HES Shark Scoop

Dear HES Families and Caregivers,

This time of year is always beautifully bittersweet. As we head into the final stretch of the school year, our days are packed with celebrations, culminating projects, field trips, and special events. It is a joyful, busy season, but it also brings a lot of reflection. Looking back at where we started, it is incredible to see all the ways our students have grown.

To help our students transition smoothly into the upcoming school year, we have an exciting event right around the corner. On Friday, June 26, all K–3 students will get to visit their assigned classrooms for next year, meet their new teachers, and say hello to the classmates who will be on the journey with them! This is always a fantastic day that helps ease any end-of-year jitters and builds a lot of excitement for the future.

Thank you all for your continued support and partnership. Wishing everyone a wonderful, relaxing weekend!

Warmly,

Christie

Friday, June 19 -- Holiday (No School)

Thursday, June 25 -- 4th Grade Step Up Ceremony 9:30 am

Friday, June 26 -- Step Up Day Grades K-3

Friday, June 26 -- Last Day of School (1/2 Day -- 11:00 Dismissal)

Are you a busy HES parent who would like to volunteer but struggles to find the time? This may be the opportunity for you! We need a few parents willing to keep the playground trees and the island area weeded throughout the year. It is not a big time commitment, especially if you bring your kiddos to play on the playground while you work. Just bring your gardening tools and weed a few times a season. Contact Diane DiGennaro for further info: riodd@comcast.net.

Per the handbook, if your child is unable to attend school, please enter the absence in PickUp Patrol and/or call our designated attendance line, 617-848-0115, as early as possible. Soon after arrival, our office staff begins to call the caregivers of absent students if we haven't already heard from them. This is important, as we want to ensure that all students are safe. Your phone message with the reason for the absence is all we need. While an email to the teacher is helpful, it sometimes doesn't make its way to the office staff. Thank you for your help!

We would love to have you join us for lunch one day! It's a wonderful chance to meet your child's friends and spend a little mid-day time connecting with them.

To reserve your spot on any day of the week, please complete this form.

To ensure a smooth and secure visit for everyone:

• Upon Arrival: Please sign in at the main office when you get here.

• After Lunch: We kindly ask that you return directly to the front office to sign out before you depart. To help the afternoon classes begin promptly and with minimal distraction, please do not accompany your child back to the classroom.

Thank you for your cooperation—we look forward to seeing you! 😊

As Robin Millen prepares to transition to Superintendent in the coming months, she will be available to families for conversations and questions.

Parent/caregiver virtual drop-in office hours

• Wednesday, June 17, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, July 22, 12-2 p.m.

Parents and caregivers are encouraged to join these virtual sessions with Dr. Millen at any time during the noted time frame to ask questions, share feedback, or offer suggestions. Stay tuned for more opportunities to share input and ask questions. She is also holding similar sessions for faculty, staff, and students.

As work begins on Phase 1 on the Monomoy Middle School Renovation Project, with the siding and windows being replaced, we are planning for Phase 2 - replacing the roof. The roof replacement work is necessary to protect our Towns’ investment in the middle school and the work currently being done to install new windows and siding. The roof project must be approved at Town Meeting in both towns next month, and at the ballot, in order to move ahead. You can find Phase 1 project updates, Phase 2 information, and a number of frequently asked questions on our website.

Did you know that you can use tools right in your web browser to translate any website you are visiting?

• The Monomoy website has translation tools accessible by clicking the button at the upper left corner of the site.

• When visiting any website, you can set your browser to translate the content.

• Aspen is our Student Information System, where you can see your student’s grades and other important information. Aspen allows users to change the default language from English to Haitian Creole, Spanish, or Portuguese. If you need translation to another language, you can use your browser settings to do so.

• We have shared details and instructions on our website for how to adjust these settings.

• You can find more information on our website about other translation tools we have available in our schools.

If you have problems using any of these tools, please email webmaster@monomoy.edu.

SUN Bucks applications are now open! SUN Bucks is a food benefit for families with children during the summer months, previously known as Summer EBT. SUN Bucks provides a $120 lump-sum summer benefit per school-aged child for income-eligible families. The program is administered by the state Department of Transitional Assistance in partnership with DESE and with assistance from schools. All enrolled students identified as meeting the income eligibility standards for free or reduced-price lunch during school year 2025-26, either through an NSLP household paper application or direct certification, are automatically eligible for SUN Bucks. Students identified as homeless, migrant, runaway or participating in Head Start are also automatically eligible. Students who do not meet the aforementioned criteria can apply for SUN Bucks benefits through DTA by visiting www.DTAConnect.com.

Ms. Allyson Joy, Assistant Principal

Email: ccutone@monomoy.edu
Website: https://www.monomoy.edu/Domain/9
Location: 263 South Street, Harwich, MA, USA
Phone: 508-430-7216