Dear Hampton Academy Families,
From November 4-8, Hampton Academy will recognize “Red Ribbon Week” with activities to promote the importance of living a healthy lifestyle. The National Red Ribbon Campaign is the oldest and largest drug prevention program. Our theme for this year is “Friends don’t let friends bully or do drugs.” We will celebrate making safe and healthy choices by wearing red on Tuesday and wearing our favorite team attire on Friday as we “team up against drugs.”
As a reminder, there is no school for students on Monday, November 11 in observance of Veterans Day. On Friday, November 8, Hampton Academy will participate in Take a Veteran to School Day, a national program developed by the History Channel to link veterans with students. Hampton Academy invites veterans of all backgrounds to share personal stories and receive thanks for their years of service. If you would like to join us, please call the school at 926-2000.
Our eighth grade students have several opportunities to fundraise for their end of the year trip to Washington DC. A month-long raffle in November will kick off our efforts in November. The drawing is December 6. Upcoming activities include: gift basket raffle at student/parent conferences and at our winter concerts, a spaghetti dinner in January, concession stand at the town deliberative session in February, and a prize calendar in March. Thanks to Rachel Gillis and Judith Clarke along with many eighth-grade parents that are coordinating this effort.
Teachers will send out notices regarding parent conferences, scheduled on Wednesday, November 20 (4-7PM) and Thursday, November 21 (3-6PM). We use the student-led conference format. The advantage to student-led conferences is that students play an active role in reviewing their progress and setting goals for academic success. If you are unable to make it on one of these days, please contact your child’s teacher to arrange an alternative date. For planning purposes, the first trimester ends on Tuesday, November 29. Report cards will be available on-line via the parent portal on Monday, December 9.
Mrs. Saunders, our school librarian, will host a Scholastic Book Fair in the library beginning on Wednesday, November 13 and continuing until Thursday, November 21. The Fair is open to students during the school day and also during parent/student conferences. The book fair will include student book reviews, raffles, and contests.
Our Messenger phone/email/text message system seems to be working well for the majority of families. This system is used to announce upcoming events, activities, delays, cancellations, and our monthly newsletter. If you are not receiving these messages, please call the school at 926-2000 so that we can update your contact information. We send out mid-week reminders and community/PTA information on Wednesday afternoons. On Fridays, our Shark News cast and any school updates are sent.
Congratulations to our athletes and coaches for a great fall season. We are proud of our students’ accomplishments on the field and in the classroom. In particular, we would like to recognize our girls’ cross-country team for an outstanding effort. The girls’ team finished in second place at the State Championship meet and the Manchester Invitational meet and first at Thetford, VT. and Coe Brown Invitational this season.
The Homework Club and After School Academic Assistance programs are underway. These run on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday afternoons from 2:22 to 3:30. The late bus is available on these days only. Contact your child’s teacher for more information. Sign-ups for winter athletics will begin next week during lunches. Winter sports are wrestling and boys’ & girls’ basketball. Please call or email our athletic director, Jim Doherty, with questions or information. Tryouts/sign-up information will be announced during lunch periods.
Please be sure to update your child’s emergency contact information, phone numbers, and email information you provided to the school when necessary. It is critical that we are able to contact every parent in case of an emergency or an unexpected school closing. Parent conferences are a good time to update your information. We look forward to seeing you on one of our conference nights!
Student Council members and all homeroom classes are collecting food items for the Thanksgiving holiday. The Thanksgiving Food Drive runs from November 4 until November 21. All homerooms have boxes with specific food items needed. Our hope is to create 25 baskets for local families. Donations will also be accepted at the main office.
The Hampton Teachers are organizing a 5K road race that will begin and end at Hampton Academy on Saturday morning, December 14th at 9am. Proceeds earned from the Fill the Pantry 5K will benefit local food pantries. Please use the following link to register online: https://raceroster.com/events/2019/27513/fill-the-pantry-5k
Sincerely,
David O'Connor, Principal
NOVEMBER and DECEMBER EVENTS AT HAMPTON ACADEMY
Nov. 4-8 Red Ribbon Week; Tuesday is Wear Red Day; Friday is Wear Your Favorite Team Attire Day
Friday, November 8 Take a Veteran to School Day, 8:30 AM
Monday, November 11 No School / Veterans Day
Nov. 13-21 Book Fair in the HA Library
Thursday, November 14 Grade 8 to Lowell Mills Museum
Wednesday, November 20 Student/Parent/Teacher Conferences 4-7 PM
Thursday, November 21 Student/Parent/Teacher Conferences 3-6 PM
Nov. 27-30 Thanksgiving Holiday, No School
Friday, November 29 Trimester I end
Saturday, December 7 PTA Santa Breakfast/ Hampton Parade
Monday, December 9 Report Cards available
Monday, December 9 Winter Concert at HA-Band at 6 PM, Chorus at 7:15 PM
Saturday, December 14 Fill the Pantry 5 K Race, 9 AM
Wednesday, December 18 Grade 8 to North Shore Music Theater
Monday, December 23- January 1 Holiday Break
Thursday, January 2 Classes Resume
Friday, January 3 Ski Club, 1:30 – 8 PM