HRHS Faculty Newsletter
December 9-13
This Week's Calendar
Day 2
Mad About Plaid!
7:40am: Tape Coffee Cart slip to your door sign
Tuesday 12/10:
Day 1
Ugly Sweater Day
STCC Decision Day
2:30-3:30: Department Meetings
Wednesday 12/11:
Day 7
Cookie Party
Thursday
12/12:
Day 6
Jeans for Toys
HCC Decision Day
Friday 12/13:
Day 5
Flannel Friday
6pm: Girls Varsity Basketball Game @ the UMass Cage
7pm: Boys Varsity Basketball Game @ the UMass Cage
For Your Information and Action
New Staff:
- Please welcome our new Occupational Therapist, Katey Belcastro! Katey will be working at HRHS, Anne T. Dunphy, and Westhampton Elementary.
- Welcome Mackenzie McCarthy, who will be replacing Madison while she is out on maternity leave!
Sharing Classroom Spaces: As you know, space is really tight in the building. Many students require separate setting for their assessments. A conference room is the ideal space, but is not always available. Because of this, administration is encouraging staff to review the teacher schedule to see when staff have prep periods and reach out to teachers to request the use of their empty classroom space. Separate testing spaces should not be in the back of other classes that are occurring simultaneously, in TIP, or in busy spaces--the spirit of a separate space is for a quiet environment with fewer distractions. Please make every attempt to allow separate settings to occur in your space during your prep time. If you need help identifying a space to go for a separate setting, any administrator is happy to help/assign a spot.
Community College Decision Days: Students will receive passes and should report at their scheduled time to the Guidance Office.
STETHO-SCOOP: Healthy tips from your favorite school nurses: Cyndy here... One of my favorite things to do on a snow day is venture out into the woods with my dog and do some snowshoeing! Besides a great workout, I unfortunately find that the pooch has his poor paws filled with annoying chunks of ice and snow and he spends the next ten minutes trying to chew them off. So, it got me wondering, what can I put on his paws that is safe, natural AND in the house??? COCONUT OIL! I have some organic virgin coconut oil in the pantry, that I use for cooking, which I massaged into my dog's paws and PRESTO- no issues with ice and snow sticking to his feet! Here are some articles about coconut oil, but remember to please use in moderation if you are ingesting it as it is a saturated fat! Coconut oil has numerous beneficial uses for hair and skin. Enjoy!
https://draxe.com/nutrition/coconut-oil-uses/
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/is-coconut-oil-good-for-dogs/
https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/food-features/coconut-oil/
Reminders
Cleaning Company: Due to our ongoing search for a reliable and high quality PM custodian, we are going to pilot a cleaning company for the month of December. Some school districts use a cleaning company instead of employing their own custodial crew. This has some pros (more consistent service without needing to look for subs, potential cost savings on overhead costs, etc.) and cons (not having the same familiar faces or screening authority). For now, the cleaning company will be assigned to the first floor (minus the science wing). Please let us know if you have feedback about their work during the month of December and we will decide how to move forward in consultation with the school committee. Thank you!
Gender Identity:
Here is the link for guidance for schools on gender identify if you have more specific questions.
An Act Relative to Gender Identity (Chapter 199 of the Acts of 2011), amended several Massachusetts statutes prohibiting discrimination on the basis of specified categories, including gender identity, and subsequently, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education issued guidance (http://www.doe.mass.edu/sfs/lgbtq/GenderIdentity.pdf) to school districts to implement the gender identity provision. That guidance includes the following: “All students are entitled to have access to restrooms, locker rooms and changing facilities that are sanitary, safe and adequate, so they can comfortably and fully engage in their school program and activities… it is essential that the principal and student address access to the restrooms, locker rooms and changing facility. Each situation needs to be reviewed and addressed based on the particular circumstances of the student and the school facilities. In all cases, the principal should be clear with the student (and parent) that the student may access the restroom, locker room, and changing facility that corresponds to the student’s gender identity.”
In a growing effort to provide a safe and supportive environment for all students, as well as address any privacy needs, we will have three single occupant, gender neutral bathrooms available to our students, as well as two gender neutral bathrooms in our nurse’s office and one in our main office. These bathrooms are located in the middle hallway on each of our three floors and are clearly marked. Students do not need to request a special key or permission to access these bathrooms. In addition, gender neutral changing rooms will be available to students to access during physical education classes. The changing rooms are located in a private space within the fitness room.
Staff Shout-Outs
- Thank you to the English department for another awesome department intro!
Collaboration and Engagement:
- Many thanks to the PE teachers for collaborating with me on French exchange activities and the upcoming Springfield Thunderbirds' visit.
- Thank you to Ryan McCarthy for sitting in on para interviews last week!
Respect and Compassion:
- Thank you to Leslie Giordano for supporting a student through a major transition and for all of your work with the GSA!
- Thank you to program leaders for planning supportive PD for your departments.
Students of the Week
Student Shout Outs:
- Angelena Osiecki is a hardworking, kind and helpful student. She always gives her best effort and seeks out help when she needed. She is always positive and smiling!