September 25 Newsletter

September Newsletter
Haymarket Elementary School
Hello Haymarket Families,
I can't believe we've already wrapped up our first month of school! Students are settling into their routines, and it's wonderful to see their high levels of engagement, active participation in learning opportunities, and the excitement in their voices as they share what they've learned.
September is full of opportunities for families to connect with our school community. Please take note of our Important Dates section which details upcoming activities. I want to highlight a few for September:
- PTO Meeting - Sept. 17 is open to all families. This is a great way to stay engaged and connected. The PTO supports our students and staff.
- Watch D.O.G.S. Program - interest meeting on Sept. 18. We welcome all Dads who would like to get involved and volunteer at school.
- School Advisory Meeting - Sept. 22 via Zoom, we invite everyone to attend. This is a great way to hear updates on our Continuous Improvement Plan, learn about the current state of our school, share your voice, and much more. We are currently looking for an Advisory Chair, please let me know if you are interested.
We value every family's voice and encourage you to join us in these events and others as we continue working together to support our students and strengthen our community.
Warm regards,
Mrs. Mills
Important Dates
- September 2nd-26th - Mrs. Fields Cookie Fundraiser
- September 15th-19th Scholastic Book Fair
- September 17th - PTO Meeting
- September 18th - Watch D.O.G.S. Interest Meeting
- September 22nd - School Advisory Council Meeting
- September 23rd - No School (Rosh Hashanah)
- September 25th - Spirit Night - Velocity Wings
- September 26th - PTO Movie Night
- September 29th - Back to School Night (Kinder, 2nd, and 4th)
- September 30th - Back to School Night (1st, 3rd, and 5th)
- October 2nd - No School (Yom Kippur)
- October 6th-17th - Boosterthon
October 15th - PTO Meeting
October 16th - Boosterthon Fun Run
October 23rd - Spirit Night - Duck Donuts
October 24th - Trunk or Treat at HMES
- October 28th - Picture Day
- October 31st - Field Day
Meet Our New Assistant Principal - Mr. Seymour
I’m a proud Northern Virginia native who graduated from Lake Braddock Secondary School before earning my bachelor’s degree in History from the University of Mary Washington, where I also had the opportunity to play collegiate baseball. I later completed a Master’s in Special Education and a Graduate Certificate in Education Leadership at George Mason University. Over the years, I’ve served in a variety of roles across five Fairfax County Public Schools—supporting students at every level from elementary to high school. These experiences have shaped my passion for inclusive education, student-centered leadership, and building strong, collaborative school communities.
Now, I’m incredibly excited to bring that passion to Haymarket Elementary! From the moment I stepped through the doors, I felt the warmth, energy, and sense of purpose that make this school such a special place. I’m truly honored to join a team so dedicated to student success and well-being. I look forward to getting to know our amazing students, partnering with families, and working alongside staff to create a joyful, supportive, and engaging learning environment. Outside of school, I enjoy playing golf, working out, and spending time with friends.
Kindergarten Den Sorting Ceremony
One Forest, Eight Dens
We kicked off the year with an unforgettable Kindergarten Den Sorting Ceremony, and the excitement was contagious! Our youngest learners were welcomed into their new Dens with cheers, chants, and lots of smiles. This special event marked their first step into our school-wide Den System, which is the heart of our positive behavior plan.
At the core of our community are the PAWs Expectations:
- Personal Best
- Acceptance of Others
- Wise Choices
- Safe Actions
Students earn tickets when they demonstrate these values, helping their Den rise to the top while building a culture of kindness, responsibility, and school pride. We’re so proud of how our students are already showing their PAWsitive behavior!
Let’s keep the momentum going—Go Dens! 🐾
Donuts with Grandparents
🍩 Donuts with Grandparents Was a Sweet Success! 💕
A huge thank you to all the grandparents who joined us for our Donuts with Grandparents celebration! Your presence brought so much joy to our students and helped make the event truly special. We are grateful for your support and for being such caring members of our school community.
Your love and involvement remind us how powerful it is when families and schools come together. Thank you for showing up and making memories with us!
Lunch Visitors
We have started welcoming visitors in for lunch. Due to our capacity we are asking no more than 2 guests. We have special seating for you on the stage. Students may invite one friend from their class to join them for lunch. Please do not purchase outside food for friends. Because of spacing we want to ensure everyone has an opportunity to join their student for lunch so please consider coming for special occasions such as birthdays.
Student Drop-off
- If you arrive after 9:20am for student drop-off please park and walk your child into the school. Staff needs to get into the building to work with students and late arriving cars continue to pull into the student drop-off line.
Hearing and Vision Screenings
Attention parents and guardians of kindergarteners, third graders and students who are new to Prince William County Schools. Hearing and vision screenings are required for your students (unless they were completed recently as part of a school entrance physical exam). These screenings will be completed at school by a nurse, during the school day, starting this month. If your child does not pass the screening, it will be repeated a few weeks later. If they do not pass the second screening, you will be notified.
If you have any questions, please contact our school nurse, Kathy Stevens via email at stevenkb@pwcs or by phone at 703-468-2795.
Arrival & Dismissal for Car Riders
When entering the school turn to the right to enter the car rider line and follow along the path as shown on the map. Please have students exit out the right side of the car upon arrival. At dismissal they will enter on the right side.
If you need to help buckle a student into a car seat or booster seat, we ask that you pull up into the far lanes so traffic can continue to flow. We also ask that you DO NOT turn left into the side parking lot to drop students off. All car riders should enter the car rider line.
Attendance & ParentVue
Save Time! Using ParentVUE to notify the school of your child's absence alerts both the office and the teacher of your child's absence.
If you prefer to email about attendance, please use the office email: HMES-cubs-attendance@pwcs.edu. Using this email sends your message to everyone working in the office and ensures your message is read in a timely manner.
Early Dismissal
Whenever possible, please email your child's teacher the day before you need to pick your child up early. Doing this the day before ensures the teacher sees the email and can have your child packed up. This saves time, especially when you're picking your child up during lunch, recess or Encore.
Lost and Found
Our Lost and Found pile is drowning! Please add your child's name to their outerwear so this is a better chance of it going home with them. Parents feel free to stop by and look at the Lost and Found if your child is missing something.
Picture Day
Field Day
🙂Save the Date: Field Day-October 31, 2025
Mark your calendars and get ready for a day of fun and games! Join us for our annual Field Day, filled with exciting activities, friendly competition, and plenty of opportunities to make new memories. Whether you're participating or cheering from the sidelines, it's sure to be a day to remember.
Stay tuned for more details, including a schedule of events and how you can get involved. We can't wait to see you there!
School Website
Please check out school website regularly for activities and notices.
Code of Behavior
2025-2026 Code of Behavior
PWCS Code of Behavior ensures that education is provided in an atmosphere conducive to learning, free of disruption and threat to person or property, and supportive of individual rights.
My School Bucks
An easy, online way to pay for school meals.
Online
Online payments are a simple, safe, and secure way to make payments to your student's account, 24 hours a day, at your convenience!
Please visit MySchoolBucks.com to make prepayments online any time to your student's meal account.
Questions or assistance regarding MySchoolBucks.com may be sent to sommaf@pwcs.edu or 703-791-7242.
Cash or Check
Cash or checks may also be used to place money on a student's meal account. Cash or checks must be given to the school's Food Service Manager. Checks must be payable to “Prince William County School's Food and Nutrition Department.”
Hazel Health
No-Cost Mental Health Telehealth Services for PWCS Students
Mental health telehealth services are available to PWCS students at no cost to families through Hazel Health, a well-established telehealth provider.
This initiative provides access to mental health care, ensuring students receive the support they need without delay – regardless of their ability to pay or insurance status.
Available in 19 languages.
Scholastic Book Fair Information
Dear Families,
Get ready—the Scholastic Book Fair is coming to our school! This is a great opportunity to connect with your child over the thrill of bringing home new books to dive into again and again. Studies show that kids read more when they choose books for themselves. A love of independent reading boosts academic success, plus children who read more frequently also report improved mental health.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Book Fair:
Dates: September 15th-September 19th
Location: Haymarket Elementary School
Family Event schedule and location:
Wednesday, September 17th 5:30-7:00 pm
Haymarket Elementary Library
There’s even more info on our school’s Book Fair homepage:
https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/haymarketelem
While you’re there, set up a Book Fair eWallet, the digital payment account that allows your child to shop for books at the Fair without cash. Then share your eWallet link so friends and extended family can add funds.
*If you have an eWallet from a previous Scholastic Book Fair please use that email address to create a new eWallet for our Fall Book Fair.
We need volunteers! Please click on the link below if you would like to help at our Fall Book Fair. Thank you in advance for your support.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B49A4A928AAF85-57833963-fall
We are excited for our Fall Scholastic Book Fair. We need your help! Please review the available slots below and click on the button to sign up. Thank you!
Many of us still remember the rush of finding the perfect book at a Scholastic Book Fair. I hope you’ll join your child at our school’s Fair and share a reading experience they’ll remember forever.
Happy reading,
Mrs. Zenoniani and Mrs. Fisher
Haymarket Elementary School
PS: Need one more reason to visit the Book Fair? Every purchase at the Fair benefits our school!
LEGO Drive for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
Community Opportunities
Greater Manassas Children's Choir
Talent Competition 2025
Family Engagement Series
Thursday, September 18, 2025
Focus: The Secret Ingredient for Stronger Attendance Is Student and Family Support
Target Audience: All PWCS students and families
6:30-7:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 18, 2025 – Live Zoom Webinar
Join us on Thursday, September 18, for a webinar to explore how schools can foster strong attendance by prioritizing the unique needs of students and families. Whether it's through food access, mental health support, or flexible communication, these efforts build trust and engagement, making attendance a natural outcome. Strong attendance is not just about tracking absences, it is about creating a culture where students and families feel seen, supported, and motivated to show up every day.
Presenter for this session: Kim McClarin, Supervisor of Student Prevention Programs and Family Assistance, with Prince William County Public Schools
Register Here : https://www.pwcs.edu/parents/family_engagement_series/index
Pop Tab - Pull For the House!
Special Shout Out
A Special Shout Out to our grandparents for joining us for "Donuts with Grandparents" on Sept. 8 and 9!
Haymarket Cubs climbing towards excellence in all that we do.
Creative Unique Brilliant Students