News
2018
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A Note from Randal Rhodus
Read MoreDear Lower School Parents,I hope you and your daughters are looking forward to the upcoming holiday break. To celebrate the season, we look forward to seeing you during our Lower School Holiday Program next Wednesday, December 19, in the Nancy A. Nasher and David J. Haemisegger Family Theater. Hopefully, you will experience the same joy you do every year when you listen to our students sing.I would like to give a big thanks to our music teachers, Denise Jones and Sabrina Kessee, for teaching the girls several new songs, working with our 4th grade program leaders, and helping to organize this performance. During this program we will present Mi Escuelita Preschools with a check for the donations we have collected from the sale of Mi Escuelita ornaments. I know Mi Escuelita is so grateful for Hockaday continuing to support their scholarship program each year.This is a busy time of year for us all, and there are lots of places to be. Enjoy the next several weeks with your friends and family. We will be excited for the girls’ return on Tuesday, January 8.Sincerely,Randal Rhodus -
Holiday Program and Early Dismissal
Read MoreAll parents are cordially invited to attend the Lower School Holiday Program on Wednesday, December 19, from 10:15 – 11:00 am in the Nancy A. Nasher and David J. Haemisegger Family Theater. Please note: the doors to the theater will be unlocked at 9:30 am, and parents will be unable to enter the theater prior to that time.At the conclusion of the program, the girls will return to their homerooms, and parents should pick them up from there. NO CARPOOL and NO HAPPY HAPPENINGS*All girls must be in dress uniform. -
Mi Escuelita Ornament Sale
Read MoreYou should have received an order form in your daughter’s bookbag with information about this year’s Mi Escuelita ornaments. The ornaments make special gifts, and all proceeds from the ornament sale go to the Mi Escuelita scholarship fund. If you wish to purchase one or more ornaments, please return your order form to school no later than Tuesday, December 18. -
Registration NOW CLOSED for Spring Semester of Daisy Afternoons
Read MoreOnline registration for the spring semester of Daisy Afternoons classes has now closed, and we are unable to accept any additional registrations or changes to registrations already submitted.Happy Happenings and after-school classes will begin on Tuesday, January 8 when we return from the winter holiday break. After-school classes will run through Friday, April 26, 2019; Happy Happenings will continue through the last full day of school in May. -
A Note from Randal Rhodus
Read MoreDear Lower School Parents,I hope you all have settled back into a routine after Thanksgiving Break. It sounds like many of you had fun and restful vacations at home and away. In these three weeks between the Thanksgiving and Holiday breaks, we have several programs and activities that you and your daughters will not want to miss.In addition to celebrating our November/December Rotunda Rocks tomorrow, we will also be treated to the 4th Grade Musical, Treasure Island. For the last two days, 4th graders have been in all-day rehearsals preparing for this musical that they will perform for the entire Lower School tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. and at 7:00 p.m. for 4th Grade families in the Nancy A. Nasher and David J. Haemisegger Family Theater. I would like to thank Denise Jones, Erin Oxford, Chris Brandt, and the many 4th grade parent volunteers for making this production possible.For our Lower School gatherings in December, we will host two fun events for our students. Next week on December 5, the girls will meet in the outside garden for our gathering. Using the seed balls that the students created on the last day of school in May, every student will have the opportunity to plant seeds for our wildflower berm that will grow in the spring. Please send your daughters to school with a coat for this outside morning gathering! Additionally, on December 13, Señora Hanson, Señor Inboden, and Madame Grip will lead the Lower School students in our annual world language holiday sing. This is an event that all Lower School students and teachers look forward to each year.And finally, one of the highlights of our school year, the Lower School Holiday Program, will take place on Wednesday, December 19 at 10:15 am. This is one of my favorite performances our girls do because it involves every single Lower School student. During this program, we will honor the multiple world traditions that are celebrated during this holiday season. Additionally, fourth grade assembly leaders will present a check to a representative from Mi Escuelita Preschools with the proceeds we collected from the sale of Mi Escuelita ornaments. I know this is a busy time of year for us all, and there are lots of places to be. I hope the 45 minutes you spend with us for this program will help bring joy to your holiday season.I look forward to seeing you at Hockaday during the upcoming weeks!Sincerely,Randal Rhodus -
A Note from Randal Rhodus
Read MoreDear Lower School Parents,On Monday, November 5, all progress reports will be posted electronically on Hockaday’s resource board. On that date, you will receive an email indicating how to access your daughter’s first-trimester report.As you are aware, we are using a new template for progress reports this year. While the progress report may look different, it contains the same grade-level skills and marking indicators from last year’s report. Each student report includes a personal/social development and learning behaviors section that all teachers worked on together for each student. With more detailed and clearer skills outlined on each revised subject-area report, narratives are only included to explain a concern in a particular area. Our hope is that our progress report format is concise and easy for parents to decipher what skills are independent, developing, or need improvement. As you read through the report, please use the following definitions for each of the marking indicators:I = “Independently demonstrates this skill” (If you ask a student to complete this task, she does it with minimal or no difficulty.)D = “Developing this skill” (If you ask a student to complete this task, she can make it through, but she might need several questions answered, a more detailed explanation, an example, or other scaffolding. Her mastery of this topic is not complete but developing.)C = “Area of concern that may require support” (A student is performing significantly below expectations. Additional support may be needed.)NA = “Not assessed at this time” (This is for a skill that a teacher has not introduced or assessed yet.)Please remember, every child develops at her own pace, and all children need time to hit their stride. Some will show early strengths across the board, while others will show strength in certain areas more than others. Please resist the temptation to interpret the check marks on the reports as “grades” or to speculate about “class rank.” We are reporting individual growth and progress over time, in the context of developmental and curricular goals and expectations.It is our expectation that you will read your daughter’s progress report before your daughter’s parent/teacher conferences and will come prepared to this conference with any questions you have about your daughter’s report. As always, we are available to discuss your child’s progress and answer any questions you may have. Please do contact your child’s teachers, our counselor, our learning specialists, or me if you have concerns. We are all here to help.Warmly,Randal Rhodus -
Halloween Guidelines
Read MoreClassroom Halloween parties will be held on Wednesday, October 31 (times listed in the L.S. Dates section), and the girls may wear Halloween costumes to school on that day. Please see guidelines below.- Expensive and/or easily damaged costumes should not be worn.
- Make-up (including face or hair paint) may not be worn.
- Headpieces (including wigs and hats) and masks may be worn only during the early childhood parade, the Halloween Sing, and the classroom party.
- Earrings should be worn ONLY if they are essential to the costume, and they must be clip-on style – not pierced.
- Shoes should have closed toes (no flip-flops).
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Lower School Parent Conferences
Read MoreLower School parent-teacher conferences will take place on November 8 from 7:30 am to 3:00 pm. and on November 9 from 7:30 am to 12:00 pm. These are the only two available days for conferences. Teachers will not reschedule conferences for other days.Online sign-up for conferences opened on Wednesday, September 12 and will remain open until midnight on Tuesday, November 6. Appointments will be scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis, and you will receive email confirmation of your scheduled conference time.If you have any problems using the online scheduler, please contact Wendy Branson in the LS office. -
Parents of Kindergarten Students
Read MorePlease plan to join us in Hoffman Commons on Tuesday, October 30 from 8:30 – 9:30 am following Rotunda Rocks) for an informational meeting regarding primer and first grade placement for the 2019–2020 school year. After hearing from Mrs. Rhodus, several teachers, and parents whose daughters have attended primer, you’ll have an opportunity to ask questions about the process of determining your child’s class placement for next year. -
Lower School Game Day
Read MoreHockaday Athletics invites all Lower School students to the Field Hockey and Volleyball Home Games on Friday, October 26. Come cheer on our athletes and enjoy free pretzels, pom-poms, thunder sticks!VARSITY FIELD HOCKEY – 4:00 PMJV VOLLEYBALL – 4:00 PMVARSITY VOLLEYBALL – 5:30 PMJV FIELD HOCKEY – 5:30 PM -
A Note from Randal Rhodus
Read MoreDear Lower School Parents,During the last two weeks, all Lower School students participated in the Food Waste Challenge as one of the first all-Lower School initiatives for Hockaday’s Institute for Social Impact. Since the beginning of the school year, many teachers (and students) have noticed how much food students throw away at lunch- untouched grapefruits and apples, unopened sandwiches, etc. Two weeks ago following Lower School lunch, several employees from Sage removed the waste from the trash cans after Lower School lunch and weighed it. The total amount of food waste was 144.3 pounds! In addition to weighing the waste from lunch, photos were also taken of what was thrown away on this lunch day.Last week, teachers shared the photos of waste during lunch and discussed their observations. Additionally, each homeroom class was asked to watch the following video The Extraordinary life and Times of Strawberry (link: http://viewpure.com/WREXBUZBrS8?start=0&end=0), and students were asked to share their feelings about it. Students were also shown photos of strawberries taken by students at lunch and of strawberries being thrown away at the end of lunch. Students were asked to identify the situation being highlighted and discuss possible solutions to this problem. The also girls brainstormed several ideas to reduce or eliminate food waste, including:- Choosing only four items when first going through the lunch line.
- Taking smaller portions when trying something new.
- Trying not to overestimate your hunger.
- Eating a balanced meal.
- Eating what you have on your tray or plate before you go back for seconds.
After these discussions, teachers told our students that the trash would be weighed again on another day to see if they could reduce the amount of waste at lunch. Last Thursday (one week after we launched the food waste initiative), Sage weighed our food waste, and the total amount was reduced by 50% to 76 pounds! This exciting news was shared with our students at our gathering last Friday.While third grade’s service theme is helping people who are hungry, it is important for all students in Lower School to develop a greater awareness of their own food consumption and waste, so they can understand the issues of hunger and malnutrition in their own communities and in other parts of the world. It is important for our Lower School students to realize that their individual and collective actions can make a difference and an impact. We hope that you will continue the conversations around food waste in your own home as well.Warmly,Randal Rhodus -
4th Grade Book Sale
On Monday, October 22, fourth graders will host their annual book sale. Gently-used books, CDs, and DVDs will be sold for .25 cents each, along with raffle tickets for a chance to win special gift baskets. Homeroom teachers will take their classes to the sale, and girls will be able to “shop” using the quarters they bring from home (maximum of $3.00 per child).Read More -
Last Day to Order 2018 - 19 Hockaday Charms
Read MoreYour daughters have been busy in their classes making beautiful art and you will soon have the chance to keep it forever as a sterling silver charm, cufflinks or keychain. All-School charms are also available to show your Hockaday spirit, including the ALL NEW Unicorn with gold plated horn and hooves and Hockaday Crest charms! Grade-Level charms for all LS grades are another excellent way to remember the special events in your daughter’s grade. This year, LS Charms orders will be online only – you have been emailed your daughter’s art to choose your design, to input in the online order form. Online ordering is open September 26 through 5:00 pm on October 11. You can access pictures of all charms and accessories here, and the order form HERE. For questions about Charms, please contact Dana Simon. -
A Note from Randal Rhodus
Read MoreDear Lower School Parents,This has been a week of fun programs in Lower School. On Monday, we hosted the first Rotunda Rocks for our early childhood students and their families. Our prekindergarten, kindergarten, and primer students sang and danced to some of our favorite Rotunda Rocks songs including Fried Ham, One Green Jellybean, and Surfin’ in My Imagination. Rotunda Rocks was a perfect way to launch the beginning of the week. In addition to this early childhood tradition, during our Lower School assembly this morning, all Lower School students were introduced to Hockaday’s new Athletic Director, Deb Surgi. Our Fourth Grade gathering leaders shared the history of athletics at Hockaday and how visionary Ms. Hockaday was in 1913 to make athletics a cornerstone for her new all-girls’ school. Deb Surgi also spoke about the helping each student find the athlete inside her and about exciting ways she hopes our Lower School students and their families can be more involved with our Middle and Upper School sports teams this year. Stay tuned for more details in this area!On Monday, October 8, we will launch the 4th year of our Lower School Boarder Buddies program- a partnership between Lower School homeroom classes and our new freshman and sophomore residence students. In an effort to help our new residence students feel more connected with the entire community and for our Lower School students to feel more connected to the residence department, each homeroom class or grade level will “adopt” a boarder for the entire year. Every Day 2, a freshman “boarder buddy” will join a Lower School homeroom for morning meetings. Throughout the year, each homeroom will also do special things for their boarder (i.e. cards or treats on her birthday or a visit to her room in the residence department).
We are hopeful that our girls will get to know their boarder buddy and learn about her life as a boarder and her life at home as well. With these early relationships with residence students in Lower School, our students may form stronger connections with the new boarders who enter their grade level in Upper School.Warmly,Randal Rhodus -
A Note From Randal Rhodus
Read MoreDear Lower School Parents,This morning, we officially welcomed our 4th Graders as leaders of the Lower School during our 4th Grade Pin Ceremony. In addition to singing and listening to remarks about being a 4th Grade leader, 4th Graders also received their 4th Grade pin from Dr. Karen Warren Coleman. I look forward to working with these students this year as they become 4th Grade Morning Greeters, Gathering leaders, LS admissions presenters, 4th Grade Lunch Buddies to our PK students, and members of Principal’s Council. In addition to this special 4th grade ceremony, all Lower School students were also overjoyed when our playground officially opened on Tuesday. I am confident you heard about this! In the coming weeks, new drinking fountains and a brand-new gazebo will be installed. We are so fortunate to have such a fun and beautiful play space for our girls!I know many of you are adjusting to the back-to-school schedule: waking up and going to bed earlier, organizing carpools, and establishing routines for homework. Be patient. Your daughters are putting forth their best effort and attention at school, and they may be extra tired when they come home from school during these first few weeks of school. As you plan and solidify your daughter’s afterschool activities, please allow for days when your daughter isn’t involved in an organized activity. Making time for unstructured play outside of school is equally important in your daughter’s schedule. Also, remember that scheduling playdates outside of school can help your daughter to make connections with new friends and reconnect with old friends after the summer break. These connections outside of school can strengthen the relationships the girls have with each other within the classroom.I look forward to seeing you this coming Tuesday, September 4 for Lower School Parents’ Night as you learn more about your daughter’s grade-level, in addition to getting to know parents and teachers better during your time in homeroom classrooms. I look forward to seeing all of you in Hicks for some special announcements. You will hear from Dr. Coleman about her vision and hopes for the upcoming school year, and you will hear from me about our new playground and the new digital platforms to help us share grade-level curriculum and your daughter’s activities in school. During this evening, you will also get to know the subject-areas teachers that will be working with your daughters during the school year. Parent’s Night schedules will also be sent home in book bags. Please note that Parents’ Night schedules are different for PK-1st grades and 2nd–4th grades.Enjoy the long weekend!Sincerely,Randal Rhodus -
Come Join the Lower School Orchestra!
All Lower School String Players are invited to come join the Lower School Orchestra for a fun year of Concerts, Festivals and Parties! Please Contact Sunny D'Apice, Lower School Orchestra Director, at sdapice@hockaday.org for more information and to sign up.Read More -
Group Carpools
Read MoreIf you are requesting a group carpool, please fill out the carpool form you received on LS Drop-in Day or at your New Family Conference (Monday, August 20) and return it to the Lower School office after your plans are firm. Group carpools will be set up when forms with matching information are received from each participating family in the carpool, and once you receive your numbered sign, you may begin using it. Until you receive your numbered sign, please notify the office daily (LSoffice@hockaday.org) of any carpool arrangements that include children other than your own daughter.If you need additional individual name carpool signs please stop by the office and pick up the appropriate color card stock. You may then photocopy your original sign on the card stock. (A driver with a handmade carpool sign will not be permitted to pick up a child in carpool line.) -
Parents’ Night
Read MoreAll Lower School parents (adults only, please) are invited to join us on Tuesday evening, September 4, for Parents’ Night. Parents of girls in PK, Kindergarten/Primer, and 1st grade will arrive at 5:30 pm. and meet in their daughter’s homeroom classroom. Parents of 2nd, 3rd and 4th graders will arrive at 6:15 pm and meet in Hicks. After both groups hear remarks from Dr. Karen Warren Coleman and Randal Rhodus, subject-area teachers will be introduced. Following the group meeting, PK, K/Primer, and 1st grade parents will leave (7:00 pm), and 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade parents will adjourn to the homeroom classrooms. The evening for parents of 2nd, 3rd, and 4th graders will conclude at 7:45 pm. We hope to see all of you on Tuesday evening! Detailed schedules are being sent home in bookbags. -
A Note from Randal Rhodus
Read MoreDear Lower School Parents,We are so excited to have you and daughters return to school, and for our new families to join our Lower School community. School does not feel the same without our students in our classrooms, hallways, and playgrounds. I have missed hearing the giggles, giving and receiving hugs, and opening carpool doors in the morning – truly the best way to start a day! Before school begins next week, I want to make sure you are aware of some new spaces and programs for the upcoming school year.Lower School Playground: In early July, construction began on our new Lower School playground. We are hopeful that construction will be complete during the first week of school, so that students will get to play in this new space within the first few days of their return to school. With a new playground there also comes a new opportunity to message the importance of play in our students’ physical, social, and cognitive development. This fall, I look forward to sharing with you the benefits of unstructured play in your children’s lives.Seesaw: At Parents’ Night on September 4, I will share information with you about our new digital student portfolio program, Seesaw, which we will be using with every student in Lower School. Last year, we piloted Seesaw in a few Lower School classrooms, and it was highly praised by the students, faculty, and parents who used it. I am really excited about Seesaw as it has the capability to give parents a better window into their daughter’s learning in school and to document student work electronically. I think the program will also complement our new Lower School progress report system and allow parents to launch better conversations with their daughters about their learning.We look forward to seeing you and your daughters on Monday, August 20 for Lower School Drop-In from 10:00-11:30 and for New Family Conferences. If you have any questions between now and the beginning of school, please do not hesitate to call or email me. We hope the beginning of school is a smooth transition for both you and your daughter.Sincerely,Randal Rhodus -
Happy Happenings
Read MoreHappy Happenings will open on Wednesday, August 22. It will be available for those girls who have registered and for other students on a drop-in basis. (Please email LSoffice@hockaday.org by 10:00 am if your child is dropping in to Happy Haps.)Registration for Daisy Afternoons after-school classes closed on Tuesday, August 7, and after-school classes begin on Monday, August 27 for those girls who have registered. -
Orientation Day Schedules
Read MoreOrientation Day Schedules were included in the electronic back-to-school information and can be accessed on the Parent Resource Board, along with numerous other back-to-school documents. Click here to see the Orientation Day schedule for Tuesday, August 21. -
Screening Tests for PK, K/Primer, 1st, and 2nd grade Girls
Read MoreHockaday is committed to instilling in your daughter a love of learning. Even our youngest daisies delight in expressing their thoughts and are beginning to develop early reading skills. Language skills are the building blocks of reading, and good reading skills are important to academic success and to learning in general. We are fortunate at Hockaday to have screening tests given to every student in PK – 2nd grade, the results of which are shared with each child’s teacher, so that we may provide or recommend any additional support that your daughter may need. These assessments will take place Monday, August 27 – Friday, August 31 for K/Primer, 1st grade, and 2nd grade, and in October for PK students. If your daughter has any potential reading or speech/language issue, her teacher or a member of the learning support team will call you directly. -
A Note from Mrs. Rhodus
Read MoreDear Lower School Parents,As we enter the last week of school, I want to take time to thank you for all of the time and energy you give to your daughters, our teachers, and Hockaday. Please accept my deepest gratitude for your willingness to entrust them to our care, and for your support of all the efforts we joyfully make on their behalf.Tomorrow, we will have our final Rotunda Rocks for the school year, and on Monday we will honor our 4th graders graduating from Lower School. All Lower School students will attend our 4th Grade Recognition Day program and will help send off our leaders of Lower School to Middle School. I know our 4th graders are ready for Middle School, but we will miss them, and I hope that they (and their families) come back to Lower School to visit!When you return in August, you will see some exciting changes to Lower School. If you haven’t heard already, we are getting a brand new Lower School playground over the summer! Last week, students voted on their favorite designs, and we are excited to incorporate their wishes in our new playground. Be on the lookout for more news about our playground in my letter that is included in the July electronic mailing.This summer, I hope you encourage your children to sleep, eat good food, read every day, write, draw, explore, and play. There are so many wonderful, enriching opportunities for children during the summer – just make sure you leave plenty of time and space to be together!Enjoy this final week of school!Sincerely,Randal Rhodus -
End-of-Year Celebration
Read MoreYearbooks will be distributed on the last day of school (May 23). Students have a free dress day, and we are planning a fun outdoor celebration for all of Lower School. Girls will enjoy games, races, arts and crafts, a tour of the new garden shed, and a petting zoo!Carpool for PK, K, and Primer will begin promptly at 11:15, and carpool for 1st – 4th grade will begin at 11:40 am. Please make arrangements to pick up your daughter at the designated time as all faculty have a commitment immediately following carpool, and there will be no supervision available for children who aren’t picked up.Happy Summer! -
4th Grade Recognition Day
Read MoreParents of 4th graders are invited to attend the Lower School Recognition Day Program in the Nancy A. Nasher and David J. Haemisegger Family Theater on Monday, May 21 at 1:30 pm. During this special program, our 4th graders will be recognized for having successfully completed their Lower School years. Each girl will be presented with a special Daisy Basket, followed by personal congratulations from Dr. Coleman. In addition, the 4th grade class will present its parting gift to the Lower School.Immediately after the program, there will be a reception for the 4th graders and their families. Following the reception, please return to your child’s homeroom to collect her belongings and take advantage of the opportunity to enjoy the girls’ Create, Collaborate, Innovate Project Exposition in Hoffman Commons. Your daughter is then free to leave with you (after notifying her homeroom teacher).- All girls should be in dress uniform with clean, polished saddle oxfords.
- Hair bows should be green or white.
- If you plan to give your daughter flowers, please wait until you’re home rather than giving them to her at school.
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2018-2019 Parent Volunteers Needed
Read MoreThe Hockaday Parents’ Association Volunteer Site has moved to Sign Up Genius! To access the new website, sign onto the Parent Resource Board and click on the icon labeled “Parent Volunteer Site 18-19” or click here. Many of your daughter's favorite activities would not be possible without the assistance of parent volunteers. There are a number of ways to get involved, depending on your interests and availability. Volunteer opportunities that are open now include Welcoming Families, Parent and Student Socials, Uniform Resale, and Benefit. The majority of other volunteer opportunities for the 2018-2019 school year will open this summer on August 1 at 10:00 a.m. The July Back-To-School mailer will include additional information regarding volunteer opportunities. For instructions on how to volunteer please click here. Please email Elizabeth McNeil, Volunteer Coordinator, hpavolunteer@gmail.com or Christine Flanagan, Lower School Volunteer Coordinator, christinewflanagan@me.com with any questions. -
DAISY AFTERNOONS after-school classes ended on Friday, April 27
Read MoreDuring registration for the spring semester classes, IF you registered for Happy Haps during the month of May on the day your daughter was attending an after-school class, her name will automatically be listed on that day to attend Happy Happenings until either 4:30 or 6:00 pm. If you did not choose that option when you registered, you’ll need to pick your child up in carpool at her normal dismissal time beginning the week of April 30. (If necessary, you may use the Happy Haps drop-in option by notifying Wendy the morning of the day you need for her to attend.) -
Reminder
For carpool changes, absences, late arrivals, or early departures, please email LSoffice@hockaday.org. Please make every effort to notify the office by 10:00 am of any changes to your child’s schedule. We sometimes don’t receive late-afternoon notifications in time to record them on the daily carpool/Happy Haps sheets before the sheets are copied and distributed to all classrooms.Read More -
A Note from Mrs. Rhodus
Read MoreDear Lower School Parents,Monday, April 23 begins our first day of ERB testing in Lower School. ERBs are the standardized tests we give in 2nd – 8th grades. ERB results allow Hockaday to determine which of our programs are successfully fulfilling our students’ needs. They also give us a snapshot of your daughter’s strengths or areas for growth as compared to students throughout the United States. This is only one measure and is used in conjunction with other assessments. All students take the online version of the ERB tests.We give the ERBs beginning in 2nd grade, as our first baseline. In my experience administering ERBs, students really enjoy taking this test on the computer. In mid-June, we will mail all 2nd – 4th grade parents the results of their daughter’s ERB testing.Please make sure that your daughter has plenty of play time as well as sleep the week of testing. A good breakfast is also helpful. Most importantly, let your daughter know that we appreciate her help in doing the best she can on this test so that we at Hockaday can better meet her needs. Girls will not have homework during the following weeks they are taking the ERB test.4th Grade: April 23 – April 273rd Grade: April 30 – May 42nd Grade: May 7 – May 11Please avoid scheduling appointments for your daughter during the morning hours of the week she is testing, as we are unable to give make-up tests. In addition, it is important that your daughter arrive on time those mornings. Girls arriving after a test has begun will be unable to take that particular test.Please let me know if you have any questions.Sincerely,Randal Rhodus -
ERB TESTING
Read MoreERB testing will take place over the next three weeks. Please make sure that your daughter has plenty of play time as well as sleep the week she is testing. A good breakfast is also helpful. Girls will not have homework during the following weeks they are taking the ERB test. (All tests will be given between 8:15 and 11:00 each day.)4th Grade: April 23 – April 273rd Grade: April 30 – May 42nd Grade: May 7 – May 11Please avoid scheduling appointments for your daughter during the morning hours of the week she is testing, as we are unable to give make-up tests. In addition, it is important that your daughter arrive on time those mornings. Girls arriving after a test has begun will be unable to take that particular test. -
4th Grade Pajama/Movie Day (Benefit purchase)
Read MoreFourth graders will enjoy a pajama/movie day on Friday, April 20. They may wear pajamas (and their saddle oxfords) to school and bring a stuffed animal if they’d like to. In the afternoon during their study hall and P.E. periods, they will enjoy a movie in Hoffman Commons. -
A Note from Randal Rhodus
Read MoreDear Lower School Parents,I hope you are all still feeling rested after Spring Break. Your daughters are excited to be back at school and are looking forward to all of the events of the spring - 4th grade STEAM Day and Adventure Day, the 2nd grade business field trip, the 1st grade Temples and Tombs musical, and the PreK Circus - just to name a few.On Tuesday, all Lower School girls attended one of our most favorite Lower School gatherings of the year- the visit from Animal Edutainment. Animal Edutainment is a wildlife education outreach organization that helps children develop an understanding and respect for wildlife and the world around them.During our gathering, students were visited by the following animals native to Texas; a prairie dog, a ferret, a grey-banded king snake, a turkey vulture, a great horned owl, and an opossum.Rye – the prairie dogSlinky – the ferretLuna – the great horned owlIzod – the American alligatorUncle Fester – the turkey vultureOdin – the speckled king snakeAsk your daughters about these animals. I am sure they can still tell you about them!Sincerely,Randal Rhodus -
3rd Grade Free Dress Day
Read MoreBecause there will be an all-school free dress day this Friday, March 23, the 3rd grade free dress day for collecting 1,000 Box Tops for Education will be rescheduled for Friday, April 6. -
Spring Fling 2018
Registration for Spring Fling 2018, offered by Hockaday’s Auxiliary Programs, is now open. Classes are led and taught by Summer at Hockaday teaching staff and are offered to girls and boys, grades K to 6. Classes began Saturday, February 3 and continue through Saturday, May 12. We’d love to have your child spend a Saturday morning with us! Register HereRead More -
Summer at Hockaday Program Highlights
Read MoreSummer at Hockaday Program Highlight:Creative Arts & SCIENCE Camp is the perfect mix of summer camp, fine arts, and science! Girls and boys experience art, music, creative movement, dramatic play, and science with a balance of creative play, group games, special visitors, water play, and more. Each two-week session is themed and provides a quality experience of fun activities, camp friendships, and new experiences. Register for all three sessions to ensure a fun and creative summer! Lunch is included in the camp tuition. Before Care and After Care are available for an additional fee. This year’s themes: PREHISTORIC ROCK!, ROAD TRIP ACROSS AMERICA & SCIENCE QUEST.
For more program information, visit www.hockaday.org/summer.For more information, visit www.hockaday.org/summeror download the At-A-Glance Schedule for Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, First and Second Grade, and 3rd and 4th Grade -
Notification Reminder
For carpool changes, absences, late arrivals, or early departures, please email LSoffice@hockaday.org.Read More -
A Note from Randal Rhodus
Read MoreDear Lower School Parents,We are looking forward to seeing you on March 8 and 9 for parent teacher conferences. March conferences are a great time to discuss your daughter’s growth over the school year, goals for the rest of the school year, and plans for the upcoming summer.I also realize that it is not uncommon to look ahead and wonder with apprehension about class placement for your child next year. You are welcome to share your thoughts on your child’s peer relationships so that as we put together the groups for next year we can take your observations into account. While parents know their child at home well, the teacher knows the child at school well. As teachers release them to the next grade level, they work hard to place them in an environment in which they will succeed. The teachers know their students academically and socially, they know and have observed the teachers they are handing the students off to, and they know the way each classroom operates.There are many factors to consider in putting together a balanced classroom: learning styles, peer relationships, and all kinds of diversity. I will be with each grade level as they put together their class lists, monitoring each class for the balance described above. The teachers have great affection for their current students, and they want to place every child in a setting where she can continue to be challenged, to grow, and to succeed.In discussing next year during conferences, please do not request specific teachers, as this puts your child’s current teacher in a difficult situation. I have also asked faculty to disregard requests for specific teachers.Thank you for continuing to trust our system of careful and thoughtful class placement.Sincerely,Randal Rhodus -
Parent Drop-in Day for Parents of 1st – 4th Graders
Read MoreParents of 1st – 4th graders are invited to visit Lower School classes on Friday, March 2 either from 8:00 – 11:00 a.m. OR from 12:15 until school dismissal. Please note: this is a parents-only event – no children, please.Between the morning and afternoon observation times, our Lower School Parent Education Program will be presented from 11:15 – 12:15 in Hicks Meeting Room (Liza Lee Academic Research Center). Dr. Lucy Smith, a local psychologist specializing in the treatment of eating and weight- related disorders, will be presenting “Building a Healthy Relationship with Food and Your Body” on Friday, March 2 from 11:15 am – 12:15 pm in Hicks Meeting Room. Dr. Smith will highlight many of the cultural, environmental, psychological, and emotional connections with eating and body image, as well as share specific tools and skills for developing a balanced relationship with food and your body. Parents attending the morning session of our drop-in day are encouraged to stay for the program, and parents attending the afternoon observation time may come early to attend the program. -
PK Parent Meeting
Read MoreOn Wednesday, February 28 from 8:30 – 9:30 a.m., all PK parents are strongly encouraged to attend an informational meeting regarding the kindergarten and primer placement process. Parents will have the opportunity to hear from Mrs. Rhodus, Mrs. Dees, Mrs. Secules, and Mrs. Smaw and ask questions regarding the decision-making process. We look forward to seeing you in Hoffman Commons next Wednesday following Rotunda Rocks! -
Spring Parent Conferences
Read MoreThe online conference sign-up site is open, and parents may sign up for the spring parent/teacher conferences that take place on Thursday and Friday, March 8 and 9. These are the only two available days for conferences. Teachers are not allowed to reschedule conferences for other days.The site will close on March 7 at 9:00 a.m., and conferences may be scheduled or changed until that time. During your conference, supervision of Lower School Hockadaisies (no siblings) will be provided in the upper level computer lab. -
4th Annual Hockaday Charity String Festival
Read MoreCome play with us at the 4th Annual Hockaday Charity String Festival on Saturday, February 24, 2018 at 10:30 am in The Nancy A. Nasher and David J. Haemisegger Family Theater. All ages are invited to play their stringed instruments in a fun, casual setting and 100% of the proceeds go to children's charities. Festival registration forms and repertoire lists are available here. Please contact Sunny D'Apice, Hockaday Lower School Orchestra Director for more information and music for the Festival. -
A Message from Randal Rhodus
Read MoreDear Lower School Parents,The busy and fun month of February is here!- We started off the week with a mindfulness gathering about the positive effects that participating in more acts of kindness and expressing gratitude can have on our brains and nervous system. We also learned about the difference between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system. Ask your daughters to tell you about this!
- Kindergarten and Primer students will celebrate their 100th day of school tomorrow, Friday, February 9, with fun 100th day activities and a visit from Zero the Hero. PK students will also celebrate their 100th day of school on Monday, February 12 with special guest readers visiting their classroom.
- On Tuesday, February 13, all three divisions will gather in Penson Gym for our 3rd all-school spirit rally of the year.
- On Wednesday, February 14, the girls will celebrate Valentine’s Day with a valentines exchange and classroom parties. Thank you to the parents who have planned these fun parties for the girls.
As you can see, we will be celebrating a lot this week! Before you depart for Winter Break next week, I want to remind you about the importance for our girls and your family to have moments to pause and reflect. Many of our families and our students have very busy schedules, a cause for concern because human beings need downtime to recharge. When we take time to pause, we are better at school, our work, and at home. Over the Winter Break, I encourage you to sleep, have fun, laugh, and hide technology away for part of if not all of a day! The behaviors and routines that parents model at home can greatly improve the lives of their daughters as they grow into successful and healthy young women.Sincerely,Randal Rhodus -
Habitat for Humanity Service Opportunity
Read MoreHockaday Upper School students are building their 11th house this year in partnership with Habitat for Humanity. Our Lower School families are able to help support the building of the house by delivering the snacks to the build site. If your family volunteers, you will pick up the snacks at the Hockaday dining hall between 8:30-9:00 and deliver to the build site in West Dallas. When you arrive, Ms. Day, our Director of Service Learning, will give you a tour and happily receive the snacks for the high school students. The final available date is Saturday, February 17. If your family would like to volunteer, please email Wendy Branson. -
Olympic Themed All-School Spirit Rally
Read MoreOn Tuesday, February 13, Hockaday will enjoy an Olympics-themed all-school spirit rally.To celebrate, Lower School girls may wear red, white, and/or blue hair accessories with their uniforms. -
Valentine's Day Classroom Parties: Wednesday, February 14
Read MoreFor all of you new to Hockaday and as a gentle reminder to those of you who may have forgotten, we ask that Valentine’s Day cards be simple, whether purchased or made at home. We request that there be NO candy, lollipops, toys, favors, etc. attached.Note: If your daughter brings valentines for her classmates, we request that she include everyone in her homeroom. In addition, if she wishes to bring valentines for girls in other homerooms, please have her bring them for every girl in that homeroom. -
A Note from Randal Rhodus
Read MoreDear Lower School Parents,Thank you for joining us on campus this week for our Daisy Breakfasts. I would like to send my deepest appreciation to Laurie Sudbury and all of the parent volunteers who oversaw these two events. It was so nice to have a community-building event in the month of January, and I know everyone enjoyed the meal prepared by Sage Dining Services. I think the hot chocolate and cinnamon roll toppings were the favorite destinations of our girls. -
Spring Sports Survey Deadline is Tomorrow!
Read MoreSurveys were emailed to all parents last week. Please remember to respond to the survey questionnaire to indicate whether your daughter would like to participate in spring sports. Please respond by the end of the day tomorrow, January 26.Questions? Contact your Extracurricular Athletics Liaison, PK-1st Grade, Chaitan Fahnestock or 2nd – 4th Grades, Tricia Davidson. -
A Message from Randal Rhodus
Read MoreDear Lower School Parents,Happy New Year, and welcome back to school! I hope you all had fun and restful holiday vacations and are starting to get back into the routines of school.As my usual January reminder, I want to I encourage your daughter to dress in clothing that is appropriate for the weather that day. On really cold days, please have your daughter wear a coat to school. Even though girls do not play outside in very cold temperatures, students still have to walk outside to get to P.E. and lunch. Green pants are a great option to wear on these cold days, and green or white tights or leggings (not black) can be worn on any day including Day 1 when the girls are asked to wear their dress uniform. I am aware that the handbook says that tights should not be worn on dress uniform days, but on cold days, they are certainly allowed and encouraged to wear tights and leggings.On Tuesday, January 23 and Thursday, January 25, we will host our PK-1st Grade Daisy Breakfast and our 2nd-4th Grade Daisy Breakfast. These will be wonderful opportunities to enjoy the company of your daughter and other parents in the community, taste the delicious breakfast created by Sage Dining Services, and be greeted by Dr. Karen Warren Coleman. More detailed information about these breakfasts is included in the Lower School section of DaisyNews.I look forward to seeing you in the coming weeks!Sincerely,Randal -
Don't Miss the Lower School Daisy Breakfast
Read MorePre-K – First Grade: January 23, 2018, 7:00-8:00 am, Biggs Dining HallSecond – Fourth Grades: January 25, 2018, 7:00-8:00 am, Biggs Dining HallPlease have one parent, relative or special friend join your Lower School Daisy for a special Daisy Breakfast at Biggs Dining Hall. Childcare for Hockaday siblings only will be available in the Lower School Rotunda from 7:00-7:50 am.If you have Daises in different age groups, you have two options. You may attend both breakfasts with your Daisy accompanied by one parent or special friend. Or, you may attend one breakfast that is the date of your choosing and have a parent or special friend accompany both daughters. Please contact Laurie Sudbury with any questions.
The Hockaday School
Within the private school community, The Hockaday School is an independent college-preparatory day school for girls from grades PK–12 located in Dallas, Texas. Students realize their limitless potential through challenging academic curricula, arts, athletics, and extracurricular programs so that they are inspired to lead lives of purpose and impact.
The Hockaday School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, creed, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or any other status protected by applicable law in the administration of its educational, admissions, financial aid, athletic, and other policies and programs.
The Hockaday School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, creed, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or any other status protected by applicable law in the administration of its educational, admissions, financial aid, athletic, and other policies and programs.