Harlan Happening's

We’re excited to help you and your family gear up for a successful school year! In this newsletter, you’ll find everything you need to know to feel prepared and connected as we kick off the 2025–2026 school year at Harlan.

Here’s what’s inside:

• Details about this week’s Wilmington Learning Collaborative (WLC) event

• Important dates, including our Take-a-Peek Resource Fair

• A quick refresher on our House System

• A link to the district supply list and other key resources

📌 School Hours: 8:40 AM – 3:40 PM

Important Dates to Remember:

🗓 Wednesday, August 20: Take-a-Peek Resource Fair | 5:30 – 7:30 PM
🗓 Monday, August 25: First Day of School (Grades 1-5) & Kindergarten Orientation

🗓 Tuesday, August 26th: Kindergarten First Day of School
🗓 Monday, September 1: School Closed – Labor Day

🗓 Wednesday, September 17th: Open House from 6- 7:30 PM
🗓 Tuesday, September 23: School Closed – Rosh Hashanah

Let’s make this school year the best one yet—stay tuned for more updates, and don’t forget to mark your calendars!

Every school day is a critical opportunity for your student to learn and grow. Research shows that consistent attendance is directly linked to student achievement and graduation success.

How you can help:
- Schedule vacations during school breaks
- Encourage daily routines
- Communicate with the school if your child must be absent

Let’s work together to ensure that every day counts!

The new school year is almost here! Join us for the first WLC Council Meeting of 2025–26 as we come together to support Wilmington students, families, and educators.

Date: Wednesday, August 6

Time: 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM

Location: Red Clay Consolidated School District
1502 Spruce Ave, Wilmington, DE 19805

This month’s agenda includes:

• Partnership Updates: Summer Learning, EOY School Data, and Educator Pathways Data
• Reviewing 2025-26 Measures of Success
• Introducing The Commitment Year: WLC Priorities

ASL and Spanish interpreters will be available, and while hybrid attendance is an option, Council Members are strongly encouraged to attend in person.

Back-to-school season is almost here, and we can’t wait to welcome our students and families back! 🎒 One of the best ways to kick off the new year is by joining us for our Take-a-Peek & Resource Fair.

What’s happening:

• Visit your child’s classroom and help them get comfortable for the first day.

• Explore community resources designed to support your family

• Enjoy free activities, games, and food

• Connect with other families and start the year off right!

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This event is more than just a sneak peek—it’s a chance to get everything you need for a smooth start to the school year while having fun together as a community.

📅 Date: Wednesday, August 20th
🕒 Time: 5:30-7:30 PM
📍 Location: Harlan Elementary School

Mark your calendars and bring the whole family—we can’t wait to see you there!

💗For families who are new or need a reminder, Harlan’s MTSS House System is designed to create a strong sense of community, teamwork, and leadership among students. Each house is represented by a different color hawk, symbolizing the distinct qualities we encourage in our school.

💗Positive Pink Hawks – Embody optimism, resilience, and encouragement. Members foster a supportive and uplifting environment.

💛 Yellow Yare Hawks – "Yare" means ready and adaptable. These students are quick thinkers, always prepared for challenges academically and socially.

💚 Grounded Green Hawks – Represent stability, balance, and responsibility. These students focus on self-discipline, emotional management, and personal growth.

🧡 Open-Minded Orange Hawks – Encourage creativity, diversity of thought, and curiosity. Members embrace new ideas and perspectives in their learning.

💙 Blossoming Blue Hawks – Symbolize growth, potential, and self-improvement. These students focus on personal development and helping others succeed.

Harlan’s House System fosters a sense of unity, healthy competition, and school pride, while also encouraging students to embody leadership and teamwork.

We’re gearing up for a fun and spirited school year with Five Houses, One Family! 🎉

Get ready to show your house pride—don’t forget to keep your house colors in mind while you’re back-to-school shopping. We can’t wait to see everyone repping their house gear on Day One!

Thursday, August 7: Poetry in the ParkHosted by the Twin Poets – Delaware’s Poet Laureates – featuring a live poetry show and youth workshop. Plus, enjoy a sweet treat from UD Dairy Ice Cream!

Every Thursday: Northside Food & Culture Market (4–7 PM)
Running now through October 30 at Haynes Park
Come out and enjoy:
• Fresh produce & local food vendors
• Food trucks & artisan goods
• Live music & cultural performances
• Games & activities for all ages
• Community resources & nonprofit partners
EBT/SNAP accepted—double your food dollars!

Check out the flyer below and share it with your neighbors.

Bring a chair, invite a friend, and let’s make this summer unforgettable!

See you in the park!

1. Reestablish a Routine Early

   • Start school-year bedtime and wake-up times at least 1–2 weeks before school starts to help ease the transition.

   • Consistent routines improve focus, behavior, and emotional regulation (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2020).

2. Create a Morning & Evening Checklist

   • Visual checklists help children build independence and reduce morning stress (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – CDC, 2019).

3. Visit the School & Meet the Teacher

   • Familiarizing your child with their environment reduces anxiety and builds a sense of safety and belonging (National Association of School Psychologists – NASP, 2021).

4. Set Up a Learning Space at Home

   • Designate a quiet, clutter-free spot for reading and homework to support focus and responsibility (Harvard Graduate School of Education, 2020).

5. Practice Social Skills & Emotional Readiness

   • Role-play greetings, classroom behavior, and asking for help. Social-emotional preparation is linked to better academic performance (Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning – CASEL).

6. Talk About What to Expect

   • Discuss schedules, classroom activities, and transitions. Predictability helps reduce back-to-school jitters and supports self-regulation (Child Mind Institute, 2022).

7. Review Key Academic Skills

   • Spend 10–15 minutes a day reviewing math facts, sight words, or reading aloud. Short bursts of practice help boost confidence (Institute of Education Sciences – IES).

8. Plan for Healthy Meals & Snacks

   • Balanced nutrition supports attention, behavior, and mood throughout the day (Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics).

9. Limit Screen Time and Increase Outdoor Play

   • Encourage hands-on play and physical activity to reengage focus and motor skills before the school routine returns (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2021).

10. Get Excited Together!

• Involve your child in back-to-school shopping, picking out supplies, and setting goals. Building excitement increases motivation and positive attitude (National Education Association).