Welcome Back Rockstars!!!
August 12, 2019
We Missed Our Family!!
Welcome the Newest Member to the Hardy Family!
Congratulations Mrs. Stafford and Ms. Hutchins!
Ms. Hutchins got ENGAGED OVER THE SUMMER!!!
CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU BOTH!
We missed you over the summer! I hope you enjoyed some much needed rest and relaxation and you're eager to come back and start ALLLLLLL over again! Preparing for another school year is always so exciting! It is an opportunity to not only meet new faces, both kids and staff, but an opportunity to change their lives. We have the power to help our kids have a fighting chance at being successful in life, academically, socially and emotionally. As the Proud Principal of Hardy Elementary, I love that I have the honor to show our new staff members why Hardy Elementary is the best place to teach!
Our focus this year will be building relationships with students and families. We will have on-going conversations on how to meet the social and emotional needs of our students by way of creating relationships with our families. Specifically we will discuss what it means to be a Hardy Mustang. We continue our specific focus on a character traits each month and more small group counseling with regards to student behavior and mindfulness. We will be RELENTLESS in our efforts to meet the needs of ALL of our students. All while, continuing to give all staff the tools to help with student behavior that center around Love and Logic.
We will continue our Monday Morning Meetings in the gym each week. Mrs. HB and student ambassadors will be assisting us with morning meetings this year. We will hear from them why self regulation, emotional balance are important during our Monday meetings. Our monthly character trait will be highlighted in our Morning meetings.
Welcome New Mustangs!
Ms. Jennifer Mottley- Third Grade Reading Teacher
Ms. Mottley is joining us from Iowa as a former special education teacher. Prior to teaching in Iowa, she was a kindergarten and first grade teacher in Chesapeake Public Schools.
Mrs. Amber Keesee- Fourth Grade Math Teacher
Mrs. Kessee is joining us from Maryland as a former 6th grade math teacher. Prior to teaching in Maryland, she was a 4th grade math and science teacher in Suffolk Public Schools. Mrs. Keesee has 2 children who will also accompany her this year at Hardy.
Mrs. Whitney Garnai- Special Education Teacher
Mrs. Garnai is joining us from Veritas Collegiate Academy in Chesapeake, VA. Prior to teaching special education in Chesapeake, Mrs. Veritas taught in Newport News Public Schools as a special education teacher.
Prior to June, we welcomed the following family members to the Hardy family:
Ms. Christina Hutchins- 4th Grade Reading Teacher
Ms. Hutchins recently graduated from Longwood University and will be starting her teaching journey at Hardy Elementary!
Mrs. Kimberly Hardy Savage- 3rd Grade Math Teacher
Mrs. Savage will be joining us from Surry County Schools. Mrs. Savage taught 3rd grade math for over 10 years in Surry County and has 1st grade twin boys who will be accompanying her this year at Hardy.
Ms. Brittany Cage- 2nd Grade Teacher
Ms. Cage recently graduated from Mary Baldwin University and will be starting her teaching journey at Hardy Elementary!
Ms. Brandi Girard- Special Education Teacher
Ms. Girard joined our staff mid-year in April from CAES as an instructional assistant in a special education class. We are happy that she decided to stay with her Mustang family and start the new year. Welcome back Ms. Girard!
Tracie Gilchrist- School Counselor (Part-time)
Mrs. Gilchrist is no stranger to school counseling. She also joins us from Surry County Schools as a former school counselor for several years.
Christpoher St. Peters- SPED Instructional Assistant
Mr. St. Peters recently completed his bachelors degree in special education in May. He will be the new IA with Ms. Girard.
Nancy Cowan- School Nurse
Mrs. Cowan will be joining our staff from Surry County Schools. She's been a school nurse for over 10 years.
Current Mustangs in New Places!!!
Laura DeWees- Assistant Principal
Heather Stafford- 3rd Grade Math
Madison Crowder- 1st grade
Laurie Craig- Kindergarten
Tiffany Jefferson- 2nd Grade
Katherine Hoffstaetter- 1st Grade
Stephanie Pressley- Title I Reading Intervention
What is the Future of Hardy Elementary???
As you are aware, at the public hearing 2 weeks ago, there was a consensus to build a new Hardy Elementary School!! Moving forward this year, we would like to celebrate the history of Hardy and what "We" stand for as we bring our legacy into the new building. Our theme this year will be "Building Relationships with Students, Staff and Families". To kick off this initiative, we are asking for all staff members to bring in a family picture that represents who you are. In addition, we will be asking students to bring in a family picture or a picture who represents who they are. This information will be included in the parent letter that will be mailed out on 8/22. You are charged with determining how to beautifully display these pictures to help support our school theme of building relationships.
Administration Contacts
Shante Denson- 757-535-1034
Laura Dewees- 619-313-3491
IF, for some reason, Mrs. Dewees or Mrs. Denson cannot be contacted, please contact the administrative aides, Mrs. Bradley or Mrs. Kelly, for guidance on next steps.
Mallory Bradley- 419-631-3540
Sabrina Kelly- 757- 710-7304
Benefits and Insurance
A representative from Pierce Insurance group will be presenting to the Hardy staff on August 20th at 3:00 PM. If you have medical or supplemental insurance of any kind with IWCS, you are required to attend this meeting. This will be the only time to make changes to your insurance.
Division Pre-service Schedule
Hardy Elementary Pre-Service Schedule
Safe Schools Online Training
Hardy Elementary Master Schedule and School Map
Class List
IWCS School Calendar
Hardy Elementary School Calendar
Staff Contact Form and Survey
Please click on this link for access to the Hardy Elementary School Counselor Survey. The purpose of the survey is to gather teacher feedback on how to effectively service and assist teachers with best practices regarding social and emotional support.
School Information Officer
A new supplemental position was added to the current supplemental positions by Human Resources this school year. The title is called --School Information Officer (SIO). The position description for the SIO is as follows:
The School Information Officer (SIO) serves as the contact person for supplying information to the Director of Community and Media Relations with newsworthy items about school events, activities and achievements. By working with the IWCS Communications Department, SIOs will assist with simplifying communication within our division, help to boost student and staff morale, increase public confidence and support, and develop more news sources to keep the community informed of positive happenings within the division. Essential duties include, but are not limited to:
- Stays updated on all school events and activities.
- Compiles and prepares information to to the Director of Community and Media Relations on a regular basis.
- Notifies the Director of Community and Media Relations if a media outlet is contacted directly
- Ensures information on the school’s website is accurate and updated regularly
- Assists with sharing information on the school’s social media platforms
- Uses visual media (photography, video) to document and publicize school events and activities
- Monitors use of student images for students who do not have a media release on file
- This position will be key in promoting the school. This person will also work with David Elliott throughout the year.
Isle of Wight County Schools Assessment Schedule 2019-2020
Engaging Student Centered Environment
Thank you for your patience while our custodian team has been working hard to get all rooms cleaned and the floors waxed. PLEASE DO NOT SCRATCH THE FLOORS!!! Lift all furniture and do not please do not drag furniture across the floor.
Beginning Tuesday, August 13th at 8:00 AM, teachers may have access to their classrooms. We will not be handing out keys until you return the week of August 19th.
Building Hours
August 14 -15 - 8:00-4:30 (closed Friday)
August 19 - 20 - 6:30-4:30
August 21- 22 - 6:30-5:00
August 23 - Building closed due to Deeper Learning Conference at SHS
August 26 - 27 - 6:30-8:30 (to prepare for Open House the next evening)
August 28 - 6:30-8:30 Open House (4:00 - 7:30)
August 29 - 6:30-8:00
August 30 - School Closed
During the school year, staff may enter the building as early as 6:30 AM with their badge. The office does not officially open until 8:00 AM, so there may or may not be someone in the office to let you in. In the evenings, the latest staff can stay is 9:00.
Trash/Moving Furniture
As you come in to set up your room, please keep the following in mind:
- Keep all trash inside the classroom by the door. Please do not set it outside in the hallway.
- Mark/label any furniture you wish to dispose of and place by the door on the inside of your classroom.
- Room 6 has extra furniture if you want to go and "shop."
- Again, all furniture moved in the classrooms should be picked up to move. Please do not drag the furniture across the room.
Food
We have worked very hard this summer getting rid of critters. Please help us throughout the year by keeping any food in your classrooms in a sealed container. Please do not leave food in the classrooms while you are working in your rooms this summer. Remember to empty your trash prior to leaving the building as custodians will not be available to empty trash in the afternoon.
As a reminder, in order to create a welcoming and nurturing learning environment, here are our expectations for classroom set up effective the first day of school:
- Be cognizant of too many colors/words/posters on the walls. Take a close look at everything you hang and ask, "Is this necessary right now?" Younger brains get over-stimulated and distracted more easily.
- Paint- If you would like to paint 1 accent wall in your class, please see me first. Also, your paint color must be approved by me prior to painting.
- Think about student choice - how can you involve them with the creation of a student centered room? This might mean leaving walls more empty so they can help to create helpful artifacts to be placed on the walls.
- Is there space to make the room their own? Think of the classroom as a canvas and students can help create together as you collaboratively create the classroom community.
- There should be no visible stacks of paper. Anything from last year should have been filed away, shredded, or recycled.
- Cool down spot? Where do your students (with less-developed behavioral coping mechanisms) have as a "safe space" for cooling down? This is required this year.
*All Teachers- You will need an area or space to post learning targets and anchor charts
Reminder: Be cognizant of the fire code rules and do not have paper protruding from over top of your doorways.
For now, please continue to enjoy that summer sun and soak up the relaxation. Recharging and self care is vital to having a successful year! If you have ten minutes, I suggest watching this video of Matthew McConaughey - It is quite powerful :)
Deeper Learning Conference
The registration link will be sent to all staff on Monday, 8/19. Please register ASAP due to sessions reaching their maximum capacity and closing. We will also discuss this in detail on Tuesday morning as well.
Convocation and Deeper Learning Conference - Smithfield High School
Please wear your blue Hardy Staff shirt on this day.