Hartwood's Weekly Newsletter

Dear Hartwood Families,

It has been an incredible few weeks at Hartwood Elementary! The school year is off to a strong start, and it’s been wonderful watching our students settle into their daily routines and take on exciting new learning challenges. Their energy and enthusiasm have set such a positive tone for the year ahead. Thank you for your continued partnership and support at home. Working together makes all the difference!

Here are a few quick updates and opportunities for our school community:

Parent Advisory Committee: We have a great opportunity for parent representation on the Superintendent’s Parent Advisory Committee. Parent representatives will meet directly with Superintendent Dr. Smith to collaborate on various school district topics.

Meetings run from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM on the following dates:

• Sept. 30: Brooke Point HS

• Dec. 3: Mountain View HS

• Jan. 27: Hartwood HS

• Feb. 17: Stafford HS

• March 31: North Stafford HS

• April 21: Colonial Forge HS

If you are interested in representing Hartwood, please email me directly at meyersj@staffordschools.net.

Job Opening: Crossing Guard: We are looking for an hourly crossing guard to assist with student drop off and pick up before and after school. If you or someone you know is interested, please apply through the Stafford Schools HR Portal by searching for "Hartwood Elementary."

DESSA Information: You should have received an email from the county on Friday regarding the DESSA assessment. DESSA helps us identify the life skills and strengths your child has already mastered, as well as areas where they might need a little extra support. During this process, teachers reflect on how often specific behaviors and life skills were demonstrated over the past month. Please check the county email for full details. If you want to opt your child out, please contact Mrs. Mungo or Mrs. Olson.

Thank you again for your partnership in supporting your children. Have a wonderful, restful Labor Day weekend!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Meyers

Thursday, September 3rd - Fall Picture Day

Friday, September 4 & Monday, September 7 - No School - Labor Day

Wednesday, September 9 - 4th & 5th grade MAP Math

Thursday, September 10 - 3rd grade MAP Math

Monday, September 14 - 3rd grade MAP Reading

Wednesday, September 16 - 4th & 5th grade MAP Reading

Monday, September 21 - No School - Holiday

Friday, September 25 - HES Fun Run - You can start collecting pledges now!

As we get to know all our students, there may be needs that arise. Parents/Guardians please fill out this brief form to share with the counselors if there are specific needs for your child.

Laura Mungo K-2 mungolh@staffordschools.net

Sarah Olson Grades 3-5 olsonsm1@staffordschools.net

Please also see our HES Mental Health Team Newsletter in the section above.

Throughout the school year, we use lessons from Common Sense Education. Common Sense helps kids learn the habits and skills they need to use technology safely and responsibly in school, at home, and beyond.

WHAT IS DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP?

Kids today may seem like experts at using technology, but the digital world requires all kinds of skills and habits that kids don’t just pick up as they go. Digital citizenship helps them learn those skills.

The Common Sense lessons help kids in grades K–2 develop healthy media habits and learn how to be safe online. Lessons for kids in grades 3–5 continue to focus on screen time and online safety.

These first weeks of school, your student has talked about how to appropriately care for their school issued Chromebook. We also talk about how to be responsible with our choices when using the Chromebook in school.

WHAT FAMILIES CAN DO?

Common Sense Education provides resources to help you support your kid’s learning. You can visit the Common Sense website at www.commonsensemedia.org for more.

Working together with Common Sense Education, we can prepare today’s kids to think critically and use tech in positive, creative, and powerful ways. As we are setting up routines for the school year, check out these 5 tips for Helping our children find balance in their media lives.

We are starting a Military Kids Club here at HES. The club is open to all 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th graders who are currently or formally military connected (Parent/Guardian is Active Duty, Reserve, Veteran, or Retired). The club will meet monthly on Wednesday mornings, starting September 16th with our first club meeting. Please register your child for the Military Kids Club here: Military Kids Club Permission 26-27

Questions: MKC club advisors, Laura Mungo mungolh@staffordschools.net and Charmayne Richardson richardsoncj@staffordschools.net

Is your child missing a sweatshirt or a jacket? Maybe a lunch box or a water bottle. Our lost and found continues to grow. Please have your child check in the cafeteria for any missing items. When possible, label items such as sweatshirts, jackets, water bottles, lunchboxes, etc. with your child's name.

JOIN THE PTA

The Hartwood Elementary Parent Teacher Association's mission is to make every child's potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children. We do this by supporting the school, the staff, the students, and our community. We are a volunteer-run, non-profit organization that facilitates parent/caregiver participation in school.

To join the PTA: https://hartwood-pta-families-membership-2026-2027.cheddarup.com

Membership Dues until September 28: $9 (single) $13 (family)

Membership Dues after September 28: $12 (single) $16 (family)

SAVE THE DATE

PTA Meetings at 4:30 in the HES Library:

October 26th

February 1st

April 26th

SPIRITWEAR

Upcoming Events:
Hartwood Fun Run is Coming Friday, September 25th! Our biggest PTA fundraiser of the year is officially here! Every dollar raised directly supports our school by funding:

• Field Trips & Assemblies for all grade levels (up to $20 per student)

• Student Enrichment includes a book for every student at the Fall Book Fair (up to $10 per student)

• Teacher Grants for hands-on learning tools

• PTA Sponsored Events including our upcoming Trunk-or-Treat

Families are welcome to come cheer on their runners or join them on the track!

Support your runner today. Just search for your student's name at the link here: https://app.99pledges.com/fund/8thannualHESFunRun

Hartwood Elementary PTA

Shelly Zappia, President
Jon Petri, Vice President of Oversight
Lauren Isenberg, Treasurer
Jen Neundorfer, Secretary

Hartwood PTA Socials:

https://www.facebook.com/Hartwoodpta/

https://www.instagram.com/hartwoodpta/

• ParentVue
• School Supply List
• SCPS Nutrition Services website
• SchoolCafe
• 2026-2027 SCPS School Calendar

Car Riders

• 26-27 Car Rider Registration Form
• HES AM Car Rider Arrival Procedures

Bus Riders

• Bus routes are available through the MyRide K-12 app
• Bus Delays & Notification Dashboard
• For any service issues, submit an Issuetrak online form to receive the fastest assistance

PTA

• Click Here to Join the PTA
• Hartwood Spiritwear Store

Here are all of the newsletters from 2026 - 2027!

Hartwood PE

Hartwood Elementary School

Hartwood PTA Facebook

Hartwood PTA Instagram

Email: hewebmaster@staffordschools.net
Website: https://hes.staffordschools.net/
Location: 14 Shackelford Well Road, Fredericksburg, VA, USA
Phone: 540-752-4441
Facebook: facebook.com/HartwoodES
Twitter: @HartwoodES