Did someone say Maycember? April and May have been so very busy and Spring is finally taking us to the end of the school year. Thank you to everyone who contributed to and supported Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week and our FUNDrive earlier this month!

We are looking forward to a busy rest of May complete with Memorial Day weekend and lots going on. Join us this evening as we partner with Thompson PTO to deliver an online workshop, The ABCs of Racism. Or join us in-person, in the school library at 6.30pm on Tuesday, May 20 for an in-person The ABCs of Racism session. It's not too late to sign up for either session!

Then we have two school concerts coming up, our 5th Graders will visit Gibbs Middle School and we will be welcoming and showing our incoming Kindergarten class the wonders of Hardy on Wednesday, May 28. Sign up here to act as a tour guide!

As we prepare for the end of the school year we are also preparing to say farewell to PTO Committee and Board members and welcome new ones. This is another invitation for you to get more involved in our school community by joining the PTO Board or one of our committees for the 25/26 school year

Join the Hardy PTO Board or Committees – Help Us Build a Stronger School Community!

The Hardy PTO plays a vital role in fostering a sense of connection and community among families, students, teachers, and staff. From organizing events and supporting classroom initiatives to ensuring every family feels welcome and engaged, our work has a meaningful impact on the school experience for everyone.  Read more about how volunteering will make your life better, a beautifully written article by long-time Hardy caregiver, Laura Saylor here.

There are many ways to get involved—whether you’re interested in a leadership position on the board or prefer to contribute your time and talents on a specific committee. No matter your availability or experience, there’s a place for you!

Why join?

• Build lasting relationships with other families and staff

• Help shape the events and programs that make Hardy special - examples are Trunk or Treat, Harvest Fest, STEAM Fest, Muli-cultural Fest, Field Trips, Workshops

• Support our students and teachers in tangible, meaningful ways - examples are Teacher Appreciation Week, Treat Train, School Supply delivery

Positions and committees can be reviewed here. Voting for board positions will be at the June PTO meeting - Wednesday June 11th 6:30 PM. 

If you're curious or ready to get involved, please reach out to our President Becky Gibree or reach out to any current board member or committee (emails are here). We’d love to talk with you about where you might fit best. 

You can always sign up as a Hardy Helper to help out with tasks or activities that pop up too!

Thank you for being part of what makes Hardy such a wonderful community!   

For any questions you may have, remember to please reach out to PTO president, Becky Gibree (president@hardypto.com) or our school admin Ms. Mary Bellerose (mbellerose@arlington.k12.ma.us). You will also find great resources on the Hardy PTO or Hardy School websites.

MAY UPCOMING EVENTS:

-Mon., May 19: The ABCs of Racism Online Workshop @6.30pm - Sign up here!

-Tues., May 20: The ABCs of Racism In-person Workshop @6.30pm  at Hardy Library - Sign up here!

-Fri.,May 23: Hardy Whole School concert @9am-11am

-Sun., May 25: Spring Hardy Garden Planting @10am

-Mon, May 26 - Memorial Day - No School!

-Wed., May 28: Hardy Tours for incoming Kindergarten Families @1.30pm & 2.15pm (Tour guides needed!)

-Thur., May 29: Hardy Chorus Concert @6pm

-Fri., May 30: Hardy Spirit Day - the last of the school year!

5th Grade Visit to Gibbs Middle School

JUNE UPCOMING EVENTS:

- Fri., June 6: Hardy PTO Field Day - Sign up to volunteer on May 20th!

4th grade hosts Treat Train

Arlington Rec - 5th Grade Social @6pm 

-Tues., June 10 - APS Coffee Chat with Special Ed Coordinator Louisa Popkin

- Wed., June 11: June PTO Meeting & Voting @ 6.30pm

Have a special education question or would like to make a connection? Casual coffee chats with Louisa started in December last year. The next planned chat is Tuesday, June 10 at 8AM at the Hardy Cafeteria, details are in the PTO calendar.

Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) is a parent group that acts as a resource for parents and advises the district regarding meeting the needs of students with disabilities. SEPAC meetings are the second Tuesday of the month, alternating morning (9am) and evenings (7:30pm). Check their brochure and schedule of meetings. 

As the school year is in its last weeks look out for opportunities to celebrate the community, and to contribute and volunteer.

Help support incoming Kindergartners and the families learn more about Hardy? Sign up to be a welcoming, friendly face for incoming Kindergarten families - responsibilities include welcoming families and leading them on an introductory tour on May 28.

There are opportunities to volunteer and support at Field Day on June 6 - help make it a fun and inclusive day for all. June 6 is also our last Treat Train of the year.

As above, perhaps you have skills, time or energy you could contribute to the PTO - would you like to do some fundraising or support the Hardy Community in other ways as a member of the PTO board? Or you would like to help out with one-off requests that pop up for help from Hardy and the PTO - Become a Hardy Helper - learn more & sign up here!  

Or are you just looking forward to joining in the fun of Hardy PTO's End of Year Ice Cream Social, Friday June 20? Save the date and see more below!

As 5th grade families look ahead to next year, they can consider a range of after-school activities at the Gibbs School for their rising 6th graders. One of these is the Arlington After-School Program, which aims to support students' academic and social well-being beyond the school day. There is rolling admission with a recommended registration by June 1st. Find more information and a registration form here.

Please contact AASP Gibbs Site Coordinator Gia Greene with any questions: aaspgibbs@arlington.k12.ma.us.

Registration for the 2025-2026 School Year launched in February. Click here for more information and to register. If your child will be in kindergarten at Hardy in the 2024-2025 school year, consider joining the grade-specifc Facebook group to connect with other families and share useful information: Hardy Arlington Kindergarten 25-26 (Graduates 5th Grade 2031). Please share with any families you know with incoming kindergarteners! 

Kindergarten screening will be Tuesday, June 17, 2025 and Friday, June 20, 2025. Exact dates for each school will be shared by the principal later this spring. 

Our community has been fundraising all year, both for PTO funded activities and items and to support the 5th Grade in their end of year fundraising. Thank you to all who came to the Glow Party and to those who contributed to and made the 4th Grade Bake Sale at Town Meeting so successful!  And for the many boxes of materials donated as part of the FUNDrive! 

As we are still fundraising we are still spending and keeping an eye on end of school year and start of year costs. It's Maycember after all. As we look to the last weeks of the school year, please remember Hardy faculty have put their classroom wishes and Amazon wish lists in this Google Sheet. 

Remember many companies will match tax-deductible contributions made by their employees and some will provide matching funds to support employee volunteer hours. Most of these programs match contributions dollar for dollar, and some will even double or triple the amount of your gift! Please consider corporate matching, learn more here. And thank you to all of you who support Hardy PTO and our community in this way! 

Do you have any questions? Contact PTO Treasurer Brian Gibree at treasurer@hardypto.com.

Have a school-related or community announcement that would be of interest to the Hardy community? Please contact newsletter@hardypto.com.

52 Lake Street

Arlington, MA, 02474

Hardy PTO Website