School news, events, and volunteer opportunities, published monthly by the Hardy PTO. Visit the Hardy PTO website to sign up for PTO emails, access the student directory, and learn more about our programs.

Sat Oct 5th 12:30 - 3:30: Harvest Fest and Bike Rodeo - come buy pumpkins, mums, donuts, and cider to benefit the Hardy PTO and/or attend the Bike Rodeo to learn about bike safety.  Sign up below.

Fri Oct 25th 6:15 - 7:30PM: Halloween Trunk or Treat.  Sign up below.

We are trying to pull together as much information to help people get settled at school.  This is what we have so far:  Back to School Basics

Feel free to reach out to me (president@hardypto.com) or our school admin Ms. Mary Bellerose (mbellerose@arlington.k12.ma.us) with any questions you aren't finding answer to on the Hardy PTO or Hardy School website.

We hope new and returning families alike will get involved in the PTO this year! Take a look at the currently available volunteer opportunities either on the website (updated periodically), or suggest a new project to enhance our school community. We look forward to seeing Hardy grow as a community in the 24/25 school year.

Becky Gibree

Hardy PTO President

Families of incoming Kindergarten students are invited to join the private Facebook group Hardy Kindergarten 2024-2025 (Graduating 5th grade in 2030) Arlington MA. 

Also, if your family has not yet joined, the Hardy Facebook page is full of good information and timely updates and reminders.

You’re invited to join…CHORUS!

Who:  3rd, 4th and 5th grade Hardy Students

What:  Singing, Singing, Singing! Chorus will rehearse once a week before school and will have several performances throughout the year.

Where:  Hardy Music Room (ground floor)

When:  Friday Mornings, 7:30-8:00 am 

Why: Build community, meet new people, show school spirit, and learn awesome songs while doing it. 

Fill out the chorus google form and email Ms. Deming with any questions.   

Thank you Hardy Community for your attention to Safe Routes to School (SRTS). 

The Safe Routes Committee is working together with teachers and administration to plan pedestrian and bike education for students. The team has planned the October 5 bike rodeo for kids to have an interactive learning experience. 

Arrival/Dismissal Reminders

Now that you’ve settled into your new routines, we invite you to review the arrival/dismissal plan that was developed by Hardy's Safe Routes to School Committee in partnership with the Massachusetts Safe Routes to School program here.

Please note:

• Dogs are not allowed on school property
• Cross streets at the crosswalks
• Pay attention to the crossing guards Linda (Lake and Brooks) and Katherine (Chandler and Hebert)
• No parking in front of school on Brooks Ave
• Chandler St is a pick up/drop off area (kiss and go! Just like the airport)
• Idling is illegal near schools 
• Walk your bike/scooter in crosswalks

Officer Corey Rateau informs us that the Arlington Police will begin to ticket if anything becomes a safety issue.If you’re wondering about the no parking/stopping signs around Hardy, please see Officer Rateau’s explanation here.

Bike Rodeo

Hardy PTO and it's SRTS Committee will be hosting a bike rodeo on Saturday, October 5th in conjunction with Harvest Fest. A bicycle rodeo is a fun way to teach children about the rules of the road while practicing safe bicycling. The rodeo consists of stations and courses where children can learn about bicycle safety and practice safe bicycle skills.  

Sign up here to participate.

Sign up here to volunteer.

Get more details about these initiatives, and contact our SRTS coordinator Ashley Kresl with questions at saferoutes@hardypto.com.

Massachusetts provides universal free school meals program. This includes breakfast and lunch. Find menus here. If you have any questions regarding the lunch program, please contact the Food Service Department at 781-316-3641 or schoollunch@arlington.k12.ma.us 

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.  To learn more please check out their website and brochure. 

SEPAC Business meetings are held on the second Tuesday of the month, and alternate morning (9:00am) and evening meetings (7:30pm) to accommodate the widest variety of schedules. Meetings will be held via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86234778319?pwd=ZDFPdDNZZjZxbXVwNUYyZDR1VjJsUT09

The full schedule of meetings for the 2024-2025 school year has also been released and can be found on the calendar here.

APS New SNAP Portal

APS has a new way to access your child's health information and to receive messages from the school nurse. Check out the SNAP health information portal and check your email for links to register. You must be registered to receive messages.

FLU/COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics

The vaccine clinic has been scheduled for Monday, October 7 from 3:00-6:00 pm for ages 3 and up*.

Other Vaccines available by request: Meningococcal, MMR, Tetanus, Varicella, etc. Please schedule your appointment in advance & select the vaccines you wish to receive at this Link.

Please bring an Insurance card if you have one and wear a short sleeved shirt. 

 *For students, a parent/guardian must be present

Looking for Donations

The Nurse's office is looking for donations of:

🩲New underwear - sizes 4/5 - 7/8 (basically Kindergarten - 3rd grade)

👖New or used sweatpants - all sizes

Donations can be dropped at the front office or if you are mailing something, send to:  Nurse's Office c/o Hardy Elementary, 52 Lake St, Arlington, MA 02474A

Please reach out with any questions or concerns. 

(781) 316-3788

hardy.nurse@arlington.k12.ma.us

Information about Employer Matching can be found on the PTO's fundraising page and please email Treasurer Julia Twarog if you need assistance.

The PTO supplements the budget and encourages support of local businesses by doing other fundraisers such as pumpkin sales at Harvest Fest and shopping days where a percent of sales go to Hardy - stay tuned for these events throughout the year!

Other Fundraising & Donations

The Direct Donation Drive and PTO Budget is separate from other times families are asked for voluntary donations.  

1) Classroom Coordinator Donations - your classroom coordinator will ask for voluntary donations to buy teacher and teaching assistant's gifts and extra supplies for the classroom.

2) Fifth Grade Fundraising - fifth graders will be doing their own fundraising to support the extra expenses related to end of year activities and graduation.  In the past this has been through hosting a Skate Night and Trash-a-thon - stay tuned for more info about these events in the spring!

3) From time to time families may be asked for voluntary donations, based on a need or the PTO trying to keep within a budget - this may look like soliciting donations of more tissues, cleaning supplies, restroom supplies, drinks and dessert for a Hardy teacher meal, etc. 

Donations are always voluntary and always appreciated!

The 24-25 Hardy PTO budget was approved by vote during the September PTO meeting.  It is anticipated that the PTO will spend around $56,000 during the 24-25 year.  Spending includes field trips, enrichment activities, faculty stipends, art supplies, books, staff appreciation, Arlington EATS snacks, school supplies, community events, and much more.

Everything is Free For Teachers

We started a “free list” for teachers, using a google drive and uploading photos.  You’re welcome to offer Hardy faculty your donations here. Instructions can be found here.

Hardy faculty has been putting their classroom wishes and Amazon wish lists here, so please take a look and see if you have anything to donate.

Questions? Contact PTO Treasurer Julia Twarog at treasurer@hardypto.com.

Getting involved is a great way to help improve your child’s experience at Hardy and to meet other caregivers in your neighborhood. Did you know PTO funds and plans school field trips and in school presentations for Hardy? We need volunteers to help teachers plan and book all these fun and enriching experiences for students. Visit our Volunteer and Events pages (updated regularly) to find opportunities to help out with upcoming PTO events!

Don't forget that in order to volunteer you'll need to get a CORI background check through the Hardy main office. Find details here.

Here are some ways you can help:

• Love fall, pumpkins and apple cider donuts?  Please consider helping sell items to benefit the PTO at Harvest Fest, 10/5 12:3:30.  Sign up here.

• Help kids learn more about bike safety at the Bike Rodeo on 10/4 12:30-3:30.  Sign up here (Scroll past Harvest Fest slots)

• Sign up your kids to participate in bike safety lessons at the Bike Rodeo here.

• Get ready for spooky season!  Hardy PTO will be hosting it's second annual Trunk or Treat on Friday 10/25 at 6:15PM.  Please consider signing up to donate treats or sign up to park at Hardy and decorate your car here.  Everyone is welcome at this event - you do not need to decorate a car to participate!

Buddy Families pairs incoming and existing Hardy families who would like some guidance and orientation about our school with a "buddy family" to answer questions and be a point of contact in the Hardy community. 

Learn more about being matched or volunteering, and contact Buddyfamilyprogram@hardypto.com to get involved.

Check out Waldo Park Movie Night, September 28th. The feature film will be Migration, preceded by a young-kid friendly short film. Kick off is at 6:45 pm, with the short film, the feature will start around 7:00 pm. Desserts are available at no charge, donations are welcome. 

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

Hardy Elementary School

52 Lake Street

Arlington, MA, 02474

Hardy PTO Website