Harwood Middle School blog update, October 23, 2020

HUMS UNITY DAY

This past week, HUMS students and staff united to celebrate

kindness, acceptance, and inclusion.

Each Unity Day, students around the world wear orange to demonstrate unity against bullying. Pictured above is a orange paper chain stretched between our 7th and 8th grade cores aras that containe committments of all of our students and staff to stop bullying.

Coming Soon:

• This coming week TAs will compete in a cornhole tournament to see who will hold the TA Spirit Trophy for the month of November. 
• School pictures are tentatively scehduled for the week of November 9th. More information soon.
• Student Conferences will be held on November 12 and 17th. Within the next week families will recieve information regarding our on-line scheduling program, Canyon Creek, to reserve a time/day for your conference.

Update:

• HUMS would like to welcome James DeLizza to our staff for the 20-21 school year. Mr. DeLizza hails from Brooklyn NYC and recently was teaching middle school Language Arts in New Hampshire. He has traveled and taught extensively in the United States. We look forward to having him join our team for the school year..

Middle School Students never cease to amaze!  

Feattured above is a HUMS student's electronic backpack 

broadcasting Unity Day for all to see.  

(You can also play 1980's video games on it as well) 

Unity Day, the signature event of National Bullying Prevention Month, has been  recognized in the United States since 2011. To participate in Unity Day, individuals, schools, communities, and businesses wear or display orange to show support for students who have been bullied.

7th graders collected macro invertebrates in the Lozelle Brook! They will meet with a scientist from VT EPSCoR on Wednesday to learn more about what information the macroinvertebrates can give us about the water quality of the Brook.

On Tuesday and Friday, students are encouraged to dress up for Halloween if they would like with appropriate costumes (only school-approved face masks; nothing covering the eyes)

REMINDER:   All HUUSD is  returning to full (not HUBS) morning bus runs.
Riding the bus insures your child will be on time and cuts down on vehicles on the road and in the parking lot. The revised morning bus routes can be found online here.

Reminder:  No School on November for Election Day 2020.  Please Vote!   

HUUSD Board Meeting Recap, October 14 - The HUUSD Board met remotely on Wednesday, October 14. The meeting began with questions for Superintendent Nease about Return to Learn planning and an update from Harwood’s student representatives. 

The meeting centered around the district’s preK-12 plan. The Board approved a motion to “move forward with the implementation of middle school consolidation in FY ‘22-23, for 7th and 8th graders at Crossett Brook Middle School.” Many details will be fleshed out in the coming months and the Board expects to use time at its next meeting to discuss plans for bringing the merger to fruition and a bond to voters. 

In other actions, the Board approved hiring a law firm to assist in negotiating new collective bargaining agreements with the teacher and support staff associations; approved several agenda topics for discussion at future meetings; developed a committee to explore reducing the size and changing the configuration of the Board; and accepted the report of an independent investigator who found no merit to the claim that, in 2016, the Superintendent acted inappropriately during a purported conversation regarding an incident of racism.

The next regular Board meeting will be October 28th, at 6:00PM. Remote meeting requirements have made it easier than ever to participate in or view School Board meetings, and we hope you will consider joining us. You can also email the board with your thoughts at cen-huusdboard@huusd.org

-- To participate live through Zoom, simply click on this link at the meeting’s start time: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/386460007#success

-- To view either live or after-the-fact on YouTube, use this link: tinyurl.com/huwebapp-youtube-live

-- To view on Mad River Television, use this link: www.mrvtv.com

Thank you for continued support,

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.


ELECTION DAY CHILDCARE Neck of the Woods(NOW) will be offering childcare on November 3rd, 7:30-3:00 for $40/child.  There will also be care 3:00-5:00 for $15/child. Please email Catrina at neckofthewoodsNOW@gmail.com to sign up.
 

Talking with Kids About Racism   Tuesdays, October 13, 20, and 27, 6-8pm. Hosted Online by the MRV Libraries and the Peace & Justice Center. Talking about race and racism can be difficult -- especially with children, but that does not mean we shouldn't have these conversations. This three-part program is for all people concerned about the impact of racism and/or white privilege on children. Learn tools to discuss these issues with children in a meaningful and age-appropriate way through resources, discussion, and role playing. Participants are expected to attend all three sessions unless other arrangements are made in advance with the facilitators. If the workshop fills, priority will be given to those who can attend all sessions. Registration is required and space is limited.
Register Here: https://secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/muwMTeQ0vVyOqyDPpBJNIQ

4-H Enrichment Opportunities    Are you looking for enrichment activities for your students on remote learning days? UVM Extension 4-H can help!   Check out our offerings at www.uvm.edu/extension/youth/announcements
All programs are FREE but registration is required. Programs are developed for certain ages but please inquire if interested. Some options include: 

• 4-H Speak Up Contest (grade 3-12):

Part of civic engagement, a key mission of the 4-H program, is helping young people use their voice to drive change in their communities. The 4-H Speak Up contest encourages youth to explore and share their thoughts and ideas. Enter a video for a chance to be heard! Contest ends November 30; a $50 gift certificate will be awarded to the winner in each age category.

           FREE DIGITAL THERMOMETER

Text FLUENCY to 900900 to connect with this program being offered by Kinsa; you will receive a digital thermometer in the mail, free, and be guided in downloading an app that syncs to the thermometer.