HRHS Faculty Newsletter
August 2019
August Calendar
8/21, 12pm-2: 7th Grade Tours and Locker Practice
8/22: Fall Sports Begin
8/26, 9am-3pm: Senior Breakfast & Parking Lot Painting
8/28, 8am-3pm: Professional Development
8/29, 8am-3pm: Professional Development
8/30: 7th Grade Orientation
For Your Information and Action
First Day of School Lesson: What is the most engaging and exciting lesson you teach all year? Our challenge to you is to teach this lesson on the first day of school this year! Avoid your syllabus, class expectations, and typical first day of school stuff--get students excited come back to school on the second day. This is a short article I came across, written by an ELA teacher about how she structures the first few days of school in her classroom.
Advisory:
- Please bookmark the Advisory Calendar for this year.
- Everyone will have an "Advisory Partner" this year to simplify advisory coverage when teachers are out. Let your advisory know who your advisory partner is so that students can go to that classroom when you are out. If both partners are out, Sue will assign coverage.
AP Teachers: Please make sure you have the "join codes" and that you know how to get students enrolled in their AP class section on the second day of classes. Let Lauren know if you have any questions about how to do this.
Paras Attending Faculty Meetings: Paras should plan on attending the following faculty meetings this year:
Sept. 3: Mandated Trainings
Oct. 29: State Police Safety Presentation
Feb. 25: Reunification Planning
Mar. 10: MCAS Training
June 9: End of Year Celebration
Where's Waldo? Halloween is right around the corner! Seniors get to wear their costumes to school on Halloween, but why should they have all the fun? Students and staff will be encouraged to come to school wearing Where's Waldo attire on Halloween this year! If you don't have Where's Waldo attire (see photo below), just wear jeans and a red or white shirt so you can still get in on the fun. We will take a photo in the gym for anyone who dresses up in the Where's Waldo theme!
August PD
Wednesday 8/28:
8:00-9:00: Staff Track Meet- Wear comfortable clothes and meet out on the track at 8am!
9:15-9:50: Turning Over a New Leaf
10:00-10:30: Technology Trainings
10:30-11:00: Faculty Handbook
11:00-11:30: Lunch
11:30-3:00: Classroom/Individual Time/Access 504s and IEPs
Thursday 8/29:
8:00-9:00: What if?
9:00-11:00: Lynn Lyons Presentation (Managing Anxious Students and Families: Moving from Avoidance to Action)
11:00-11:30: Lunch
11:30-3:00:
504 Case Managers and SPED Liaisons: Work with Lynn Lyons on accommodations and modifications for students (1-3pm in room 1038)
Classroom/Individual Time/Access 504s & IEPs/IEP Meetings
Reminders from July Newsletter
2019-20 Schedules & Logistics: Documents for 2019-20 school year are listed in the section below.
Staff Photos on Website & Email: The PTSO has given feedback to administration about ways to improve communication between the school and the family for this upcoming school year. One request was to have all staff upload their photos to the school website and to their google account so they can put a face to the names of their children's teachers. By the end of the day on Wednesday, August 28, please upload a photo of yourself to the website and to your google account.
To change your Google picture:
- Open Gmail.
- In the upper right corner, click "Settings" (the image of a gear that is below the HRSD logo and to the left of the calendar image).
- In the "My Picture" section, click "change picture."
- Select or upload a new picture.
- Select the portion of the photo you want to show.
- Click "apply changes."
To change your website picture:
- Go to hrhs.net.
- Click "login" in the upper right corner.
- Click "Sign in with Google."
- Log into your Google account.
- Once you are logged in, click on your name again in the top right corner.
- Your account information should pop up below. Click on "Information."
- Click on the blank photo and add your own photo.
College Signs on Doors: As we work towards our goal of preparing students for college and the workforce, we still want to include college/universities that staff attended on their classroom doors. Since there were some moves and new hires, please contact SUE if you need a new college sign.
7th Grade Orientation: 7th grade orientation will take place on August 30. 7th grade teachers should have received correspondence from Mark about expectations and the schedule. If you plan to be at school and you see students looking lost in the morning while you are setting up your classroom, please assist them with finding their classes. Thanks!
School Council: If you are interested in being elected as a faculty representative on the HRHS school council this year, please email Kristen by September 3.
Building and Fire Inspection plus Fire Prevention Brochure: Soon, the Building Inspector and the Fire Chief will complete their annual school walk through. Some recommendations that they have suggested before include:
All windows need to be clear of any material.
Tops of cabinets should not have items on them. There needs to be an 18 inch clearance between the ceiling and any storage or additional material for the sprinkler system operate effectively.
All paint needs to be in a vented, locked cabinet.
All fire extinguishers need to be clear of any furniture or other items that may block it.
Fridges and microwaves are permitted, but must be plugged directly into the wall.
Extension cords and surge protectors are not permitted.
All means of egress from classrooms need to be clear.
Heaters should not have anything on top of them and should be free of debris.
Bean bag chairs must meet fire code regulations (Chief Norris will provide additional language around what this means).
All mats in the gym need to be clear of the door.
There should not be anything hanging from the ceiling including mobiles or banners.
All science room wash stations should be clear.
It is your professional responsibility to make sure your classroom is meeting these expectations. In addition, we will have a fire drill within the first three days of school, per the state law.
Documents
Detention Schedule (this has changed since the last newsletter)
Postings
After School Monitor: HRHS needs an after school monitor from 3:10-4:00 on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday to supervise students staying after for the late bus. Responsibilities include collecting the sign out sheet for the two late busses, checking in students, and supervising them until they are picked up. Location is your room. Payment is $35/hour. Please submit a letter of interest to Kristen if you are interested.
Class of 2023 Advisor(s): The class of 2020 is seeking one or two advisors for the next four years. Payment is 1.5% set by contract, paid twice a year (midyear and end of year) Please submit letter of interest to Kristen if interested.
Saturday School: We are looking to start a Saturday School program as an alternative consequence for students. The hours are 8am-12pm, and the pay is $20/hr. You will let us know your availability, and we would assign Saturday School to you with at least two week's notice. Email Lauren if you are interested and list which Saturdays you are available throughout the fall.
Tutors wanted throughout the year: As student medical needs arise, the district is required to provide tutoring for students with documentation that supports their need. Instead of posting for each tutoring position as they come up, I keep a running list of people who are interested in tutoring for the year. This way, I can assign tutors immediately for the student’s need instead of waiting 14 days after the student has been identified as needing a tutor for a posting (which requires missing a lot of school).
Requirements: Teacher Certification preferred, knowledge of variety of content
Flexible schedule to work out between student and tutor
Payment: $40.00/hour for teachers for directly working with students, $35/hour for prep time (1 hour of prep time given for every three hours of contact time with a student), $20.00/hour for paraprofessionals (student contact and prep)
To Apply: Submit letter of interest to Kristen detailing:
- subjects/grade levels you are comfortable with
- general availability
Translators wanted throughout the year: By law, we are required to send home documentation in a student’s home language. As documents need to be translated, it is best practice to have a running list of translators available for this need in house instead of contracting outside.
Requirements: Fluent in a foreign language
Flexible schedule-documents translated as soon as possible
Payment: $40/hour
To Apply: Submit letter of interest to Kristen. Please include fluent language.
New Staff
Marissa Axtell: Marissa will be teaching 7th grade science. She is coming to HRHS from Chestnut Middle School in Springfield.
Daniel Charko: Daniel will be our new van driver.
Melinda Conway: Melinda will be a para educator in the high school.
Reilly Griffin: Reilly will be a para educator in the middle and high school.
Casey Keefe: Casey will be the 10th and 12th grade school counselor while Sarah P. is out on maternity leave.
Mariana Lara Albert: Mariana will be teaching Spanish 3. She previously taught at Richmond Consolidated School in Richmond, Mass.
Summer McAuslan: Summer will be a 1:1 para educator.
Madison McCarthy: Madison will be a para educator.
Rachael Philbrick: Rachael will be teaching Algebra I. She previously taught at Forest Park Middle School and Elementary School in Springfield.
Dylan Rickles: Dylan will be teaching 8th grade special education. He previously taught at Kiley Middle School in Springfield.
Ana Rueda-Hernandez: Ana is joining us as a Spanish teacher. She will teach 8th grade Spanish and Spanish 2.
Samantha Young: Samantha will be a life skills para educator.