Harding Elementary School
Dan Nielsen, Interim Executive Principal| 8:00am-2:30pm | (814) 874-6550
You belong here - on time, all day, every day! Take a moment to check out our updated attendance incentives for this school year. As you know, school attendance is a top priority at Harding, but we are changing things up a little bit this year! New Strive for Five prizes and a fresh spin on some of our other motivational attendance strategies. Every Dragon Belongs! Every Day Matters!
You can make a difference.
This September, during Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, Erie's Public Schools is reminding our whole community: a mental health crisis deserves the same response as any other emergency. You don't need to be a therapist — you just need to notice, reach out, and get help.
A.C.T. if you're worried about someone:
Ask — Start the conversation. Be direct, and listen without judgment.
Care — Show you care. Stay close and keep them connected.
Tell — Bring in a trusted adult or trained professional.
If you or someone you know is struggling, help is always available: 📞 Call or text 988 — free, confidential, 24/7 📱 Safe2Say Something: 1-844-SAF2SAY ☎️ Erie Crisis Line: 814-456-2014 🏫 Talk to a school counselor, mental health specialist, or any trusted staff member
In immediate danger? Call 911.
Every student, every day. We're in this together. #SuicidePreventionMonth #EriesPublicSchools
This September, during Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, Erie's Public Schools is reminding our whole community: a mental health crisis deserves the same response as any other emergency. You don't need to be a therapist — you just need to notice, reach out, and get help.
A.C.T. if you're worried about someone:
Ask — Start the conversation. Be direct, and listen without judgment.
Care — Show you care. Stay close and keep them connected.
Tell — Bring in a trusted adult or trained professional.
If you or someone you know is struggling, help is always available: 📞 Call or text 988 — free, confidential, 24/7 📱 Safe2Say Something: 1-844-SAF2SAY ☎️ Erie Crisis Line: 814-456-2014 🏫 Talk to a school counselor, mental health specialist, or any trusted staff member
In immediate danger? Call 911.
Every student, every day. We're in this together. #SuicidePreventionMonth #EriesPublicSchools
The Werner Book Fair is coming to Harding the week of September 28th. All students will have time to shop during their scheduled library time. More details coming home soon!
Harding students, families and staff are invited to help in our school garden this Wednesday after dismissal at 2:30 PM.
Enjoy snacks and lend a hand for as long as you can stay. Many hands make light work, so it won't take long at all, with the right amount of people.
(This clean up is not related to the recent storms, as our garden luckily remained completely unharmed! This is just seasonal maintenance, such as weeding and clearing out items in preparation for the upcoming Fall Garden Club after-school program and fall harvest and winterization.)
Enjoy snacks and lend a hand for as long as you can stay. Many hands make light work, so it won't take long at all, with the right amount of people.
(This clean up is not related to the recent storms, as our garden luckily remained completely unharmed! This is just seasonal maintenance, such as weeding and clearing out items in preparation for the upcoming Fall Garden Club after-school program and fall harvest and winterization.)
EPS families,
Throughout the year, a number of school events, programs, and classroom lessons take place that are of interest to both school district media (cable channel, website, school newsletters, etc.) and regional print and broadcast media (newspapers, television, radio, etc.) During these activities, students and staff may be photographed or interviewed to increase public awareness of our school and/or individual student accomplishments. If you DO NOT want your children to be photographed, videotaped or interviewed, please complete and return the 2026-2027 Media Opt-Out Form available at your child’s school.
You can also find and print the form, available in English and other languages, at https://www.eriesd.org/page/optout
Than k you!
Throughout the year, a number of school events, programs, and classroom lessons take place that are of interest to both school district media (cable channel, website, school newsletters, etc.) and regional print and broadcast media (newspapers, television, radio, etc.) During these activities, students and staff may be photographed or interviewed to increase public awareness of our school and/or individual student accomplishments. If you DO NOT want your children to be photographed, videotaped or interviewed, please complete and return the 2026-2027 Media Opt-Out Form available at your child’s school.
You can also find and print the form, available in English and other languages, at https://www.eriesd.org/page/optout
Than k you!
HOT OFF THE PRESSES: Our Family Information Guide is now available at eriesd.org/familyguide. The guide includes helpful information about school bell times, transportation, health policies and more. Take a few minutes to read to help ensure that you and your children kick off the 2026-27 school year right!
Our littlest dragons are ready for Pre-K!💜💚
Our new Harding administrative team enjoyed meeting so many of you at Open House last week.
As we begin the 26-27 school year, Mr. Nielsen will serve as our interim principal and Mrs. Polakowski as our assistant principal.
Mr. Dan Nielsen attended Erie's Public Schools as a student and has served as an educator for 19 years, in a variety of roles from behavior specialist to guidance counselor, and most recently an Assistant Principal at Edison, Harding and Erie High. Yes, you may remember him from being at Harding before and we are happy to welcome him back!
Ms. Joanna Polakowski has been a teacher in the district for 18 years and since becoming an administrator, most recently supported JoAnna Connell Elementary as an apprentice assistant principal. She has taught at all grade levels over the years and is excited to bring her knowledge and expertise to Harding.
Welcome to the Harding family, Mr. Nielsen and Ms. Polakowski!💜💚
Bus routes & times for 26-27 are now available!
🚍BUS INFORMATION 26-27🚍
🚍To qualify for bus transportation, students must live 1.5 miles or more walking distance from the school.
🚍If you were registered for bus transportation last year and your child has not changed schools or addresses, you do not need to complete a new bus application for this school year.
🚍If your child has changed home address or school, please submit a new application at www.eriesd.org/transportation
🚍At Harding, we will check in students as they come in off the bus the first few weeks of school and if students come to school on the bus, we will send them home on the bus - unless you communicate a different plan to us directly. However, if your child does not come to school on the bus - but is to go home on the bus, we will not know that unless you contact us. Please email spotter@eriesd.org or call 814-874-6561 and leave a voicemail.
We have been sharing out many important updates lately and have created an online folder where you can access all of these documents whenever you need!
https://bit.ly/hardingwelcomefolder
These documents will also be in the welcome folder that your family will receive at Open House on Thursday, August 20th from 6:00-8:00 PM. Don't forget to join us to meet your child's teacher and learn about all of the new changes happening at Harding this year!
https://bit.ly/hardingwelcomefolder
These documents will also be in the welcome folder that your family will receive at Open House on Thursday, August 20th from 6:00-8:00 PM. Don't forget to join us to meet your child's teacher and learn about all of the new changes happening at Harding this year!
Here is helpful information about the district's new Standard School Attire policy.
We will be going over this in more detail at Open House, along with other policies and updates. Be sure to come see us on Thursday. August 20th from 6-8 PM!
‼️ **NEW ARRIVAL & DISMISSAL DETAILS** ‼️
There are a few important changes to our arrival and dismissal procedures for the 2026–27 school year! Please take a few minutes to review the updates below.
🏫 Morning Drop-Off: Drop-off will now begin at 7:45 AM. School starts at 8:00 AM and the late bell is at 8:20 AM.
🚌 Bus Arrival & Dismissal: Buses will now use the lower parking lot near the playground. Students will be walked by staff to from the buses in the morning and afternoon.
🚫Lincoln Avenue Entrance: There will be no entrance on Lincoln Avenue until after 8:30 AM. All students arriving in the morning will enter through the parking lot doors.
🚗Car Drop-Off: The car drop-off lane will remain the same. Please stay to the right and allow buses the right of way as they move through the parking lot.
💜1st Grade Dismissal: 1st grade dismissal will now use the same door as Pre-K and Kindergarten, located on the parking lot side of the building.
💚Autistic Support Dismissal: Autistic Support students who are not bus riders will now use the same dismissal door as 2nd grade.
📅 Want to learn more? Join us for Open House on Thursday, August 20th from 6:00–8:00 PM, when we will review these procedures in person.
Thank you for helping us make arrival and dismissal safe, smooth, and successful for everyone!🐉
There are a few important changes to our arrival and dismissal procedures for the 2026–27 school year! Please take a few minutes to review the updates below.
🏫 Morning Drop-Off: Drop-off will now begin at 7:45 AM. School starts at 8:00 AM and the late bell is at 8:20 AM.
🚌 Bus Arrival & Dismissal: Buses will now use the lower parking lot near the playground. Students will be walked by staff to from the buses in the morning and afternoon.
🚫Lincoln Avenue Entrance: There will be no entrance on Lincoln Avenue until after 8:30 AM. All students arriving in the morning will enter through the parking lot doors.
🚗Car Drop-Off: The car drop-off lane will remain the same. Please stay to the right and allow buses the right of way as they move through the parking lot.
💜1st Grade Dismissal: 1st grade dismissal will now use the same door as Pre-K and Kindergarten, located on the parking lot side of the building.
💚Autistic Support Dismissal: Autistic Support students who are not bus riders will now use the same dismissal door as 2nd grade.
📅 Want to learn more? Join us for Open House on Thursday, August 20th from 6:00–8:00 PM, when we will review these procedures in person.
Thank you for helping us make arrival and dismissal safe, smooth, and successful for everyone!🐉
These future Harding Dragons are ready to take on Kindergarten! Our morning session of Kindergarten Kick Off was so much fun and we are ready to meet the next group at 6:00 PM.
When students start Kindergarten READY for day one, they are set up for a successful school year and future. The skills they learn this year will truly determine their future success because Kindergarten is the foundation. We know these students are ready for their best year ever!💜💚#CommunitySchoolsInAction #EveryDragonEveryDay
🚍BUS INFORMATION 26-27🚍
🚍To qualify for bus transportation, students must live 1.5 miles or more walking distance from the school.
🚍If you were registered for bus transportation last year and your child has not changed schools or addresses, you do not need to complete a new bus application for this school year.
🚍If your child has changed home address or school, please submit a new application at www.eriesd.org/transportation
🚍Bus routes and times will be available soon and posted to the website listed above as well.
🚍At Harding, we will check in students as they come in off the bus the first few weeks of school and if students come to school on the bus, we will send them home on the bus - unless you communicate a different plan to us directly. However, if your child does not come to school on the bus - but is to go home on the bus, we will not know that unless you contact us. Please email spotter@eriesd.org or call 814-874-6561 and leave a voicemail.
🚍To qualify for bus transportation, students must live 1.5 miles or more walking distance from the school.
🚍If you were registered for bus transportation last year and your child has not changed schools or addresses, you do not need to complete a new bus application for this school year.
🚍If your child has changed home address or school, please submit a new application at www.eriesd.org/transportation
🚍Bus routes and times will be available soon and posted to the website listed above as well.
🚍At Harding, we will check in students as they come in off the bus the first few weeks of school and if students come to school on the bus, we will send them home on the bus - unless you communicate a different plan to us directly. However, if your child does not come to school on the bus - but is to go home on the bus, we will not know that unless you contact us. Please email spotter@eriesd.org or call 814-874-6561 and leave a voicemail.
Next Thursday, August 20th is OPEN HOUSE!
💜Find out who your child’s teacher is & meet our teachers and staff.
💚Learn about new policies and procedures at one of our short information sessions in the auditorium.
💜Get ready to start the 26-27 school year strong!
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. 💜💚
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!
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
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
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