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| Our 8th grade scientists making observations, both quantitative and qualitative during a series of experiments. Wendy Moore, pictured above, utilizes a Lycopodium blast as part of the students' first observables. At home, ask your HUMS scientist about the cheese stick and what they learned about perception. |
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| Our 7th grade Mathematicians engaged in the "Great Chain Race" to start our math year! Student math experts were provided 20 minutes to build the longest paper chain they could. Starting next week we will estimate, measure, convert, analysis our data and graph for review. We will work to create generalizations and/or justifications regarding math thinking as part of our process. Ask your son/daughter about their mathematical chain connections. |
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| Harwood Middle School Students were engaged in our opening 18-19 school year assembly featuring Troy Wunderlee and an amazing number of student and staff "volunteers". We hope to have Troy back later in the year. A Perfect Way to Start the Year! |
Information Items
*LEGISLATIVE PAGE PROGRAM
8th Grade Legislative Page Program - Each year a small group of young Vermonters are selected to work as legislative pages in the Vermont state house. Pages deliver messages for the members of the senate, the house of representatives, and the various legislative offices. Serving as a page offers a unique opportunity to observe the workings of the legislature and to witness firsthand the often historic events in Montpelier. Many Vermont politicians, including members of the current legislature, got their start working as pages. If you will be an eighth-grade student during the 2018-2019 school year, are interested in public affairs, and would like to serve as a legislative page, you and your parents must submit a cover letter with a completed application form and other supporting information to the Office of the Sergeant at Arms postmarked on or before September 30, 2018. More info can be found here.
*YOU ARE INVITED
Middle School Visioning Presentation and Forum
When: September 5th
Where: Harwood Union High School Auditorium
Time: 6:00 p.m.
The HUUSD Board would like to cordially invite all members of the HUUSD community to a presentation and forum on September 5th at 6:00 p.m. in the Harwood auditorium. The goal of the forum is for community members to actively participate in reviewing the outcomes of the middle school visioning workshop held on June 21st. The HUUSD Board and Administration hope attendees will come prepared to view a presentation, ask questions, and provide feedback as the district moves forward with renovating Harwood and launching the school into the 21st Century!
*STOP, DROP and READ....
A central goal of our middle school program is to establish a reading habit in the busy lives of our students. We are hoping we can work together to fuel the pleasure and passion of readers.
The best books challenge our beliefs by helping us see through different eyes—to live a different life. What we seek for all of our students is an interest in reading—for pleasure—for knowledge—with passion that will keep them turning the pages of a book past our assigned time for reading. Regular reading has tremendous benefits. Here are a few:
Reading relieves stress. It takes you out of the present and into another place and time; a perfect escape.
Reading builds stamina to prepare students for college. Reading for an hour or two in one sitting is a basic expectation in college. In this class we will exercise muscles soon to be strained in the coming years. Reading for fluency and stamina has been proven to improve the reading rate for students. Fast reading develops confidence and an appetite for books as well as teaching vocabulary in context, which improves writing, but it only happens when students find books they want to read.
There is a lot of talk in the media that ‘students today won’t read’, but we believe students substitute all of those other distractions (the internet, TV, etc.) if they feel no passion for the book assigned to them. In our experience, students who haven’t been readers will suddenly become quite passionate about reading with the right book in their hands.
This year we will continue our SDR (Stop, Drop, & Read) Initiative. SDR is a focused reading time offered daily right after lunch. Students are expected to have an independent book to read during that time. In order to help students choose books which interest them, our HU Librarian Megan Reed has re-organized the middle level section in the library. Titles are now organized by genre, in hopes that this arrangement will make it easier to pair students with great reads which are of interest to them. Our librarian Megan Reed will be visiting classes regularly during SDR times to share new titles and give book talks on popular titles.
This year, we have a variety of tools to support students’ independent reading. There will be a library orientation, students will take an interest inventory to match books to readers, and small group work will help struggling readers improve and sustain literacy skills.
Please contact us with any questions or concerns about our MS reading programs. We look forward to fostering a school-wide community of readers!
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CALENDAR UPDATE
September 2018
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!! Please remember to check the blog links (at the top of the blog) for information regarding; Harwood Union's Food Service and Menu, Harwood Athletics and the school calendar. We are in the process of creating a google calendar link to support easier calendar connections with our families.
Community Announcements
Please note that the opportunities/events listed below are not specifically endorsed or screened by school staff. As always, families should use their own standards and review processes to determine appropriate activities.
48th Annual Mad River Valley Craft Fair: Kenyon’s Fieldin, Saturday & Sunday, September 1 & 2, is a destination event for the entire family: four bands, free kids’ bounce house, door prizes, seated massage, Facebook Shopping Spree contest and the “Man Cave” that welcomes all adults 21 and older to relax in a spacious tent with couches and cornhole where you can taste spirits or purchase a cocktail. The Craft Fair is a rain or shine event, 10 am to 5 pm, with 100+ juried artisans from all over the Northeast and beyond. Listen to Green Mt. Swing (am) and Phineas Gage (pm) on Saturday and on Sunday Colleen Mari & Friends (am) and AmerikanaBlue (pm). Free knitting lessons 2-4 pm each day, www.madrivercraftfair.com
Sign up for a half hour slot and weave your own dish cloth: Mary will help you, finish the ends and mail it to you all for a $20 fee.Stand Up Paddleboard Yoga for girls in 5th-8th grade, September 16, 10am-12pm. Class will include a mini paddle lesson, paddling games, SUP yoga, and a floating campfire. Pre-registration is required. $10 if you bring your own paddle board and $45 to rent a paddle board. Contact Mindy Pistacchio to register at mindy.pistacchio@gmail.com
Stowe & Mad River Dance Academy - Offering dance lessons to young children and teens in Stowe & Waitsfield, Vermont. Classes begin Tuesday September 4th. Such classes as Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop, Lyrical, Modern, Creative Dance + MORE are offered Information & registration at www.stowedance.com - 802.253.5151. A schedule is also available here: https://www.stowedance.
Mad Dash: 5K & 10K Road Race, 5K Fitness Walk and free kids' fun run, October 7, 10am start, Meadow Road. For more information and registration visit: www.madriverpath.com
48th Annual Mad River Valley Craft Fair: Kenyon’s Fieldin, Saturday & Sunday, September 1 & 2, is a destination event for the entire family: four bands, free kids’ bounce house, door prizes, seated massage, Facebook Shopping Spree contest and the “Man Cave” that welcomes all adults 21 and older to relax in a spacious tent with couches and cornhole where you can taste spirits or purchase a cocktail. The Craft Fair is a rain or shine event, 10 am to 5 pm, with 100+ juried artisans from all over the Northeast and beyond. Listen to Green Mt. Swing (am) and Phineas Gage (pm) on Saturday and on Sunday Colleen Mari & Friends (am) and AmerikanaBlue (pm). Free knitting lessons 2-4 pm each day, www.madrivercraftfair.com
Sign up for a half hour slot and weave your own dish cloth: Mary will help you, finish the ends and mail it to you all for a $20 fee.Stand Up Paddleboard Yoga for girls in 5th-8th grade, September 16, 10am-12pm. Class will include a mini paddle lesson, paddling games, SUP yoga, and a floating campfire. Pre-registration is required. $10 if you bring your own paddle board and $45 to rent a paddle board. Contact Mindy Pistacchio to register at mindy.pistacchio@gmail.com
Stowe & Mad River Dance Academy - Offering dance lessons to young children and teens in Stowe & Waitsfield, Vermont. Classes begin Tuesday September 4th. Such classes as Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop, Lyrical, Modern, Creative Dance + MORE are offered Information & registration at www.stowedance.com - 802.253.5151. A schedule is also available here: https://www.stowedance.
Mad Dash: 5K & 10K Road Race, 5K Fitness Walk and free kids' fun run, October 7, 10am start, Meadow Road. For more information and registration visit: www.madriverpath.com
