Mary Hogan Family Newsletter

Dear Mary Hogan Families,

It has been a beautiful week here and one that was again full of learning and Readathon events! As I think about the Readathon, I find myself so deeply grateful for all of the volunteers and school staff who come together to make these events possible.

• MESA volunteers have put in hours to make the bulletin board, reading logs, bookmark challenge, and more come together without a hitch.
• Julie, Liz and so many more staff have been organizing events, making sure everything is communicated, and ensuring all students have a chance to be Hawk Readers.
• Family and community members who donate as part of the Readathon ensure a lasting impact on Mary Hogan through access to more field trips and learning opportunities. At a time when budgets are getting smaller and tighter, this support is SO important!

💙, Jen

⭐ Feb. 12-15th Mary Hogan Benefit Sale at The Vermont Book Shop. Mention the word “Hawks” and 20% of the proceeds from your purchase will be donated to the Read-A-Thon. You can also shop online and mention the word “Hawks” at checkout with your order! The online promotion coupon is "Hawks26"

Monday 2/16 - 3-4.15 - After School “Book and Craft” with Ms. Liz, Katherine, Mrs. V - sign up in advance required.

Tuesday 2/17 - 4th grade NAEP testing

• 3-4.15 - After School Poetry Writing Workshop with Ted Scheu (grades 3-5) - sign up in advance required.

Wednesday 2/18 - Sinopoli, Buchanan, Burke, Leavitt classes skate in the morning

• 3-4.15 - Nonfiction Comics Workshop with Elisa Järnefelt- Grades 2-5 - sign up in advance required.

Thursday 2/19 - Grade 5 to Green Mtn Audubon Museum.

• Martin, Forbes, Corrigan, Payne, Conklin classes skate in the morning
• 3-4.15 - After School Book Club with Ms. Tricia. Grade 5 - sign up in advance required.

Friday 2/20 - TURN IN READING LOGS, Free Book Giveaway

• 3-4.15 - After School “Book and Craft” with Ms. Payne (Grade 3) - sign up in advance required.

⛄February Break 2/21-3/1⛄

Monday 3/2 - TURN IN YOUR LAST READING LOG!

Wednesday 3/4 - Walk and Roll and Early Release Day

• 9am - Readathon Closing Ceremony & Principal's Challenge

Friday 3/6 - 1st grade goes to Shelburne Farms

you may notice that we are asking folks the purpose of your visit if we aren't expecting you. This is really part of our school safety measures to ensure that we are keeping everyone in school safe. We want to be sure that everyone who comes to school has a reason to be here. This may cause some extra questions when you buzz in. Thank you in advance for your patience while we ensure school safety.

We were so lucky to have many Middlebury College readers coming to Mary Hogan this past week to read with students here at school. Mary Hogan students were THRILLED to read with these very big kids. The college students commented that they loved coming to an elementary school and had fun reading with our students. More readers are coming this coming week!

Liza Woodruff came to meet with kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd graders this week. She shared with them how she illustrates and tells stories. She also read one of her books to the students. Students were interested to hear more about how she moves through the writing process. And, the coolest thing is that what she does as an author is just what we are teaching these students in their writing! Students and teachers loved making this connection.

Mat Heagerty met with our 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students this week in a second author visit. Students were so excited to meet Mat and hear about how he creates his characters and stories - and what he was like when he was in elementary school. So many students identified with Mat as a child as well as his stories. One student came up to Mat after and let him know that they weren't a reader until last week when they picked up Mat's book... and they read for 2 days straight! Mat loved meeting our students and this comment made his day.

Students in 3rd and 4th grades had a chance to go to the Memorial Sports Center this week in PE to practice their skating skills and get some good fun and exercise in. They had fun and will be back skating again this coming week.

We hit the 100th Day of School on Tuesday this week and the kindergarten had a celebration of reaching the 100s mark of school. Students did a lot of counting to 100 during the day and created 100s artwork and wrote 100 words. They ended the day with their annual parade around and great cheers from the other students for making it 100 days. Now there are only 75 (72 today) days left in this school year. My oh my, how fast this year is going!

*Please note two changes to the Open House schedule below*

The ACSD Board recently revised Board Policy C30, School Assignment and Intra-District Transfer, to offer more flexibility to ACSD families when choosing an elementary school for their child(ren). If you are interested in having your child attend a different K-5 elementary school, please read more about the policy and the application process here. To apply, use this form or visit your school’s front office or the ACSD District Office for a paper application. The application window opened January 30th, and all applications must be received by March 2nd, 2026.

• There will be a second information session to learn more, ask questions, and get support filling out the application: Weds, February 18: 8:30-9:30am: at the Superintendent's Office (49 Charles Ave, Middlebury)

• Schools have scheduled open houses for all interested families.

• Thurs, Feb 12, 5:30-6:30: Salisbury Community

• Mon, Feb 16, 5:30-6:30: Cornwall Elementary

• Tues, Feb 17, 5:30-6:30: Mary Hogan

• Weds, Feb 18 5:30-6:30: Weybridge Elementary

• Thurs, Feb 19 5:30-6:30 Bridport Elementary

The SEPAC invites all families and caregivers of ACSD students with disabilities to join them on Wednesday, February 18th.

Please join the Addison Central Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) on Wednesday, February 18th. We will be joined by Dr. Sonya Oefelein, ACSD Director of Equity, Inclusion, and Restorative Practices. Sonya will introduce herself and share her goals for the year. We will also hear from Megan Hendee of the MUHS Best Buddies Club.

Wednesday, February 18th
5:30 – 7:00 pm
MUHS Library (virtual option: https://meet.google.com/gjk-ymhg-drj)

Do you have young children birth to 5? We are expanding our early childhood offerings and want to hear from you! Share your hopes, needs, and ideas for building strong childhood care and education for our community. Find the survey link here. Survey is open 2/6-2/20.

We are so grateful to our family and community volunteers! If you plan to volunteer for an event or activity this year, now is a great time to apply or make sure your paperwork is up-to-date!

• Learn more about the volunteer process here.
• Check in with your front office if you've volunteered in the past to make your paperwork is up to date.
• Fill out this form if you've never volunteered before and plan to this year.

Want to know more about the Volunteer Process? Check out more information HERE.