Team -
We are all aware, and live every day, with the significant and harmful effects that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on social relationships, a sense of belonging, and the ability to be together. This is most evident at school. We feel it.
There are not single solutions, but rarely are there. This is and will continue to be a collective effort to support our students and each other in recovering - in the midst of it still going on. While this is a long-term process, there are still small, concrete, and immediate actions steps each school can take, each individual and classroom can take.
We encourage you to first read through this article, Helping Students Re-Acclimate. Though it identifies middle school, these same principles apply to ALL our students.
The importance of belonging and building connection opportunities is the highlight. It was a priority for us last year and should remain a priority this year. Increasing class breaks can be impactful! By increasing full class breaks, we may also be able to minimize the number of individual students that are leaving the classroom who may be engaging in unhealthy decision making.
Here are some ideas from the article:
In partnership,
Duane, Laurie, Melody and Duane
Calendar:
Appreciations:
Staff Member | Appreciations |
Tara Cariano | For using the student bathroom to support a safe Harwood Community! |
Our Paraprofessionals | For their dedication to their students and flexibility to help out when unpredictable situations arise! |
Kate, Ellen, Tara and Jen | For your work to drive student dialogue forward with student facilitators |
VSAC Aspirations Partnership | Thanks to staff for sharing your Aspirations: Ask Me About It posters. I’ve overheard some interesting conversations as a result of these! I can’t wait to see which advisories will win the Scavenger Hunt!
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VSAC Aspirations Partnership | Kudos to the middle school team for initiating an Ask Me About It Scavenger hunt at the Middle School and for meeting with VSAC Ellen to find opportunities to support middle schoolers with their career & education exploration |
TA’s | For your thoughtful conferences with students and families. |
Safe - seen, heard, respected & understood:
Topics | Information/Links |
YRBS | 
PLEASE NOTE - We will follow a modified schedule on Wednesday, Dec. 1st in order to administer the YRBS survey - see below. AND - Mara Urban will be sending information in order to administer the survey.
TA (55) 8:40 - 9:35 | ELO 1 (40) 9:40 - 10:20 | ELO 2 (40) 10:25 - 11:05 | ELO 5 (40) 11:10 - 11:50 | ELO 6 (40) 11:55 - 12:35 | Lunch 1 (30) 12:40 - 1:05
ELO 3 (40) 1:10 - 1:50 OR ELO 3 (40) 12:40 -1:20 Lunch 2 (30) 1:25 - 1:50
Middle School Lunch will occur after ELO 5 11:55 - 12:25 | ELO 4 (45) 1:55 - 2:35 | ELO 7 (40) 2:40 - 3:20 |
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Health Office Update | PLEASE NOTE - Harwood Union High School cases have NOT been investigated as outbreaks occurring within the school community.
Where: Gym Lobby When: Monday 11/22 NEED your help: |
Rigorous & Robust Academic Program:
Topics | Information/Links |
Staff Meeting 7:30 - 8:30
| November 23rd - NO staff meeting - unless you feel you need to:
November 30th Objective: To ensure clarity of the collective effort needed for us to support a positive and safe Harwood climate and culture.
Staff Meeting Calendar |
Positive school climate and culture:
Topics | Information/Links |
Mask expectation reminders | We recognize that we are all tired of wearing masks! And we need to recognize that we are still living in a pandemic. All members of the Harwood community are STILL expected to wear their mask - covering their mouth and nose while in the building. The exception to this is: Knowing many people are with students for several straight hours please connect with us or each other to ensure you’re getting a mask break as needed. |
| We are excited to welcome our new Facilities Supervisor - Ryan Alger who will be joining the Harwood community on November 29, 2021.
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| We have now seen about 500 visits to the Wellness Center. Open full-time (except ELO Wednesdays) and occasionally, we will have to close if our staffing requires us too but that is the exception.
REMINDERS: Please send students one or two (max) at a time. You have the right to say “no” to student requests to visit if the timing does not work or you suspect a student is overusing or misusing this privilege. Please don’t allow students to stop by on breaks if you are walking by or just to get tea. These visits can be disruptive to students using the space.
We are checking in on students that have multiple visits during the same block but please do reach out if you are concerned about a student taking advantage of this resource. Also, a reminder that the extension is 8162.
Finally, if you are interested in donating any tea to the Wellness Center, we welcome it! |
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