The Hiawatha Buzz!

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Hello Hiawatha Families,

The fall colors are getting brighter each day, and our classrooms are full of excitement and learning! As we settle into our routines, I'd like to take a moment to share an important reminder about morning arrival.

Families who drop students off in the morning drop-off lane or walk them to their outside classroom door before 7:35 should continue doing exactly that. It is working well and helps keep our arrival running smoothly.

For students who arrive after 7:35 or who enter through the main entrance, we ask that parents say their goodbyes in the front entryway rather than walking children to their classroom. Only staff, students, approved volunteers (those with a completed background check), or guests attending scheduled meetings or events should go beyond the main office area during the school day.

We absolutely love having families involved at Hiawatha, and there will continue to be many opportunities for you to visit, volunteer, and participate in school events. However, walking students to class in the morning can create classroom disruptions and make it harder for some children to settle into their day. If your child is having a tough time separating, please let us know. We are happy to have a staff member meet them and help with the transition.

I understand that this change may be an adjustment for some families, and I’d be glad to talk with anyone who has questions or concerns. Thank you for helping us maintain a safe and calm start to each school day!

Warmly,
Kolby Snellenberger
Principal, Hiawatha Elementary School

• October 13th - School Picture Day
• October 22nd - Evening Family Conferences from 2:30 to 7:00 PM
• October 23rd - Diwali - NO SCHOOL - Please plan accordingly
• October 24th - Family Conferences - NO SCHOOL - Please plan accordingly

Dear families,

As a friendly reminder, parents who are dropping off their students between 7:20 to 7:30 on mornings that are raining heavily or the wind chill is below zero, need to please go to the outside gym door and your student will be let in there. The staff supervising on the playground in the mornings will be bringing all students arriving there.

Thank you

Our mobile art studio has been busy this month as students dive into hands-on projects and explore new artists and skills.

Kindergarten:
Students are learning about the elements of art—line and texture—while creating their cozy fall bear masterpieces.

1st & 2nd Grade:
To celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, students learned about Mexico and explored the bright colors and bold patterns found in Mexican folk art ceramics. They created their own sun and moon collages inspired by these designs.
We also learned about Marta Minujín, a contemporary artist from Argentina, and created expressive line drawings inspired by her colorful work. Then, students transformed those drawings into three-dimensional paper sculptures filled with movement and creativity!

Looking Ahead:
We’ll be creating more art inspired by nature and the changing seasons.

Follow along with our creative adventures on Instagram @msfeller_artroom

Vision and Hearing Screenings have started.

Each year all kindergarteners and first graders are screened. Additionally, second graders on 504 Plans, IEP's, or who have vision and/or hearing concerns are screened. If your student does not pass the original screening, I will typically re-screen them before referring them. If they do not pass the re-screening, I will notify you by a phone call and I will send you a referral note.

Screening guidelines can be found on the Vermont Department of Health website under the Standards Of Practice:School Health Services Manual. Look under "screenings".

If you have any questions or concerns re: your student's vision and/or hearing, please contact me at rmaher@ewsd.org or @ 802-857-7740.

On Monday, October 13th 2025, the Essex High School (EHS) field hockey team will host Rice starting at 6:30 p.m. That night, the two teams will be honoring former Hiawatha Elementary School teacher Joel Rasco, who passed away in 2022.

Both squads have strong connections to Rasco, as many of the EHS players had him as a teacher, and he was also a colleague of the current Rice head coach and Fleming physical education teacher, Kelly McClintock. Rasco also has a daughter, Emeri, a senior who plays for Rice.

The players from both teams initiated the tribute and are organizing a “blue out” for the game, asking all fans to wear blue in honor of Rasco, who bravely and fiercely battled colon cancer.

PTO Fall Fest + Clothing Swap – October 18th from 2-5 PM!

Mark your calendars! The PTO is hosting Fall Fest and a Clothing Swap on Saturday, October 18th from 2-5 PM. A clothing donation box is located in the Hiawatha main entrance lobby by the lost and found rack. Please drop off any items you’d like to swap by Friday, October 17th. We need volunteers for Fall Fest set-up. If you’d like to lend a hand, please email HiawathaPTO@ewsd.org.

Thank you for supporting this fun community event—we can’t wait to see you there!

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

Brownell Library is closed on Monday, 10/13 for Indigenous People's Day.

Brownell Library

erna@brownelllibrary.org

Back for a fifth year, this festive event will have a massive trick-or-treat trail throughout Maple Street Park, featuring decorated tents for families to enjoy! The amazing 750+ pumpkin pyramid will be on display for all to see at the front of the park. A ticket is not needed to see the pumpkin display. The pumpkin display will be up nightly through Halloween!

ALL AGES / MAPLE STREET PARK
SAT, OCTOBER 25 4–8PM

Ticket Details:
- City of Essex Junction residents may purchase presale online tickets starting October 1st. Please make sure you are logged into your Kaizen account that shows residency or create an account.
- Presale online tickets open up to purchase for all on October 15th
- Presale tickets are $5/group, up to 5 people and are available for online purchase until Friday, October 24 at 11:59pm.
- Tickets are sold for hour long time slots. Please arrive anytime during the hour time slot purchased.
- Day of ticket purchases will be $10/group, up to 5 people, subject to availability, plus processing fees on CC purchases. Can be purchased in person beginning at 4:00PM

Please bring a trick-or-treat bag, if you forget we will have some available! Walking to the event is encouraged as parking is limited. Scholarships available, please call our office at 878-1375.

If you are a business or community group that would like to participate in the event or pumpkin carving, please fill out the form below click here.

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Email: hiawathaoffice@ewsd.org