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June 9: HHS Principal's Message

 

Dear HHS Families,

It is hard to believe this is my last weekly communication home as we close 2019-2020 school year.  I don’t think any of us imagined what lay ahead for us when we began this year together.  

Our student body continues to impress me in how they look beyond themselves to find opportunities in unimaginable challenges. We are looking forward to deepening conversations with students on race, equity, and social justice to strengthen our school culture aligned with our core values and the IB mission to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. We won’t lose momentum during summer break, as we continue these important conversations with students.  High School Administration and Faculty will be hosting virtual discussion groups with students throughout the summer.  I am inspired by how much our students care about each other and their high school.  

I repeatedly pose a question to students:  Ask yourself what type of high school you want to attend, and what are you doing to make Harrison that kind of high school?  Evidence of the ten attributes of the IB Learner Profile are threaded through each of their responses as students demonstrate being:  Reflective, Balanced, Risk-Takers, Caring, Open-Minded, Principled, Communicators, Thinkers, Knowledgeable, and Inquirers.  They are challenging themselves, their school, and me to grow.  I look forward to our growth and journey together. 

Events, celebrations, and end-of-school process continues.  This past weekend students participated in the HHS Playhouse spring play and Relay for Life Event.  

You Can’t Take it With You was directed (over Zoom) by HHS senior Michael Jubak, Jr.  The ingenuity of our students in pulling together this virtual performance was nothing short of impressive!  The cast included: Elizabeth Caragliano, Lydia LaBelle, Lorena Ramirez, Peter Neureuther, Chris Collazo, Cameron McLean, Angel Aguilar, Drake Martin, Paige Pezzella, Ceara Kretzmer, Jack Eiff, Aidan Wohl, Joanna Howson, Dean Corvino, Ellie Eiff, Mia Altamuro, David Fiery, Aidan Flores, Gianna Vukel, and Philip Schultz. Proceeds from the performance went to the student chosen charity Doctors Without Borders and to the HHS Playhouse.  Congratulations to our teacher advisor, Mrs. Haberli, our student director, Michael Jubak, Jr. and the entire cast!  

Congratulations to our Relay for Life student planning team for their dedication and successful virtual Relay for Life Event over the weekend!  Students remained committed to the cause of raising awareness and providing hope and resources to commemorate those who have battled cancer or are in the process of battling cancer and their caregivers.  Thank you to those who participated and showed their Relay spirit in attending the virtual events hosted throughout the weekend.!

Upcoming events and celebrations:

  • Our virtual Physics Extravaganza is presented by Physics seniors to fourth grade students in our elementary schools today and tomorrow, June 9-10.

  • A virtual Writers Among Us will be posted on the District website. 

  • Senior Cap and Gown Distribution is today and tomorrow, June9-10. We have planned special activities that will be memorable celebrations for our seniors. The event will include lots of Pomp and Circumstance.  

  • The Virtual Senior Athletic Awards ceremony can be viewed beginning at 7 pm on June 11th on the HHS homepage & HCSD Athletics page. 

  • The Virtual Senior Awards ceremony can be viewed beginning at 7 pm on June 18th on the HHS homepage.   

  • Our District, Senior Class Officers, HHS PTA, the Harrison Police Department, and the Town of Harrison will host a Graduate Parade for seniors at 6:00 PM on June 17th. Information about the parade route will follow.  

  • The plan for graduation changes with the changes in guidance from the Governor.  We will release updated plans this week.

Additional information and reminders:

Locker Cleanout & the Collection of Material belonging to the school will occur in assigned groups by students’ last names on 11th, 12th, and 15th. We will not be collecting technology on loan from the school district (i.e. calculators and Chromebooks) except for students leaving the District and graduating seniors.  

We continue to redesign and expand our summer programs. Due to the governor’s order, these programs will be held virtually. Summer programs will be designed in a way that is flexible and accomodate a larger number of students than in prior years. There will be components of this program, as well as additional resources, that will be accessible to all elementary school students. 

The Governor has directed schools to remain closed for the remainder of the academic year.  Please understand that with the closing of schools, the school grounds must remain closed and no gatherings can be allowed at this time.

We recognize the challenges families face Learning From Home and its impact on students’ ability to complete work. Our grading practices reflect that understanding and the approach is accurate, fair, and respectful.  The revised secondary grading guidelines ensure integrity and fairness, provide feedback on achievement, and support learning. 

The District provides free breakfast and lunch for eligible students. If you are currently eligible but have not yet applied, please complete the request form.  If your circumstances have changed and you are in need of food assistance contact your principal. All inquiries are confidential.  

If your child needs a device, if there is a problem with your equipment, or if your family does not have internet access, the District provides a device and/or a mobile hotspot to deliver internet access. If you require technology support please complete this form. If you have questions contact Brian Seligman (914-630-3389) or seligmanb@harrisoncsd.org.  

I miss the presence of your children in our school each day.  

Sincerely,

Ms. Kimberly Beukema
Principal, Harrison High School