Summer Letter

Summer Letter from Mr. Heffner

Joe Harris Elementary

June 5, 2026

Dear Joe Harris Elementary Families,

As another incredible school year comes to a close, I want to take a moment to thank you for your partnership, support, and trust. Together, we have created a school community where students feel safe, connected, challenged, and loved. Whether you volunteered at an event, supported learning at home, attended conferences, cheered at performances, or simply made sure your child arrived each day ready to learn, you played an important role in our success.

This year, our students demonstrated tremendous growth, resilience, creativity, courage, kindness, and perseverance. We are proud of all they have accomplished, and we are grateful for the opportunity to be part of their journey.

As summer begins, I encourage families to make the most of the extra time together. Summer is a wonderful opportunity for children to explore, create, read, play, and connect with others. It is also a time when screen use can quietly become the default activity for many children.

Last year, I wrote an article for the Rio Rancho Observer titled "Digital Access Has Consequences for Children." In the article, I discuss some of the challenges schools and families are seeing as technology becomes an increasingly larger part of children's lives. While technology certainly has its place, children benefit tremendously from experiences that encourage movement, creativity, problem-solving, social interaction, and real-world exploration.

I encourage you to read the article and explore the resources available through our Less Scroll, More Soul initiative:

Digital Access Has Consequences for Children

Less Scroll, More Soul 

One of the most important things parents can do is remember that they have more control than they may realize. Most modern home internet routers include parental controls that allow families to schedule internet access, set device-specific limits, pause internet access during family time, and restrict access during overnight hours. There are also affordable products and apps available that can help families create healthy technology boundaries.

I've also attached information from several companies that have partnered with us to offer discounts to the Rio Rancho community on products designed to help families manage technology use at home. These tools can assist parents in setting healthy boundaries, monitoring usage, and creating opportunities for more balanced digital habits.

Our recommendation is to start early. Establishing healthy expectations and routines around technology is often much easier before children become heavily reliant on screens as their primary source of entertainment, engagement, or social interaction. Just as we teach healthy habits around nutrition, sleep, and physical activity, we encourage families to be intentional about helping children develop healthy technology habits from an early age.

Every family is different, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach. The goal is not perfection. It is creating a healthy balance that allows technology to serve our children rather than allowing it to consume their time, attention, and childhood experiences.

Technology is not the enemy. The goal is balance. Children need opportunities to be bored, to be creative, to solve problems, to interact face-to-face, and to discover interests beyond a screen. Summer provides a perfect opportunity to build those habits.

Less Scroll, More Soul: Summer Activity Guide for Families

Looking for ways to keep your children active, engaged, learning, and having fun this summer? Our community offers many affordable and free opportunities for families. Whether your child enjoys sports, reading, outdoor adventures, or creative activities, there are countless ways to create meaningful experiences and lasting memories away from a screen.

Reading & Learning

Sports & Recreation

Community Events & Family Adventures

Simple Activities That Cost Little or Nothing

  • Visit a neighborhood park

  • Take a family walk after dinner

  • Ride bikes together

  • Have a picnic

  • Play board games

  • Build something with LEGOs

  • Start a family reading challenge

  • Learn a new skill together

  • Visit a local museum

  • Volunteer in the community

  • Plant a garden

  • Go on a nature scavenger hunt

  • Create a family game night tradition

The Summer Challenge

Before reaching for a tablet, video game, or phone, challenge your family to choose one screen-free activity each day. Read a book, take a walk, play a game, visit a park, ride bikes, help a neighbor, or simply spend time together. The goal is not to eliminate technology. It is to make sure it does not crowd out the experiences that help children grow, connect, and thrive.

Childhood is short. The conversations, adventures, scraped knees, books, games, and shared experiences often become the memories children carry with them long after the latest app, video, or game is forgotten. Let's help our children fill their summer with memories worth keeping.

A special congratulations to our fifth-grade students and families as you prepare for the transition to middle school. It has been our privilege to watch these students learn, grow, lead, and develop during their time at Joe Harris Elementary. While we will miss them, we are excited to see all they accomplish in the years ahead. Once a Retriever, always a Retriever.

Thank you again for sharing your children with us this year. Whether your family is returning to Joe Harris Elementary in August or moving on to a new adventure, we are grateful to have been part of your child's journey. On behalf of the entire Joe Harris Elementary staff, we wish your family a safe, healthy, and memorable summer.

As you begin making plans for next year, I have also included the 2026-27 school calendar for your convenience. Research consistently shows that students who attend school regularly achieve at higher levels, so we encourage families to use the calendar when planning vacations, appointments, and other activities whenever possible.

Stay tuned for additional information about the 2026-27 school year as we get closer to our first day of school on August 6. We can't wait to welcome our Retrievers back for another amazing year.

Together, Retrievers Lead and Achieve!

Sincerely,

Trent Heffner

Principal

Joe Harris Elementary