEP Testing

Wednesday, February 25: TK/K Awards (Invite only)

Thursday, February 26: No School - SDEA Strike

Friday, February 27: 1-5 Awards (Invite only)

MARCH

Tuesday, February 3: Lockdown Drill

Wednesday, February 4-6: Trimester 2 Family Conferences

Monday, March 9: SCHOOL IN SESSION - Previous Non-Instructional Day

Friday, March 13: Family Friday / Dad's Club Movie Night

Wednesday, March 18: Family Dine Out

Friday, March 20: World Down Syndrome Day - Wear crazy socks!

Friday, March 27: Minimum Day - Dismissal at 11:55 AM

Monday-Friday March 30-April 3: Spring Break

Website: hardy.sandiegounified.org

Hardy PTA Website: https://sites.google.com/hardypta.com/pta

Address: 5420 Montezuma Rd, San Diego, CA 92115

Office Hours: 7:15-3:00 PM

Phone: (619) 860-5700
Facebook: Hardy PTA Page

Hardy Instagram: @HardyOwls

Email: karagon@sandi.net
Principal Aragon Instagram: @principal_aragon

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