It is hard to believe we are over halfway through the school year already. The staff at Harding Elementary has witnessed growth in the students, both academically and socially. We hope families continue to reinforce the importance of attending school each day to continue fostering lifelong learners who contribute to the positive culture within Harding.

A couple reminders for the month of February:

* If your child is participating in Valentine's Day festivities, please make sure food is not included with notes or cards. Other options could be stickers, pencils, valentine notes, etc.

* There WILL BE SCHOOL on Monday, February 19th as a weather makeup day.

* Parent-Teacher Conference - Friday, March 8th (8:00-3:30). More information located below.

Thank you for the support and communication between home and school. If you have questions or concerns, please reach out to our office.

Thank you,

Harding Elementary Administration

Monday, February 12th

Friday, February 16th

Both dates are Act 80 days - teacher professional development days.

On Friday, March 8th, there will be parent-teacher conferences from 8:00-3:30. This date is set as "Invite Only" based on student need. Invites will be sent home by your teachers. If you wish, you may request a conference through your teacher. Please look out for communication to schedule conferences. Invites will be sent out within the next couple weeks.

Flexible Instruction Days (FID) are possible alternatives on future snow days. On a FID, students will not attend in-person school but will complete learning assignments and activities at home. The district calendar contains a limited number of weather makeup days, so implementing FID days would limit the number of days added to the end of a school year if winter hands us harsh weather. The important informational points Harding would like you to know are:

• All teachers, including special area teachers, will assign activities or assignments that are equivalent to time spent on a similar activity during a regular day.

• Administration and teachers will ensure our students are prepared with at-home learning activities for FID days, primarily by paper packets that will be returned the next school day.

• Attendance will be taken with the assignment completion (within three school days)
  

Please note: The district will make every effort to notify students and families of an impending FID day if the weather forecast is unfavorable.

For additional, detailed information, please visit Dr. Malinoski's newsletter. You may also contact the office with questions.

School closings can occur with bad winter weather. Please stay connected to remain updated on delays, early dismissals, or closings. The Lebanon School District and Harding Elementary will use the following methods to communicate changes in schedule:

- District and Harding Facebook Pages (please follow our Facebook page using the "Like us on Facebook" button)

- SchoolMessenger system: phone call/text/email will be sent out. PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION IS UP-TO-DATE WITH OUR BUILDING OFFICE (717-675-2138)

- Messages through a Seesaw announcement

Breakfast doors open at 8:05 daily (for K5 through 5th grades). If students arrive prior to additional doors opening at 8:50, students are highly encouraged to enter for breakfast. Even if students eat breakfast at home, they can enter through the cafeteria doors and wait in our auditorium until the start of school. In an effort to maintain a safe environment, we ask for your support and assistance. Students who do not have a parent/guardian present upon arrival will be taken inside the building to breakfast. If a problem arises, parents will be contacted and specific arrangements will be made for arrival. Thank you for your understanding in keeping our students and families safe each morning. If you have questions or concerns, please reach out to our office.

At Harding, we continue to work with families when attendance becomes difficult. Please click the file below to read a "Quick Guide" of information regarding our attendance policy (file has English and Spanish). Also, feel free to download Excuse Notes you can use when your child is absent.

This group of fourth and fifth grade Harding students continues to make an impact throughout the building. Mrs. Swavely-Ulloa mentors the group and creates ways for the Little Cedar Leaders to help throughout the building. The group has been responsible for the Friday cheer sessions along 6th Street to share their excitement in attending school daily. Also, they have helped organize attendance rewards, assisted in showing families around the building during events, and volunteered their time to support others in the classroom. Harding is fortunate to have such a group of willing and caring students!

Harding's School-Wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (SWPBIS) program is committed to establishing a social culture within our school in which students expect and support appropriate behavior from one another. At Harding, we strive to...

Be Respectful

Be Responsible

Be Safe

Students who show these traits are rewarded with blue tickets from teachers as recognition of their positive character traits. Each week, winners from each class are selected from the collected blue tickets to earn special prizes (see picture).

English Language Learners will be completing the Access tests beginning this month. Testing runs from January 2nd to February 23rd for students in K5 through 5th grade. The test assesses a students abilities in Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing.

Feel free to use the counseling website with students. The webpage also includes contact information for outside services to further support the students in our school. Our hope is that this webpage will become a useful tool for students and families in our school during times of stress and anxiety. Let’s make the future a bright one!

Student Council will be conducting a Friendship Bracelet fundraiser during February. Bracelets will be able to be purchased in the auditorium each morning from 8:15-8:45 am. The cost of each bracelet is $1 or six bracelets for $5.00. Thank you for your continued support.

Congratulations to Harding's December Shining Star: Mrs. Dasher - Literacy Coach

To nominate a Shining Star, please use the form below.

The Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) will meet on Wednesday, February 21st at 3:45, right after school. If you'd like to learn about ways to support the school, please come and attend. The meeting usually lasts about 30 minutes. If you have questions, please contact the office.

Thank you to all who have contributed to Box Tops. Reminder that you need to download the box tops apps and then scan your receipt for our school to receive credit. Check the bonus tab on the app regularly for bonuses.

Are you looking to start a profession with the Lebanon School District. Click here to find out how to apply for open positions within the district.

Parents are invited to attend an informative and entertaining conference centered on opportunities to get involved with the community. Please click on the download below, complete the form, and return the completed form to the office by Friday, February 23rd.

We’re excited to announce that our 2023-24 Power Packs school year program registration is NOW OPEN for enrollments! We’ve notified via email families that have participated in our most recent programs (last school year and this past summer), but enrollment is open to ANY and all Lebanon County families with at least 1 or more children in grades K-12 who have a self-declared need for food assistance.

To sign up, use this LINK.

Please read over the flyer for information.

Health Insurance for children:

The 2023-2024 Student Accident Insurance form will be available on our website under the parent section if you want to purchase insurance. Injuries caused by accidents at school are only covered if the student accident insurance is purchased. Otherwise the parent, through your personal insurance, is responsible. A direct link can be found here.

Email: jalbright@lebanon.k12.pa.us
Website: https://harding.lebanonsd.org/
Location: 622 Chestnut Street, Lebanon, PA, USA
Phone: (717) 675-2138
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HardingCedars