A Note From Our President:
August 1st, 2021
Hello all,
I write with hope in my heart that our families will be able to come together and truly enjoy this school year and all of the beautiful chaos that it entails - open houses, after school activities, holiday parades and parties, in-person parent-teacher conferences and more.
I’m thrilled to report that we have 24 parents who have graciously volunteered their time to be on our Board and will be working together to plan a variety of events for you, our members, and the local community in the year ahead. You will get to know them more in the coming weeks as they share introductions here. The Membership Picnic, a family-friendly community service opportunity, and park meet up plus ice cream truck are happening this month!
This is my fourth year on the HPP Board and first year as President. I’m a former children’s librarian, turned mama of two, that has the privilege and responsibility of staying home full-time to raise my children. I have a deep love of learning and believe storytelling is the basis of our education and one of the best things that makes us uniquely human. I enjoy nothing more than sitting down with, and then sharing, a great book, except maybe hosting a cookout for close friends. I’ve included a round-up of links to articles I’ve been reading and thinking about lately here:
I look forward to hopefully seeing and meeting you out around town at our events this year and thank you for being a member of our group.
- Amy Andrews, HPP President
president@hudsonpreschoolparents.org
Hello all,
I write with hope in my heart that our families will be able to come together and truly enjoy this school year and all of the beautiful chaos that it entails - open houses, after school activities, holiday parades and parties, in-person parent-teacher conferences and more.
I’m thrilled to report that we have 24 parents who have graciously volunteered their time to be on our Board and will be working together to plan a variety of events for you, our members, and the local community in the year ahead. You will get to know them more in the coming weeks as they share introductions here. The Membership Picnic, a family-friendly community service opportunity, and park meet up plus ice cream truck are happening this month!
This is my fourth year on the HPP Board and first year as President. I’m a former children’s librarian, turned mama of two, that has the privilege and responsibility of staying home full-time to raise my children. I have a deep love of learning and believe storytelling is the basis of our education and one of the best things that makes us uniquely human. I enjoy nothing more than sitting down with, and then sharing, a great book, except maybe hosting a cookout for close friends. I’ve included a round-up of links to articles I’ve been reading and thinking about lately here:
- How to Help Kids Build Creativity, Both On & Offline (MOTHER)
- I'm a Pandemic Dad Who's Been Covering COVID-19. I Don't Know How to Think About the Risk Anymore (TIME)
- The Professional Women Who Are Leaning Out (The Atlantic)
- Want to Raise Successful Kids? Science Says These 5 Habits Matter Most (Inc.)
I look forward to hopefully seeing and meeting you out around town at our events this year and thank you for being a member of our group.
- Amy Andrews, HPP President
president@hudsonpreschoolparents.org
April 1st, 2021
Happy spring, everyone! As I write this note, nature is playing a cruel April Fool's Day joke on us by welcoming the month with some, (cough cough), SNOW. Typical Ohio! Despite the frigid weather, I'm feeling hopeful about a new season and know sunny, warm days will be upon us soon.
As you all are aware, we've had to cancel our annual Children's Fair once again due to current pandemic restrictions. However, I'm thrilled to share details in this newsletter about our Week of the Young Child events, beginning on Monday, April 12! I'm very grateful to the team of women who spent time putting together activities and events for you and your families to enjoy. Be sure to take note of the registration dates for these events below!
I also would like to encourage all of you to vote yes on Issue 1 on May 4 to renew the levy for the Hudson Library & Historical Society. Our library is a fantastic partner with HPP and with many of your families. I'll always treasure the memories we've made at the library over the years - and I look forward to making many more! For more information, visit the library levy web site at StrongHudsonLibrary.org.
Stay healthy, friends! Hope to see you all again very soon.
- Kristin Haid, HPP President
president@hudsonpreschoolparents.org
Happy spring, everyone! As I write this note, nature is playing a cruel April Fool's Day joke on us by welcoming the month with some, (cough cough), SNOW. Typical Ohio! Despite the frigid weather, I'm feeling hopeful about a new season and know sunny, warm days will be upon us soon.
As you all are aware, we've had to cancel our annual Children's Fair once again due to current pandemic restrictions. However, I'm thrilled to share details in this newsletter about our Week of the Young Child events, beginning on Monday, April 12! I'm very grateful to the team of women who spent time putting together activities and events for you and your families to enjoy. Be sure to take note of the registration dates for these events below!
I also would like to encourage all of you to vote yes on Issue 1 on May 4 to renew the levy for the Hudson Library & Historical Society. Our library is a fantastic partner with HPP and with many of your families. I'll always treasure the memories we've made at the library over the years - and I look forward to making many more! For more information, visit the library levy web site at StrongHudsonLibrary.org.
Stay healthy, friends! Hope to see you all again very soon.
- Kristin Haid, HPP President
president@hudsonpreschoolparents.org
February 1st, 2021
Happy February, HPP members! I can’t believe we are already one month into 2021. It’s been an eventful month news-wise and I hope everyone is healthy and safe. I’m trying to “lean in” to still being home-bound, for the most part. I’ve read lots of books and magazines, cleaned out closets and played a lot of Trivial Pursuit. But, like all of you, I’m sure, I’m incredibly antsy for a time when we aren’t stuck in the house due to COVID-19.
I’m still not sure when we can resume planning events and activities for all of you and your families. A lot will depend on the vaccine roll-out as well as our ability to get back to outdoor activities (in northeast Ohio, that is always unpredictable). At this point, I’m fairly certain that our annual Week of the Young Child and Children’s Fair will be postponed. Hopefully, we can plan to host these popular events sometime later in the year rather than canceling them altogether.
In the meantime, I hope you are practicing self-care and giving yourself grace for raising young children in a pandemic. It’s not easy! We are certainly clocking a lot of screen time hours in our house. I don’t like it, but it is what it is, and I know when all of this is behind us we will be back to fun activities with family and friends. We will be in touch soon!
Counting the days until spring,
Kristin
- Kristin Haid, HPP President
president@hudsonpreschoolparents.org
Happy February, HPP members! I can’t believe we are already one month into 2021. It’s been an eventful month news-wise and I hope everyone is healthy and safe. I’m trying to “lean in” to still being home-bound, for the most part. I’ve read lots of books and magazines, cleaned out closets and played a lot of Trivial Pursuit. But, like all of you, I’m sure, I’m incredibly antsy for a time when we aren’t stuck in the house due to COVID-19.
I’m still not sure when we can resume planning events and activities for all of you and your families. A lot will depend on the vaccine roll-out as well as our ability to get back to outdoor activities (in northeast Ohio, that is always unpredictable). At this point, I’m fairly certain that our annual Week of the Young Child and Children’s Fair will be postponed. Hopefully, we can plan to host these popular events sometime later in the year rather than canceling them altogether.
In the meantime, I hope you are practicing self-care and giving yourself grace for raising young children in a pandemic. It’s not easy! We are certainly clocking a lot of screen time hours in our house. I don’t like it, but it is what it is, and I know when all of this is behind us we will be back to fun activities with family and friends. We will be in touch soon!
Counting the days until spring,
Kristin
- Kristin Haid, HPP President
president@hudsonpreschoolparents.org
|
January, 2021
Thank you to everyone who participated in our community service event! A total of 216 bedtime bags were donated to children in need in Summit County this holiday season. Special thanks to Erin Swain, pictured with a portion of the bags, who coordinated the project. |
December 1st, 2020
Happy holidays, HPP members! Congratulations: we all made it to December. This year has been unlike any other that most of us and our families have ever experienced. Unexpected pressures have been placed on us and our children in a myriad of ways, and yet, we’ve persevered.
I’m so proud to be a part of an organization that celebrates families and provides support for children in their formative years. Being president of this group has been one of the true honors of my life. I’m sad that I haven’t been able to see so many of you in months. As you know, our normal playgroups and events have been put on hold until we can feel confident that they are safe for all of you.
In the meantime, it has been encouraging to see our community come together in tough times in the past few months. Lots of time at home has given me a new perspective on what we have and what we can do without. The resilience and flexibility of our children has been truly inspiring.
Some day we will come out of this period and have a renewed spirit for gatherings with our friends and family. I know the holidays won’t look the same this year, but no matter how you celebrate, I wish you health and happiness now and into 2021.
Looking forward to the day when we can all be back together! Enjoy the holiday season.
- Kristin Haid, HPP President
president@hudsonpreschoolparents.org
November 1st, 2020
Happy November, HPP members! The leaves have fallen and we continue to brave the new reality of our world. At the time I’m writing this, we are still “all-in” or virtual at school. It feels like things can change any day or any minute in these times. It’s a lot to shoulder when we already have a lot to worry about as preschool parents!
I’m disappointed that we probably won’t be celebrating Thanksgiving the “normal” way this year. Most likely, it will only be me, my husband and children on that day to be as careful as possible and protect our aging parents. How do you plan to celebrate the holiday? Although it’s different, I am looking forward to still making fun memories with our immediate family. Spending time together, eating good food, watching football: those traditions won’t change!
Another tradition this month: our annual Chipotle fundraiser to benefit the Integrated Preschool Program at Evamere Elementary. Mark your calendars for no-cook night on November 17 from 4-8 p.m. Use the code VRXR2MF when ordering in-store (or online for pick-up) and Chipotle will donate 33% of your order!
Read on for more details about upcoming events and programs… as I said last month, we can’t do all we normally do, but we’re trying to still provide options and ideas for your little ones! Take care, stay healthy and enjoy the harvest season with your family!
- Kristin Haid, HPP President
president@hudsonpreschoolparents.org
October 1st, 2020
Hello to all of our HPP members! I hope the first few weeks of school have been treating you well and that you and your family are staying happy and healthy. In these unprecedented times, the kick-off of our 2020-21 HPP board year has felt, like most everything else, a lot different. Our defining factor is connection – connecting parents and children with other families with the area and providing resources for an active, engaged childhood. But we are still so limited with how we can meet up with others and establish those connections.
We’ve talked a lot over the past several weeks about how we can still be of service to all of you and maintain the organization you’ve come to depend on for information and events. While we can’t do everything that we would do normally, we CAN still be a resource for you as to what is out there for your kiddos to enjoy. We also can still plan small, informal meet-ups where you’ll have the opportunity to meet other parents and children – within social distancing guidelines, of course. Even as I write this note, we are brainstorming new and creative ways to benefit our members and ensure the spirit of HPP continues in earnest.
It’s membership drive time again. This year we’ve discounted our rate to $20 in 2020… because we know we can’t provide everything we would in a “normal” year. The money you pay for membership dues guarantees your access to all of our programs and information for the next year. In addition, we give back much of the money we receive to local charities and programs, including the Ronald McDonald House of Akron and the Hudson Library & Historical Society. Your support of us means we can support you and other children and families in our area.
I hope that we can all spend time together again soon but until that point, know that we are working hard on keeping HPP alive and well! We would love to get your feedback on how we can best serve you during this unique time. Feel free to reach out to me or anyone else on the board with your comments and suggestions.
- Kristin Haid, HPP President
president@hudsonpreschoolparents.org
Hello to all of our HPP members! I hope the first few weeks of school have been treating you well and that you and your family are staying happy and healthy. In these unprecedented times, the kick-off of our 2020-21 HPP board year has felt, like most everything else, a lot different. Our defining factor is connection – connecting parents and children with other families with the area and providing resources for an active, engaged childhood. But we are still so limited with how we can meet up with others and establish those connections.
We’ve talked a lot over the past several weeks about how we can still be of service to all of you and maintain the organization you’ve come to depend on for information and events. While we can’t do everything that we would do normally, we CAN still be a resource for you as to what is out there for your kiddos to enjoy. We also can still plan small, informal meet-ups where you’ll have the opportunity to meet other parents and children – within social distancing guidelines, of course. Even as I write this note, we are brainstorming new and creative ways to benefit our members and ensure the spirit of HPP continues in earnest.
It’s membership drive time again. This year we’ve discounted our rate to $20 in 2020… because we know we can’t provide everything we would in a “normal” year. The money you pay for membership dues guarantees your access to all of our programs and information for the next year. In addition, we give back much of the money we receive to local charities and programs, including the Ronald McDonald House of Akron and the Hudson Library & Historical Society. Your support of us means we can support you and other children and families in our area.
I hope that we can all spend time together again soon but until that point, know that we are working hard on keeping HPP alive and well! We would love to get your feedback on how we can best serve you during this unique time. Feel free to reach out to me or anyone else on the board with your comments and suggestions.
- Kristin Haid, HPP President
president@hudsonpreschoolparents.org
NEW LEARNING PORTAL
Ohio’s parents and educators have a new resource to help learners ages 3-5 prepare for school and their futures. The easy-to-navigate INFOhio Early Learning Portal contains more than 50 websites and apps chosen and evaluated by educators and librarians with expertise in early learning and literacy.
The INFOhio Early Learning Portal helps preschool children:
- Learn letters, numbers and basic knowledge;
- Interact with other children and adults;
- Engage in meaningful play; and
- Develop focus and problem-solving skills.
The INFOhio Early Learning Portal is a partnership of INFOhio, the Ohio Department of Education, Ohio Department of Job and Family Services and the Office of Gov. John Kasich. Nearly all resources in the portal are free, with a few available for a minimal fee.
Ohio’s parents and educators have a new resource to help learners ages 3-5 prepare for school and their futures. The easy-to-navigate INFOhio Early Learning Portal contains more than 50 websites and apps chosen and evaluated by educators and librarians with expertise in early learning and literacy.
The INFOhio Early Learning Portal helps preschool children:
- Learn letters, numbers and basic knowledge;
- Interact with other children and adults;
- Engage in meaningful play; and
- Develop focus and problem-solving skills.
The INFOhio Early Learning Portal is a partnership of INFOhio, the Ohio Department of Education, Ohio Department of Job and Family Services and the Office of Gov. John Kasich. Nearly all resources in the portal are free, with a few available for a minimal fee.