Staff Blog Update- February 17, 2022

 2/17/22

Team -

 

Much work continues to happen behind the scenes to prioritize the safety of our community including the following work that has been done with our maintenance staff:

• Increasing & updating video cameras around the school

• Elevator being accessible only by a swipe card designated to necessary people

• Installation of hand dryers instead of paper towels in student bathrooms

As we seek to foster and maintain a community where all feel safe, we want to continue to strengthen communication.  To that end after break we will resume whole staff meetings on Tuesday mornings in person.  While there will continue to be meetings where we break into smaller groups, we will start each meeting collectively in the cafeteria.  We are looking forward to more time together to build trust and strengthen our relationships - something we haven’t had enough of since our arrival. 

Finally, we are excited to announce that Harwood has been allocated $7,725 by the state based on our vaccination status (although most of these funds will be used to purchase clothes - without holes -  for Scott Mead - and there will not be much left given the need).  A discussion with students from Student Government was held on Wednesday to consider how to use this money in order to strengthen our culture and climate during this challenging time.  Stand by and get excited for some fun next steps! 

Enjoy a much deserved break - find a way to relax and rejuvenate.  

Grateful!

Meg, Laurie and Duane 

Calendar:

• March 2nd = Modified 7 block day 

• March 4th = Sr. check in at 10:35 

• March 25th = NO SCHOOL (comp day for conferences in May)

• May 12th & 18th = Family Conferences 

• May 23rd week = Spirit week

Heads up! The Wednesday we get back from break (3/2) is not an ELO day; rather, it will run as a 7-block full class day:

7 block schedule

TA  (20)    8:40 - 9:00

Block 1  (45) 9:05 - 9:50

Block 2(45) 9:55 - 10:40

Block 5 (45) 10:45 - 11:30

Block 6 (45) 11:35 - 12:20

Lunch 1 (25) 12:25 - 12:50 Block 3 (45) 12:55 - 1:40 OR Block 3 (45) 12:25 - 1:10 Lunch 2 (25) 1:15 - 1:40 Middle School Lunch will occur after ELO C 11:35 - 12:05

Block 4  (45) 1:45 - 2:30

Block 7 (45) 2:35 - 3:20

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Appreciations:

Staff Member	Appreciations
To the Harwood School Community	Our school and all that everyone does each day makes a difference in the lives of the students we serve.  We hope that everyone has a well deserved, restful, fun and interesting break away from this place.
Elizabeth Managan	For bringing a wonderful STEM opportunity to our students last week.
Susannah Cowden	For the precise praise and positive framing you use with all your students & for reflecting in action the reality that you’ll never give up on your students.

Safe - seen, heard, respected & understood:

Topics

Information/Links

Project Kratos Update    Detention Update

Appreciations We cannot do what we need to do without the dedication/hard work of the following people:  Skylar-  the “Student Whisperer and Detention Cowboy”  Bernadette The “Fantastic Finder for those who lost their way”  Yvette - “The new quick to reply” email queen Lisa T -The  ignore the person behind the curtain-- Wizard  April -”The rock” on which all is built upon  Liz  - The sender and  receiver of all that is and will be.   Jon B - The “Process Guru” (sorry Jon couldn’t think of another title)  Mari-  The “Sergeant Major” marching up and down the square and just about everywhere else  Mara  - The Galadriel of the follow-up Justin - The Lights, Camera and always willing to help man”  We need your help with log Entries - here is how…..  As we continue to strengthen our accountability system re: attendance.  Wednesday - if you don’t have access to do a log entry HU email and Liz will complete the log entry for you When completing Log Entries please follow the following format - if you need assistance please see Duane, Mel, Skylar, Bernedette or Meg/Laurie.  Log Entry Subject Heading (recommended):  Class Cut  Description:  Detention needed  Weekly Climate Data  (this is a work in progress as we continue to distinguish salient data point for review and tracking - we are working on a chart format for the next blog post)   Detention Update This past week we connected (email and/or phone calls) with 14 families/students regarding behavioral/attendance issues which resulted in afterschool detention for many.  Please note we schedule detentions based on students/grouping and other issues (students who can’t be together etc)       Thanks to Skylar Bradley and Liz Hepp with the number of follow up connections to ensure this worked well.   Discipline Consequence  Update       HS           Suspensions Issued and Served  - 0            Detentions Issued and Served  - 4     MS         Suspensions Issued and Served  - 0          Detention Issued and Served-  2

Rigorous & Robust Academic Program:

Topics	Information/Links
International Trips	The question came up in the Coffee chat last week regarding International trips.   We are hopeful that guidance will change for next year and trips can run again.  If you start planning now - please ensure it is refundable as our reality is still unpredictable.
ELO Etiquette	A few challenges have come up recently related to ELO pre-booking. Certainly everyone has the best interest of students in mind, but in order to be kind to our fellow educators, here is the first of a possible recurring installment: Emily Post’s ELO Etiquette When booking students, please do not override a booking from another teacher. In extenuating circumstances, please reach out to the teacher to figure things out together. Please do not book students further out than one week in the future.

Positive school climate and culture:

Topics	Information/Links
Hiring Process - the season begins after break	As we begin the FY 23’ hiring season please see the process we used successfully last year and plan to use again this year. Composition of the Committee:  Principals Dep’t head Additional staff members Community Member Student representatives  Role: The role of a search committee member is to participate in a process that includes specific tasks important to a successful search:  Review all written/electronic applications and provide input to the search committee regarding your observations of the qualities of individual candidates.  Participate in the interview process by being a good listener, critical thinker, and constructive observer of candidates' responses to targeted questions.  Participate in group discussion concerning the outcome of candidate interviews.  Support the need for privacy through the entire search process.  Process: Review applications and narrow the pool for initial interviews - Committee members  Schedule 30 min. interviews - by Administrative Assistant  Highlighted team members take responsibility for drafting and sharing interview questions based on previous questions used.  Draft questions and share with the committee for feedback.  Please see the question template here. Interviews  Each committee member will ask a question - round and round  Team determines which candidates go to next round of sample lessons Sample lessons scheduled by Administrative Assistant  Not chosen contacted by Administrative Assistant   Sample lessons and debrief (*please make a copy of the sample lesson doc. before using) Team debriefs sample lessons and makes final decision Reference calls Applicant communication Chosen contacted by Principal, Assistant Principal or Dean Not chosen contacted by Administrative Assistant  Principals put forth candidates to HR/Superintendents
Collective Leadership team structure shift	After continued reflection and consideration of how to most effectively facilitate communication and action steps towards our Harwood goal’s we have made the decision to shift to 2 Collective Leadership teams - Student Support and Teaching & Learning.  Department heads will serve on one of these 2 teams in order to increase clarity of direction regarding curriculum work.  As has been the case in the past they will continue to do the following as well: leading dep’t meetings  teaching assignments  ordering/budgeting  serve on hiring committees
FYI re: Any purchases	Friendly reminder that any purchases you wish to have reimbursed must have a requisition in place for prior approval - including things bought using the Shaw’s card.
Harwood Union  7-12	Let is be shouted throughout the land  that Spirit Week will once again stand We are looking  at the last week of May  More information is coming your way  (after the upcoming break - and yes  this does not rhyme)