As we prepare for the upcoming school year, here are the Top 5 things to know about school attendance - as well as a video created by students in our after-school "Lights, Camera, Dragons!" program this past spring.

https://youtu.be/YcruhzTFtdQ

🐉 Harding Dragons' Top 5 Things to Know About Attendance

📚 1. Be on time!
School starts at 8:00 AM and ends at 2:30 PM. Students have until 8:20 AM before tardy minutes begin adding up.

🚪 2. Arriving after 8:20?
Please enter through the Lincoln Avenue entrance and stop by the main office for a tardy slip before heading to class.

⏰ 3. Every minute matters.
Late arrivals and early dismissals count toward missed instructional time. Every 300 minutes missed equals one full school day! For example, arriving at 8:45 AM each day means a student has missed a full day of school after only 12 school days.

❤️ 4. The school day starts right away.
Breakfast, morning meeting, and classroom routines help students build friendships, feel connected, and get ready to learn. Being on time helps students start the day successfully!

🤝 5. We need your help!
Our goal is to keep every student in school and learning. Missing 10% of the school year (about 16 days) can make it harder for students to stay on track academically. We know illnesses and emergencies happen—just remember to send in an excuse and let us know if your family needs support.

🐉 You belong here, Harding Dragons—on time, all day, every day! Let's work together to make every day count. 💜💚

Step 1: Register your child for Kindergarten at eriesd.org/registration
Step 2: RSVP for Kindergarten Kick Off at Harding on August 13th at 10:00 AM or 6:00 PM - http://bit.ly/hardingkinder
Step 3: Get ready for your child to have an incredible year of Kindergarten, beginning on the first day of school: August 25, 2026!

Are you REGISTERED and READY for your child to begin Kindergarten at Harding Elementary?
SAVE THE DATE for our annual Kindergarten Kick Off Event on Thursday, August 13th at 10:00 AM or 6:00 PM.
RSVP for our event online at http://bit.ly/hardingkinder

Is your child turning 4 or 5 before August 31, 2026?
Have you enrolled them for Pre-K or Kindergarten yet?
NOW is the time to ensure that your application is complete with all of the required documentation so that they are ready for day one, on August 25, 2026!
Families who are enrolled by August 3rd will be sure to receive an invitation to our annual Kindergarten Kick Off event before school begins to get a sneak peek at your upcoming Kindergarten experience.
eriesd.org/registration

🏫✏️PRE-K & KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION is OPEN! 🚌🖍️ Do not wait - register now to ensure your child will be ready for the first day of school, August 25th! Online enrollment: https://www.eriesd.org/page/child-accounting-student-enrollment Questions? Call: 814-874-6150

Already missing these smiles! Field Day moments from Tuesday with our 3rd-5th grade students.💚💜

Happy Retirement to Mrs. Lester, Mrs. Farnham & Mrs Parker!💚💜

5th Grade Clap Out 👏👏💚💜 With a surprise retirement spin for our Principal, Mrs. Farnham. Harding Class of 2026, Your futures are BRIGHT.😎 We will miss you, but know you are ready to take on middle school! Continue to make us proud, Dragons! #CommunitySchoolsInAction

It was a beautiful day for our Pre-K through 2nd graders to enjoy Field Day this afternoon. Tomorrow we are back at it for our 3rd through 5th graders! Don’t forget those socks, sneakers & sunscreen!

Congratulations to all of our students with Perfect Attendance for the 4th Quarter! You make Harding proud!💜💚

Field Day will take place for students this week on Monday and Tuesday. Please see the schedule below and be sure to send your student in weather and activity appropriate clothing and shoes. 💜Monday - Pre-K through 2nd grade students from 11:30-1:45. 💚Tuesday - 3rd through 5th grade students from 9:00-11:45.

Give it up for our 4th Quarter Harding Heroes!👏 Today we celebrated NINETEEN students with perfect attendance for the entire school year, as well as our Quarter 4 Harding Heroes!! Big congratulations to our staff heroes this quarter, Mrs. Sampsell and Ms. Fromknecht. And we also took a moment to recognize Mrs. Farnham, Mrs. Lester and Mrs. Parker, who are all retiring this year. 💜💚

Last night EIGHTEEN Harding families came out to the Waterworks Pond at Presque Isle State Park for our first ever Family Fishing Event with SONS of Lake Erie. The fish were biting, the kids were smiling and a beautiful night was had by all!

The 5th Grade Clap Out event time has been adjusted due to the early dismissal at 1:00 PM on the last day of school.

The clap out will now take place at 12:30 PM. Please plan to arrive by 12:15 PM to park and find your place among the crowd to cheer for our 5th graders as they say goodbye to Harding and prepare to move on to middle school!

Thank you for your flexibility and understanding.

Our 5th Grade Harding Student Ambassadors joined students from all 17 United Way of Erie County community schools for today’s 3rd Annual Student Leadership Retreat! The day brought together student leadership groups from across the county for motivational speakers, team-building activities and lots of fun! Our group was even paired with student leaders from Grover Cleveland Elementary, A Community School, which was extra special since they will be future Strong Vincent Middle School Colonels together next year.

Please join us to celebrate our 5th grade students moving on to middle school!

When: Wednesday, June 3rd, 2026. Arrive at 1:45 PM.

Where: Outside of Harding Elementary School, near the 5th grade dismissal area/parking lot entrance.

What: Families will line the path outside to cheer and clap for students as they exit the building. Feel free to bring signs, balloons, etc.

Other Details: After the Clap Out, students may leave with their family members, but please be sure to sign out with a teacher or staff member.

Field Days are coming! 💜May 26 - Autistic Support Classes - 9:00-11:00 AM 💚June 1 - Pre-K through 2nd Grade Classes - 11:30 AM-1:45 PM 💜June 2 - 3rd through 5th Grade Classes - 9:00-11:45 AM 💚Wear socks & sneakers, sunscreen & bring a labeled water bottle!

Join us for an evening of fishing on Presque Isle's Waterworks Pond at Beach 7!
🎣FREE! No experience or equipment necessary if you are a beginner!
🐟SONS of Lake Erie volunteers will help out if fishing is new for you!
🎣Wednesday, May 27th from 5:00-7:00 PM at Beach 7 Waterworks Pond on Presque Isle
🐟RSVP is required as space is limited: https://bit.ly/hardingfishing

Please enjoy Episode 3 of "Fire Talk", created by our students in the after-school "Lights, Camera, Dragons!" program. This final episode features an interview with Mrs. Farnham about her upcoming retirement.💜💚

https://youtu.be/bBtmpm-ndhM