The Hardy Herald Week 21
February 7, 2021
Important Dates and Updates
Track Day Schedule-
Track "B" Days- 2/4, 2/9, 2/11, 2/16, 2/18, 2/23, 2/25
2/10 and 2/11- Report Cards Distributed
2/10 and 2/11- Go Red for Heart Health Month- All students and staff wear red to school
2/15- President's Day- All schools and offices are closed
Celebration Wednesday's in IWCS
What is Black History Month?
The week-long event officially became Black History Month in 1976 when U.S. president Gerald Ford extended the recognition to “honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.” Black History Month has been celebrated in the United States every February since.
Black History Month was created to focus attention on the contributions of African Americans to the United States. It honors all Black people from all periods of U.S. history, from the enslaved people first brought over from Africa in the early 17th century to African Americans living in the United States today.
Copied from https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/explore/history/black-history-month/
Mrs. Keesee and Ms. Kelly's Class Black History Month Project
Students in Mrs. Keesee and Ms. Kelly's virtual class completed Black History Month projects. Students were instructed to research a famous African American, then create a facebook profile of the person, a timeline of the person's life or a graphic cartoon depicting events from the person's life. Click on the link below to view the wonderful projects by our 4th grade students.
IWCS Celebrates African American History Month
This month-long celebration is designed to increase awareness of Black History, and to encourage critical dialogue regarding issues of diversity, equity and inclusion.
Black History month is a time to reflect and celebrate the sacrifices and achievements of Black people. Black people have made numerous contributions to American society, which include science and technology, education, law and policy, entertainment and sports. Sharing the accomplishments of Black people with our students is a valuable experience and fosters an inclusive learning environment.
Black History is American History and it reveals the humanity in us all. We must acknowledge and give an accurate depiction of Black History. This includes the harsh reality of slavery, the struggle for justice during the civil rights movement, and the current disparities that Black people continue to face. Nevertheless, the story of Black people is an uplifting one. It is a story of perseverance and of a country fulfilling its promise to become a more “perfect union”.
I hope that in Isle of Wight County Schools, we can extend this month’s practice of incorporating the history of marginalized communities and conversations into our classrooms, educational programs, and community dialogues. Thurgood Marshall said, "In recognizing the humanity of our fellow beings, we pay ourselves the highest tribute."
Please join us for our Black History events throughout the month. It is a celebration of Equity and Inclusion!
Kiyaana Cox Jones
Coordinator of Equity & Inclusion
IWCS Black History Month Events
Celebration Wednesdays
Every Wednesday
A weekly video celebrating Black People, Black Excellence, Black Achievements, and Black History.
#WednesdayMotivations #WinningWednesday #WisdomWednesday
Black Resilience: Extraordinary History, Extraordinary People
Thursday, February 25, 2021
A virtual Black History Program featuring IWCS students, community leaders, NAACP and special guests.
Black Excellence: A Virtual Classroom Experience
February 15 - February 26
Choose from a list of pre-recorded videos from Black professionals locally and across the nation to come into your classroom and read a book, encourage students, and celebrate Black History.
Looking Ahead To Equity
Equity Phase I
Presented at the February 11 School Board meeting.
VSBA Equity in Education Month
March 2021
Women’s Empowerment Month
March 2021
Report Cards
American Heart Health Month
Chances are, we all know someone affected by heart disease and stroke, so let's join together to raise awareness about cardiovascular disease and save lives.
All schools and departments are invited to participate by wearing RED on
Wednesday (2/10) or Thursday (2/11).
WHRO WRITING CONTEST
Girls on the Run Coach- NEEDED
School Board Appreciation Month
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.
Hybrid 5-Days A Week
Isle of Wight County Schools is considering moving some students who are on the In-Person Continuum to a full, five-day weekly schedule in February. The In-Person Continuum model allows for students to move between learning remotely, learning on a hybrid model, or learning in person 5 days a week, based on data related to COVID-19.
The division will continue to monitor data for positive cases and quarantines over the next several weeks. If the numbers are favorable, we plan to return PreK through 5th grade students to in-person learning, 5 days per week, beginning Tuesday, February 16. By this date, IWCS will finish replacing tables with desks at our elementary schools. The desks will help physically distance students in the classroom. In addition, we also have almost 500 employees who have registered for the COVID-19 vaccine with many receiving their first dose last week.
The mitigation strategies in place at all of our schools are working and preventing transmission of the virus. Since school opened on September 8, there have been NO cases of student to student spread, student to teacher spread, or teacher to student spread. However, if we do have issues with rising numbers of cases or quarantines, the Superintendent, Dr. Jim Thornton, can close a classroom, a school, or even the entire division and return students to temporarily remote or hybrid learning if necessary. We will continue to monitor data for a potential return of additional grade levels to five days a week in person.
IWCS will make an announcement by Monday, February 8, regarding the final decision to welcome back PreK-5th graders on the In-Person Continuum model to a 5-day week beginning Tuesday, February 16. Information on student transportation and any schedule modifications will be shared as soon as details are finalized.
This decision does not impact students on the Virtual Learning Model for the second semester.
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