From the Desk of Mr. Thomsen: Welcome to the October Edition

Dear Panther Families,

It’s hard to believe we’re already in our 7th week of school! The cooler fall weather has arrived, and with it comes the excitement of Panther activities, Homecoming Week, and all the amazing things happening in our building each day. I continue to be proud of the effort, growth, and positive energy our students bring, and I’m equally thankful for the support and encouragement you provide at home.

By this time of year, students and staff have settled into stronger routines, and the momentum of learning is in full swing. Walking through classrooms and hallways, I see students engaged, teachers inspiring, and Panthers living out our ROAR expectations.

This newsletter is filled with important updates and new information that may pertain to you or your child(ren). I encourage you to take a few minutes to read through carefully and stay connected to all the great things happening at Hershey Elementary. Together, we’ll continue building a strong and positive school year for every Panther.

📬 What’s in the October Newsletter

Fall is here, and our Panthers are off to a strong start in the 7th week of school! Inside this month’s newsletter, you’ll find updates, reminders, and celebrations, including:

🚪 New School Signage – A look at our updated Activities and School Entrances
📌 No School – Monday, October 13 (Columbus Day/Teacher In-Service)
🚜 Elementary Ag Day – Friday, October 17, with livestock and hands-on fun
🍂 Parent-Teacher Conferences – October 23–24, plus sign-up details and why conferences matter
📚 Scholastic Book Fair – October 20–24, proceeds benefit our library
🎀 Red Ribbon Week – October 27–31, with daily dress-up themes
🎃 Halloween Parties & Parade of Costumes – October 31, costume guidelines and livestream info
📖 Academics & Learning – Updates on Really Great Reading (Year 2), Wonders ELA, and fall testing results
🐾 Panthers ROAR – Our new positive behavior program and exciting reward options
🚒 Fire Prevention Week – October 6–10, including PK–3 trip to the fire station
💰 In-School Panther Savings Bank – Now open every Thursday morning for TK–6 students
🏨 Attendance Matters – The importance of being here every day
🏫 Instructional Day Reminders – Start/dismissal times, breakfast, and morning routines
🛝 Recess & Lunch Schedule – Recess before lunch for stronger behavior and focus
🧥 Preparedness for Colder Temps – Dress code guidelines for chilly weather
🚌 Bus Regulations – Expectations, rules, and consequences for student safety
📅 Important Dates to Remember – A full calendar of October events

There’s a lot happening this month at Hershey Elementary—thank you for staying connected and supporting our Panthers as they learn, grow, and thrive!

Jared Thomsen
Elementary Principal
📞 (308) 368-5572
📧 jared.thomsen@hpspanthers.org

Empowering All Students to Reach Their Full Potential.
"Learn, Grow, Thrive – Hershey Public Schools"

Mark Your Calendar!

10.02.25 - PTC Sign-up Window Opens (District Website)

10.06-10.10 - Fire Prevention Week

10.06.25 - Present October Student of the Month

10.07.25 - Fire Drill

10.08.25 - Fire Station Visit (PK-3)

10.10.25 - End of Q1

10.13.25 - Columbus Day/Teacher In-Service/No School (PK-12)

10.13.25 - School Board Meeting (October) 7:00

10.14.25 - Start of Qtr. 2

10.17.25 - Elementary Ag Day

10.20-10.24 - Bookfair (Collab Space)

10.20.25 - SRP Drill

10.23.25 - 2:30 Dismissal (PK-12)

10.23.25 - PK-12 Parent Teacher Conferences (4:00-8:00)

10.24.25 - No School (PK-12) Parent Teacher Conferences (8:00-Noon)

10.27-10.31 - Red Ribbon Week

10.31.25 - Halloween + Parade of Costumes

🚪 New School Signage

We’re excited to share that our new entrance signage is up, and it looks fantastic!

Activities Entrance – This is where many of our TK–6 students enter each day, especially those heading to Walk Club in the Activity Center or breakfast. It’s also the entrance for parents and fans attending activities or performances.
School Entrance – This entrance leads directly to the District Office, where you’ll find our secretaries, principals, or superintendent. This is also the location to use if your child arrives late, leaves early, or is being picked up during the school day.

We’re proud of how the signage turned out, and we believe it will help make our building even more welcoming and easy to navigate!

📌 No School – Monday, October 13, 2025

There will be no school for PK–12 students on Monday, October 13 in observance of Columbus Day and for a scheduled Teacher In-Service Day. Classes will resume as normal on Tuesday, October 14.

Behavior & Expectations

Panther ROAR – Students are practicing Respect, Ownership, Attitude, and Responsibility throughout the school. Students who exhibit these overarching behaviors receive praise and a ROAR Ticket. Students have opportunities to redeem these tickets for various rewards and or prizes.
Common Expectations – We are reviewing expectations in the classroom, hallways, cafeteria, and playground.

🚜 Elementary Ag Day

Mark your calendars! On Friday, October 17, our TK–6 students will take part in Elementary Ag Day, led by Mrs. Kammerer. She has lined up a variety of livestock and hands-on experiences that will provide a fun and exciting learning opportunity for all students. Ag Day is a wonderful chance for our Panthers to connect with agriculture and gain a deeper appreciation for the role it plays in our community.

🍂 Parent-Teacher Conferences & Book Fair

Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held on Thursday, October 23 (4:00–8:00 PM) and Friday, October 24 (8:00 AM–Noon). Parent sign-ups for PK–6 conferences will be available starting Friday, October 3. Families may enter through the West Elementary doors or the South District Office doors.

I strongly encourage you to schedule a time to meet, as your involvement plays a vital role in your child’s learning journey. More information on how to sign up will be shared by the district soon, and I look forward to seeing a high turnout of parents. Elementary parents have always shown tremendous participation, and we hope to see you all there!

If you’re unable to attend during the scheduled times, please reach out to your child’s teacher to arrange a meeting before or after school. We kindly ask that separated or divorced parents work together to schedule a single conference for their child, ensuring consistent communication and collaboration between home and school. If you have any questions or need help scheduling, please call the elementary office at 308-368-5572.

Why Conferences Matter
Parent-Teacher Conferences are a valuable opportunity to:

Celebrate your child’s glows (strengths and successes) and discuss grows (areas for improvement).
Review fall assessment results and talk about how to support learning at home.
Share insights about your child’s behavior, effort, and goals.
Ask questions and collaborate with teachers to help every Panther thrive.

I also want to express my gratitude for the incredible level of parental support we have here in Hershey. Research consistently shows that students with engaged parents are more likely to succeed in school and in life. Please continue monitoring your child’s progress using the PowerSchool app, which is a great tool for checking grades and assignments. Some of the most valuable support you can provide is simply talking with your child each evening about their school day and staying involved in their education.

📚 Scholastic Book Fair

Get ready—the Scholastic Book Fair is coming to our school! This is a wonderful chance to build your child’s home library with books they’ll want to read again and again.

This year, all proceeds from the Book Fair will go toward purchasing new books for our school library.

Book Fair Dates & Times:

Monday, Oct 20: 3:30 PM – 4:15 PM
Tuesday, Oct 21: 7:45 AM – 8:15 AM & 3:30 PM – 4:15 PM
Wednesday, Oct 22: 7:45 AM – 8:15 AM & 3:30 PM – 4:15 PM
Thursday, Oct 23: 7:45 AM – 8:15 AM & 2:30 PM – 8:00 PM (Extended hours during Parent-Teacher Conferences!)

We hope you’ll stop by with your child, find some exciting new reads, and support our school library at the same time.

🎀 Red Ribbon Week • 🎃 Halloween Parties & Parade of Costumes

We are excited to celebrate Red Ribbon Week the week of October 27–31. This year’s theme is:

“Life is a Puzzle. Solve it Drug Free!”

Each day will have a special dress-up theme to encourage students to make healthy, drug-free choices:

Monday – Red-OUT Day: “Wear RED for Red Ribbon Week” – Show your support by wearing as much RED as you can.
Tuesday – Pajama Day: “Follow Your Dreams, Not Drugs” – Wear your pajamas to school to remind everyone that dreams matter more than drugs.
Wednesday – Twin Day: “Be a Good Friend; Help Others Stay Away from Drugs” – Find a friend (or two!) and dress alike to show positive peer support.
Thursday – Camouflage Day: “Declare War on Drugs” – Wear camouflage or black to stand strong in the fight against drugs.
Friday – Halloween Costume Day: “Say Boo to Drugs” – Wear your Halloween costume to celebrate making drug-free choices and enjoy our fall festivities.

(All clothing choices must follow the school’s dress code.)

🎃 Halloween Celebrations

Grades PK–6 will be celebrating Halloween on Friday, October 31, 2025. Students are encouraged to wear their costumes to school if they wish.

Important Costume Guidelines:

Anything that can be sprayed or thrown must be left at home, as it often becomes a distraction.
Small amounts of face paint are allowed until it becomes disruptive. We encourage families to avoid paint on arms and hands.
Costumes should be school-appropriate (no gore, weapons, or scary masks).

Classroom Parties

Parties will begin around 1:15 PM.
Only parents who have signed up or been asked to help by their child’s teacher may attend classroom parties.

Parade of Costumes

The annual parade will take place at 2:00 PM in the competition gym.
The public is welcome to attend, and children may be dismissed with their parent/guardian following the parade.
Can’t make it? No problem! The parade will be live streamed on our Hershey Panthers YouTube Channel. Parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles are encouraged to subscribe by clicking the red SUBSCRIBE button.

Parking & Entrance Information

Parents should enter through the south commons (activity entrance) doors.
Parking is available in the south or west gravel lot.
Handicap parking is available in the south concrete lot.

We look forward to a safe, fun-filled day of celebration with our Panther family!

📚 Academics & Learning

Really Great Reading (RGR) –
We are now entering our second year of Really Great Reading (RGR) in grades K–3. RGR is a research-based phonics program designed to help children build strong reading foundations. It teaches how letters and sounds work together through engaging lessons and activities, giving students the tools to:

Sound out words
Recognize spelling patterns
Build confidence and fluency in reading

Parents can think of RGR as a step-by-step guide to “cracking the code” of reading. By learning how words are built, students become stronger readers who can understand stories, learn new vocabulary, and enjoy reading for a lifetime.

About Spelling Words & Practice (Grades 1–3)
This new approach has also shifted how we handle spelling in grades 1–3:

In the past, students often memorized weekly spelling lists for a test. While some could remember words short-term, it didn’t always transfer to real reading and writing.
Now, instead of memorizing lists, students practice using spelling skills and patterns they are learning—such as how sounds are spelled or how word parts fit together.
This means students build a deeper understanding that helps them spell and read many words, even ones they’ve never seen before.

The focus is on practice and application, not short-term memorization. This builds stronger, more confident readers and writers.

NWEA MAP Growth & Aimsweb+ Testing
Fall testing is now complete for NWEA MAP Growth and Aimsweb+. We truly appreciate your efforts in making sure students came prepared with plenty of rest and a nutritious breakfast each day. These assessments provide valuable insight into where students are thriving and where they may need additional support. Teachers will use this information to guide instruction and help every Panther grow to their fullest potential.

🐾 Panthers ROAR Update

This school year, we proudly rolled out Panthers ROAR across grades PK–6! The focus of this program is to recognize and reinforce the positive choices our students make every day. Teachers and staff are on the lookout for students showing ROAR behaviors, and when they do, students receive a ROAR card.

What does ROAR stand for?

Respect
Ownership
Attitude
Responsibility

Students can save their ROAR cards and redeem them for a variety of exciting prizes and privileges. The more they save, the bigger the reward!

🎟️ 5-Ticket Rewards (Quick Wins)
✅ Daily motivation prizes such as:
👯 Sit by a friend • 🥇 First in line • 🧢 Wear a hat/sunglasses • ✍️ Write on the whiteboard • 📘 Homework pass • 🕺 Pick a class brain break • 📣 Shout-out on announcements

🎟️ 20-Ticket Rewards (Medium Rewards)
🧸 Bring a stuffed animal • 🎤 Help with announcements • 🎶 Pick music during work time • 🍱 Eat lunch with a friend • 🌟 Panthers ROAR Wall of Fame photo • 📚 Choose the class read-aloud • 💺 VIP seat for the day

🎟️ 30-Ticket Rewards (Big Rewards)
🛏️ Blanket & pillow day • 🏃 Extra recess • 😴 Pajama day for the class

🎟️ 40-Ticket Rewards
💃 Dance party • 🔦 Flashlight reading • 🎨 Sidewalk chalk fun

🎟️ 50-Ticket Rewards
🍽️ Lunch with the teacher • 🍿 Popcorn & movie afternoon • 🔄 “Teacher Swap” (guest teacher visit)

🎟️ 60–80 Ticket Rewards (Principal & School-Wide Rewards)
🍽️ Lunch with the principal • 🏀 3-on-3 basketball vs. teachers • 🪑 Principal’s chair for a day • 🏆 VIP lunch table with a friend • 🎨 Choose a spirit day theme • 🧹 Be the “Principal’s Helper”

Our goal is to help students see that positive actions are noticed, valued, and celebrated. Panthers ROAR is already creating excitement and encouraging a culture of respect, responsibility, and positivity throughout the building.

What is SRP? (Standard Response Protocol)

The Standard Response Protocol (SRP) is a nationally recognized safety framework developed by the “I Love U Guys” Foundation. It provides a common, simple language and set of actions for students, staff, and first responders during different types of emergencies.

The five main actions are:

Hold – Stay where you are.
Secure – “Get inside, lock outside doors.”
Lockdown – “Locks, lights, out of sight.”
Evacuate – Move to a different location.
Shelter – Take protective actions for hazards such as tornadoes, severe weather, or hazmat situations.

How We Utilize SRP at School

Training & Drills – Teachers and students practice each SRP action multiple times during the year.
Clear Communication – Announcements use SRP terms (e.g., “Secure! Get inside. Lock outside doors.”).
Consistency – All staff members follow the same language and protocols.
Collaboration – Local law enforcement and emergency responders are trained on SRP.
Reassurance for Families – Parents know what each term means and can understand responses during emergencies.

Why SRP Works

Simple, Action-Based Commands – Easy for all ages to remember.
Standardized – Same system used nationwide.
Safe & Effective – Keeps students and staff calm and focused during emergencies.

💰💲In-School Savings Panther Branch Open for Business!

Hershey State Bank and Hershey Public Schools have joined together to open the Hershey Panther Branch of Hershey State Bank for students in grades Transitional Kindergarten-6th! Our first day of business was Thursday, September 25, with the branch open every Thursday morning after that for students to make deposits into their own savings account. The bank will match the initial deposit of all new depositors up to the $5. Any new depositors throughout the year will be matched but not existing depositors. A school branch fits perfectly with Hershey State Bank’s philosophy of educating children on the importance of saving so they are better prepared to handle their finances in the future.

What does all this mean to you and your child? Your student will now be able to open a savings account, with your permission, and start saving towards short- and long-term goals they have like a new toy, iPod, a car, or even college.

The Hershey Panther Branch is a unique setup and is only active at Hershey Public Schools. Some important things to note about the branch are:

All money deposited will be under one large school account, however, information about each child’s deposits will be maintained separately.
Withdrawals from this account will not be allowed at school until the child graduates 6th grade or leaves the school.
Withdrawals and deposits to the child’s account will not be allowed at Hershey State Bank
When a child leaves our school, or graduates 6th grade, a check will be issued for their balance in the account.
The branch will be open each Thursday to accept student deposits.
Each student will have their own ledger to record their deposits. These will be maintained at the school and will not go home with the student.
In lieu of interest, children receive incentives provided by Hershey State Bank.

The goal of this program is to provide our students the opportunities to not only learn about savings and how financial institutions operate, but to also become savers themselves. We are building a community of economists here at Hershey Public Schools and want your child to become a savvy saver.

ALL STUDENTS (existing and new) must return this permission slip if they wish to participate for the 2025-26 school year. If you have questions, call Mrs. Elliott or Mr. Thomsen at the School.

🚒🧯Fire Prevention Week:October 6-10

During the week of October 6-10, we will be observing Fire Prevention Week with our PK-3 students, engaging them in a variety of activities designed to teach important fire safety skills and planning. This is a crucial time to discuss fire safety at home, and we strongly encourage each family to conduct a home fire drill to ensure everyone is prepared in case of an emergency.

It’s also a good reminder to regularly test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Experts recommend testing these devices once a month and replacing the batteries twice a year to ensure they function properly.

As part of our Fire Prevention Week activities, PK-3 students will visit the Hershey Fire Department on Wednesday, October 8th. Students will walk to the fire station, weather permitting, so please make sure your child dresses appropriately for the day.

A special thank you to the Hershey Volunteer Fire Department for their dedication to keeping our community safe and for their continued support of our educational programs!

District Resources

Rooms (Parent-Teacher Chat)

2025-26 School Calendar

As we move through October, I am continually reminded of how fortunate we are to have such dedicated students, staff, and families here at Hershey. The fall season brings excitement, new learning opportunities, and plenty of Panther pride. Thank you for your continued support, encouragement, and involvement—it truly makes a difference in the success of our school.

Together, let’s keep the momentum strong as we head into the second quarter. I’m proud of the growth I see each day in our classrooms and look forward to all the great things still to come this fall.

Go Panthers!

Jared Thomsen

Elementary Principal

📞 (308) 368-5572

📧 jared.thomsen@hpspanthers.org

Empowering All Students to Reach Their Full Potential.

"Learn, Grow, Thrive - Hershey Public Schools"

The Panther Pulse