In our elementary classrooms, inquiry begins as children explore the world around them, observing the natural environment, asking questions, and investigating those questions with evidence. Their development as learners deepens over the years, culminating in research and creative work that earns recognition at the highest national and international levels. Our K-12 International Baccalaureate framework teaches students how to think and apply knowledge.
Andrew Gaffin was named a National Merit Scholarship Winner. Emily Salemo and Stella Artuso were selected as finalists at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair, the world's largest high school science competition. We could not be prouder of their accomplishments.
The transitions from grade level to grade level and from school to school are thoughtfully designed to ensure students understand and define their academic journey. Recently, fifth graders from all four elementary schools spent the day at LMK paired with sixth-grade buddies. Eighth graders met one-on-one with counselors to map their first year at HHS. At the high school track, members of the Husky Moves Club from all four elementary schools ran their first-ever 3K, connecting families and staff from across our community.
We are proud of our students for their love of learning and for the recognitions they earned this season from respected external institutions, affirming the quality of their work: National Merit Scholarship Corporation, Regeneron, Scholastic Awards, Museum of Contemporary Art Connecticut, and the American Association of Teachers of Italian at New York University.
I invite you to enjoy this issue of HCSD Highlights as you explore their many pursuits.
Sincerely, Louis N. Wool, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Andrew Gaffin Named National Merit Finalist Winner
HHS senior Andrew Gaffin has been named a National Merit Scholarship Winner, earning recognition for his outstanding academic record, rigorous coursework, strong grades, PSAT scores, demonstrated leadership, involvement in school and community activities, a compelling essay, and supporting school recommendation. Andrew was awarded the National Merit $2,500 Scholarship, sponsored by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. He was selected from more than 16,000 semi-finalists. This honor recognizes top performing high school seniors who demonstrate an exceptional combination of academic ability, accomplishments, and potential for future success.
Two Harrison High School Students to Compete at Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair, World’s Largest High School Science Competition
HHS Science Research students senior Emily Salemo and junior Stella Artuso presented research projects that earned scores in the top twenty at the recent Westchester Science and Engineering Fair (WESEF). This achievement earned them spots as finalists in the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) to be held in Phoenix, Arizona in May. Emily earned first place in the Medicine & Health category, and Stella took first in the Animal Sciences category. Both Emily and Stella are Science Research students at Harrison High School, and have participated in the program since 10th grade.
Emily’s research, The Effect of ɑ-tocopherol on Locomotor Ability of the Drosophila melanogaster Mutant for Glutathione S-Transferase Theta 3 (GstT3), focused on finding better treatments for combatting juvenile arthritis.
Stella conducted research focused on the impact of the cancer fighting compound phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC) contained in common cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli and watercress,in reducing cancer tumor growth as detailed in her project Determining the Method by Which Phenethyl Isothiocyanate Inhibits Cell Proliferation and Induces Apoptosis in Cancer Cells Tumor Suppression.
The Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair is considered the most prestigious international competition for high school student scientists from around the world, and is the world’s largest high school science competition.
Four Harrison High School Students to Compete in International GENIUS Olympiad
Four Harrison High School students qualified to compete in the International Genius Olympiad: Sam Parsley, Sophie Wong, Atharv Gandhi, and Isabella Mariani. All four students are part of the high school’s Science Research Program.
GENIUS Olympiad is an international high school project competition focusing on environmental issues. Students qualify for the annual competition by competing at local and regional fairs or by submitting a scholarly research paper. Students from 74 countries submitted more than 3200 projects, and 892 projects were accepted, a 27% acceptance rate.
The GENIUS Olympiad, founded in 2011, is organized by Terra Science and Education and hosted by the Rochester Institute of Technology. The program fosters global awareness of environmental challenges and advances the understanding of sustainability through competition in a variety of disciplines: science, the arts, film, coding, robotics, speech, engineering, design, and business innovation. The program provides a platform for students to share ideas, build shared responsibility, and raise public awareness about critical environmental problems in the world.
I Notice...I Wonder...I Observe...Learning Through Inquiry and Exploration in Elementary School
Walk into any Harrison elementary classroom and you’ll hear the language of young scientists at work: “I notice…” “I observe…” “I wonder…” These simple phrases reflect the District's commitment to inquiry-based learning grounded in the principles of the International Baccalaureate Programme. Students are encouraged to think critically, ask meaningful questions, take intellectual risks, and use evidence to build understanding.
“Sharing the Planet” is a transdisciplinary unit of study within the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) framework that explores ecosystems, conservation, and biodiversity through student-directed learning. It encourages learners to think across disciplines to become stewards of the natural world.
Across the district, students engage with this unit in developmentally appropriate and increasingly complex ways. In kindergarten classrooms, students explore the idea that all living things have needs in order to survive and grow. Through close study of trees and the organisms that depend on them, students observe the natural world, compare living and nonliving things, and identify shared characteristics of living organisms. Questions that arise often lead to deeper inquiry, with some captured in a classroom “wonder box” for future exploration. Throughout the process, students read, observe, discuss, and write as they build their understanding.
In third grade, students build on this foundation by investigating how plants and animals live and reproduce in predictable patterns that sustain life over time. They develop and test ideas about how traits, reproduction and environmental interactions contribute to survival. Through this work, students begin to grapple with the impact of environmental change and consider the role humans play maintaining the health of ecosystems. They analyze problems, make inferences, and evaluate potential solutions that support a sustainable future.
Learning is active and collaborative at every grade level. Students work closely with one another, sharing ideas, challenging assumptions, and building understanding together. Throughout the unit, students are guided by the IB Learner Profile, striving to become inquirers, reflective, open-minded, thinkers, and risk takers in their learning.
Beginning in elementary school, our students are developing the skills and dispositions that will serve them well beyond the classroom. They are learning to think critically, communicate effectively and engage thoughtfully with the world around them.
HHS Junior Earns National Scholastic Silver Medal
HHS junior Michelle Aldana has been awarded the National Scholastic Silver Medal for her photograph, “Hollow!” After earning a Gold Key in the regional Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, her work advanced to the national level, where it was reviewed by leading artists from across the country for its originality, technical skill, and creative voice. This national recognition marks a historic milestone for our school district, as Michelle becomes the first HHS student to receive Scholastic national honors. Her achievement reflects both her exceptional artistic talent and the guidance and support of dedicated visual arts teachers.
HHS Students’ Work Featured in Exhibition on Youth Culture
Four HHS students participated in the Museum of Contemporary Art Connecticut exhibition, THE SOUND OF US: YOUTH CULTURE NOW, which explored how contemporary music influences youth culture, from fashion trends and social interactions to political awareness, activism, speech, and everyday life. Students created work in response to the prompt: Choose a song between 2020 to now and create a work of art that shows its effects on youth culture either through fashion, social interactions, speech, education, political alertness and activism, and life in general. Harrison students whose work was featured in the exhibit: Michelle Aldana - What is the "norm" exactly?, Mia Camaj - Stuck, Chloe Corvino - Still Open, Nathan Kim - Abrasive Pixels.
Students Earn Honors at Italian Poetry Competition
Harrison students earned multiple honors at the annual American Association of Teachers of Italian Poetry Competition at Casa Italiana Zerilli-Marimò at New York University: Ulrich Novak received a gold medal, Chelsea Bustamante earned a silver medal, and Olivia Eapen received a bronze medal. Students recited Italian poems, demonstrating strong presentation skills and an appreciation for Italian literature. Judges evaluated pronunciation, poise, memorization, intonation, gesticulation and expression.
Planning What’s Next: LMK 8th Graders Prepare for High School
For Harrison’s 8th grade students, the journey to high school is in full swing, as they are at the midpoint to the transition from LMK to HHS. Recently, students took an important step by meeting one-on-one with their school counselors to map out their 9th grade course schedules, an experience that explores the possibilities of a high school experience into focus. These personalized meetings are a cornerstone of the District’s transition program, giving students the chance to consider the wide range of opportunities available at Harrison High School, ask thoughtful questions, and begin envisioning what their high school experience might look like. It’s more than just selecting classes, it’s the start of discovering new interests, setting goals, and building a plan for the four years ahead. The transition from 8th to 9th grade begins in January and continues through 9th grade orientation in August, with a carefully designed series of events that help ensure a smooth, supportive, and engaging experience for both students and families.
Getting Ready for Middle School at Buddy Day
LMK Principal Scott Fried welcomes 5th grade students to LMK Middle School, "Buddies" eagerly wait to meet their partners, 5th graders celebrate being together for the first time...LMK here they come!
Fifth grade students from Harrison Avenue, Parsons, Preston, and Purchase Elementary Schools came together at LMK Middle School for Buddy Day. The day gave students the chance to experience middle school firsthand as each fifth grader was paired with a sixth grade “buddy” who served as a guide. Together, they explored hallways, located future classrooms, and began to get comfortable with their new environment.
The experience also included lunch in the cafeteria and engaging team-building activities led by LMK Principal Mr. Fried, which created opportunities for connection, collaboration, and lots of fun. Buddy Day followed earlier visits to each elementary school from Mr. Fried and the school counselors. The District’s transition program is designed to build familiarity and confidence, and provide support for students and families as they approach the start of middle school. Fifth graders left Buddy Day at LMK excited and looking forward to the year ahead.
Young Huskies on the Move
It was a picturesque day at Harrison High School for the first-ever Husky Moves 3K Run/Walk Students, families, and staff came together in a celebration of movement, school spirit, and community. The event gathered the Husky Moves Club from all four elementary schools, groups of fourth-grade students dedicated to promoting active lifestyles. From start to finish, the atmosphere was filled with excitement as families cheered and students supported one another throughout the day.
FACILITIES UPDATE: Building the Spaces Our Students Deserve
Across our district, new learning spaces are already being used, and more are coming. Visit our Facility Improvements webpage for an update on those improvements.
