The Bulldog Bulletin

Bulldog families, you have absolutely amazed us! Our goal was $35,000, and because of your generosity and enthusiasm, we surpassed $45,000—the most we have ever raised through the Bulldog Jog! With two days remaining, we’re reaching for one more milestone: $47,000!

These funds will help us create a well-rounded, rigorous learning environment where students grow as learners and leaders. Every donation, shared link, word of encouragement, and moment of volunteering helped make this possible. Huge thank your to our PTO for their ongoing support and partnership. Without our PTO and each of you, these celebrations would not be possible.

Thank you for showing up for our students and believing in our school. We are deeply grateful for your partnership and every effort you’ve made to help our Bulldogs learn, lead, and leave a legacy!

Make-up Day is scheduled for 10/27/2026.

Instructions from Upstate Images to participate in Absentee/Retake Day:

1. Mark your calendar!

2. We recommend letting your students' teacher know that you wish to have a picture done so that they are sent to the photographer.

3. Absentees and New Students/Staff should plan to be photographed on this day so they may be included on the class photos and/or the yearbook. (No purchase necessary.)

4. In order to submit a new online order, families will need to wait for the updated proof sheet and submit an order using their student's personalized online code. Online orders will be mailed directly to the home address rather than to the school.

5. Retakes: It does not cost to have a retake. If you or your student are not happy with the original picture, please have a new photo taken. It is helpful to the photographer to add a note to the returned pictures explaining what you would like to have changed with their picture.

6. The student does need to return the complete Picture Package in the envelope to the photographer on Retake Day. We cannot exchange your order with the Retake picture until the Picture Package envelope and its contents have been returned but we can still take a new photo if that information is not provided on picture day.

If there are questions, please contact our customer service department at 855-773-3321 (M-F, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm).

We are very excited to continue the tradition of honoring our school counselors and school nurses through the School Counselor of the Year and School Nurse of the Year selection process. If you or anyone on your staff believes your school counselor and school nurse has demonstrated exceptional dedication to supporting students in a variety of ways, including academically, socially, and emotionally, please consider completing the nomination forms below:

School Counselor of the Year recommendations due, October 23, 2026

School Nurse of the Year recommendations due, November 1, 2026

We are excited to welcome Rusty, our six-year-old Labrador Retriever and certified therapy dog, to our school community! Therapy dogs can help students build confidence, support social-emotional well-being, and develop literacy skills through activities like reading to a dog.

Rusty will visit classrooms and other areas of the school, always accompanied by Mrs. Conway, his handler. He is regularly groomed to help minimize dander.

If you prefer that your child not interact with Rusty, please contact me at laura.conway@ucps.k12.nc.us or call the school and ask for Mrs. Conway.

We look forward to the positive impact Rusty will have on our students!

Mrs. King is looking for volunteers to help at our upcoming Scholastic Book Fair. Sign up to help using the SignUpGenius. Please remember to complete or renew your UCPS volunteer application form.

Thank you for supporting reading at HBES!

We have a few items waiting in our Lost & Found for their Bulldogs to claim them! If your child is missing a jacket, sweatshirt, water bottle, lunchbox, or other belonging, please encourage them to take a look. All remaining items will be donated to charity on November 6th.

A quick reminder to label belongings with your child’s first and last name whenever possible—it helps us return items quickly.

Let’s help our lost items find their way home! 💜🐾

Get Involved with Your PTO! Stay connected and learn what’s happening at our school through your PTO. From membership info and Spirit Wear to volunteer opportunities, Spirit Rock sign-ups, and our calendar of events. There are so many ways to join in and make a difference. Don’t miss out on being part of the fun and supporting our school community!

hembybridge.ptboard.com