Harwood Staff Blog Update- December 15, 2022

 12/15/2022

Team -

Harwood Hacks Harwood hacks will be a new addition to the weekly blog. Harwood hacks will be  quick check-in activities. We know that check-ins are opportunities for everyone in the classroom to be seen and heard, to pause and reflect on themselves and connect with/build empathy for each other. They can be verbal, movement based, written, anonymous, playful or a combination of these. (Starling pg.1)

“Let’s all just have fun, damn it!” 

Ellen Berrings

Calendar:

• 12/21 - Ugly Sweater day & Staff event at Pro-Pig 

• 12/23 - 1/01 - No School - Vacation 

• 01/06 - Winter Ball Round Barn 

• 01/11 - Art Show 5:30 - 7:30

• Middle School First Ski program begins on 1/11, 11:30 - 3 

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Appreciations:

Staff Member	Appreciations
Laura Ladieu	For your tireless support in a VERY challenging situation with the student you support. You are handling it with grace, and compassion, and have been tremendously caring and thoughtful. Your communication has been amazing. We are incredibly lucky to have you.
Ellen Berrings	For her energy at the last staff meeting.
To Scott, Kendall, Colin and Ray	For their upcoming snow removal on Friday.
Dr. Mike	For making the early morning right decision on Friday
Mother Nature	For the making of the weather that WILL come very early on Friday morning.
April	For magically conjuring up all of the needed substitutes we needed recently
Kristi McKnight	For picking up our DONUTS for us for Monday morning! (And for the last time she did it!)

Safe - seen, heard, respected & understood:

Topics	Information/Links
Health Office Updates	Flu, RSV, Covid…oh my Adenovirus, enterovirus, parainfluenza virus, norovirus…it is the year of the virus! For real, students and staff are getting sick. A few simple steps can help mitigate the spread of all viral illnesses.  Hand hygiene and surface cleaning: Soap/water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Many of the above viruses can be transmitted via surfaces. Break the chain of infection by cleaning your surfaces and washing your hands. The WHO prefers the alcohol hand sanitizer method of hand hygiene. It’s faster and more effective.  However, you should wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before and after eating and after using the restroom. See the linked infographics above. Masks are a great way to prevent illness from spreading. If you have symptoms of a viral illness, consider wearing a mask. We are asking students who are showing symptoms of a viral illness to wear a mask if they are well enough to remain in school. Covid tests are available if you have a close household contact (or similar) or if you have symptoms. We are still testing symptomatic students in the health office. The Vermont Health Department does not recommend seeking out testing for viral illnesses other than Covid. Here is some guidance on contacting your PCP.  Please let the health office know if you test positive for Covid so we can provide guidance and track positive cases (we still have to report them to the health department). Make sure you are up to date on your vaccines!!! We are here as a resource, so please ask if you have any questions or concerns.
Fire Drill Update !	Here is where we are supposed to state when we will have our December Fire Drill.    We will let you know via facstaff update on this.
TA update	Solstice Celebration Continues! On Monday, we will be sharing appreciations for people in our community in order to: Bring Light to Someone’s Day The forms will be available in the staff lounge to bring to TA for students to complete. Please post them in the hallway on the left of the library entrance and on the rectangular boards on the right. Chelsea is hoping to frame the designated boards with lights…if time permits! Lantern Parade information - The lantern parade is now going to occur during TA time on Thursday, 12/22.  Here is the plan: The drum line will begin in the music area. Folks in the Art room-please head down with your lanterns and begin the procession. The parade will then proceed on the following route: ~down the gym hallway and the main office hall ~Turning into the 100 hallways looping through both sides ~then…past the library through the 301 hallway and into the MS gallery (MS TA groups jump in here!) ~Proceed down the final 300 hallway and into the library ~Have your TA representative place the lantern on a bookshelf Once the lanterns placed please proceed to the following locations: Seniors-the Senior Cafe Juniors-the cafeteria Sophomores-library Freshmen-Jonah’s Ibsons room and the hallway area Middle School-Gallery There will be hot chocolate stations in three locations TBA! Watch your email!
	Cookie and Treat Exchange: December 21st. Sign up HERE (directions included) If you are participating in the Secret Snowperson and there is no school on Friday, please plan on bringing in your last item - and reveal your identity - on Monday the 19th.
	Consider donating to the Coffee and Sunshine fund! The coffee fund allows for monthly coffee and breakfast items and the sunshine fund is to celebrate staff members (babies, weddings, etc.) and to sympathize in sad times (death of family members, etc.). You can bring donations to April in the front office.
Facilities Reminder	Friendly reminder - we have seen lava lamps in use in the building. These units are considered a fire hazard and should be removed.

Rigorous & Robust Academic Program:

Topics	Information/Links
Staff Meeting	Objectives:  Gift of time!  Do what you need in order to breathe deeply and enjoy the break ahead. Staff Meeting Calendar
	Bell Schedule Survey Just a quick reminder that if you have not yet completed the follow-up survey for next year's bell schedule, please do so before it closes at the end of the day tomorrow (12/16).  It's only 1 question!

Positive school climate and culture:

Topics	Information/Links