January 13

January 13, 2012

Dear Parents,

It is often difficult to determine when to cancel school. Yesterday’s storm was no exception.  Phone calls began before 5:00 AM between principals and Mr. Christensen.  Weather predictions varied, leaving us wondering what was the correct decision.  Finally, as you know, we decided to err on the side of caution.  Student safety is more important than how much sleet or snow happens to fall.

The search for a new principal is well underway.  A community forum was held to discuss the characteristics desired in the candidates.  The results of this discussion are included at the end of this newsletter. 

On Monday, the Hartland Board of School Directors approved the budget for FY13.  It is posted on our web site: www.hartland.k12.vt.us/.  The proposed budget equals $7,552,789, which represents a reduction of $113,441 or -2.431% from this year’s. The proposed budget will also result in a reduction of $0.0367 in the tax rate.  The next step is to present the budget at the Annual School District Meeting on March 6 at 7:30 PM in Damon Hall, and to vote to approve it on Town Meeting Day, March 7.   We hope that you will support it. 

There are three vacancies on the School Board.  We need people to commit to volunteer their time as new board members. Please consider participating. Petitions can be picked up at the Town Clerk’s office. 

Have a wonderful holiday weekend.  I hope that all families will take a few minutes to talk to their children about Dr. Martin Luther King and why we have dedicated a National holiday in his honor.  As always, give your child a hug for me.

Principal Search Community Meeting

Below you will find the results of the January 5, 2012 Hartland Principal Search Community Meeting.  This information will frame the work of the Principal Search Interview Team in selecting the best candidate to lead the Hartland School.  Thank you to all who participated in this process.

Strengths of Hartland School:

·    Physical setting

·    Community involvement

·    Good history

·    Size of school

·    K-8 Program

·    School choice

·    Welcoming atmosphere

·    Physical plant

·    The staff

·    Closing the achievement gap

·    Support for students

·    Peaceful, low stress setting/environment

·    Diversity (socioeconomic and interests)

·    Reputation

·    Opportunities afforded students

·    Extracurriculars (athletics, the arts)

·    Ample opportunities for involvement

·    Parent involvement

·    Communication

·    Looping

·    Teaching/faculty staff

·    Farm to School Program

·    Connection to American legion/rec program

·    Well prepared for high school

Needs of Hartland School:

·       Continue in technology growth

·       Continue to improve communication with home

·       Maintain current programs

·       Maintain and support paraeducators

·       Curricular and inter-grade connections

·       More integrated learning

·       Schedule that supports Best Practices

·       More focused on fewer goals

·       Increased para support

·       HCRS and counseling support

·       School nursing services

·       Strong leadership

·       Internal communication

·       Improve collaboration among schools in SU

·       More outside activity

·       Longer lunch/recess

·       Less homework

·       Increased environmental/experiential learning

·       Improved connections to students’ changing world

·       Increased creativity

Vision for Hartland School:

·       Able to understand where we are/have been to get to where we want to be

·       Excellence

·       Mastery learning

·       Practical applications of learning

·       Students excited about learning

·       Addressing the needs of all children

·       Nurturing children

·       Compassionate, positive culture

·       Safe environment

·       Continued professional learning/growth

·       Awareness of the environment

·       Students developing sense of community service

·       Preparing students for life after Hartland

·       Challenging all students (enrichment)

·       Preparing families and students to be successful in a school setting

Characteristics of New Principal:

·       Humor

·       Chocolate

·       Creative Problem-solving

·       Good communicator

·       Manager of personnel

·       Strong leader

·       Reflective

·       Good listener

·       Decision maker

·       Detail oriented

·       Juggler

·       Can learn school community/culture

·       Acceptance of Hartland lifestyle

·       Knowledge of community resources

·       Honest

·       Approachable

·       Fair

·       Visible

·       Involved in school

·       Visionary

·       Understands (K-8)

·       Collaborative

·       Makes connections to holistic learning

·       Able to relate to kids and staff

·       Follow through

·       Loves to learn

·       Able to prioritize

·       Range of grade level teaching experiences

·       Calm

·       Experience as an administrator

·       Students are first priority

·       Responsive in a timely fashion

·       Understands triage