November 19th, 2025

7:00pm

Agenda

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• Quick introduction to the HSA
• How to resolve concerns
• How to stay connected or get more involved
• What is the HSA up to?
• Committee updates
• Upcoming events
• Open floor

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AGENDA

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• Parent volunteers and Houston families
• 501c3 (merged with Families for Houston last year)
• Under the umbrella of the Philadelphia Home and Schools Council (https://www.philadelphiahsc.org/)
• We seek to:
• Provide support for families, teachers, and staff
• Foster community engagement to ensure all families feel welcomed and represented

What is the HSA?

Fundraising

People power

Advocacy

Community building

www.familiesforhouston.org

How to resolve individual concerns

Talk to the teacher

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Contact support staff

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Ms Jarrett (gjarrett@philasd.org)

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Connect with Principal Hall or Assistant Principal Matthews

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(lhall@philasd.org

mdmaddox@philasd.org)

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Reach out to School District

(Family & Community Engagement Office)

(https://www.philasd.org/face/)

Houston’s FACE liaison is Sydney Chapin

At the school on Tuesdays

267-718-1878

schapin@philasd.org

For broader matters of school policy and climate, attend the School Advisory Council (SAC) meetings.

https://www.philasd.org/henry/wp-content/uploads/sites/398/2019/06/SAC_FAQ_2018-19.pdf

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• Join the board
• Join a committee or form your own
• Volunteer on a one-off basis
• Support the HSA in other ways
• Buy merch (regular and custom)
• Shop at TruEarth (use this link http://bit.ly/4gpLAF4 and 30% of the proceeds go to the HSA)
• If you're selling items at the Nesting House, donate your trade in value to Houston
• Volunteers need clearances

How To Get Involved

www.familiesforhouston.org/merch

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• Website (www.familiesforhouston.org)
• Email us (houstonhsa@gmail.com)
• Bulletin boards (on the front gates and behind the library)
• Join our Facebook group and mailing list
• Class Dojo posts (now searchable on Facebook)
• Board members present at school and HSA events

How To Stay Connected

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What has the HSA been up to?

Clothing swap

Pastries with Parents

Community events

Halloween plant & bake sale

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• SNAP relief
• Collaboration with Ms Jarrett and Ms Rivers
• Recess equipment
• Lindback award Principal Hall
• https://www.philasd.org/lindback/
• Neurodiversity grant application

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Ongoing Efforts

Ongoing Efforts

Who: Grades 2-8

HOW TO ENTER:

• Create a Houston hornet logo in your artistic style digitally or on paper
• Must be able to be scanned or photographed clearly
• Submit your design along with your name and classroom to Ms Bronson and email TheartcollaborationPA@gmail.com
• Classroom visits with competition mentorship

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• Library committee (leads: Mary Hoeffel, Hannah Mermelstein, Kissa Reckamp)
• Sign up to volunteer during library hours
• Digital catalog
• Wishlist
• Advocacy committee (lead: Emily Pugliese)
• Testify at tomorrow’s school board meeting
• Musical committee (lead: Joelle Jaffe)
• Check out the new Houston Arts website (www.https://houstonhornets.wixsite.com/houston-arts)
• Winter concert Dec 18th - volunteers needed
• Auditions starting
• K-2 rehearsals starting Feb 25th - volunteers needed
• Teacher appreciation committee (leads: Amy Tarr and Emily Lenhard)
• Teacher’s lounge glow up
• Crossing Guard Appreciation
• Spring Fling committee (leads: Rob Pelsynski and Jason Ernst)

Committee

Updates

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• New roles:
• Inclusion chair
• School liaison
• New committees:
• 8th grade graduation including: yearbook, picnic, etc
• Playground maintenance and supplies
• Lindback award committee
• Other efforts:
• Guides for the website
• 7th grade tutoring

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Sustainability and longevity

• SAC meeting (December 10th @ 5pm via Zoom)
• Ms Jarrett’s toy drive (now until December 17th)
• Teacher appreciation winter event (TBD)
• Merch pop-up and holiday cookie sale (TBD)

Upcoming Events

Agenda

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Opening up the floor to you…