Hartwood's Weekly Newsletter

September 8, 2026

Important Dates

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!

PTA NEWS

Ever wonder how the PTA brings beloved school traditions like Trunk-or-Treat, Paint Night, and Family Bingo to life?

While our community events are free or low cost for our families to attend, they are not free to produce. Every event relies on operating funds to happen safely and successfully. For example:

Trunk-or-Treat: Even with incredible candy donations from parents, the PTA must spend money on extra candy to keep the trunks stocked. Two years ago we ran out an hour early, and last year we had to cut the event 30 minutes short. Our goal is to make sure the fun lasts until the very end.
Paint Night: Art supplies don’t last forever. This year, we need to purchase an entirely new inventory of quality paints to replace expired stock.
Bingo Night: Donated prize items are a huge help, but the PTA regularly purchases additional items to ensure every single raffle basket is full and exciting for our winners.

Why We Need You Right Now Our upcoming Fun Run fundraiser isn't just about extra perks, it covers our essential operating budget. Without adequate funding and family participation, we simply cannot sustain these traditions at the scale our students love, and events risk being shortened or cut from the calendar entirely.

Beyond supporting the Fun Run, joining the PTA is the quickest way to back our school. Currently, 46% of our teachers and staff have joined, while our family participation sits at 11%.

We need our families to help close that gap! Early-bird membership pricing runs through Sunday, September 27th. Joining does not commit you to volunteering—your membership alone directly funds student books, classroom grants, and the community traditions our kids look forward to all year.

Lock in your early-bird membership today: https://hartwood-pta-families-membership-2026-2027.cheddarup.com

Support our Fun Run: https://app.99pledges.com/fund/8thannualHESFunRun

Thank you for standing behind our students, teachers, and school community!

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/

Counselor's Corner

If your family is in need of assistance for the holiday or a winter coat, please fill this form out: https://forms.gle/Gmx5vo8D4m14GXdk8

This form is due by Thursday, October 1, 2026. Forms submitted after this date cannot be accepted. You will be notified soon after this date if assistance will be available for your family.

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

Military Kids Club

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

Kindergarten Library Card Campaign

September is National Library Card Month! In September we are partnering with Central Rappahannock Regional Library to ensure every kindergartener has a free library card from the public library. Simply scan the QR code or complete the online application at librarypoint.org/card-request by Tuesday, September 30. The public library will mail your child’s new card directly to your home. As part of this initiative, before November 30, bring your child to the nearest public library branch and stop by the children's desk. Your kindergartner can choose a free book!

Ada Ari Book Order Form

Award-winning children’s author Ada Ari will visit our school for an interactive reading and

cultural program.

If you wish to order an autographed copy of her books follow the link below and

enter the code Hartwood for free shipping. All orders must be in by September

29th.

You can order books at https://www.ada-ari.com/african-folktales

Ada Ari will autograph all books purchased. As you check out, please enter the

following in the “add a note” section:

1) Child’s name

2) Child’s teacher

3) Name for dedication

*10% of the proceeds will be donated to orphanages around the African continent. Visit www.ada-

ari.com/giving for more

www.ada-ari.com

Instagram: @ada_ari

Facebook: AdaAri

We are looking for a crossing guard for before and after school. Apply with SCPS Human Resources at https://staffordschools.schoolspring.com/

Please check your child for ticks daily, paying special attention to areas like armpits, behind the knees, scalp, and groin. If you find a tick, please remove it carefully using fine-tipped tweezers and consult with your healthcare provider if needed.

Please help your child learn their five-digit breakfast and lunch number. Their number is the last 5 digits of their student identification number, which you can find in ParentVue. You can use this photo of the keypad to help students practice.

Lost and Found

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.

Word of the Month

HES Family Calendar

Specials at a Glance

Reach out to reedlm@staffordschools.net

NEW!!! - Mrs. Forman created a wonderful app that allows you to customize a calendar for the specials rotations for your family. This will be especially helpful if you have more than one child at Hartwood.

https://hartwoodspecialsrotation.netlify.app/

Click on your the appropriate classroom teacher or teachers, select the month and then click Generate Specials Graphic. You can print it or save it as a PDF.

Quick Links

Car Riders

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

Looking for Information from a previous newsletter?

Here are all of the newsletters from 2026 - 2027!

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