HMK's Monday Message

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Thank you so much for partnering with us to maintain a safe and nurturing environment for all our students.

We are sending a gentle reminder about our food and drink policies. We know these rules feel strict, but they are designed with the utmost care to protect every child, especially those with severe allergies and medical conditions where even small exposures can be dangerous.

To underscore the seriousness of this issue, we had two concerning exposures last week that required intervention. It is vital that students understand that food allergies and medical conditions are not topics to joke about or challenge. For some students, exposure is truly a life-and-death situation.

To ensure the well-being of all students, please help us by reinforcing these key safety measures with your child:

• Packed Items Only: Please ensure all food and drinks brought to school are securely packed inside their lunch box or lunch sack.

• Safety First - No Sharing: We kindly ask you to talk to your child about the importance of NEVER sharing their food or drinks with classmates. This is a vital rule that keeps everyone safe.

• Recess Snacks: Please follow the updated guideline: No Snacks From Home, Unless Approved by the Teacher for recess. This helps us manage risks during play time.

Your support in teaching your child these habits is incredibly valuable to our school community. We truly appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we work together to keep every student healthy and safe.

Warmly,

🍎Principal Harris

• Individual Lunch Delivery: Parents are permitted to bring an outside lunch option (e.g., fast food) for their own child only. This food is not permitted to be shared with other students.
• Birthday Treats: Parents may bring in pre-packaged, store-bought birthday treats (like cupcakes or cookies) for the entire class. These are the only items permitted to be shared among students, provided the teacher has confirmed there are no severe allergens affecting any student in the class

🔎QUICK GLANCE AT IMPORTANT INFO/DATES:

• Monday, November 17th -
• Normal Monday
• Tuesday, November 18th -
• Normal Tuesday
• Wednesday, November 19th -
• Normal Wednesday
• 🚨🌀🗻 Earthquake Drill Today
• Car Seat Check-Point in Moab @ HMK 3:45-6:15
• Thursday, November 20th -
• Special Guest Visit to HMK
• 6:00 PM - 4th Grade Hoop Dancing Performance
• Friday, November 21st -
• Normal Early-out Friday

🔎QUICK GLANCE AT IMPORTANT INFO/DATES:

• Monday, November 24th - Friday, November 28th -

We understand that schedules can change quickly, and communication is key! To ensure the safety and smooth transition for all our students at the end of the school day, we are asking for your help with an important logistical request.

Calling the office to change a student’s transportation plan (bus, car rider, walker, etc.) or checking a student out early less than 15 minutes before the final bell creates significant challenges for our staff. This is a critical time when classes are wrapping up, final attendance is being taken, and various after-school programs are starting or ending. Last-minute changes can lead to confusion, delays, and occasionally, safety concerns.

To allow our office staff and teachers adequate time to process these changes, notify students, and ensure accurate dismissal lists, we kindly ask that all transportation changes or early checkout requests be communicated well in advance.

Please communicate any changes with the school office by these hard deadlines:

• Monday through Thursday: Before 3:00 PM

• Friday (Early Release Day): Before 12:15 PM

Your cooperation in planning ahead and observing these deadlines ensures a calm, efficient, and safe dismissal process for every student. Thank you for your partnership!

Don't let the Reading Challenge momentum stop!

Remember, the goal is to encourage great reading habits. Even though the official November contest may be close to finishing, the upcoming holiday break is a perfect time to keep those minutes adding up.

• Continue Reading: Encourage your K-6 student to read daily, whether they read alone, to a sibling, or you read to them.

• Reading Habit: Keeping up the reading over the break helps prevent "learning loss" and builds strong, lasting habits.

Make reading a rewarding and fun family activity this holiday season!

We are currently working to recruit and hire more substitute teachers, and we would love your help. If you or someone you know is interested in working with students, enjoys a flexible schedule, and wants to make a positive impact in our school community, this is a great opportunity. Training and support are provided, and substitutes play a vital role in keeping our school running smoothly.

How you can help:

• Consider applying to be a substitute teacher yourself.
• Share this opportunity with family, friends, neighbors, or community members who may be a good fit.
• Contact our school office for more information about how to apply or direct interested individuals to the district’s substitute application page [CLICK HERE].

Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting our students. Together, we can ensure that every classroom has the support it needs every day.