The Hiawatha Buzz!

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Dear families,

I’m looking forward to our upcoming Cardboard Challenge—a favorite event that celebrates creativity, teamwork, and imagination! It’s always amazing to see what our students and families dream up and build together.

As the temperatures drop, please remember that we go outside every day, even when it’s quite cold. Be sure your child comes to school with a warm coat, hat, and gloves so they can stay comfortable and enjoy their time outdoors.

If you’re missing an item, our lost and found (located in the main entrance) is overflowing with some really nice coats and jackets. Feel free to take a look or remind your child to check it out.

Warmly,
Kolby Snellenberger
Principal

November 14th, 2025 - School Picture Retakes - from 8:30 to 9:30 AM
November 15th, 2025 - Cardboard Challenge - 2:00-4:00 PM - HIA Gym
November 24th - 28th, 2025 (Fall Break) - No School - Please plan accordingly

Starting November 10th, 2025, we will be using a system called PickUp Patrol to help us track dismissals. PickUp Patrol provides you with a convenient way to make changes to your child’s dismissal plans and helps ensure that students are accurately dismissed each day.

How It Works:

Your child’s regular dismissal plan will be entered into the system. This is called their Default Plan.
Whenever your child is doing something other than their Default Plan, you’ll submit a Plan Change via PickUp Patrol.
- Examples of a Plan Change:
  - Your child normally rides the bus but is getting picked up today.
  - Your child is getting picked up by someone other than yourself.
  - Your child has a doctor's appointment and will be leaving early.
When the change is submitted, our school will be notified and we’ll relay the change to your child & their teacher.

REGISTER: On November 7th, 2025, you should have received a registration emails from PickUp Patrol with a link to set up your account. The parent portal is free to parents and can be accessed from your phone or computer. The link in your registration email will be live for 48 hours. As soon as you receive it, please log in and confirm your child’s default plan.

ALL plan changes should now be submitted through PickUp Patrol. When making changes, please do not send notes, emails, or call the office, except in an emergency.

Important Action Needed: Please take a few minutes to set up your account so that we can accurately dismiss your child(ren).

The link to PickUp Patrol can now be found on the Home page of our website by clicking on the Report an Absence Tab

We use PickUp Patrol to track: Plan Changes, Absences, Early Dismissals, Late Arrivals, Daily Dismissal Plans (default plans).

If you have any questions, please first check the PickUp Patrol Parent Guide & if you need additional assistance, let us know.

The students have explored a Spanish chant, “Dulce, Dulce ” (Sweet, Sweet), and a Spanish song called “ Hola Caracola, hola caracol”. They also enjoyed dancing with ribbon sticks to the lively Mariachi dance “La Raspa”.

In mid-October, the students learned about the Diwali celebration and held Diyas while singing “ Light the Diya one by one”. They also played a fun movement and song activity called “Black Cats,” where they clapped hands with a partner and found a new partner as the song continued. They really loved this game. Their laughter and giggles were truly priceless!

Another favorite activity from October was a Song Tale called A Shy Little Monster — a playful Halloween song that helped children explore voice volume, shyness, and the importance of asking friends for help.

The story follows a shy little monster who decides to dress up as a lobster for Halloween but feels a bit nervous about all the excitement. With gentle encouragement from his friends, he slowly begins to find his voice again. At first, he can only whisper a tiny “boo,” but by the end, he’s booing loud and proud right alongside everyone else!

It was such a sweet celebration of friendship, confidence, and self-expression. The children especially loved joining in on the fun by saying the magical words: “Zippity zabbity flibbity flabbity bippity boppity boo!”

The students continue to grow as tuneful, beatful, and artful young musicians.

Please feel free to reach out to either of us if you have any questions.

Megumi Esselstrom & Matt Torrez

This event will take place at the EHS cafeteria on November 17 from 6-8 PM.

There is no cost to attend. Dinner will be served.

Hiawatha students will be learning about the Global Cardboard Challenge during library classes next week! They will watch a video about Caine’s Arcade to explore design, creativity, and the power of imagination. After that, students will sketch their own plans for something they’d like to build out of cardboard.

Please join the PTO and other Essex Junction families for our annual Cardboard Challenge — a fun, hands-on event for all ages. Come out and enjoy time with your friends and neighbors!

Event Details

When: Saturday, November 15
Time: 2:00–4:00 PM
Where: Hiawatha Gym

What to Bring

Start saving cardboard to bring for yourself — and a little extra to share!
Because of space limitations, the school cannot store cardboard in the shed this year. We’re asking families to bring enough to share, and any leftover materials will be recycled after the event. When you arrive for the event, you can pull right up to the gym door to drop-off your cardboard.

What the School Will Provide

Scissors

Cardboard cutters

Packing tape

Markers

Glue sticks

Taryn Hennebicque

Hiawatha PTO Co-President

Please click the link below to see the hot lunch menu, be sure to select the correct month you need and select lunch in the drop down in the top of the page. If needed, there is a print option. The menu can also be found on our website :-)

Menu