Husky Howl September 2026
Every Child. Every Day. Every Way.
Dear Huffman Families,
We are officially a few weeks into the 2026-2027 school year, and it has been wonderful seeing our Huskies settle into their classrooms, build relationships, learn new routines, and begin another year of learning and growth.
Before we get too far into the year, we also want to take a moment to say a very sincere THANK YOU for your patience and understanding as we worked through some registration challenges at the beginning of the year. We know there were moments that were confusing, frustrating, and probably had more than a few of us thinking, “Is it too early for a fall break?” 😅
We truly appreciate the grace you showed our office and staff as we worked to get students where they needed to be and resolve issues as quickly as possible. Starting a new school year is already a big transition for families, and we understand that registration difficulties added an extra layer of stress that no one needed.
The good news? We made it through! 🐾 Now we are ready to focus on what matters most—making this an amazing year for our students.
Whether your family is returning to Huffman or joined us for the first time this year, we are so glad you are part of our school community. Huffman is your school, and we are committed to supporting your child and your family throughout the year.
We are continuing to build a school where every student feels safe, welcomed, challenged, and loved. Strong schools are built through relationships, high expectations, and a true partnership between home and school. These first few weeks have already shown what is possible when our students, staff, and families work together.
Our theme this year is:
Every Child. Every Day. Every Way.
These words guide the work we do each day. Every child matters. Every day is an opportunity to learn and grow. And every member of our Huffman family plays an important role in helping our students succeed.
There is so much to look forward to this year! We have several exciting family events planned, and they are all FREE! We hope you will join us for family nights, student showcases, celebrations, and other special events throughout the year. Our students will also have opportunities to participate in field trips, assemblies, leadership experiences, and activities designed to make school meaningful, memorable, and fun.
🐾 #WeWantYouHere
Now that we are settling into the school year, attendance continues to be one of our biggest priorities. Every day at school gives students another opportunity to learn, build friendships, strengthen routines, and be part of the Huffman community.
Students who come to school on time and stay all day will have opportunities to earn:
Monthly prizes
Classroom rewards
Schoolwide celebrations
Special attendance incentives
Parents and guardians will also have opportunities to win prizes simply by helping their child get to school each day!
If attendance ever becomes a challenge, please reach out to us. We are here to help. We believe in working with families, not against them. We are one team.
Thank you for hanging in there with us through the beginning-of-the-year bumps, for communicating with us, and most importantly, for trusting us with your children. We are excited about everything still ahead and incredibly grateful to have you as part of our Husky Pack.
Every Child. Every Day. Every Way. 🐾💛🖤
🌟 African American Experience Spotlight
Katherine Dunham: Dancing, Dreaming & Giving Back
Did you know that one of the most influential dancers and choreographers in American history made a lasting impact right here in East St. Louis?
Katherine Dunham was a dancer, choreographer, educator, and anthropologist who changed the world of dance. She studied the dances and cultures of people throughout the Caribbean and brought what she learned to stages across the world. Her unique style became known as the Dunham Technique, and her work helped open doors for generations of Black dancers and performers.
But Katherine Dunham didn't just achieve success and move on. She believed in giving back.
In the 1960s, she established the Performing Arts Training Center in East St. Louis, where young people could learn dance, music, theater, and other skills. She believed the arts could help young people discover their talents, build confidence, and create brighter futures.
Katherine Dunham showed that you can use your talents not only to achieve your own dreams—but also to make your community stronger.
What Can We Learn from Katherine Dunham?
🌟 Your talents can take you places you never imagined.
💛 Success is even more meaningful when you use it to help others.
📚 Learning about different cultures helps us better understand the world.
💪 Where you come from does not limit where you can go.
🐾 You can make a difference right here in your own community.
🐾 Huffman Connection
At Huffman Elementary, we believe every Husky has talents waiting to be discovered. Katherine Dunham used her gifts, education, creativity, and determination to make an impact around the world—and then brought those gifts back to help young people in our own community.
Our students can do the same.
The next great artist, teacher, scientist, athlete, musician, entrepreneur, or community leader could be a Huffman Husky sitting in one of our classrooms today.