Hispanic Heritage Month began on September 15 and spans until October 15. This special month of honor and celebration began in 1989, and quite rightfully, Hispanic Heritage Month has gained greater awareness each year since. September 15 marks the start because it is a key date in the history of several Latin American countries. Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua each declared their independence from Spain on September 15, 1821.

Here are some family-friendly events happening in the Cincinnati area to celebrate, recognize, and educate about Hispanic Heritage.

Use this link to register for basketball now until September 30! The HPS Basketball Program is open for all students grades K-6. Kindergarten and 1st Grade students play in an instructional program with one practice per week and no games. Students in Grades 2-6 are in league play typically involving two practices per week and one to two games per weekend.

The Annual Read-A-Thon will begin October 3rd! And to kick it off, the HPS PTO will be holding a Book Drive next week, from September 27-30! We are seeking new or gently used children's books at a K-6 level to support the book drive. All books will be donated to local children through the Queen City Book Bank. There's no better gift for a child, and we're happy to share our compassion and love of learning with our community! Students can bring books and place them in drop-off bins by the Walker, Bus, and Car Line doors every school day next week: September 27, 28, 29, and 30. Look for more information about the Read-a-Thon and the Book Drive in an upcoming Tuesday folder.

The HPS Parents Social Season continues next weekend with the Fifth Grade Old School Theme Party on September 23 at 6:30pm at the DeMarc Bar, and the Fourth Grade 90s Theme Party on September 24 at 6pm. You can purchase your tix here! Information on the remaining Grade Level Socials, including a link to purchase tickets, can be found further down in this Newsletter.

Thank you for supporting Hyde Park School! If you are unable to attend this fundraiser and would prefer to make a donation, we have also provided that option on the ticket page.

Leo says it simply and most eloquently: We Want You!! But what's more, We Need You!! Sad but true, reality is setting in: our longstanding leaders of the HPS Athletics Program will be retiring from the ranks as their students near the end of their careers at HPS. The positions of Athletic Director, Head and Assistant Sports Coordinators, Equipment & Uniform Managers, Booster Positions (Presidents, VP, Secretary, Communications Director, and Fundraising Chair) are some of the many volunteers positions held mostly by Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Grade Parents. The same holds true for coaches. So the time has come for the fresh faces of the K-3 Parents to come forward to learn the ropes. To learn more about the positions and to volunteer, please contact Mike Brugh at michaelbrugh@outlook.com

Space is still available in the following extracurricular clubs: Art, Yoga, Karate, and Global Passport. Please use this link to register. Check and confirm all details with each individual club via the individual club's registration link and website (accessible through the registration link above).

And very soon, the track lane will be ready for running! Indeed, the Playground Expansion is winding down! The turf is being secured, and soon, gumdrops for jumping and balancing will line the side of the track. The little hills by the playground equipment have been resurfaced too! Stay tuned to social media for information about a casual Popsicles at the Playground event to celebrate the grand opening of the new and improved HPS Playground!

The picture below shows a rendering of what this space will look like, dare I say, very soon! (The roofed structure shown is the mechanical area currently blocked off with wooden fencing; this is not a new structure).

As for the Building Expansion Project, in the coming weeks, we will have the project blueprints available online as well as a Live Feed of the Construction! The Building Expansion is a two-phase project, which each phase lasting approximately one year. Phase 1 includes 8 new classrooms, additional bathrooms, and an expanded cafeteria. Phase 2 includes a new Gymnasium, Music room, and a STEAM room. Following all construction, the outdoor sport court will be rebuilt.

It's exciting to be a part of HPS during this historic time of progress! We're the lucky bearers of the story who get to say, "We were there when it all happened." Thanks to Dave Annett for this inspiring video!

Thanks to the Class of 2022 for our brand new picnic table, glistening green in front of our Castle! It will be used and loved on a daily basis, and we'll remember you and how proud you did--and always will--make us at Happy Hyde Park School!

At HPS, we have an initiative called Hyde Park Heroes. Each month, we focus on a character trait--what it means and how we can exhibit that trait in everyday life. At the end of each month, students are chosen by HPS Staff as Hyde Park Heroes! The Hyde Park Heroes will be announced to the school and be given a yard sign to display at home for an entire month. Just wait for the pride and excitement you'll feel when you see these yard signs as you drive around our community! Then the signs are returned to school for the next months' Heroes to display.

The September character trait is curiosity. And with the school year just beginning, what a perfect time to talk about curiosity! Here is a list fof children's books focusing on curiosity to help start conversations about what this trait means: 

The HPS Athletics October Raffle is now LIVE. We are asking that every student athlete sell just 10 tickets. Tickers are $5 a piece, but you have 25 chances to win - AND if your name is drawn, you go right back into the mix for more chances! Drawings will begin on October 7th, and will run daily until October 31st. We need your help in promoting this fundraiser!

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to Mike Brugh at michaelbrugh@outlook.com. And in case you needed extra motivation, there will a prize to the student who sells the most raffle tickets!

Lunch time involves a learning curve, and our youngest students are in need of some assistance during lunchtime! Tasks like opening cheese sticks yogurt lids, and even putting straws in drink boxes can be challenging to little hands. If you could spare an hour of your time, please join our lunch and recess period to help make the most of this important hour of their day! Click here to sign up. This signup link will be included in this Newsletter each week for you to access.

*IMPORTANT NEW INFORMATION*: To allow for more eating time, Kindergarteners now will be having recess BEFORE lunch. This means if you are the Lunch/Recess Duty Volunteer, you should check-in at the Main Office, then report to the Playground instead of the Cafeteria. Then, following recess, you will help escort the Kindergarteners to the Cafeteria where you will assist them as they eat lunch. Please act as the Caboose for the line, ensuring that the very last students and any stragglers make it safely into the Cafeteria.

*Please note (and, yes, it goes without saying, but) by signing up for this opportunity, you will be signing up to assist ALL Kindergarteners with their lunch and to help monitor ALL students on the playground during recess, not just your child.*

It's officially HPS Social Season! Each grade level will hold an Adults-Only Themed Parent Social which doubles as a fundraiser. You can purchase your tix here! Attending your Grade Level Parent Social is a great way to mix, mingle, and have fun with other parents and families - all while raising money for our school! All proceeds go to the HPS PTO, which uses all funds to directly support our students and teachers by providing classroom materials and funding for opportunities both inside and outside of the classroom (such as Field Trips and playground supplies)!

Kindergarten Parent Social: September 17 (Theme: College Night)

1st Grade Parent Social: October 1 (Theme: Hyde Park Eagles)

2nd Grade Parent Social: October 8 (Theme: Crafts & Cocktails)

3rd Grade Parent Social: August 27 (Theme: Third Grade Throwback)

4th Grade Parent Social: September 24 (Theme: 90s)

5th Grade Parent Social: September 23 (Theme: Old School)

6th Grade Parent Social: October 22 (Theme: Final Fowling Hurrah)

Click this link for more information and to purchase tickets! Thank you for supporting Hyde Park School! If you are unable to attend this fundraiser and would prefer to make a donation, we have also provided that option on the ticket page. 

The Countdown to the Pumpkin Chuck is underway! The Pumpkin Chuck is one of HPS's biggest school-wide events of the year! It is the definition of a FUNdraiser, and YOU can help make it happen!

Yes, the Pumpkin Chuck is a big event, and we need all hands on deck! We will be seeking volunteers and sponsors, so please consider the options below to be a part of this event's Smashing Success! The options are plentiful and include running game booths, the bake sale, ticket sales, the photo booth, set up, clean up, and, yes, even the prestigious position of pumpkin chucker (aka operating the trebuchet/launcher). The shifts are broken up into hour-long slots so you can help for a bit and then spend the rest of the time chucking your hearts out. Kids are welcome to sign up for a game booth slot with a parent (just indicate parent/child pair in the comments). One small job for you, one giant chuck for HPS!

Standard Volunteers (operating game booths, ticket sales, photo booth, set up, clean up)

Muscle Work Volunteers (pumpkin launching and set up/clean up involving lifting hay bales, pumpkins)

Keep watching this Newsletter for Signups to Open. You can contact Melissa DeMarcantonio at fundraising@hydeparkschoolpto.org for more details and to volunteer.

Streamline your life by using this link to upload all HPS Events to your calendar: HPS Events Calendar. Throughout the year, this link will be updated with other events like socials, movie nights, family swims, playground dates, and more!