Spring 2024 vol. 7
Superintendent of Schools
P.S. The annual Relay for Life event to celebrate cancer survivors, raise awareness about fighting cancer, and fundraise for cancer research, will be held at Harrison High School on Saturday, June 1st from 4:30-9:30. The entire Harrison community is welcome to attend this event sponsored by the HHS Relay for Life Club.
HHS Softball Team Clinches Section 1 Title
Model Congress Team Competes at U Penn; Samantha Rabin Wins Best Delegate
The Harrison High School Model Congress team competed against schools from around the country at the University of Pennsylvania Model Congress conference. Students prepared and debated bills relating to socio-political issues. Students participated in committees such as Foreign Affairs, Oversight and Government Works, and Financial Services, and gained an authentic understanding of key issues and parliamentary procedure. Samantha Rabin won a best delegate award in her committee; Sam Potkin and Francis Duden won honorable mentions.
Husky Day: 5th Graders Build Connections, Make New Friends
Fifth Grade students from Parsons, Purchase, Harrison Avenue and Preston Elementary Schools arrived in a rainbow of colored t-shirts on a beautiful spring day ready to go! It was Husky Day, part of the District transition to middle school program, designed to introduce 5th graders from across the four elementary schools to each other prior to arriving at LMK in the fall. Fifth grade students are split into mixed teams of students from all four elementary schools. Ice-breaker and team building activities developed by the District’s K-12 Physical Education and Health faculty are facilitated by PE teachers and student peer leaders from the high school. Activities are designed to student interaction using a variety of group activities, including team parachute golf, navigating a hula hoop challenge and obstacle course, and a variety of team adventure games.
2nd Graders Build Science & Literacy Skills Learning about Bees
Second grade students at Harrison Avenue, Parsons, Preston, and Purchase elementary schools learned how “Humans Can Help Plants and Animals Survive” as part of the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program (PYP) unit, “Share the Planet.” This transdisciplinary lesson simultaneously builds science content knowledge, deepens literacy skills, and introduces students to the IB learner profile. Students refined reading, writing and research skills while engaging in scientific inquiry, exploring biodiversity, habitats, and how plants and animals rely on each other. Students explored causes of decreased biodiversity, as a result of dying bees, and considered solutions to keep bees safe. As caring, principled scientists and citizens students used newly acquired knowledge, by planting bee-friendly flowers and writing letters about the need to improve the bee habitat. Throughout the unit, students reflected on their learning, made connections, and recorded their understanding in journals. A professional beekeeper visited the elementary schools and provided a real world perspective. Students were excited to share their knowledge, ask questions based on their learning, and make connections between what they learned and the world around them.
HHS Students Serve Community Through Work Based Learning Program
Students from the Harrison High School FASE (Functional Academic Skills Education) program volunteer at community businesses in Harrison as a part of the work-based learning program. This year, participating businesses include Kentucky Riding Stables, Pureganic Café, Café Deux, and the Harrison Food Pantry. Students help the local businesses by performing tasks that are integral to their operation, including grooming horses, folding napkins, stocking shelves, and custodial work. The opportunities support students in building authentic pre-vocational and social skills. Our students benefit greatly from these experiences, and we are grateful to the businesses for providing them with real-life skill development. The students who volunteer at the Harrison Food Pantry were recognized for their service by the Mayor and Town Board at a meeting during National Volunteer Month. (Read the Husky Herald piece about the FASE program)
HHS Students Take Learning to the Trails
HHS students took learning to the trails, tackling a five-mile hike along the Appalachian Trail in the Anthony Wayne Recreation Center at Bear Mountain. High school physical education teacher, Mr. Zappala, along with Mr. Brill led the outing for 28 students in grades 9-12. The hike is part of the physical education program at the high school and aligns with New York State physical education learning standards to “implement personal wellness plans that promote lifelong physical activity and fitness.” On the trails, students worked together to problem solve, support each other in navigating the terrain, and enjoy the beauty of the outdoors. Transportation was funded by a grant through the New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Connect Kids Field Trip Program designed to connect students in New York State with nature and history.
Guidance Counselors & HHS Students Visit Siena College
The Guidance Department hosted a trip to Siena College for fifty 10th and 11th grade students on Friday, April 26th. The trip was offered at no cost to students. While there, students participated in an information session with a member of the Admissions Office and went on small group tours with Siena College Student Ambassadors.