Repeats and Resources

Our Repeats and Resources Newsletter is an important resource for families and is filled with helpful information, important updates, upcoming events, and reminders throughout the school year. We encourage you to refer back to it regularly as a valuable tool to stay connected with all that is happening at Hathaway.

The newsletter includes important resources and information such as safety drill updates, how to become a school volunteer, tardy procedures, community flyers and opportunities, Abound information, access to the Hathaway Notification Form, and many other helpful resources that support a successful school experience for your child and family.

Keeping open lines of communication between home and school is essential to our partnership in supporting every child. Please know that we are always here to answer questions, provide support, and help in any way we can. We encourage families to reach out whenever they need assistance or have information to share. Together, we can ensure a successful and joyful school year for all students.

Notification Form and Dismissal Changes

At Hathaway Elementary School, we utilize an online Notification Form for parents to use to notify the school of attendance that includes the following:

• My child will be Absent

• My child will be Tardy

• My child will be Dismissed early

Please note, the Notification Form is to be filled out the day of the attendance recording. There will be no more options to record an absence, tardy, or dismissal for a future date.

This form can be found on the front page of the Hathaway School website. Simply click the “A Note for the Office”, link and follow the prompts. The information submitted will be sent directly to the main office who will make sure your child’s attendance information is recorded accurately for that school day.

This year, we will also be utilizing this form for changes in dismissal. For example, if your child is a daily typical bus rider but needs to be picked up from school on a particular day, filling out the Notification Form on the day of the dismissal change is the best way to communicate this change to the Hathaway main office. Your child will be given a pass for that day and the dismissal change will be recorded for that day only, per the Notification Form submission.

While we encourage consistency in dismissal and keeping a consistent routine, we understand that changes in dismissal are sometimes necessary. When these circumstances arise and changes need to be made, we kindly ask that you fill out the Notification Form by 2pm. Changes after 2pm also require a phone call to the main office (401) 683-0500 to ensure the submission has been documented.

It is important to note that Hathaway bus and carline pickup dismissal begins promptly at 3:15pm and we encourage the latest early dismissal to be at 2:45pm as to not conflict with our daily dismissal routine.

At Hathaway School, safety is our first priority. Ensuring a smooth and orderly dismissal is essential for student safety and a positive end to the school day. Please make every effort to arrive on time for student pick up and bus arrival so we can facilitate a safe, smooth, and timely dismissal for everyone.

While we understand that mornings don’t always go as planned, we want to emphasize the importance of arriving to school on time. At Hathaway, the school day begins promptly at 8:45.

Arriving on time allows students to settle in, read the morning message, organize their materials, order lunch if needed, and begin their morning work. These routines are an important part of setting a positive and productive tone for the day.

To help maintain safety in the main parking lot, all tardy drop-offs will now take place at the cafeteria door. Families will be asked to park, walk their child to the door, sign them in, and then be on their way.

Thank you for your cooperation and support in helping our students have a safe and successful start to each day.

Dear Hathaway Families,

At Hathaway School, we value the partnership between home and school in fostering each student’s success. Strong partnerships between home and school make all the difference, and we are committed to building positive relationships with every family. Communication is the key to fostering this connection, and we are always here to support you. We thank you for the support you have provided in making the start to this year such a great one!

This letter is to share with you how we communicate with you about your child’s learning. All students will receive mid-trimester Progress Reports and end-of-trimester Report Cards.

Benchmark Assessments-All students take benchmark assessments three times a year—fall, winter, and spring. These short screenings help teachers understand each child’s strengths and areas for growth in reading and math. The results guide classroom instruction and help ensure that every student is making progress. Teachers will review this data with families and share any RtI (Response to Intervention) plans if additional support is needed.

In addition to academic benchmarks, students participate in SAEBRS and mySAEBRS social emotional screenings, which help us better understand students’ social, academic, and emotional well-being at school. These screenings help us identify students who may benefit from additional support.

Progress Reports-Progress Reports provide families with an update on how students are performing in their classes. They reflect academic progress, effort, and classroom participation. These reports, along with benchmark results, help families see how their child is growing over time and where continued support or enrichment may be helpful.

Report Cards-Report Cards show your child’s progress toward grade-level standards, which are designed to be mastered by the end of the school year. This year the Report Cards will be printed and sent home with students on the dates listed on page 2, they will also be available on ASPEN. Report Card envelopes must be signed and returned to school.

The following marks are used to describe student progress:

S (Secure): Mastered the benchmark
D (Developing): Growing and needs some support
B (Beginning): Needs more support
N/A: Standard not yet taught
NP: Did not participate

Please note: Many students will not yet be “Secure” during Trimester 1—this is completely normal and reflects that learning is still in progress.

Here are a few important points to keep in mind:

1. Growth Mindset: We encourage you to focus on your child’s growth, not just the grades. Learning is a journey, and each child develops at their own pace. Praise their efforts and help them set goals for the next grading period.

2. Attendance: Regular attendance is crucial to academic success. If you notice a pattern of absences or tardies affecting performance, let’s work together to improve attendance.

3. Communication: If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s progress, feel free to reach out to their teacher. We are committed to supporting your child’s learning and development.

4. Support at Home: Continue to encourage reading, problem-solving, and creative activities at home. A positive learning environment both at school and home makes a big difference.

This information remains in our Repeats and Resources as a reference. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your child’s teacher.

Thank you for being such wonderful partners in your child’s education.

Warm Regards,
Lisa Little
Principal, Hathaway School

Breakfast, lunch, and milk are available to purchase for all Hathaway School students. Students order lunch each morning through their teacher that day. Breakfast can be picked up by students in the cafeteria as they arrive at school.

Full price Breakfast is $1.40 and Lunch is $3.05. If your family qualifies for free/reduced prices, both breakfast and lunch are free. Milk is offered for $0.55 as a stand alone item.

Please apply for free or reduced lunch online by visiting this site: https://www.myschoolapps.com. Or, paper applications will be sent home the first week of school.

Payment for breakfast, lunch and/or milk can be made online at www.myschoolbucks.com. A student LASID number will be needed to create and make payments online using your “My School Bucks” account.

Payment for breakfast, lunch and/or milk can be made online at www.myschoolbucks.com. A student LASID number will be needed to create and make payments online using your “My School Bucks” account.

Payment can also be made by sending cash or a check in an envelope to school labeled with your student’s name, teacher’s name, LASID number and amount included. If paying by check, please make it payable to Portsmouth School Department with your child’s LASID number noted on the memo line. Send a separate check for each child in your family as payments cannot be split between accounts. KEEPING YOUR BALANCE PAID IN FULL IS VERY IMPORTANT.

Please note per the PSD policy, "Elementary and middle school students may not purchase “a la carte” items ( i.e. milk) or snacks until all charges on the account have been satisfied."

Please refer to the family portal navigation below to access your child's LASID number.

School Health Information

Frequently Asked Questions About Free And Reduced Price School Meals

How to Apply for Free and Reduced Price School Meals

In collaboration with our transportation partner, First Student, PSD is utilizing FirstView®, a real-time GPS vehicle tracking and student transportation monitoring platform. With FirstView, parents and caregivers can download the secure vehicle tracking mobile app that will allow you to stay easily connected with your student(s) daily trips. Directions for App setup

I want to take a moment to clarify how best to communicate important information with our school. I realize I should have been clearer about the purpose of the front office email and how it differs from the Hathaway Notification Form.

• Front Office Email (hathawayoffice@portsmouthschoolsri.org)
  This email should be used for general questions, communication with office staff, or information that does not require immediate attention during the school day. Examples include requesting a copy of a form,an additional placard, or the bus tracking code (J6F2K), asking about upcoming events, other non-urgent inquiries, or anything that is not listed on the Hathaway Notification Form.
  
  

• Hathaway Notification Form (link)
  This form is the most efficient way to share changes to your child’s dismissal plan, absences, tardies, or any time-sensitive information that staff need to know. The form ensures your message is seen right away and helps us update dismissal and attendance records quickly and accurately. The form includes the following choices -

• My child is absent today

• My child will be absent at a future date

• My child will be late to school due to an appointment

• I need to pick my child up from school early

• My child is a daily pick up and someone other than parent/guardian will need to pick my child up at regular pick up time

• My child is a daily bus rider and someone other than a parent/guardian will need to get my child off the bus at his/her regular stop

• I have medical information for the school nurse about my child
  
  

Using the Hathaway Notification Form for urgent, same-day changes allows us to keep all students safe and ensures that dismissal runs smoothly.

Please note that a handwritten note, sent in via your child in the morning, is required for a switch in dismissal - i.e. bus-pickup or pick up-bus. Of course, in case of an unexpected change in this area, you would email the Hathaway Office email.

Thank you for your attention to this distinction and for helping us maintain clear and efficient communication. We appreciate your partnership and support.

Please complete the Hathaway Notification Form.

Thank you in advance for helping us to keep things organized and safe in our Hathaway community.

At Hathaway Elementary School, we utilize an online Notification Form for parents to use to notify the school of attendance that includes the following:

• My child will be Absent

• My child will be Tardy

• My child will be Dismissed early

Please note, the Notification Form is to be filled out the day of the attendance recording.

This form can be found on the front page of the Hathaway School website. Simply click the “A Note for the Office”, link and follow the prompts. The information submitted will be sent directly to the main office who will make sure your child’s attendance information is recorded accurately for that school day.

This year, we will also be utilizing this form for changes in dismissal. For example, if your child is a daily typical bus rider but needs to be picked up from school on a particular day, filling out the Notification Form on the day of the dismissal change is the best way to communicate this change to the Hathaway main office. Your child will be given a pass for that day and the dismissal change will be recorded for that day only, per the Notification Form submission.

While we encourage consistency in dismissal and keeping a consistent routine, we understand that changes in dismissal are sometimes necessary. When these circumstances arise and changes need to be made, we kindly ask that you fill out the Notification Form by 2pm. Changes after 2pm also require a phone call to the main office (401) 683-0500 to ensure the submission has been documented.

It is important to note that Hathaway bus and carline pickup dismissal begins promptly at 3:15pm and we encourage the latest early dismissal to be at 2:45pm as to not conflict with our daily dismissal routine.

At Hathaway School, safety is our first priority. Ensuring a smooth and orderly dismissal is essential for student safety and a positive end to the school day. Please make every effort to arrive on time for student pick up and bus arrival so we can facilitate a safe, smooth, and timely dismissal for everyone.

This year, we continue to implement our Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports (PBIS) strategies and recognition system.

Our goal is to celebrate students for being Respectful, Responsible, Safe, and Ready to Learn.

Here’s what we do!

• Weekly Recognitions:

  • On Fridays, we will celebrate five grade-level Golden Apple Students and one Unified Arts Golden Apple Student of the Week. Winners are announced on the announcements, receive a certificate, a golden necklace, and pose for a photo to celebrate! The photo will be shared in the weekly newsletter.

• Classroom Golden Apples: Monthly, we will celebrate the Classroom Golden Apple winner. The class receives a special visit from Mrs. Little and Happy, the Apple, and proudly displays the Golden Apple Trophy in their classroom for the month. Everyone receives a golden necklace. In addition, the class gets to schedule a time to play Bingo with Mrs. Little - always a fun and exciting time!

• Spirit Weeks where we show our unity and have some fun!
• Family Engagement and SEL Grade Level Events happen all throughout the year!
• Scholastic Book Fair and Reading Week fun!
• Random Friday Trivia for classes on the announcements

• Community Gatherings throughout the year highlighting students and their talents

• Surprise Attendance Days which could be anything from a lunchroom dance party to theme based days, or even a glow party!

• Schoolwide Bingo where we call numbers on the morning announcements each day. The winning class earns a classroom Bingo with Mrs. Little!

• Student Shout Outs - Something special you want to share? Send it along and we will shout it out on our morning announcements!

Our goal is to help every student feel seen, valued, and celebrated!

Are you interested in volunteering for school events or field trip chaperones? Becoming an approved volunteer allows you to volunteer for opportunities that become available.

How to become Volunteer in School approved:

1. Complete BCI (background check). Click here: PSD Volunteer In School Website to complete required forms to initiate BCI process. *Note: Forms must be notarized prior to submission.
2. Once your BCI is complete (this may take a few weeks), you will receive an email with a link to complete a few online training modules through Vector Solutions. Please complete trainings ASAP to become Volunteer In School approved.

* State and federal statutes now mandate vector training as a new requirement. These trainings will be assigned annually.

If you completed your BCI last year (2024), and you are approved until 2026, you still must complete the Vector Solutions Training. You should have received an email with a link to complete the training. If you did not receive an email, first check your spam folder. If it is not in spam, there is a chance that your information needs to be entered into the Vector System. Please contact Tracy Lima: limat@portsmouthschoolsri.org. In the body of the email, please include: First & Last Name; Address; Email Address and Phone Number.

Dear Hathaway Families,

Please take a moment to click the link below and read about our visitor sign-in process! It’s quick and easy to sign up, and once you do, you won’t need to take your photo at the entrance again.

We kindly ask all families to complete this process now, as it will be required for future events and building access.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out!

https://raptortech.com/raptorsafe-app/?wvideo=n4kdp5kzro

https://www.portsmouthschoolsri.org/page/for-parents

If you shop at Clements and then send your receipt into school, Clements gives us a percentage back! Thank you for your support.

Breakfast, lunch, and milk are available to purchase for all Hathaway School students. Students order lunch each morning through their teacher that day. Breakfast can be picked up by students in the cafeteria as they arrive at school.

Full price Breakfast is $1.40 and Lunch is $3.05. If your family qualifies for free/reduced prices, both breakfast and lunch are free. Milk is offered for $0.55 as a stand alone item. To apply for free or reduced-price meals, families can complete a quick, confidential online application at https://www.myschoolapps.com/

Payment can also be made by sending a check in an envelope to school labeled with your student’s name, teacher’s name, LASID number, amount included and attention - cafeteria. Please make check payable to Portsmouth School Department with your child’s LASID number noted on the memo line. Send a separate check for each child in your family as payments cannot be split between accounts. KEEPING YOUR BALANCE PAID IN FULL IS VERY IMPORTANT.

Please note per the PSD policy, "Elementary and middle school students may not purchase “a la carte” items ( i.e. milk) or snacks until all charges on the account have been satisfied."

Please refer to the family portal navigation below to access your child's LASID number.

School Health Information

Frequently Asked Questions About Free And Reduced Price School Meals

How to Apply for Free and Reduced Price School Meals

If you are having issues accessing Aspen, you will have to email familyportal@portsmouthschoolsri.org with your child's name, date of birth, grade level, and your name. The system administrators will be able to restore access to your account and make sure that you can login.

• At Hathaway, the safety of our students and staff is our top priority. Throughout the school year, we practice a variety of safety drills so that everyone knows what to do in an emergency. These drills follow the I Love U Guys Standard Response Protocol.
  
  

• Shelter: Used during environmental threats (e.g., severe weather, hazardous materials nearby). Students stay inside a safe area of the building until the threat passes.

• Evacuate: Students and staff leave the building and gather at a predetermined safe location outside. This is used when it is safer to be away from the building, such as a fire or other environmental hazard.

• Hold: Students stay in their classrooms while the hallways are cleared. Instruction may continue as usual. This is used when movement in the hallways needs to be limited, such as during a medical response.

• Lockdown: Students and staff stay in classrooms because there is a potential threat inside the building. Procedures include:

• Locking doors.

• Turning off lights and moving out of sight.

• Maintaining silence.

• Dispersing students around the classroom while standing to allow for quick evacuation if necessary.

• Doors remain locked until authorized personnel give the all-clear.

• Secure: Students and staff stay in place within the school building, but normal activities can continue. This is used when there is a potential concern outside the school, such as nearby police activity, and it is safer to remain inside.

• Family Notifications: After all drills except fire drills, we will send a notification to families to keep you informed about the drill and its purpose. We encourage families to review these procedures with their children and remind them to follow directions calmly and carefully during drills. Thank you for your partnership in keeping Hathaway safe.

Thank you for your support in keeping all of our students safe in our Hathaway community.

Important Dates

2025-2026

August 17th - Kindergarten Screening

August 27th - First Day of School, K-9

August 27th - K Parent Meet and Greet in the Outdoor Classroom, 9:00 AM

September 13th - HPTA Polo Event

September 16th - Open House/Ice Cream Social, 5:00-6:30 PM

September 14th - Hearing Screening

October 15th - Flu Clinic, 4:00-6:30 PM

October 30th - Fun Walk, 9:15

March 1st-5th - Reading Week and Scholastic Book Fair

March 15th - 2D Music and Art Showcase

March 16th - 2H Music and Art Showcase

March 18th - 2M Music and Art Showcase

March 19th - 2MO Music and Art Showcase

March 25th - Arts for Life Day

May 3rd - May 7th - Teacher Appreciation Week

May 24th - 4H Recorder Concert

May 25th - 4G Recorder Concert

May 27th - 4P Recorder Concert

Email: littlel@portsmouthschoolsri.org
Website: https://www.portsmouthschoolsri.org/Domain/10
Location: 53 Tallman Avenue, Portsmouth, RI, USA
Phone: (401)683-0500
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hathaway.principal/
Twitter: @HathawaySchool