• School Committee Update - December 16, 2024

    Meeting Update   |  December 16, 2024   For Reference:   Upcoming School Committee Meetings School Committee Policies District Strategic Plan School Committee Contact Information Meeting Highlights: Tegan Allen, Student Representative, shared that winter sports have started and that a lot of grades recently did bake sales at the parent teacher conferences. She also shared that the middle school concert took place last week and the high school concert will be this week. The painting of the senior parking spots has been postponed temporarily due to weather.   Dr. Linda Dwight shared a school lunch video that was put together by Ms. Cynthia Fontaine and her Media Production class. Dr. Dwight noted that there was some confusion last year about what qualifies as a free lunch and when students are charged for other lunch items. The hope is that this video will make the process of buying school lunch easier to understand.  Other noteworthy agenda items: Kim Murphy, TBHS Principal, addressed the School Committee in regards to the changes she is proposing to the high school graduation requirements . She explained the MassCore recommendations and her plan to update the TBHS graduation requirements to match what is being outlined by MassCore. Dr. Dwight shared her superintendent update .  Dana Labb, Assistant Superintendent, shared his  update as well.  Future meeting dates and agenda items: The next School Committee meeting is scheduled for January 13th and agenda items will include a vote on the high school graduation requirements, budget updates, and a presentation on an international field trip request. 

    Friday, Dec 20 2024

  • School Committee Update - November 12, 2024

    Meeting Update   |  November 12, 2024   For Reference:   Upcoming School Committee Meetings School Committee Policies District Strategic Plan School Committee Contact Information Meeting Highlights: Gwyneth Poutasse, Student Representative, shared that parent/teacher conferences are coming up so there will be a lot of fundraising going on. She also said the Student Council is planning dances for the middle school and the junior class was able to make some money from the recent volleyball tournament. Additionally, sports play-offs are coming up. Nina Iverson, Student Representative, said a lot of the athletic teams are in state competitions now and that there was a coffee house last week which went really well. The mock election was also held last week and seniors are planning on painting their parking spots and organizing a Friendsgiving during flex. Abigail Besse, School Committee Chair, shared an update on the proposed land swap and said she and Dr. Dwight walked the Small Land plot with the architect who designed HES. He said that because this plot of land is large and relatively flat, it would be possible to build the necessary fields there. There are additional details that will need to be reviewed in the weeks to come to determine the appropriate path forward.  Other noteworthy agenda items: Dr. Linda Dwight, Superintendent, shared her update with School Committee members.  Dana Labb, Assistant Superintendent, shared his update as well. He also presented on Star Renaissance , an assessment tool designed to drive instruction and accelerate reading and math growth.  Dr. Dwight also shared a draft of the FY26 recommended budget and provided a memo in which she identified several stress points impacting the budget. Committee members had an opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback.  Future meeting dates and agenda items: The next School Committee meeting is scheduled for November 18th. Agenda items will include the FY26 budget, a vote on the proposed land swap, and policy. 

    Friday, Nov 15 2024

  • School Committee Update - October 15, 2024

    Meeting Update   |  October 15, 2024   For Reference:   Upcoming School Committee Meetings School Committee Policies District Strategic Plan School Committee Contact Information Meeting Highlights: Tegan Allen, Student Representative, said that the homecoming dance is on October 18th and that the sophomores are planning a dance for the middle schoolers. She also shared that the seniors had their Senior Sunrise. Robyn Douglas, Student Representative, added that the Senior Sunrise was an opportunity for the senior class to gather at the track and watch the sunrise and that they will plan a Senior Sunset at the end of the year. She also said that the regular athletic season is coming to a close and students are looking forward to seeing how the teams do in the postseason.  Katelyn Russell and Erin Sintros gave an update from the Health and PE Department and shared a presentation on the proposed curriculum updates for health education K-5.  Dr. Katsh-Singer, HES Principal, shared the HES School Improvement Plan and gave a brief presentation to committee members. Ms. Kimberley Murphy, TBHS Principal, followed with a presentation outlining updates to the TBHS School Improvement Plan .  Other noteworthy agenda items: Dana Labb, Assistant Superintendent, shared his update with School Committee members. School Committee members finalized their goals for the 2024-2025 school year.  Three new clubs were approved: Life Stories Project, Animal Viewing Club, and 3D Printing and Modeling Club. Future meeting dates and agenda items: The next School Committee meeting is scheduled for October 28th and agenda items will include the TBMS School Improvement Plan and possibly a decision about the proposed land swap. 

    Monday, Oct 21 2024

  • School Committee Update - September 23, 2024

    Meeting Update   |  September 23, 2024   For Reference:   Upcoming School Committee Meetings School Committee Policies District Strategic Plan School Committee Contact Information Meeting Highlights: Bala Ramkumar, Student Representative, reported that the start of the new school year is going smoothly. He also said that seniors will be able to paint their parking spots this year using environmentally friendly paint. Dr. Dwight added that students who do not drive to school will be able to paint the parking spot of a faculty member.  Dr. Dwight shared a draft of the District Improvement Plan and reviewed the five year goals for each core value and the measures/actions to work towards these goals in year three of the plan.  Ms. Besse, School Committee Chair, gave a brief summary of what was covered at the School Committee’s strategy planning meeting on September 9th. They discussed budget priorities for the year and capital planning projects. They also identified joint School Committee and Superintendent goals which include: developing a plan with the leadership team guided by the Title IX report, devising and approving a budget to meet the district’s needs, and presenting warrant articles which will include the special education reserve fund. Draft versions of these goals will be reviewed at the next meeting. Other noteworthy agenda items: Dana Labb gave his first Assistant Superintendent update to School Committee members. Ms. Besse updated members on the status of the land swap discussion and said the Open Space Committee will need a decision to be made by February 1st. She shared that an acre has been carved out of the Small Land plot to accommodate the HES parking lot and the sewer plant. Members are waiting on answers to some of their questions before deciding how to proceed with the proposed land swap.  Two new clubs were approved: the Card Game Club and the Theater Club.  Future meeting dates and agenda items: The next School Committee meeting is scheduled for October 15th - please note that this is a Tuesday. Agenda items will include the School Improvement Plans and the joint School Committee and Superintendent goals. 

    Friday, Sep 27 2024

  • District Newsletter - September 2024

    District Newsletter  |  September 2024        Important Dates     9/18: Half Day 10/9: Half Day 10/14: Indigenous Peoples' Day HARVARD PUBLIC SCHOOLS Dr. Linda Dwight, Superintendent ldwight@psharvard.org https://psharvard.org/ @harvardpublicschools Superintendent's Message Welcome Back! A Promising Start to the 2024-25 School Year The 2024-25 school year is off to an exciting start! On Wednesday, August 28th, students returned eager to reconnect with friends, meet new teachers, and dive into fresh learning experiences. While students enjoyed their summer break with fewer deadlines and lighter schedules, our dedicated teachers and school leaders were hard at work behind the scenes. Their summer was filled with coursework, workshops, retreats, hiring, cleaning, and even some construction to ensure everything was ready for a successful year. We are thrilled to welcome over 16 new employees to our district, including our new middle school principal, Dan Hudder, and assistant superintendent, Dana Labb. Additionally, Julie Horton has transitioned from high school math to her new role as Assistant Principal. Though the total number of full-time employees remains the same, we’ve made strategic adjustments in roles and responsibilities to better meet our needs. This year, we are excited to continue advancing the goals outlined in our Vision Statement and Strategic Plan. Last year’s progress is documented on our website , and we will soon be sharing detailed action steps for the upcoming year. Key accomplishments from last year include implementing a new high school schedule, introducing Algebra I for all 8th-grade students, updating the middle school schedule, and analyzing elementary literacy instruction with an emphasis on early phonics. We remain committed to creating an inclusive and supportive learning environment for all. This year, we are placing a strong focus on addressing discrimination, antisemitism, bias, and harassment. We will be incorporating new materials from Wayfinder and dedicating time to restorative practices and relationship building. Our ultimate goal is to "provide a high-quality education centered around dynamic learning and personal well-being in a community where everyone can find belonging." Thank you for being part of our community, and here’s to a fantastic school year ahead! Central Office Updates: Dana Labb,  Assistant Superintendent Greetings Harvard and Devens Families and Caregivers, Since stepping into my role on July 1, I’ve had the pleasure of connecting with many new faces and diving into the heart of our district’s operations. I recently participated in a highly productive Literacy Task Force meeting at HES and observed a dynamic Department Leader meeting at TBS. These interactions are just a glimpse of the many positive developments this summer aimed at enhancing our students' experience. One of my early initiatives has been introducing Wayfinder, our new Social Emotional Learning tool, to the Leadership Team. Wayfinder, which supports students from Pre-K through 12th grade, includes valuable lessons on bullying prevention. Teachers will soon begin exploring these lessons and integrating related themes into their classrooms. To explore Wayfinder, click  here . I am also excited to share that, with the invaluable assistance of experienced staff Marisa and Trish, we’ve successfully coordinated the new staff orientation and mentor/mentee program. We are thrilled to welcome 16 new teachers to Harvard, who will benefit from a structured year-long onboarding process led by our dedicated professional staff. Thank you to all of our Mentors for supporting a new generation of educators. In addition, I’ve been working on securing grants for the district. We’ve submitted a proposal for the Hate Crimes Prevention Grant, which, if awarded, will help us address and educate against acts of hate and bias. Special thanks to Police Chief James Babu for his supportive letter. We’re also preparing to submit our Title 1 Grant application with the help of Mandy Ostaszewski and Beth Robinson. This grant will provide essential funding to enhance instructional quality, support professional development, and foster parental involvement in education. September marks the beginning of Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month (September 15 - October 15). As part of my role, I will be coordinating communications that highlight various holidays and heritage celebrations throughout the month. In the coming days, you will be invited to engage in conversations, as I begin partnering with various stakeholders.  Starting a new role in a new district can be daunting, but I’ve been truly inspired by the enthusiasm and dedication of our building administrators, teachers, and students as we opened our doors last week. I am eager to listen, learn, and share my findings as I continue this transition. In the meantime, I am honored to support our students, staff, and families here at Harvard Public Schools! Best regards, Dana Labb Assistant Superintendent Special Education Updates: Michelle DellaValle,  Director of Pupil Services The Pupil Services office supports learners with specialized needs.  This includes students who receive special education services, those on 504 accommodation plans, English learners and students who are experiencing home instability.   New Massachusetts IEP Form:  Starting this fall, Harvard is transitioning to the New Massachusetts IEP Form.  The New IEP form is designed using easier to understand language and is centered around the student’s strengths and vision.  Special education staff have participated in trainings and work sessions to familiarize themselves with this new document.  Harvard has developed district forms and processes in hopes of creating a smooth and consistent experience for parents and caregivers.  For children receiving special education services, parents and caregivers can expect their next IEP meeting to use the New IEP form.   Below are resources to learn more about the New IEP, including a presentation from Spring 2024.  New IEP Parent/Caregiver Slides Spring 2024 New IEP Parent/Caregiver Zoom Passcode: L+.od0h8 DESE: IEP Improvement Project - Special Education FCSN:  https://fcsn.org/new-iep/ Digital Signature: Harvard uses Digital Signature through the PowerSchool Special Programs application to obtain parental consent for Special Education and Section 504 documents.  When a document is ready for signature, you will receive a notice through PowerSchool Special Programs.  You will first be asked to agree to the use of Digital Signature which is non-binding to any portion of the IEP or 504.  Use of Digital Signature is completely voluntary.  If you wish to receive paper or pdf copies of documents, please let your child’s special education liaison or the designated 504 coordinator know.   SEPAC Survey:  Please take ten minutes to answer a survey from the Special Education Parent Advisory Council regarding the 2023-2024 school year. This survey is for any parent or guardian of a child receiving services through special education or those seeking services for their child. Please fill out an additional survey for each child with or seeking an IEP. All responses are anonymized and any identifying information will be removed. Your feedback will be used to inform school administration and staff regarding the experiences of families in the district. Thank you! For any questions, please email harvardSEPAC@gmail.com  Here is the link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SEPAC2024 Survey closes on Friday, September 6. Thank you! Harvard SEPAC www.harvardsepac.com In This Issue... DEIB Updated Message from Dr. Dwight, Superintendent  Over the past year, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has reported a marked increase in antisemitic incidents in the US, including in Massachusetts. The ADL defines antisemitism as the marginalization and/or oppression of people who are Jewish based on the belief in stereotypes and myths about Jewish people, Judaism, and Israel. The Harvard Public Schools denounces any antisemitism in words, images, or actions and we will not tolerate it. Please use our online racism and bias reporting form or contact a counselor or principal anytime you feel unsafe or witness behavior that negatively impacts yourself or others.  Community Engagement Safety: Please be reminded that our HES campus and walkways remain closed to the public during school hours, including playgrounds, fields, and courts from 8:00 AM-3:45 PM, M-F. Food Service Updates: There has been an increase in the price of a second lunch from $2.00 to $4.00. This is based on an analysis of the cost to the district. The $4.00 is for a second portion of the main meal (if available). The first lunch remains free to all students in Massachusetts. Parents are welcome to send in additional items of food for their children even if they are getting the school lunch.  Free breakfast remains available for students at both schools.  27A Massachusetts Avenue, Harvard MA, 01451   |   (978) 456-4140

    Wednesday, Sep 04 2024

  • Family Newsletter 9-4-24

    Family Newsletter | September 4, 2024 HES Homepage  |   23-24 School Calendar  | Alpha BEST  | Who Do I Contact? I  Lunch Menu   I     Get to Know Us Dear HES Families,    It has been a great first week of school! Students are getting to know their teachers, each other, and the expectations in our building. There is such energy and joy! A huge thank you to all the HES staff for their hard work to ensure a smooth start of the year.  Every year specific forms in Powerschool must be reviewed or updated. If you have not yet updated your child's forms for this school year, please do so as soon as possible. There are  4 forms that need to be reviewed/updated: Demographic Verification Health Information Update Permissions/Agreements Parent/Guardian/Emergency Contact Verification Click HERE for directions for accessing and completing these forms.  Have a great week! Rebecca and Hilary        Dr. Rebecca Katsh-Singer, Principal Mrs. Hilary Sturgis, Assistant Principal  Upcoming Dates Tuesday, September 10 : Picture Day  Wednesday, September 18 : Half Day, Dismissal at 12:15 pm Monday, September 23-Friday, September 27 : Grade 5 at Nature's Classroom Monday, September 30-Friday, October 4 : PTO Book Fair  Tuesday, October 1: Curriculum Night, 6:00 pm  School Announcements Picture Day Picture day is on September 10. Your child received information about picture day last Friday. Please check their backpack! Contact jreynolds@psharvard.org with any questions.  The 2024 HES/PTO Book Fair is Coming!   Mark your calendars for September 30 - Friday, October 4, 2024 , as we partner once again with The Silver Unicorn Bookstore for the PTO/HES Book Fair! This year’s fair features over 200 exciting book titles published in the last 18 months, curated by Paul Swyndon, owner of The Silver Unicorn. From hardcover and paperback picture books to easy readers, early chapter books, middle grade titles, graphic novels, MCBS 2024-2025 selections, nonfiction, and activity books—there’s something for every young reader!  Students will visit the book fair during their technology/library class the week of September 30-October 4, and parents/guardians will have an opportunity to browse and purchase books during Curriculum Night on October 1.  All proceeds from the PTO/HES Silver Unicorn Book Fair will support the teachers and staff of Hildreth Elementary and The Bromfield School. Stay tuned for more details! Questions: harvardbookfair@gmail.com Community Announcements The 2nd Annual PTO Pickleball Tournament: Sunday 10/20 Grab a partner and sign up now for a day of playing pickleball and supporting our schools on Sunday, October 20th 8:30 am - 4:00 pm. Hosted by the Harvard PTO with grand prizes sponsored by the Marcus Lewis Tennis Center, this double elimination tournament promises to be a great time for a great cause. Get more info and register today at HarvardPTO.org. Questions? Email  danakoliver@gmail.com Harvard Youth Softball Registration for Fall 2024 softball is open and we are looking to finalize our teams for Grades 1-6.  The instructional fall season is focused on building and refining skills while advancing player understanding of game. Sign up @   https://bit.ly/hybsa-ma .  Scheduling is very accommodating to youth soccer and Patriots games.  Contact harvardyouthbaseball@gmail.com with any questions. PLAY BALL! Harvard Youth Lacrosse   Registration for Fall 2024 Skills and Drills Clinic is open 9/15-10/25. Come reconnect with your lacrosse teammates & friends after the summer! This six week lacrosse clinic is for girls entering grades 1-6. These FUN clinics will introduce and/or reinforce many of the basic skills and game concepts required to play women’s lacrosse.  This is also a great opportunity for players to try lacrosse before the spring 2025 season.  Register here:  https://harvardlax.org/registration/ Superstar Fall Show Superstar Productions is excited to present our fall show for grades 3-5: Space Pirates! Registration opened Wednesday, August 7 at 7:45 pm. Go to https://superstarproductions.org and click on registration.  Registration Fee: $445 Please email superstarproductionsma@gmail.com with any questions!  HILDRETH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Dr. Rebecca Katsh-Singer, Principal rkatsh-singer@psharvard.org https://hildreth.psharvard.org/ @harvardpublicschools @hildrethharvard 27 Massachusetts Avenue, Harvard MA, 01451   |   (978) 456 - 4145 9.4.24

    Wednesday, Sep 04 2024

  • School Committee Update - August 26, 2024

    Meeting Update   |  August 26, 2024   For Reference:   Upcoming School Committee Meetings School Committee Policies District Strategic Plan School Committee Contact Information Meeting Highlights: Dr. Dwight shared that the district hosted another successful New Hire Orientation on August 22nd for 16 new staff members. They spent the morning learning about the vision, core values, strategic plan, district demographics, and highlights of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and Social, Emotional, Learning (SEL). They were then given a van tour of the district before spending the afternoon with their principals, departments, and mentors.  Dr. Dwight shared an update on the closeout of the HES Building Project and said that there were a few items that prevented the project from being closed out sooner which included the additional fencing at HES and the drainage issue from 39 Mass Avenue. Now that those items have been completed, the appropriate parties will sign off on the necessary paperwork before it is submitted to officially close out the project. Members learned about: Jim Lee, Chair of the Open Space Committee, presented to the School Committee on the details of the proposed land swap. He discussed what the Open Space Committee was tasked with doing and outlined the two parcels of land, Stone Land and Small Land, being considered for the swap. If the swap was approved, Small Land would become permanently protected for conservation use and Stone Land would be available to be used as playing fields. Mr. Lee outlined the paths forward and said he is not expecting a vote from the School Committee right now. He just wants to gauge interest before moving forward. As there appears to be interest in exploring this option, additional questions from Committee members will be collected to share with Mr. Lee before continuing with the process. Other noteworthy agenda items: School Committee members approved four new clubs which include: Pickleball Club, Future Health Professionals Club, World Computer Exchange, and the Asian American Alliance. Future meeting dates and agenda items: The next School Committee meeting is scheduled for September 9th at 6 PM and will be a strategic planning meeting for the upcoming school year. Agenda items will include: School Committee norms and evaluation, meeting dates, liaison assignments, subcommittee handoff, and goal setting.

    Tuesday, Sep 03 2024

  • Family Newsletter 8-27-24

    Family Newsletter |  August 27, 2024 HES Homepage  |   23-24 School Calendar  | Alpha BEST  | Who Do I Contact? I  Lunch Menu     Dear HES Families,    We are sending our family newsletter a day early because tomorrow is the first day of school! Everyone here at HES has been hard at work getting classrooms and all our learning spaces ready for a great year. Here are some reminders and information to ensure a smooth start: School Hours The school day begins at 9:00 am and students are welcome to enter the building starting at 8:45 am. We encourage everyone to arrive on time, but if you do arrive after 9:00, please bring your child into the building and sign them in.  The school day ends at 3:30 pm.  Morning half-day PreK students should be dropped off using our school-wide arrival procedures (see below). They will be dismissed at 11:45 am from the front entrance. Please come into the building to pick up your child.  Afternoon half-day PreK students should be brought into the building through the front entrance at 12:45 pm. They will be dismissed using our school-wide dismissal procedures at 3:30 (see below).  Morning K students are dismissed at 12:00 pm from the front entrance. Please come into the building to pick up your child.  Arrival Car drop off starts at 8:45 am. Students should stay in their cars until our staff members are present. Please note that cars should only enter our parking lot from Mass Ave. Other entrances are closed to traffic during arrival and dismissal (see map below). Please wait in the car line until you are directed to pull up along our front sidewalk (see map below). Once your child exits the car, stay in the car line until the car in front of you leaves. Do not pull out of line or attempt to pass cars in front of you.  Walkers may enter through our main door or door C-2 on the Mass Ave side of the building.  If your child takes the bus, please note the time that the bus route begins and plan to be at your stop a few minutes early for the first few days. We always have lots of friendly faces outside and inside the building ready to help your child find their way no matter how they arrive at school!  Dismissal Thank you to everyone who filled out our dismissal form . If you have not, please fill it out as soon as possible! Any time you need to make a change to your child's dismissal plan, email hesabsence@psharvard.org and your child's teacher before 2:30 pm.  We begin dismissal at 3:30 pm. If you are in the car line, a staff member will come by to write down your child's name. We call students' names in the building and then bring students to their cars. We will be sending home a placard with your child's name for you to put in your car window.  Walkers in grades 3-5 and their accompanying younger siblings are dismissed from door C-2 or the main office door. Walkers in grades PreK-2 without an older sibling are only dismissed from our main office door to an adult.  If you are picking up a walker at our front door, please stand to the side and we will bring your child out to you.  If your child takes the bus, they will leave school as soon as the busses are fully loaded. If your child is in Kindergarten or first grade, please be sure an adult is waiting for them at their bus stop.  Arrival and Dismissal Map Lunch and Snack We welcome your child to bring a healthy snack to school each day. All our classrooms are nut-free. Please do not send foods containing nuts or nut products for snack.  Your child may bring their own lunch or receive a free lunch each day. Second servings of lunch are $4.00 and charged to your child's MySchoolBucks account . We have a hot entree every day as well as options for sandwiches, salads, and bagels. Nuts and nut products may be eaten in our cafeteria away from our allergy table.  Over the past few weeks we have introduced you to our new staff members. Now, we are thrilled to provide a way to get to know ALL our staff members. Click  HERE to meet all of us! Here is one last episode of Storytime with Dr. K and Mrs. Sturgis to get you ready for the school year! Please enjoy our reading of  Stick and Stone  by Beth Ferry .  We can't wait to see you! Rebecca and Hilary        Dr. Rebecca Katsh-Singer, Principal Mrs. Hilary Sturgis, Assistant Principal  Upcoming Dates Wednesday, August 28 : First Day of School for Grades 1-5 and Half of Kindergarten Thursday, August 29 : First Day of School for PreK and Half of Kindergarten  Monday, September 2 : NO SCHOOL Tuesday, September 10 : Picture Day (more information coming soon!) Wednesday, September 18 : Half Day, Dismissal at 12:15 pm Monday, September 23-Friday, September 27 : Grade 5 at Nature's Classroom Monday, September 30-Friday, October 4 : PTO Book Fair  Tuesday, October 1: Curriculum Night, 6:00 pm  School Announcements Bus Routes Bus routes for the upcoming school year are now available on our website or by clicking  HERE . Start times for each bus route  are listed along with the address of each stop. If you do not see your exact house number or if your stop is missing, please know that stops are often consolidated to provide more efficient transportation. If you have any questions regarding the bus routes please contact Dee Bus by phone ( 978-425-4706 ext 3190 ) or email ( sandram68@comcast.net ).   Updating/Verifying Student Information for 2024-2025 Dear Families, Over the past couple of years we have transitioned from paper medical emergency and permissions forms to digital electronic versions. These forms are in our  PowerSchool   Student Information System and parents/guardians are required to review, confirm, and make any necessary changes at the beginning of each school year.  (You can log in and make changes at any time after that.) We currently have 4 forms to be reviewed/updated: Demographic Verification Health Information Update Permissions/Agreements Parent/Guardian/Emergency Contact Verification Directions: Log into your  PowerSchool Parent Portal .   (If you do not know your log in information there are resources on the login page to assist in account recovery and setup.) Select a student in the top blue menu bar. Choose "FORMS" on the left-side menu. Select a form to review, edit if necessary, consent and sign at the bottom. Hit SUBMIT. Repeat process for additional students Here is a guide with these steps:  Submitting Forms via Parent Portal For new accounts, please see this guide:  New Parent/Guardian PowerSchool Account Guide During the account creation process you can link to your student at the same time. To link another student to your account please see this guide:  Add Student to Account Guide If you have any questions, or need further assistance, please email Chris Boyle at  cboyle@psharvard.org Thank you and have a great week. Christopher Boyle Director of Technology Thank You PTO Thank you to the PTO, and especially School Supply Committee Chair Rachel Kopay, for organizing another successful year of bulk school supply ordering. PTO volunteers just distributed 254 orders to our classrooms!   Community Announcements Harvard Youth Lacrosse   Registration for Fall 2024 Skills and Drills Clinic is open 9/15-10/25. Come reconnect with your lacrosse teammates & friends after the summer! This six week lacrosse clinic is for girls entering grades 1-6. These FUN clinics will introduce and/or reinforce many of the basic skills and game concepts required to play women’s lacrosse.  This is also a great opportunity for players to try lacrosse before the spring 2025 season.  Register here:  https://harvardlax.org/registration/ Superstar Fall Show Superstar Productions is excited to present our fall show for grades 3-5: Space Pirates! Registration opened Wednesday, August 7 at 7:45 pm. Go to https://superstarproductions.org and click on registration.  Registration Fee: $445 Please email superstarproductionsma@gmail.com with any questions!  HILDRETH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Dr. Rebecca Katsh-Singer, Principal rkatsh-singer@psharvard.org https://hildreth.psharvard.org/ @harvardpublicschools @hildrethharvard 27 Massachusetts Avenue, Harvard MA, 01451   |   (978) 456 - 4145 8.27.24

    Tuesday, Aug 27 2024

  • School Committee Update - June 10, 2024

    Meeting Update   |  June 10, 2024   For Reference:   Upcoming School Committee Meetings School Committee Policies District Strategic Plan School Committee Contact Information Meeting Highlights: Student Representative Jane Besse gave an update from the middle school and shared that they have their field day this week and 8th grade has a field trip. Additionally, 5th grade had their step up event last week and the 8th grade celebration will take place this week. Student Representative Robyn Douglas gave an update from the high school and said the seniors graduated and recently a lot of high schoolers volunteered at the HES field day. The 11th grade has a field trip to see The Great Gatsby in Boston and academics and extracurricular activities are wrapping up as the end of the school year approaches. SEPAC Co-Chairs, Aspen Ference and Jenny Gillard, presented the SEPAC end of year report to the School Committee and outlined several highlights from the 2023-2024 school year. Additionally, they presented the results of their survey from the 2022-2023 school year. They noted that there has been a change of leadership since this survey was sent out. The presentation also included changes SEPAC is recommending to address some of the challenges that were highlighted in the survey. Dr. Rebecca Katsh-Singer, The Hildreth Elementary School Principal, gave an overview of the school improvement plan as the district approaches the end of the 2023-2024 school year. She walked through the work being done in the elementary school as it relates to each of the district’s core values. School Committee members were given an opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback throughout Dr. Katsh-Singer’s presentation. Questions focused on whether or not zones of regulation can be used beyond the elementary school level, if there is any noticeable impact of restorative practices, and if project-based learning was found to be effective. Other noteworthy agenda items: Dr. Dwight shared that in 2019, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts passed the  Student Opportunity Act which aims to identify inequitable gaps in achievement and address the needs of those students in a three-year evidence-based intervention plan. The district’s submission to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) for 2024-2027 focuses on students with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) from 9th through 12th grades who will participate in co-taught classes. This is a continuation of the district’s prior plan. Committee members voted to approve the grant application as presented.  Members voted to ratify the three year contract with SEIU, Local 888 for the district's learning assistants.  Future meeting dates and agenda items: The School Committee's next meeting is scheduled for Monday, July 8th at 6:15 PM. Agenda items will include: the warming cabinet for TBS, the superintendent evaluation, and the TBMS end of year review and school improvement plan. 

    Tuesday, Jun 18 2024

  • Last Friday Memo 6/14/24

    Weekly Newsletter   |  June 14, 2024           Dear TBS High School Community, This is the last Friday Memo of the year! The weather is heating up and the building is frenetic with end of year energy. We have celebrations, field days, and end of the year activities well under way.  It gives me great pleasure to announce that Dr. Julie Horton will be the high school assistant principal next year. Julie has been at Bromfield for 20 years, she’s been dean of students for 7 years, and I am so excited to work with her next year in this new capacity. Among other things, Julie will take lead on scheduling, MCAS, Flex Block, and Tier 2 intervention. She and I will share educator evaluations. The schedule is nearing completion as we arrange the final pieces. Stay tuned for more information through Dr. Horton and counselors. Thank you for your support and for sharing your students with us! I wish you a wonderful summer and a happy father’s day!   Best, Kim Kim Murphy The Bromfield School Principal, 9-12 Next week at a glance: 6/17 Last day of school, early release! Community Message To graduated seniors: The League of Women Voters wants to remind you to vote in the upcoming Presidential election, wherever your path takes you in the coming year. If you have not registered to vote, and will remain in Massachusetts, the deadline to register is October 26, 2024. You can register online at the following link: https://www.sec.state.ma.us/OVR/ If you plan to reside in a different state and want to vote there, you must register according to that state’s rules and deadlines. Here is a link to the deadlines for voting in all parts of the United States: https://www.vote.org/voter-registration-deadlines/ If you want to remain registered in Harvard, but you will be traveling, or working/attending school elsewhere, you can vote by absentee ballot. The links to applying for an absentee ballot, as well as other voting information, can be found on the Harvard Town Clerk’s page on the Town of Harvard website: https://www.harvard-ma.gov/town-clerk/pages/voting-elections-links THE BROMFIELD HIGH SCHOOL Kim Murphy, Principal kmurphy@psharvard.org https://bromfield.psharvard.org/ @harvardpublicschools @bromfieldschool 14 Massachusetts Avenue, Harvard MA, 01451   |   (978) 456 - 4145 Date.2023 Month.Day.Year

    Friday, Jun 14 2024