Team -
The results of the November 2022 Scheduling Survey are in and thanks to Lisa Therien the full synthesis can be found here.
Below are the key conclusions.
Conclusions: The purposes of both ELO and TA are being met. A 15-20 minute TA is preferred. The number of ELO blocks during the week is “just right”, although almost half of students would like more. The preference for length of ELO is mixed; faculty prefer 40-min, students have slight preference for 50-min. The 7-block day will stay on Wednesday.
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We want to acknowledge that
this survey did not give space for open ended feedback and
that there is an appetite for school wide dialogue about our schedule.
We know that based on other feedback through comments, emails, and in-person discussions that
the inconsistency of the bell schedule from day-to-day is difficult
the 7-block day has a lot of transitions and feels rushed
and the late ending time of the day is difficult - extra missed time for athletes, after school activities are pushed back.
We believe this continued consideration of our schedule is an important part of the ongoing process to support us in meeting our school wide goals. As we continue to consider the needs of our community we are having district discussions about the need for increased staff learning and professional time. With all of this in mind, we are intentionally minimizing changes in order to provide our community an opportunity for consistency and consideration.
Additional faculty input on options to increase the consistency in the bell schedule of the gold/black days will be gathered (see below).
A faculty poll will be taken to get a ‘pulse’ on the preferences of start/end time of the day.
The above examples are offered to help you respond to this FOLLOW-UP SURVEY. It’s quick! Please submit by Friday December 16th.
Thank you for your patience and partnership on this journey,
Meg, Duane and Laurie
Calendar:
12/12 - Fruit Sale delivery
12/15 - Interdistrict Choice HUUSD presentation 7:00 p.m. (Harwood Auditorium)
12/23 - 1/02 - No School - Vacation
Appreciations:
Recently an outside consultant remarked at how much she enjoys her work with Harwood. She shared her observation of the way in which you go above and beyond in providing such powerful experiences to students and supporting them and each other. This past week that was highlighted in so many ways
Staff Member | Appreciations |
Ellen Berrings | For supporting the Stepping Stone student leadership group towards reinvigorating Student/Adult partnership at Harwood. |
Steve Rand, Rachael Potts, Tara Cariano, Tedin and Paul Kramer | For all your work to prepare students for the Rwanda trip - including financially! What a great fundraising event at the Zen Barn last week. |
Ellen, Beth, Tara Cariano, Genevieve, Jason, Tom and Jane | For your organization and support of the very successful Tree Sale last weekend! |
Kate Stauss | For all her work to organize and facilitate the Harkness leadership class in the first Socrates Cafe in 3 years! It was beautifully powerful and poignant. |
Sarah Ibson, Korie Born, Andrea Knepper, Skylar Bradley, Kayla Ball, the Moretown and Waterbury Fire Departments, HU Maintenance Colin and Ray and Mike .. our superintendent! | For supporting the “2022 Foggy Festival Middle School dance” which occurred last Friday night - there was dancing, laughter and enough smoke to bring down the house. Everyone’s help and humor was greatly appreciated! |
Meg McCarthy | For her continued Heroic work around the start up of our first year all HUMS ski program. This has been talked about for years..it is because of her endless dedication, endless energy and vision that this dream will most likely come true. (Disney theme song here) |
Safe - seen, heard, respected & understood:
Topics | Information/Links |
Safety Team Update
| Fire Drill Wednesday - 12/14 at 1:45pm Fire Alarm will begin at 1:45 TAs will go to their assigned locations outside Drill Specifics:
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Health Office Updates
| Health Office Survey
We are asking staff to complete this survey (linked above) to:
Inform us of any medical certifications (EMT, CPR), and if you would be willing and able to help in an emergency. Assess who would be interested in a low-cost CPR/First Aid class.
Coming soon, the health office staff is looking to close the office for one hour once a week (consistent time each week) for planning time. We will still be available for emergencies. We will communicate out when we have a solidified day and time, but wanted to let you know.
Thank you for all that you do! |
Important message about student requests for a change in TA | As we approach midyear it is helpful to remind all TA teachers that there is a clear process for any student who expresses an interest in switching from their TA group. First and foremost, students cannot request a change to a specific teacher. If a student asks you if they can switch into your group, please do not agree to the request. There is a clearly outlined process in the faculty and student handbook for all students to follow. Our goal is to have students remain in their advisory for the full four years. The process is designed to try all routes to repair any struggles the student may be having in their group. If, after following the process, the student still is requesting a change, the decision regarding the new TA teacher is determined by the size and culture of the receiving group and can only be made with administrator approval. If you know of a student who is seeking a change please refer them to their school counselor or Ellen Berrings. |
TA update 
| DESSA Activities- Over the course of this week and next, we hope TA groups will be engaging in activities with their students that address one of the areas needing support determined in your TA staff meeting last week. Stay tuned for a feedback form from the Student Support team to determine how this first experience went with your students. Winter Celebration 2022 As a school community we will be focusing on the winter solstice and celebrating the return to the light following this day. Each TA will be challenged to create at least one lantern to be shared in the last week of school. There are more details forthcoming on our community celebration. Check out your slideshow for resources and dates! Academic Check Ins This is an important time to be checking in academically with our students. When we return from winter break there will only be two weeks remaining in the first semester. Let’s support students in staying on track during this busy time of the year. TA SLIDESHOWS |
The OVX and VKAT clubs will have tables during all lunches with information red pins and more to show support for the event.
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Rigorous & Robust Academic Program:
Topics | Information/Links |
Staff Meeting
 | Objectives: To reflect on and share our joy from the 22-23’ school year to date.
Staff Meeting Calendar Where: Library When: 3:30 - 4:30 |
Assessment for Learning 
| Thank you to everyone for the engagement around types of assessments in our UDL module Tuesday afternoon! The Teaching and Learning Collective will be digging into the exit ticket info to help inform next steps - we are planning for our monthly faculty meeting time in 2023 to consist of choice workshop topics in order to have more time to put this work into action and collaborate with colleagues along the way.
Just few highlights from the module and the exit ticket (which is still open if you haven’t filled it out yet!):   
“I'm hopeful we can make this transition but concerned that students won't value formatives without a score and thus less learning will happen.” “Feedforward helped me think about the process of what can be done with formatives and helping with their thought process on building up to the skills and knowledge needed to be successful towards the summative.” |
Positive school climate and culture:
Topics | Information/Links |
| Welcome Danielle Lillard, our new Administrative Assistant for Special Education. Her office will be in the LRC in room 221. Her phone ext. is 8172. A little bit about her:
Hello there! I am Danielle Lillard and I am excited to be joining the HUHS community this week. I live with my family in Waitsfield, including a large and very lovable Newfoundland dog, two cats and a rotating door of cute foster pups. Despite my best efforts, my house is often a mess!
I grew up in Western NY, but my parents relocated to Vermont when I was 14 so I was lucky to spend most of my teenage years and adult life in Vermont. For seven amazing years, my husband, two children and I lived in Juneau, Alaska - skiing, fishing, crabbing and generally doing all things Alaskan. Five years ago we moved back to Vermont and we’ve been in the Mad River Valley ever since. My son is currently in 8th grade at CBMS, and my daughter who is in 4th grade has been at WES since Kindergarten. I look forward to meeting everyone and getting to know you all over the next few weeks. |
| Where did Bernadette and Christina go? They switched rooms! Bernadette is now in Guidance in room 508. Christina is in Bernadette’s old office, room 226. Elizabeth Managan also moved to room 220. |
December Staff Festivities
| We want to bring some winter cheer to Harwood during the month of December! April’s organizing a Secret Snow Person during the week of December 12th - 16th and a Cookie/Treat Exchange on December 21st. How it works: If you want to participate in the Secret Snow Person: - There will be a basket with April in the front office. On Dec. 5, 6, 7 or 8, come to the office to put your name in the basket. On December 9th, come back to the office to pick a name out of the basket. The following week (12th - 16th), you'll put a little gift in that person's mailbox everyday (can be something homemade or bought. Please keep it to $5 or less). On the last day, you will reveal your identity! (Please don't put your name in the basket unless you plan on also picking a name). If you want to participate in the Cookie/Treat Exchange: There will be a sign up sheet in the office on Dec. 19th and 20th. On December 21st, bring in 3 dozen cookies or treats - of the same kind. Depending on how many people participate, you will leave with 3 dozen mixed cookies and treats. For example, if 10 people participate, you'll leave with 3 dozen of those mixed 10 kinds of treats! |
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