Principal's Message

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Welcome to Haaff Elementary School!
Home of the Tigers

Dear Haaff Families and Community,

Welcome to another exciting year at Haaff Elementary School—where creativity, curiosity, and innovation power everything we do! As we begin the 2026–27 school year, we are thrilled to launch our new theme: Invent Your Future at Haaff Elementary. Inspired by a steampunk spirit of imagination and discovery, this year will encourage students to dream boldly, think critically, and create the future they envision for themselves and our world.

At Haaff, we believe every child has unique talents and limitless potential. Through engaging learning experiences, strong relationships, and a supportive school community, we will help our Tigers become problem-solvers, leaders, inventors, and lifelong learners. Together, we will spark ideas, build connections, and engineer success—one adventure at a time.

We are excited to partner with our families and community as we embark on this incredible journey together. Get ready for a year filled with innovation, exploration, teamwork, and Tiger pride as we Invent the Future at Haaff Elementary!

Our vision is rooted in the idea that students should not have to fit into a single mold. Instead, we are committed to changing the box to meet the needs of each individual student. This philosophy drives our focus on teaching the whole child—academically, socially, and emotionally.

We pride ourselves on helping students develop essential life and leadership skills through the powerful framework of the 7 Habits:

1. Be Proactive
2. Begin with the End in Mind
3. Put First Things First
4. Think Win-Win
5. Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood
6. Synergize
7. Sharpen the Saw

These habits are woven into daily learning and empower our students to become confident, compassionate leaders in school and beyond.

Our Gifted and Talented Enrichment Program offers students opportunities to stretch their abilities in STEM and critical thinking, while our robust Social Emotional Learning Program supports healthy emotional development, empathy, and resilience. Across all grades, we cultivate critical thinkers who are encouraged to ask questions, explore ideas, and work collaboratively to solve problems.

Whether you’re new to our school or a long-standing member of the Haaff community, we’re thrilled to have you on this journey with us. We look forward to a joyful, engaging, and successful year together.

Let’s make it a great year, Tigers!

Warmly,

Betsy DeCesaro
Principal
Haaff Elementary School

 

Haaff Mission Statement:
To provide a high-quality education that assures each student the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to lead a life of purpose and impact.

Haaff Vision Statement:
To build a high performing, inclusive school community that unconditionally values each member while meeting their needs as individuals.

Haaff Core Values:

• We believe in a strong, inclusive community where families, students,.  and staff are valued unconditionally.
• We believe in a shared understanding where humor, gratitude, acceptance, support, positivity, grace, and balance are experienced by all.
• We believe in the inclusion of all students by not expecting each student to fit into one box, but rather by expecting to change the box to meet the needs of each student.

Haaff Purpose Statement:
Through our shared understanding of the diverse backgrounds of each individual, Haaff Elementary is committed to building a strong, inclusive community of learners.  We will never expect a student to fit in one box, but rather we expect to change that box to meet the needs of each individual student by developing relationships and fostering trust in a safe environment all while ensuring engaging and rigorous learning opportunities.   At Haaff, we will unconditionally value each student while meeting them where they are in order to ensure high levels of academic growth and achievement for all.