Tiger Tales Newsletter - September 3, 2026

Dear HES Families,

WOW! What a wonderful start to the school year! Our staff were thrilled to welcome your children back last Monday, and we could not be more proud of the way they jumped right into the school year. Students quickly reestablished routines, navigated transitions beautifully, and brought so much positive energy to our building. It was truly an amazing first week!

As we move into the coming weeks and gradually increase academic demands, it is important to continue establishing routines at home that support your child’s success at school. Consistent bedtimes, a healthy breakfast, time to read, and opportunities to talk about your child’s day can all help children arrive at school ready to learn and make the most of their day.

We are so excited about the year ahead and all of the learning, growth, and joyful experiences in store for our Tigers!

This year, the HES PTA and school administrators are teaming up to create an interactive opportunity for families to learn more about the many ways you can get involved as a volunteer at Hammond Elementary. 

Details are below:

HES Volunteer Night

Tuesday, September 15 | 6:00–7:00 p.m.

Hammond Elementary School Cafeteria 

We need YOU! At Hammond Elementary School, we believe our school community is strongest when many different voices, perspectives, talents, experiences, and families are represented. Volunteer opportunities should not be limited to the same familiar faces!  We hope to welcome new families, first-time volunteers, working parents, caregivers, grandparents, community members, and anyone who wants to make a difference for our Tigers!

Whether you have one hour to give or many, prefer working directly with students or behind the scenes, enjoy helping with events, or have a special talent or skill to share, there is a place for you at HES!

What to Expect

During Volunteer Night, you will have the opportunity to:

• Learn about the full range of school, grade level, and PTA volunteer opportunities
• Meet administration and PTA representatives and ask questions
• Find volunteer opportunities that fit your interests, schedule, and availability
• Sign up for open volunteer positions on the spot or share your interest.
• Complete required volunteer training and paperwork during the event
• Get connected and ready to make a difference, without a complicated process or a big commitment!

No pressure. No experience required. No need to sign up for everything! Come learn about the possibilities and discover a volunteer opportunity that feels right for you.

Our goal is to build a volunteer community that reflects the wonderful diversity of Hammond Elementary School. We hope to see some familiar faces, but we are especially excited to meet families who may be thinking, “I’ve never volunteered before, but maybe this year is the year!”

Your voice. Your perspective. Your talents. Your time. They all matter.

Come see how you can be part of the HES community and help us make this an incredible year for our students, staff, and families!

Note:  Volunteer training can still be completed online.  We are offering this optional night in hopes to enrich and expand our volunteer team here at HES!

We hope to see you there!

Heather Moraff, Principal

Nykia Mapson, Assistant Principal 

School Improvement Plan Commitments

It’s important for our parents and community to understand our shared goals and commitments for our students, staff, and school environment.  Please access this link to read more about our commitments for the 2026-2027 school year. 

Talking Points

It’s been wonderful to enhance and strengthen two-way communication with our families through TalkingPoints! We appreciate your patience as we learn the platform and discover even more ways it can support communication across our school community.

Don’t forget to save the individual numbers in your contacts so you can easily recognize messages and reach out with any questions, concerns, or updates you’d like to share.

If you are receiving messages in a language you do not prefer, please reach out to your child’s teacher.

Thank you for your patience and partnership!  We hope you are finding this new way of communicating convenient and fruitful!

Family File 

Please remember to fill out your Family File! It is critically important that we have this information.

HCPSS utilizes Family File for parents/guardians to complete emergency information. All parents/guardians must verify and/or update information for each child each school year. Parents/guardians can complete Family File by logging in to HCPSS Connect selecting the More Options tab on the left and then selecting Family File in the center column.

Once logged in, parents/guardians will be asked to update or provide the following information:

• Student Information
• Parent/Guardian Contact
• Emergency Contacts
• Medical Information
• Arrival/Dismissal Procedures and Transportation Options
• Photo Approval
• Data Confidentiality
• PTA/PTSA Directory

Changes of address may not be made through Family File. If you have recently moved, please contact the front office as soon as possible at 410-880-5890.

Resources on how to use Family File may be found online, including instructions on how to reset passwords. If you need additional assistance, please complete this Connect Help Form.

Arrival/Dismissal Reminders 

Thank you to everyone for your collective effort in ensuring the safety of our students during arrival and dismissal during our first week of school! As we move forward into the school year, please keep the following reminders in mind:

• Please remember that the bus loop should not be accessed by cars during morning arrival. Occasionally, late buses come through the loop after 9:25. If you are dropping your child off late, please park and walk your child into the front office to sign in.
• Car riders-please make sure your car rider sign is clearly displayed on the passenger side of your vehicle. This helps expedite the car line. If you drive past our staff without a sign displayed or without letting staff know who you are picking up, it can cause delays in the car loop.  If you need an additional sign, please let your child’s teacher know. 
• Please do not stop and attempt to have your child board the car unless staff have motioned for students to do so.  Students must wait behind the cone on the sidewalk until all cars have pulled forward and come to a complete stop. 
• Unless we have written permission that your child has a dismissal change, your child will be dismissed according to their normal routine.  We cannot take a child’s word for it, even if you communicated this with them in the morning.  Written permission is also required for another family/contact to pick your child up from school.  They will not be released to any adult that is not indicated on your Family File.
• Please make sure students are entering and exiting the car from the passenger side only.  It is very dangerous for students to enter/exit the car on the driver’s side due to cars that may be passing by. 
• For any changes to dismissal plans after the school day has started, please call the front office to notify us. Communicating only with the teacher through TalkingPoints or email does not guarantee that the change will be received in time.
• If your student has an assigned bus, please consider making them a permanent bus rider. The car loop has increased in volume, so if bus transportation meets your family’s needs, it is a great way to help reduce congestion while getting your child safely to and from school.
• Please stay alert and off your cell phones in the car loop.  Make sure to follow the directions of the staff members on duty to keep our routine running smoothly. 

 HCPSS Seeks Advisory Committee Members by Sept. 11

HCPSS is seeking community members to serve on curriculum advisory committees, which provide a forum to share ideas and support continuous academic excellence. Interested stakeholders should submit an online interest form by September 11. Please click here for more information and to submit your application.   

Parent Lunch Visits  

(This was shared in an HCPSS News Update on August 19th)

Parent lunch visits are no longer permitted at any HCPSS school. Limiting access during the school day ensures safe and secure school communities by removing unnecessary access to students and school buildings, reducing disruptions, supporting student routines, and minimizing non-essential traffic in student areas. Parents are encouraged to communicate with school staff to stay engaged in their child's learning and seek opportunities to volunteer in an official capacity at the school.

The Great Hammond Picnic:  Two Schools, One Community 

We hope you will join us for this momentous occasion!  

Save the Date!   

Important Dates

Monday, September 7 - No School in observance of Labor Day

Wednesday, September 30 - School closes 3 hours early for Staff Development.  HES will dismiss promptly at 12:35pm. Please make any necessary childcare arrangements.

Tuesday, October 13 - Fall Fun Run in Related Arts classes for the whole school.

Thursday, October 29 - Individual Student Photos (a make-up date will be announced later for students that miss this date.)