My name is Rob Harcharik and I love teaching Kindergarten. Teaching kindergarten is a unique privilege where foundational skills are developed and strengthened. It is a magical year with exponential social and academic growth. There is nothing quite like Kindergarten. I spent my first four years teaching Kindergarten in Stevensville, Montana. This is my ninth year teaching at Hellgate Elementary and I couldn't be happier! I truly love teaching in this district and love calling Missoula my home. I have tons of energy and love being outside on adventures. I enjoy hiking, rafting, and camping. I treasure this community and want to be no place else. I look forward to meeting you all. Come stop by my class anytime! 

My favorite things include: food, friendship, The Green Bay Packers, Star Wars, The Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter and so much more! 

May the force be with you!

Monday: Music 9:00-9:30

Tuesday: P.E. 9:30-10:00

Wednesday: Music 8:30-9:00

Thursday: P.E. 9:30-10:00

Friday: Library 1:15-1:45

** Lunch 10:50-11:15 daily**

** Breakfast 7:40-8:10 in Building 3 daily**

School Hours – School is from 8:25 – 3:00 Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday. Thursdays are early out and we dismiss at 2:00. Students will not be allowed in the building prior to 8:00 if getting dropped off by a parent or guardian. However, students arriving by bus before school starts will be allowed to hang out in the gym until 8:00. 

If your child arrives late for school, you must check in at the office. If you pick up your child early they need to be signed out at the office and checked out from the classroom. Please message me on Dojo to give me a heads up as well so I can have your kiddo ready to go at your desired time. 

Toys- Please leave all toys, games, Pokémon cards, stuffed animals, etc. at home. (We will have special days where we can bring these, but to protect our prized possessions from getting lost or stolen, I have found it's better if they stay at home where they are safe). 

Water bottles – Please send a water bottle (with your child’s name on it) to school for your child to use. I will send them home on Fridays to be cleaned.

Extra Clothes – Please send a set of extra clothes in a large zip-lock bag with your child’s name written on it. I will keep these for the duration of the year in case of any accidents, mud puddles, or snow. If you can spare an extra set of socks, please include those as well.

Dismissal – If your child is to leave school in a different way than they usually do, you will need to call the office and notify me on Class Dojo. It is against school policy for me to send your child home in any other way unless you have called the office or sent a note in with your child. Please call as soon as you can to let the office and myself know how your child should get home. Please let us know before 2:30 to allow for enough time for the change in plan.

Please send bulk snacks for our entire class if you wish to donate. I will ask frequently through out the year when our snack stash is getting low. We are a nut-free classroom so do not send snacks with nuts!

Snack Suggestions

• • • Fruit (Already Cut)

    • Vegetables (Already Cut)

    • Go-Gurts

    • Graham Crackers

    • Goldfish

    • Animal Crackers

    • Applesauce

    • Granola Bars

    • Pretzels

    • String Cheese

    • Popcorn (Already Popped)

    • Popcorners

* This is only a suggested list. Feel free to use your own judgment when choosing healthy snacks.

Please do not send drinks, peanut/nut products, or sugary treats. 

We use a web-based program called Class Dojo to communicate and to track student behavior. Not only is this a great behavior management tool, it's also an excellent communication tool to help keep you updated about your child's behavior, academics, and all the ins and outs of our daily life at school. I also post pictures and videos of fun activities we do to our Dojo Storyboard. The pictures and videos are only viewable by parents I give access to. If you would not like your kiddo in these pictures please let me know at the beginning of the year. I use this as my primary source of communication throughout the year. Please use this platform rather than email. I will provide an invitation link at Open House.   

Each Thursday I will send home your child's work in their Thursday Folder. Please take a minute to look over their accomplishments! Return the empty folder the following day. Please make this a fun weekly routine with your child. 

Each trimester I will complete an assessment packet with your child.  We will go over their assessments and report cards at Parent-Teacher Conferences.

At Hellgate Elementary we use Standards Based Grading. This will be what you see on your child's report card each trimester.

**A standards-based report card is designed to provide accurate information about student performance in meeting the standard. In other words, rather than focusing on a percentage or number of points obtained, standards-based reporting focuses on student understanding or competency. Standard Based Report Cards shows the progression of a skill. Please keep in mind for your child's first Trimester report card will be made up of scores of mostly 2's, and P's.** 

Academic grades are given using the numbers 1-4

4 - Exceeds Grade Level Standards: Demonstrates understanding beyond grade level standards consistently and independently.

3 - Meets Grade Level Standards: Demonstrates understanding of grade level standards consistently and independently.

*This is our goal by the end of kindergarten*

2 - Partially Meets Grade Level Standards: Demonstrates partial understanding of grade level standards with or without support.

1 - Does Not Meet Grade Level Standards: Demonstrates minimal (or no) understanding and does not meet grade level standards even with support.

N/A - Not Assessed at this Time

Students are also evaluated using S, P, N

S - Successfully demonstrating a skill or expectation.

P - Progressing in growth in a skill or expectation.

N - Needs Improvement in a skill or expectation.

We have a great bus system and encourage all children to ride the bus. Each day I will take the class out and put each child on their bus. If you have not already done so, please notify me of your child’s dismissal plan via email or Class Dojo. If your child is riding the bus home, please include their bus #.   

If your child is not riding the bus, please pick them up outside Building #2. 

Please tell your student their afterschool plan! If your child is to leave school in a different manner than they usually do, you will need to call the office. It is against school policy for me to send your child home in any other way unless you have called the office or sent a note in with your child. Please call as soon as you can (ideally before 1:00 pm) to let the office and I know how your child should get home.

PLEASE BE PROMPT if you are picking up your child at school. Thank you for your flexibility this school year ☺!

We love having parent volunteers to help out on class field trips, school functions, and so much more! Before you volunteer your time you need to fill out the volunteer form and the background check(link below) found on our school webpage. 

I also love having parent volunteers to help with classroom parties. I always appreciate when parents donate snacks, goodies, and decorations to help make our classroom parties a memorable experience.