Hardy Happenings

I’m honored to share that tomorrow evening, I will represent Hardy at the SDUSD Board meeting to be recognized for one of the most improved attendance rates in the district. Our chronic absenteeism, defined as missing 10 percent or more of the school year, has dropped dramatically, and the Board has asked me to speak about the strategies we’ve put in place. This recognition belongs to our students, staff, and families, and your commitment to “showing up” is paying off, and our recent test score gains reflect it. Well done, Owls!

• Holidays at Hardy have begun! Can you believe it? See info below on Christmas tree and wreath sales, See’s Candies, and a Minted.com holiday card promotion that returns a percentage to Hardy
• Today is the final day to purchase spirit wear. Please place orders by midnight
• This Friday, October 31, is a minimum day, dismissal at 11:55 am. Halloween details are listed below
• Family Friday is next week, Friday, November 7, and we will focus on Whole Site Modernization, including move plans and drawings. Exciting stuff! I've attached some photos as a sneak peek!
• Monday, November 10, is a non-instructional day, no school
• Tuesday, November 11, is Veterans Day, no school
• Friday, November 14, we will join schools nationwide for Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day, see below for more information
• Family conferences are the week of November 17–21, each day that week is a minimum day to support afternoon conferences, your child’s teacher will send sign-ups soon, please begin making after-school arrangements for early release

Have a wonderful week! See you in Camo tomorrow!

With gratitude,

Principal Aragon

Please join us for our Halloween Parade on Friday, October 31, at approximately 8:00 am. We plan to use the new blacktop and grass; see the map below for reference. Our youngest Owls may need help carrying their chairs to the blacktop. If you are able to assist, please check in with your child’s teacher at drop-off. Please review our Halloween costume guidelines before Friday.

Due to the Halloween Parade, there will not be a Friday morning assembly.

Please keep all candy at home after Halloween. Candy is not permitted at school.

Looking forward to a fun day!

Red Ribbon Spirit Week is October 27-31. On Friday, October 31, we will have our costume parade and students may wear their costume.

Students must adhere to our dress code guidelines and following these additional guidelines:

• Masks or make-up that conceal the entire face or prevent staff from identifying students are not allowed
• Weapons, pretend or real, are not allowed including but not limited to guns, knives, swords, sabers, etc.
• Costumes must be school-appropriate, may not depict or promote violence, weapons, drugs, or alcohol, and should not be overly scary.
• Costumes that may offend others due to race, culture, gender, religion, or sexual orientation are not permitted
• Costume should not include items with sound effects, lights, or other components which would disrupt the classroom learning environment
• Blow up costumes are only permitted during the parade, but not in the classroom.
• And finally, costumes must not inhibit the ability of a student to participate fully in all classes

Last call, Owls, the spirit wear shop closes at midnight, grab your favorites now and show your Hardy pride.

Please note the funeral procession that may impact traffic on Tuesday, October 28.

Here is the route of Tuesday’s procession:

• Depart Snapdragon Stadium around 7:30 a.m.
• Proceed northbound Interstate 15
• Proceed eastbound State Route 52
• Proceed southbound State Route 125
• Proceed eastbound State Route 94
• End at eastbound Campo Road to Skyline Church at 11330 Campo Rd.

Authorities warn motorists to expect road closures and major traffic delays throughout Tuesday morning.

State Routes 94 and 125 from Spring Street in La Mesa will be closed during the time.

On Friday, October 31, there is an additional minimum day with dismissal at 11:55a.

Will you help spread the word to prospective Hardy Owls—and any families interested in joining us—for the 2026–27 school year?

The 2026–27 Choice priority enrollment window opens Monday, Sept. 22, through Saturday, November 15. The Choice Program allows families to apply for schools beyond their neighborhood.

Important Dates

• Choice Application Window: Sept. 22 – Nov. 15, 2025
• Lottery Results Posted: Mid-February 2026

Apply Online: www.sandiegounified.org/choice

Families applying during the priority window have the best chance to secure one of their top three school choices. Multilingual support is also available through the Family Welcome and Enrollment Center at (619) 260-2410.

Current Hardy students on Choice, who will remain at Hardy, do not need to apply.

Join us for Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day. Whether you live nearby or farther away, we encourage all Owls to walk in with us as a community. This annual day of dialogue commemorates Ruby Bridges’ historic steps, and our students will continue the conversation at school, practicing kindness and inclusion and engaging in age-appropriate activism to help end racism and all forms of bullying.

Spread the word to wear PURPLE on November 14th in celebration of the event, and post pictures from your community #rubybridgeswalktoschoolday

If your student is home sick, please notify the front office by phone or by completing the REPORT AN ABSENCE form.

It’s Halloween week: costumes, candy, and chaos galore! We know everyone’s got a lot going on, so here are a few quick things to keep on your radar (and a couple that can wait until after the sugar crash). 🍬

Our online store closes Monday, Oct 27, so this is your final chance to grab Hardy’s new sweatshirts, long-sleeve tees, hats, etc. These make great gifts for grandparents or future Owls!
🛒 Order here: https://stores.inksoft.com/har774/shop/home

Once the pumpkins are put away, it’s time for a little holiday cheer! Three easy ways to spread joy and support Hardy programs:
1️⃣ Dad’s Club Christmas Trees & Greenery – Order by Nov 15 for pickup Dec 7 🎄Order HERE
2️⃣ See’s Candies – Return order forms by Nov 15 (cash/checks to Hardy Elementary PTA) 🍫 Pickup Dec 7–8
3️⃣ Minted Holiday Cards & Gifts – Shop Minted.com with code FUNDRAISEELHPTA for 20% off + 10% back to Hardy 💌
Flyers are going home in black folders today!

Get ready to enter the Wizarding World of Hardy! 🪄
Games, treats, and magical surprises await; details on tickets and volunteer opportunities coming next week.

Enjoy dinner and support Hardy! Dine in or take out from 12pm-8pm, and a portion of proceeds will benefit Hardy PTA programs.

📬 Questions or ideas? Email us anytime at hootline@hardypta.com

📱 Follow us on Instagram @HardyOwlsPTA for quick reminders and event updates!

Reminder to all Hardy dads and father figures, our next Dad’s Club meeting is Monday, Nov 3 at 6:30pm at Majorette. A great chance to connect, brainstorm, and plan upcoming events (plus a little fun on the side).

Dad’s Club Christmas Trees & Greenery – Order by Nov 15 for pickup Dec 7 🎄Order HERE

OCTOBER

CHOICE PRIORITY WINDOW OPEN

Red Ribbon Week 27-31

Thursday, October 30: School Tour @ 8a

Friday, October 31: Halloween Parade 8a / Minimum Day

NOVEMBER

Sunday, November 2: Daylight Savings Time - Standard Time - Fall Back

Monday, November 3: SSC/SGT

Wednesday, November 5: Family Dine Out

Friday, November 7: Family Friday

Monday, November 10: Non-Instructional Day - NO SCHOOL

Tuesday, November 11: Veterans Day - NO SCHOOL

Friday, November 14: Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day & Family Friday & PTA Association Meeting

Saturday, November 15: Fall Festival

Saturday, November 15: CHOICE Priority Window Closes

Mon-Fri Nov. 17-21: Family Conferences - Minimum Days Daily at 11:55a

Mon-Fri Nov. 24-28: Thanksgiving Break - NO SCHOOL

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

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