Dear Hershey Families,
As Principal of Hershey Elementary, it is my pleasure to welcome everyone back for another great year. I hope you had a wonderful summer, are recharged, and ready to start a new school year! I am so delighted that you are part of our amazing learning community. I welcome and value your positive energy and dedication to excellence in education, and I look forward to working with you and your child(ren). All signs point to another incredible and productive school year. We are indeed a joyous and caring community with the common goals of nurturing responsible, caring students and promoting high-level learning.
We are all excited to have students back in our classrooms and hallways filling them with energy and enthusiasm for learning. It is our mission to help every child feel welcomed, connected, and a part of our Hershey family. Additionally, we strive to challenge each student to grow in his or her academic abilities. At Hershey, we have great teachers who spend endless hours planning and creating lessons to engage our students in learning. Our teachers utilize research-based best practices and analyze academic data to determine current skill levels and to set goals for growth and improvement.
I am honored to have the opportunity to lead an elementary school with such a rich tradition of education! I have been dedicated to the field of education for twelve years. I have worked with a variety of students throughout my time in education, including my past days as an elementary teacher and 7-12 assistant principal. I am excited to work with you as a partner in education. As your Principal, it is important to me that everyone who steps through our doors; teachers, students, parents, grandparents; are excited to be here! This attitude enables us to meet the challenges of academic excellence in a positive, fun, and nurturing environment. Below, you will find important information that will help us prepare to transition into the 2022-2023 school year.
ONLINE REGISTRATION - PARENT PORTAL
All parents and or guardians will be required to complete online registration for your child(ren) that will attend Hershey Public Schools for the 2022-2023 school year. Our goal is to alleviate parents and guardians from filling out multiple forms on each child and make the process easier for all stakeholders. Typically in years past your child has brought home a packet of parent information and registration forms that have to be completed and returned by a specific date. Transitioning to online registration will help eliminate rewriting redundant information, especially if you have multiple children.
The online registration portal will open August 1, 2022. Please keep an eye out for the email if you are new to Hershey Public Schools. An example of this email can be accessed here.
All returning families will utilize their existing username and password to access the portal. If you have any questions or are unable to access the online registration portal, please contact Stacy Carder, Elementary at (308)368-5572.
Information that will be entered into the system may contain:
It is imperative that this important information be completed prior to the start of the 2022-2023 school year as this information allows us to ensure the safety of your child! *PARENTS MUST UTILIZE A WEB BROWSER, NOT THE SCHOOL APP to complete online registration.
2022-2023 OPEN HOUSE NIGHT
Hershey Public Schools will hold its annual PK-6 Open House on Thursday, August 11, 2022. We are excited to announce that Hershey State Bank will be sponsoring the evening and will provide a meal for all PK-6 families that attend! The meal will be at Washington Park from 5:00-6:00 PM.
From 6:00-6:30 PM in the park, Dr. McConnell will speak about his services that are available, the importance of mental health, and tips on how to help children use technology/social media appropriately.
Concluding the evening, from 6:30-7:30 PM, parents and children will have an opportunity to meet their teacher, ask any questions that they might have regarding the upcoming school year, and see their classrooms. Students are encouraged to bring their school supplies to Open House.
5:00-6:00 PM | Hershey State Bank Meal | Washington Park |
6:00-6:30 PM | Dr. McConnell | Washington Park |
6:30-7:30 PM | PK-6 Open House | Hershey Public Schools |
The district’s bus drivers and school nurse will be available throughout Open House night.
FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL
The first day of school for students in grades K-6 is Monday, August 15, 2022. School hours for the first day are from 8:15-11:30 AM. Breakfast will be available on this day, however lunch will not be served with the early dismissal. The school doors unlock at 7:50 AM and buses will run their AM/PM routes accordingly.
The first day for PreSchool is scheduled for Tuesday, August 16, 2022. The PK times and schedule will follow the Hershey Public School calendar as much as possible. The morning session runs from 7:55-11:20 a.m. and the afternoon session runs from 12:05-3:25 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Pick-up and drop off of your child will be at the south bus doors, until construction begins around October. Parents are encouraged to park in the south lot and walk their child to the doors.
LUNCHTIME SOLUTIONS
K-6 Lunch Times | ||||||
Kdg | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th |
10:45 AM | 10:50 AM | 10:55 AM | 11:00 AM | 11:50 AM | 11:53 AM | 11:55 AM |
*School breakfast/lunch prices for the 2022-2023 year are as follows:
Breakfast: K-5 - $1.70 6-12 - $1.70 Adult/Guest - $2.45 | Lunch: K-5 - $3.20 6-12 - $3.30 Adult/Guest - $4.15 |
Extra milk - $.45/carton Extra Lunch Entree - $2.00 |
All parents are strongly encouraged to complete Free and Reduced Lunch Application, even if you are certain that you don’t qualify. We appreciate you taking time to complete this application.
INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO REGISTER FOR WORDWARE AND EFUNDS
HANDBOOK & NEWSLETTER
The school is attempting to reduce the amount of paper used, therefore the newsletters, general orientation of school rules, regulations, and the Student-Parent Handbook can be found on the school website at www.hpspanthers.org. By offering these online, it should make them more readily available to you. If however, you prefer to receive the handbook and/or newsletter in printed form, copies will be available in the office or let Stacy Carder know at (308) 368-5572 and it will be sent to you. Communication is essential to a school’s success, so please read and familiarize yourself with the handbook so you are aware of the rules and regulations that will be expected from your child.
SUGGESTED CLASS SUPPLY LIST (2022-23)
PRE-SCHOOL
(Please write your name on all items)
●Crayons (box of 24)
●3 Bottles of white school glue
●2 Boxes of tissue
●4 Containers of hand wipes
●4 Containers of sanitary wipes
●Small scissors (No plastic blades)
●Pencil box
●3 Large glue sticks
●Book bag (large enough for books & papers)
●Change of clothing
KINDERGARTEN
(Please write your name on EVERYTHING this includes each individual crayon)
●4 Containers of anti-bacterial wipes
●1 - 4 oz. Bottle of white school glue
●$10.00 for Fun Day, field trip, holiday/special gifts, etc. (Check made out to your child’s teacher)
●1 Book bag (large enough for books & papers)
●1 Beach towel to lay on at rest time
●2 Boxes of crayons (24 count)
●1 Eraser (pink)
●8 Large glue sticks
●1 Pair of tennis shoes for P.E. (these will stay at school for use each day)
●1 Large box of Kleenex
●1 Supply box (no taller than 3")
●Headphone (laptop & iPad compatible-no earbuds)
●Water bottle (bring filled daily)
FIRST GRADE
●2 Boxes of crayons (box of 24)
●8 ct. Washable markers
●12 - #2 Pencils
●1- 8 oz. White School Glue
●8 Large glue sticks
●Watercolor paints
●School box
●2 Erasers and 1 pkg. of pencil top erasers
●Gym shoes (name on them)
●2 Large boxes of tissue
●2 Big containers of anti-bacterial wipes
●Scissors
●1 inch 3-ring binder with pockets
●Headphones (laptop & iPad compatible-no earbuds)
●2 Expo dry erase markers
SECOND GRADE
●#2 Pencils- NO mechanical pencils
●Pencil top erasers
●2 Erasers
●6 Large glue sticks
●Crayons (24 Ct.)
●Wide-lined notebook
●2 Large boxes of tissue
●1 Small school box
●2 Red pens
●Scissors
●Markers
●2 Small or 1 Large container of disinfecting wipes
●Gym shoes (name on them)
●Headphones (laptop & iPad compatible)
●1 Box of colored pencils
THIRD GRADE
●#2 Pencils – NO mechanical pencils
●Erasers and pencil top erasers
●24 ct. Crayons
●12 ct. Colored pencils
●2 Wide-lined notebooks
●2 Zippered Pencil bags
●8 Large glue sticks
●1 Small bottle of school glue
●2 Pocket folders
●Gym shoes (name on them)
●2 Boxes of tissue
●8 Classic color Crayola markers
●2 Container of anti-bacterial wipes
●Scissors
●Headphones (laptop & iPad compatible)
NO 3-Ring Binders
FOURTH GRADE
●Gym shoes (name on them)
●2 Containers of anti-bacterial wipes
●2 Large boxes of tissues
●3 Spiral notebooks
●3 Different colored pocket folders
●2 Large glue sticks
●Scissors
●#2 Pencils
●2 Large erasers
●Crayons and/or washable markers
●Colored pencils
●Zipper bag for supplies
●Headphones
●4 Expo markers
●Composition book (writing notebook)
NO 3-Ring Binders!
FIFTH GRADE
●1 Binders (1”)
●Scissors
●Pencils
●Red colored correcting pens
●Highlighters
●Colored pencils
●Colored markers
●Crayons
●4 Glue sticks
●3 Large boxes of tissues
●2 Zipper pencil bags for supplies
●4 Containers of anti-bacterial wipes
●Headphones
●2 Composition notebooks
●4 Expo markers
●Gym shoes (name on them)
●1 Large roll of paper towels
PLEASE NO Trapper Keepers
SIXTH GRADE
●Expandable pocket file – at least 7 pockets, letter size
●Pencils
●Red colored correcting pens
●Highlighters and Expo markers
●Colored pencils
●Colored markers
●3 Large glue sticks
●2 Zipper pencil bags for supplies
●5 – 70 count college ruled spiral notebook
●Scissors
●3 Large boxes tissues
●2 Containers of anti-bacterial wipes
●Earbuds or headphones
●Gym shoes (name on them)
NEW STAFF (ELEMENTARY)
I’d like to take this opportunity to welcome the following new elementary staff members to Hershey Public Schools for the 2022-2023 school year.
Ashley Steffes will be teaching second grade at Hershey Public Schools. Ashley and her husband Eric have three children. Ashley previously taught at North Platte. Ashley and her family live in our district! We are excited to have them as a part of our Panther family!
Ashley Bailey will be teaching fourth grade at Hershey Public Schools. Ashley and her husband Ryan have two children. Ashley previously taught at North Platte for 13 years, we are excited to have Ashley join our district!
Chelsey Margritz will be teaching fifth grade at Hershey Public Schools. Chelsey and her husband Josh have one child. Chelsey is an Alum of Hershey Public Schools. We are excited to have Chelsey back as a teacher! Welcome to the district!
Alexis Allan will be teaching fourth grade at Hershey Public Schools. Alexis and her husband, Bryan have relocated to Sarben after living in Brighton, Colorado for the past 16 years! We are excited to welcome them to Hershey Public Schools!
Kortnee Seidel will be a paraprofessional in the third grade classroom. Kortnee and her husband Orrin have two children. We are excited to have Kortnee joining our team!
Your commitment to ensuring that Hershey Public Schools remains a celebrated and successful school is awe-inspiring. I eagerly look forward to greeting students and families again. It remains an honor and privilege to serve as your principal. Together, I know we will make this school year one of growth and achievement for all children.
Educationally Yours,
Jared Thomsen
Elementary Principal
(308) 368-5572
Empowering students to reach their full potential.
“Educating Every Student, Every Day, Every Way”