The Hatter Chatter

Greetings, Hatboro-Horsham Students, Staff, and Families,

A cold and snowy end to January has reminded us that we are in the heart of Winter, and we transition to February, which offers meaningful opportunities for our school community to learn, reflect, and come together. Throughout the month, we recognize Black History Month by honoring the history, contributions, achievements, and voices that have shaped our nation and continue to influence our world today. In our classrooms and school spaces, students will engage in learning experiences that promote understanding, respect, and appreciation for the richness of our shared history.

This month also highlights two long standing traditions that reflect the heart of our schools. At Hatboro-Horsham High School, Red and Black Week brings students and staff together through school pride, connection, and a celebration of what it means to be a Hatter. At Keith Valley Middle School, the annual Keith Valley Challenge in support of the Make-A-Wish Foundation showcases the compassion, leadership, and generosity of our students as they work together for a meaningful cause.

As we continue into the second half of the school year, February is filled with opportunities that strengthen learning, belonging, and community across our district.

We are grateful for the shared commitment that makes these experiences possible for our students each day.

Enjoy this February edition of The Hatter Chatter.

Scott Eveslage, Ed.D.

Superintendent of Schools

The newsletter may be easier to view via the link: https://app.smore.com/n/hyq5x

February 13- Early Dismissal

February 16- District Closed (Presidents' Day)

February 2026 School Board Meetings (7:00 pm, Keith Valley Community Room)

February 9 (Monday) -Work Session/Committees Meeting

February 23 (Monday) - Legislative Action Meeting

Click HERE to access the recap of the School Board Meetings

At the January 27 School Board meeting, the Board approved the District Calendar for next school year, 2026-2027. It provides important dates for the upcoming school year. You can download the calendar directly from the link below. We received community feedback on the calendar creation process, specifically around the timing of its approval. As a result, the district administration has committed to:

• Bringing future school calendars to the Board for consideration earlier annually (October instead of February)
• Entering a two-year calendar cycle where calendars for the next two school years are approved and publicly available (beginning in the Fall of 2026)
• Considering Board policy that would drive long-term calendar planning

Schools were closed due to the snow and ice on January 26 and January 27. There are no more "traditional" snow days built into the calendar. If we require another weather emergency closure, we will hold a virtual instructional day.

The last day of school for students remains Friday, June 12, 2026. Students do not need to "make up" the January snow days, as we will fulfill the length-of-school-year requirement by meeting the necessary number of hours.

Click on the image to view the School Calendar for this year, 2025-2026 District Calendar. This includes holidays, professional development days, and other key events. To ensure you have all the information you need, you can also download the calendar directly from the link below.

Each January, Hatboro-Horsham elementary schools celebrate Acceptance Day to honor our similarities and differences while building understanding, empathy, and belonging. While all schools participated, we are highlighting Crooked Billet Elementary School's celebration.

The 2026 theme, “Be Different. Be Brave. Be You!”, was central to the day’s activities. Students engaged in a featured read aloud of Just Ask by Sonia Sotomayor, a story that encourages children to ask questions about differences to build empathy and understanding. Using a garden metaphor, the book highlights how unique strengths help communities grow stronger together.

Students also participated in two interactive assemblies, “More Than True,” presented by Sarah Osburn Brady. Through imaginative storytelling and student choice, the program emphasized perspective, decision-making, and the power of stories to help us better understand one another.

Additional activities included collaborative poster creation, guided conversation starters during lunch, and games designed to increase awareness of the supports people use to succeed at school and in life. Together, these experiences reinforced the importance of inclusion and respect.

Acceptance Day at Crooked Billet Elementary reflected the district’s ongoing commitment to creating welcoming schools where every student feels valued, supported, and empowered to be their authentic self.

Our High School Theatre Club recently transformed the stage into the magical world of Neverland with a special, student-run mini production of Peter Pan designed just for our youngest learners. The event welcomed elementary students and families for a lively, interactive performance that brought the classic story to life in a way that was both engaging and memorable.

From the moment the show began, it was clear this was more than a performance. Theatre Club members thoughtfully adapted the story to create an experience that invited children into the adventure. Actors stepped off the stage, spoke directly to the audience, and encouraged participation, making students feel like they were truly part of Peter Pan’s journey. Young audience members helped search for Tinker Bell, cheered on the Lost Boys, and joined in the excitement of Neverland.

The production was entirely student led, from planning and staging to acting and audience engagement. Theatre Club members demonstrated impressive leadership, creativity, and collaboration as they worked together to design a performance tailored to younger children. Their ability to connect with the audience showcased not only their theatrical talents but also their understanding of how to make learning and storytelling meaningful for others.

The turnout for the event was outstanding, with families filling the space to enjoy the show. Laughter, applause, and wide-eyed wonder from the young audience members filled the room throughout the performance.

Selection for PMEA choir, orchestra, and/or band is a significant honor. Hundreds of high school students from Montgomery and Bucks counties participate in a highly competitive audition process, and only a small percentage are selected to perform at the festival level.

Hatboro-Horsham proudly served as the host site for the 2026 Pennsylvania Music Educators Association District 11 Chorus Festival from Thursday, January 8 through Saturday, January 10. This prestigious event brought together 164 high school singers representing more than 45 schools across Montgomery and Bucks counties for an intensive, collaborative musical experience on our stage.

Over the course of two and a half days, these talented students rehearsed and prepared a culminating concert under the direction of guest conductor Dr. Felicia Barber of Yale University. Dr. Barber, nationally recognized for her work in choral music education and performance, provided students with expert guidance, musicianship, and leadership throughout the festival.

The event concluded with a public performance in the Hatboro-Horsham High School auditorium. Families and community members filled the space to enjoy the free concert, which showcased the incredible talent and dedication of the participating students.

We were especially proud to recognize Hatboro-Horsham students who earned placement through this same rigorous audition process.

2026 PMEA District 11 Chorus Festival

• Rylan Nellett – 11th Grade, Chorus

• Ondine Van Tassel – 11th Grade, Chorus

Students also auditioned for the opportunity to advance to the PMEA Regional level later this winter.

These students will represent Hatboro-Horsham at the PMEA District 11 Band Festival this weekend. We wish them the very best as they prepare to perform and continue to represent our school community with pride and excellence.

2026 PMEA District 11 Band Festival

• Alexander Allemang – 12th Grade, Trombone

• Morgan Rafferty – 11th Grade, Bassoon

• Ondine Van Tassel – 11th Grade, Percussion

• Miles Verdeur – 11th Grade, French Horn

Hallowell Elementary recently welcomed a wide range of community volunteers for its annual Career Day, giving students a firsthand look at the many paths people take in their professional lives. Throughout the day, classrooms rotated through interactive stations where presenters shared their knowledge, experiences, and stories from their respective fields.

Volunteers represented diverse careers including healthcare, public safety, business, technology, skilled trades, and the arts. At each station, students learned about the education, training, and personal qualities that contribute to success in different professions. Presenters engaged students through demonstrations, visuals, and question and answer sessions that encouraged curiosity and participation.

Career Day provided students with more than just information about jobs. It helped them begin to understand how their interests, strengths, and learning in school can connect to future opportunities. Students asked thoughtful questions about daily responsibilities, challenges, and what inspired each volunteer to choose their career path.

Hatboro-Horsham School District, in partnership with the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit, proudly co-hosted Brain Spark, a math festival held at Keith Valley Middle School. The event welcomed a large turnout of students and families from across Montgomery County for a day of hands-on learning and fun.

The day began with an inspiring keynote by Shameeka Browne, author of Queen of 24, who encouraged students to embrace curiosity, creativity, and confidence in their learning. Throughout the building, families enjoyed a wide variety of activities. Guest readers in the Media Commons shared engaging stories that connected literacy and math, while the food court buzzed with friendly competition as students played different versions of the 24 Game from First in Math, building number sense and strategic thinking.

In the lobby, a Math Playground offered a welcoming space for both children and adults to enjoy open-ended, hands-on activities like geometric tile designs and pattern block mosaics. The learning stairs were transformed with large maze mats that challenged students to think critically and collaborate with others. Activity stations throughout the building invited participants work together, ask questions, make conjectures, and discover patterns.

Brain Spark highlighted the power of schools, families, and community partners coming together to make learning engaging, meaningful, and memorable for everyone involved. The district extends its sincere thanks to the dedicated staff and student volunteers whose time, energy, and enthusiasm helped make the event a success.

Blair Mill Elementary School recently brought the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day to life through a schoolwide Day of Service centered on the theme, “Create and Donate.” Throughout the day, students in every grade level engaged in meaningful, hands on projects designed to serve others while learning about the importance of compassion, empathy, and civic responsibility.

Students worked on grade level service projects in partnership with community organizations, including Glad Dog Nation, St. Joseph’s Manor, and Cradles 2 Crayons. Each activity connected students directly to real needs within the community and helped them understand how even small acts of kindness can make a meaningful difference.

In classrooms across the building, students created dog and cat blankets and toys for pets in need, assembled care bags and wrote heartfelt, handwritten cards for senior citizens, and designed cards to accompany care packages for children. These projects were part of many service activities taking place throughout the school.

The Day of Service extended beyond a single school day. Blair Mill families participated in a clothing drive and stuffed animal drive to further support individuals and families in the community.

Through creativity, generosity, and teamwork, Blair Mill students demonstrated that service can be both meaningful and joyful. Their efforts reflected the enduring message of Dr. King’s legacy by turning learning into action and compassion into impact.

As a school district, we truly believe that ALL ARE WELCOME HERE and are constantly looking for opportunities to be more inclusive, build awareness, and develop our cultural competence to be more equitable in supporting and serving our students, staff, and community. This monthly inclusive newsletter will serve as a resource for our staff and families to learn more about the diverse cultures and members of our community.

Last spring, we invited you to share your experiences through a district-wide survey, and we truly appreciate your input. Our first Inclusive Excellence Community meeting took place in November and served as a valuable opportunity to learn more about the experiences of families in our community and to help inform our future goals. We are excited to continue this important conversation at upcoming meetings, which offer a meaningful chance for you to have your voice heard, share your stories, and strengthen your connection with our community as we work together to build a more inclusive and welcoming district.

Remaining Dates: February 11th and April 14th
Time: 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM
Location: Hatboro-Horsham Administration Building, Hatters Meeting Room
227 Meetinghouse Rd., Suite 100, Horsham, PA 19044

Why attend?

• Your insights help us grow and improve inclusivity
• Connect with fellow community members
• Shape meaningful actions for a more equitable district

Light refreshments will be provided.

Reserve your spot today! Scan the QR code here:

We look forward to collaborating with you to make HHSD a place where everyone belongs and thrives.

HHSD Inclusive Excellence Team

In the latest edition of the Hat Chat Minute, Superintendent Dr. Eveslage highlights the value of daily attendance.

The Hatboro-Horsham Educational Foundation (HHEF) is dedicated to enriching our schools by funding innovative programs, resources, and opportunities that inspire student success. Through community support and generous donations, HHEF helps create a vibrant learning environment where every student can thrive and reach their full potential.

Information about Power School, Canvas, lunch menus, attendance forms, and much more can be found our website here: https://www.hatboro-horsham.org/page/family-resources-portal-links

Website: https://www.hatboro-horsham.org/
Location: 227 Meetinghouse Road, Suite 100, Horsham, PA 19044
Phone: 215-420-5000
Facebook: www.facebook.com/HHSDK12/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hatborohorsham_sd/
Twitter: @HH_Schools