Come try something new! The Suzuki Strings Program is accepting new students in Violin, Viola, and Cello! Their first concert is TODAY at the Farmers’ Market on Hyde Park Square. Come check out the group and meet the teachers and Suzuki families at this free event between 10am and noon!

The Suzuki Strings Program is brought to you by the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music Preparatory, with the convenience of lessons taking place at our very own, Hyde Park School! Lessons are after school, and lesson times are scheduled individually with each student's instructor. All students participate on Wednesday night for a group class to learn how to play in an ensemble and work as a team. Students in all grades are welcome!  

Tuition information can be found on this link, if you're ready to sign up, please fill out this form!  https://form.jotform.com/222296017626052. If you have any questions, please email Dr. Grabell at joyce.grabell@uc.edu

Our amazing crossing guard, Alice, has a well-deserved week off this week. So we need your help filling her shoes to ensure that our kids and families get safely across the street in the mornings before school and in the afternoons after dismissal.  Ann Salzbrun, in the Main Office, will provide a vest and stop sign for volunteers to use.

Below is a Sign Up Genius with time slots for each day. If you are able to help out for 30 min (or less) one day this week, please sign up!  Sign Up Here to be a Volunteer Crossing Guard. THANK YOU in advance!

Plan to make a Jason's Deli run on Tuesday, September 27 from 4:30-8:30pm! It's HPS Restaurant Night! Mention Hyde Park School as you order in person or online through the restaurant website or app, and Jason's Deli on Edwards Rd. will donate a portion of all proceeds to the HPS PTO. Please note: sales through third-party delivery services including DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grub Hub do not qualify for the fundraiser.

The Annual Read-A-Thon begins next Monday, October 3rd! To kick it off, the HPS PTO will be holding a Book Drive THIS 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 this week: September 27, 28, 29, and 30. Look for more information about the Read-a-Thon in an upcoming Tuesday folder.

With the goal of continuing to provide a rich educational experience for our students, the LSDMC (Local School Decision Making Committee) at HPS is gathering parent input using the following survey link:

Your input is highly valued! Thank you for taking the time to help the LSDMC enrich our students' experience. The LSDMC meets at HPS the third Tuesday of every month at 2:30pm. Ed Paff, Amy Lovelace, and Kate Loveland serve on this committee.

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.

No doubt you've already heard the news: the orange fencing around the field is removed! yes, the track lane and mini soccer field are officially open and countless races are already in the books!! 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!

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!

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, 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 this Friday, 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.

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).

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. 

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!