October 17

During Wednesday's early release time we will reflect on our goals, norms, and the change process. There will be time for individual reflection, PBL work, and team work. I will bring some PBL resources to support conversations that may occur during conferences with inquisitive parents and students. I will also be sending an email soon with details for how and what to prepare for Wednesday and I will provide time for you to do this. Expect to be with all staff for group work between 1-2:45. The expectation for overall work time at PA will be 12;15-4pm. (Though, I will be headed outside no later than 3:45 to help with the work to welcome and support Harwood fans (and ours) who will be attending the 4pm boys soccer game. (*more on this when we gather for ODWP calibration Monday at 3pm.)

Upcoming Events

10/17 - ODWP calibration
10/18 - Community Meeting

10/18 - Home XC Meet - let's get out & roar
10/19 - Early Release/Data Day/PBL work
10/19 - Boys Soccer v. HARWOOD - presentation/sharing
10/20 - Conferences
10/21 - No School
10/21 - Boys Soccer Senior Day 4pm v U32
10/22 - Girls Soccer Senior Day 11 am v U32
10/28 - mIx iT uP dAY

CULTURE: 

mIx iT uP day coming next Friday - look for activities for TA, Lunch and other times coming soon from NHS and culture club. See you out there. 


Schoolwide Happenings: 

Last week, I was impressed with our students courage and efforts to support their neighboring peers who suffered the tragic loss of their 5 classmates and friends. 

 In the midst of the sorrow and shock of what occurred, I couldn't help but notice how the work we do everyday with our students was evident in their leadership, caring, and willingness to be openly emotional and supportive. Many of our students stepped into new and vulnerable leadership roles that I had not witnessed in them prior to last week. Our kids did some amazing outreach from simply signing a card, to presenting banners, food & helping hands at the vigil and the Harwood home soccer games last week, to WCAX capturing the arm bands that our boys soccer team designed, bought and presented to Harwood Players (HU Strong). As the Harwood men's soccer coach said, 'they showed a great deal of class'. During the past years, you have all helped guide and nurture these students to this positive place. In my opinion, and that of others, our students 'rose to the occasion' and made a positive impact beyond our community in a profound way. Thanks for the work you do. 

Other notable quotes that capture some of what occurred with our students last week: 
PA Soccer coach:   'The teams made the banner, hung it in the goal, and gathered together for a long time crying, hugging and saying our own prayers. It was heartbreaking and at the same time beautiful.'

Harwood Parent: "I just wanted to send a note of gratitude to your athletes and coaches for coming to Harwood last night for our candlelight vigil. As a parent who knew the kids we lost this weekend, some for many years and adored and others I knew less well, it meant a lot to have such a widespread show of support. All of the athletes (and parents) I talked with went out of their way to mention how they were amazed, touched , and inspired by Peoples coming en masse. My son is on the JV soccer team and the example your students showed meant a lot to him.

Thank you, thank you.

Jed Kalkstein
Fayston

Boys XC team at the Harwood Invitational on Saturday - hats they brought read 'We stand with Harwood'

Celebrations

Thank you Andrea and Lesley for providing a great experience at the "Woman Can Do" conference for several of our students.