What's Happening??!!

Dear Hawley Parents/Guardians, Teachers, and Staff,

Things are picking up here at Hawley. Grades 3 & 4 are doing iready testing. We had a visit from Reed. Some celebrations. Mother Nature is busy: hot then cold, sunny then rainy then flurries, an earthquake, and an eclipse. Also, many events on the horizon.

Buckle up, stay seated, and keep your hands and feet in the car at all times, as you read on to find out What's Happening at Hawley .....

The end of our day has many moving pieces. Students are in classrooms, at special, receiving intervention/enrichment support, at extra recess, heading to bus lines or bus rooms.

We are beginning to get more early parent pick-ups right before Dismissal. This pulls people away from their responsibilities as we prepare to get 293 students ready to get home safely.

We discourage pick ups between 3:10-3:30 PM. I understand that there may be times you need to get your child at this time of day. I am asking that you either pick up your child BEFORE 3:10 PM or wait and do so at 3:30 PM in line as part of our regular pick up procedure. Those trying to pick up students between 3:15-3:30 PM will be redirected to the pick up line.

I have always shared that student safety MUST outweigh convenience. I am asking for your support with this important matter. Please reach out to me with any questions.

THANK YOU~

Newtown will be experiencing a Partial Solar Eclipse TOMORROW, April 8th from 2:15 PM to 4:40 PM. In a solar eclipse the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth blocking the Sun's light from reaching Earth. As the Moon passes in front of the Sun, the Moon's shadow sweeps across Earth. The sky gradually grows darker then lighter again. This is an astronomical phenomenon that rarely occurs. It is an exciting opportunity for students to learn about and witness while also creating a false sense of security that you can stare at the sun.

Students have been learning about the eclipse in their classrooms. They will also be viewing a live stream of the eclipse in their classrooms. In addition, we are planning to go out with eclipse glasses to view the eclipse for a short period of time in supervised small groups.

Knowing that healthcare professionals recommend that no one should look directly at the sun during any part of a partial eclipse without wearing eclipse glasses to protect their eyes from injury, we have put some plans into place to keep students safe, while educating them and allowing them to experience this rare phenomenon.

The following have been put into place;

• Students will learn: what the eclipse is, how it occurs, why it is rare, and why it is dangerous to look directly at the sun.
• Students will have the opportunity to see a live stream of the eclipse in their classrooms.
• All classrooms or common areas with a direct view of the sun will have their windows appropriately covered for the duration of the eclipse.
• Students will be given the opportunity to go outside and view the eclipse for a short period of time.
• Students will each be given eclipse glasses for viewing purposes.
• Students will be escorted outside in groups of 4 or less to view the eclipse, the adult to student ratio for this activity will allow for close supervision around putting their glasses on when they look at the sun.
• Students will understand that during an eclipse they should not look up at the sun without protecting their eyes. During the eclipse they will put special eclipse glasses on and keep them on while looking at the sun. When outside after school they will not look up at the sun unless they put the special eclipse glasses on.
• Any student who can NOT keep their glasses on or who misbehaves during the viewing will be immediately escorted back into the building.
• Recesses that occur later in the afternoon on Monday will be inside.
• Students will be walked out to their bus and loaded immediately. They will be reminded of the importance of their special eclipse glasses if they are going to get off the bus and look at the eclipse.
• Per Central Office, we will not permit any Walkers on Monday. Please let us know if your child will be picked-up or should ride the bus home.

While we have put things into place at school to balance the educational value with the safety concerns, we do understand that parents may be concerned that their child may not follow all the recommendations to keep their eyes safe.

Unfortunately, staying in the building while their class is outside viewing the eclipse is not an option that we can provide. Therefore, if you are concerned about the safety of your child during the eclipse and would like to pick your child up prior to its beginning, please let your child’s teacher and the office know that morning or any time this week. Pick-up would need to be at/before 2:15 PM.

If you are concerned about your child not following recommendations for eye safety when they get off their bus, please plan on meeting them at the bus stop or picking them up from school.

We kindly ask that you share this safety information with your child. Click HERE for the information that we are sharing in class. We appreciate all your support around making this a memorable and safe event for students.

If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact me.

Our motto at Hawley School is to Work Hard and Be Kind. We are always on the lookout for Kindness. Kindness that stands out by going above and beyond every day expectations. We want everyone to be the "i" in KIND.

The students below were recently recognized for helping to clean the classroom, welcoming and befriending a new classmate, sitting with a student who was alone, comforting a hurt classmate and helping others follow directions.

The District Art Show is currently happening at our Central Office. Samples of student Art Work from all schools are on display. Congratulations to the Halwey students whose art work was chosen. Thank you Ms. Giddings and Ms. Griffin for all that you do.

Every student planted a bulb in the Fall as part of our outdoor Beautification Project. We are starting to see the results. Thank you Ms. Douglass, Mrs. Capaldo, the PTA and the Father's Club for your help. More to come...

THIS Wednesday night is our PTA BINGO / International Dessert Night. It is 6:30-8:00 PM in the Hawley Gym. Come join us for a night of BINGO and some wonderful treats.

This is a FREE Family Event for PTA Families. Click HERE for more information and to sign up to bring a dessert.

This past week, we celebrated our Paraeducators. They assist everyone with everything. Hawley Staff and the PTA pampered them throughout the day.

Thank You to our Amazing Paraeducators for all that they do!!

Our 4th graders were treated to a visit from 5th Graders to demonstrate the Music Programming awaiting them next year at the Reed Intermediate School. Our 4th graders can choose for next year: Chorus, Band or Orchestra.

• Financial Assistance: There is money available to help pay for mental health and/or substance use intervention, treatment, or medication for children 18 or under. Click here for information and to see if you qualify. Funding is available for a limited time.
• Drop Off / pick-Up: With all the water and cold/warm temperatures, we have a few pot holes in our parking lot. We have filled them but some are reappearing. Please be mindful and drive carefully.
• Attendance: A student's success is directly connected to them being in school, on time, all day. Please be mindful of absences, tardies, and going home early. It adds up.
• What's Happening Newsletters: All Newsletters are archived for the year on the Hawley Website under the ABOUT Section.

• April 1-12: iready Testing Grades 3 & 4
• Wed, 4/10: Hawley BINGO / Dessert Night, Hawley Gym, 6:30 PM
• April 15-19: NO SCHOOL, Spring Break
• Tues, 4/30: Incoming Kindergarten Orientation, Gym, 6:30-8:00 PM

Mr. M & students spent last week sharing Easter Bunny Jokes.

They were Egg-celent ;0)

• What Kind of bunny can't hop? A Chocolate Bunny
• Where does the Easter Bunny like to eat? IHOP
• What music does the Easter Bunny listen to? Hip Hop
• What stories do Easter Eggs tell their children? Yolk Tales

and my favorite....

• Why did Humpty Dumpty have a Great Fall? To make up for his terrible Summer

Click Here to view our Twitter page.

*For us to use your child's likeness, we need your permission. Permission must be granted annually via the ParentPortal.

Twitter: @hawley_school

Our website contains a tremendous amount of information and has the answers to most questions, PLUS, a staff directory/emails, handbooks, forms and more. Click Here to check it out!

Inspired Hawley Principal

Email: morettic@newtown.k12.ct.us
Website: http://newtown.hawley.schooldesk.net/
Location: 29 Church Hill Road, Newtown, CT, United States
Phone: (203) 426-7666
Twitter: @cmoretti66