May & Summer 2026

NEXT PTO MEETING: Tuesday, May 12th at 6:30pm.

IN PERSON @ VHE in the library or virtual via Zoom Link Here

This is our final and long Year-End Newsletter! Make sure to expand your email to view the whole message. You'll see a singing hedgehog at the end!

www.VanHisePTO.org

May & Summer Newsletter Items Include:

Announcements

NO SCHOOL DATES: 5/8 and 5/25
Month of May: Rooted Garden Class Helpers Sign Up Here
MMSD Climate Survey

Key Dates & Events

5/7: VHE Hedgehog Spirit Yard Signs & Car Magnets Deadline Shop Here
5/7: Deadline to Order Forward Madison FC Game Tickets Order Here
5/9: Incoming 5k Playdate and Informational Meeting
5/12: PTO Meeting Tuesday 6:30 PM at VHE Library or via Zoo Link Here
5/15: Deadline to Order Madison Mallard’s Tickets (extended)
5/16: VHE FC Madison Soccer Game 5 PM
5/21: Hedgestock 2:30-6:00 PM (Rain Date 5/28) & Volunteer Sign Up
5/21: Noodles & Co. FUNdraising in Person and Online [Code - Giving20]
5/21: FreshFin Hilldale Restaurant in Person and online [Code - VHE]
5/27: 5th Grade Discovery World Field Trip
6/3: 1st Grade Vilas Zoo Field Trip
6/5: VHE Field Day Volunteer Needed, Sign Up Coming Soon
6/7: Summer Garden Volunteering Opportunities
6/8: Kindergarten Graduation 12:30 PM by Waukesha St. Stairs, don't forget to bring a blanket/chair
6/9: All Students Receive a Free Yearbook from the PTO
6/10: Last Day of School, including Kindergarten Field Trip- Vilas Zoo, 2nd Grade Field Trip Rennebohm Park, and 5th Grade Graduation & Clap In
6/28: Madison Mallards game 4:05 PM
7/1: 1st Day School Supply Orders Due, Link Coming Soon

Updates

Teacher Appreciation Thank You
Mr. Lynch's Art Room

ANNOUNCEMENTS

NO SCHOOL ON 5/8 and 5/25

Rooted Garden Class Helpers Wanted

The student-favorite Rooted program is back! This is a PTO funded, hands-on agriculture education to ALL VHE students. Our kids are so excited to spend more time outdoors, and we need your help to make it happen.

MMSD Climate Survey

Thank you to everyone who met with Dr. Keona Jones last month to share your perspectives on our school culture. To continue this momentum, we encourage all families to provide further feedback to the district by completing the Survey.

Survey Here

Events

Turn Your School Spirit Into a 5th Grade Reward Trip!
We're selling yard signs ($25) & car magnets ($8) featuring our beloved hedgehog mascot, including 5th grade graduation and school pride signs.

VHE Night at Forward Madison FC Soccer

When: Saturday, May 16. Gates open at 4:00 PM, game begins 5:00 PM

Where: Breese Stevens Field

Join us for a night of soccer!

RSVP by May 7th
Students: Every VHE student gets one FREE ticket.
Adults: $20 per ticket ($5 goes back to the PTO!).
How to Buy: Click the link below to purchase ticket and use code Vanhise.
Note: Families with multiple VHE students must call 608-204-0855 to claim all free student tickets.

Purchase Tickets Here

May PTO Meeting

Our final PTO meeting is on May 12th! All are welcome. We will be meeting in the VHE Library at 6:30 PM. Childcare is available during the meeting.

May Meeting Agenda
2026-2027 board nominations

After school update

Rooted program funding vote

Budget planning 2026-2027
Allocations and instructional minutes

We invite all to join us in person or virtually over Zoom*

*Note: If prompted for a password when using Zoom, use: hedgie25

PTO New Board Election during May PTO Meeting
We are looking for new voices to join the PTO board for the upcoming 2026-2027 school year. Whether you have one hour a month or more, there is a place for you here! Reach out to prez@vanhisepto.org with any questions.

Role	Key Responsibilities	Est. Effort
Secretary	Attend PTO meetings, record and share meeting minutes, and manage the PTO calendar.	~3 hrs/month
Fundraising Chair	Manage continuing fundraisers (e.g., Bucky Books, Minted and Box Tops, and Restaurant Nights)	~2 hrs/month
Volunteer Coordinator	Manage VHE PTO sign-ups and communicate with our great volunteers.	~1 hrs/month
Co-Glow Dance Lead	Plan the winter dance and emcee the event (in Jan/Feb)!	~2 hrs before and ~3 hrs during the event
At-Large Member	Join the conversation and vote without a specific chair role.	Flexible

Hedgestock is back! | May 21st, 2026 (Rain Date: 5/28/26)

Hedgestock is our all-school arts event that happens each year in May!

Things to know:

Approved Level 1 & 2 Volunteers are needed. Sign Up Here
This is an outdoor event. Dress accordingly. Rain Date is 5/28/26
There will be an all school concert - 2:30-3:00 PM outside
Starting at 4 PM other events will include a talent show, 5th grade maker market, book making, bubble zone, ice cream (5-6 PM), and more!

Hedgestock Line Up & Details Here

Kindergarten Graduation

It’s time to celebrate our youngest learners! Please join the Kindergarten team for graduation:

When: Monday, June 8th @ 12:30 PM
Where: Outside by the Waukesha Street stairs (Rain Location: VHE Gym)
Note: Families, please bring blankets or lawn chairs for seating.

Updates

A Week of Appreciation!

What a spectacular Teacher Appreciation Week! It was such a joy to shower them with the "sweet and salty" treats they deserve. From the Apple Nacho Bar to the much-needed Bodywork Therapy sessions, the smiles in the staff lounge said it all.

A Huge Thank You To:

Colleen Ott & Maggie Brickerman for their incredible leadership in organizing and decorating such a thoughtful week.
Lisa Tennant (ReLeaf Bodywork) for providing restorative relaxation for our hardworking team.
Our Amazing Families: Thank you to everyone who contributed!

Art Room Update: A New Look for VHE!

It’s been a fantastic year in the art room, and we are capping it off with something big! On May 6th, local artist Emily Balsley visited to kick off a brand-new hallway mural themed, “At Van Hise, we all belong.” Students are currently sketching ideas to inspire the design, which Emily will paint throughout May for a grand unveiling in June.

Don’t miss Hedgestock! Join us May 21st for our celebration of creativity: