Harwood Staff Blog Update- May 25, 2023

Team -

Harwood Hacks One of the many takeaways/reflections from the student fishbowl this week was a request for Brain Break ideas. As we seek to be responsive and lean in to the courageous shares of our students here are some resources and ideas: Grounding & Self Regulation activities.   Check out the collection of Brain Break and Team Building Activities below under TA.

Another incredible Spirit week - a HUGE thanks for the AMAZING creativity and energy of the Harwood staff.  

Calendar:

• 05/25 - MS Spring Concert 

• 05/31 - Team Aqua Celebration of Learning - 10:30 - 12:20

• 06/01 - HS Spring Concert 

• 06/02 - Step up Day for incoming 7th and 9th - 10 - 12p.m.

• 06/06 - Music Department Senior Showcase - 5pm 

• 06/06 - Harwood Middle/High School Art Show - 6pm

• 06/07 - Senior Field Trip 

• 06/08 - 8th grade Spirit of Ethen Allen

• 06/08 - Final Assembly 1:35 p.m.

• 06/08 - Senior Awards Night - 6pm

• 06/09 - Middle School day of service 

• 06/10 - Graduation - 10am

NEXT WEEK’s SCHEDULE (4-day week):

Monday 5/29	Tuesday 5/30	Wednesday 5/31	Thursday 6/1	Friday 6/2
	Gold Day	Black Day	Gold Day	Black Day

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Appreciations:

Staff Member	Appreciations
Chelsea & Tari	For going above and beyond in all your planning for Prom!
Jen Shaub	For all of her organization and coordination of the AP tests!
Dan & Heidi	For your incredible MC’ing skills at the Highlander Games!
Kayla	For the incredible Middle School Yearbook she created!
Magge	For your genuine care and support of some of our most vulnerable students - your perseverance and patience paid off!

Safe - seen, heard, respected & understood:

Topics	Information/Links
	Over the last few months Department heads have been drafting a Community engagement proposal that we will tune as a staff during the 06/06 staff meeting. Part of this proposal includes the plan for how Harwood Middle/High School will use our 7.75 hours of Community connection time at the start of the 2023 school year. As per Mike’s email earlier in the week please find our detailed plan here.  Reach out with any other questions.
TA update	What a week!!! Appreciations to Everyone for supporting all of our TA students to be involved in this amazing spirit week!  Brain Breaks: In addition to being great classroom activities, brain breaks can be a great way to bring a TA together and get kids ready for their day. There is a link at the top of the blog with a multitude of links for you to check out. Here are a few to consider: Squiggle Story: On a blank sheet of paper, whiteboard, or Promethean Board, draw one squiggly line. Give students one minute to stand and draw with their nondominant hand, turning the line into a picture or design of their choice. Opposite Sides: Movement is critical to learning. Have students stand and blink with the right eye while snapping the fingers of their left hand. Repeat this with the left eye and right hand. Students could also face one another and tap the right foot once, left foot twice, and right foot three times, building speed they alternate toe tapping with their partner. Shake It  Students remain seated and raise their hands in the air. Get out any jitters and have them start by counting aloud and shaking their: Right hand 10 times, Left hand 10 times, Left foot 10 times, Right foot 10 times. Repeat counting down the number of shakes from 9-1. Start slow and speed up

Rigorous & Robust Academic Program:

Topics	Information/Links
2024 Bell Schedule	In an effort to increase seniors' presence at school for TA and to decrease tardy challenges across the school we have - after discussion with Next steps, Counseling and members of the Aspirations committee - made the decision to go back to having TA after Block 1.  Here is the bell schedule for 2023 - 2024 *This schedule includes a 7-block Wednesday that runs in order (!!). This shift is contingent on classroom availability working out for this arrangement. And, for you Middle School minded folks, here is additional detail Lisa is in the final stages of populating powerschool and your rosters et al with a goal that they will be available for a first look through by next week.
	June 15th - 23rd Inservice plan  *PLEASE NOTE - Department heads are tuning next Wednesday and the final draft will be shared in next week’s blog.
Staff Meeting	Objectives:  To identify our takeaways and action steps from both the qualitative and quantitative belonging data.  Staff Meeting Calendar  Where:  Library  When: 3:30 - 4:30  Staff Meeting Agenda
	Senior Grades are due on Thursday, June 8th.  If you have a senior student in one of your classes who is at risk of not completing your course successfully, please let their school counselor know.   We have already sent home letters stating that a student may be at risk of not fulfilling graduation requirements. Hearing from you helps us have a better understanding of their progress towards graduation requirements and in turn plan follow-up meetings and conversations with the student and their family to explore next steps. It's also important for you to communicate with the students and their family directly. We often don't have all of the details they're looking for; often about missing assignments, options to successfully complete the course, etc. It's incredibly helpful when they have direct communication from you. Thank you for all of your hard work and the dedication you have to ensuring all of our students experience success here at Harwood.  We are so grateful to work with such an amazing group of teachers.

Positive school climate and culture:

Topics	Information/Links
	Introducing our new Special Educator: Anna Duffy! Hi Everyone! My name is Anna Duffy and I was raised in the Mad River Valley. I attended Warren Elementary, Green Mountain Valley School and am a recent graduate of Saint Michael’s College with a Psychology Major, Education Minor. I am currently enrolled at Saint Mike’s for my MAT in Special Ed. In my free time I enjoy skiing, hiking, playing with my dogs and spending time with family. I am looking forward to joining the community and getting to reconnect with my valley roots.
Hiring Update	Hired: PFE Teacher - Sarah Popowicz Offers out:  1 year Spanish Teacher  1 FTE. Spanish Teacher Para Educators (2) Posted positions still:   1 year Math Teacher 1 FTE. Math Teacher  1 year Spanish Teacher  1 FTE. Spanish Teacher Para Educators (4) Student Support Special Educator High School Receptionist