Hello Hardy FamiliesÌý

Highlights from the Past WeekÌý

On Tuesday, we had the end of year family picnic as students had the chance to enjoy the playground, field, and popsicles, while families had the chance to connect before heading into the summer.Ìý
On Thursday, we had the Moving Up Ceremony for the Hardy fifth grade class of 2026. We congratulate our fifth graders and wish them well in middle school!Ìý

Staffing Updates

Rebecca Hoitash- Psychologist, is being transferred to the Hunnewell School. We want to acknowledge Rebecca’s significant impact over the years at Upham and Hardy and know that she will be dearly missed. We wish Rebecca well and are appreciative of her amazing contributions.Ìý
Meg Ryer- Skills teacher, has decided to open up a private practice tutoring business full time and will be departing from Hardy. We wish Meg well as she moves on and wish her well as she begins her new professional endeavor.Ìý
We have already hired several new teachers and staff members for next year, and will continue this process into the summer. ÌýIn August, as part of the principal welcome back letter, I will share an update on all new hires. Thanks to the teachers who have served on hiring committees to ensure that we have strong hires to meet the needs of our students and school community.

WPS Website and ParentSquare Survey

Please take a moment to share your perspectives about ParentSquare and the district website using. It should take about 5 – 7 minutes to complete. All feedback will be reviewed as part of the upcoming website redesign and to make improvements in how ParentSquare is used by the schools and district.

Special Thanks

I want to thank all of the teachers and staff members for all their hard work and dedication! It is their commitment to our students working tirelessly to help promote academic and social-emotional growth that has helped students to be successful this year.
I also want to thank all of the parents for their ongoing support this year. I especially want to thank the PTO who did so much to support the life of our school. I am sincerely grateful!Ìý

Have a safe and fun-filled summer vacation!

Respectfully yours,

Grant Smith

Principal

Dear Hardy families,

Highlights from the Past WeekÌý

On Tuesday, we had Kindergarten and first grade learning celebrations as families had the opportunity to see some of the amazing work produced by our Kindergarten and first graders this year.
On Wednesday, we had Field Day as students had the opportunity to participate in fun filled physical activities on the field. Special thanks to Mr. Guzzi for planning this special event for our community.Ìý

Reminder- No School Friday

As a reminder, we will have no school on Friday in honor of Juneteenth.Ìý

Report Cards

Report Cards will be available to view in the PowerSchool portal on Monday, June 22nd at 3:00 PM.Ìý

Lost and Found

Please remind your children to check the lost and found for missing items. Parents/guardians are also invited in to check this area. We will donate any unclaimed items at the end of the year.Ìý

Have a great week!

Respectfully yours,

Grant Smith

Principal

Dear Hardy families,

Highlights from the Past WeekÌý

On Wednesday, we had our June Jaunt Walk & Ride to School Day.

We had Math-ins in our 3rd and 4th grade. Parents/caregivers joined students to complete math challenges and play math games.Ìý

On Friday, we had our spring concert featuring our chorus, band and orchestra students.

On Friday, we had the Wellesley High School (WHS) senior class clap out, featuring Hardy alumni who returned to Hardy to see their former teachers. Hardy students and teachers showed their encouragement to the seniors with clapping and cheering as the seniors made their way through the building.Ìý

Attention Fifth Grade Parents/Guardians: Moving Up Ceremony

As a reminder, the fifth grade moving up ceremony will take place Thursday, June 18, at 10:00 AM in the cafeteria. We look forward to recognizing the Hardy graduating class of 2026!

Have a great week!

Respectfully yours,

Grant Smith

Principal

Dear Hardy families,

Highlights from the Past WeekÌý

On Wednesday, we had a Math In for second grade. Parents/caregivers joined students to work through math challenges and play math games.Ìý
On Friday, we had our School Spirit Day for the month of May. Students showed their Hardy spirit as they wore their Hardy gear. Ìý

June Jaunt Walk to School Day

On Wednesday, we will have our June Jaunt Walk & Ride to School Day. Students are encouraged to walk or ride their bikes/scooters to school.

Spring Concert

Attention parents/guardians whose children are part of chorus, band, or orchestra – Ìýyou are invited to our spring concert which will take place this Friday at 8:45 AM in the cafeteria.Ìý

Have a great week!

Respectfully yours,

Grant Smith

Principal

Dear Hardy families,

Highlights from the Past WeekÌý

We had Kindergarten screening as our incoming Kindergarteners were welcomed into Hardy for their first official introduction to our school. Students were excited to receive their swag bag with a Hardy t-shirt and Husky stuffed animal.

On Wednesday evening, there was a WEF (Wellesley Education Foundation) chair ceremony, in which Wellesley educators with 25 years of service were recognized and given a chair as a gift. The Hardy teachers recognized include third grade teacher Neysa McNamara, special educator Laurent Pedroli, reading teacher Jacqui Hennessey, and librarian Pam Allen. ÌýCongratulations to these dedicated educators!

We have a new bulletin board up in the foyer of the school with the title “We Love Our Hardy Staff.â€� This board contains student generated hearts with the names of beloved staff members.Ìý

Volunteer Needed for Our Innovation Space

We are still on the lookout for a parent/guardian who might be willing to volunteer their time to support the innovation lab. As part of this role, this person would meet with our librarian, Liz Perriello, a representative classroom teacher, and me to discuss the vision for the space. Then the person would keep an account of consumable building materials and solicit donations from the community. Finally, they would also recruit other volunteers (parents/guardians, community volunteers, or former Hardy students) to stock and organize materials as they come in. If you are interested in helping in this way, please email directly at smithg@wellesleyps.org.Ìý

Soccer Goals

After a long process of getting special netting added to the Hardy field fencing that abuts Weston Road, we will be getting soccer goals added to our field later this week. We are excited for students to have the chance to use these goals at recess time.

Lost and Found

Please remind your children to check the lost and found for missing items. Parents/guardians are also invited in to check this area. We will donate any unclaimed items at the end of the year.Ìý

Return Library Books by June 5

Please know that all Hardy library books are due back by Friday, June 5. If you have any questions, please email our Hardy librarian, Liz Perriello, at perrielloe@wellesleyps.org for further assistance.Ìý

“No Turn on Red Sign� Added

For parents/caregivers doing drop-off/pick-up by car, Ìýa “no turn on redâ€� sign has been placed at Hardy Rd. (as it intersects with Weston Rd.) but only when the pedestrian light is on.Ìý

Respectfully yours,

Grant Smith

Principal

Dear Hardy families,
Our hearts continue to be with the MacAusland family and the larger Wellesley community as we grieve the passing of Kai and Ella. As their funeral took place yesterday, we know that the feelings of sadness and loss are ever-present right now and we continue to be empathetic to everyone who has been affected by this tragedy.Ìý

Highlights from the Past Week and Special Thanks

On Monday, we had Kindergarten Orientation as we welcomed parents/guardians of the Kindergarten students who will be part of the Hardy 5th grade graduating class of 2032!
On Friday, we had an all-school meeting led by our Kindergarten students. We also had student talents on display.Ìý

Attention parents/guardians of students who participate in band/orchestra/chorus:

We will have our Spring Concert on Friday, June 5th at 8:45 AM. Parents/guardians of students who are performing are invited to attend.Ìý

Classroom sections allocation for 2026-2027 school year

We have been informed that due to the enrollment in the incoming Kindergarten class, the district will keep 3 sections in Kindergarten at Hardy for this upcoming year. This means we will be an 18 section school (with 3 classes in each grade level).Ìý

Official last day of school

Our last day will be Monday, June 22nd (this will be a half day with a noon time dismissal). Also as a reminder, we will be off from school on Friday, June 19th for Juneteenth.Ìý

Respectfully yours,

Grant Smith

Principal

Dear Hardy families,
Our hearts continue to be with the MacAusland family and the larger Wellesley community as we grieve the loss of Kai and Ella. As you know from the PTO communication, there will be funeral service this upcoming Saturday, May 16th at 2 PM at St. Andrew’s Church. The PTO is also collecting cards for the family (details below).Ìý

Highlights from the Past Week and Special Thanks

On Wednesday, we had the Raindrop Romp Walk & Bike to School day. Thanks to Mr. Guzzi for planning this event for our school.
On Friday, we had buddies. First and third grade buddies had fun using chalk and bubbles outside of the first grade pod.
We had Teacher Appreciation Week. Families went out of their way with providing teachers & staff with a delicious lunch, a candy bar, and gift cards that were given out as a daily raffle. We are most grateful for our amazing parent community for showing us appreciation in these special ways!Ìý

School Council Update

This past week we had our School Council meeting for the month of May. As part of this meeting, we continued our planning for the re-envisioned innovation lab. In looking ahead to next year, we are looking for one to two parents/guardians who might be interested in volunteering to partner with the school in keeping the innovation space stocked and organized. As part of this role, this person would meet with our librarian Liz Perriello, a representative classroom teacher, and me to discuss the vision for the space. Then the person would keep an account of consumable building materials and solicit donations from the community. Finally, they would also recruit other volunteers (parents/guardians, community volunteers, or former Hardy students) to stock and organize materials as they come in. If you are interested in helping in this way, please email me directly at smithg@wellesleyps.org.Ìý

Attention Incoming Kindergarten Parents/Guardians

As a reminder, we have Kindergarten Orientation on Monday, May 11 at 6 PM in the cafeteria. Also please note, Kindergarten screening will be on Wed. May 20th in the morning (exact appointment time will be assigned).

Attention Current Kindergarten Parents/Guardians

On Friday at 8:45 AM, we will have our next all-school meeting, which will be led by the Kindergarten students. You are invited to attend.Ìý

Respectfully yours,

Grant Smith

Principal

Dear Hardy families,
As we continue to mourn with the greater Wellesley community, our hearts remain heavy and we continue to keep the MacAusland family in our thoughts.Ìý
The care and concern from Hardy families and the community has been greatly appreciated. Thank you to the PTO for feeding us and offering thoughtful words of encouragement. As we continue to grieve, I know we will be there for one another. Many thanks for your ongoing support.Ìý

Limiting media exposure/supporting students

The information in the media is difficult to understand and process. Please monitor and/or consider restricting your child’s access to news and social media. As information continues to come out in the news, we will not be engaging in further rounds of classroom meetings (like we had at the beginning of last week) as that will be too much for our students and staff. Rather, our teachers, mental health professionals, and all staff will work with students individually if they need additional support. We will keep our eyes, ears, and hearts open for all our students, but digging deep into this story is not our mission right now (or in the future). Rather, we are focused on returning to the comforting routines of the school day which have and will continue to serve us well.

Reminder: WPS Grief Support Circle on Thursday

°Â±ð±ô±ô±ð²õ±ô±ð²â’s (HRS), which has been so supportive of our district this week, will be conducting a grief support circle for the WPS community on Thursday May 7 from 7-8:30 p.m. in the Hardy cafeteria. The goal is to provide a safe, validating space for our grieving parents, caregivers, staff, and community members. so facilitators can plan for the session.

Highlight from the past week

On Wednesday, we had our second annual Fun Run, which provided a great opportunity for community building and a welcome joy-filled distraction from the heaviness of the week.Ìý

Respectfully yours,

Grant Smith

Principal

Dear Hardy families,

Highlight from the Past Week

On Monday, we had a fourth grader serve as student principal of the day.

Placement Information

As a reminder, across the district, we are beginning the placement process for the 2026-2027 school year. This applies to students currently in grades K-4. For incoming K families, we will share more information about placement at Kindergarten Orientation in early May, and provide an opportunity for families to share input for consideration at this time.

As always, when doing class placement, a great deal of time and consideration is given to achieving our goal, which is to make the best possible placement for every child at Hardy as we work to create balanced and heterogeneous classes.Ìý

Your child’s teacher will work with the other member(s) of their grade level team, including special educators, specialists, and me to create effective instructional groups. The following factors will be considered: class size, gender, social relationships that work well in the classroom environment, and individual learning characteristics.Ìý

If you feel you have a significant concern about an emotional, social, or academic issue that you think that we are not yet aware of, you are welcome to complete a Serious Concerns Form. As our goal is to form well-balanced classrooms, weÌýcannotÌýconsider:

• Requests for specific teachers or teaching/personality styles Ìý
• Requests to be with specific friends

While this form is optional, if you wish to share any serious concerns, please complete the following form by this Friday, April 17th. Parent input submitted after this date will not be considered.Ìý

See link for optional serious concerns form:

Have a great week and a great upcoming April vacation!

Respectfully yours,

Grant Smith

Principal

Dear Hardy families,

Highlights from the Past Week

On Monday, we had a special CAS (Creative Arts & Sciences) program for 3rd-5th grade which featured a planetarium that was set up in our gym. Students enjoyed learning about the solar system in this highly engaging space.Ìý

Staffing News for Next Year

Fourth grade teacher Avery Budnik will be teaching fifth grade next year (as there is an additional section being added). We’ll be hiring a new fourth grade teacher. Ìý

Placement Information

Across the district, we are beginning the placement process for the 2026-2027 school year. This applies to students currently in grades K-4. For incoming K families, we will share more information about placement at Kindergarten Orientation in early May, and provide an opportunity for families to share input for consideration at this time.

As always, when doing class placement, a great deal of time and consideration is given to achieving our goal, which is to make the best possible placement for every child at Hardy as we work to create balanced and heterogeneous classes.Ìý

Your child’s teacher will work with the other member(s) of their grade level team, including special educators, specialists, and me to create effective instructional groups. The following factors will be considered: class size, gender, social relationships that work well in the classroom environment, and individual learning characteristics.Ìý

If you feel you have a significant concern about an emotional, social, or academic issue that you think that we are not yet aware of, you are welcome to complete a Serious Concerns Form. As our goal is to form well-balanced classrooms, weÌýcannotÌýconsider:

• Requests for specific teachers or teaching/personality styles Ìý
• Requests to be with specific friends

While this form is optional, if you wish to share any serious concerns, please complete the following form by Friday, April 17th. Parent input submitted after this date will not be considered.Ìý

See link for optional serious concerns form:

Have a great week!

Respectfully yours,

Grant Smith

Principal