Hardy Happenings

Text YES to 67587 to opt into PowerSchool text messages, including important safety notifications. Stay informed on all Hardy communication—we highly encourage it!

Nhắn tin YES đến số 67587 để chọn nhận tin nhắn văn bản PowerSchool, bao gồm các thông báo an toàn quan trọng. Hãy cập nhật mọi thông tin liên lạc của Hardy—chúng tôi thực sự khuyến khích điều đó!

Did you know the Hardy Happenings Newsletter can be translated into over 130 different languages? Just click the "translate" button in the top right corner and select your preferred language.

Bạn có biết Bản tin Hardy Happenings có thể được dịch sang hơn 130 ngôn ngữ khác nhau không? Chỉ cần nhấp vào nút "dịch" ở góc trên bên phải và chọn ngôn ngữ bạn muốn.

We are just 1.5 weeks away from the start of the 2025-26 school year! Our teachers return to campus next week and will be busy preparing their classrooms in anticipation of welcoming back our amazing Owls. On Friday, August 8, you will receive a welcome email directly from your child’s teacher. Class lists will not be posted, so be sure to keep an eye out for this important message.

Important Information

• First Day of School: Monday, August 11
• School Hours: 7:45 AM - 2:10 PM (Wednesdays: 11:55 AM dismissal)
• TK dismisses ten minutes earlier than the bell each day (2:00 M/T/TH/F, 11:45 W)
• TK Minimum Days for the first two weeks: TK Hours: 7:45 AM - 11:45 AM
• Kinder Minimum Days for the first week: 7:45 AM - 11:45 AM
• Drop-off: Begins at 7:25 AM; students enter through the main gate and head to the lunch area. Please do not drop off your child prior to 7:25.
• Meals: Breakfast and lunch are provided daily at no cost, or students may bring a labeled lunch from home
• Water Bottles: Students are encouraged to bring a labeled water bottle each day

Drop-Off & Pick-Up

• Vehicle drop-off and pick-up take place in front of the school. We have two lanes: one for drop-off/pick-up and one for driving through to park.
• Please refer to the photos below to observe the flow of traffic.
• Hardy has major traffic concerns, and we remind you to leave early, observe all traffic laws, and drive slowly. Children are present and are always watching and listening. Thank you for your kindness and smiles in the car line!
• Families are welcome on campus for morning drop-off on the first day of school (TK through Monday, August 18, and Kinder for the first week). Due to WSM, parking is extremely limited on site and is prioritized for TK/K families with children in 5-point harnesses. We highly encourage families to use our carline drop-off.
• After the first day, the campus will be a closed campus, meaning only students may enter through the gates in the morning. Any parents needing to be on campus for any reason are welcome, they just need to check in at the front office and be an approved volunteer.

TK & Kindergarten Orientation

• Our TK and Kindergarten teachers invite all families to attend orientation on Friday, August 8, from 10 AM to 12 PM. We will start in the auditorium. Students can participate in "TK/K Signing Day," where they will sign their name and stamp their fingerprint on official Hardy letterhead, making them a part of our team. You'll get to keep this sweet memory forever.

First Day of School

• On Monday, August 11, gates open at 7:25 AM. Please refer to your teacher's welcome letter for details on where to meet. Teachers will be at their 'welcome locations' around the school and will head to their classrooms at 7:40 AM.
• At 7:45 AM, teachers will lead students into class.
• On the first day, families are permitted in the classrooms for a short period of time. After the first day, we ask that you give your hugs and kisses on the blacktop.
• Helpful tip for drop-off success: The easiest way to help your child build independence is with a short, confident goodbye. Lingering can actually make the transition harder. A calm, loving farewell gives your child the reassurance they need to start their day strong.

Coffee with the Principal: We will have our first Coffee with the Principal directly after drop-off in the Auditorium. Come meet our Hardy PTA board members and Dad's Club members, fill out our volunteer survey, and connect with other families. This is a great way to learn about the many ways we can support our students and staff. There's something for everyone, and we'd love to have your support!

I’m looking forward to a wonderful school year together. I know you have many choices for an elementary school, and I am thrilled that your family has chosen Hardy!

2025-26 Frequently Asked Questions

Ways to stay connected:

• Read our Weekly Newsletter: Hardy Happenings (Sent on Monday)

• School Website: Hardy Elementary School

• Join the PTA: Hardy Elementary PTA

• Instagram: @HardyOwls

• Instagram: @Principal_Aragon

• Facebook: @HardyOwls

• School Site Council (SSC)

• English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC)

• Review the Family Events Calendar and save the dates!

With gratitude and Owl pride,

Mrs. Aragon

Click here to read the first family welcome letter sent home last week.

See the flyer below for the events leading up to the first day of school for our TK and Kinder students!

TK Flight School Family Letter

*If your TK/K student is enrolled in PrimeTime or Klassic Kids, these programs will provide care on minimum day dismissals.

We're currently seeing higher-than-expected enrollment, which is exciting! However, if all registered students attend, class sizes will be quite full. Last year, 15–20 enrolled students did not show, leading to the loss of a teacher. We'll monitor actual attendance in the first few weeks and work with the district to determine if we qualify for an additional teacher. Enrollment will be reviewed through the third Friday of the school year for any adjustments.

As we prepare for the year ahead, we want to share how we approach class placement at Hardy. Our goal is to create balanced, supportive classrooms that consider academics, peer relationships, and social-emotional needs.

Due to shifting enrollment, combo classes are often a necessary and strategic part of our structure. These classes are thoughtfully designed for students who demonstrate independence and leadership. They are not based on academic concerns and offer rich, differentiated learning opportunities. While we understand families may have preferences, we do not accept teacher requests. Thank you for your continued trust as we build class lists that serve all students well.

We are thrilled to celebrate the incredible academic growth our students made on the 2024–25 CAASPP state assessments in both English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics! I will be highlighting this in our first Coffee with the Principal and Back to School Night!

In our School Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA)—a strategic plan that outlines how we improve outcomes for all students—we set a goal to grow by 3 points in Distance From Standard (DFS). This level of progress is considered significant enough to shift our state dashboard indicator, moving us toward stronger school performance ratings.

Not only did we meet that goal—we far exceeded it.

We are proud to share that Hardy Elementary was recognized at the district’s Principal Kickoff as having the 2nd highest growth in the entire district on CAASPP assessments! 🎉

Hardy 2024–25 CAASPP Growth Highlights:

ELA (English Language Arts):

• All Students: +44.08 point increase (from -5.16 to +38.92 DFS)

• SWD (Students with Disabilities): Up to +77.78 points of growth

• EL (English Learners): +54.83 point gain (from -16.17 to +38.66 DFS)

Mathematics:

• All Students: +29.81 point increase (from +7.68 to +37.49 DFS)

• SWD: As much as +71.77 points of growth

• Other subgroups: Ranged from +21 to +33 points

This achievement reflects:
✔️ Strong small-group instruction
✔️ Intentional PLC collaboration
✔️ Data-driven planning
✔️ Students who showed up and gave their best
✔️ Incredible support from families and staff

We are so proud of our Hardy Owls and this collective achievement. Thank you for being an essential part of this success—let’s keep building on this momentum in 2025–26!

Get ready for an exciting lineup of after-school fun! From chess, science, cooking, soccer, dance, golf, a brand new Spanish program, and more — there’s something for every curious kid to enjoy.

Classes begin the third week of school (the week of August 25)

Check out session dates here. Flyers and registration links will be posted soon!

We understand that many families are actively seeking after-school care for the upcoming school year. While Hardy Elementary is proud to host PrimeTime and Klassic Kids on our campus, please note that these programs are managed independently, and I do not oversee enrollment, waitlists, or placement decisions.

To my understanding, both programs are currently at full capacity. However, families may still join the waitlist and are also encouraged to explore alternative childcare options in the meantime.

Thank you for your understanding and support as we work together to ensure every child is cared for after school.

For questions or support, please contact the program teams directly:

• Extended Learning Opportunities (ELO): elo@sandi.net

• PrimeTime (Free Program): primetime@sandi.net

• Klassic Kids (Fee-Based through Harmonium): kkharpy@harmoniumsd.org | (619) 534-2845

If you have not set up a Parent Portal Account in PowerSchool please do so ASAP. Beginning in the 25-26 school year, you will need this account to find out your child's teacher and turn in all beginning of the year paperwork! This portal continues to be of importance as your child goes through their schooling career so you can access report cards, test scores, grades and attendance.

You need a unique code to get started the first time, if you need assistance please reach out to our school librarian, Mrs. Curtin, and she will help you (mcurtin@sandi.net).

https://powerschool.sandi.net/public/home.html

We’re looking for caring, reliable individuals to support our students during lunch and recess! This flexible, part-time position is perfect for someone who loves working with kids, enjoys being outdoors, and wants to make a positive impact on our school community.

We’re excited to offer this role as either a contracted or hourly position!

Position Details:

• Hours: Approximately 10:00 AM – 12:15 PM

• Days: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday

• Responsibilities:

  • Supervise lunch and recess, and TK classrooms

  • Foster positive relationships with students

  • Help maintain a safe, supportive, and fun playground environment

If you or someone you know is interested, please contact our front office at (619) 860-5700 or email Principal Aragon at Karagon@sandi.net.

Come be part of the Hardy Owl family and help us build a strong foundation for our students!

AUGUST

Wednesday, August 6: TK/Kinder Park Playdate 4-6p - Princess Del Cerro Park

Friday, August 8: TK/Kinder Signing Day and Orientation 10a-12p - Hardy Auditorium

Friday, August 8: Popsicle Party 2:30-3:30p - Walk & Explore the Campus - classrooms will not be open

Friday, August 8: Classroom placements sent via email & Powerschool

Sunday, August 10: Bedtime Stories with Principal Aragon via Instagram Live @HardyOwls 7:00p

Monday, August 11: First Day of School! Arrive early for photo ops!

Monday, August 11: Coffee with the Principal 8a - Auditorium

Wednesday, August 27: Leader in Me Assemblies / Leadership Applications sent home

Thursday, August 28: Back to School Night 5:30-7p - Adult only

Friday, August 29: Additional Minimum Day - Dismissal at 11:55a (11:45a TK)

SEPTEMBER

Monday, September 1: No School - Labor Day

Wednesday, September 3: Family Dine Out & Dad's Club Meeting - Woodstock's Pizza

Thursday, September 4: School Tour 8a

Friday, September 5: Family Friday & General PTA Meeting • 7:45a

Monday, September 8: Literacy Lab Launch!

Monday, September 8: SSC/SGT 2:30p Library or Zoom Option

Friday, September 12: Dad's Club Movie Night 6p

Friday, September 19: Additional Minimum Day & Lunch with your Loves - Dismissal at 11:55a

Friday, September 26: Fall Picture Day

Monday, September 29: APEX Jog-A-Thon Kick Off

Website: hardy.sandiegounified.org

Hardy PTA Website: https://sites.google.com/hardypta.com/pta

Address: 5420 Montezuma Rd, San Diego, CA 92115

Office Hours: 7:15-3:00 PM

Phone: (619) 860-5700
Facebook: Hardy PTA Page

Hardy Instagram: @HardyOwls

Email: karagon@sandi.net
Principal Aragon Instagram: @principal_aragon

Student & Family Guidebook

Frequently Asked Questions

I'm currently reading Visible Learning for Teachers by John Hattie. What are you reading?