Harwood Middle School Blog update, February 14, 2021

 

7th Graders creating hearts to be shared with the classmates.  
Valentine's Day comes at a perfect time of the year when everyone
needs a bit of warmth in the middle of winter.

Connected

• Important Calendar Updates:

• 2/16 - 2/19 HUMS WinterFest Announced!  

• From 12:30- 2:30 Tuesday and Friday this week  

•  Students will particpate with their TA's  in sledding, snow sculpting, taking winter photographs and a savenger hunt activities.   The school day will end with a visit from the HU ice cream truck(aka floor machine) to deliver pre-packaged ice cream to each HUMS student safely.  Please make sure students bring in outdoor clothing for 2021 Winterfest! 

• 2/22 - 3/2 No School - Winter Break Please note the cohort day switch when we return from the upcoming break!

• 03/04 - Black cohort day (Mon/Tues Group)

• 03/05 - Gold cohort day (Thurs/Fri Group)

 Your Vote Matters!  

The detailed report of the 2022 HUUSD Budget, along with the schools annual report, can be found online here. You may call 802-583-7953 to request a printed copy of the budget. If you'd prefer a verbal review of the budget and/or to ask questions , please join the informational meeting being held via zoom (or you can watch on youtube) on March 1st at 6 p.m. (click on the following link to view information about the meeitng and ways to view it here)

Free Meals for Children 18 & Younger

• Did you know you can get free breakfasts and lunches for your children 18 and under? That includes littles not yet enrolled in school! Sign up for meals here.  Free meals are not only for families in need, and you won’t be “taking away” a meal from someone in need if you decide to get a meal for your child(ren).   Please take advantage of this wonderful benefit, the more meals served, the better it is for the HUUSD Food & Nutrition Program.

Last Reminder:

• Harwood Union Middle/High School Bus riders will be asked to utilize the Harwood Transit cards (ZPass System) to assist school staff with identifying what students ride which bus each day regardless of any change in the bus they take to or from school.   Students will be expected to swipe the card for both AM and PM bus routes - daily routes only. This is more important than ever given during this  COVID school year.   If students need a transit card please see Nancy Myrto.  If you have questions contact Duane Pierson at dpierson@huusd.org. 

  
  

  Click on the link below to learn more about the Harwood Transit card system: 

  Harwood Transit Card information

Updates from our Health Office:

Travel & Quarantine

Emergency Executive Orders continue to be in place to slow the spread of COVID-19 in Vermont. Gatherings with others who do not live within your home and non essential travel continue to be prohibited. 

If your student gathers with others who do not live in your home they should remain home, quarantine and get a COVID PCR test as soon as possible and then again on or after day 7 of quarantine. Remain home and in quarantine until you receive a negative test result. If you do not develop COVID symptoms your student may return to school once you have reported the negative test result to the school nurse. 

If you travel out of Vermont whether for a day trip or longer, you must quarantine in Vermont upon return for 14 days. You can end quarantine early if you do not develop symptoms of COVID-19, get a COVID-19 PCR test on or after Day 7, get a negative test result, and still do not have symptoms.

The negative test result must be reported to the school nurse before a student will be cleared to return to school and sports. 

College students that attend school out of state, and within Vermont, must quarantine for 14 days upon return to your home. They should self isolate within the home until quarantine has ended. You can end quarantine early if you do not develop symptoms of COVID-19, get a COVID-19 PCR test on or after Day 7 of quarantine, get a negative test result, and still do not have symptoms. More information can be obtained at https://www.healthvermont.gov/covid-19/travel-quarantine

The Test Site Finder can help you find and schedule COVID testing near you. 

Until people are vaccinated and we know more, we need to follow all safety guidelines like wearing a mask out in public, washing your hands frequently, social distancing and following social gathering, travel and quarantine guidelines.

Please report your test results, ask questions and get guidance from your school nurse.

Thank you for doing your part in keeping our schools open and safe.

Nurses Office 

Phone # 802-583-8151

Fax 802-882-1197

HUMS Engineers worked on teaming and problem sovling skills to create the largest
cup tower during their Teacher Advsory Time.  The winning team
created a 90 inch masterpiece.  

7th grade teachers demonstrate our new recess game called "Mirror Twister".  In this game  opponents attempt to mirror each other using the carpet squares in the HUMS gallery as a Twister Board.   Of course regular twister would not allowed this year  - so with a few twists we have now have this amazing new game.  Picture above, Ms. Renz destroys Mr. Potts in their demostration game for the 7th grade (Information provided by Ms. Renz) 

7th Grade biologists exploring the world of animal traits as it relates to 
understanding interrelatinships and interdependence within 
an ecosystem.  Student reflected on their experiences both in writing and through classroom discussions. Ask student what animal they were during the hands on/minds on gallery experience.  

 

CURIOUS 

Curious about how Harwood assesses students?  

The following link will take you to our guide that is designed to provide students and their families with a thorough understanding of Proficiency-based Education. The guide includes general information about the Principles and Practices of Proficiency-based Education.  It also includes information specific to how student learning is reported. Lastly, it provides details on how to access information about student progress in our Proficiency-based reporting system, JumpRope.

Your recent Jump Rope progress report should have included a link to this guide. Please review the document and email dpierson@huusd.org if you have questions.

LINK: Harwood's Assessment System

HUMS scientist creating molecules and compounds out of 
gumdrops.  (Please note that no gumdrops were harmed during this activity  - mostly)

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.
 

Everyone Eats and Share MRV Free Healthy Meals Free meals are available to anyone in the community who has been impacted in any way by the pandemic.  Not only will you get a delicious meal, but you are helping your local economy by supporting a valley restaurant and its employees.  Come to the Big Picture Theater and grab a meal for you and your neighbor on Saturdays 11-1:00.
For more information, call 8802-505-9149 or send an email to ShareMRA @gmail.com.

She's the First  Harwood Union High School "She’s the First" group is running a raffle to raise money to send girls to school who are the first in their families to attend high school in Ethiopia and Uganda. We have gathered prizes from many local restaurants and businesses including Mad River Taste Place, Tucker Hill Inn, Vermont North Ski Shop, Sweet Spot, Waterbury Sports and many more! Tickets are $5, or a book of 5 for $20. To purchase a ticket, please email shesthefirsthu@gmail.com with your name, email, phone number, mailing address, and preferred method of payment. Payment can be accepted through Paypal (shesthefirsthu@gmail.com) or Venmo (@shesthefirsthu). Cash and checks (payable to She’s the First Harwood Union) can be mailed to Kate Stauss at Harwood Union High School, 458 VT RTE 100 Moretown, VT 05660. The raffle drawing will be over Zoom on March 8th (International Women’s Day), along with a showing of a short film, Brave Girl Rising. An email with the zoom link will be sent to you after you purchase a ticket (you do not need to be present to win a prize). Please email krush2021@huusd.org if you have any questions. Help us support this important cause!

2021 Spring Lacrosse Registration @ www.madriverlax.com        Mad River Valley Youth Lacrosse will offer both girls and boys lacrosse again this year. There are four separate grade levels including k-2nd, 3rd-4th, 5th-6th and 7th-8th. Equipment will be provided for k-4th grade players as supplies allow. First timers are welcome at every level.
      Early Registration at www.madriverlax.com is highly recommended as teams often fill to capacity. Player space is open on a first-come, first-serve basis. Team assignments will be provided by March 10, 2020. Mad River Youth Lacrosse encourages athletes who might play other spring sports to also play lacrosse.  http://www.mrvrd.org/2020/04/16/recreation-opportunities-during-covid-19/ Mad River Youth Lacrosse will also follow any additional guidance from the state as it relates to their return to play guidelines prior to returning to play. https://accd.vermont.gov/ Should the pandemic continue and we are therefore unable to play we will provide refunds. For more information or to register for the 2021 season, please go to www.madriverlax.com.

Public Input Needed on Scrag Mtn Town Forest Trails     The Waitsfield Conservation Commission is seeking input from Valley residents and visitors on their experiences and hopes for recreational trails on the 750-acre Scrag Mountain Town Forest. There are two near-term opportunities to weigh in:

• Attend a virtual public forum on Monday, February 1^st from 7:30-8:30 pm via Zoom - https://tnc.zoom.us/j/94557295475;
• Complete a brief online survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/W7V3PHT by 5:00 pm on Friday, February 12^th.

Please share your perspective on this important community asset! For further information, contact Conservation Commission Chair Phil Huffman at phil@madriver.com or trail consultant Mariah Keagy at mariah@sinuosity.net.