Harwood Middle School Update, Sept. 28, 2018

Harwood Middle School Update. Sept. 28, 2018 

7th grade Learners Connecting and Curious  about a shared problem.    

7th grade Curious scientists starting new investigations focused on identification and classification. Our first practice at looking closely at observable characteristics. 
Ask you 7th grade scientist how many varieties of plant/leaf types they found in our area. 

Meet our amazing HUMS Spelling Bee Team.
The team was selected through a school competition held in the
auditorium today. 

Stop Drop and Read - a perfect way to
calm the spirit after recess.  

THANK YOU to those of you who have submitted your students’ forms online. We now have over 25% participation!  

If you have not submitted your students’ forms yet, please take a few minutes to do so; we need to ensure we have the most thorough, up-to-date student information and parent/guardian contact information.

Remember, we are more than happy to help. The district website has a page about online registration: https://wwsu.org/online-registration. If you need help creating or accessing your PowerSchool Parent Account, call your school registrar, Susan Laskaris, 882-1115.

Thank you for your prompt attention on this important matter.

CALENDAR UPDATE

October 2018

October 1	Progress Reports sent home via email
October 5	No school (In service for educators)
October 8	No school

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.

Mad River Park & Path Celebration: October 4, 5-7pm, rain or shine, all are welcome.  There will be brief remarks and dedication at 5:15pm, followed by a path walk, pick up games and light refreshments.Middle School Volleyball Club for boys and girls grades 5-8 will now meet on Sundays (not Tuesdays) from 5-6:30, at Crossett Brook Middle School Gym, every Sunday from 9/16-10/28. Call Donna Culver at Crossett Brook Middle School for more information(244-6100).

Yoga, Mindfulness and Healthy Stress Management classes Girls in grades 5-8  are invited to dive into the chakra system throughout the school year.  Each class will be themed around a chakra. All classes will take place at Valley Glow Yoga with Mindy Pistacchio.  Email Mindy for dates of all 7 studio classes and more information at mindy.pistacchio@gmail.com.

MAD DASH Registration is now open: The 23rd annual Mad Dash will take place on Oct. 7th, 10:00am, with sign in beginning at 8:30. There will be a free kids' run as well. Register online at www.madriverpath.com. To volunteer, contact Liz at dash@madriver.com

Harwood Middle School Update, Sept. 21, 2018

7th Grade engineers
Connecting with their team around Biomimicry. 
Biomimicry is the design and production of materials, structures,
and systems that are modeled on biological entities and processes. 

7th graders are participating in the Youth Biomimicry Challenge 
through the Biomimicry Institute.  This year's design challenge
 is associated with mitigation and/or adaptation 
due to climate change.  
Ask your 7th grade engineer to explain what 
they are discovering as they begin their work?  

Curious about Flying?  HUMS is.
HUMS pilots learn the basics regarding
flight from a real 8th Grade student pilot during
one of our Enriching Learning Opportunity blocks.
Ask your pilot where we all landed at the end of class.

8th Graders Caring about our school
Students helped prepare our
 school for open house last Thursday evening.
Thanks to everyone who attended.
If you have not filled out a feedback form, here is the link; 
Feedback Open House Link

The JumpRope Family Portal has been experiencing technical difficulties lately
and our tech personnel are working with JumpRope to resolve issues. If you see
 this message under the grades tab "no current grades available at this time" know that there are scores assessments for your child. 
 We thank you for your patience as we work through this.

           

Middle School After School

What is it?

A supervised work time for middle school students

When does it happen?

Wednesdays and Thursdays, 3:00-5:00, beginning the week of 9/17

*There will be a few exceptions because of other meeting conflicts.  Look for announcements when no After School is available, Students can be picked up by parents anytime between 4:30-5:00.  The late bus leaves Harwood at 5:00 and student will be supervised until this time.

How does it work?

Students can sign themselves up!  Email Ms.Therrien (ltherrien@wwsu.org) and let her know which day you’d like to attend.  Choose what you are going to spend your focused work time doing.

Teachers can sign students up!  If work has been missed or progress on a particular project is not going well, a teacher can assign a student for this time.  The student will be informed and an email message will be sent home the day before.

Parents can sign their child up!  If you know this would be an effective strategy for your child to focus on school work that needs to be completed outside of class, email Ms. Therrien (ltherrien@wwsu.org) and let her know.  You can sign up for a single day, a particular time span, or for an on-going basis.

What are the expectations?

Students may bring a snack.  The cafeteria is open at the end of school.

Students should arrive by 3:00 in Ms. Renz’s room.

Students are expected to be able to work quietly and independently during this time.  Ms. Therrien is available to answer questions and help organize work. Students should bring an independent (or assigned) reading book in case other work is completed before the session ends. All school non-negotiables and classroom norms are expected to be followed.   

HUMS four-square team

7th graders in a serious game of chess.

8th graders pose for a picture
at the top of Mad River Glenn
It was a beautiful day for a class hike! 

• CALENDAR UPDATE
  September  2018
  
  
  

  September 28	Middle School Picture Day.
  October 5	No school (In service for educators)
  October 8	No school

  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.
  

  
  

   Beads Jewelry and Scarf Sale October 5-7, 10:00-5:00, at the Skatium Ice Rink on the Slow Road.
  
  Middle School Volleyball Club for boys and girls grades 5-8 will now meet on Sundays (not Tuesdays) from 5-6:30, at Crossett Brook Middle School Gym, every Sunday from 9/16-10/28. Call Donna Culver at Crossett Brook Middle School for more information(244-6100).
  
  Yoga, Mindfulness and Healthy Stress Management classes Girls in grades 5-8  are invited to dive into the chakra system throughout the school year.  Each class will be themed around a chakra. All classes will take place at Valley Glow Yoga with Mindy Pistacchio.  Email Mindy for dates of all 7 studio classes and more information at mindy.pistacchio@gmail.com.
  
  Champlain Mini Maker Faire Makers in the Dark, make create, and share, September 22, 11-4:00 and 6-9:30pm, at Shelburne Farms.  Tickets now on sale at champlain.makerfaire.com

• THE MAD DASH:  
  10/5K foot race, 5K fitness walk; and FREE KIDS FUN RUN!
  10 a.m., Sunday, Oct. 7th (sign in starts at 8:30).
  Meadow Road, Waitsfield, behind Small Dog Electronics 
  Online registration: www.madriverpath.com, click on Mad Dash
  Pre-register for discount prices.
  Rain or Shine

Harwood Middle School Update, Sept. 14, 2018

Be Caring, Be Connected, Be Curious, 
Be HUMS

7th Grade Social Studies
year long "Guiding Question".

Ask your children about their work around
resource management, design and a build task
they participated in this past week.
Be Curious about their new learning.  

HUMS 7th graders in French class Connecting with each other,
practicing greeting skills.  They practice by moving on to the next partner 
with another task to accomplish,
like counting in French backwards from 20 to 1.
If you daughter/son takes French, ask them to explain the
ways they connected.   

How do we support a Caring Community

The Harwood Middle School is embarking on a school wide focus on the understanding and implementation of  a Responsive Classroom approach this school year.  This pilot year offers an opportunity for our community to engage in the work during our Teacher Advisory.  We are excited to explore this successful and proven approach at Harwood Middle.  Ask your middle school children some of the activities you are participated in during Teacher Advisory time.  

Guiding Principles

The Responsive Classroom approach is informed by the work of educational theorists and the experiences of exemplary classroom teachers. Six principles guide this approach:

1. Teaching social and emotional skills is as important as teaching academic content.
2. How we teach is as important as what we teach.
3. Great cognitive growth occurs through social interaction.
4. How we work together as adults to cre­ate a safe, joyful, and inclusive school environment is as important as our individual contribution or competence.
5. What we know and believe about our students—individually, culturally, developmentally—informs our expec­tations, reactions, and attitudes about those students.
6. Partnering with families—knowing them and valuing their contributions—is as important as knowing the children we teach.

CALENDAR UPDATE

September  2018

September 28	Middle School Picture Day.
October 5	No school (In service for educators)
October 8	No school

Athletic/Activities Calendar 

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.

New Hours at Joslin Memorial Library  
CLOSED on Tuesdays and OPEN on Fridays.
New Hours: Monday and Wednesday: 10-6 
Thursday and Friday: 12-6 
Saturday 10-2

Fencing Instruction Mondays and Wednesdays Sept. 10 - Oct. 15. 6:30 PM-8:00 PM (no class Monday Oct. 8 due to Holiday) at Moretown Elementary School Gymnasium. Student (grade 5-12) cost is $50.00 - All others cost is $125.00. (EACH Fencer also needs to complete the yearly USFA $10 membership). Equipment is provided. For more information visit: https://sites.google.com/site/midvtfencing/
All HUUSD staff could participate at $75!

 Middle School Volleyball Club   Tuesdays, 230 until 4pm. Starting 9/11 and running through and including 10/30. Come learn about and practice the basic skills and rules of the game. Look forward to possibly forming a team in march to compete in a league against other area middle schools. All boys and girls in HUUSD welcome.Best to wear athletic clothes and sneakers. Adult volunteers needed.Please email Dona Culver at dculver@wwsu.org if interested in participating or volunteering.

Learn to Lead  Learn how you can make a difference in your state government, girls grades 4-8, September 22, at the Vermont State House.  This is a girl scout event, but no previous girl scout experience is required. For details and free registration, visit girlscoutsgwm.org/LearnToLeadVT or call 8880474-9686.

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

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

Harwood Middle School Update, Sept 7, 2018

Be Curious, Be Connected, Be Caring

BE HUMS

Curious HUMS scientists investigate the aspects of a macerated stem.
Ask them what other aspects of investigations they participated in during
7th grade science today.  

8th grade mathematicians
curious about the relationship Barbie travels and the length of her bungee cord.
Ask students about the generalizations they could make
regarding these Connections. 

7th grade social scientists spent class time on Friday, August 31st working together to design a Full Value Contract, where we outlined, as a Caring community, how we wanted to be treated, how we want to treat others and how we want to take care of our space! 

HUMS supporting the three C's,
Be Caring
Be Connected
Be Curious
and possible 4th and 5th C's  - Eat Cake to Celebrate :) 

Dear HUMS Community,

I have thoroughly enjoyed beginning to get to know the students and staff at Harwood Middle these past two weeks.   I feel honored to be the school's educational leader and and excited to see all of the possibilities for growth, for both our middle school community as well as your child(ren)'s experiences.  We are continuously interested in improving our school's approach that creates curious, caring and connected students.  Please feel free to connect with me about your thoughts, feedback or concerns as the school year proceeds.   

We look forward to seeing you at the upcoming open house on September 13.  For the first time, our open house will coincide with the high school's evening to support families with meeting both our core and special class teachers.   Middle school schedules will be available as you enter the main entrance of the school to begin the evening.  Please do not use the powerschool schedule that you received over the summer as the room number and special class teachers.   Let us know if you have any questions.

Have a great weekend.

Duane Pierson

CALENDAR UPDATE

September/October  2018

September 13	Harwood Middle and High School Open House  - 5:30 - 7:45 Schedules will be available at the main entrance of the school for all families 7 - 12.
September 28	Middle School Picture Day.
October 5	No school (In service for educators)
October 8	No school

*Reminder:  Please return your technology agreement to the HUMS, Jon Potts 7th grade, Sarah Isbsen/Jackie McCarty 8th grade.  

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.

New Hours at Joslin Memorial Library  
CLOSED on Tuesdays and OPEN on Fridays.
New Hours: Monday and Wednesday: 10-6   
Thursday and Friday: 12-6   
Saturday 10-2

Fencing Instruction Mondays and Wednesdays Sept. 10 - Oct. 15. 6:30 PM-8:00 PM (no class Monday Oct. 8 due to Holiday) at Moretown Elementary School Gymnasium. Student (grade 5-12) cost is $50.00 - All others cost is $125.00. (EACH Fencer also needs to complete the yearly USFA $10 membership). Equipment is provided. For more information visit: https://sites.google.com/site/midvtfencing/
All HUUSD staff could participate at $75!

Car Wash Boy Scout Troop 700 will hold a car wash and interior cleaning September 9, 11:30-4:30, at the Waitsfield School.  SUV wash is $15, interior and wash is $30, and interior only is $20.  Car wash is $15, interior and wash is $25,  and interior only is $15.
 Middle School Volleyball Club   Tuesdays, 230 until 4pm. Starting 9/11 and running through and including 10/30. Come learn about and practice the basic skills and rules of the game. Look forward to possibly forming a team in march to compete in a league against other area middle schools. All boys and girls in HUUSD welcome.Best to wear athletic clothes and sneakers. Adult volunteers needed.Please email Dona Culver at dculver@wwsu.org if interested in participating or volunteering.

Learn to Lead  Learn how you can make a difference in your state government, girls grades 4-8, September 22, at the Vermont State House.  This is a girl scout event, but no previous girl scout experience is required. For details and free registration, visit girlscoutsgwm.org/LearnToLeadVT or call 8880474-9686.
 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.com/schedule

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