High School and Middle School Team -
We recognize that there are many questions and different emotions felt by all as we move closer to the start of the school year.
To that end we want to provide answers to as many questions as we can and will continue to do so on an ongoing basis. That said, given the ongoing changes as reflected in the updated AOE guidance from today (see link in Curious section below) we want to encourage everyone to reach out and keep lines of communication open so we can collectively support each other.
As we ready for the start of the school year - we want to reiterate that Harwood is a 7-12 High/Middle school. As such, all of our planning is to ensure our collective readiness. Together - we got this.
With gratitude and in partnership,
Laurie, Duane and Meg
Harwood Staff FAQ
How is ventilation and air flow being assessed and improved at Harwood?
This summer, Rick and his maintenance staff have been working to improve, adjust and repair any HVAC systems (we have 8 rooftop and multiple wall systems) to meet updated health and safety guidelines for air flow in our building. Our goal is to ensure that each occupied space is refreshed with outside/filtered air 2x per hour. At this point, we are approx 80% completed with this work. We will provide updates as we get closer to the opening of the school year.
Are students traveling in pods?
As the schedule is crafted we are working to pod 9th and 10th graders when possible in order to minimize the number of contacts. This is not possible for 11th and 12th graders given the diversity of courses taken at those grade levels.
Who will be transitioning from space to space - teachers or students?
Students will be transitioning to different classrooms. For the most part, teachers will remain in their classrooms throughout the day.
How will students pass in the hallways?
Our building based return to learn team will designate specific hallways to be one way and where that is not possible we will split the hallway with directional tape to maintain specific traffic patterns throughout our school.
What are the expectations for teachers' health screening upon entry?
Staff will be expected to self screen and complete a google doc. Each day upon entering the building. We will have a designated staff entrance - more on this soon.
How will your personal items and desks be disinfected?
Facilities do not intend to disinfect teachers' personal items or desks. Facilities staff are not responsible for disinfecting technology items such as computers, printers, telephones, etc.
What are the expectations for cleaning space in between classes?
Students will be expected to wipe down their desk space and chair before leaving each class. We will detail this as part of our inservice training.
What is the difference between cleaning, sanitizing, disinfecting?
Sanitizers kill certain bacteria, in a specific period of time, and are regulated by the EPA.
Disinfectants kill certain bacteria, viruses, mildews, or fungi, in a specific period of time, and are also regulated by the EPA. th
Cleaners remove dirt. Be sure you are using the right type of cleaner for the soil you need to remove.
What does the current DRAFT of our Bell Schedule look like?
What are the implications for middle school?
The Harwood Middle School’s schedule will follow a structure where core content will be distributed on team during blocks 2 and 3 and our Applied Arts teachers (specials) will be scheduled for blocks 1 and 4. The specifics for offerings will be communicated as soon as possible.
What will your daily contact minutes be when onsite?
w/ 3 blocks & TA = 205 minutes
w/ 2 blocks & TA = 175 minutes
What will your daily contact minutes be when offsite?
w/ 3 blocks, TA, arrival 7:45-8:17 = 291 minutes
w/ 2 blocks, TA, arrival 7:45-8:17, 1 lunch, and dismissal = 266 minutes
What is the status of our Master School Schedule?
Sally, Erin, our powerschool consultant are working tirelessly to ready our master schedule. They are hoping to have course info into powerschool to ready student schedules by next week. This will surface any problems we need to solve and from there counselors will review student schedules in advance of them being sent home.
When will I be able to see my schedule?
The goal is that you will be able to see their schedules in powerschool by Friday.
How will students be broken into cohorts?
Students will be divided alphabetically
Cohort A-K - Tuesday
Cohort L-Z - Thursday
What responsibilities will teachers have for teaching students who are fully remote in the 4/1 model?
Fully remote students will engage in synchronous learning with their peers on days all students are learning off site.
Fully remote students will have asynchronous learning days during onsite days for hybrid students.
What is the current thinking regarding asynchronous vs. synchronous learning time?
Synchronous learning will occur from 8:20 - 11:45 Monday and Friday
TA will meet daily from 8:20 - 8:45
Every course will have a synchronous meeting for 30 minutes Monday and Friday
ELO will be offered from 9:00 - 10:30
Asynchronous
Teachers will offer 90 minutes of small group/1-1 support and office hours between 12:15 - 2:45 on Monday and Friday
What will it look like for me to teach in my classroom this year?
Classrooms will reflect state health guidelines. We will be able to articulate what the classroom may look like by the beginning of inservice. Thanks for your patience.
What is the current thinking regarding using outdoor space for teaching?
We encourage teachers to design possible lessons/time for learning outside. We have over 150 acres of amazing woodlands for designing outside areas that support students within our current guidance on distancing. We have ordered more radios, first aid kits for this purpose. Teachers must have both when venturing outside as well as check out in the main office on your whereabouts. At this time we do not recommend bringing in personal tents for a variety of safety reasons. Please do not feed the hobbits or bears.
What are the current dates for inservice?
August 25, 26, 27th and August 31st - September 4th = Teaching staff
August 31, September 1st and 2nd = IA staff
Will there be additional training and support to drive TA this year?
Yes - this year more than ever the need to prioritize our students social emotional wellbeing is a MUST. To that end the TA team is currently working to be ready for inservice support and then will plan on regular monthly faculty meeting support.
Curious
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