• Updating Demographic Information on PowerSchool

  • All families (new and current) will be receiving an email asking you to enter or update all contact information. This is important so that the school can effectively communicate all needs throughout the school year

• Registration

  • If you have not yet registered your child, please call the district office at (308)368-5572. You will be guided to complete this process!

• Immunization (Policy 5010)

  • Each student wishing to enroll in the school district must be immunized as required by state law and the rules and regulations promulgated by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services in effect at the time of the student’s enrollment.

    • Exceptions:

      • Provisional Enrollment Students who meet the statutory requirements for provisional enrollment may be allowed to attend school for sixty days without the necessary immunizations.

      • Immunization shall not be required if the student’s parent or guardian submits one of the following to the superintendent of schools:

        • A statement signed by a medical professional stating that the required immunization would be injurious to the health and well-being of the student or any member of the student’s household;

        • An affidavit signed by the student or a legally authorized representative of the student, stating that the immunization conflicts with the student’s sincerely held religious beliefs.

• Physical

  • The State of Nebraska requires a physical examination by a physician, physician assistant, or an advanced practice registered nurse within six months prior to the entrance of kindergarten and the seventh grade, or in the case of a transfer student from out-of-state to any other grade within the school. A complete visual evaluation is required for kindergarten or transferring from out-of-state to any grade level. A vision professional may also complete the required visual evaluation. Waiver forms for physical and vision exams are available in the school health office. School Law 79-214 (3). Please return forms to the school office as soon as possible.

    • Elem. Physical Exam Form

• Vision Exam

  • A School Visi011 Evaluation is required for all children within six months prior to entering Nebraska schools for the first time (includes beginner grades including Kindergarteners, transfers, and other students new. to Nebraska) [Nebraska Revised Statute 79-214]

    • Elem. Vision Form

• Birth Certificate

  • All students enrolled in HPS shall have a copy of their birth certificate on file

  • This typically pertains to newly enrolled students OR incoming PreK students

• Medication and Health Plan Submissions

  • Please contact Mrs. Bailey Filips (K-12 School Nurse

    • bailey.filips@hpspanthers.org

  • Parents are encouraged to bring medication to Open House night

The new school year is just around the corner! Transitioning from summer fun to school routines can be a challenge, but with a little preparation, families can help set their child up for a successful and smooth start. Here are a few simple strategies to get your child ready to head back to school feeling confident and prepared.

1. Adjust Sleep Schedules Early

Start gradually shifting your child’s bedtime and wake-up time to align with the school schedule. Begin moving bedtime earlier by 15–30 minutes each night, and waking up a bit earlier each morning. This helps reset their internal clock so they’re alert and ready to learn on the first day.

2. Encourage a Healthy Breakfast Routine

A nutritious breakfast fuels the body and brain for a productive day. Practice having breakfast around the time your child will eat before school. Focus on balanced options that include protein, whole grains, and fruit to keep them full and focused.

3. Practice Morning Routines

Rehearse the morning routine a few times before the first day: waking up, brushing teeth, getting dressed, eating breakfast, and packing up. Set up a checklist or visual schedule to help younger children stay on track independently.

4. Pack and Prepare the Night Before

Help your child get in the habit of packing their backpack each evening. This could include placing homework, supplies, a lunchbox, and any special items they need for the next day. Mornings are much smoother when everything is ready to go!

5. Create a Designated Homework Spot

Set up a quiet, organized area at home where your child can focus on homework or reading. Equip it with basic school supplies and ensure it's free from distractions. Having a consistent study space builds routine and focus.

6. Set Screen Time Boundaries

As school approaches, reduce recreational screen time and replace it with reading, playing outside, or engaging in hands-on activities. Set clear screen time limits and encourage device-free periods, especially during mealtimes and before bed.

Final Tip: Talk positively about school and help your child feel excited about seeing friends, meeting teachers, and learning new things. A little preparation goes a long way toward building confidence and a successful school year start!

We want to let you know that all students have been thoughtfully placed with a classroom teacher for the upcoming school year. This process is something we take very seriously and involves careful consideration of many factors. Our goal is always to create balanced classrooms that best support the academic, social, and emotional growth of all students.

Your child’s classroom teacher was listed on their final report card, which was sent home on the last day of school. If you are new to our district or are unable to locate that information, please don’t hesitate to call our school office—we’re happy to assist you and provide your child’s classroom placement.

Kindergarten - As we prepare for a successful start to kindergarten, we want to share some important information with you regarding classroom assignments.

At this time, your child has not been assigned to a specific kindergarten teacher (Mrs. Murdock or Mrs. Johnson). This is a purposeful decision as we plan to assess all incoming kindergarten students in various areas at the start of the school year. We understand the importance of planning ahead and appreciate your patience and trust in this process. By taking time to observe and assess our students, we can ensure the best possible placement for each child—academically, socially, and emotionally.

Some areas we will assess during the initial days include:

• Peer interactions and social play

• Letter naming and letter sound knowledge

• Number recognition and early math skills

• Communication and listening skills

• Ability to follow directions and routines

• Emotional regulation and coping strategies

• Fine and gross motor skills

• Problem-solving and self-help skills

Our goal is to build balanced classrooms where every student can thrive and grow. This assessment period will help us determine how to best support your child’s transition into school and allow us to place them in the classroom environment where they will be most successful.

Your child will still report on the first day of school and will attend school every day, all day, just like all other students. During this time, they will participate in structured classroom activities while our staff observes and works with them one-on-one and in small groups.

Kindergarten classroom assignments will be finalized and communicated to families by the end of the first week of school.

We are committed to empowering all students to reach their full potential, and we believe this approach will benefit both your child and our entire kindergarten team.

If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me directly at (308) 368-5572.

We look forward to another great school year and appreciate your continued support as we work together to ensure your child has a successful and positive experience at Hershey Public Schools.

It’s time to gear up for a great school year! Our 2025–2026 Elementary School Supply Lists are now available and can be found on our school website under:

Students → Student Forms → 2025–2026 Class Supply List - ELEM

Click the link 2025-2026 Class Supply List -ELEM to access your child's supply list!

Please take a moment to review the list for your child’s upcoming grade. Having the right supplies helps students feel confident and ready to learn on day one!

🖊️ Important Reminder:
Be sure to label all supplies with your child’s name before bringing them to school. This helps prevent items from getting lost or mixed up in the classroom.

We appreciate your support in helping students come prepared and excited for a successful school year!

🍽️ Lunch Payments & Free/Reduced Meal Applications

Lunch Payment Process:
Details coming soon. We will update families as soon as information becomes available.

Free/Reduced Meal Applications:
Reminder details will be shared once final information is provided.

🚗 Drop-Off & Pick-Up Procedures

We will continue using the same drop-off and pick-up procedures as last school year. Please refer to our previous communication or website for full details. These procedures are designed with student safety and efficiency in mind, and we appreciate your cooperation.

🚌 Bus Routes

Bus drivers will be reaching out to families as we approach the first day of school to confirm routes and pick-up/drop-off times.

📞 Please call the school if:

• Your child did not ride the bus last year, but will be riding this year—we’ll need to add them to a route.

• Your child will no longer be riding the bus this year—we’d appreciate a quick call so we can update our list.

🚶‍♂️ Dismissal Reminders: Walkers & Bus Riders

A reminder of our established end-of-day dismissal procedures:

• Walkers: All walkers (PK–6) are dismissed to the west door and are expected to immediately head home after school.

• Bus Riders: All bus riders (TK–12) report directly to the Activity Center and sit at their designated table by bus route. Students are expected to remain seated and ready to load with their assigned driver.

Thank you for helping us keep dismissal and transportation safe, smooth, and organized for all students. If you have any questions or need to update your transportation plans, please don’t hesitate to contact the school office.

As we gear up for another exciting school year, we’re thrilled to share some of the summer updates and highlights happening around our building!

🏗️ Summer Building Updates & Maintenance Projects
Our custodial and maintenance teams have been hard at work making improvements to ensure a welcoming and refreshed learning environment for our students and staff. Some of the updates include:

• Fresh painting of classrooms

• Deep cleaning of woodwork, walls, trim, desks, chairs, and bookshelves

• New carpet installation in select classrooms

• Sparkling floors cleaned and polished

• Updated main entrance

• A brand-new outdoor hangout area designed for students and staff to enjoy

• Signage updates throughout the building for classrooms and common areas

• Installation of achievement boards to proudly celebrate student success!

District Website

Events Calendar

PowerSchool

Live Stream

Rooms (Parent-Teacher Chat)

2025-26 School Calendar