Hurricane Connection

To create a school culture that embraces diversity, challenges students, and provides a safe and secure environment, while upholding traditions of excellence by fostering community relationships and promoting student future readiness though active participation.

Hartley PK8 creates a school culture where academic and personal success is relevant and meaningful to all students

We believe in working together with a purpose and a plan to openly, honestly and respectfully achieve our goals. We hold our students to a higher expectation through data driven decision making focused on student achievement.

Dear Hartley Hurricane Families,

As we welcome the month of March and the promise of spring, There is something special about this time of year. The days grow brighter, the air feels lighter, and we begin to see growth all around us, not just in nature, but in our students. Over these past months, I have had the joy of getting to know your children more deeply and connecting with many of you in our community. I continue to be inspired by their kindness, resilience, and eagerness to learn.

Thank you for the steady support you give at home, for your partnership with our teachers, and for the trust you place in us each day. Schools thrive when families and educators move forward together, and your encouragement makes a difference in ways that are deeply felt.

As we step into spring, we are excited about the continued growth ahead, academically, socially, and emotionally. Thank you for being such an important part of our Hurricane family.

With appreciation,

Dr. Elisa Aranda
Proud Principal

March is...

National Reading Month

Red Cross Month

Music in Our Schools Month

Nutrition Month

Women's History Month

Mar 2-6 is

School Social Worker Appreciation Week

Read Across America Week

Educational Diagnostician Appreciation Week

March 2 - Read Across America Day

Wacky Hair

March 3

Wear your favorite hat and red and white stripes

March 4

Inside out or mismatched clothes day

March 5

Don't make dinner! Join us for our fundraiser at Peter Piper Pizza 11-9PM @6640 Montana

Twin day

ASL Storytellers from Austin visiting the deaf education classes in elementary and middle school.

March 6

End of 3rd Grading Period - Report cards go home

Annual Hartley College & Career Day

ASL Storytellers from Austin visiting the deaf education classes in elementary and middle school.

Pajama day

Please help us welcome Ms. Kira Thomas, our new Military Liaison, to Hartley PK-8. Ms. Thomas comes with a wealth of experience in education and as a military affiliated professional. She will support our military connected students and families by helping strengthen connections between home, school, and community resources.

Her first day at Hartley will be Monday, March 2nd. We are excited to have her join the Hurricane Family and look forward to the positive impact she will make for our students and families.

Welcome to Hartley, Mrs. Thomas!

Our campus attendance has been declining, and we want to emphasize how important it is that every student is at school all day, every day, and on time. Instruction begins promptly at 7:45 a.m., and learning starts immediately.

Attendance is directly connected to student success.

When students attend school consistently, they:

• Build strong academic foundations in reading, math, science, and writing

• Participate in meaningful discussions, hands-on learning, and guided practice

• Receive immediate feedback and support from their teachers

• Develop responsibility, routine, and time-management skills

• Strengthen relationships with peers and staff

• Gain confidence and a strong sense of belonging

Even one missed day can create learning gaps. While assignments can sometimes be made up, classroom instruction, collaboration, and teacher explanations cannot be fully replicated.

Chronic absenteeism — missing 10% or more of the school year — has lasting effects. Students who miss school frequently are more likely to:

• Fall behind academically

• Struggle with reading and math proficiency

• Experience difficulty in later grades

• Become disengaged from school

• Be less prepared for college, career, and future opportunities

Strong attendance habits begin now. The patterns students build early in their academic careers often continue throughout their schooling.

We understand that illnesses and emergencies occur. However, we ask families to prioritize school attendance whenever possible. Please schedule appointments outside school hours when feasible, ensure students arrive on time, and plan vacations around the school calendar.

Our teachers are ready to begin instruction at 7:45 each morning, and we need our students present to take full advantage of every learning opportunity.

Thank you for partnering with us to ensure your child’s success. Together, we can make attendance a priority and set every student up to thrive.

PK-1

March 5&6, In-person ASL Storytelling sessions with Pk-1, 2nd-5th, and Middle School students. Media release form has been sent home. Please return as soon as possible.

2nd Grade

Spring Break is coming up! The 2nd grade team would like to encourage all students to continue reading daily and practicing their sight words over the break. Just 15–20 minutes of reading each day can make a big difference. Also, math modules that were sent home previously can also be used as a resource for review and extra practice.

- If your child was assigned a solar system project, it is due by March 27.

5th grade

Math Tutoring Wednesdays and Thursdays 7:00-7:30am and Impact Tutoring for Math also Wednesdays and Thursdays 3:30-4:30pm. We highly encourage your student to attend, if they received an invitation.

PK-8 Deaf Ed

-On March 27, all of students enrolled in deaf ed classes will go to White Sands. Please return the permission slip if it is still pending.

-March 5&6, In-person ASL Storytelling sessions with Pk-1, 2nd-5th, and Middle School students. Media release form has been sent home. Please return as soon as possible.

Intersession

If your child was invited to intersession, we highly encourage their attendance. Please return those permission slips as soon as possible.

PK-8 Deaf Ed

-On March 27, all of students enrolled in deaf ed classes will go to White Sands. Please return the permission slip if it is still pending.

6th & 7th Grade Science

Feb 27 - March2 - Nine Weeks Exam

Students should be present and participate actively in the in-class review

6th Grade RLA

Week 27: March 2- 6

Focus STAAR standards in Reading​

Focus TEK:​ 6.9D/Poetry​

Writing ​Focus TEK:​ 6.10 B/ECR​

Ongoing Reading​: 6.5E/Lowman

MARCH STAAR BLACKOUT: MARCH 23-APRIL 8

Parents: Check daily for homework assignments

Ensure students come prepared with charged laptops and pencil.

Snacks to be used as incentives during STAAR BLACKOUT/REVIEW on Monday, March 23

Intersession

If your child was invited to intersession, we highly encourage their attendance. Please return those permission slips as soon as possible.

Math

8th Grade

Monday and Wednesday 3:20-4:20

March 30th

High Impact Tutoring

Beginning of Blackout Review for Algebra 1

Parents, please help encourage students to complete all assignments in a timely manner. Also, please make sure they attend school daily and are present for all review days. The Algebra 1 test is extremely critical as it is a high school requirement for graduation.

6th grade volleyball intramurals

Tentative game days 4/01, 4/08, 4/15

If your student wants to participate, please make sure they have a permission slip on file by March 24. If you have any questions, please contact our athletics department.

Emergencies can happen any minute and nurses need to have current, working phone numbers on file to contact you. Parents, please have current phone numbers on file. Thank you.

PreK and Kinder, parents please provide extra change of clothes in students backpacks in case of students accidents.

Please remember that a child CANNOT return to school until he/she has been fever free for 24 hours - meaning the child cannot immediately return to school the next day. If the child visits the doctor, please provide a note allowing return to the front office or school nurse.

Vomiting: Active vomiting prior to school (two or more times within past 24 hours) or any fever and/or diarrhea with vomiting within the past 24 hours should remain at home. Active vomiting at school will result in a family member being contacted to pick up the child.

Rash: Children with a skin rash, especially when a fever is present, should be seen by a doctor to be cleared to be in school. A doctor's note should be provided upon return. A parent will be contacted to pick up the child if ring worm or another contagious rash is suspected.

Pink eye: If your child shows signs of pink eye at school, a family member will be contacted to pick up the child from school. The child must be seen by a doctor and a doctor's note indicating a date to return to school must be issued and provided to the school.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Middle School - For the month of March, Fitness Gram State Testing

Please have your scholars attend school daily!

Elementary PE - Fitness Gram State Testing

March 30 -April 10

Makeup testing : April 13-17th

Over the next few weeks, students in 3rd–5th grade will be participating in FitnessGram testing during PE class. This is not for a grade — it is simply a way to check students’ current fitness levels and track their progress.

The test is composed of five key components:

• Body composition

• Muscular strength

• Muscular endurance

• Flexibility

• Aerobic capacity

Please make sure students wear tennis shoes so they can safely participate. Our goal is to promote healthy habits and encourage students to stay active. Thank you for your support!

Open Gym

Every morning 6:50am- 7:40am

After School 3:20pm- 4:20pm

Your child must attend open gym at the designated times and sign in. Students may not arrive to open gym late, unless they go to tutoring first.

March 6, 2026 8:30-11:30 am

College & Career Day in Middle School Gym

Hartley Parents, if anyone is interested in coming to present to our students for College & Career Day on March 6, 2026 from 8:30-11:30AM, please contact school counselors Mrs. Hinojos or Mrs. Millan by March 2, 2026.

Monthly Core Value - March Pk- 8- Humility

Parenting with Humility: Help us support your child's social emotional well- being by discussing the Monthly Core Value at home.

Advise for Parents: Talking about humility can be tricky with teenagers. First giving up what you think you deserve can be a really challenging thought - no matter your age! However, this can be especially tricky for teenagers, who tend to have a sense of entitlement.

But this month, consider focusing the conversation on humility around growth. Humility keeps you open to learning, which is crucial in a stage of life where you're constantly growing, changing, and discovering new perspectives. As your child is exposed to so much new information, having humility and an open mind will allow much more enjoyment in learning.

Valor fundamental mensual - Marzo Pk- 8 - Humildad

Crianza con humildad: Ayúdenos a apoyar el bienestar socio-emocional de su hijo/a hablando sobre el Valor Fundamental de este mes en casa.

Consejo para padres de familia: Hablar de humildad puede ser complicado con los adolescentes. En primer lugar, renunciar a lo que uno cree que se merece puede ser un gran reto, independientemente de la edad! Sin embargo, esto puede ser especialmente difícil para los adolescentes, que suelen creer que tienen derechos.

Pero este mes, ayudenos a centrar la conversación sobre la humildad en torno al crecimiento. La humildad te mantiene abierto al aprendizaje.

March 2-6, 2026

Read Across America Ozzy coming to read to Pre-K & K during PE.

Review Flyer for Dress Up Days

Human Trafficking Presentations / 6-8 grade during PE

March 3rd- 7th grade

March 4th- 6th grade

March 5th -8th grade

The month of Feb. 2026, students will be learning the Core Essentials of RESPECT "Showing others they are important by what you say and do." We all want to know that we matter, that we are important. How can you show respect to people at work, school or in the community? We encourage parents to have this conversation at home.

Thank you to all who have registered to serve as Volunteers in Public Schools. Your willingness to give your time and support makes a meaningful difference for our students, teachers, and school community. We are excited to welcome our approved volunteers to campus to assist teachers with classroom projects that support instruction and enhance the learning experience for our students.

Tuesdays and Thursdays will be our designated volunteer days. Teachers have been asked to prepare projects and tasks so that your time on campus is purposeful and impactful. Your partnership helps strengthen our school and reflects the powerful connection between home and school.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, we encourage you to complete the online application available on the El Paso Independent School District website. Should you need assistance, our front office team will be happy to help guide you through the process.

We are grateful for your support and look forward to working together to provide the very best for our Hartley Hurricanes!

We have recently noticed an increase in students arriving at school out of uniform. Our school uniform is an important part of maintaining a positive and focused learning environment, and we ask for your support in ensuring students come to school in uniform each day.

Wearing the school uniform promotes school pride, creates a sense of belonging, and helps minimize distractions so students can focus on learning. It also supports campus safety by allowing staff to easily identify our students and maintain a secure environment.

Beginning immediately, students who arrive out of uniform will be asked to change into appropriate attire. If a student is unable to change, parents or guardians may be contacted to bring appropriate clothing. Please refer to the uniform policy below.

We appreciate your partnership in helping us uphold our school expectations and maintain a consistent, respectful learning environment for all students. Thank you for your continued support of our Hurricane community.

Texas House Bill 1481, effective for the 2025-2026 school year, requires school districts to adopt policies prohibiting students from using personal communication devices (cell phones, smartwatches, tablets) on school property during the instructional day. The law aims to reduce distractions, with devices often confiscated if visible or used.

Texas Education Agency (TEA) (.gov) +3

Key aspects of HB 1481 regarding parent communication include:

• Device Restriction: Students are generally prohibited from using cell phones, tablets, smartwatches, or other telecommunication devices during school hours.
• Confiscation and Retrieval: Devices used in violation of the policy may be confiscated and must be retrieved by a parent or guardian.
• Emergency Contact: In case of emergency, parents should contact the school office to reach their child, as students may not have access to their personal devices.
• Policy Implementation: School districts must have written, enforced policies in place by September 18, 2025.
• Scope: The rules apply during the school day, which may include passing periods and lunch, depending on the specific district's policy.

  Texas Education Agency (TEA) (.gov) +4

Parents are advised to ensure their contact information is updated in the school's system (e.g., Skyward) to facilitate communication.

At Hartley, our highest priority is maintaining a safe, respectful, and focused learning environment where every student can learn and thrive. Recently, we have seen an increase in concerning behaviors and students bringing personal items to school that are not appropriate for a school setting and are disrupting learning and impacting campus safety.

We are asking for your immediate partnership in addressing this concern. Please speak with your child about making responsible choices, following school expectations, and not bringing inappropriate or prohibited items to campus. These expectations are in place to protect all students and ensure that classrooms remain focused on learning.

It is important for students to understand that inappropriate behaviors and prohibited items will result in consequences aligned with the Student Code of Conduct. Our goal is always to teach and guide students toward better decisions, but we must also maintain clear and consistent expectations to ensure a safe environment for everyone.

When concerns arise, we work to support students in learning from their choices while reinforcing accountability and responsibility. Strong communication between home and school is essential as we continue building a culture of respect, safety, and positive behavior across our campus.

Thank you for your continued support and for partnering with us to ensure Hartley remains a safe place where every student feels valued, supported, and ready to learn each day.

March 9-13

Intersession Week - IF YOUR CHILD WAS INVITED TO INTERSESSION, WE HIGHLY ENCOURAGE THEIR ATTENDANCE. PLEASE RETURN THE SIGNED PERMISSION SLIP AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

March 16-20

Spring Break Week

March 23-27

March 23

Start of the last grading period of the year

March 24

EPISD Board Meeting

March 25

March 26

March 27

Deaf Ed students field trip to White Sands

March 30-April 3

March 30

March 31

April 1

April 2

April 3