A message from HEARST ELEMENTARY SCHOOGood evening Owls,

Thanks for a great first week back and hope you had a fantastic weekend!

My best,

Jen

Quick Updates

• A shout out to Ms. Hinchey for having entered all the health certificates she has received into the DCPS database -  over 50% of our kids. This is the second year in a row that Hearst and Ms. HInchey have received this recognition!
• The Mental Health Team is sending out a survey to all families to determine the times and content of the workshops that they will hold for families this year.  Please return completed surveys to your child’s homeroom teacher.
• Friday, January 13, from 2:00-3:00 we’ll hold our very first SEM Showcase. Please join us in the gym to see all that our 3^rd-5^th graders have learned in their SEM enrichment groups!
• Hearst Lady Owls have a home game against Shepherd on Tuesday, January 10 at 4pm.  Hearst Boys will be away on Thursday, January 12 at Takoma for their 4pm game.

News and Announcements from Hearst

DCPS Health and Wellness Guidance

The end of 2016 and beginning of 2017 have brought us several cases of a stomach bug and lice.  In order to clarify when students should stay home, please see the chart below. Students who have one of the communicable illnesses listed below should not attend school:

In addition, children should be fever-free for 24 hours before returning to school.

Pediculosis (head lice) was previously included in the list of communicable illnesses, prior to an update to the DCMR in 2014. Under the new regulations, a student diagnosed with pediculosis may remain in class that day; however parents or guardians should begin treatment at the conclusion of the school day. The child may return to school upon submitting to the school nurse a parent or guardian’s note attesting to the fact that the student is undergoing treatment. A student with only nits (eggs) shall not be excluded from school; however the school nurse shall send a note to the parents or guardians advising them to monitor the child for re-infestation. 

News and Announcements from DCPS

Create DC (1/14)

The Create DC Arts Festival is bringing together a vibrant network of DCPS arts teachers, teaching artists, and local arts organizations for an afternoon of creative play on Saturday, January 14 at Union Market’s Dock 5. Families across the city are invited to join us in experiencing the visual arts, drama, dance, and music through hands-on interactive workshops and collaborative making stations as we celebrate the arts. All are welcome to create – or be – art at Create DC. For questions, contact Kristy Esparza at [email protected].

NEW Parent Guide to DCPS

Premiered at 2016 EdFEST, the Communications Team and the Enrollment Team recently collaborated to produce the NEW Parent Guide to DC Public Schools. Available in both English and Spanish, parents can use this guide to learn about the variety of programs offered at DCPS. From high-quality prekindergarten to college and career readiness opportunities, no matter what you're looking for, you can find it at DCPS! For questions contact [email protected].

Celebrate Support Staff Appreciation Week! (1/23-1/27)

This year, DCPS is expanding their recognition calendar to include our support staff from January 23^rd – 27^th! During this time, we will honor the deans, instructional aides/paraprofessionals, custodians, behavior techs, attendance counselors, DSLs/MSLs, and others who help maintain a positive school environment for students by supporting academics, safety, attendance, positive school culture, and health and wellness. School leaders, teachers, students, and families are encouraged to show how valuable support staff are to school communities by recognizing them and saying thanks. 

PTA Corner 

Hello Owl Families!

Please come mingle with your fellow Hearst moms or dads across all grades as we compete to see who can ring up a higher happy hour tab to raise more money for our children's school!  Grilled Oyster Company (3701 Newark Street) will donate 15% of the proceeds of both food and beverages to Hearst!

Please fill out the sign-up form below ASAP so we can provide an estimated head count and help Grilled Oyster Company staff appropriately.

The moms will gather from 6-8pm on January 9^th  and the dads will gather from 6-8pm on January 23^rd. 

Moms: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfeKKfBK6Flpb2PtlDv_grUiRgZfY3rwIeIJWtsy-yfiLqicw/viewform 

Dads: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeD3cFUV0xqsn-2lCrrRRku4Zv3uJMNlZ5BIrUJPr1oWVjzoA/viewform

Upcoming Events:

·        PTA Meeting: The PTA will hold its next meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 11 at 6pm in the library. Pizza and childcare will be available for all potty-trained kids. Please check the listserv and school website for sign-up information.

·         Open House Tours: Looking for an opportunity to share your Hearst experience? Look no further than the next Open House on Friday, Jan. 13. If you have time to help out by greeting visitors, giving a tour or just setting up, please email Kay Parry at [email protected].

·         PTA on the Playground: Have an issue or concern you’d like to raise? Want to meet more parents? Have an idea for a fundraiser Stop by the benches on the playground (in the gym if inclement weather) on Wednesday, Jan. 25 at 5pm and talk with the PTA.

·         Pre-Auction Wine Nights: This year’s annual pre-auction wine parties will be held on Saturday, Jan. 28 and Saturday, Feb. 25. Please bring one bottle of wine for the wine night and one bottle of wine to be packaged for the auction. For more information please contact Emily Olesh at [email protected] or Adrienne Allen ([email protected]).

·         Hearst Information Session: The Stuart-Doyle family will again host a Hearst Information Session from 3-5 pm at their home on Sunday, Jan. 29. Come represent current Hearst families as we talk informally with prospective families. Please sign up to attend:  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdAxlfZs0MQqXjxz4tmfTRvQnUeVCFmyPsTfo40v2viisqdUA/viewform (Note: it's best if kids can be left at home just so the event can focus on adult conversation and not be overrun by small people, but feel free to bring kids if necessary for you to attend; we will have a sitter or two to watch kids in the basement).

·         Community Dining Night: Our next Potomac Pizza night will be Monday, March 13. Please join us from 4-9pm at 19 Wisconsin Circle, Chevy Chase, Md. Dine in or carry out but make sure to mention you’re with Hearst and our school will receive 20 percent of our proceeds.