HOD Family Newsletter

Dear HOD Families,

I can’t BEE-lieve we are already into February. Time truly flies when we are learning and growing together. Tomorrow, we are excited to celebrate the 100th Day of School. It has been a fun journey reaching 100 days of learning, growing, and BEE-ing responsible and respectful together as a school family, and we look forward to celebrating with the students.

Kindergarten registration for the 2026–2027 school year is now open, and we anticipate Preschool Registration to open on February 11th (see details below).We appreciate your help in spreading the word to families with children who will be entering kindergarten next year or may be interested in preschool. Term one report cards were issued last week for our current kindergarten students. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we worked through some iParent login issues. We truly appreciate your flexibility and partnership.

I also want to share how wonderful our recent PTO sponsored Heritage Night was. It was a huge success and a meaningful opportunity to celebrate our diversity, cultures, and traditions while coming together as one community. Thank you to the PTO, teachers and all of the families who helped make the evening so special.

We are thrilled to share another exciting update. Our PTO and Technology Department collaborated on a generous gift for HOD, a brand new projector screen in the gym/cafeteria. We can’t wait to use this amazing addition for school celebrations, professional development, assemblies, and family nights. This Friday, we are also looking forward to our annual Grade 2 Ziti with My Sweetie event, a favorite tradition and a special night for our oldest students and their families.

Now that winter is in full swing, please remember to send your child to school dressed for the weather. Students will continue to enjoy outdoor recess whenever the feel like temperature is 20 degrees or above, so warm coats, hats, gloves, and appropriate footwear are important for safe and comfortable outdoor play.

Additionally, the month is a good time to review winter safety reminders with your children, please remind them to be careful around snow banks near roads and parking lots, to use extra caution when waiting for buses or crossing streets, and to avoid climbing or sliding on snow banks near roadways. High snow banks can reduce visibility for drivers, and we want to ensure all students enjoy winter fun safely.

Thank you, as always, for your continued support and partnership. We are so grateful for our HOD school family.

Stay Warm,
Kristen Giffune

….And all of us here at HOD!

Friday, January 30th

Kindergarten Report Cards Issued electronically at 4:00 pm

Click on the following link for instructions for viewing your child's report card.

iParent Tutorial

Thursday, February 5th

100th Day Assembly

Friday, February 6th

Ziti with my Sweetie

Grade 2 Students

HOD Cafe

6:00 - 8:00pm

Wednesday, February 11th

Preschool Registration Opens

Details Below

Friday, February 13th

Grade 2 Skating Field Trip

Norfolk Arena

February 16th - 20th

Mid -Winter Break

Tuesday, February 24th

SEPAC Workshop - Rethinking Social Development in a Post-Pandemic World

Freeman Kennedy Cafeteria - 7:00 -8:30 pm

more information below or click on link

Thursday, March 5th

Kindergarten Information Night

6:00 pm - HOD Cafe

The students at HOD have played a pivotal role in helping the team through the Playoffs!!

HOD will be holding one last

Spirit Day on Friday, February 6, 2026

to cheer on the Pats in the big game!!

Students are invited to show their school spirit by wearing Patriots gear, red/white/blue,

or their favorite sports-themed clothing.

We look forward to another fun and spirited day at school as we celebrate and

cheer on the Patriots fo the last time this season!

Win or lose, it has been great to see the spirit over the past few weeks!

Participation is optional.

Thank you for your continued support, and go Pats!

Preschool information and

the online registration form can be accessed

by clicking on the following BUTTONS:

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Click the yellow bars below for more details.

Click the yellow bars below for more details.

Lunch Menus

Click on the heart for February menu

To help us return items quickly, please label sweatshirts, jackets, lunchboxes, and other belongings with your child’s name. This is also a great opportunity to remind students about BEE-ing responsible by keeping track of their things.

Dear HOD Families,

As the cold weather season begins please keep the following points in mind when sending your child to school.

• Students should bring a light weight jacket or sweater to wear in class in case they get cold, especially if they are wearing short sleeves.
• We go outside for recess even in the winter as long as the temperature is 20 degrees F or above, so students should dress accordingly, including a hat and gloves/mittens.
• If there is snow on the ground students must stay on the blacktop unless they are wearing snow pants and boots.
• If you child is prone to chapped lips, you may send a chapstick with your child.

If your child is not feeling well, your pediatrician is the best person to consult about whether they can go to school. Common sense, con­cern for your child's well-being, and the possibility of infecting classmates should all contribute to the decision about whether your child should stay home. As a general guideline, keep your child home if:

• They have a fever of 100 degrees F or higher. They should remain at home until fever-free for 24 hours without using fever reducing medications such as Tylenol or Ibuprofen.
• They have had episodes of vomiting or diarrhea within the past 24 hours.
• They have been diagnosed with conjunctivitis(Pink Eye). They may return 24 hours after the first dose of prescribed medication.

Below is a list of common health issues for your reference

Fever

A temperature of 100 degrees or higher is a fever. Children should remain at home fever-free for 24 ours without takeng Tylenol or Ibuprofen.

Vomiting/Diarrhea

Children should remain at home symptom free for 24 hours and are able to ingest fluids and food comfortably.

Coughs/Cold

If your child has discomfort from their cold symptoms, consider keeping them home. A continuous cough and/or continuous or green nasal drainage may need to be evaluated by your child's physician.

Conjunctivitis

Your child may need to be on an antibiotic for 24 hours after the first dose before returning to school or a note from your student's physician with other guidance.

Strep Throat

Children cannot return to school until 24 hours after the first dose of antibiotic is taken. They should feel well enough to return to school.

Suspicious Rash

Children with rashes that are suspicious should have them evaluated by a physician and be cleared to return to school.

Parents and caregivers are invited to participate and share ideas. Please visit the PTO website for the latest PTO meetings and events.

Wednesday, February 4th at 7pm - Thomas Mann Circle

Wednesday, March 4th at 7pm at Freeman Kennedy Library

Click on the button below for more information about the PTO!

Registration is NOW OPEN or KPSA Youth Soccer.

See the attached flyer below for details