May 25, 2012
Dear Parents,
For many, this weekend marks the official beginning of
summer. Time to plant the tomatoes
and peppers. Don’t forget to
attend the Hartland Farm Fest on Sunday.
I am sure you will be able to buy heirloom tomatoes, local cheeses and
baked goods, and meet the community’s farmers. Perhaps they will sell that
spectacular mint ice cream again.
Our students have created presentations about their Farm to School
activities from this year. I hope
you will be able to attend. Profits from this event support the
Farm to School activities at the school.
Both the State Street School in Windsor and the Albert
Bridge School in Brownsville had break-ins this week. Laptop computers and iPads were stolen. We have taken extra precautions to
reduce the chance that our equipment will be stolen.
Teachers have been working on making class lists for next
year. We will send letters home at
the end of next week with your child’s assignment.
One important issue that I wish to bring to your attention
is the use of Facebook or Twitter to publicly air complaints about the school
or about teachers. You
certainly have the right to say whatever you wish via these apps. However, it is not always wise. In a small town such as Hartland, many
negative comments get passed around via the grapevine and find their way
here. So if you have a concern or
complain, I ask that you think about whether making a statement on Faceboook
will solve anything. Some of the
comments made this spring have been scathing. Some meet the definition of cyber-bullying. Some could
reasonably be considered illegal.
How can we teach our children the appropriate use of technology if we, the
adults do not model it appropriately?
There were many wonderful events at the school this
week. The K – 4 Parent
Appreciation Night concert was wonderful.
As always, I thank Ms. Bernstein for her hard work. Students in grade 6 held their egg drop
competition. I have never seen
such creativity! My favorite model
for keeping the egg intact as it was dropped from the school roof was to encase
it in the middle of a jar of peanut butter! It worked! Students in grade 4 were making
Green Man masks and decorating the face with clay leaves in art class. We are
Students in grade 8 went to Boston to walk the Freedom
Trail. I love this trip because it
represents my last full day with the eighth grade students. I also encourage
families to walk the trail this summer.
Boston is a beautiful city, and it was clear that very few of our
students had ever visited before.
Give your kids a hug for me. Enjoy the long weekend. Let the summer begin!
Judy Callens, Principal
