Dear HES Families,

I hope you and your family have had a wonderful summer filled with time to relax, recharge, and make lasting memories together. As we begin to turn our attention to a new school year, it is my pleasure to welcome you to another #HAWKSOME year at Hoover Elementary School!

While our hallways have been quiet over the summer, there has been plenty of activity behind the scenes as we prepare for another exceptional year of learning. Our heartfelt thanks go to Mr. Nick and our outstanding custodial team for ensuring our building and grounds are ready to welcome students back. We are equally grateful to Mrs. Tygart for the countless details she manages to help the school year begin seamlessly.

At Hoover, we believe that every child deserves to feel welcomed, valued, and inspired each day they walk through our doors. Together, we will continue to foster a school community where students are encouraged to be respectful, safe, and prepared while embracing new challenges, building meaningful relationships, and discovering the joy of learning. We know that the strongest schools are built on strong partnerships, and we are grateful for the trust you place in us as we work together to help every child learn, grow, and thrive.

The beginning of a new school year is always filled with excitement and possibility. Whether your child is joining the Hoover family for the first time or returning for another year, we look forward to creating memorable experiences, celebrating achievements, and supporting each student's unique journey.

Please take a few moments to review the important information included in today's newsletter as you prepare for the first day of school. We are excited to welcome our students back and look forward to making the 2026–2027 school year one filled with learning, growth, connection, and countless #HAWKSOME moments.

Enjoy these final days of summer. We can't wait to see you soon!

Take good care,

Nicci Giehll, Ed.D.

Principal

Key Dates

• August 13
• New Family Orientation: 5:30 p.m. (Door D-11)
• Meet & Greet: 6:00 p.m. Sensory Friendly/New Families Only; 6:30-8:00 p.m. All Families
• August 14
• HES Kindergarten Popsicles on the Playground: 11:00AM-12:00PM
• August 18
• First Day of School (Grades 1-12) 
• August 18-19
• Kindergarten Interviews (appt times will be provided)
• August 20
• First Day of School for Kindergarten 
• HES PTA Kindergarten Coffee & Kleenex: 8:35AM & 12:45PM
• September 10
• HES Picture Day
• September 15
• HES PTA Meeting: 6:00PM (HES Library)
• September 25
• HES Fall Family Night: 6:00-8:00PM (HES Blacktop)

A New Process To Access Your Student’s Schedule For the 2026-2027 School Year

• This year, student homeroom and schedules will not be emailed.
• Schedules will be available only through the PowerSchool Portal beginning Monday, July 27.
• You must complete the annual Handbook & Technology Signoff Form before your student's schedule can be viewed on July 27. Student schedules will not be released until sign-off is complete. 
• Students in Grades K-3: The parent/guardian must complete the Handbook & Technology Signoff Form in PowerSchool Portal.
• Students in Grades 4-12:
• First: Your student must complete the Handbook & Technology Signoff Form
• Next: The parent/guardian must also complete the Handbook & Technology Signoff Form.

New Faces and Changes at Hoover

One of the many things that makes Hoover such a special place is our incredible staff. This year, we are excited to welcome several new members to our school community. Please join us in giving them a warm Hoover welcome!

Welcome to Hoover!

• Ms. Eleni McGrath – Grade 2 Teacher
• Mr. Collin McCormick – Vocal Music Teacher (Grades 2–4)
• Ms. Katherine Luniewski – Certified School Nurse

We have also made a few adjustments to our grade-level and support teams for the 2026–2027 school year.

Grade Level Teams:

• Kindergarten: Ms. DiCesare
• Grade 1: Mrs. Calkins & Mrs. Nelson
• Grade 2: Ms. McGrath & Mrs. Richards
• Grade 3: Mr. Hansberry & Ms. Lamb
• Grade 4: Ms. Kovski & Mrs. Zerega
• Grade 5: Mr. Mangan, Mrs. Pitzer & Mrs. Smargiasso

Student Support Team:

• Instructional Support Teacher (IST): Ms. Lear
• Reading Support: Mrs. Gianoutsos
• Learning Support: Mrs. Cornell
• School Counselor: Mrs. Gamble
• Certified School Nurse: Ms. Luniewski

The HES Team is committed to helping every student learn, grow, and feel a true sense of belonging. We are so excited to welcome our students and families back for another #HAWKSOME year at Hoover Elementary!

The Hoover Elementary School Day

As we get ready for a great year, we know families have plenty of questions about what the school day looks like, from arrival and dismissal times to lunch, recess, and everything in between. To help you and your child feel prepared, we've gathered it all in one place. 

Attendance: Starting this school year, the Mt. Lebanon School District will use a single attendance process for all students, kindergarten through grade 12. All attendance will be managed in the PowerSchool Portal accessed through LeboID. 

Visit our School Day page for start and end times, drop-off and pick-up details, and other helpful information for a smooth start to the year.

Getting Ready For The First Day 

There are a few key resources we'd love for every family to review before the first day. Please take a few minutes to look through the items below. 

• Supply List — What to pick up and pack for the first day.
• Elementary Student Handbook — Your go-to guide for daily routines, policies, and school procedures.
• Health Services — Important information on medications, forms, and how to reach your school nurse. If your child has any health needs or requires medication at school, please review this early so we can be ready to support them.
• Lunch Menu & Account Info — View menus and set up or add to your child's PaySchools Central account.
• Devices & Technology Policies — A reminder about your child's district-issued device and the acceptable use guidelines that go with it.

Stay Connected

Schoology & PowerSchool Portal (Dashboard)

• Schoology (our Learning Management System) and PowerSchool Portal (your parent/guardian portal to the PowerSchool Dashboard) are two of the main tools you'll use to stay connected to your child's learning throughout the year. 
• Please take a moment to confirm your contact information and your child(ren)'s medical information, and be sure to list yourself as the first Emergency Contact. If any of your information changes during the year, just let the office know so we can keep our records current.

You can find everything you need to get started with both tools, including how-to guides and Schoology support, on our Families page.

Weekly Newsletters

• During the school year, the District newsletter will arrive in your inbox every Sunday at 2:00 p.m., complete with links to each school's newsletter. The first edition will be delivered on Sunday, August 16.

Get Involved 

In Mt. Lebanon, the dedication of our PTA helps to create experiences that make our schools exceptional places to learn and grow. Our PTAs coordinate volunteers, support teacher appreciation efforts, and strengthen communication between home and school. Learn more about PTA events, programs, and ways to get involved. Visit the Hoover Elementary PTA website to learn more.

Questions?

We can't wait to see our students and welcome you all to a wonderful new school year! If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us.