The Hardy Herald Week 27
March 22, 2021
Important Dates and Updates
3/25- 3rd Grade STAR Math Assessment
3/24- IWCS "Girl" Day
3/29- 4th Grade STAR Reading Assessment
3/30- 4th Grade STAR Math Assessment
4/2 - 4/9- All schools and offices closed for Spring Break
4/21- Military "Purple Up" Day
4/22- IWCS School Board Meeting
4/23- Report Cards Distributed
A Special Message from Dr. James Lane, VA State Superintendent
Condemning Anti-Asian Hate and Violence
Over the past several months there has been a rise in anti-Asian hate and violence, much of which can be connected to the COVID-19 pandemic. The shootings that occurred in Georgia on March 16, 2021 that resulted in the tragic and untimely deaths of eight people, including six Asian women are the latest in a string of attacks targeting Asian communities. Like many of you, I am heartbroken by this tragedy and offer my sincerest condolences to the victims and their families. We all must join together in condemning these acts of senseless violence; but more importantly, we must commit time and resources to uplifting the students and communities most impacted.
Many Asian-American communities, their friends, and allies are reeling by these tragic events. Educators and leaders are encouraged to acknowledge the pain and trauma caused to students as a result of the recent hate crime in Georgia and ongoing racist attacks. Schools are a microcosm of our larger society and it is crucial that we consider how such events impact teaching, learning, and student experience. Further, educators and leaders must stand prepared to address the ways in which continued racial and xhenophobic attacks against Asian communities might pour into our schools and classrooms. It is necessary for practitioners to leverage resources that support anti-racism in schools, as well as students' social-emotional needs. Now more than ever, it is critical that we create and maintain school environments that are affirming, validating, and respectful of who our students are and where they come from.
When we say that Virginia is for Learners, we mean ALL learners, thus it is our responsibility as educators and education leaders to speak up and against anti-Asian discourse and xenophobia, as well as support students through these difficult times. The Virginia Department of Education stands committed to upholding the dignity of all students and reaffirms our commitment to education equity and inclusive practice. It is my hope that we will continue these critical conversations about race beyond this moment.
Sincerely,
James F. Lane, Superintendent of Public Instruction
Resiliency Day 2021 at Hardy Elementary!
Spring Break Camp
Spring Spirit Sticks!
If you would like to order Spirit Sticks for your Spring baskets this holiday, please complete the order form and return in the provided envelope that will be coming home this week. We will also have a website for parents of virtual students to place an order as well. The website and ordering directions will be provided later this week. All deliveries will be complete prior to spring break and designated days will be assigned for parents to pickup spirit sticks for virtual students. Please contact Mendy Gonzales @ hardymustangs@gmail.com if you have questions or concerns.
IWCS to Celebrate Resiliency One Year after School Closings Across Virginia
Happy Women’s Empowerment Month!
In Honor of Women’s History Month, we are celebrating Girl Day on Wednesday, March 24- ALL DAY!!! Girl Day is a girl empowerment day to uplift and celebrate our female students. International Women's celebration colors are purple, green and white. We are asking our female teachers and students to wear PURPLE, GREEN and WHITE on March 24. We are also asking that all teachers and staff post a collage outside of their room or office of diverse women who have inspired you and impacted our world.
Students have been nominating someone from their school for the Inspirational Woman Award and employees are submitting names for the Sense of Belonging Teacher Award. Winners from each school will receive their certificates and other surprise gifts on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of next week. You will be sure to notice the winners as they are walking down the halls! On behalf of the Department of Equity and Inclusion, we also have a beautiful IWCS Women's Empowerment Pin for the women in our division.
On Celebration Wednesday, March 24, we will share a Women’s Empowerment Video on the IWCS YouTube channel honoring women in the district and women from the past. And we will be launching the Girls on the Run Program, with students receiving information about the program very soon.
- In addition, you can learn more about the division’s initiatives to celebrate, acknowledge, and study women's vital roles in American History by reading the Division's Equity Message for Women’s Empowerment Month.
- We look forward to celebrating the women and girls of IWCS with you on March 24.
Easter Camp
It's that time of year for the annual PTA Boosterthon Fundraiser! Please read the letter below and email your child's shirt size to his/her teacher by March 26th. If you have questions or concerns, please email the Hardy PTA at: hardymustangs@gmail.com
March Lunch Menu
Should I Keep my Child at Home?
We wanted to take this time to remind you about the symptoms related to COVID-19. We've updated the daily home screening document and included all the symptoms identified by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) related to COVID-19. The new document is attached to this message.
Parents are urged to keep their children at home if a child is showing one or more of any of these symptoms. The goal is for our students to come to school on the in-person continuum, but this will only be achieved if individuals who are sick stay home and avoid contact with others. This includes students living in the household with individuals who are experiencing any of the COVID-19 symptoms on the daily home screening. Again, our goal is to help protect our community and school by staying home when we are sick. Please email your child's teacher and Nurse Cowan at ncowan@iwcs.k12.va.us if your is sick and will not be in school.
Thank you for keeping our schools safe!
2021 – 2022 Learning Center Preschool Program
WHRO WRITING CONTEST
Meal Distribution Reminder
Isle of Wight County Schools has been granted the ability to continue distributing free meals to all students, regardless of financial situation. The division will distribute free meals to families on Fridays at three locations—Georgie Tyler Middle School in Windsor, Smithfield High School, and Carrsville Elementary. Meals can be picked up from 10:00am to 2:00pm at all three locations. Parents will receive 5 days-worth of breakfasts and lunches for each child.
We look forward to seeing you on Friday at SHS, GTMS, or Carrsville Elementary.
Ongoing Reminders
- MASKS ARE REQUIRED for all adults and students 5 years and up.
- Visitors will not be allowed in the building without a mask AND and Identification.
- If you would like to schedule counseling sessions with our AMAZING School Counselor, please complete the form here. The form is also listed below under the heading Hardy Elementary School Counseling Form. Sessions are held via zoom or in-person for hybrid students.
School hours are 8:25 AM -3:30 PM. Students can arrive starting at 8:25 AM. Students may not be dropped off prior to 8:25 AM. If you bring your child to school after 8:55 AM, you must escort them inside to the office and complete a tardy slip.
Please see nurse Nancy Cowan for prescription medicine intake. All medicine must be accompanied by a parent and include a physician’s prescription. Students are not allowed to transport medicine to school.
Breakfast is served in the classroom starting at 8:25 AM each morning.
PTA Information
Hello Hardy Families!
With our new year at Hardy Elementary, PTA membership enrollment is now open! This year, membership enrollment is available online and drastically discounted! The price this year to join is only $3.75 per person! Follow the link or visit the Member Hub store and join the PTA today! https://hardymustangs.new.memberhub.store/store
Hardy Elementary School Counselor Corner
Remind Notification App
Are you receiving the most up to date school information and notifications from administration and teachers? The Remind app allows you to stay on top of what’s happening at school and in the classroom. No matter where you are or what you’re doing, you can receive important school updates right on your phone. Click here to sign up with the Hardy Elementary school code.
Hardy Construction Tracking Plan
Timeline:
- November 2020--January 2021: Architects complete building design; Value Engineering takes place
- February 2021: Code review for project; Value Engineering comments addressed
- June 2021*: Resubmit plan to Building Official; CONSTRUCTION BEGINS!
- Construction updates and photos will be posted monthly
- December 2022: FINAL COMPLETION!
*The date for the start of construction has moved from March to June because of an addendum to the Request for Proposal (RFQ). Groundbreaking will begin in June. The delay does NOT impact the Final Completion date.
Attendance for All Students
Parents,
We wanted to take this opportunity to remind everyone about the attendance process for students participating in the A/B Hybrid Model or in 100% Virtual Learning. In response to the changes with in-person learning, attendance procedures were modified this year to support the different learning models.
For A/B Hybrid Students:
- Days students are scheduled to be in school (synchronous days)--Students need to physically be in the classroom to be marked "Present" If they are absent, they should bring a note from a parent or a health care provider when they return to school.
- Days students are learning from home (asynchronous days)--Students are marked "Present" when work assigned for that day is complete. Student work turned in within 5 days of the due date will be used to demonstrate attendance. If there is no assignment for a class on an asynchronous day, the student would be considered "Present" for class on that day.
For 100% Virtual Students:
- Days students are scheduled to Zoom for class (synchronous days)--There are several ways students may be counted present:
- Students need to participate in the Live Zoom session to be marked "Present."
- Students unable to participate in the Live Zoom but turn in the assigned work within five days will be marked "Present."
- Students absent from a Live Zoom, and no work is assigned that day, may have the absence excused with a note from the parent.
- Days students are not on Zoom (asynchronous days)--Students are marked "Present" when work assigned for that day is complete. Student work turned in within 5 days of the due date will be used to demonstrate attendance. If there is no assignment for a class on an asynchronous day, the student would be considered "Present" for class on that day.
We realize the attendance procedure is more complex this year than during a traditional school year. However, the modifications allow flexibility for students and also address concerns for students who are unable to participate in live Zoom sessions for virtual learning. Students are held accountable for their work and we need your assistance to make sure they are completing their assignments. Teachers and principals will be reaching out to parents regarding missing grades and discussing strategies for improvement. Please take advantage of the PowerSchool Parent Portal for checking on your child's grades on a regular basis.
This year is certainly presenting many challenges for everyone. In spite of the unusual situation, our goal is to keep students on track with their learning. I am confident that we can accomplish this by all of us working together. Thank you for your continued support of your child's education during these challenging times.
Director of Community and Media Relations
Isle of Wight County Schools
820 W. Main St.
Smithfield, VA 23430
757-365-1611 (o)
757-603-1904 (c)
Daily Home Screening
We wanted to take this time to remind you about the symptoms related to COVID-19. We've updated the daily home screening document and included all the symptoms identified by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) related to COVID-19. The new document is attached to this message.
Parents are urged to keep their children at home if a child is showing any of these symptoms. The goal for Isle of Wight County Schools is to bring more students back into our buildings as soon as possible, but that will only be successful if individuals who are sick stay home and avoid contact with others.
Help protect your community and your school by staying home when you are sick.
Thank you for keeping our schools safe!
Hardy Elementary School
Website: http://hes.iwcs.k12.va.us/
Location: 9311 Hardy Circle, Smithfield, VA, United States
Phone: 757-357-3204
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IsleofWighCountySchools/
Twitter: @HardyElementary