Harwood Staff Blog update, September 26, 2021

Team Harwood;

Thank you all for leaning into our Community Dialogue on Wednesday.  The impact was powerful!  In addition to the thoughtful reflections from students: 

• a radio was anonymously returned after it had been missing for 2 weeks
• and more students came forward with information to share about the destruction, vandalism and theft.

It will continue to take this Collective Effort to meet our goals of 

cultivating and maintaining a community where all students, staff and families feel safe - seen, heard, understood and respected.  

creating and maintaining a physical environment that reflects a positive school climate and culture.

To that end, we would love your feedback on the dialogue so we can continue to strengthen this practice as we move forward.  This will be used during our Collective Leadership Meeting on Monday as we dig into future TA planning.

With ongoing gratitude,

Meg, Laurie and Duane 

Important Information 

To Do:	If you have not already done so - please send your completed conference schedule to your supervisor
	10/08 inservice - we’ll be eating lunch together served by our very own amazing Harwood food services.  Please identify if you would like a veggie or meat option for Lunch.
	School Photos schedule:  Thursday Oct 30 - https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1J3dLflDx9xe7xi3gVaiOuoA4rV2-T9VMJB5OYgN881k/edit#gid=0
	The Wellness Center is OPEN!  Here is the schedule:  Wellness Schedule Sept 27 - 10/1 Here is the welcome Video https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bmJEZHEoQW7t0CGnhLNXteEUT17zXRC4/view?ts=61507a1d

Calendar Update

Athletics Calendar: Harwood Athletics- 

Staff Meeting Calendar: Staff Meeting Calendar 

	Mon27	Tues28	Wed29	Thur30	Fri 1
Morning		Staff Meeting
Afternoon
Evening			HUUSD Board Retreat

Upcoming Dates:

• Progress Reports 9/28 - JumpRope progress reports will be emailed to students and families. Please make sure that all courses have scores entered, and include comments if desired.

• Sr. Mt. Day 10/06 - Seniors and TA’s will be heading to Mad River Glen for a day of Fall fun on the Mountain. 

• In-Service 10/8

To Do:

If you have not already done so - please send your completed conference schedule to your supervisor

10/08 inservice - we’ll be eating lunch together served by our very own amazing Harwood food services.  Please identify if you would like a veggie or meat option for Lunch.

School Photos schedule:  Thursday Oct 30 - https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1J3dLflDx9xe7xi3gVaiOuoA4rV2-T9VMJB5OYgN881k/edit#gid=0

The Wellness Center is OPEN!  Here is the schedule: 
Wellness Schedule Sept 27 - 10/1
Here is the welcome Video
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bmJEZHEoQW7t0CGnhLNXteEUT17zXRC4/view?ts=61507a1d

Mon27

Tues28

Wed29

Thur30

Fri 1

Morning 

Staff Meeting 

Afternoon

Evening 

HUUSD Board Retreat

Ellen - For your creation of the community dialogue prompt that supported and guided a pivotal discussion for Harwood

Tara and Kevin - For buddying up in TA to make FUN FRIDAY a blast!

Tari - For allowing me to jump into TA and enjoy a game of pictionary to make Friday really FUN

Jacki, Jeff and Laura - For making a TA “playdate” and energetically kicking off FUN FRIDAY with a collaborative Jeopardy game 

Jodi and Elizabeth - in the MS For your strong advocacy for students who need it the most 

Jen Dreimiller  - For the untold hours of prep for the opening of wellness center

Mari - For your handling the bus rodeo with consistency and strength

Curious

Topics	Information/Links	Contact(s)
Open House	This year our Open House will be virtual again.  As is the case at all schools across HUUSD teachers are asked to participate in welcoming our families on October 15th when it will go live. To that end all teachers are asked to either create a short slideshow or video that includes: A current picture of yourself and write a brief bio A picture or two of your classroom  Syllabus information that includes but is not limited to: a description of each course you teach expectations in your classroom and for your courses PLEASE NOTE:  We will have designated time for this to be completed during inservice on 10/08.	Laurie, Meg and Duane
ELO & Flex updates	Shorter updates this week - yay! New info is highlighted. Flex Block - A few folks have asked me recently, so a reminder that the last day of quarter 1 flex block is Friday October 29. That means there are nine sessions left (although two of them include an assembly). I’m working over the next two weeks to get Flex assignments/rosters prepared for quarter 2. Please remember to make students aware of how 10.02 is being scored, and have them self-assess using the rubric at some point (although you determine the final score). If you are including additional indicators, please assess them summatively at least twice. BIG APPRECIATION for Eve, Kate, Adam, Tari, Alison, Beth, and Brian for assessing additional indicators and working with students to support their Learning Expectations! ELO - This week is a full-class week for Math, STEM, PE/Wellness, and Driver’s Ed. I present to you the Three P’s of ELO, to attend to this week and every week: Pre-book students (at least 5 for each of your classes by end-of-day Monday, open session Monday afternoon-Tuesday morning) Plan intentionally, whether it is your full class or a small group of students, for how you will support and engage those present.  Please check ELO bookings with your TA students on Tuesday (including any absent students) and ensure that they are booked for every block. I admit that the last P is pretty weak - I have a chocolate bar for whoever comes up with a better option that sticks! Finally, I’m going to start briefly visiting some ELO sessions to see the range of activities going on throughout the school (when I’m not at the ELO podium). I’m looking for examples of different ways to purposefully use this time, to highlight during our inservice on 10/8. See you out there!	Jessica
Reminders re: Field Trips	Interested in hosting a field trip? Please complete the Field trip request form Upon approval of the trip	Duane, Laurie and Meg
Lunch time dismissal	We recognize that there have been continuing challenges with lunch given  the number of students getting lunch this year the fact we can only serve from one line due to staffing shortages  We are in the midst of problem solving how to better facilitate this challenge.  STAND BY - a revised plan is forthcoming.  Until then, students do NOT need to wait for the official lunch bell to head to the cafeteria.  That said, waiting for a bit might mean a shorter line to wait in. THANK YOU for your patience,	Duane, Laurie and Meg
TA Update	Appreciation and an offer… First the appreciation...I want to appreciate all of you for stepping into the Talking Circles this week. It was brought to you on short notice and I can’t tell you how much I admire and respect people for taking the leap. I know that this may have fallen outside of folks' comfort zone and I can’t thank you enough for bringing this to your students in spite of any discomfort.  And now the offer...please remember that I am happy to join you in your advisory or to meet with you to provide any support you need. I have a wonderful TA partner with the intent that I can be available as needed! This offer does not expire!!! Connection Activity of the Week This cool and simple connection activity was shared by Rachael Potts!  The Best: Ask your group what is the best: burger, breakfast restaurant, pizza, creamee...etc. I suggest doing it in a round so everyone has a chance to chime in.  Community/Team builder Activity This week’s activity is designed for a more active group. It will require a beach ball (the larger the better!) and a large enough space or outdoor location but not on a windy day! Moon Ball: This is a cooperative volleyball game without a net. The object of the game is to keep the ball in the air. The idea is to have a volley that includes everyone. No one gets a second hit on the ball until everyone has had a first hit. This continues through the rounds. It sounds easy but is actually pretty challenging. It requires strategy and communication to do well. You might want to do a first round and then stop and process with the group about how they might function better. The object of the game is to see how many rounds the group can achieve without the ball hitting the ground. Resource of the Week Thank you Jess for sharing www.sporcle.com-a great trivia and quiz website with lots of great categories.

Topics 

Information/Links

Contact(s) 

Open House 

This year our Open House will be virtual again.  As is the case at all schools across HUUSD teachers are asked to participate in welcoming our families on October 15th when it will go live.

To that end all teachers are asked to either create a short slideshow or video that includes:

1. A current picture of yourself and write a brief bio

2. A picture or two of your classroom 

3. Syllabus information that includes but is not limited to:

1. a description of each course you teach

2. expectations in your classroom and for your courses

PLEASE NOTE:  We will have designated time for this to be completed during inservice on 10/08.

Laurie, Meg and Duane 

ELO & Flex updates 

Shorter updates this week - yay! New info is highlighted.

Flex Block - A few folks have asked me recently, so a reminder that the last day of quarter 1 flex block is Friday October 29. That means there are nine sessions left (although two of them include an assembly). I’m working over the next two weeks to get Flex assignments/rosters prepared for quarter 2.

Please remember to make students aware of how 10.02 is being scored, and have them self-assess using the rubric at some point (although you determine the final score). If you are including additional indicators, please assess them summatively at least twice. BIG APPRECIATION for Eve, Kate, Adam, Tari, Alison, Beth, and Brian for assessing additional indicators and working with students to support their Learning Expectations!

ELO - This week is a full-class week for Math, STEM, PE/Wellness, and Driver’s Ed. I present to you the Three P’s of ELO, to attend to this week and every week:

• Pre-book students (at least 5 for each of your classes by end-of-day Monday, open session Monday afternoon-Tuesday morning)

• Plan intentionally, whether it is your full class or a small group of students, for how you will support and engage those present. 

• Please check ELO bookings with your TA students on Tuesday (including any absent students) and ensure that they are booked for every block.

I admit that the last P is pretty weak - I have a chocolate bar for whoever comes up with a better option that sticks!

Finally, I’m going to start briefly visiting some ELO sessions to see the range of activities going on throughout the school (when I’m not at the ELO podium). I’m looking for examples of different ways to purposefully use this time, to highlight during our inservice on 10/8. See you out there!

Jessica 

Reminders re: Field Trips 

Interested in hosting a field trip?

Please complete the Field trip request form

Upon approval of the trip

Duane, Laurie and Meg

Lunch time dismissal 

We recognize that there have been continuing challenges with lunch given 

1. the number of students getting lunch this year

2. the fact we can only serve from one line due to staffing shortages 

We are in the midst of problem solving how to better facilitate this challenge.  STAND BY - a revised plan is forthcoming.  Until then, students do NOT need to wait for the official lunch bell to head to the cafeteria.  That said, waiting for a bit might mean a shorter line to wait in.

THANK YOU for your patience,

Duane, Laurie and Meg

TA Update

Appreciation and an offer…

First the appreciation...I want to appreciate all of you for stepping into the Talking Circles this week. It was brought to you on short notice and I can’t tell you how much I admire and respect people for taking the leap. I know that this may have fallen outside of folks' comfort zone and I can’t thank you enough for bringing this to your students in spite of any discomfort. 

And now the offer...please remember that I am happy to join you in your advisory or to meet with you to provide any support you need. I have a wonderful TA partner with the intent that I can be available as needed! This offer does not expire!!!

Connection Activity of the Week

This cool and simple connection activity was shared by Rachael Potts! 

The Best:

Ask your group what is the best: burger, breakfast restaurant, pizza, creamee...etc.

I suggest doing it in a round so everyone has a chance to chime in. 

Community/Team builder Activity

This week’s activity is designed for a more active group. It will require a beach ball (the larger the better!) and a large enough space or outdoor location but not on a windy day!

Moon Ball:

This is a cooperative volleyball game without a net. The object of the game is to keep the ball in the air. The idea is to have a volley that includes everyone. No one gets a second hit on the ball until everyone has had a first hit. This continues through the rounds. It sounds easy but is actually pretty challenging. It requires strategy and communication to do well. You might want to do a first round and then stop and process with the group about how they might function better. The object of the game is to see how many rounds the group can achieve without the ball hitting the ground.

Resource of the Week

Thank you Jess for sharing www.sporcle.com-a great trivia and quiz website with lots of great categories.

Caring 

Topics	Information/Links	Contact(s)
Spills in your classroom?	If there is a minor spill in your classroom please use paper towels and spray to clean up as our custodial staff is doing all they can to manage with a short staff.	Bean, Duane and Ray
Student Support Team Update	Gratitude to Skylar Bradley and Bernadette Bloom for their incredible support of all of our students 7-12! Their responsiveness to challenges, helping with attendance, and following up with teachers has been superb! Gratitude to Jon Berliner for his efforts in EST, attendance, ELO/Support Block, and supporting our families around EST/504s! Gratitude to Vicki Hummer for leading the special education department, maintaining a steady and stabilizing presence.  Thank you to Mari for working with our students who might not be where they need to be, and for supporting our CVCC students when they return to HU! Thank you to our special educators who are continuing to provide incredible services and supports to so many of our students.   Consequences: This week, student athletes will be hearing about missing practices, and any student may be hearing about potential for losing driving privileges for tardies and cut classes. We had to wait to clear the PowerSchool stuff (seniors, uptime, CVCC, first days of school) to ensure validity of our reports! Thank you for your continued efforts in stabilizing our attendance procedures, and communicating with us!	Melody Frank and Jon Berliner
Attendance Updates	Gratitude to Liz Hepp - our incredible front desk extraordinaire who is managing not only attendance (and all that goes with that) but all the other things on a day to day basis. First and foremost, being able to start a day with a Liz greeting is incredible! Thank you to the Nursing Crew - Phil and Maggie: their support of students and helping keep our school safe with physical health decision making - and ensuring we are following up accordingly and around attendance! Thank you to Shannon for fielding community phone calls related to attendance!  REMINDERS:  Please fill out the blue passes with a last name - this will help when we review at the end of the day.  For passes you write - please also indicate if excused (the exception will be those early morning directly from the Office from the office as we won’t know and will flip based on forms) Based on staff feedback (Thank you!!) - If you would like - at the beginning of the blocks, INSTEAD of calling Liz with missing students, you may EMAIL (Liz, Bernadette, and Skylar) instead. Up to you - either call or email list of names! Thank you.	Melody Frank and Jon Berliner
Update from the Health Office	Field Trip Reminders  At least 5 school days prior, please inform school nursing staff of the trip so that staff can prepare to meet medical needs.  We will: 1. Ensure that a first aid kit is available during the trip. 2. Ensure all participating students have HUUSD medical form completed and on file with the school nurse and arrange for emergency information to be accessible to staff during trip. COVID surveillance testing for staff and students will take place on Monday, September 27th. Here is the schedule and locations: Staff testing:  7:30-9:00 in front of the HS gym  High school student testing (In front of HS Gym) 9th Graders 9:00-9:30 10th Graders 9:30-10:00 11th Graders 10:00-10:30 12th Graders 10:30-11:00   Middle school student testing:  11:00-12:00 in the Middle School Common area 7th Graders 11:00-11:30 8th Graders 11:30-12:00 High School:  I sent TA's a list of their students who have signed up to test.  They will be giving these students a pass.  Students with a pass should be allowed to leave class at their designated time.  Please write the time the student is leaving on the pass, and we will do the same when they have completed the testing process.     Middle School: I sent  you a list of students who are signed up to test.  They will not need a pass since we will be in the Middle School to test them.    If you are a staff member who has already signed up, you do not need to sign up again.  Also, there is no sign-up sheet for staff this week, just come between 7:30-9.   Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.  I would appreciate any feedback on how this process works so we can adjust accordingly.	Magge & Phil
Student Support Update	https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ePB5fV4pJI4k71R8jlqJXH6-K-7emHyp6WFvzToAjkA/edit

Topics 

Information/Links

Contact(s) 

Spills in your classroom?

If there is a minor spill in your classroom please use paper towels and spray to clean up as our custodial staff is doing all they can to manage with a short staff.  

Bean, Duane and Ray

Student Support Team Update

Gratitude to Skylar Bradley and Bernadette Bloom for their incredible support of all of our students 7-12! Their responsiveness to challenges, helping with attendance, and following up with teachers has been superb!

Gratitude to Jon Berliner for his efforts in EST, attendance, ELO/Support Block, and supporting our families around EST/504s!

Gratitude to Vicki Hummer for leading the special education department, maintaining a steady and stabilizing presence. 

Thank you to Mari for working with our students who might not be where they need to be, and for supporting our CVCC students when they return to HU!

Thank you to our special educators who are continuing to provide incredible services and supports to so many of our students.  

Consequences: This week, student athletes will be hearing about missing practices, and any student may be hearing about potential for losing driving privileges for tardies and cut classes. We had to wait to clear the PowerSchool stuff (seniors, uptime, CVCC, first days of school) to ensure validity of our reports! Thank you for your continued efforts in stabilizing our attendance procedures, and communicating with us! 

Melody Frank and Jon Berliner

Attendance Updates

Gratitude to Liz Hepp - our incredible front desk extraordinaire who is managing not only attendance (and all that goes with that) but all the other things on a day to day basis. First and foremost, being able to start a day with a Liz greeting is incredible!

Thank you to the Nursing Crew - Phil and Maggie: their support of students and helping keep our school safe with physical health decision making - and ensuring we are following up accordingly and around attendance!

Thank you to Shannon for fielding community phone calls related to attendance! 

REMINDERS: 

1. Please fill out the blue passes with a last name - this will help when we review at the end of the day. 

1. For passes you write - please also indicate if excused (the exception will be those early morning directly from the Office from the office as we won’t know and will flip based on forms)

2. Based on staff feedback (Thank you!!) - If you would like - at the beginning of the blocks, INSTEAD of calling Liz with missing students, you may EMAIL (Liz, Bernadette, and Skylar) instead. Up to you - either call or email list of names! Thank you. 

Melody Frank and Jon Berliner

Update from the Health Office 

Field Trip Reminders 

At least 5 school days prior, please inform school nursing staff of the trip so that staff can prepare to meet medical needs.  We will:

1. Ensure that a first aid kit is available during the trip.

2. Ensure all participating students have HUUSD medical form completed and on file with the school nurse and arrange for emergency information to be accessible to staff during trip.

COVID surveillance testing for staff and students will take place on Monday, September 27th.

Here is the schedule and locations:

• Staff testing:  7:30-9:00 in front of the HS gym 

• High school student testing (In front of HS Gym)

9th Graders	9:00-9:30
10th Graders	9:30-10:00
11th Graders	10:00-10:30
12th Graders	10:30-11:00

 

• Middle school student testing:  11:00-12:00 in the Middle School Common area

7th Graders	11:00-11:30
8th Graders	11:30-12:00

High School:  I sent TA's a list of their students who have signed up to test.  They will be giving these students a pass.  Students with a pass should be allowed to leave class at their designated time.  Please write the time the student is leaving on the pass, and we will do the same when they have completed the testing process.  

 

Middle School: I sent  you a list of students who are signed up to test.  They will not need a pass since we will be in the Middle School to test them. 

 

If you are a staff member who has already signed up, you do not need to sign up again.  Also, there is no sign-up sheet for staff this week, just come between 7:30-9.

 

Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.  I would appreciate any feedback on how this process works so we can adjust accordingly.  

 

 

9th Graders

9:00-9:30

10th Graders

9:30-10:00

11th Graders

10:00-10:30

12th Graders

10:30-11:00

7th Graders

11:00-11:30

8th Graders

11:30-12:00

Magge & Phil 

Student Support
Update

 https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ePB5fV4pJI4k71R8jlqJXH6-K-7emHyp6WFvzToAjkA/edit

Connected 

Topics	Information/Links	Contact(s)
Friendly reminder - Sub Coordinator Update	Lynda Cummings will be graciously taking over as our Sub Coordinator THANK YOU!   Going forward, please text her on her cell - (802)279-5548 with unplanned absences.  My email is lcummings@huusd.org Sub binders will remain in the administrative assistant office as usual. Please make sure they are up to date.	Lynda cummings
Staff Meeting  9/28 7:30 - 8:30 We will start in the cafeteria together	Objective:  To identify clarity and provide stability as we move forward. Choose your own adventure: Wellness Center Orientation with Jen Mandated Trainings ELO readiness TA readiness/Q&A with Ellen Or … Staff Meeting Calendar	Duane, Laurie or Meg
Announcing new Email groups to support ease of communication	hu-sped@huusd.org  Leadership teams: hu-collectiveleadership@huusd.org  hu-teachandlearn@huusd.org - Teaching and Learning huhu-student-support@huusd.org - Student Support hu-opereations@huusd.org - Scarlet Bus (Dep’t heads)	Meg, Duane and Laurie

Topics 

Information/Links

Contact(s) 

Friendly reminder - Sub Coordinator Update

Lynda Cummings will be graciously taking over as our Sub Coordinator THANK YOU!

 

Going forward, please text her on her cell - (802)279-5548 with unplanned absences. 

My email is lcummings@huusd.org

Sub binders will remain in the administrative assistant office as usual. Please make sure they are up to date.

Lynda cummings 

Staff Meeting 

9/28

7:30 - 8:30

We will start in the cafeteria together 

Objective:  To identify clarity and provide stability as we move forward.

Choose your own adventure:

• Wellness Center Orientation with Jen

• Mandated Trainings

• ELO readiness

• TA readiness/Q&A with Ellen

• Or …

Staff Meeting Calendar 

Duane, Laurie or Meg

Announcing new Email groups to support ease of communication

• hu-sped@huusd.org 

Leadership teams:

• hu-collectiveleadership@huusd.org 

• hu-teachandlearn@huusd.org - Teaching and Learning

• huhu-student-support@huusd.org - Student Support

• hu-opereations@huusd.org - Scarlet Bus (Dep’t heads)

Meg, Duane and Laurie