Week Ahead-October 23, 2026

Dear Families,

Next week is conference week, which brings many schedule changes. Please bring photo ID with you when you come to school for conferences. You will need to present this ID to our security team when you sign in. While you are here for your conference, you can visit our Book Fair for a preview of this amazing event that our PTO runs for students. See details in the section below about the Book Fair.

Reminders:

• Tuesday is Election Day, and school is closed. Our teachers will be immersed in professional development all day.
• Wednesday is a delayed opening. Doors open for drop off at 10:25 a.m.
• Thursday and Friday are early dismissal days. We start dismissal at 12:35 p.m. Please note that, on early dismissal days, our ELC also dismisses at 12:35 p.m. This means our car line will be longer than usual, and the process will take longer.
• Please be mindful of using parking spots designated for Hurlbutt when you come for conferences. We share our parking lot with the senior center. The senior center spots are the two rows closest to their entrance.

Dismissal Manager changes must be made before:

• 10 a.m. on Early Dismissal Days
• 1 p.m. on Regular Dismissal Days

Have a wonderful weekend and Happy Halloween!

Find bestselling series and characters that students love from more than 100 publishers.

Plus every purchase benefits our school.

November 9th-November 13th in the LRC!

Here’s what to know:

• Soft launch: Nov 4th-6th during parent-teacher conferences
• Students can also shop with their class (parents welcome!)
• Family Shopping Night: November 12th 4:30-6pm
• Shop online from 11/5 - 11/18. All orders ship direct to home. *Book-only orders over $35 ship FREE.*
• 25% of every online purchase directly benefits our school
• Don’t forget to set up your child’s eWallet for easy, cash-free shopping!
• Learn more + set up eWallet at the link below!

Let’s spread the book joy together!

Interested in volunteering? Whether your jam is making book recs or working the register, we need parent volunteers! Whether you can give us one shift or several, we'd love to have you! Click here to sign up for some serious fun.

Questions? Please reach out to Nell Ryder at ee.ryder@gmail.com

The Town Library has requested that families be mindful that the parking lot near the library is used for library patrons, town hall, as well as some school staff parking. Library patrons and library staff are having difficulty finding parking in the afternoon, and some cars are being blocked into their spots. Please remember that our Walker Pickup for dismissal is intended only for families who live within walking distance of our school. Please do not park and walk to Walker Pickups.

If you are using the playground after school, please select Parent Pick-up/Car Line and drive through the Car Line. You can then park in a space with white dots in the Town Library parking lot. These white-dot spaces are designated for HES staff and will be open for your use after school dismissal. There will also be spots available in the HES main parking lot after dismissal.

We are working hard to be good neighbors to our Town Hall and the Town Library and want to preserve the walker option for dismissal with your help.

Our students were excited to learn this week which classes earned the most laps during annual Run for Life program at Hurlbutt. As a school, we logged 14,168 laps around South House Field.

The class with the most laps at the end of the week is proudly displaying the grade-level Run for Life banner. The following classes earned the banner this year:

• Kindergarten: Mrs. O'Hara's class
• First Grade: Mrs. Palmer
• Second Grade: Mr. Guertin

Thanks again to the parents, students, and friends who joined us!

Wyatt Hallgren

Spencer Jacoby

Physical Education Staff

Hurlbutt Elementary School’s Early Learning Center (ELC) offers services for Weston’s preschool students with disabilities. Since there are no general education preschool classes in the school district, we have developed an integrated program to include peer models. The ELC is open only to Weston Families. The program runs five days a week, 8:30 am - 1:15 pm, with parents expected to provide transportation. To participate in the ELC, children must be 3 or 4 years old on or before September 1, 2027, and toilet-trained. Positive peer role models are children who demonstrate age-appropriate social, communication, and play skills and can serve as positive examples for their classmates. These children show an emerging ability to follow classroom routines, participate in group activities, interact positively with peers, share materials, take turns, and respond to adult directions. Peer models provide natural opportunities for social interaction, language development, cooperative play, and learning within an inclusive preschool environment. The anticipated cost for the program is at least $9,277, and the final amount will be shared with families in the Spring of 2027.

Applications for Hurlbutt Elementary School’s Early Learning Center (ELC) are now available on the Hurlbutt Elementary School website. To locate the application, click on the “Academics” tab, then “Preschool,” where you will find the link to the Preschool Application. You can also access the application directly at this link: ELC Application.

We are accepting applications from October 23, 2026 through November 20, 2026 (closing at 3:00 p.m.). If we receive more applications than available slots, a lottery will be conducted on November 24, 2026. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis after the lottery if additional spots remain open in the program. Students who are currently enrolled in the 3’s class do not need to reapply for the 4’s class. Students currently in the 4’s class who are not age eligible for kindergarten next year do not need to reapply. Students who are already in the program remain in the program until they are age eligible for kindergarten.

An in-person informational Open House will be held on November 11, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. Please RSVP to alisonbrett@westonps.org if you are interested in attending.

We are excited to share that Hurlbutt will serve as a test center for the 2027 Math Kangaroo Competition, the world’s largest math contest for students in Grades K–12. The competition will take place on Thursday, March 18, 2027 here at HES for our K-2 students @ 9:00 AM.

Math Kangaroo is a fun and challenging opportunity for students who enjoy problem-solving and want to stretch their mathematical thinking. All preparation for the contest is done at home, and students will have the opportunity to take the official contest assessment at school.

Key Information

Registration Deadlines:

• Regular registration: December 31, 2026 ($20 fee)
• Late registration: January 1, 2027 – February 1, 2027 ($35 fee)

About the Competition

• 75-minute multiple-choice test
• (sample items from previous competitions can be found here)
• 24 questions (Grades K–4)
• 30 questions (Grades 5 and up)
• Winners posted by June 1; top scorers may be invited to an awards ceremony

Once registered, students gain access to sample questions, video solutions, and other preparation materials.

How to Register:

1. Go to: MATH KANGAROO REGISTRATION PAGE
2. Log in with your login and password or establish your user account if you are new.
3. Click on the tab By Invitation.
4. Copy and paste this code in the field Invitation Code: CTWESTO0002001@2027MC
5. Do not share the code.
6. You are ready to register. Screenshot tutorial here: Registration for Private Center.

Once your child is registered, you can enjoy free Math Kangaroo video solutions and access full questions and solutions sets with 50% off. Remember- preparation for the competition is done outside of school hours for those students seeking a challenge. After registering, students can access free video solutions and discounted question sets for practice. Instructions on how to find the discount code HERE.

Important: After receiving your confirmation email, please review it for accuracy. For any corrections, update your registration or contact info@mathkangaroo.org.

If your child enjoys rigorous math challenges, we encourage you to talk with them about participating. We look forward to supporting our students in this exciting enrichment opportunity!

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out.

Kelly DelVecchio

Math & Science Curriculum and Instruction Leader, HES

We are pleased to invite you to our annual parent & guardian math workshops! Our goal is to help you understand the math your child is learning and allow you to better support their learning at home. These sessions will be interactive and hands-on, so come excited to learn some new ways to think about mathematics!

• Kindergarten: Tuesday, December 1st, 9:15-10:30 AM
• 1st & 2nd Grade: Thursday, December 3rd, 9:15-10:30 AM

Reservations are needed and space is limited, as we need to know how many sets of materials to prepare. Please note the sessions are grade-level specific. If you have students in both grade bands, you can sign up using both forms or pick one of your choosing.

Please respond via Google Form below by November 17th.

• Kindergarten SIGN UP HERE
• 1st & 2nd Grade SIGN UP HERE

If you have any questions please reach out. We look forward to seeing you!

kellydelvecchio@westonps.org

Math & Science CIL at HES

Honor your 2nd Grader by planting daffodil bulbs in their name at Hurlbutt. Started in 2023 at WHS, the Daffodil Trail grows with each graduating class, we are excited to extend this tradition down School Road!

This beautiful tradition symbolizes growth, renewal, and the lasting legacy of our 2nd Graders. Each bulb will be tagged with your student's name and will bloom in the spring — a tribute they can visit and cherish for years to come. All bulbs will be planted this fall by students in WHS’s Sustainable Living class and will benefit the WPS sustainability fund.

Thank you for helping us grow a greener future — one daffodil at a time.

Bulb Options:

• Set of 4 bulbs (1+ ft of trail) — $15
• Set of 8 bulbs (2+ ft of trail) — $25

(You may purchase any quantity — larger groupings make a more striking display!)

Order Deadline: Friday October 30, 5pm!

The Housatonic Resources Recovery Authority (HRRA) is hosting its Annual Billboard Recycling Contest with this year’s theme:

“I RECYCLE! DO YOU?”

HHRA Contest Link

Students are invited to create artwork that inspires our community to take action, protect our environment, and practice proper recycling. Winning designs earn cash prizes and will be featured on regional billboards, giving local students a chance to see their artwork displayed for thousands to see! Official templates HERE and contest guidelines are available through this HRRA link.

All entries must be completed on the official template and returned to your teacher or school main office by Monday, November 16, 2026. Let’s show our community how our school recycles right!

Students may ask their teachers for the proper template or click this link and print a copy of the HRRA template. We are looking forward to some great art!

If you have any questions please contact Michael Aitkenhead (contest district coordinator) at michaelaitkenhead@westonps.org.

Official Template

Rules

Thank you for your generous donations toward our flag fundraiser for veterans. Your donations have helped us earn 24 flags for Hurlbutt Elementary School's Field of Flags display in November, and we've almost reached enough donations for another set of 24 flags for our field! Each flag in the Field of Flags honors a different hero, and behind each flag is a unique story — a story about courage and freedom, a story about sacrifice, and a story worth honoring.

Additional donations may be made through our Hurlbutt Elementary School Field of Flags donation page before November 1. For every $250 raised, we’ll receive 24 flags to display ($500 = 48 flags, and so on). Our students will appreciate the visual reminder of the flags displayed at our school, honoring our veterans.

Funds raised through Field of Flags supports the Disabled American Veterans mission of keeping our promise to veterans, their families, and survivors. DAV assists veterans by helping them gain access to the medical, financial and educational benefits they’ve earned along with connecting them to meaningful employment opportunities. All services are provided free of charge. Learn more about DAV’s programs and services at dav.org.

Open to all CT Residents in Grades K-12

Treasurer Erick Russell, Trustee of the Connecticut Higher Education Trust (CHET), has announced that the 2026 CHET Dream Big! Competition will run from August 19, 2026, through November 6, 2026.

The competition is open to all Connecticut residents in grades K-12. As part of the Dream Big! Competition, students in grades K-12 submit essays, videos, and artwork based on a question about their dreams or how they can help their communities.

This year, $350,000 in prizes will be awarded as CHET 529 College Savings Plan Account contributions, along with technology prizes to Connecticut schools.

Please visit chetdreambig.com for more information on prize structure and awards.

Please use School Dismissal Manager to inform us of your child’s dismissal plans (linked below):

• Early Dismissal Days: ALL dismissal plans must be updated before 10:00 a.m.
• Regular Dismissal Days: ALL dismissal plans must be updated before 1:00 p.m.

• Early Pickups for Appointments: Please select "Leaving Early Coming Back" or "Leaving Early, NOT Coming Back" in Dismissal Manager if your student needs to leave for an appointment.
• Frequent/Daily Car Pickups: We have yellow name cards going home in your child's backpack today if your child is using frequent/daily car pickups. Please place the card on your dashboard while you are in the pickup line to help facilitate a smoother process as our security specialists announce your arrival. *Please remember to specify which adult is picking up your child in Dismissal Manager's Parent Pick-up/Car line option.*
• Students Riding the Bus Home With a Friend. When deciding whether to use this option, please consider their age and ability to handle this privilege. Please do not have more than two students ride home with your child for an activity or playdate. Many of our buses have full routes, and buses cannot accommodate large groups of students on the routes. All dismissal plans must be made prior to the school day. Unexpected changes to student plans cause anxiety for our students and disrupt the school day.
• Weather-related or other program cancellation communication will come from the individual program groups. Please keep an eye on your email, especially if the weather is not favorable to outside activities. You will need to update student Dismissal Manager plans before 1:00 p.m.

• Kindergarten students must be met at the bus stop by a parent or caretaker. If no one is there to meet a kindergartener, the bus driver will bring the child back to school. The school will call home so the child can be picked up at school by a parent or a neighbor or a babysitter who has been designated as an emergency contact on the emergency information form.
• 1st and 2nd grade students: Per the Board of Education policy, the bus drivers will drop off 1st and 2nd grade students even when an adult is not present. Bus drivers will not force a child to get off the bus if the child is uncomfortable or worried. They will return them to school and a parent/guardian will be contacted.

Students will order lunch in their classroom when the teachers take lunch counts at the beginning of the day, so our chef knows how many to prepare. Students are able to purchase these additional food items during their lunch time. Please continue to have a conversations with your child about your expectations as a family for these purchases. We also recommend checking your account balance and purchases on a regular basis.

"Snacks": Our students refer to these items as "snacks," and these supplementary food items should not be considered as meals. Please consider what your expectations are for your child and begin to share them with your student in conversations.

Recommendations:

• Clarify Expectations: Children at this age benefit from direct, simple language, such as:
• "You may buy one cookie on Tuesdays only."
• "You may choose one snack item after you eat your lunch."

• Distinguish Drinks: Please note the different milk and drink options. Clear language with these choices helps students, such as:
• "You may only purchase the regular milk. You may not purchase juice."
• If you child is buying a school lunch, it comes with water, milk or chocolate milk. Organic milk can be purchased for an additional cost.
• Avoid Food Sharing: We instruct our students to not share food or buy food for other students. You can help us by reinforcing that expectation.

• Check Your MySchoolBucks Account: We recommend you check your MySchoolBucks account at least once a week to review your student's purchases and lunch balances. Students with negative balances will not be able to purchase a la carte items. Students are always able to buy lunch even when their balances are negative.

• November 3: Election Day/No School (Prof. Development)
• November 4: K-5 Delayed Opening/Parent-Teacher Conferences
• November 5: K-5 Early Dismissal/Parent-Teacher Conferences
• November 6: K-5 Early Dismissal/Parent-Teacher Conferences
• November 9-13: Book Fair Shopping During School
• November 12: Book Fair Family Shopping Night 4:30-6 p.m.

• November 20: ELC Preschool Applications for Lottery Closes (3:00 p.m.)
• November 25-27: Thanksgiving Recess/No School

• December 1: Kindergarten Parent & Guardian Workshop
• December 2: Picture Make-Up Day
• December 3: 1st and 2nd Grade Parent & Guardian Workshop

• HES Home Page
• Weston Public Schools
• School Dismissal Manager
• MySchoolBucks
• Power School