Sunday, December 19, 2021

Harwood Middle School blog update, December 19, 2021

 

We’re proud to congratulate our very own #SamsungSolve HUMS 7th grade team for being named our 2021-22 State Winner! It’s great to see their ideas celebrated as they work to develop a #STEM solution to an issue that impacts our local community. The students, along with teacher Angela Selvaggio, proposed an idea on how to better manage waste in popular recreation areas. In this next phase of the contest, the team will bring their project vision to life and create a 3-minute demonstration video to compete for a chance to win a prize amount of $50,000 in technology and become a National Finalist!

**What is Samsung Solve for Tomorrow?**

Each year Samsung hosts a $2 million national competition for public schools grades 6–12 in which students are asked to consider how science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) can be used to create change in their communities. With the help of their teachers, students can apply to the contest and compete to win up to $100,000 in prizes for their school, plus the opportunity to work with Samsung employees to develop their prototypes.



View our our first edition of the Harwood Underground here:  
https://harwoodunderground.wixsite.com/home/post/harwood-union-middle-school-restarts-student-newspaper





7th and 8th coders experienced using VR (virtual reality)  goggles and designed their own unique virtual setting using the coding program Cospaces. Librarian Genevieve Knight instructed students on how to use the goggles and the coding program, and guided students through a 2 part lesson for HUMS’ Hour of Code event last Friday. Several teachers offered time to learn and use coding programs such as Block Jumper, Minecraft, Twine and Gamestar Mechanic during ELO blocks.


HUMS is a Caring, Connected and Curious School!


Topics

Information/Links

Health Office

 





Surveillance testing for students:  Sign-up here. 

Dates:  Each Monday that school is in session

Times/Locations:  

  • 7:30-11 in front of the HS gym

  • 11-12 in Middle School Common area

Please remind your student that they are signed up and to come to testing even if they do not get a pass from their TA.


Information about other testing options (close contact test to stay, symptomatic response testing)


CDC, FDA Sign Off on Pfizer Boosters for 16- and 17-Year-Olds


"The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized booster doses of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine for 16- and 17-year-olds today, clearing the way for millions of older teenagers to get a third dose of vaccine starting 6 months after their second dose."

 

https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/964495


Student Health Issues


If your student is experiencing a long-term illness, having surgery, or sustained an injury outside of school, let the health office know so that we can coordinate and communicate with faculty and staff, if necessary.  Supporting documentation (discharge paperwork, letter from provider) helps us determine accommodations to support students' learning.  Feel free to contact the health office if you have any questions or would like to discuss.  


Please note:  When students are going to miss school, it's important that they reach out to their teachers to let them know and to inquire about work they will be missing. HUMS teachers can be reached by using their email or you can email Mr. Pierson at dpierson@huusd.org to help you connect.  



Condom Availability Programs

Effective July 1, 2021, all secondary schools in Vermont shall make condoms available to all students in grades 7-12, free of charge.

Vermont Statute: Provision of Contraceptives

HUUSD students in grades 7-12 will be able to access condoms in designated locations in our high school and middle schools. These locations will be staffed by individuals qualified to provide information and answer any questions. Please see our school nurses or our school's health educator (Mr. Moody) for questions or concerns. Additionally, information will represent the needs of all students, inclusive of gender identity, sexuality, and ethnicity.

Curricular goals are guided by the National Health Education Standards and the National Sexuality Education Standards.  Specifically, units and lessons are guided by the 3R's Curriculum and the Center for Disease Control.

Please direct any questions to our Principals, Nurses and Health teachers.