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The Hawk Has Landed In Your Inbox 19Dec25

Posted Date: 12/19/25 (11:06 AM)
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HAPPY HOLLOW HAWK

December 19, 2025

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FROM OUR PRINCIPAL

Ms. Foundas

Nicolette Foundas
Dear Happy Hollow Families,

As we approach the long winter break, we hope this time provides opportunities for rest, relaxation, and recharging for both students and families. We wish you a happy season of joy and happy New Year. We look forward to welcoming students back refreshed in the new year.

Please note that with additional unstructured time, students may also spend more time on screens and devices. We kindly ask that caregivers continue to monitor their child’s screen time and digital communication with friends. Recently, some students have sought support at school around navigating group texts and unkind language. Managing these interactions can be especially challenging at this developmental age.

Taking a few extra moments to check in, monitor conversations, and encourage your child to speak up if something feels uncomfortable or concerning can make a meaningful difference. Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting students’ social and emotional well-being.

As always, do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or would like to discuss further. 


 

HAPPY HOLLOW ANNOUNCEMENTS

 
Poster for the Wayland METCO Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Luncheon in 2026.

MCAS Schedule

Please be mindful of these dates when scheduling appointments and absences for your children

Grade 3
Friday, March 27- ELA session 1
Tuesday, March 31- ELA session 2
Tuesday, May 5- Math session 1
Thursday, May 7- Math session 2

Grade 4
Monday, March 30- ELA session 1
Wednesday, April 1- ELA session 2
Thursday, April 30- Math session 1
Friday, May 1- Math session 2

Grade 5
Tuesday, March 24- ELA session 1
Thursday, March 26- ELA session 2
Tuesday, April 28- Math session 1
Monday, May 4- Math session 2
Wednesday, May 6- Science session 1
Friday, May 8- Science session 2

From The Health Department

Respiratory Illness


Respiratory Illness Season is Here – Take Action to Help Slow the Spread of Germs
Everyday preventative actions can help slow the spread of many different illnesses.
  • If you are sick, stay home. Go here for respiratory illness guidelines and return to school guidance.
  • Wash your hands before eating or touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Note, hand sanitizer is not effective against norovirus.
  • It’s not too late to get vaccinated against flu and COVID-19. Go here for more information on where you can get vaccinated.
  • Cover your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing.
  • For more information on how to protect yourself and your loved ones, see https://www.mass.gov/seasonal-vaccines 

FROM OUR PARENT TEACHER ORGANIZATION

A MESSAGE FROM PTO

Happy Hollow PTO logo featuring an owl with outstretched wings.

Dear Happy Hollow Community: A Few To Dos:

  • Save the Date for Game Night: January 30 th
  • Save the Date for STEAM Fair: February 27 th
  • Save the Date for the Talent Show: March 27 th

Message from the PTO

Thank you to the Happy Hollow community! Wishing everyone a restful
winter break. See you in 2026!
 

Upcoming Events

1) PTO Board Meeting — January 13th 
Please join us for the January PTO Board 1) PTO Board Meeting — January 13th 
Please join us for the January PTO Board Meeting!
Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87318377467?pwd=wlheGvASRwyvWPZcHXjBlDMx4SFlW5.1

2) Happy Hollow Game Night — January 30th 
6–8 PM | Happy Hollow Gym
Gym Equipment, Games, Arts & Crafts, Card Trading, and more! 
Please note: This is not a drop-off event.
Happy Hollow STEAM Fair
February 27th 
 6–8 PM | Happy Hollow Gym
Get your projects ready and come see the 3D printer and other exhibits! Start thinking of your
experiments and look out for registration in early January!
Happy Hollow Talent Show
March 27th 
 6–8 PM | Happy Hollow Gym
Get ready to show of your talents! Flyer and more information coming soon.

5th GRADE FAMILIES:


2) Send yearbook photos to Happyhollow2026@gmail.com

3) Please mark your calendars for our 5th grade Class Trip to Launch on Wednesday, January
28! We will be going with 5th graders from all three elementary schools. Stay tuned for
information about permission forms, fees, and volunteering to chaperone. 

Nominate an Educator for 2027 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year

 DESE is accepting nominations for 2027 Teacher of the Year until Monday, January 26, 2026! Please visit DESE’s Massachusetts Teacher of the Year Program page to learn more, and email EducatorRecognition@mass.gov with any questions.

Our Happy Hollow Families Show Holiday Spirit!

This year, HH PTO collected gifts for 40+ children affiliated with DCF...baby toys, action figures, diapers, lots of warm cozy clothes, and much more. DCF employees say a huge thank you, and so do we!

The HH PTO has been helping with this program for years and it has made our holidays more joyful. If you too love this program and will have kids at HH for a while, perhaps you want to take on the gift drive?! We can send you a road map for making it run smoothly - just reach out to beth.rothschild@gmail.com or swonderly@gmail.com

One last thank you for all the years of enthusiasm and generosity. We wish you happy, safe holidays!

Reminders!

Please Use Pick Up Patrol For Your Safe To School (and from school) Notifications

If your child(ren) will be absent, tardy, or have a dismissal change please Fill out Pick Up Patrol accordingly, any time of day or night. You can enter this information as soon as you know it and don't need to wait until the date of the absence, tardy (or change).

Our safe arrival program was established to ensure that every child is accounted for at the start of each day. If a child is unaccounted for, the office staff follow the process below until the child is located:
1) recheck the child's classroom
2) contact parents/guardians at all phone numbers on file with an automated call system
3) call emergency contacts
4) contact police for a wellness check

(The Link to pick up patrol can also be found on our school website)

Tips And Tricks For Using Pick Up Patrol

How To Make PUP An Icon On Your Apple Device


  1. Open Safari.
  2. Navigate to the website you want to save to your home screen by entering the URL of the website you want to create a shortcut to. ...
  3. Tap the Share button on the bottom of the page. ...
  4. In the list of options that appear, scroll down until you see Add to Home Screen.
How To Make PUP An Icon On Your Android Device:
  1. Open Chrome.
  2. Navigate to the website or web page you want to pin to your home screen.
  3. Tap the menu icon (3 dots in upper right-hand corner) and tap Add to home screen.
The PickUp Patrol logo features a stylized traffic light and the company name.

How To Report A Late Arrival Or Tardy

Please see photgraph for instructions:
A digital interface displays school dismissal plans, including options for late arrival.

How to report an absence

or change today's dismissal plan
A screen displays a schedule with options for dismissal, late arrival, and leave.
A menu on a screen shows options including 'Absent' and various transportation choices.

How to report an early dismissal

.
A screen displays upcoming plans for Monday, December 16.
A mobile app screen shows dismissal options, including 'Early Dismissal'.

How to Report A Leave And Return

For mid day appointment or something simialr
A digital interface displays upcoming plans for Tuesday, November 5.

How To Report A Late Arrival/Tardy

.
A screen displays a schedule with options for dismissal and late arrival.

How To Change Your Child's Default Plan

Your child's default dismissal plans is their expected weekly dismissal on a typical day.
Screenshot of a mobile app interface showing upcoming plans and a dismissal plan.
A webpage displays a section titled 'Default plans'.
A mobile app screen displays default plans for Walker/Biker activities.
 

School Security

You Are Not Being Rude or Unfriendly

Your parents have taught you that it is impolite to not hold the door for another person. As awkward as it may feel, according to the police protocol we ask that you do not hold the door open for anyone coming into our building behind you or as you leave our school (even students). In fact, we ask that you remind anyone trying to piggy back into the building that they please buzz in for their own personal greeting. Please make sure that the door closes tightly behind you. There are red octagonal signs by our front door reminding visitors of this request. I know how hard this is to do and goes against your natural instinct, but please know that we will kindly explain it to the other party and we do notice and appreciate your vigilance in keeping our children safe.

I Am Not Being Rude or Unfriendly

The Happy Hollow office is working very hard to keep your children safe and happy in our building. To this end, we are following a protocol created by the Wayland Police that has been implemented in all of the schools. We are responsible for vetting each person before they enter our building. Every visitor must buzz in individually. They will be asked to identify themselves, their student and their business in the building. Anyone with whom we are not familiar or who does not have a job or student in the building will be personally met at the door and escorted. Anyone, regardless of their connection with the school, who does not have a Wayland Public Schools-specific CORI on file is not allowed past the front office without an escort. While this feels counter to the friendly environment we strive for here, it is necessary to keeping your children safe and allows us the personal contact to make sure that you do have a friendly welcome. We will do it with a smile!

Criminal Offender Record Information

A CORI IS REQURED FOR EVERYONE

Anyone who walks the halls of our building must be CORIed or escorted. This means that everyone who visits their child's classroom, volunteers in the building, visits the book fair/field day or attends field trips must be CORIed.

- CORIs completed with other town departments are NOT transferable to the schools.
- We cannot allow you into our building without a valid Wayland Public Schools CORI on file

To complete a CORI application please present in person at any Wayland Public School Office (or central office) with valid government issued photo identification