Harwood Family Neweletter

Dear Harwood Middle/High School Families;

The HUUSD Return to Learn plan shared by Superintendent Brigid Nease yesterday answers many of the questions we have heard from our community. That said, we recognize the many other questions and concerns awaiting answers.

As new leaders at Harwood we wish that our introduction and connections to your students would be without masks and include high fives and fist pumps but ensuring the safety of your children and our larger community means we will instead appreciate the opportunity to greet each student at one of our 3 entrances each day, connecting and sharing a laugh as we also complete the morning health and temperature check.

School creates a unique community for our students and for the greater community. The Harwood staff is actively seeking and planning innovative ways to create this community while following CDC guidelines. We know that being at school can not be replaced by online learning but we are readying to support students with this new reality and embracing the opportunity to re-envision and strengthen our approach.

From the short time that we have been at Harwood it is clear that everyone is focused on what is best for our students. Be assured during these uncertain times with many difficult decisions we are committed to our students. To that end our readiness for their Return to Learn is being driven by:

• The need to ensure all students are on track to meet their learning expectation and graduation requirements

• The safety and wellness of our entire community

• The need to ensure that given the changing reality we are prepared and planned to pivot as needed.

We understand that you are waiting for concrete details on what your child's schedule will look like in the hybrid model. We are committed to letting you know as soon as schedules are finalized early in August. Additionally, we want to clarify that during online learning this year there will be increased expectations for attendance and increased synchronous learning (meaning students will collectively - as a class meet - with their teacher at a designated time.) With that being said we will continue to take the current guidance into our decision making process as well as consider:

• graduation requirements

• learning expectations

• family needs

• minimizing the number of transitions and groupings in a day

• students course requests

This is an evolving reality and our continued support of each other through it is essential.

Curious

• Scheduling - Student 2020-2021 schedules are being adjusted to best support students in a hybrid model and will be shared in early August.

• Harwood Trails and Field Update:

  • The soccer fields are closed for summer maintenance. We are rebuilding the turf making it ready for the fall soccer season.

  • The baseball and softball fields are now open. Maintenance has been completed.

  • The track and the field hockey field is open.

  • Trails are open. All of these open areas require using the proper protocols for social distancing as posted.

Caring

• As we all continue to support our children in chartering this time of COVID - we will share resources that you might find valuable.

  • AAP guidelines https://services.aap.org/en/pages/2019-novel-coronavirus-covid-19-infections/clinical-guidance/covid-19-planning-considerations-return-to-in-person-education-in-schools/

• Over the last 6 weeks there have been extensive Racial Equity discussions and work by Harwood community members. The following resources are offered as a resource to support our continued learning as individuals. In the coming weeks this Racial Equity group will continue to share additional resources.

  • TED talk “We need to talk about injustice”

  • Teaching America’s Truth from the Washington Post.

Connection

• Superintendent Nease has also set up Zoom community forums, along with Caitlin Hollister, HUUSD Board Chair and Torrey Smith, Vice Chair on July 27th, August 3, 10, and 17 from 6:30-8:30.

  • There will be 2 ways to access the event, via Zoom or via YouTube. (This is because the number of participants is limited on Zoom, so we are streaming the conversation on YouTube to allow all of those interested to tune in. If you try the Zoom link and there are no spaces left, then click on the YouTube link to join that way.)

  • All participants will be able to submit questions during the forum. If you are participating via Zoom, there will be a chat window you can use; if you are participating via YouTube, you can send an email to tcsmith@huusd.org during the forum.

  • We will work to address as many questions as possible in the allotted time. If you cannot attend, the session will be recorded and linked on our website, huusd.org.

  • Zoom access is as follows: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87401504765 Or, by telephone: 888 788 0099 (Toll Free) or 877 853 5247 (Toll Free) Webinar ID: 874 0150 4765

  • YouTube access is: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCT269g8MOtbO8dGmOnAWX7g/live

• We look forward to scheduling community connections in August as well.

• Please take the time to check your chromebook and make sure it is in working.

If it is not please complete the following online Tech request form here. Taggert Haslem will be in touch regarding next steps once received

During this time the need to find joy in our families and beautiful Vermont summers is even more important.

We recognize that there are many questions and concerns that will continue to surface as we ready for our Return to Learn. Please connect as needed.

In partnership and with gratitude,

Meg - Co Principal of Harwood Union, mmcdonough@huusd.org

Laurie - Co Principal of Harwood Union lgreenber@huusd.org

Duane- Assistant Principal, dpierson@huusd.org