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May 5: HAS Principal's Message

 

Dear Harrison Avenue Families, 

This week held mixed experiences.  We completed our seventh week of Learning From Home. Put this in your win column! You have accomplished great things with your children, and the teachers and I are grateful for your encouragement, support, and questions.  As you know, the governor closed schools for the remainder of the school year.  This was disappointing; it brought the realization that the closure to the school year will look and feel very different from the past. 

While I could list the special events that we will miss this year, I instead will focus on all of the experiences we shared with your children. Our fifth graders participated in the annual Spaghetti Dinner, and kindergartners performed in the HAS holiday show.  Although it seems like years ago, it was only this past fall that we were together for the Halloween party, and celebrated the holidays important to our community.  I choose to focus on positive experiences, they provide a connectedness that can carry us through the rest of the school year.  

Teachers continue to discuss, explore, investigate, and expand the use of live classes to best meet our students’ needs.  Even in our virtual learning environment, our themes remain consistent: problem-solving, risk-taking, flexible thinking, curiosity, and persistence. 

Class Placement
As we plan for the 2020-21 school year, the process of class placement will soon begin. Decisions about class placement are made with the input and expertise of various school professionals to place children in the best educational and social environment. Families can share information with principals that they deem appropriate and relevant for the placement of their child(ren).  More information can be found here

Third Grade Musical Instrument Selection
All 3rd Graders may choose an instrument to play the following year. We are happy to share that instrument selection will continue as we are learning from home. Your child's General Music teacher has posted videos of Band and Orchestra instruments in the 3rd Grade Google Classrooms to inform students' decisions. A Google Form will be posted for families to complete indicating their child’s instrument selection. Access your child's General Music Classroom page to complete the form. If you have questions, contact your child's music teacher or Lynn Fusco, Director of Fine & Performing Arts, at fuscoly@harrisoncsd.org.   

Kindergarten/New Student Registration
Kindergarten registration and all new student registrations for the 2020/21 school year are ongoing during the school closure.  Online registration is available at harrisoncsd.org. Click “Parents” menu, then “Student Registration.”  Email Michelle Marchese, District Registrar, with any questions: marchesemi@harrisoncsd.org. 

Learning From Home
Our teachers continue to innovate in the Learning From Home environment. They interact with students using pre-recorded videos, video conferencing, simulations, and virtual field trips.  Art, Music, and Physical Education teachers post lessons that can be completed at the student’s pace. If your child is struggling with assignments, please contact the teacher.

The District has a secure environment, and utilizes platforms such as Google Hangouts/Meet and Zoom to facilitate communication between teachers and students.  Families can learn more about the District’s Video Conferencing Guidelines here.  Teachers receive ongoing support with digital platforms to interact effectively with students.  We are monitoring students’ experiences to ensure that learning is maximized. 

Family Resources: The District has resources that can be found at the Parent Resources tab at Learning from Home.  Family University K-5 offers suggestions for optimizing virtual learning.

Take a look at one of our students getting creative for Mrs. Monti’s Art Cardboard Challenge!

Sincerely,

Valerie Hymes
Principal


Ongoing items to note:

  • The Governor has directed schools to remain closed for the remainder of the academic year.  
  • 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 will provide 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).