Mary Hogan Family Newsletter

Dear Mary Hogan Families,

We had a great week here at school! We had more dogs visiting to read, college buddies visiting, sledding, and more. In these days before break, the students were also hard at work practicing their math facts and thinking flexibly about math story problems. They were working on writing personal narratives - from brainstorming and organizing to writing and revising. They explored birds and habitats at the Vermont Audubon Museum. They got ready for a celebration of learning (that had to be moved after break). And, mostly, we enjoyed being together as a school. It was a good, good week!

Have fun over break. Don't forget to have your kids log their reading. They are ahead in the readathon minutes, but you never know what may happen over break!

💙, Jen

⛄February Break 2/21-3/1⛄

Monday 3/2 - TURN IN YOUR LAST READING LOG!

Wednesday 3/4 - Walk and Roll and Early Release Day

• 9am - Readathon Closing Ceremony & Principal's Challenge

Thursday 3/5 - 12.30-1pm - 1st grade celebration of learning - 1st grade families invited!

Friday 3/6 - 1st grade goes to Shelburne Farms

We were SO lucky to have Cali (and her human, Erica) back at Mary Hogan this week as a therapy dog. Students LOVED reading to Cali and Erica. We are so lucky to have had therapy dogs in every week this month to read to students. We know how helpful it is to have someone to read to, and what could be better than a dog!?

We also had college students who came to read with students again this week. These students were so awesome and loved coming to be at Mary Hogan and get to know our students. Sometimes Hawks read to Panthers. Sometimes the Panthers read to the Hawks. Sometimes, they read together. It was so powerful for both of us.

The 5th graders went up to Richmond this past week to learn more about the birds in Vermont as well as their habitats, adaptations, and ecosystem that supports a healthy bird population. They went to Audubon Center and the Birds of Vermont Museum. All of this was possible because of a grant from the Otter Creek Audubon Society. We are so grateful for this extended learning opportunities. The students really loved being outside and learning for a lot of the day.

All students had a chance to take home a free book today from a WIDE array of books that Miss Julie picked out for students. This is an annual tradition at the Readathon and such a great chance to get a new book. I overheard some 1st graders asking about the giveaway and wondering if they had to pay for the books. When they found out the books were free, their response was "do we get to keep it for forever?" The teacher said "yes" and the kids all cheered. It was pretty cool. These Hawks love reading!

Today was our Olympics Day! The spirit day was created by our Student Council as a way to both celebrate the Olympics and have fun together. There were a lot of creative ways we celebrated the Olympics - from medals to outfits for specific sports and more. Some students who didn't know to dress up were reminded that they were celebrating because of the colors on their clothes were the colors on country's flags. It was a great way to end this week - and celebrate the early start of vacation.

Two weeks after break (on 3/9-3/13), we will be celebrating Growth Mindset Week at Mary Hogan. Growth mindset is a person's belief that their intelligence and skill level can grow over time and with practice (and reflection after mistakes). It is a powerful way of thinking that helps students - and adults - learn, grow, and recover from mistakes. More will be coming after break about a growth mindset!

To get ready for the week, students at lunch had a chance to draw or write answers to the following questions:

• What have you gotten better at by practicing?

• What is something a friend or family member taught you?

• What is one thing you want to get better at? What is something you can do to practice?

• What would you say to a friend if they said “I can’t do it!”?

Student answers will be posted around school after break. These are great questions for you to ask your own kids over break and see what they say!

The 2026-2027 ACSD Calendar is available and can be found on the website here.

• *Please remember, the deadline to apply for a 2026-27 school transfer for your rising K-5th student is March 2, 2026*

  
  

  The ACSD Board recently revised Board Policy C30, School Assignment and Intra-District Transfer, to offer more flexibility to ACSD families when choosing an elementary school for their child(ren). If you are interested in having your child attend a different K-5 elementary school, please read more about the policy and the application process here. To apply, use this form or visit your school’s front office or the ACSD District Office for a paper application. The application window opened January 30th, and all applications must be received by March 2nd, 2026.

Girls on the Run is coming to Mary Hogan! Register today: gotrvt.org/programs.

Our program focuses on the whole girl by empowering girls’ minds, bodies and souls. It inspires participants to appreciate, love and respect what makes them unique, set actionable goals that they can complete by the end of the season, and develop new habits and activities that create a healthier lifestyle.

Unlock your girl’s limitless potential and join us from 3:15-4:45 on Mondays and Thursdays for a season your girl will always remember. Our 10 week program is for students in grades 3-5 and begins the week of March 16th.

The registration fee is $130. GOTRVT provides financial assistance directly on the registration form for qualifying families as well as a payment plan. GOTRVT is committed to being accessible to any student who wants to participate and is dedicated to ensuring that program cost is not a barrier. Please contact GOTRVT directly at (802) 871-5664 regarding additional financial assistance options.

Questions? Contact Coach Tiffany Dragon at (802) 989-1280.

We are so grateful to our family and community volunteers! If you plan to volunteer for an event or activity this year, now is a great time to apply or make sure your paperwork is up-to-date!

• Learn more about the volunteer process here.
• Check in with your front office if you've volunteered in the past to make your paperwork is up to date.
• Fill out this form if you've never volunteered before and plan to this year.

Want to know more about the Volunteer Process? Check out more information HERE.