Dear HUUSD Community,
We have a lot of information to share this month, so let's begin.
2024-2025 Calendar
The current year school calendar shows that the last anticipated day of school is set to be Friday, June 13 with potential make-up days scheduled during the week of June 16. Additionally, June 7 is listed as the tentative date for graduation.
As a result of the snow day on Thursday, February 6 the district is under the number of required instructional school days. As a result, we will need to extend student instructional days into the week of June 16. While it is still too early in winter to determine the last student day, we want to alert families that school will be in session during that week. Additionally, graduation for seniors will now be scheduled for Saturday, June 14.
We will finalize the last student day when we are confident that we are beyond winter weather.
Budget
At the January 22 board meeting, the HUUSD Board voted to warn a budget of $49,209,927 --just 2.75% more than that of last year. Furthermore, less offsetting revenues from other sources, this budget represents just a 2.01% increase in education spending--which is below the rate of inflation. As a result of this budget, based on the projected yield provided by the tax commissioner, most towns will experience a property tax decrease as a result of this budget.
The HUUSD Budget Page has the details. Look for our Annual Report online on Friday, February 14.
Random Acts of Kindness Week
HUUSD will be celebrating Random Acts of Kindness week Feb 10-14. All the schools have activities planned. For more ideas about how to join in on kindness week at home, please check out https://www.randomactsofkindness.org/.
No Summer Programming
The past few years, our school district has been fortunate enough to offer a robust summer experience for a significant number of HUUSD students. Unfortunately, due to a combination of factors including the loss of federal funding and the ongoing public school funding challenges throughout the state of Vermont, HUUSD will not be able to offer the same opportunities this summer.
The Mad River, Eagle, and Middle Level Academies, along with Harwood’s High School Summer Session, will not take place in the summer of 2025.
For students who are served through an Individualized Education Program (IEP), their teams will make individualized decisions if the student qualifies for Extended School Year Services over the summer. Please note, not all students who are supported by an IEP will qualify for ESY services.
Sincerely,
Dr. Mike
HUUSD residents can vote on March 4 or before. The HUUSD budget page houses all 25-26 budget info in one place.
The Board hosted a budget info session on Tuesday, and you can watch the recording here. The Board is hosting additional budget info sessions:
- February 11, 3:30-5:30 PM, Joslin Memorial Library, Waitsfield
- February 25, 4:00-5:00 PM, Black Cap Coffee & Bakery, Waterbury
Moretown
Waitsfield
We are excited to welcome Jeh Kulu, a dance and drumming troupe, as our artists-in-residence February 10-13, during Black History Month. Jeh Kulu is based in Vermont, but draws upon the traditions of West Africa. One of our district's core learning expectations for students is to "contribute positively to a diverse culture that respects others, fosters responsibility, promotes personal wellness and embraces community and global awareness." We will hold a culminating performance on February 13 at 6:00 PM.
Warren
CBMS
Fayston
BPS
Students have had a banner month of celebrations: the sledding hill, wacky hair day, the winter solstice, and cross country skiing. A HUGE thank you to our PTO and school community for supporting our ski program. For the third consecutive year, grades 3 and 4 will have the opportunity to alpine ski at Sugarbush four times and Nordic ski at Trapp’s twice. Grades 1 and 2 will be Nordic skiing at Trapp’s as well.
We will celebrate Random Acts of Kindness week 2/10-2/14.
HUMHS
HUHS Student Government sponsored their annual Winter Carnival recently. Senior Nathaniel Conyers set up a RailJam, a new and very fitting activity for the festivities. HUMS embraced the weather with a Cardboard Sled competition--a roll of duct tape and all the cardboard they wanted. With illness abounding, this community cheer was exactly what everyone needed.
Congratulations to Eloise Lilley on reaching the 1000 point milestone on January 21 vs. Lake Region.
The winter sports season is in full swing. To stay up-to-date on our schedule, please click here.
Spring sports signups are now live; click here to register. The parents' meeting will be on March 12 at 6:00 PM at HUHS.
If you would like to nominate someone for the Harwood Hall of Fame please click here. Our Hall of Fame is not limited to former athletes or coaches. Once nominated, a nominee remains active for consideration for ten years.
For the spring, we have the following coaching vacancies:
- Middle school softball and track
- High school assistant varsity track, JV boys lacrosse, assistant girls varsity lacrosse, and girls varsity tennis.
If you or someone you know is interested, please click here to apply.
- February 11: 3:30-5:30 PM, Budget Information Session, Joslin Memorial Library, Waitsfield
- February 12: HUUSD Board Meeting
- February 12: Early Voting begins at town offices
- February 24-March 4: School vacation
- February 25: 4:00-5:00 PM, Budget Information Session, Black Cap Coffee & Bakery, Waterbury
- March 3: 6:00 PM, Annual Meeting @ HUHS
- March 4: 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM, Town Meeting Day and budget vote
