Hirsch Hawk Herald

Dear Hirsch Hawk Parents and Guardians,

On Monday, January 20, we will honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a day of service, reflecting on his legacy of equality, justice, and community. As a reminder, there will be no school on this day.

Dr. King’s tireless work during the Civil Rights Movement changed the course of history, reminding us all of the power of unity, nonviolence, and service to others. Observing this holiday is a meaningful way to teach our children about kindness, compassion, and standing up for what is right.

Here are a few ways you and your family can celebrate the day:

1. Attend the MLK Parade: Join the community at the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Parade in downtown Houston, where vibrant floats, music, and tributes honor his legacy.
2. Volunteer Together: Many local organizations are hosting service projects such as park clean-ups, food drives, or assembling care packages for those in need.
3. Have Conversations at Home: Watch an age-appropriate documentary about Dr. King, read books about his life, or discuss ways your family can practice kindness and equity in your daily lives.

Looking ahead to next week, we want to make you aware that low temperatures are expected, and we may experience snow or sleet. Please keep an eye on the district website and local news for updates regarding weather conditions and how they may impact school operations.

Thank you for your continued support in making Hirsch Elementary a community where we learn, grow, and serve together.

Stay warm and safe,
Principal Patterson
Hirsch Elementary School

Don't forget that Parent-Teacher Conferences are on Friday, February 14. This is a student holiday, but teachers will be on campus, ready to meet with you to discuss your child’s progress. Please reach out to your child’s teacher via Class Dojo or email to schedule a time for an in-person or virtual conference.

"Unstoppable Heroes: Empowering Every Student to Soar"

School security has become a top priority for educational institutions in today’s world. With an increasing number of potential threats, schools must implement stricter protocols to ensure the safety of students, staff, and parents. Identification of all individuals entering the premises is now an essential process, and Hirsch Elementary School is taking enhanced precautions to create a secure environment for everyone.

A new entry and student checkout procedure has been implemented at Hirsch Elementary School. Parents or guardians will be required to stand in front of an exterior camera and present valid identification, such as a driver’s license, before they are granted access to the building. This camera is positioned outside, near the main entrance, and no one will be permitted inside until their identity has been verified by the front office staff. To further enhance security, adults are asked to close the door immediately upon entering and ensure no one follows them in.

Promptness is also a key aspect of maintaining a safe and productive school environment. Students are encouraged to arrive on time to avoid delays or disruptions in the morning routine. Starting at 8:05 AM, the school day officially begins, and security measures will be fully operational. Tardiness not only impacts learning but can also interfere with the seamless implementation of these protocols. Let’s work together to ensure every student is present, on time, and ready to learn.

A safe environment is critical for students to focus on learning and feel secure while navigating the school’s hallways and classrooms. Spring ISD recognizes the importance of this and is committed to implementing robust safety measures to protect its schools, making them a thriving space for education both now and in the future.

These updated security protocols aim to provide peace of mind for students, parents, and staff, allowing everyone to concentrate on education without fear or unnecessary distractions. The efforts of the staff to uphold a safe and welcoming environment have been commendable, ensuring Hirsch Elementary School remains a positive and secure place for learning every day.

Shout out to the following students for representing Hirsch Elementary School!

Hirsch Elementary Spelling Bee

Congratulations to Layla M. on winning the school Spelling Bee, and to Dayleen S. for coming in 2nd place. We are so proud of all of our hawks who participated, and we look forward to cheering Layla on as she competes in the Spring ISD Spelling Bee in January!

Hirsch Elementary Student Council: The other week our student council attended the TEPSA Student Leadership Conference and received the TEPSA Student Leadership Award for their work in impacting our school:

In 2018 the Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association (TEPSA) established the TEPSA Student Leadership Award to honor outstanding student leadership teams and their impact on our school communities in the state of Texas. It is with great pride that we announce that the following school in Spring Independent School District has met all the standards to receive this prestigious award!

Attendance is so important for student success. Hirsch Elementary is committed to encouraging students to come to school everyday. Each grade level is participating in weekly and monthly attendance contests to see who has the highest attendance. Classes and grade levels with the highest attendance will get a reward! Everyday attendance equals everyday success. Thank you for partnering with us for your child's success.

On February 20, you can order your child Chick-Fil-A for lunch, while also helping to support Hirsch Elementary! We are excited to offer six days throughout the school year where you can order a special lunch for your child! Each meal starts at $9.50. Use the link below to order! All orders must be received by 5 p.m. the day before delivery.

https://form.jotform.com/ChickfilASpring/hirsch-elementary-school

• January 20: MLK Day NO SCHOOL

• January 23: 1st Grade Music Program @ 6 p.m.

• January 25: Saturday School (Invited students only)

• January 29: 5th Grade Field Trip

• January 30: Brighter Bites Distribution

Hirsch Elem PTO

Parents--we need your help to revitalize our PTO! If you're interested in helping our Hirsch Hawks soar, use the link below to be contacted about an important upcoming meeting to strategize how we can reignite our PTO.

PTO Interest Form

Stay up to date on our PTO by following our PTO Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/HirschPto/

We're pleased to announce our partnership with Brighter Bites! This wonderful program offers our families fresh produce free of charge each month! This program is open to EVERYONE at our school, regardless of income. Please see the flyer below for more information and to sign up! Click the picture for the link, or use the link here: https://fs27.formsite.com/brighterbites/enroll23/fill?id82=707&id161=1

If you want to volunteer to help bag the pallets of fresh produce, then click HERE!

https://www.schoolcafe.com/springisd

Please visit the website above to see the menus for each week. If you click on the third button (View Menus (as a guest)), you can navigate to Hirsch Elementary to see what's being served each week. Please be aware that menus can change due to available inventory.

We want to show our Hawks that the sky is the limit when it comes to how high they can fly! On Wednesdays we ask all students and staff to wear their favorite college, university or military shirt!

• Parents may send treats to their child’s class.
• Only store bought cupcakes or cookies (no peanut butter or nuts)
• Sent with child or dropped at office
• Parent may NOT come to class
• Teacher’s discretion when to do cupcakes (not at lunch due to regulations)
• No goodie bags, balloons, etc.