Dear Hershey Panther Families and Friends,
Click the link to access the: 📬 The Panther Pulse- Elementary Newsletter: August 2026 Edition
📬 What’s Inside This Month’s Newsletter:
📅 Important Dates
First day of school, Open House, holidays, picture day, and upcoming events.
🏫 Panther Morning Welcome (Open House)
Event schedule, classroom visits, parking, supply drop-off, transportation, and community organizations.
🎒 Back-to-School Information
Teacher assignments, school supplies, registration, and PowerSchool updates.
📱 Stay Connected
Apptegy/Thrillshare, PowerSchool, the HPS App, social media, and school communications.
🍎 Student Services
Breakfast & lunch, transportation, health requirements, medications, and school nurse information.
💙 Family Success Tips
Helpful ideas for creating strong routines and preparing your child for a successful year.
🛡️ Safety & Procedures
Arrival, dismissal, visitors, student pick-up, and school safety reminders.
✅ Back-to-School Checklist
A simple checklist to ensure your family is ready for the first day.
Welcome back, Panthers! I hope your family has enjoyed a summer filled with fun, relaxation, and special memories together. Whether your days were spent traveling, camping, cheering from the ball fields, enjoying time at the lake, or simply slowing down at home, I hope this summer provided opportunities to recharge and reconnect. As August arrives, there is an unmistakable excitement throughout our school—we can't wait to welcome our students back into the halls of Hershey Elementary!
For those who may be new to our school family, my name is Jared Thomsen, and I am honored to serve as the Elementary Principal at Hershey Public Schools. My wife, Brittany, and I are proud parents of two amazing children, Ty and Brynlee, who keep us busy with activities, sports, and plenty of laughter. As both a principal and a parent, I understand the trust you place in us each day, and I consider it a privilege to partner with your family in your child's education.
Behind the scenes, our building has been buzzing with activity all summer long. I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to our incredible custodial, office, and teaching staff. Their countless hours of cleaning, organizing, preparing classrooms, planning engaging lessons, and getting every detail ready ensure that our students walk into a welcoming, safe, and exciting learning environment on the very first day.
One of my favorite things about the start of a new school year is that it represents a fresh start for everyone. Every student has the opportunity to set new goals, build new friendships, discover new interests, and continue growing academically, socially, and emotionally. We believe every child has tremendous potential, and we are committed to helping each one succeed.
At Hershey Elementary, we also know that the strongest schools are built on strong partnerships between home and school. When families and educators work together, students thrive. Thank you for your continued support, communication, encouragement, and trust. We truly value the opportunity to work alongside you throughout the school year.
This year, you'll continue hearing about Panther ROAR—the heart of our elementary culture. Panther ROAR is more than just a slogan; it's the way we treat one another each day. It represents Respect • Ownership • Attitude • Responsibility. Our goal is for every student to feel safe, valued, challenged, and excited to come to school each day.
The 2026–2027 school year is filled with endless possibilities, and I couldn't be more excited to begin this journey with all of you. Thank you for entrusting us with your children. Together, we'll make this a year of learning, growth, friendships, and unforgettable memories.
Welcome back, Panthers—let's make it our best year yet!
Go Panthers!
Jared Thomsen
Elementary Principal
📞 (308) 368-5572
Empowering All Students to Reach Their Full Potential.
"Learn, Grow, Thrive - Hershey Public Schools"