Hardy Happenings

This week, we are celebrating the incredible educators who help our children feel seen, safe, valued, and deeply connected to our school community. Our teachers do so much more than teach lessons, they encourage, reteach, redirect, support, celebrate, problem-solve, and show up each day with heart.

We are so grateful for the care, patience, creativity, and commitment our staff pours into helping every Owl learn and grow. They notice the quiet wins, support students through challenges, and work together to create joyful, inclusive classrooms where children can thrive. This week is all about celebrating them, and I hope you will join me in sharing your appreciation for the amazing Hardy staff. Even a simple note of appreciation can go a long way.

We also have several exciting events ahead as we head into the final stretch of the school year. Our final school tour of the year is this Thursday, and our final Family Friday is this Friday. We would also appreciate your help in completing our Family MRA Survey for Leader in Me. Your feedback matters and helps us continue growing as a school community.

On Monday, May 11, our PTA has scheduled a BMX assembly as a reward for the strong attendance our students have maintained throughout the year. We are so proud of our Owls and excited to celebrate the excellent percent present they have worked so hard to maintain!

Please be sure to review the dates and details below for important upcoming information, including Dad’s Club, our next family dine out, Field Day sign-ups, promotion events, and more.

With gratitude,
Principal Aragon

Field Day is coming up, and we would love your help in making it a fun and successful day for our Owls. We have two separate volunteer sign-ups, one for the TK–2 session and one for the 3–5 session. Families are welcome to sign up for one session or both.

TK–2 session, 8:00–9:30 AM
https://signup.com/go/TRoxawD

Grades 3–5 session, 10:30–11:30 AM
https://signup.com/go/BqoMVmD

Thank you for helping us make Field Day such a special experience for our students. If you have any questions, please reach out to Coach Robinson.

Each spring, we ask families to reflect on their experience at Hardy. Last year, our overall score was 78 out of 100, with family engagement and student leadership identified as areas for growth. We used that feedback to make meaningful changes this year, including adding more than seven student leadership groups, launching Friday morning assemblies, hosting Parent Night Out, and creating more opportunities for connection and voice across our school community.

We invite each family to complete this year’s survey and share your perspective. The survey takes about 12 minutes, and we hope to receive one response per household. If you have more than one child at Hardy, please answer based on your oldest child’s experience.

Take the survey here:
https://www.leaderinme.com/s/hardy-elementary/families

Please complete the survey by May 7, 2026.

Testing will take place each day from approximately 8:00–10:00 a.m. Please avoid scheduling appointments or absences during this time. Please plan ahead for construction on Montezuma, as students who arrive after testing begins will need to complete the assessment during a make-up session.

You can help your child do their best by making sure they get a good night’s sleep, eat breakfast, arrive on time, bring a book for after testing, and come with a positive mindset.

Testing dates:
3rd–5th Grade CAASPP ELA: April 27–May 1
3rd–5th Grade CAASPP Math: May 4–8

Thank you for helping our students feel prepared, confident, and supported.

Reminder: All current SDUSD students must be re-registered online for the 2026–27 school year through the PowerSchool Parent Portal by May 8. Thank you to the families who have already completed this process. Please note that re-registration must be completed on a web browser, not the PowerSchool app. For help, contact Ms. Marlene Curtin at mcurtin@sandi.net or Ms. Ashley Aguayo at aaguayo@sandi.net

We are excited to celebrate our 5th-grade students and honor them at their Promotion Ceremony. We look forward to recognizing this special milestone with our promoting students and their families.

Ceremony Details
The Promotion Ceremony will begin promptly at 8:30 a.m on Wednesday, May 27, and is expected to last approximately 45 minutes. The ceremony will be held outdoors on the back blacktop, facing the library. Students are welcome to dress up for the occasion.

Seating
Chairs will be provided, with approximately two seats available per 5th-grade student. Additional guests are welcome to bring their own chairs and will be asked to sit behind the provided school seating.

Seating will be available after morning drop-off at 7:45 a.m. To help all families enjoy the ceremony, we ask that balloons, noise makers, and other view-obstructing/noise items not be brought to the event.

Parking
Please plan ahead, as parking will be extremely limited and will likely be the tightest parking situation we have experienced at Hardy during construction. Most families should plan to park in the SDSU garage or in neighborhood areas where parking is permitted. Please do not park in red zones, permitted spaces without authorization, or double park under any circumstance.

Dismissal After the Ceremony
If you plan to sign your student out after the ceremony rather than have them remain until the regular dismissal time, you must sign the sign-out form before leaving, located near the promotion area. If you will also be signing out a sibling, you may include their name on the same sign-out form. Our PrimeTime and after-school programs will still be available that day.

We look forward to celebrating our 5th graders with you.

This week, we’re celebrating our amazing Hardy teachers and staff with daily meals, treats, and small surprises organized by the PTA.

Thank you to everyone who has already contributed. Your support makes a real difference.

Ways to participate this week:

• Connect with your Room Rep about class gifts or plans

• Contribute small gift cards for the all-staff lunch party on Wednesday (see SignUpGenius)

• Send a note, drawing, or card with your child

• Encourage your child to share a heartfelt thank you

Looking for ideas? You can still check the Staff Favorite Things list here:
👉 LINK

Every gesture, big or small, helps our teachers feel appreciated.

Thank you for being part of it. 🦉❤️

Thank you to everyone who attended our May 1 PTA General Association Meeting and helped us reach quorum to hold this year’s election. Woot!

We’re pleased to share that the proposed slate was approved. Congratulations to our incoming 2026–27 PTA Board, and thank you to the Nominating Committee and all who participated in this important process.

We’re grateful for the community members who continue to step up and lead. There are plenty more opportunities to get involved and support our Hardy community. Not sure where you fit in? Chat up a board member or email hootline@hardypta.com.

🕡 12pm-8pm
📍 Woodstock’s Pizza

Save the date! Join Hardy families for our last Dine Out fundraiser of the year at Woodstock’s! Take a night off from cooking and support Hardy at the same time. Stay tuned to @hardyowlspta for details.

Join Hardy parents for a fun dodgeball tournament with other schools in the Patrick Henry cluster!

📅 Sunday, May 24
📍 Patrick Henry High School Gym

Men’s and women’s brackets, plus opportunities to coach, referee, or cheer. Kids are welcome to come watch and support!

👉 Interested? Sign up HERE.

🕡 6:30pm

📍 Cheba Hut
All dads and father figures welcome! Come connect and help plan the End-of-Year Extravaganza.

Our end-of-year celebration is coming up! Join us for a full afternoon and evening of bounce houses, games, a petting zoo, reptile show, and plenty of time to connect with other Hardy families. We’ll be grilling burgers and hot dogs in the courtyard, and end the night with a movie under the stars. Come stay for a bit or all day– this is a relaxed, come-and-go community event.

👉 RSVP HERE

We’re also inviting families and local businesses to host booths at the event.

Interested in participating or promoting your business at the event?
👉 Fill out this form or contact dadsclub@hardypta.com for details.

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

MAY

Monday-Friday, May 4-8: CAASPP Testing Math

Friday, May 1: PTA Association Meeting 7:45 a.m. - Auditorium

Monday, May 4: SSC/SGT 2:30 p.m. - Library

Thursday, May 7: School Tour @ 8:00 a.m

Friday, May 8: Final Family Friday of the Year!

Monday, May 11: PTA-Sponsored BMX Assembly

Saturday, May 16: Dad's Club End of Year Celebration

Wednesday, May 20: Field Day

Friday, May 22: Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast

Monday, May 25: No School - Memorial Day

Tuesday, May 26: Yearbook Signing Party - All students

Wednesday, May 27: Hardy 5th Grade Promotion @ 8:30a

Thursday, May 28: Minimum Day - Last Day of School

AUGUST

Wednesday, August 5: TK/K Park Playdate - 4-6pm

Friday, August 7: TK/K Orientation 10a -12p --- Grade 1-5 Popsicle Party 2:30-3:30p

Sunday, August 9: Bedtime Stories with Mrs. Aragon @ 7pm

Monday, August 10: First Day of School for the 2026-2027 School Year! Coffee with the Principal 8a

***Hardy's parking lot will be completely closed to the public for the entire summer and will reopen shortly before school returns.

We invite you—our students and families—to help us spread the love. If there’s a staff member who has made a positive difference in your school experience, let them know by sending them a LOVE Note. LOVE = Living Our Values Every(day). Your words of appreciation are powerful and lasting.

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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