Harwood Middle School update, November 15, 2019

Curious 8th grade mathematicians 
exploring the relationship between the length of barbie's  
bungee cord and how far she bunges
with a hands on/minds on approach. 

Barbie Bungee in action!  

Student-Led Conferences ended this past week 
for Harwood Middle School.
We appreciate everyone's time in supporting this 
important event.  

Harwood Union High School presents the play “Peter/Wendy” by Jeremy Bloom

This inventive retelling of the classic story of Peter Pan will be performed on November 14, 15, and 16 at 7:30 pm. The cast of seven hard-working students is led by freshman Arianna Clark, who plays Wendy, and sophomore Cadance Hammond playing Peter Pan. Junior Connor McCarty portrays Captain Hook, while freshman Maddie Thibault is Smee. Junior Mo Wing is Tinkerbell, and the cast is rounded out by Ellett Merriman playing a Lost Boy, and Kaelyn Wood as Tiger Lily. Scott Weigand returns for his eleventh year directing at Harwood and is joined by new Technical Director Steve Smith.

This is a family-friendly show, and appropriate for all ages! Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and will be available at the door. The show runs approximately one hour and fifteen minutes and without an intermission.

Our excellent 7th grade writers workshopping their creative musings and
citizen science narratives in English class.

Are you curious about how many things a 7th grader student can do at one time?
Turns out not as many as they thought. Students explored the concept of multi- tasking as a part of a larger inquiry project during social studies. Ask your 7th grader how many they could do? It might surprise you.

Subject: HUUSD Board Meeting Recap 11/13

Dear members of our six town community,

At our last meeting on November 13, 2019, the Harwood Unified Union School District (HUUSD): 

Board had an extended Q&A and Public Comment session to address the public’s questions on the Board’s PreK - 12 planning. Information on the PreK-12 planning work and process can be found here: https://huusd.org/prek-12-bond-plan

Ron Smith and Miranda McDonald from RHR Smith & Company presented their auditor’s report and answered questions from board members.

Board postponed discussion and decision on this proposed motion to the 11/20 meeting: Move to accept the administrative team’s recommendation to move all 7th and 8th grade students to Crossett Brook Middle School for the 2020-21 school year.

The Board took action on the six (6) items below:

Approved the following items as part of the consent agenda: Approve: Minutes of 11/5/19; Approve: Policy Committee Minutes of 11/4/19; Accept: Voucher 1103 for $276,070.84; Accept: FY2019 Audited Financial Report and Management Letter from RHR Smith & Company; Approve: Harwood Union overnight field trip to Hubbard Outdoor Center in Fairlee, VT on 12/5/19.

Adopted (after discussion for about 1.5 hours and a proposed amendment that failed): Move to continue exploration and development of a preK-12 plan, in accordance with the Articles of Agreement, that includes closing Fayston Elementary School, combining all 7th and 8th graders at CBMS, and moving Moretown's 5th and 6th graders to CBMS.

Adopted: Appoint Garett MacCurtain and James Grace to the Harwood Union principal search committee.

Adopted: Approve admin team to engage with our architect and construction management company for up to 40 hours in order to start planning and beginning work on the bond. (Note that these consultants were previously engaged through the requisite bidding and approval process and this motion allows the district to resume bond work that was put on pause during the summer/fall 2019).

Adopted: Add an additional board meeting on December 4 from 6-8:30pm.

Adopted: The administration to develop a recommendation as to minimum pupil count at Harwood Union Middle School for HUMS to operate effectively.

Our next meeting is Wednesday, November 20th at 6:00 pm in the Harwood Union School library. Please visit https://huusd.org/huusd-board to confirm time and place of meetings.

Click on the link below to order Harwood Apparel
Great selection and lots of access
Link:  https://ptsteam.com/index.php?_route_=hu247

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.

Children's Clothing Swap Don't forget we have our MECA Children's clothing swap on Saturday from 9am-2pm!  If you are not in need of clothing and are only looking to donate go ahead and drop off clothing at your children's elementary or middle schools tomorrow, Friday, 11/15 between 8a - 4p. We will pick up all donations and bring them to Moretown to set up for the swap. If you are participating in the swap we will see you all on Saturday from 9a - 2p!

Bill Koch League Nordic Program With stick season and daylight savings under our belts it is now time to register for the upcoming BKL season!   We are excited by the early snow and cold temps to the program kick-off on December 3rd.
Registration and payments are due by November 30th.  Please don't wait until the deadline to register, as early registration helps us in the planning process for lining up coaches and gear for the season.  For more information and registration materials, email Chris Badger (csbadger@gmail.com).

Free Community Thanksgiving Dinner at the Bethany Church, Main Street, Montpelier, November 28, 11:30-2pm.  If you would like to volunteer at the dinner, please call 802-339-9151.