Hardy Elementary Newsletter
September 19, 2025
The Friday Bike Club
Harper Kresl, 2nd Grader, is promoting the "Bike Club." She designed this flyer, and her mother helped her with the map. Harper hung the flyers up around Hardy, and she is hoping that other families will begin to join the "Bike Club" on Friday mornings. Check out the map below to view their route and the times.
We are so grateful to all the families choosing the walking and biking options whenever possible. As you know, there is a lot of vehicle traffic around Hardy at arrival and dismissal.
I Love U Guys - New Safety Protocol
Standard Safety Response Protocol
This year, APS is adopting the Standard Response Protocol (SRP) developed by the “I Love U Guys” Foundation. The SRP is a nationally recognized safety protocol that standardizes responses to various situations, including emergencies. This protocol is based on five simple, action-based responses:
Hold – "In your room or area. Clear the halls."
Secure – "Get inside. Lock outside doors."
Lockdown – "Locks, lights, out of sight."
Evacuate – "To a specified location."
Shelter – "Using a safety strategy for group and self protection from (state specific hazard, may be tornado or hazmat situation)."
Each action is accompanied by specific instructions to help keep students and staff safe and informed during any incident. This standardized language ensures clarity for students, teachers, first responders, and families in the event of an emergency. All staff were trained in these actions at the start of the school year, we encourage all parents and guardians to review more about the SRP at https://iloveuguys.org and reach out to us with any questions or concerns.
Family Forum on New Safety Protocols: October 16th
We will hold a district forum for families focused on our new Safety Protocols on October 16th at 7pm. The flyer is below and we appreciate schools' help advertising this forum by sharing with your PTOs or in your newsletters. The forum will be recorded and shared afterwards, and will be posted to the website.
When: 10/16/2025, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Where: Remote on Zoom
Arlington Public Schools and the Town of Arlington are adopting the “I Love U Guys” Standard Response Protocol for school safety. Join us to learn what this means for families, how schools will respond in emergencies, and how APS will communicate with you.
Zoom Webinar Registration Link
Back to School Night Success
We had a huge turnout of families at Back to School Night! It was wonderful to see so many happy and confident students showing their families around.
CORI (Background Check)
If you are planning to volunteer and/or chaperone field trips this year, stop in to see Mrs. Bellerose and fill out a CORI form. She will need a front and back copy of your license or ID.
PTO Website and Information
Check out the Hardy PTO Website for information on how you can join PTO, support the Hardy School, find out about upcoming fun events. If you would like to donate to the Hardy PTO, click here.
Important Dates to Remember
September 23rd - No School in Observance of Rosh Hashanah
October 2nd - No School in Observance of Yom Kippur
October 4th - Harvest Fest and Bike Rodeo (PTO Sponsored)
October 13th - No School in Observance of Indigenous Peoples Day
October 24th - Trunk or Treat (PTO Sponsored)
Hardy School Contact Information
Principal: Gretchen Saunders - gsaunders@arlington.k12.ma.us
Assistant Principal: Eric Jones- ejones@arlington.k12.ma.us
Administrative Assistant: Mary Bellerose -mbellerose@arlington.k12.ma.us
Main Office Number - 781-316-3783