Family Newsletter

Dear Hyde-Addison ES Families,

Please be reminded that DCPS is closed on Monday, October 9, 2023, in recognition of Indigenous Peoples' Day. We look forward to welcoming everyone back to school on Tuesday.

Thank you to Ms. Zaid and Team for an amazing "Art All Night" experience. Also, congratulations to the students for such creative efforts on their STEAM Day projects.

As a special note, Hyde-Addison ES received recognition this week, at the district-wide school leaders meeting , for demonstrating growth in both ELA and Math on the 2023 PARCC assessment.

Please join Hyde-Addison ES in our efforts to collect over 1,500 pairs of brand-new socks for individuals in need. Additional information kind be found in the "Socktober" flier below.

As always, please feel free to email hyde.addison@k12.dc.gov, with any school specific inquiries.

Kindest Regards,

Dr. Calvin Hooks, Principal

Hyde-Addison Elementary School

Starting Wednesday, October 4, DCPS in partnership with EveryDay Labs will send mailed and electronic attendance communications to the families of students who have missed five percent or more of the school year (excused or unexcused). Please know that the school team is not made aware of these communications when you receive them. We do not see the letters or the emails and, as a result, may not be best situated to respond to concerns about them. Emails about attendance from the school team will be sent from hyde.addison@k12.dc.gov or the Assistant Principal (katherine.mustian@k12.dc.gov).

You can check your child's attendance for accuracy by logging into the ASPEN Parent Portal. If there is a specific date you believe to be coded incorrectly, please email or call the main office at hyde.addison@k12.dc.gov to share what that date may be.

DCPS Meal Payment System Update

DCPS Food and Nutrition Services awarded a contract to a new operational platform, which will affect the payment system for families. This will enhance our current process by streamlining and making it more efficient for school communities.

How does this impact me?

If you have a school meal account under MySchoolBucks, you will need to create a new account on LINQ Connect. Any existing funds will be transferred to the new platform on 10/6/23 after 3:00 p.m. EDT.

Will my balance from MySchoolBucks crossover to the new LINQ Connect?

Balances will be transferred to LINQ Connect. However, to add funds and check balances, families must make a new account using LINQ Connect.

How do I get started?

Register: Create an account at https://linqconnect.com and select Register. Have your student’s ID number available. Verify your Account: Verify your account by clicking on the email verification link sent to your email address. Sign In: Now you can sign in at https://linqconnect.com using your email and password.

When I log in, why do not see my student’s account?

You will need to add your student to your LINQ Connect account. Click on +, then type and complete the information to link your student. You will need to complete this process for each student you wish to add.

I am a DCPS staff member, what do I need to make an adult meal account?

Following the steps above, use your DCPS Staff (PeopleSoft) ID # to identify your unique account.

Can I access my account through any browser?

You can access your account through any browser except Internet Explorer, which is no longer supported.

Can I access my account through a mobile app?

Yes, you will need to download the new LINQ Connect app in the Apple Store or Google Play Store available now.

How do I add money/make a payment to my student’s account?

Once you have added your child to your LINQ Connect account, you can add money by clicking the Add Money to Account button on the dashboard or by clicking the Meal Accounts button on the student card. You can choose to either Add to Balance or set up a New Recurring Payment with Auto Pay. If you select Add to Balance, the funds will be immediately available on your student’s account upon completion of the transaction. If you select New Recurring Payment with Auto Pay, you will be setting up a future automatic payment for the specified amount, frequency, day, and starting date that you choose.

Can I receive a notification when my student’s account balance is low?

Yes. The system is defaulted to send an email reminder when the balance falls below $5.00. You can change the Payment Reminder by editing the dollar amount on the Payment Reminder card on the Meal Accounts page.

What happens to the money in my student’s account at the end of the school year?

Your account balance moves with your student from grade to grade and school to school (within the district).

Who should I contact with questions?

If you have any questions, please contact us at food.dcps@k12.dc.gov or give us a call at (202) 299-2159.

Unity Day, started by PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center in October 2011, is the signature event of National Bullying Prevention Month. This is a day when we can come together in one giant, ORANGE message of hope and support. The call to action is simple: wear and share the color orange. This vibrant statement becomes a conversation starter, showing support for students who have been bullied and for bullying prevention.

If you or someone you know can volunteer to coach our 4th and 5th grade boys basketball team, please email katherine.mustian@k12.dc.gov

On October 26, 2023, all students will have their portrait (photograph) taken by Freed Photography. The images will later be made available to families online, and purchasing is optional.

Please note that if you did not check "yes" on the enrollment forms to provide media release, we are not able to allow your child to have their school portrait taken. If you would like to confirm whether your child is eligible, please email hyde.addison@k12.dc.gov and ask if your child has a signed media release form on file. We are not able to accept conditional forms where media permission is only granted for certain occasions.

OSSE has announced that the District of Columbia Comprehensive Assessments of Progress in Education (DC CAPE) will replace the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC), and will include the DC ELA assessment (DC ELA), the DC Math assessment (DC Math), and the DC Science assessment (DC Science).

I know you have all been itching to find a way to volunteer at your child's school. Helping out at the Kiss -N-Ride is the perfect opportunity to volunteer. For the month of October, we are looking for a few 4th grade parents to come out from 8:10am-8:30am and assist with managing the flow of the kiss and ride line. If you're interested reach out to Ms. Zaid amina.zaid@k12.dc.gov. or just come meet us at the Kiss-N-Ride line. Always remember, please do not park in the Kiss-N-Ride line!

School ends at 3:25pm and students are late being picked up after 3:30pm. Please be reminded that early dismissal ends at 2:50pm and we must clear the field for aftercare students to use.

Please see the updated guidance from DCPS regarding expectations for school visitors here.

Per DCPS, all students in grades Kindergarten through 5 must have a signed permission form on file in order to walk or take public transportation home alone or with a sibling, for each applicable school year. No student will be allowed to leave school alone or with a sibling until the attached form has been signed and returned to the main office or emailed to hyde.addison@k12.dc.gov.

Movie Night is Friday, October 13th at 6pmon the Hyde-Addison playground! Pizza, popcorn, and drinks will be available (for purchase); you're also welcome to bring your own snacks. Students will vote on which movie (rated PG or G) is played so stayed tuned! Don’t forget a picnic blanket! Please RSVP here https://www.konstella.com/app/school/5f3ec103b63aaba471bba1f9/events/650dc81347fc2672a0d03e0f (https://www.konstella.com/app/school/5f3ec103b63aaba471bba1f9/events/650dc81347fc2672a0d03e0f) and volunteer to serve pizza and drinks here https://www.konstella.com/activity-details.html?activityId=651dca5147fc8495df13e3e0.

Thanks to everyone who has already participated in this year's Great Envelope Race, the PTA's biggest fundraiser of the year. To date, we have raised nearly $25,000 or almost 50% of our goal of $50,000 by October 31. Help us bridge the gap between the school's operating budget and the funds provided by DCPS by donating to the Great Envelope Race today.

- Pick up a blue envelope in the main office and return it to your teacher or the main office with whatever amount you choose enclosed.

- Or make your donation online, either one-time at www.hydegift.com or recurring at www.hydemonthlygift.com.

- Ask family members like grandparents and neighbors to participate too!

While the suggested donation is $400 per student, all donations are appreciated and every dollar helps us provide things like books, curriculum materials and supplies, field trip scholarships, and professional development for Hyde-Addison's incredible teachers and staff.

If you have questions about Free and Reduced Lunch (FARM) applications, please call 202-299-2159 or email food.dcps@k12.dc.gov.

More information about Free and Reduced Meals can be found here.

Any student with dietary restrictions should review the following from DCPS and fill out the applicable forms: Dietary Accommodations | dcps. Remember: We are a nut-free school!

Attendance is a priority of DCPS and Hyde-Addison, as we know regular school attendance is integral to student success. Please find the DCPS calendar, linked here and shown below, so that your family can plan events and vacations accordingly.

October 2, 2023: STEAM Day (4th-5th: 12:55 entry time, 1:35 exit time-- 2nd -3rd: 1:45 pm entry time, 2:25 exit time-- PreK-1st: 2:35 entry time, 3:15 exit time)

October 9, 2023: Holiday, DCPS Closed

October 13, 2023: Movie Night (6:00pm)

October 19, 2023: Parent Teacher Conference Day (by appointment), No School for Students

October 20, 2023: DCPS Professional Development Day, No School for Students

October 26, 2023: Student Portrait Day

October 26, 2023: Literacy Night (5:30- 7:00pm)

October 27, 2023: Final Friday Celebration of Learning (8:35-9:15am)

First Tuesday of the Month: LSAT Meeting

Fourth Tuesday of the Month: PTA General Body Meeting on Zoom

Last Friday of the Month: Equity and Anti-Racism Task Force Meeting on Microsoft Teams

For copies of previous Hyde-Addison ES newsletters, please visit the Hyde-Addison ES website at https://hydeaddisondc.org/updates2233

Email: hyde.addison@k12.dc.gov
Website: https://www.hydeaddisondc.org
Location: 3219 O St NW, Washington, DC 20007
Phone: 202-282-0170
Facebook: facebook.com/hydeaddison/
Twitter: @DrCalvinRHooks