Hopewell's Happenings

November was a heartwarming and busy month at Hopewell Elementary, filled with gratitude and appreciation for our exceptional students, dedicated staff, and supportive community. Together, we celebrated the many reasons we are thankful through various meaningful events.

During our whole-school meeting, students expressed their appreciation for staff, while staff—assisted by Freddy—shared their gratitude for our amazing students. To celebrate HES’s 100th Anniversary, students earned 100 Hopewell Hoorays and spun the Wheel of Appreciation, winning a Pajama Day set for our first day back from Winter Break on January 5. It was a special moment that left everyone feeling connected and thankful.

Thanks to the generosity of HES staff, students, and families, The Chubby's Project provided 25 turkeys, hundreds of side dishes and 54 pies to families in need. Your kindness has made a meaningful difference in our community, reminding us of the power of giving during this season of gratitude.

We also kicked off our first SEL Day of the year with an inspiring partnership alongside the ecoPTO and the Sourland Conservancy. All PreK-Grade 5 students headed outdoors to honor the Earth and HES campus by planting and helping expand our wetland meadow.

In addition, we celebrated our incredible educators by receiving over 20 nominations for the Governor’s Educator of the Year award. Thank you for taking the time to recognize the hard work and dedication of our teachers and staff. Our winner will be announced later this month!

As we look ahead to December and the close of 2025, we are excited for what’s to come.

Take a step back in time with the April 1941 issue of The Keyhole, Hopewell Elementary School’s student newspaper linked HERE. This fourteen-page, typewritten edition includes charming hand-drawn illustrations, grade-level news, personal student updates, original writing and poetry, and plenty of classic jokes and riddles. It’s a wonderful glimpse of what student journalism looked like at HES more than 80 years ago.

Extra, Extra! Read All About It!

The newest edition of The Hopewell Times is hot off the press! Our student reporters have been hard at work sharing stories, highlights, and fun happenings around HES. Be sure to check it out and celebrate their amazing work!

November Paper - Volume 2, Issue 2

HES PTO is excited to introduce two brand-new ways to celebrate Hopewell Elementary's legacy and support our PTO. This winter, we're offering fresh spirit wear collections featuring exclusive designs to mark our school's 100-year anniversary—plus classic HES gear for year-round pride.

1. Spirit Wear Store – NEW for the holidays

Browse classic HES apparel (tees, pajamas, beanies, cups, and more) in a range of sizes and colors. Order by Wednesday, Dec 11 to receive items in time for the holidays.

→ merch.hopewellpto.org

2. Custom, Handcrafted Spirit Wear with Rooted Rags – NEW partnership

Discover one-of-a-kind, hand-dyed and embroidered HES apparel made by a Hopewell school mom in partnership with our PTO. Orders typically take 1–3 weeks, depending on inventory, and you may request an estimated delivery date after checkout.

→ handmade.hopewellpto.org

Show your HES pride and help celebrate 100 years of excellence. Thank you for supporting our school!

As we head into the winter season, our Nurse’s Office is looking to build a small supply of gently used pants for students who may need a change of clothes during the school day. If your family has outgrown elastic-waist pants—such as sweatpants or leggings—in sizes 3T, 4T, Youth X-Small, or Youth Small, we would greatly appreciate the donation.

Thank you for considering and for supporting our students!

The first trimester ends on December 4th. Report cards will be available on OnCourse beginning December 12th. Look for an email from HVRSD on December 11th with information about standards-based grading and how to access your child's report card.

Hopewell Elementary School (HES) is excited to announce our 4th Annual CHOP Fundraiser in support of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia is underway!!! From Monday, December 1st, through Friday, December 12th, we’ll be raising funds to help the children and families cared for by CHOP.

Like every year, the highlight of this event is our Pajama Day - Friday, December 5th! Students have been invited to wear their favorite school-appropriate pajamas and bring an optional donation to contribute to this meaningful cause.

Let’s come together as a community to make a difference. For more information about how to donate, click HERE. Thank you for your support!

The HES Art Club is excited to invite all K-2 students to a Canvas & Cocoa Party! The event will take place on Thursday, December 18th at 4:15pm in the HES Cafeteria. During the event, participants will be able to paint their own penguin (see flyer) with support from Mrs. Anderson while enjoying cocoa alongside friends and family. HES Art Club members will also be available to lend a helping hand to participants. The registration fee is $25 per painter. Payment is available online through our fundraising page linked here. Any and all donations are greatly appreciated. Proceeds will benefit the HES Nature Harmony Committee's work to provide outdoor learning opportunities for our school community. Feel free to reach out to Mr. DeLorenzo (michaeldeloenzo@hvrsd.org) or Mrs. Anderson (leahanderson@hvrsd.org) with questions or concerns. We're looking forward to a fun and festive event!

Preparations for the 2025–2026 HES Yearbook are underway! Yearbooks are now available for purchase through the online store. You can click here for ordering details. Orders will be accepted through May 8th, 2026.

Thank you for supporting your child(ren)’s pursuit of Gratitude last month. Students engaged in gratitude activities in their morning meetings and classrooms through Character Strong lessons, our Thanksgiving collection benefitting the Chubby’s Project, as well as our district-wide SEL Day of Gratitude on November 26th. See our 5th and 1st grade “Frog Friends” buddy classes engaging in some activities for our SEL Day of Gratitude.

During December we will be focusing on the trait of Empathy. Empathy is one of our core LEAP values as well as the CS trait of the month. Empathy is understanding and connecting with other people’s feelings. If you’d like to learn more about the Character Strong programming or get some ideas to support your learner at home, you can access additional resources on the Family Strong Website.

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

Our Lost and Found near the front office is full of wonderful treasures waiting to be reunited with their owners—shirts, sweaters, water bottles, lunch boxes, and lots of cozy winter jackets! Please take a peek at the photos below and remind your child to swing by and check for any missing items. All unclaimed items will be donated on December 12th, so let’s find these lost goodies a home before then. Thank you! 🧥🥤🧢

Sending holiday cards this year? Please consider using the HES PTO's coupon code for Minted.com. You save 20% and we get 15% back! Feel free to share this coupon with family and friends (users do not need to be affiliated with HES) The code works on wedding stationery, thank you cards, birth announcements, invitations, and so much more! Minted Code: FUNDRAISEHOPEWELLELEM

• December 3rd - Vocal Ensemble Rehearsal (7:50am)
• December 4th - Trimester 1 Ends; Student Council Meeting- Officers ONLY (8:05am); Orff Ensemble Rehearsal (3:45pm)
• December 5th - Trimester 2 Begins; Pajama Day at HES (Thanks to our efforts raising funds to CHOP); Kindergarten's Gingerbread Day
• December 9th - PSO BRAVO Percussion Assembly - 4th Grade; Green Team Meeting (3:40pm)
• December 10th - Vocal Ensemble Rehearsal (7:50am)
• December 11th - Orff Ensemble Rehearsal (3:45pm)
• December 12th - Report Cards Available on the Parent Portal; Stealing Santa's Sleigh Musical for PreK, K & 1 (2:00pm); CHOP Fundraiser Ends
• December 15th - PSO Bravo Strings Assembly - 2nd Grade; Board of Education Regular Meeting (6:30pm)
• December 16th - Debate Team Meeting (8:00am)
• December 17th - Vocal Ensemble Rehearsal (7:50am); Garden Club Meeting (3:40pm)
• December 18th - Student Council Meeting - Officers & Reps (8:05am); 1H & 1M Walking Field Trip to Post Office Trip; Orff Ensemble Rehearasal (3:45pm); Art Club's Canvas & Cocoa Event for Gr. K-2 Students (4:15pm)
• December 19th - Newspaper Club Meeting (8:00am); Kindergarten's Grinch Day; 1S Walking Field Trip to Post Office Trip; 3rd Grade Musical (2:00pm)
• December 22nd - 5th Grade Vocal Ensemble Field Trip (9:00am)
• December 23rd - Early Dismissal Day for Students (12:45pm); Preschool Half Day - AM PEECH ONLY; Whole School Sing-Along Gr. PreK-5 (Students - Wear Something Festive)
• Decemeber 24th - January 2nd - Winter Break - Schools Closed

• HES Dismissal Waiver Form

• HES Lunch Info
  
• HES School Calendar
• HES School Times
• HES Student Handbook
• HVRSD Calendar
• HVRSD Superintendent's Update

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 to stay informed with the latest events and happenings at HES.

Previous Newsletters:

• November 2025
• October 2025
• September 2025
• Back to School Edition