08/17/2026
Hawthorne August Newsletter 2026
Dear Hawthorne Dragon Families, Welcome to the 2026–2027 school year! Our goal is for every Dragon to be known, valued, challenged, and supported to learn at high levels. Together, we will create a safe, joyful, inclusive school focused on strong academics, kindness, bilingualism, attendance, leadership, and belonging.
IMPORTANT DATES
August 19 – Title I Open House & Bilingual Parent Committee Meeting (5:30–7:00 p.m.): Join us for Open House to get ready for the new school year! We will kick things off with a Title 1 Meeting in the cafeteria before you head to your child’s classroom.
In the Classroom: Teachers will provide physical copies of the Family Handbook, Title 1 Parent Compacts (to be signed), and the APS Calendar.
Bilingual Parent Committee Meeting: Families with students in dual-language classes are invited to a very quick meeting right after our Title 1 meeting. We’ll discuss the 5th-grade Bilingual Seal and share how you can join our committee.
SCHOOL HOURS
K–5 drop-off begins: 8:30 a.m.
First bell: 8:40 a.m.
Tardy bell: 8:45 a.m.
K–5 dismissal: 4:10 p.m.
PreK hours: 8:50 a.m.–3:50 p.m.
Arrival and Dismissal:
Copper Roundabout – Grades 2–5
K/1 Roundabout – PreK, Kindergarten, and Grade 1
Erbbe Area – Buses and daycare transportation
Grades K–1 Reminder: Please send K–1 students with backpacks. Families picking up K–1 students should pick them up directly from the back of the primary classrooms.
Traffic & Dismissal Safety: A BIG SHOUT OUT to our Hawthorne families for using their placards and helping us by following procedures during pick up and drop off! One last direction: when parked along Copper Avenue waiting to turn right onto our roundabout, please turn on your hazard lights. Thank you for your patience while we establish new drop off and pick up procedures. Report dismissal changes to the front office by 3:45 p.m. There will not be a crossing guard at Erbbe since 4th and 5th students will now be dropped off and picked up at the Copper Roundabout. Please remember that we do not allow student pick-up after 3:30 p.m. Please do not move any cones that are placed around Hawthorne.
Attendance: Last year, Hawthorne’s attendance rate was 91.7%. Our goal is at least 92%. Students should arrive by 8:40 a.m. Students arriving after 8:45 a.m. are tardy. We will have biweekly grade-level competitions, monthly No Tardy Dragon Parties, and trimester attendance celebrations. Report absences through ParentVUE, by written note, or by calling 505-299-4424.
Behavior and Safety: Students will learn our SOAR expectations and participate in Culture of Care. We expect students to be safe, respectful, responsible, and kind. Students should keep their hands, feet, and objects to themselves and use respectful language. All visitors must check in through the front office. Cell phones must remain turned off and stored.
Personal Belongings & Food: Toys, sports equipment, trading cards, valuables, weapons or look-alike weapons, pajamas, slippers, energy drinks, soda, candy, and large amounts of junk food should remain at home. There is sports equipment available at school that students can borrow during recess.
Health and Family Information: Please update ParentVUE, emergency contacts, immunizations, medication orders, exemption forms, and special-diet forms. All medications must be approved through the school nurse.
WEEKLY LUNCH MENU (8/17 – 8/21)
Monday (8/17): Beef Brisket on a bun or Bean vegetarian
Tuesday (8/18): Beef & Cheese Chalupa
Wednesday (8/19): French toast sticks
Thursday (8/20): Cheese & Green Chile Tamale
Friday (8/21): Bean and Cheese Burrito
Family Support and Volunteers: Our Community School program can connect families with food, clothing, school supplies, parenting classes, ESL classes, and other resources. If you are in need of support, please contact our Community Coordinator: Josefina Roman at [email protected] or 505-299-4424 ext. 27860.
Respectfully,
Melissa Chavers, Principal
English-Amira Family Letter espanol-Carta para Familias sobre Amira
Hawthorne August Newsletter 2026
Dear Hawthorne Dragon Families, Welcome to the 2026–2027 school year! Our goal is for every Dragon to be known, valued, challenged, and supported to learn at high levels. Together, we will create a safe, joyful, inclusive school focused on strong academics, kindness, bilingualism, attendance, leadership, and belonging.
IMPORTANT DATES
August 19 – Title I Open House & Bilingual Parent Committee Meeting (5:30–7:00 p.m.): Join us for Open House to get ready for the new school year! We will kick things off with a Title 1 Meeting in the cafeteria before you head to your child’s classroom.
In the Classroom: Teachers will provide physical copies of the Family Handbook, Title 1 Parent Compacts (to be signed), and the APS Calendar.
Bilingual Parent Committee Meeting: Families with students in dual-language classes are invited to a very quick meeting right after our Title 1 meeting. We’ll discuss the 5th-grade Bilingual Seal and share how you can join our committee.
SCHOOL HOURS
K–5 drop-off begins: 8:30 a.m.
First bell: 8:40 a.m.
Tardy bell: 8:45 a.m.
K–5 dismissal: 4:10 p.m.
PreK hours: 8:50 a.m.–3:50 p.m.
Arrival and Dismissal:
Copper Roundabout – Grades 2–5
K/1 Roundabout – PreK, Kindergarten, and Grade 1
Erbbe Area – Buses and daycare transportation
Grades K–1 Reminder: Please send K–1 students with backpacks. Families picking up K–1 students should pick them up directly from the back of the primary classrooms.
Traffic & Dismissal Safety: A BIG SHOUT OUT to our Hawthorne families for using their placards and helping us by following procedures during pick up and drop off! One last direction: when parked along Copper Avenue waiting to turn right onto our roundabout, please turn on your hazard lights. Thank you for your patience while we establish new drop off and pick up procedures. Report dismissal changes to the front office by 3:45 p.m. There will not be a crossing guard at Erbbe since 4th and 5th students will now be dropped off and picked up at the Copper Roundabout. Please remember that we do not allow student pick-up after 3:30 p.m. Please do not move any cones that are placed around Hawthorne.
Attendance: Last year, Hawthorne’s attendance rate was 91.7%. Our goal is at least 92%. Students should arrive by 8:40 a.m. Students arriving after 8:45 a.m. are tardy. We will have biweekly grade-level competitions, monthly No Tardy Dragon Parties, and trimester attendance celebrations. Report absences through ParentVUE, by written note, or by calling 505-299-4424.
Behavior and Safety: Students will learn our SOAR expectations and participate in Culture of Care. We expect students to be safe, respectful, responsible, and kind. Students should keep their hands, feet, and objects to themselves and use respectful language. All visitors must check in through the front office. Cell phones must remain turned off and stored.
Personal Belongings & Food: Toys, sports equipment, trading cards, valuables, weapons or look-alike weapons, pajamas, slippers, energy drinks, soda, candy, and large amounts of junk food should remain at home. There is sports equipment available at school that students can borrow during recess.
Health and Family Information: Please update ParentVUE, emergency contacts, immunizations, medication orders, exemption forms, and special-diet forms. All medications must be approved through the school nurse.
WEEKLY LUNCH MENU (8/17 – 8/21)
Monday (8/17): Beef Brisket on a bun or Bean vegetarian
Tuesday (8/18): Beef & Cheese Chalupa
Wednesday (8/19): French toast sticks
Thursday (8/20): Cheese & Green Chile Tamale
Friday (8/21): Bean and Cheese Burrito
Family Support and Volunteers: Our Community School program can connect families with food, clothing, school supplies, parenting classes, ESL classes, and other resources. If you are in need of support, please contact our Community Coordinator: Josefina Roman at [email protected] or 505-299-4424 ext. 27860.
Respectfully,
Melissa Chavers, Principal
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