The next issue of the Friday Focus be January 6th. Enjoy your holiday break!
Hopewell Express December Highlights:
Every other month, we submit news and pictures that highlight the goings-on around the District. The themes for this issue were: supporting our community, honoring our veterans and celebrating fall. We were also able to feature a great article about our Academic Essentials program partnership with Rider University, written by our wonderful Special Ed teachers: Michelle Brennan and Meaghan McGowan.
Thank you to all who attended the Search Institute's “What’s Up With Our Kids?” presentation last week. The recording of the program can be viewed here. The PowerPoint can be viewed here. The program reviewed survey findings including strengths and areas of concern of TMS and CHS students who participated in the Search Institute’s Attitudes & Behaviors survey last spring.
During the program we learned three decades of research by the Search Institute and our own data show the more Developmental Assets our young people have, the better. With the goal of building more assets in our young people, the following handouts were provided during the program:
Developmental Asset Hopewell Valley Youth Report
How can parents assess how many assets their own kids are experiencing? Ask your child to complete the Student Asset Checklist. Parents can also participate by circling the number of assets they feel their children experience. Share each other’s results to compare similarities and differences.
To learn how to build specific assets in your child’s life, visit Got Assets? To stay connected on ways to build assets in your child’s life and others, sign up here to join us!
Hopewell Valley After School Enrichment Program Winter Session:
Last call for registration for the Winter Session of the Hopewell After School Enrichment Program! The Winter Session runs for 8 weeks beginning the week of January 9th, 2023! We have lots of spots open for the Kid Wizard Club, so please check it out. Questions? Please reach out to lorricefalone@hvrsd.org.
Kindergarten Registration for 2023 is coming soon!
Attention Parents! - Kindergarten registration for children who will be five years old on or before October 1, 2023 will begin on Wednesday, February 6, 2023.
The district is in the process of updating the registration forms, which will be available on January 30, 2023.
Please do not submit registrations prior
to February 6, 2023.
We will continue to provide updates over the next several weeks.
Thank you!
12/16 Join the Hopewell Valley Montgomery Ice Hockey Team Annual Toy Drive! Mercer County Park Ice Rink, Friday, December 16th: 3:30pm Varsity/ 5:00pm J.V. Wear your favorite Santa hat and bring a new, unwrapped toy for Homefront.
HV Choirs Coffee House Cabaret Concert: On Friday, December 16th, 7PM in the HVCHS Cafeteria, This program features solos, duets, and large group performances of pop and holiday favorites! All the songs are picked and prepared by the choir members themselves and showcase the talent in the program. The night is free admission (donations accepted) and coffee, hot chocolate, and cookies are available for free as well. Come support the members of the choir program at this annual crowd favorite concert!
Winter Dance Festival Tuesday, December 20th at 6pm in the HV PAC. This is a free, family event, featuring a short and sweet program of festive performances by HVCHS and TMS dance students, with guest performances by HVCHS a cappella groups, The Perfect 4ths and Con Brio!
The HVCHS PTO invites you to read the latest issue of the Dog Byte by following the hyperlink and clicking on "Dog Byte" at the top of the list on the left. All CHS families should receive the Dog Byte via email every other Tuesday morning. If you are not receiving it, or need to update your contact information, please email Sheila Zou as soon as possible so she can correct our database.
Winter Athletics: Over 250 student-athletes are participating in our winter athletic season. Please come out to support our girls basketball, boys basketball, swimming, wrestling, ice hockey, cheerleading, diving, and winter track teams! Our schedule of events can be found on the athletics website. Please remember to be a positive presence; any spectators violating the NJSIAA or HVRSD code of conduct will be removed.
Absences & Late Arrivals: Parents/Guardians should call our TeleSafe number 609-737-4003, Ext 2, by 8:00 am to report an absence or late arrival. Please also review our attendance procedures for details about our policies.
What’s Happening at HVCHS? Please follow us on Twitter: @HVCentralHS and Instagram: hopewell_valley_central_hs for pictures, updates, and fun facts. Fundraising activities from our classes, clubs, and teams can be found here. Also, check out our HV Student Publications Network page for student created podcasts, digital videos, and more
Winter Dance Festival: Tuesday, December 20th at 6pm in the HV PAC. This is a free, family event, featuring a short and sweet program of festive performances by HVCHS and TMS dance students, with guest performances by HVCHS a cappella groups, The Perfect 4ths and Con Brio!
Timberlane Community Fun Day- December 23,2022, Friday, Noon dismissal
School Calendar/Attendance - Friday, December 23, is an early dismissal day with Timberlane dismissing at 12:00 noon. The lunchroom will not be serving lunches. Students are encouraged to bring a snack. Please leave a message with Tele Safe at: 737-4004, ext. 2 if your student(s) will not be at school.
Attendance - Please leave a message with Tel-Safe at: 737-4004, x2 if your student(s) will not be in school or will be arriving late. Please send a note with your student in the morning for an early dismissal. Students know to then bring that note to the Main Office to pick up an early dismissal pass. This pass allows them to leave class at the time of dismissal. Teachers do not always see their emails while teaching during the day or there may be a substitute in the classroom who does not have access to email.
Winter Sports - This is a reminder to parents that when picking up your child after winter athletics...Please do not park in the bus loop! Parents should use the parking lots to ensure the safety of students so they are not running and walking through the bus loop when it is dark outside.
RECESS- With the temperature dropping, it is important for students to dress accordingly when they are outside for recess. Students are frequently reminded to visit their lockers prior to lunch to get their coats. Please ensure that your child is dressed appropriately.
Yearbooks are now on sale- Click here to order. The early bird price is $35. Buy yours before the price goes up on January 31st!
PTO Meeting- Tuesday, January 31, 2023 7:30 pm On zoom and more information to follow.
TMS Updates - For additional information about TMS, please visit our webpage, or follow us on Twitter @Timberlane_HV, or instagram @timberlane_timberwolves
BT YMCA Winter 2023 Sports Enrichment Programs - Are open for registration! Four unique program opportunities are provided after school to enrich your child and provide a sports activity after school. Register today online for the program of your choice: Here are the courses being offered.
AIR Therapy Dogs: Paws for Minds Annual T-shirt Contest - We have been doing this contest for 13 years. The first prize is an iPad. Winners will also get a t-shirt with their design. We encourage all students to participate. We present the first and second-prize winners on the front and back of the shirt. Maybe an HVRSD student will win, and you will wear a new HVRSD design. Click here for more information.
BT Winter and Spring Concert Information - Our winter and spring concerts will feature every 4th and 5th-grade student in one or more of the following ensembles: 4th Grade Chorus, 4th Grade Orchestra, 5th Grade Chorus, 5th Grade Band, 5th Grade Orchestra, and the 5th Grade Vocal Ensemble, The Treble Makers. Please mark your family calendars now to make sure no conflicts arise. The students are very excited about what we will perform - lots of excellent music and some surprises, too! Click here for more information.
Communications Hubs- Each classroom now has a private, interactive site that only you and your classmates can enter. Each of your classroom hubs will appear under the "Classroom Communications" tab on the PTO website. These hubs are a place to plan class events, collaborate with each other, post class pictures, and stay in the know! Teachers and room parents will be sharing important updates along with class event signup opportunities via signup genius. Make sure you check them regularly for updates! To find your student's communication hub, click HERE.
PaySchools Central Food Service - Use the following links for the 2022-2023 school lunch
Click Here for a Link to Pay Schools Central to Pay for Student Lunches
BT Changes In Students’ Dismissal - Families, if there is a change in how students will be going home, please be sure to call or email the main office, as teachers do not always have an opportunity to check their email. 609-737-4005
Absences & Late Arrivals - Parents/Guardians should call our TeleSafe number 609-737-4005, Ext 2
Dates to Remember
Friday, 12/16: Preschool Collaboration Day - No PEECH classes
Friday, 12/23: Pajama Day/Early Dismissal at 12:45 PM
12/26 - 1/30: Winter Break
Students return to School January 2nd
CHOP PJ DAY! What a success!! Not only did the children enjoy wearing their pajamas, but they were also extremely generous. Thank you, the donations are close to $6,000!!!! That's six times over our goal!!!
FROG FLASH: FILL THAT TRUCK next week December 19th - 21st HES is proud to continue our tradition of supporting the families of the East Trenton Center of Habitat for Humanity. We collect gently used donations in the school parking lot from 8:00am - 9:30am. Reminder: We will also be donating any Lost and Found items.
HES YMCA Winter 2023 Sports Enrichment Programs are listed here. Please visit this link for registration information.
The Chubby's Food Drive: We are continuing our donations to The Chubby's Project that offer food assistance to families in our Hopewell community. Thank you for all of the donations.
Volunteer Opportunities: If you are interested in volunteering, please complete the attached volunteer form and complete the process for fingerprinting. We appreciate the support of community members who are interested in supporting our school communities.
Pomptonian Food Service: Use the following link(s) for the 2022-2023 school lunch
The Lost and Found Garden is continuing to GROW, please encourage your child(ren) to check the lost and found for their missing items! Don’t forget to label your children's coats, hats, and gloves.
Follow Us On Twitter: Our page offers parents a glimpse inside our classrooms, important reminders, and students engaged in learning & fun. Click here to follow us.
Absences, Late Arrivals and Dismissal Changes: Call our TeleSafe number 609-737-4007, Ext 2, by 8:00 am to report an absence or late arrival or please use our new office email hwmainoffice@hvrsd.org. If there is a change in how students will be going home, call the main office at 737-4007, as teachers DO NOT have an opportunity to check their email during the day.
DATES TO REMEMBER
December 20th - 21st - Winter Concert
December 23rd - Early Dismissal
December 26th - 30th - Schools Closed
Students return to school January 2nd
Winter Concert - Thank you to our students and staff for a wonderful concert. If you have any photos, please send them to sballstarpics@gmail.com. Thank you.
SB Auction Winners - Congratulations to our winners from the Book Fair. Please send in your payments to the main office and activities will be set up after the holiday break.
Hopewell Valley Mobile Food Pantry December Donations: Please help the Hopewell Valley Mobile Food Pantry support our community. Click HERE for details. Thank you in advance for your giving spirit!
Pretzels: Order forms were sent home -see the Revised Flyer for details. The next delivery date will be 12/23.
PTO Meeting - Join in person or via zoom. Wednesday, December 21 at 7 pm.
SB YMCA Winter 2023 Sports Enrichment Program:
Information regarding registration for upcoming classes are listed here.
Lost and Found: Please label your child's jackets, sweatshirts and water bottles with their name so we can help return them from the lost and found.
PaySchools Central Food Service: Use the following links for 2022-2023 school lunch information:
Click Here for a Link to Pay Schools Central to Pay for Student Lunches
Click Here for Free and Reduced Lunch Forms
SB Membership Toolkit: All volunteer opportunities, Spirit Wear, and ways to donate can be found on MembershipToolkit. Click here to register.
Absences & Late Arrivals or Changes in Students’ Dismissal: Call our TeleSafe # 609-737-4006, Ext 2, by 8:00 am to report an absence or late arrival. Please email or call the main office secretaries, who will then inform the teachers if they haven’t been notified already of any changes in dismissal.
Lisa Haenni: lisahaenni@hvrsd.org, 609-737-4006, x6000
DATES TO REMEMBER
December 23rd - Early Dismissal 12:45pm
December 26th - 30th - Schools Closed
Students return to school January 2nd
TG Student Council Sponsored Spirit Days: The TG Student Council is sponsoring several Spirit Days throughout the year. To participate, they are requesting a small donation that will benefit the Hopewell Valley Mobile Food Pantry. See below for our next Spirit Day:
Friday, Dec. 23 - Pajama Day > donate personal hygiene item
There will be a labeled donation box by the front door of Toll Gate in which you can place your donation for the Hopewell Valley Mobile Food Pantry. Email Mrs. Kampe (kimberlykampe@hvrsd.org) or Mrs. Mayer (kimberlymayer@hvrsd.org) if you have any questions. Thank you for your support!
TGG YMCA Winter 2023 Sports Enrichment Program: Information and registration for upcoming classes can be found here.
Absences & Late Arrivals: Parents/Guardians should call our TelSafe number 609-737-4008, Ext 2, by 9:00 am to report an absence or late arrival. (Please do not report absences by emailing or calling the Main Office.) We also ask that parents leave reasons for absences on the TelSafe line (our nurse, Alicia Smith, monitors the line.) She is required to track both excused and unexcused absences. You can call ahead if you know about a planned absence or lateness.
Changes In Students’ Dismissal: Please email both main office secretaries if there is a change in your child’s dismissal for the day or if you will be picking up your child for an appointment in the middle of the day and returning them to school afterwards. (Please note that teachers may not have the chance to check their email during the day.)
Ashlee Dana: ashleedana@hvrsd.org, 609-737-4008, x8401
Patricia Jaczko: patriciajaczko@hvrsd.org, 609-737-4008, x8402
Dates to Remember -
Friday, 12/23: Pajama Day & Early Dismissal at 12:45 PM
/26: Winter Break - Schools/Offices Closed
12/27-12/29: Winter Break - Schools Closed (Offices Open)
12/30: Winter Break - Schools/Offices Closed
Monday, 1/2/23: School resumes
Tuesday, 1/3/23: TG All Hands Parent Meeting (via Zoom) at 7:00 PM
Thursday, 1/5/23: PTO General Meeting (via Zoom) at 7:00 PM
Monday, 1/16/23: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - Schools/Offices Closed
Tuesday, 1/17: Winter Concert at CHS Performing Arts Center at 7:00 PM
Friday, 1/20: TG Day of Service
