Harwood Middle School update, September 20, 2019

8th grade authors 
composing letters of gratitude using the
Harwood Gazebo as a place for inspiration. 

We hope everyone enjoys the excellent weather forecasted for this weekend.   Our time spent with John Halligan and his powerful message about caring for each other and being an "upstander" made significant impressions on many of our students and adults. We will continue to view mistakes as learning opportunities as we carry his message  into how we treat each other.  

definition of an Upstander:  a person who speaks or acts in support of an individual or cause, particularly someone who intervenes on behalf of a person. 

As we enter the fifth week of classes next week,  we will host our second community meeting  celebrating our successes and informing students about some of our clubs and activities we offer throughout the school week.  We are excited about the possibilities.  Be Caring, Be Connected, Be Curious, Be HUMS.  

 

7th grade analyst
collecting data to support their
reasoning around connections and patterns in math. 

HUMS scholars
using the new Gallery area to
work together on a project 

Subject: HUUSD Community Events Oct 1 and 7 on PreK - 12 Plans

Text:  The Harwood Unified Union School Board invites you to join us Oct 1 or Oct 7 for one of our Community Forums. Open to staff, students, parents, taxpayers, residents...if you’re part of the HUUSD, you’re invited!  We'll be discussing possible scenarios to reconfigure our school district and meet the needs of our students, PreK - 12th grade.

Come to either or both meetings: Tuesday, Oct 1 from 7-9PM @ the Harwood Union Library OR Monday, Oct 7 from 7-9PM @ the Crossett Brook Cafeteria.

Each session will include:

1. A presentation of change models being considered

2. Q & A for clarifying questions about data, models, and process

3. Small group conversations facilitated by Board membersWe will be providing LOTS of information at the meeting, so everyone can participate in the discussion, even if this is all new to you.  If you also want more background before you come, please visit the HUUSD.org website and click on PreK-12/Bond Plan tab.   

Childcare will be provided.  We ask that those planning to use babysitting on site to please RSVP to Torrey by 9/29 at tcsmith@huusd.org  

members of our six town community,
First - upcoming events:

• Community engagement and conversation around PreK-12 redesign. Hear a presentation about the change models being considered and then share your thoughts in small group conversations led by school board members.  
  • Tuesday, October 1st, 7-9pm at Harwood Union
  • Monday, October 7th, 7-9pm at Crossett Brook

At our last meeting on September 11, 2019, the Harwood Unified Union School District (HUUSD) Board took action on the four (4) items below (listed in order of the time in the meeting when the vote occurred):

1. Adopted: Approved the new HUUSD vision statement
2. Adopted: Approved the SY2019-20 Board Goals as amended
3. Approved the following items as part of the consent agenda:  Approved: Minutes of 6/26/19 and 8/28/19; Accepted: Vouchers 1295, 1302, 1303, 1304 and 1306 for FY 2018-19 equaling $677,653.26; Accepted: Vouchers 1018, 1022, 1023, 1024, 1036, 1037, 1046, 1048 and 1056 for FY 2019-20 1009 equaling $2,045,144.60; Approved: HUHS overnight field trip to Burlington, VT on November 4th; Approved: Waitsfield Elementary School overnight field trip to Hosmer Point in Craftsbury, VT on September 25th
4. Adopted: A motion that James draft an Op Ed to communicate why we are doing this PreK-12 work at this time and use the Board’s communications process to finalize and share was seconded and adopted. 

Additionally, the Board discussed possible Board Operating Protocols; our fall community engagement schedule; reflections on the process used thus far in preK-12 decision-making; and our evolving process for agenda requests.

Our next meeting is Wednesday, September 25th at 6:00 pm in the Harwood Union School library. 

Please visit https://huusd.org/huusd-board to confirm time and place of meetings. You’ll also find all board and committee agendas, packets and minutes, and the link to board meeting videos. 

Thank you for your continued support and engagement.

Respectfully,
The HUUSD Board 

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 Dash   October 13th, 10am start, Route 100 and Meadow Road, Waitsfield.  There will be a 5K and 10K race, 5K Fitness Walk and a Kids' Fun Run. Information and registration: www.madriverpath.org.  For more information and to volunteer contact: dash@madriverpath.org or 802-496-7284.

Pottery Classes for Kids    Wednesdays, 3-5pm, Sept. 25-Oct 23, at the Blockhouse Studio, 5031 Main Street Waitsfield. Please visit www.Blockhousestudio.com for information and registration.

Woodchuck Golf Kids Clinic    September 22, 11-1:00pm, 265 Palmer Lane, Waitsfield.  The Harwood High School Golf team will be leading the clinic.  Parents are encouraged to watch from the club house. There are no fees.  Please call Mary Jane Potter 802-496-2415 if you would like to sign up.  No golf experience is necessary.

Family Contradance    September 28, 6:30-9pm, at the Warren Town Hall. "Honey in the Hive" returns to Warren along with caller Lausanne Allen! Show us your dance moves, learn to dance, or just come to listen and watch. To help us preserve our historic wood floor, please wear clean, soft-soled shoes. Free and open to all. Sponsored by the Warren Arts Commission.

The Nutcracker   Come be a part of the holiday magic of Vermont’s longest running Nutcracker performance with Albany Berkshire Ballet. Student Dancer Auditions will be held:
 Burlington, VT - September 29, 2019, Flynn Center for the Performing Arts – Flynn Space, 153 Main St., Burlington, VT 05401, 10:00 am Ages 4-5, 10:30 am Ages 6-8, 11:30 am Ages 9-11, 1:00 pm Ages 12 and up. Audition fee of $20. Shows will help kick off the holiday season Thanksgiving weekend November 30 & December 1, 2019. Children are generally in one show. For more information contact Lori Preiss at abbvermontnutcracker@gmail.com.

Trick or Trot 2019     5 K walk or run and kids' fun run to benefit Warren School PTO, October 27, 1pm at the Warren School.  Kids $10 and adults $20. Costumes are encouraged. For more information contact HGreene@huusd.org or NMcdonough@huusd.org

Baked Beads Tent Sale  Skatium Benefit: 10/11-10/13, 10am-5pm, under the tent at Skatium Ice Rink.

Barn Dance and Fall Harvest Fest to benefit The Children's Room.   September 22, 2-5pm, rain or shine, Beard's Barn, 1601 Barnes Hill Road, Waterbury Center.  Live music, dancing, hayrides, games and refreshments.  $20/family