Harwood Hacks Visual Check-In Sheets (Elementary Level): Print and laminate visual check-in sheets to pass around the circle or cut apart and lay in the center of the circle. Ask students which visual they connect with most and why. It is particularly helpful to have visuals when asking younger students to think abstractly about how they feel. Examples: animal check-in and weather check-in.
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Team -
A year ago the data from the district Climate Survey reflected the following focus areas:
The outcome of our Belonging survey given earlier this Spring reflects significant growth thanks to YOUR hard work.
*Student Responses: 7th-12th grade (324/569) = 57%
This work has included but is not limited to:
Creation and implementation of of an internal Behavioral/Incident Response Guide (HU BIRG)
Creation of the Student voice collective with student representation across Harwood
Student Support Collective Team reinvigorated Harwood’s expectations and values
Revitalizing of the Harwood Change Process
Implementation of data collection strategies and action planning
Development of a Restorative Practices program
Development of a School-Based Mental Health Program
Development of Series ELOs and a Wellness Series Menu
Thank you for your collective effort to continue to support ALL our students in feeling safe - seen, heard, respected and understood!
Calendar:
04/14 Becca Balint Visit - 1-2:30pm
04/14
04/16 - 4-6 p.m. - Rwandan Media showcase @ Zen Barn
04/18 - 2:00 - 3:20 - CirqueUs Performance - Whole School - no ELO 2 (and shortened, 30-minute ELO 1)!
04/19 - 04/27 - France Trip
4/19 - Family/TA Conferences
04/20 - 5:30 - 6:30 - Rising 7th grade transition Evening
04/24 - 04/28 - April Vacation - No school
*Spirit week schedule coming next week!
Appreciations:
Staff Member | Appreciations |
Melody | For all of her recent logistics and coverage support - it’s been EXTRA! |
Lynda | For being on yet again ANOTHER hiring committee. |
Molly, Steve, Duane, Liz, April, Jess and Ellen | For being on the Spirit week committee and helping keep the tradition alive! |
Tara K | For her enthusiastic ideas and energy around Spirit week and staff participation. |
Katie K. |
For the incredibly successful Career Fair she organized and managed for both HUMS and CBMS! |
Safe - seen, heard, respected & understood:
Topics | Information/Links |
Health Office Updates
| Hello from the Heath Office!
Hello Spring, *sniff sniff. We are seeing many complaints about seasonal allergies from both staff and students alike. Our mild winter may be contributing to a more intense allergy season. Steps you can take to lessen the impact can be found here.
April is Alcohol Awareness Month. National data shows that Vermonters in all age groups - youth (12-17), young adults (18-25), and adults (26+) - drink alcohol at higher rates compared to the country overall. People who begin drinking before age 15 are four times more likely to develop alcohol dependence than those who begin drinking at 21. For more information on this important topic, please follow this link. |
TA update 
| Spring Student Led Conferences 4/13 and 4/19 Conferences begin today (Thursday)! If you have not heard back from parents/caregivers, please reach out to them to make sure they can schedule time with you during the second conference date on Wednesday (4/19).
IF a parent/caregiver is unable or unwilling to participate, please try to find another trusted adult in the school to support a conference with the student. If you need to schedule this during an advisory block, please let me know and I will be happy to be with your advisory during that time. Excellent folks to invite would be the school counselor or case manager. If another adult isn’t identified with the student, please be sure to meet with your student to conduct the conference.
Conference materials and activities for April can be located in your grade’s slideshow.
TA SLIDESHOWS |
Rigorous & Robust Academic Program:
Topics | Information/Links |
Staff Meeting
 | Objectives: To identify questions regarding the H1 process and gather data from the staff around the purpose of the Harwood Ways (Non-negotiables) and consequently how it will support us in creating the culture we seek at Harwood.
Staff Meeting Calendar Where: Library When: 3:30 - 4:30 Staff Meeting Agenda
*Get excited for a Spirit week update |
Senior Grades
| With the weather today and tomorrow, it feels like graduation is just around the corner! As the number of senior activities continues to grow, it might be helpful to know the senior grade timeline so that you can be prepared!
Thursday June 8th: Senior grades due by END OF SCHOOL DAY (students of concern MUST be communicated to school counseling ahead of time - starting now!) Friday June 9th: Last day of school for seniors (NO ELOS for seniors as Marching practice will be 1:30 - 3:20) Saturday June 10th: Graduation! |
ELO Series
| ELO Series for Quarter 4! ELO Series are starting up for Quarter 4 next week, with a few more starting when we get back from April break! In Adaptive Scheduler, you'll find:
-Mary Holden Wellness Garden Development with Paul Kramer and Chris Urban -Junior Jumpstart (college personal essay writing) with Kate Stauss and Ellen Parent -SAT Math Prep with Jason Reichert and Darcy Buret -I Heart Shakespeare with Jonah Ibson -Probability and the Game of Pig with Tom Strasser -Body Image Resilience with Korie Born
This document includes more details for students. As a TA, please help students know about these different offerings, and encourage them to reach out to the teacher if they want to sign up (or you can sign them up yourself in Adaptive Scheduler)! |
Positive school climate and culture:
Topics | Information/Links |
| With the close of quarter 3, we have our eye on graduation and closely monitoring seniors as they complete their graduation requirements.
If you have a senior student at risk of failing your class, please get in touch with their school counselor. We will review quarter 3 course scores and follow up with students regarding their progress towards graduation. Hopefully, giving them the support and encouragement needed to end the year well. |
Radios! | It’s that time of year where everyone just wants to get outside!! Please remember to sign out a radio when you do. There are 2 in the front office with a sign out sheet. You should be on Channel 1. |
Hiring Update | This week: Receptionist interviews Math teacher interviews
Posted positions still: 1 year Math Teacher 1 year Spanish Teacher Para Educators (4) High School Receptionist Nurse, .4 PFE Teacher
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We are excited to announce and welcome the following new staff to Harwood for the 23-24’ school year: |
| Our new Assistant Principal, Bethany Turnbaugh:
I am so honored to be joining the HUUSD as the Assistant Principal at Harwood Union. I grew up in the Mad River Valley and feel a deep love and connection to this community. To have the opportunity to serve the HUUSD as an Educational Leader is a very exciting and meaningful way to give back and have a positive impact on our students and families as they prepare to move into the world and become productive, kind, thoughtful citizens.
I received my BA from Framingham State University in Psychology with a minor in education and later, my Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Northern Vermont University at Johnson. Currently I am enrolled at Castleton to complete my course work in the Educational Leadership program. My work is grounded in Trauma Informed Restorative Practices and influenced by Non-violent Communication. I have had the opportunity to work with a wide range of ages and abilities from birth all the way through age 70. I bring with me a deep understanding for mental health and well-being. This therapeutic lens allows me the opportunity to step back from a specific behavior or incident and identify developing skills or unmet needs and learn towards more restorative practices as we work to pull students in and form relationships and connections when they have historically been pushed out in punitive measures.
I live in the Mad River Valley with my two children. We love to ski, hike, kayak and play outside. I have a deep appreciation for the natural world and bring this love to the work that I do, the way that I parent and the way that I find joy. |
 
| Our new Athletic Director, Ian Fraunfelder:
I was born and raised in Southwestern New Hampshire and currently reside there with my wife and two young children. I attended Colby-Sawyer College and graduated with a degree in Exercise and Sports Sciences with a specialization in Sport Management. After graduating I spent time as a ski instructor, coaching indoor and outdoor track, field hockey and ice hockey. In 2009 I was hired as the Activities Director for Bellows Falls Union High School in Westminster, Vermont. During my time at Bellows Falls I also spent three years as the Recreation Director for the Town of Swanzey, New Hampshire. My family and I are very excited to move up and join the Harwood community this summer and put roots down.
Another new English teacher - Kristina Patterson:
I have been teaching high school English since 2015, learning more about the power of story to shape individuals and communities each year. Originally from New Hampshire, I earned my undergraduate degree in Literary Studies and Geography at Middlebury College, and recently returned to Vermont last summer. I continued my studies at the University of St Andrews in Scotland, and later at Plymouth State University in New Hampshire while I was in the classroom. My teaching is based in fostering dialogue and respect, and empowering students to think critically and creatively, and to communicate purposefully. When not teaching, I find tremendous joy in being outside with my husband and two daughters. |
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