"WELCOME BACK HAWK HEROES!" - The words we couldn't wait to shout as we welcomed everyone back this week! Thank you to our PTO for organizing such a lovely display that welcomed us back to school! It was greatly appreciated!

We were beyond happy and excited to welcome all of our students in grades 1-4 back to school this week. It has brought me so much joy visiting all of the classrooms, checking in on our students and staff and engaging in some of their back-to-school activities. This week was all about getting to know our new classrooms, establishing classroom communities, revisiting routines, and easing into all of the fun learning ahead! I can't wait to see what this next week brings.

This week we will welcome our littlest Hawks to the Hawk's Nest! Kindergarten joins us on Wednesday, September 10th and then our family will be complete!

Just a few important reminders and items that require your attention these first few days of school.

1. Forms to Return: Students received emergency contact forms that required your review, signature and return as well as a few medical forms that need your attention.

2. ASPEN Student Handbook Sign Offs: All families must review the student handbook and complete the sign off process in ASPEN. It is expected that all students have a parent/guardian complete this. Directions on how to complete this in ASPEN can be found below.

Please know that although some of the topics and messages below might remain the same as last week's newsletter there are many various updates scattered throughout the newsletter! We ask that you scan the sections items below to review additional details in areas such as:

• Transportation: ie. Dismissal Changes

• PTO: Fundraisers and Upcoming Events

• District & Community Updates: Events

Mrs. Dalessio, Principal

International Dot Day is September 15th! Let's wear our Dots on Friday, September 12th!

Please read and review the following documents regarding our Title 1 Family Engagement Plan and Title 1 agreements. Click the images below to read the documents in detail.

We are excited to welcome our newest members of the Hawk family to Hyman Fine. Please be aware that a separate message was delivered to kindergarten families regarding how to access your child's classroom placement information. Any students awaiting their screening appointment will receive their class placement after they have been screened.

• Kindergarten Orientation: Tuesday, September 9, 2025

  • Students with last names A–L: 9:15–10:15 AM

  • Students with last names M–Z: 10:45–11:45 AM

• First Day of Kindergarten: Wednesday, September 10, 2025

As you prepare to join us this week, please remember the following details:

Buses: If your child rides a bus to school, you can see the bus stop location and pickup times by logging into the Aspen Family Portal and clicking, "Transportation." You can also view all of the stops by visiting the District's Transportation Page. As a reminder, please be out 10-15 minutes early for the first two weeks as drivers are learning their routes and routes change which can cause the buses to be earlier or later than expected.

Car Rider /Park and Walk: Please see our transportation section below for our Car Dropoff/Pickup and Park and Walk procedures. We highly encourage K families to utilize the Park and Walk option, especially at the start of the year.

If you haven't already done so, please take a moment to complete our Dismissal Survey. This brief survey helps us inform our teachers of your child's anticipated daily dismissal plan. We understand that dismissal plans do change at times for various reasons and when moments like these arise, we ask families to send their student to school with a note regarding any dismissal changes. Your child's dismissal plan is important to us and so your participation and support is very much appreciated.

Strong communication between home and school plays a key role in your child’s success. By staying connected, we can collaborate to support your child's education, address any issues quickly, and celebrate their achievements together. Here at HFES there are a few ways in which you can expect to receive communications about what is happening in our building and in your child’s classroom.

Student Home/School Folders- All students will receive a folder. Please check this folder regularly for information such as flyers, permission slips or notices.

News Flash: This newsletter will be sent to families via email every Friday, with updates and upcoming information. The newsletter will also be posted on our social media and website.

APS Mobile App/Rooms: Please ensure that you have downloaded the APS mobile application. This app features our Rooms platform which allows teachers and parents to communicate via a messaging system. Learn more about this platform by visiting our district ROOMS SUPPORT PAGE.

Facebook: Join our Facebook Page to see and hear about all the fun things going on in our building. We frequently post reminders on this page and often showcase photos from events and activities taking place here at our school.

You can also call the main office, and we would be happy to assist you or direct your questions to the appropriate staff.

School event calendars and breakfast/lunch calendars will go home in student home/school connection folders at the start of every month. Please ensure that you check your student's backpack for flyers, forms and important school news regularly.

September Calendar

Breakfast/Lunch Calendars

All families are expected to read the school handbook and complete the signoff process in ASPEN.

Please review the Handbook

Use the directions below to guide you on how to complete the signoff process.

Please remember that your child's attendance is important to their education. Frequent absenteeism can have a large effect on your student's learning and academic growth. If your child will be absent, please be sure to call our main office the morning of your child's absence. If you plan to dismiss your student from school, please send a handwritten note, or call our main office to ensure communication is received well in advance. Please avoid emailing teachers regarding a dismissal change as they are not always readily available to check their email in the middle of teaching.

Similar to last year, breakfast and lunch is provided free of charge. You can find food menus here. (This link will be located under our monthly calendar section.)

Breakfast:

For those students who need to eat breakfast, we ask that you drop them off at 8:30AM. We try to get them back to class for the start of school at 8:45AM. This helps them start the day on time with all their classmates.

Lunch:

Please review lunch choices with your child, and make sure there is something they will like. For younger students, talk to them about which choice they want, so making the choice in the classroom is easier for them.

Snack:

Students at all grade levels are provided time to have snack during the day. Classrooms will remain nut safe during snack time. A nut free snack should be sent with your child every day. Please be mindful of the packaging difficulty of snacks. We encourage healthy eating for snacks.

Your student's dismissal plan is an important piece to a successful day and ensuring students get home safely is our priority. To help us prepare for a successful dismissal process, please take a moment to fill out our Dismissal Survey. Please fill this out before the start of the school year.

Should you have a specific question that you cannot find the answer to, please contact the transportation office at 508-222-0012. A reminder that for the first 2 weeks of school, bus arrival times may be off by 10-15 minutes as everyone adjusts to more traffic on the roads when school begins. Please be at your stop at least 10 minutes before the estimated time of pick up/drop off. Once two full weeks have gone by, you will have a more realistic, regular time that the bus or van arrives/drops off at the designated bus stop. Thank you for your patience at the beginning of the year.

Changes to Dismissal Plan

If your child is going to go home DIFFERENTLY than their typical way or getting dismissed early, please notify the school as soon as possible:

For planned changes or dismissals, you can (choose one):

• send an email to the teacher and cc dmorgan@attlboroschools.com & pcooper@attleboroschools.com

• call the office at 508-223-1560

• send a handwritten note

For unexpected/same day changes or dismissals after the school day starts:

Since the teachers are instructing students, we cannot guarantee they will see your email or Rooms messages, which is why we ask you to contact the office after the school day starts. We know unforeseen circumstances come up, but we ask that you do your best to call before 2:00PM.

• Please call the office at 508-223-1560 or

• Email dmorgan@attleboroschools.com & pcooper@attleboroschools.com

Dear Parents/Guardians,

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself as your child's school nurse and welcome you to the new school year.

To help prevent the spread of illness in our school, I want to review our health protocols designed to support keeping all students healthy and safe.

ILLNESS GUIDELINES In compliance with Massachusetts Department of Public Health recommendations for school attendance:

Fever (100.0°F or higher)

• Your child must stay home for 24 hours after the fever has dropped naturally.

• No fever-reducing medication should be given during this 24-hour period.

Digestive Issues

• Diarrhea: Child must stay home until they are symptom-free for 24 hours.

• Vomiting: Child must stay home until vomiting has stopped for at least 24 hours.

Cold Symptoms

• Frequent cough, constant runny nose, frequent sneezing, and generalized fatigue.

  • We recommend keeping your child home until symptoms improve significantly.

Contagious Illnesses

• Strep throat, conjunctivitis (pink eye), etc.

  • Child must take prescribed medication for at least 24 hours before returning to school.

Skin Conditions

• Rashes: Should be evaluated by a doctor to determine cause and treatment

• Head Lice: Children with live lice will be sent home. After appropriate treatment, the child may return with a parent/guardian. The nurse will assess the student before returning to the classroom.

IMPORTANT REMINDERS

Medical Documentation

• Please provide documentation when your child has been evaluated by a medical provider.

• Any treatment or medication needed at school requires an official medical order and completed parent permission slip.

General Health Practices

• Remind your child to cough or sneeze into their elbow, not their hands

• Encourage frequent hand washing

• Most illnesses require 24 hours of rest after fever drops to allow proper recovery

Seasonal Preparations

• Winter months: Ensure your child wears a warm coat for outdoor recess (weather permitting)

• Keep a hat and mittens in their backpack

• Daily: Pack a change of clothes for accidental spills or bathroom accidents.

Communication

• Please call in your child's absences to the MAIN number.

• Contact the nurse to report any concerning symptoms or new treatments ordered by a doctor.

IMPORTANT DATE:

October 8- The Lyons Club will be coming to the Health Office for SPOT Screenings for our Kindergarten students. If your child wears glasses, please make sure your child has their glasses that day.

Thank you for your partnership in keeping our children happy and healthy!

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me. 

Sincerely,

Karen Mages BSN, RN, NCSN

School Nurse

(508)-223-1560

kmages@attleboroschools.com

Spirit Wear!

📣✨ Hyman Fine Families – Spirit Wear is HERE! ✨📣

Our Spirit Wear Store is now open and full of amazing new items (including name brands!) to show off your Hyman Fine pride. 💙💛

🛍️ Order by October 1st – the store will close after that date.
📦 All items will ship directly to school and be distributed to students once orders are complete.

Don’t wait – check out the new gear and grab your favorites today!
👉 http://OSSApparel.chipply.com/hymanfine-pto-2025/

Let’s see our school spirit shine! ✨👕🎒

Join a Committee!

We're looking to form committees to help us be as productive as possible throughout the school year. Once we have our committees formed, we will have Zoom meetings to brainstorm and talk about what needs to be done. Thank you as always for helping us make our events so memorable.

Please click the link to sign up: Committee Sign Up

PTO Meeting!

We hope to see you at our first meeting this Tuesday, September 9th at 6:00 pm. It will be held in the library at Hyman Fine or you can join us virtually through the link that will be sent out the day of in the Rooms app.  

Make sure to follow us on facebook. We can also be reached by email at hymanfineelementarypto@gmail.com

Save the Date: 

• Scholastic Book Fair: September 22-26

• Trunk or Treat: October 17 (Raindate October 24)

This Year's PTO Board: President/Co President- Ashley Niland & Christine Svendsen, Vice President/Co Vice President- Kelli Renker & Lindsey Jacobs, Secretary- Ashley Marsters, Treasurer-Ashli Burns

Click the image above to view the Project Connect Newsletter.

Check out the 2025-2026 District Calendar

The following links contain community connections and resources.

Community Fliers

Community Resources