The Friday Focus
January 30, 2026
From the Desk of the Superintendent
Please Join us for the Annual
Hopewell Valley/Montgomery High School Varsity Ice Hockey "Salute to Service" Hockey Game. Sat., Jan 31st, 8pm, Lisa McGraw Rink, Princeton Day School.
All are welcome to attend and honor members of Hopewell Valley Veterans Association and Montgomery Veterans Memorial Committee. A donation of $5. at the door is requested unless wearing a STS t-shirt. All veterans are our guests.
Our HVRSD 25-26 Calendar has been updated - schools and Offices will now be open on Monday, April 6th.
HVCHS Leave of Absence Position: HVCHS is currently in need of a high school Spanish teacher for a leave of absence position. If you or someone you know is interested in this position, please contact World Languages Supervisor Lois Baldwin at loisbaldwin@hvrsd.org
Kindergarten Registration will begin on Tuesday, February 17th. Kindergarten Camp information will be available shortly.
Due to continued growth in the district and fluctuations in enrollment, the School District may need to adjust attendance zones and/or school assignments before the start of the school year. As a result, the school listed at the time of registration may change. Families will be notified of any changes to their child’s school assignment before the start of the school year.
Semester Two: The first semester and second marking period will end on February 2. On February 3, we will be following an F day schedule, in which all eight classes will meet.
HVCHS Choir Auditions, Feb 9-13 in the Choir Room: Make choir one of your elective choices! We participate in Festivals, events and more! See Mr. White for details.
Early Dismissal: On February 5, HVCHS students will be dismissed at 12 p.m. due to staff professional development scheduled for the afternoon. We will be following a modified schedule in which all eight periods will meet.
Student Council Food Drive: The HVCHS Student Council is hosting a food drive during the week of February 9 in order to support the Hopewell Valley Mobile Food Pantry. If you are able, please support this school wide initiative by sending in non-perishable items. Check out the HVCHS webpage or the Student Council’s social media accounts for additional information.
Spring Athletic Registration: Registration for the spring season of HVCHS Athletics is now open. Students interested in participating in baseball, softball, girls lacrosse, boys lacrosse, boys tennis, boys volleyball, girls track, or boys track must register by February 20. Please click here to access the registration page and print medical forms. Any student who is not registered and does not have either a physical form or health history update form on file with the school nurses will not be able to try out or practice until they do. In-House Physicals will be offered on Friday, February 6 for all high school student athletes in grades 9-12 planning on trying out for a spring sport, from 9:00 am-12:00 pm in the High School Nurse's Office. Please click here to schedule an appointment. Physicals are $25 per child and checks should be made out to HVRSD. Spring sports will begin on Monday, March 9.
Attendance Notifications: Our automated attendance notifications have returned. If we do not receive notification of a student's absence prior to 7:45 a.m., parents and guardians will be contacted by email and phone call to ensure that they are aware of the student's absence. Please contact our TeleSafe number 609-737-4003, Ext. 3506, by 7:45 am to report an absence or late arrival, and be sure to provide a note if your child needs to be dismissed from school early. If you have any questions regarding attendance records, please contact our attendance secretary (Mrs. Schaub).
- Local Food Resources & School Lunch Information: Please see the information sent by the district for information about nearby resources as well as school lunches, menus, pricing and Free & Reduced forms.
- Absences, Late Arrivals, & Early Dismissals: Parents/Guardians should call our TeleSafe number 609-737-4003, Ext 1, by 7:45 am to report an absence or late arrival. Please provide a note if your child needs to be dismissed from school early. Please also review our attendance procedures for details about the district policies. *As a reminder, students must be in school for at least four hours in order to participate in all athletic or extra-curricular activities and events*
- What’s Happening at HVCHS? Please follow us on Twitter: @HVCentralHS and Instagram: hopewell_valley_central_hs for pictures, updates, and fun facts. Our daily morning announcements can be found on the school website and via this link. Fundraising activities from our classes, clubs, and teams can be found on our fundraising calendar. Also, check out our HV Student Publications Network page for student-created podcasts, digital videos, and more! If you are a graduate of HVCHS, and you would like to join our Alumni Directory, please complete our Database Form and indicate what type of information
Cutting Hair Because We Care! The deadline to sign up for hair donation and t-shirt design is January 30, 2026. Students and family members are welcome to participate.
On March 18, 2026, TMS will host our annual Cutting Hair Because We Care event, supporting the St. Baldrick’s Foundation and ChildrenWithHairLoss.org. Students can “brave the shave” to raise funds for childhood cancer research or donate long hair to help children experiencing hair loss. Local salons will be on site to make it a special day.
HERE is the link to the entire presentation
HERE is the link to sign up for hair donation (for children with hair loss)
Our St. Baldrick's Team can be found at www.stbaldricks.org/teams/TeamTimberlane2026
HERE is the T-Shirt contest information.
TMS Spring Musical
TMS is holding auditions for the spring musical "Freaky Friday"! Auditions are open to all students in all grades, and will begin on February 9th and 10th. Anyone who auditions must complete a general audition (singing one of the provided song options, and reading lines in one of the provided scene options), as well as a dance audition. Please note: not everyone who auditions will be selected for the cast. If a student is not cast, they are encouraged to join the tech crew, which will have information available after spring break.
To access the audition form and all audition material, please click here: https://timberlanemusical.blogspot.com/
2026 TMS Spring Sports
- Registration and medical forms for Spring Sports are due by Friday March 13th1! Please click here to access the registration page and print medical forms. Any student who is not registered and does not have either a physical form or health history update form on file with the school nurses will not be able to try out or practice until they do.
- In-House Physicals will be offered on Friday, February 13th for all student athletes in grades 6-8 planning on trying out for a spring sport. Please click here to schedule an appointment from 9am-12pm in the TMS School Nurse's Office. Physicals are $25 a child and checks should be made out to HVRSD.
- TMS Spring Sports will begin on Monday, March 23rd! Baseball and Boys & Girls Lacrosse (Open to 7th & 8th Grade Only). Softball and Boys & Girls Track & Field (Open to All Grades)
TMS Updates: For additional information about TMS, please visit our webpage, or follow us on Twitter @Timberlane_HV, or instagram @timberlane_timberwolves
*Dates To Remember*
Saturday, Jan 31 - PTO Sixers Game 7:30 pm
Thursday, Feb 5 - Early Dismissal
Feb 10-14 - Candygram Sales (student council)
Friday, Feb 13- 7th Grade "Night Out" 3-5 pm
Monday, Feb 16 - Schools/Offices Closed - Presidents Day
Tuesday, Feb 17 - Schools Closed - Lunar New Year
Thursday, Feb 26 - Staff/Student Basketball Game
Friday, Feb 27 - 8th Grade Snow Tubing
BTPTO Flash- Click here for everything you need to know for the next month
BT Kid’s Heart Challenge 2026 - Click here for information.
Soup-er Bowl Collection - The week of 2/2-2/6, we will be collecting soup donations for the Hopewell Valley Food Pantry. Please see the Flyer.
Titus Bear Cookie-Grams On Sale - Celebrate Valentine’s Day by surprising someone special—a teacher, bus driver, counselor, friend, sibling, your child, or anyone you’d like to make smile—with a Valentine Cookie-Gram! Each Cookie-Gram includes one custom-made 3” sugar cookie featuring Titus the Bear holding a white heart with “BT” written inside.
Author in Residence - HVRSD Author in Residence, Laurie Wallmark, will visit Bear Tavern on February 18th! Laurie Wallmark is an award-winning children's Author who writes full-time, creating books that celebrate curiosity and STEM. For more information, and to purchase copies of her works that will be signed the day of the visit, please visit the BTPTO website here: https://beartavernpto.membershiptoolkit.com/form/m/364639'
Interested in Girl Scouts? Join us for Slim Time! Sunday, Feb. 8th, Timberlane Middle School Cafeteria, 2:30-4:00pm: Stop by and enjoy the fun of making slime & get more information about Girl Scouts! See the flyer for more info!
BT St. Baldrick’s Day - Each year, Bear Tavern students shave heads and raise money for the St. Baldrick's Foundation. St. Baldrick's Foundation is a leading charity funding childhood cancer research, known for its signature events where volunteers shave their heads to support kids losing hair during treatment, raising money for cures and promoting awareness, operating as a volunteer-powered organization with a mission to give survivors long, healthy lives.
Whether you or your children want to shave their heads, contribute to others who shave, or just raise money for the foundation, help us reach our goal of $28,000. Join our team: Bear Tavern ES and get started now. We will have our Bear Tavern Shaving Event on March 13, so get ready!
*Dates To Remember*
2/2: Last Day of Steam
2/3 - First Day of Spanish
2/5 - Early Dismissal @ 12:45 / Staff Development / PreK PM Only
2/13 - Wear Pink For Valentine's Day
2/16 - Schools & Offices Closed for President’s Day
2/17 - Schools Closed For Lunar New Year
2/18 - Author Visit
2/27- 1,000 Day
The Principal’s Monthly Newsletter - Hopewell’s Happenings is on the HES Website.
Author in Residence - Ms. Laurie Wallmark is an award-winning author of science and STEM-themed biographies and picture books. She will be at HES on February 19th to talk about writing and publishing. HES PTO, in partnership with HVEF, is happy to offer signed copies of Laurie Wallmark’s books! Click HERE to order.
HES Book Fair - The 2026 Book Fair is coming March 2–4! Students will visit with their homerooms, and families are welcome to shop March 2nd – 3rd (3:30–7:30 PM) and March 4th (3:30–5:00 PM). Watch your email for volunteer info!
SOUPER Bowl of Caring - February 5th we are kicking off the SOUPer Bowl of Caring! We will collect nonperishable food items from February 9–13 to benefit The Chubby’s Project. Students are encouraged to wear their favorite team shirt on February 5. Click HERE for more information.
HES Spirit Wear! - To celebrate Hopewell Elementary’s 100-year anniversary, the HES PTO is excited to launch two new spirit wear options:
1. Spirit Wear Store - Shop classic HES tees, pajamas, cups, and more. → merch.hopewellpto.org
2. Rooted Rags Collection - Hand-dyed and embroidered HES apparel made by a Hopewell school mom. Orders take 1-3 weeks. → handmade.hopewellpto.org
Interested in Girl Scouts? Join us for Slim Time! Sunday, Feb. 8th, Timberlane Middle School Cafeteria, 2:30-4:00pm: Stop by and enjoy the fun of making slime & get more information Girl Scouts! See the flyer for more info!
Yearbook Ordering - Yearbooks are now available for purchase through the online store. You can click here for ordering details. Orders will be accepted by May 8th, 2026.
School Lunch Information: Please click this link for the 2025-2026 information.
Absences & Late Arrivals - Parents/Guardians should call our TeleSafe number, 609-737- 4007, Ext 2, by 8:00 a.m. to report an absence or late arrival. Thank you.
HES Changes in Students’ Dismissal - If there is a change in how students will be going home, please be sure to call or email the main office at 609-737-4007 hwmainoffice@hvrsd.org
Dates to Remember:
- Thursday, 2/5: Early Dismissal at 12:45pm; Staff Development
- Monday, 2/16 - Schools & Offices Closed for President’s Day
- Tuesday, 2/17 - Schools Closed - Lunar New Year
Join us for Family Game Night, hosted by the SB PTO and Principal Gianfredi!
We'll play bingo, trivia, and Minute-To-Win-It contests, and compete in a STEM challenge. Snacks and drinks will be available for purchase for $1-$2 each! Pizza will be sold by the slice for $3 each! Register here: https://tinyurl.com/SBGameNight2026 Admission is FREE but you must register using this form to participate. Space is LIMITED. Parents must stay with their children and participate in the games for the duration of the evening.
The SB Science Fair Is Sat, Feb 28th!
Save the date for the SB Science Fair on Sat, Feb 28th, from 8am-12pm in the SB Cafeteria! A Mad Science Show will take place from 9:45-10:30am in the gym. Registration link coming soon
Author Laurie Wallmark Is Coming to Stony Brook on March 3rd:
Ms Wallmark is an award-winning author of science and STEM-themed biographies and picture books. She will be at Stony Brook in early March to talk to our All Stars about writing and publishing. The SB PTO is pre-selling copies of her books, and every book purchased through us will be signed by Ms Wallmark during her visit at SB! Purchase books at the link below, or by using the paper form sent home by Jan. 30th https://tinyurl.com/SBPTOauthorbooks2026
Soft-Pretzel Snack Sales
Buy-in for soft pretzel snacks for January-June is now open! If you only paid for the first few months of the year, or you haven't yet participated but now want to, please use the link below to purchase for the remainder of the year!
https://stonybrookelementarypto.membershiptoolkit.com/2025SoftPretzelSnacks
Interested in Girl Scouts? Join us for Slim Time! Sunday, Feb. 8th, Timberlane Middle School Cafeteria, 2:30-4:00pm: Stop by and enjoy the fun of making slime & get more information about
Girl Scouts! See the flyer for more info!
SBPTO Membership Toolkit - Click HERE to register for volunteer opportunities, sign up for the directory to find your friends and order apparel!
Absences & Late Arrivals - Call our Attendance line at 737-4006, Ext 2, by 8:00 am to report an absence or late arrival. Refer to our Attendance Procedures for details.
Dismissal Changes - Email the main office in advance at sbmainoffice@hvrsd.org and refer to our Attendance Procedures for details regarding early dismissals.
*Dates To Remember*
Friday, 1/30: Family Game Night / Laurie Wallmark Book Orders Due
Thurs, 2/5: Early Dismissal at 12:45 pm
Mon 2/16 - Schools & Offices Closed for President’s Day
Tues, 2/17 - Schools Closed - Lunar New Year
Sat, 2/28: SB Science Fair, 8am-12pm, SB CafeteriaToll Gate's Day of Service is on Friday, February 20, 2026 (NEW DATE!!!). For this school year’s Day of Service, Toll Gate will be donating to The Jared Box Project. This will be our 5th year participating in this project. In addition to the items listed on the signup genius Day of Service 2026 - Donations, we will also need items to fill the boxes that will be given to local hospital patients at Penn Medicine Princeton and Capital Health Hospital in the Pediatric ER and the Pediatric floor. We also have a need for volunteers. Please use this link to help in your child’s classroom during Day of Service. Day of Service 2026 - Volunteers. Please send in the donated items to school with your student(s) from now until February 20th. Thank you for your help with this very special project.
Used Book Sale - Join HVRSD STRIVE PTO for our Winter Used Book Sale Fundraiser! From now until Friday, 1/30, look for donation boxes at all district schools to drop off your gently used books. Then, come shop the collection on Saturday, 2/7 during the Summer Camp Expo & Special Resource Fair. While you explore local resources and plan your child’s summer, you can refresh your home library! All proceeds directly support STRIVE programs for our students, families, and staff. Plus—Special Education staff are invited to "shop" the sale for free to stock their classrooms! Let’s turn your old favorites into new opportunities for our district.
Dismissal Changes: If your dismissal plans change on any given day, please email tgmainoffice@hvrsd.org, (this email will go to both main office secretaries, Ashlee Dana and Patricia Jaczko) to inform them of the change. Please also cc' your child's homeroom teacher.
Reporting Student Absences: Please remember to call the Telsafe line (609-737-4008, option 2) by 8:00am for any absences or tardiness. Emails to a teacher may not be seen in a timely manner. Telsafe is the best way to report an absence. If your child is not at school and you haven’t reported them absent or tardy, you will get a phone call from Mrs. Smith, our school nurse.
Dates to Remember:
Monday, 2/2: Last Day of Spanish
Tuesday, 2/3: First Day of STEAM
Thursday, 2/5: Early Dismissal at 12:45 PM - Staff Development
Wednesday, 2/11: 100th Day of School - Dress as a 100 Year Old
Thursday, 2/12: PTO Meeting via Zoom at 7:30 PM
Monday, 2/16: Schools/Offices Closed - Presidents’ Day
Tuesday, 2/17: Schools Closed - Lunar New Year
Thursday, 2/19: Family Game Night at 6:00 PM
Friday, 2/20: Toll Gate's Day of Service (**NEW DATE!**)
Thursday, 2/26: Author Laurie Wallmark Visits Toll Gate
Community Programs and Events
The Watershed Institute: Groundhog Day Celebration! Saturday, Jan. 31st 10-11:30am. Join Watershed Wally the Woodchuck as we celebrate winter and look forward to the return of spring. Learn all about groundhogs, enjoy a hike to a groundhog hole, and try your hand at chucking wood with a catapult or trebuchet. Warm yourself by our campfire and enjoy some treats on this festive winter morning. Ages 5 and up. In-person program, adult attendance required.
Howell Living Farm: will reopen on Saturday, Jan. 31st for its annual Ice Harvest.
Tour the Myra and Van Williams Spark Lab, Princeton Public Library, Sunday, Feb. 1st 12:30-2:30
Stop by for a tour of the Myra and Van Williams Spark Lab, the new interactive STEAM learning space on the third floor, and discover all it has to offer.
The Boys & Girls club of Mercer County, Annual Art Show, Thurs. Feb. 5th: Admission is FREE & everyone is invited! View hundreds of remarkable pieces of original artwork done by BGC Youth. Join Us and feel inspired!
Pennington CrossFit Kids Club Mini Camps Feb. 5 and 16
Kids aged 5-8 can enjoy themed mini-camps at Pennington CrossFit when school is out! Attendees will read books, play games, learn some exercise movements and do crafts in this 3-hour camp.
Speed, Power and Change of Direction Training for Grades 5-8. Through Feb. 26th, 8:00-9:00pm, HVCHS. A specialized training program designed for athletes of all sports. Program instructors will be Coach Dave Caldwell, Coach Kevin Kley and Coach Tom Walsh - experienced multi-sport coaches at Hopewell Valley Central High School.
Hopewell Recreation Indoor "Sockey" for Grades 1-5. Monday or Wednesday sessions held at Toll Gate. This is a safe variant of indoor hockey played with "sock" covered sticks. No experience necessary!
Valentine's Day Candlelight Walk, Friday, Feb. 13th, 6-8pm, Colonial Lake Park.
Food Trucks, Fire pits, Live Music, Photo Booth. Sponsored by Lawrence Recreation
Capital Flights Foundation: Become a certified Drone Pilot! Free Program for ages 14-18, Mercer County residents only. Trenton native and American Airlines pilot, Karon Chambers founded this organization to help students develop knowledge about aviation and drone technology, helping them earn their FAA Drone Certification and discover new career paths in STEM and aerospace. This program builds confidence, skills, and access to the world of aviation. It is currently focusing on grades 9th-12th. For more info, please click HERE.
United NJ AAU Basketball: We are a local non-profit (501C3) youth basketball program for students 3rd-11th Grade. Please click the link for information about our AAU Team Tryouts for all divisions which begin in Feb.
McCarter Theatre, Theater Explorer Camp, Ages 7-12, March 30th - April 3rd:
Campers will rotate through mini creative projects—imaginative games, scene-building challenges, music jams, and movement activities—that keep every day fresh and exciting. Along the way, they’ll develop new skills, spark creativity, and practice teamwork in a playful, supportive environment. Perfect for curious young performers eager to explore the magic of theater and make new friends!
Kelsey Theatre at Mercer County Community College: Click link for upcoming shows
Music Mountain Theatre, Young Audience 2026 Season: Frozen, Sleeping Beauty and Robin Hood.
Cure Arena Upcoming Shows include: Monster Trucks, Northeast Cheer Championships, The Harlem Globetrotters, Disney on Ice.
Here are the links to the local libraries for upcoming storytimes, events and programs:
Summer Camps and Programs
Apple Montessori Summer Camp, Princeton
McCarter Theatre Center 2026 Summer programs: Youth Summer Camp Ages 7-12 and Teen Conservatory Summer Camp Ages 13-17
Nike Summer Camps: Local camps for Basketball, Field Hockey, Lacrosse, Soccer, Swim and Running.
Pathways is Girls Who Code’s free, virtual summer program for high school girls to explore tech, build in-demand skills, and create projects that make a difference—no experience required! Apply by February 25 for priority consideration; applications close April 10.
The Pennington School: Summers at Pennington
Princeton University Summer Day Camp
Stuart Country Day School Summer Experience
The College of New Jersey: Precollege Programs: for high school students to explore potential careers in an intellectually stimulating environment.