PTO Newsflash

HARVARD PUBLIC SCHOOLS STRATEGIC PLANNING COMMITTEE VALUES YOUR INPUT

To date, the Strategic Planning Committee has had much discussion regarding the vision for Harvard Public Schools in the next 3-5 years. Out of the discussions and as part of its task, the committee has drafted and revised a number of core value statements in the areas of student achievement, personal growth, school climate, partnerships/collaboration, and resources.

At this stage in the process, the committee seeks your input. Go to psharvard.org and click on the link for the Strategic Plan under “Updates and Announcements.” Here, you can read more about the committee’s work and be invited to take a survey. In the survey, you will be asked to choose the best of three in each core value category, or provide an alternative for consideration. Your participation in the survey is critical to this process, as it will guide the committee’s further decision-making. The survey is open only until Feb. 13, and takes 10 minutes to complete.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Sharon Cronin scronin0119@charter.net or Mary Traphagen at trapday54@msn.com or any other member of the committee. THANK YOU!

HARVARD PTO AWARDED GRANT

The Harvard PTO is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a grant for $300 from the Harvard Cultural Council, a local agency, which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency. This year, the grant will partially fund the Eyes on Owls program coming to Hildreth Elementary School’s second grade. Eyes on Owls is an educational enrichment program run by Marcia and Mark Wilson, which brings wild (non-releasable) owls into the classroom so that students can learn about their wild neighbors and their habitats first hand.

The Eyes on Owls program took place Jan. 23.

HES FESTIVAL OF CULTURES — ambassadors and performers wanted

Please join us in celebrating cultures from around the world at the Harvard PTO sponsored, 7th annual Festival of Cultures on Friday, March 21, from 6-8:30 p.m.

We are looking for ambassadors and performers. If you have lived or spent a significant amount of time in another country and would like to be an ambassador, please contact Pam Gordon at 978-456-0089 or pamjgordon@gmail.com.

The Festival of Cultures is an opportunity to “travel” the world and learn from people in Harvard who have lived in other countries. The first part of the event takes place in the HES gym from 6-7:15 p.m., where “ambassadors” from around the world will share their culture with you.

The second portion of the evening is from 7:30-8:30 p.m. in the “cafetorium” where there will be short performances, by children from a variety of different cultures.

HARVARD SCHOOLS TRUST 25th ANNIVERSARY GALA — March 29

Save the date for the Harvard Schools Trust’s 25th Anniversary Dinner-Theater Gala slated for Saturday, March 29.

The Spring Dinner-Theater Gala is Harvard’s most celebrated annual community event to support Hildreth Elementary School and the Bromfield School.

For this 25th Anniversary Celebration, the gala will feature a medley of musical and dramatic performances by the Bromfield School Drama Society and Music Department. The unprecedented show will be followed by a special 25th anniversary dinner featuring gourmet French cuisine at the local Fellowship Building.

The Silent Auction will showcase items from local talents and businesses such as fine art, a yoga package and sports events.

The gala begins at 6 p.m. with opening curtain at Cronin Auditorium. To reserve tickets or for more info, go to http://www.harvardschoolstrust.org/ or email heidicreightonciampa@gmail.com.

BROMFIELD HOMEWORK CENTER

Does your student need a little extra help starting or completing his/her homework? Need a convenient place to meet for group assignments? Prefer to study and work on assignments with friends? Need a quiet place for peer tutoring?

Encourage your child to stop by the Bromfield Homework Center, a convenient, well equipped, staffed resource room available for students to use every Monday through Thursday from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. (12:15 to 1:15 p.m. on early-release days).

The Homework Center is located at the end of the sixth-grade wing in the Learning Center. There are textbooks, computers and assignment boards for students’ use.