Elementary Newsletter 📰

Hershey Panther Families and Friends,

As February unfolds, we find ourselves in a month filled with moments to celebrate, reflect, and cherish. The days are slowly getting longer, hinting at the promise of spring ahead, yet the warmth of winter still calls for cozy evenings by the fireplace. This month brings a chance to pause and enjoy time with loved ones, whether through heartfelt Valentine’s Day cards, shared laughter, or simply being together. It’s a reminder that even small acts of kindness and connection can brighten the coldest days.

February also offers us opportunities to celebrate milestones and traditions. From the playful prediction of Groundhog Day to honoring Abraham Lincoln's legacy on his birthday, these moments allow us to engage students in learning about history and community. We’re also thrilled to mark the 100th day of school this month—a bright milestone showcasing how much our students have grown, both academically and personally, since the start of the year. Their resilience and excitement for learning are inspiring, and we couldn’t be prouder of the progress they’ve made.

As we embrace the warmth of chocolates, kindness, and bright beginnings, let’s continue to work together to support the success of every student. Whether it’s cheering them on, helping them navigate new challenges, or simply celebrating their daily efforts, we know that the love and encouragement they receive at school and at home make all the difference.

Here’s to a fantastic February filled with growth, joy, and meaningful moments! Thank you for your continued support of our school community.

Go Panthers!

Jared Thomsen

Elementary Principal

(308) 368-5572

jared.thomsen@hpspanthers.org

Empowering All Students to Reach Their Full Potential.

“Learn, Grow, Thrive - Hershey Public Schools”

02.04.25 - No School PK-12 (SPVA Band & Choir)

02.05.25 - 100th Day of School

02.07.25 - Lincoln Co. Spelling Bee (5th-8th)

02.07.25 - Mid Term: Progress Reports Handed Out

02.17.25 - Presidents' Day - No School PK-12 (PLC Day for Teachers)

02.14.25 - Valentine's Day

02.25.25 - SRP Drill (LOCKDOWN) 8:50 AM

03.02.25 - Read Across America Day

03.10.25 - Fire Drill 10:40 AM

03.12.25 - End of Q3

03.12.25 - 11:30 Student Dismissal (QVC Staff In-Service)

03.13.25 - No School PK-12 (Spring Break)

03.14.25 - No School PK-12 (Spring Break)

03.14.25 - Pi Day

03.17.25 - St. Patrick's Day

03.28.25 - HELP Club Carnival (Activity Center + Competition Gym)

05.21.25 - Elementary Field Day

As we enter the month of February, winter’s chill still lingers, but the days are gradually getting longer, and brighter moments are on the horizon. While the snowflakes and brisk air remain, it’s essential that your child continues to come to school prepared for the outdoor elements, especially as we embrace fresh air and outdoor play during recess.

This is a great time to ensure your child is bundled up with winter coats, gloves, hats, and warm layers to stay comfortable during outdoor activities. As always, we will monitor the "real feel" temperatures to prioritize your child's safety during recess.

Here are our updated reminders and guidelines for outdoor play:

• Indoor Recess: If the "real feel" temperature drops below 0°, students will stay inside for recess to stay safe and warm.
• Coat Requirement: When the temperature is below 40°, students will need to wear a coat to stay cozy and protected from the cold.

Your support in following these guidelines helps ensure all our students can enjoy outdoor play while staying safe and comfortable. Let’s make the rest of this winter season both fun and warm for everyone! ❄️💕

We want to take a moment to thank all of our parents and students for your incredible effort and support during our recent winter benchmark testing. Your dedication has truly made a difference!

We’re thrilled to share that we saw tremendous growth across all students, and we’ve identified key areas where we can continue to grow together. We are so proud of the hard work your children have shown and look forward to even greater achievements during our spring benchmarks.

Thank you for being such an integral part of your child’s success. Together, we are making amazing progress! 💪📚

Mark your calendars for a milestone event—Wednesday, February 5, 2025, as we celebrate the 100th Day of School! This special day is all about recognizing how far we’ve come in 100 days of learning, growth, and fun.

Here’s what to expect:

• 100th Day Fun-Filled Photo Booth 📸: Capture the joy of this milestone with a memorable photo at our special 100th-day photo booth!

• Dress to Impress! 👕👵: Your child is invited to join the fun by:

  • Wearing a shirt with 100 items on it (poms, buttons, stickers, etc.).
  • Dressing up as if they are 100 years old—think glasses, cardigans, or creative gray hair!

• Classroom Activities 🎨✏️: Each class will have its own exciting activities planned throughout the day to celebrate being 100 days smarter!

This is such an exciting milestone for our students, and we can’t wait to celebrate all they’ve accomplished. Keep an eye out for more details coming soon, and thank you for helping make this a day to remember!

Let’s celebrate 100 days of learning and growing together! 🥳📚

This month, we take a moment to reflect on and celebrate the outstanding achievements of our incredible students. Through the Hershey Public School Educational Foundation Student of the Month program, we recognize those who go above and beyond—students who exemplify kindness, dedication, and a positive attitude in everything they do.

From September through April, teachers nominate students who consistently demonstrate qualities such as hard work, respect, and a commitment to making our school community a better place. These nominations highlight students who shine as leaders, friends, and learners.

Congratulations to all our January classroom nominees! Your efforts, positive attitude, and dedication to excellence set a powerful example for your classmates and our school as a whole. We are so proud of each of you!

A special congratulations to Jada Lashley (4A), our overall January Student of the Month! Jada's kindness, humor, and enthusiasm for learning enrich our school community every day. She inspires those around her with her hard work and thoughtful support of others, embodying what it means to be a true Panther.

To all our nominees—thank you for making our school an exceptional place to learn and grow. Keep up the fantastic work, and continue to shine in all that you do! 🌟🐾

Encouraging a growth mindset in children helps them embrace challenges, persist through difficulties, and view effort as a path to mastery. Here are some strategies to nurture this mindset at home:

1. Praise the Process: Focus on your child's effort, strategies, and progress rather than innate abilities. For example, say, "I'm proud of how hard you worked on that puzzle," instead of, "You're so smart." This reinforces the value of effort and learning.

   Mindset Works

   
   

2. Embrace Mistakes as Learning Opportunities: Encourage your child to view mistakes as a natural part of the learning process. Discuss what can be learned from errors and how to approach the task differently next time. This helps them understand that failure is a stepping stone to success.

   Mindset Works

   
   

3. Discuss the Brain's Ability to Grow: Explain that the brain is like a muscle that gets stronger with use. Learning new things creates new connections in the brain, enhancing its capabilities.

   School of Education Online

   
   

4. Model a Growth Mindset: Share your own challenges and how you've overcome them through effort and perseverance. This demonstrates that learning is a lifelong process and that persistence leads to improvement.

By implementing these practices, you can help your child develop resilience and a positive attitude toward learning, setting the foundation for lifelong success.

The winter months offer unique opportunities to engage your child in literacy activities that are both fun and educational. Here are some ideas to keep the reading momentum going during the colder season:

1. Create a Cozy Reading Nook: Designate a special, comfortable space in your home for reading. Fill it with blankets, pillows, and a variety of books to make reading time inviting and enjoyable.

2. Incorporate Winter Themes: Choose books and stories that revolve around winter settings or holidays. This seasonal relevance can make reading more engaging and relatable for your child.

3. Interactive Storytelling: Encourage your child to act out scenes from their favorite winter stories or create their own tales. This enhances comprehension and makes reading a dynamic activity.

   IU Blogs

   
   

4. Winter Word Games: Play games that involve winter-related vocabulary to build language skills. For instance, a game of "I Spy" during a neighborhood walk can introduce new words and concepts.

   Ages and Stages

   
   

5. Family Reading Challenges: Set up a reading challenge where family members set goals and track the number of books read or minutes spent reading. Celebrate milestones to motivate continued participation.

   Read Naturally

   
   

By integrating these activities into your winter routine, you can foster a love for reading and support your child's literacy development in enjoyable and meaningful ways.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the incredible individuals and groups who continue to make a difference in our school community:

• Allie Norquest: Thank you for your dedicated service as a paraprofessional. Best wishes on your new endeavor—we know you'll do great things!
• Kort Smith: Your tireless efforts in live-streaming elementary events, providing tech support, and assisting with recent presentations are greatly appreciated. Thank you for keeping us connected and running smoothly!
• Mike Donahue: Thank you for inspiring our students and staff with your powerful message during the Level Up presentation. Your words left a lasting impact!
• Mrs. Margritz, Mrs. Tyan, Mrs. O'Brien, Mrs. Murdock, Mrs. Johnson, Mrs. Bailey Filips, and Mrs. Stacy Carder: Your hard work and dedication during our Pre-K, TK, and Kindergarten Parent Meetings did not go unnoticed. Thank you for making these meetings informative and welcoming!
• Parents: We are grateful for your attendance at the recent parent information evenings as you prepare for the 2025-26 school year. Your involvement and partnership mean so much to us.
• Substitute Teachers, Paraprofessionals, and Support Staff: Your unwavering commitment ensures that learning never stops, no matter the challenges. Thank you for always stepping in when needed!
• HELP Club Members: Your contributions to our school community make a meaningful impact. Thank you for your support and dedication!

Transportation Details:

• Students will ride in a school vehicle driven by Mr. Thomsen, Elementary Principal.

• Students utilizing school transportation should meet at the district office at 7:20 AM. We will leave promptly at 7:30 AM.

• If you prefer to drive your child, they may meet us at the venue. Please ensure they arrive no later than 8:25 AM.

Additional Information:

• Following the conclusion of the spelling bee, we will stop for a meal in North Platte. Students should bring money for this.

• As representatives of Hershey Public Schools, please encourage your child to dress appropriately for the event.

Lincoln County Spelling Bee Set for February 7, 2025

Mark your calendars for the Lincoln County Spelling Bee, taking place on Friday, February 7, 2025, at Mid-Plains Community College (Theater), 601 N State Farm Rd, North Platte, NE.

Six schools will be participating in this exciting event:

• Hershey
• Wallace
• Brady
• North Platte St. Patrick’s (NPSP)
• Our Redeemer
• Sutherland

Tentative Schedule of Events:

• Check-in: 8:30 AM
• Welcome Ceremony: 8:50 AM
• 5th Grade Competition: 9:00 AM
• 6th Grade Competition: 9:30 AM (tentative)
• 7th Grade Competition: 10:00 AM (tentative)
• 8th Grade Competition: 10:30 AM (tentative)
• Final Round: 11:00 AM (tentative)

Each school may send up to two spellers per grade, representing 5th through 8th grade students. The competition promises to showcase the hard work and talent of students across the county.

For those unable to attend in person, the event will be live-streamed on the Hershey Panther YouTube Channel, ensuring family and community members can tune in to support their students from anywhere.

Don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate academic excellence and cheer on our young spellers!

We’re thrilled to remind all kindergarten through 6th-grade families about the exciting opportunity to kickstart your child's savings journey! The Panther Branch is open every Thursday morning from 7:50-8:05 AM in the cafeteria/commons area.

This program offers a fantastic way for our young Panthers to develop healthy saving habits early on. Whether it’s spare change from allowance, birthday money, or a small weekly deposit, every contribution helps teach the value of saving for the future.

Why participate?

• Build Essential Skills: Your child will learn budgeting, goal-setting, and financial responsibility.
• Plan Ahead: Saving even a little can add up quickly, teaching the importance of preparing for both exciting goals and unexpected needs.
• Fun & Engaging: The Panther Branch makes saving an enjoyable experience for students!

It’s never too late to start. Encourage your child to join us and take the first steps toward building a strong financial foundation. Let’s make saving a part of their routine—one deposit at a time!

🐾 Go Panthers!

As the school year progresses, maintaining regular attendance is key to your child’s academic success. Consistent attendance not only helps students stay on track with their learning but also allows them to fully engage in classroom activities, build strong relationships with their peers, and develop essential social and academic skills. Missing just a few days can create gaps in understanding, making it harder for students to catch up.

This year, we've implemented a new procedure where all students head outside for recess before going to lunch. Research shows that recess before lunch can lead to better behavior in the cafeteria, improved focus in the classroom, and students eating more of their lunch. To ensure a smooth transition, students arrive at recess in a 10-minute staggered timeframe, starting with transitional kindergarten at 11:00 AM and ending with 5th and 6th grades at 12:00 PM. This staggering not only reduces the number of students on the playground at one time but also allows for more adult supervision, as both teachers and paras are actively involved. Students have 20 minutes scheduled for lunch but can take up to 30 minutes to finish eating, ensuring they don’t feel rushed. As we continue to settle into this routine, I'm confident that it will become even smoother as the week goes on.

K-6 Lunch Times

Hershey Public Schools utilizes Rooms, a tool for parent-teacher chat and classroom announcements. If you weren’t able to link your child, please email your teacher and they can get you added. Parents are encouraged to download the HPS Panthers App; once downloaded, parents will be able to toggle between the school app & rooms.

https://www.hpspanthers.org/