Hopewell's Happenings

Welcome Back, HES Families!

We hope everyone had a wonderful Spring Break, filled with relaxation and time with loved ones. After such a busy and exciting March at HES, the break was well deserved! Last month was full of incredible moments that brought our school community together.

The HES Book Fair was a huge success, thanks to our amazing PTO, giving students and families the chance to explore new books and spark their love for reading. We also celebrated Read Across America with a fun Spirit Week.

Our HES Mini Musical was a wonderful success! Finville Elementary was a special production, with students showcasing their talent & hard work bringing this heartwarming story to life. A special thank you to Ms. Dauer, our music teacher, for writing and directing such a memorable show!

March also brought our SEL Day of Cooperation, where students worked together to prepare hygiene kits for The Chubby’s Project, showing the power of kindness in action.

Our Student Council's Coin Wars had the whole school buzzing with excitement, raising over $500.00 to support our Student Council and Green Team, with 2nd & 3rd grade claiming victory at the Pep Rally.

We wrapped up the month in true HES fashion with our third annual HES Pep Rally, filled with school spirit, club celebrations, and the highly anticipated staff-student relay races!

With April ahead, we’re looking forward to warmer days, new adventures, and even more opportunities to learn and grow together. Check out the photos below to relive all the fun and excitement from our incredible March!

Students and staff gathered on the basketball court to capture a special 100th anniversary photo of Hopewell Elementary School, creating a lasting keepsake of this milestone moment. This photo beautifully celebrates our centennial and the pride we share in HES.

Join us for an informative and supportive workshop on navigating intense emotions. Led by our own Ms. Stolov, DSW, LCSW, this session will provide helpful strategies and practical tools to better understand and manage big feelings.

The workshop will take place on May 6th from 6:00–8:00 PM at the HVCHS Media Center. To reserve your spot, please RSVP to LoriKelly@hvrsd.org. Link HERE for more information. We hope you can join us for this valuable evening!

Field day is scheduled for Friday May 22nd! The Hopewell Elementary Field Day Tee Sale wraps up on Friday, April 24th. Send in the paper order form with payment or use the link HERE to order online. Let’s get everyone geared up and ready to shine on Field Day! Don’t miss out!

Parents, families and friends are invited to our annual May Day Celebration, held outside on the HES Basketball Court on April 30th, at 2:15PM (Rain Date 5/1). Consider bringing a blanket or a lawn chair for seating.

We will be dancing and singing to celebrate spring! This year we will be sharing songs and dances from around the globe. Each class will perform a dance, and some fifth graders will weave the ribbons of the beautiful Maypole.

We are excited to see all of you there! Please reach out to Ms. Dauer with any questions or concerns! (Kathryndauer@hvrsd.org)

Fifth grade students: come learn how to weave the Maypole ribbons! We will learn the Basketweave Pattern, and perhaps the Herringbone and Spiderweb patterns. Ms. Mills will come back to teach the Maypole weaving this year.

Practices: There will be two Tuesday after-school practices.

Students must attend both practices from start to finish.

April 21st and April 28th

3:35-4:45 in the Gym

Students may bring a snack to eat as we set up the Maypole. Please sign up HERE by Wednesday April 15th

This year's Take Your Child to Work Day is Thursday, April 23rd. Please use this Google FORM for attendance purposes. Thank you!

It is hard to believe that we are starting to talk about the 2026-2027 school year! This is the time when we begin our planning by developing class lists. As part of this process, we take into account the unique talents, characteristics and learning styles of each of our students. It is our hope that these classes will reflect a balanced representation of our learning community. While parents are encouraged to rely on and trust the expertise and judgment of the professionals making the class placement decisions, we welcome you to share your thoughts, using this google FORM as we prepare class lists for the 2026-27 school year.

Please note that only written comments will be accepted per the guidelines below:

• Written comments should be limited to unique issues relative to your child’s strengths, interests, study skills, work habits, developmental needs, accomplishments, learning traits, and characteristics.

• Parents may not request a specific teacher. Such requests will not be accepted or considered either by the current classroom teacher or the principal.

• Consistent with prior practice, any information received relative to a teacher’s performance must be shared with the teacher and the source of the information must be identified.

• Parents/guardians are asked to refrain from requesting placement assignments for pairs or clusters of students. In extraordinary circumstances that require your child to be placed in a different homeroom than a specific classmate may be included.

If you feel that you have critical information to share, please complete this form by April 30, 2026. Any forms received after that date may not be able to be considered.

The HES Color Run is coming up on April 18th. Registration is closed, but our fundraising page is still open! If you'd like to donate to the cause and help support the HES Green team click here. If you'd like to join as a community partner or sponsor, please reach out to rachelfleisher@hvrsd.org. Thanks for all of your support!

Talent Show Ticket Sale - Get ready to be amazed! The HES Talent Show is just around the corner (April 23rd), and our talented students can’t wait to take the stage! Tickets are now on sale, link HERE to order. Once we reach our maximum capacity, ticket sales will close, so be sure to secure your spot early!

News for students by students! We are so proud of all of our members of the Newspaper Club who put a lot of effort into making their articles. You will get to learn more about what is happening at the school, learn more about teachers, pets of HES and so much more! Thank you for taking the time to read our paper!

Don't forget, the 2025-2026 yearbook orders are due by Thursday, May 7th. Should you wish to purchase a copy, please see the flyer linked here.

Dear Hopewell Families - We are currently participating in the Kids Heart Challenge!

By participating in Kids Heart Challenge, your child will learn about taking care of their hearts and participate in cardio-pumping challenges while be given a chance to raise awareness and funds to help kids with special hearts and make all communities healthier. Your family is invited to learn the lifesaving steps to Hands-Only CPR AND Warning Signs of Stroke. Link HERE for more Information. You can start today to enjoy educational, fun online experiences. Everything can be done easily online with the Kids Heart Challenge app, visit www.heart.org/KHC or go directly to our page here: Hopewell Elementary School

Click HERE to see if your company offers a “Matching Gift” to your already generous donation. Thank you for helping us raise awareness and funds for kids with special hearts!

Kindergarten Registration:

Kindergarten Registration is now open.

Kindergarten Camp:

Camp will be held Monday through Thursday, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. (four days a week) on the weeks of July 6th - 9th and July 13th - 16th at each elementary school. Please Note: your child must be registered for Fall 2026 Kindergarten in order to attend. The cost for attending two weeks is $400. If your child is only attending one week, it is $200. Transportation is not provided. Link HERE for Camp Registration.

The Hopewell Valley Municipal Alliance is excited to announce that Hopewell Valley Come Outside & Play! will take place from Thursday, June 4 through Saturday, June 6, 2026. This community-wide event encourages children and adults to get outdoors and connect with nature.

As always, please reach out if you need any assistance via phone at 609-737-4007 x7206 or email at ashleylarose@hvrsd.org.

FAMILY HIKE:
Meetup at Baldpate Mountain on Sunday April 26th for our monthly Family Hikes Series! This FREE series is sponsored by the HVRSD ecoPTO and Princeton's Littlebrook PTO. The intention is to build community, connect with Nature, and learn about our native landscapes. The hike groups will begin promptly at 10! RSVP for details and updates.

CSA:
Support our District's new partnership with Fairgrown Farm to help get hyperlocal farm food into the cafeterias, and more agricultural experiences into the school day. Link HERE for more information.

Calling all Volunteers for the HES Native Plant Meadow - Calling all volunteers to help create an awesome biodiverse learning space for the HES educators and students. HES has been building a native plant meadow adjacent to the parking lot since Spring 2025. The preparation work includes laying cardboard and spreading woodchips to smother the grass to prepare for the students to plant native plants. Link HERE to sign up.

PTO Meeting:
The April PTO Meeting is scheduled for Friday, the 17th, at 8:45am in the HES Conference Room.

• March 30th - April 3rd - Spring Break: Schools Closed
• April 7th - Dungeons & Dragons Club (8:00am)
• April 8th - Vocal Ensemble Rehearsal (8:00am)
• April 9th - Student Council Officers Meeting (8:05am); Orff Ensemble Rehearsal (3:45pm)
• April 10th - Student Council Spirit Day (Twin Day!)
• April 15th - Vocal Ensemble Rehearsal (7:50am); Bus Evacuation Drill (8:15am)
• April 16th - Student Council Meeting - Officers & Reps (8:05am); Green Team's Popsicle Sale (during all student lunches); Orff Ensemble Rehearsal (3:45pm)
• April 17th - PTO Meeting (8:45am)
• April 18th - HES Color Run (10:00am)
• April 19th - HES Color Run - Rain Date (9:00am)
• April 20-24 - GREEN WEEK at HES
• April 20th - Whole School Meeting - Wear Blue HES T-Shirt
• April 21st - Green Team Meeting (3:40pm)
• April 22nd - HES Celebrates Earth Day - Wear Green to Support; Earth Day's Bike/Roll/Walk-to-School (7:45am); Vocal Ensemble Rehearsal (7:50am); Garden Club Meeting (3:40pm)
• April 23rd - Take Your Child to Work Day; Orff Ensemble Rehearsal (3:45pm); HES Talent Show (6:30pm)
• April 24th - 4th Grade's Field Trip to Museum of American Revolution; Newspaper Club Meeting (8:00am); Kindergarten's Donuts with Grownups (9:00am)
• April 27th - Board of Education Meeting (6:30pm)
• April 28th - Choosing & Managing Kids’ Personal Devices With guest speaker Sarah Gallagher Trombley of Digital Mom Media (6:30pm @ HVCHS Media Center)
• April 29th - Vocal Ensemble Rehearsal (8:00am)
• April 30th - Debate Team Meeting (8:00am); HES May Day (2:15pm); Orff Ensemble Rehearsal (3:45pm)
• May 1st - HES May Day Rain Date (2:15pm)

• HES Dismissal Waiver Form
• HES Lunch Info
• HES School Calendar
• HES School Times
• HVRSD District Calendar

This section of our monthly correspondence is dedicated to posting our older community newsletters so that you can refer back to previous HES communication. We also recommend that you regularly visit our school's website and read HVRSD's weekly Focus to stay informed with the latest events and happenings at HES.

Previous Newsletters:

• March Edition
• February Edition
• January Edition
• December Edition
• November Edition
• October Edition
• September Edition
• Back to School Edition