Supe Scoop
Hornet Nation,
As we head toward spring break and then the last quarter of the school year, I'd like to bring you up to date on our ongoing curriculum work, especially those portions in our strategic plan.
We are in implementation year two of new ELA resources and year one of new math resources. This year, we have a K-12 work group reviewing new resources for science. Especially for our K-5 teachers, who teach all four core subjects, it's quite a heavy load. I am proud to report that we are seeing positive student engagement with our new resources, our teachers, and the learning as we do instructional walk-throughs and collect evidence.
Another part of our strategic plan is to continue vertical alignment K-12. Our teachers began this work last summer, and are using our half days this school year to continue. Wednesday was our fourth half day out of the five we planned in order to provide the time to our teachers to do this important work. The vertical alignment work ensures that as your child progresses upward through the grades, the teaching and learning is aligned in each subject area.
If you ever have any questions about our state standards or our curricular resources, please reach out to your child's teacher or principal.
Thank you for choosing Harrison Community Schools. In partnership and with Hornet Pride,
Judy
Judy Walton
989.539.7871
CTE: It's Working!
This year, 86 Hornets (about half of all juniors and seniors) are getting hands-on, real-world training in one of 11 CTE programs at the CGRESD. Historically, since the original CTE millage was passed on 2016, 610 Hornets have been served in the program.
The milage will be up for renewal on May 6, and it will not increase your taxes at all.
Check out CTEitsWorking.com/millage
Interested in Volunteering?
Would you like to be more involved in your child's school? Do you have time during the school day or just after to volunteer? We would welcome you with open arms!
In order to volunteer, you simply fill out and submit an iChat form (linked below). This enables us to run a criminal background check in short order, to ensure the safety of all students you may come into contact with. Assuming nothing of concern shows up, you are all set to help out wherever your school may need you. The principal of each building determines the needs, and works with approved volunteers to meet those needs; some schools may have more needs than others. If you would like to view our Board Policies in regard to volunteering, please view Board Policy 4205 on our website.
Excused Absences
When communicating that your child will be absent, the following are coded as "excused" per Board Policy 5301:
- the student’s physical or mental illness (verification from a physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner is required after 4 consecutive days of absence for illness);
- severe weather;
- medical appointments for the student;
- death or serious illness of the student’s family member;
- attendance at a funeral, wedding, or graduation;
- appearance at court or for other legal matters;
- observance of religious holidays of the student’s own faith;
- college planning visits; and
- personal or family vacations (form must be completed and turned in at least five (5) days beforehand; see principal for form).
The ABCs of a BOE Meeting
All Board meetings are open to the public, and are conducted in compliance with the Michigan Open Meetings Act. On rare occasions, the Board may go into closed session, but only as allowed by the OMA.
If it is your first time attending a Board meeting, you may not be familiar with the structure. Make sure you pick up an agenda on your way in, and if you intend to speak during the portion designated for public comments, please pick up a copy of Board Policy 2504, which is near the copies of the agenda. This will explain the parameters of the public comment portion of the agenda.
As you observe the Board conduct its business, the agenda will guide you. Common agenda sections are as follows:
- Opening of the Meeting (welcome, Pledge of Allegiance, additions/corrections to agenda/minutes, building instructional highlight, any other "organizational" items)
- Consent Agenda (items for approval that do not require a roll-call vote, and without objection from a Board member, can be considered all together)
- Non-Consent Agenda (one or more items that require a separate roll-call vote, such as budget approval)
- Informational Items (examples include resignations, other presentations, etc.)
- Public Comments (3 minutes each, Board members do not respond during the 3 minutes so that each speaker gets their full time; after, Board members may, but do not have to, pose questions or make statements)
- Communication (Superintendent's Report - includes subject matter of public comments; any other Board communication)
- Discussion Items (other matters any Board member may choose to speak about; may relate to public comments but not required)
- Adjournment
Within 8 business days of the meeting, minutes are posted on our website.
See below for information on our next meeting.
