Spotlight: Hyattsville Elementary School

Curious about Hyattsville Elementary School (HES)? Wondering if it would be a good fit for your child? How big the class sizes may be, etc? Well then check out this latest post in our helpful Spotlight on Schools series, where we’re talking all things HES with local parent and Hyattsville Elementary School PTA Secretary Jennifer Hanna! (And note the opp to ask more questions this Friday at Vigilante Coffee (8-9am) & Saturday event – see below.)

Hyattsville Elementary School

Q & A with Jennifer Hanna, current parent and HES PTA Secretary

How many children and what grades are they in?  Hyattsville Elementary School has 560 students in grades pre-K through 5.

Overall, how has your experience been at Hyattsville Elementary School? It’s been wonderful. (As the PTA secretary, I am admittedly a bit biased. But I stand by my opinion!)

What do you like most about the school? HES is a walking school—no one takes the bus. So your children’s classmates are also their neighbors, and that contributes to the genuine spirit of community that is felt daily at HES. We also embrace the fact that we’re in an Arts District and have taken advantage of talented artists who live in Hyattsville (and are also HES parents!) to add several murals to the school, as well as a re-imagining of the playground blacktop. More awesome projects are in the works!

Room for improvement? Sure! No school is perfect. The building is old and too small (but HES is slated for a new building in the next few years). But it is warm and inviting and a delightful, welcoming place to be.

How are your children’s teachers?  Gosh, they’re great. The staff at HES is so loving and invested in our kids. They are all superheroes! 

What are some unique activities or clubs that your school offers? HES has a drama club for grades 3-5, led by a few very dedicated teachers. This year’s production is Hairspray, Jr. And the HES PTA also sponsors the annual Hyattsville Zombie Run, the school’s biggest fundraiser. Over the years the race has expanded to allow students from other local schools to use it as a fundraiser, too. Last year 16 schools raised money through the Zombie Run! 

What does the school do to encourage a sense of community among its families/students? HES has an extremely active PTA that meets monthly, alternating between evening and morning meetings to encourage attendance by as many of our families as possible. We host many free events for the school community, such as Movie Night (students vote on the film we show), Garden and Grounds Day, International Night, and more. The PTA participates in the annual City of Hyattsville parade, too, with a pizza party for the class with the most participation!

Any upcoming Open Houses or events open to the public? Yes! Friday, Jan. 24, 8-9 AM at Vigilante Coffee in Hyattsville; and Saturday, Jan. 25, 9-11 AM at 6118 43rd Ave., Hyattsville. RSVP encouraged but not required: hyattsvilleespta@gmail.com

Please follow the Hyattsville Elementary School PTA on Facebook and Instagram! (@hyattsvillepta)

Got Questions?

As part of the Spotlight on Schools series, we ask each parent/author to make him/her/themselves directly available to readers who may have some questions about the school. Jennifer Hanna graciously agreed to do so and can be reached at: jenniferhanna9 at yahoo dot com.

Hyattsville Elementary School is located at 5311 43rd Ave, Hyattsville, MD 20781.

Visit the school’s website at: https://www.pgcps.org/hyattsvillees/

Spotlight on Schools

Curiosity piqued? Check out our full Spotlight on Schools series to take in what local parents are saying local schools (including preschools, daycare, public schools and private schools) near the Route 1 corridor of Prince George’s County, Maryland.

• Silver Oaks Cooperative School
• Greenbelt Elementary School
• Dora Kennedy French Immersion School
• University Park Elementary School
• Riverdale Elementary School
• Gladys Noon Spellman Elementary School
• Robert Goddard Montessori School
• Mt. Rainier Elementary School
• Holy Redeemer School
• College Park Nursery School
• Greenbelt Nursery School

Interested in sharing a little bit about your local Prince George’s County school?

Contact us at Sarah@routeonefun.com

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