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April 7: HHS Principal's Message

 

Dear Parent(s)/Guardian(s),

As we practice social distancing and work from home, monotonous days blend together and become indistinguishable from one another.  I often hear the comment, “It’s like Groundhog Day, over and over again,” a reference to the 90s film starring Bill Murray.  In the film, Murray’s character, Phil, wakes up repeatedly to discover it’s always Groundhog Day.  In frustration, Phil asks the question, “What would you do if you were stuck in one place and every day was exactly the same and nothing that you did mattered?”  It isn’t until Phil has the realization that EVERY action matters that he discovers his purpose in life.   

The message of the film is now more relevant than ever.  Our actions and everyday experiences have an impact on others and do matter. We can’t continue to behave as if everything's the same for our students; our actions must be responsive to students academically, socially, and emotionally.  Your children adjusted to their new learning environment, and we responded to the many changes students experienced. One example is our modification for grading in the third marking period. 

We will continue to monitor the types of assessment practices used in a virtual environment to ensure they are accurate and fair; not every day is Groundhog Day at HHS. :)  As we enter the new marking period, grades will be based upon the established course grading policies. The faculty and I appreciate your partnership as we refine the virtual school environment. 

In addition, please make note of the following:

  • Yesterday Governor Cuomo issued an executive order extending all public school district closures through April 29, 2020.  The superintendent will provide more information in his Thursday update.

  • Students observing religious holidays are not expected to complete school work on those days. Deadlines for missed assignments will be extended until 4pm on Tuesday, 4/14.  

  • With the end of the 3rd Marking Period, the Portal will be closed April 6th through April 16th to finalize grades. 

  • Here is this week’s Weekly Bulletin - Week of 4-7-2020

Supporting your children’s academic successes:
Make sure not every day is Groundhog Day…have your children:

  • Set-up a workspace different from where they relax in the evening. Working on the sofa is fun until you live on the sofa!  Make sure there is good lighting and limit distractions.

  • Shower and dress in the morning.  PJs may sound fun, but it begins to do weird things to you.   

  • Take it easy on caffeinated drinks and snacks; empty calories and too much caffeine create anxiety and lethargy. 

  • Maintain regular school/work hours. If you do not create set work hours, it will feel like you are in constant work mode.  

  • Drink plenty of water and get sleep.

  • Take regular breaks, and try to get outdoors 1-2 times a day (while social distancing of course). Strength and Conditioning Coach Fish created a fitness Instagram for LMK and HHS students for at-home workouts @husky.health_fitness.  It provides 3 workouts on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and 2 mobility sessions posted on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

With the realization that EVERY action matters, the monotony of our days take a far greater purpose and suddenly feel far less monotonous.   

Be well.

Sincerely,

Ms. Kimberly Beukema 
Principal, Harrison High School