March 7, 2025

Dear Hartford School District Learning Community,

First and foremost, THANK YOU for your support of our schools!

As someone who was experiencing the annual town events for the first time, including the public forums, "Budget and Candidate Night," and Town Meeting Day, I got yet another glimpse into how special and welcoming the Hartford community is; it has been an incredibly heartening experience, and I am grateful and feel fortunate to have been a part of it.

This edition of the Hartford School District is dedicated to all of you. I hope you enjoy the content, which features the impressive and amazing accomplishments of our students, educators, and administrators, and the joy that we experience together and in our collaboration and partnership with all of you to support our learners.

I am so proud to work in the Hartford School District and of the work of everyone who contributes to the healthy functioning of our daily work together. From our partners like the Abbey Group, Butler's Bus Service, and support from the Town of Hartford's incredibly helpful departments, to our support staff, educators, custodial and maintenance staff, and district office, it truly is collaborative, coordinated effort that has many parts that combine to realize the beautiful vision that is the education of the young people in our community.

Please do not ever hesitate to be in touch if you have any questions or would like to learn more about any of the content that is featured in this edition of the newsletter or in any prior communications.

THANK YOU ALL!

Warmly,

Caty Sutton

Interim Superintendent

Hartford School District

suttonc@hartfordschools.net

Please enjoy this remarkable performance that the HMMS students gifted to us to begin Town Meeting Day last Saturday morning!

HMMS Musical Director, Kristen Chapman, shared this information about these ensembles:

The "Brocal Chords" are the All-Boys Acapella group.

Members are:

Chuck Looby - 8th grade

Jesse Wood - 7th grade

Nathan Freeman - 8th grade

Layne Hill - 8th grade

Kai Hamalainen Synder - 8th grade

Leo Hamalainen Synder - 8th grade

Charlie Witzgall - 8th grade

Lucas Speckert - 8th grade

Glee Club is the mixed ensemble 6th - 8th group.

They are:

Anabella Fiorelli - 8th grade

Ava Beane - 8th grade

Breanna Pelland - 8th grade

Harper Raymond - 7th grade

Paige Albers - 7th grade

Madeline Dustin - Eichler - 6th grade

Anastasia Levingston - 6th grade

All members of "Brocal Chords" are also members of this group.

All of these students are members of chorus but they wanted a more rigorous schedule and opportunities to create music, so this is entirely volunteer. I haven't have a group of this size and dedication since pre-COVID!

What a way to start a meeting- thank you to Kristen Chapman and HMMS choral students!!

The HHS athletic department partnered with MMM and the VPA in producing this advertisement / PSA that will be distributed widely and aired on local media outlets. We are featured prominently and our student reps were just fantastic!

Come explore the Dothan Brook forest after school! We will be writing, drawing, playing games and building in nature while observing the forest plants and animals as they wake up from their winter nap.

March 6th, 13th, 27th and April 3rd and 10th from 2:45-4:15

Open to grades K-5

Please dress appropriately for the weather!

Click here to sign up.

We are asking our community partners to sponsor this event to help offset expenses and achieve our fundraising goal so we can give right back to the students! In return, your business gains valuable exposure in our community and encourages our families to support local businesses. The Dothan Brook PTO is a 501(c)(3) organization. Donations in any amount are appreciated and are tax deductible.

On behalf of the students, teachers and parents of Dothan Brook School, thank you for your consideration.

You Otter Know: March 7, 2025

The Howler: March 7, 2025

We hope you will be able to come out to our rescheduled movie event on March 5th at Entertainment 6 Cinema in Lebanon. Doors open at 5:30 and the movie/conversation starts at 6 PM. Please fill out the RSVP and let me know if you have any questions.

The PTA is proud to bring back Pi Day and the Talent show this year. We will be having the event at the High School on the big stage and enjoy "Pi" in the cafeteria.

Auditions happen in the office at any time that works for the star and their their teacher. The Audition form will be sent home after the All School Morning Meeting. Students should bring this form back with them to their audition next week. (on orange paper)

For students participating in the talent show, we will have a dress rehearsal March 13th at the High School from 5-6:30 PM. We will send an email with details to those participating.

Last Friday, Mrs. Raney hosted a special Writers' Celebration showcasing the creativity and hard work of her talented 3rd and 4th-grade students!

Throughout the year, the young authors have been crafting wonderful pieces of writing—both narrative and informational—that reflect their creativity, knowledge, and growth as writers. Some of their work has been written on demand, demonstrating their ability to think and write on the spot, while other pieces have gone through the full writing process, including peer reviews and revisions, to bring their ideas to life in a polished way.

This celebration was an opportunity for students to proudly share their writing with family, friends, and the community.

White River School: March 5, 2025

In a few short weeks, on March 21st - 22nd, HMMS will be hosting our first ever Hartford Memorial Marathon Dance (HMMD). HMMD is a 12 hour charity dance fundraiser.

This dance marathon is intended to not only raise money for local charities (this year it is the Upper Valley Haven, CHaD and the HMMS family who recently lost their home due to a fire), but also to build community throughout the school, connect the school to the larger community, and create a sense of belonging for the students of our community. We currently have over 1/3 of the HMMS study body participating and fundraising to help these amazing organizations and families!

The HMMD Committee and HMMS Student Council are selling t-shirts to support the Hartford Memorial Marathon Dance (HMMD). If you would like to purchase one, please follow the link below:

T-Shirt Order Form

T-Shirt Cost: $15

add $3 for 2XL and $5 for 3XLT-Shirt Cost: $15

add $3 for 2XL and $5 for 3XL

HMMD info....

Event Details

Date: March 21st - 22nd
Time: 7pm - 9am
Location: Hartford Memorial Middle School Gymnasium

Purpose of the Event

This dance marathon will raise funds for the Upper Valley Haven and CHAD (the Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth), teaching students the value of giving back while having fun.

What to Expect

1. Entertainment & Activities:

• Live DJ

• Dance-offs

• Costume parades and prizes

• Themed dance sessions

2. Food & Refreshments:

• Meals, snacks and beverages provided throughout the dance

Information Meetings

• Learn more about the event by attending one or more of the following parent meetings

• Tuesday February 25th @ 6pm (Google Meet - Link to follow)

• Thursday March 13th @ 6pm (HMMS Library)

Questions?

For more information, please contact:
Event Coordinator: Brycen Nardone
Email: nardoneb@hartfordschools.net

We can’t wait to see your child on the dance floor!

Ezra had the chance to travel to Washington, D.C., as part of Getting to Y, an HCC youth initiative that supports youth health and well-being. Not only did he attend, but he also spoke about the important work happening in our district—doing so with maturity and confidence. He discussed the issues that our youth want our representatives to be aware of and brought forward ideas on how to address these concerns.

We are so proud of Ezra for stepping up as a leader and representing our community in such a meaningful way!

Please use this link to access the HMMS Athletics page.

HMMS Newsletter: March 2, 2025

Macy’s ongoing accomplishments now include the publication of a piece for the NFHS February publication!

On Wednesday, March 5, Junior Charlotte Jasmin became Hartford’s All-Time Leading scorer in Basketball. Congratulations Charlotte, what an accomplishment!

Melissa Wyman shares the work she is engaged in through the fellowship that was awarded to her this year from the Rowland Foundation. Please check out her website to follow her work this year!

Concert Grande, a combined HHS and HMMS concert, will be held at 7:00 on March 11 in

the high school gym.

Did we really just provide breakfast for 550 people?

The short answer is YES! This morning we started "Hurricane Day" with our all-school breakfast. This has become an annual tradition and one of the things that makes HHS unique. We eat together, we feed each other, and in doing so we sometimes have the chance to serve each other. The energy in the building is incredibly positive and the sense of community is amazing.

"Hurricane Day" is a day that combines a focus on the individual through students' Personalized Learning Plans and the community - breakfast, an all-school meeting, and activities that bring us together throughout the day. This morning was just the most recent example of this amazing day.

7 HHS students have artwork on display at the AVA Gallery as part of the "Best of the

Upper Valley High School Art Exhibit."

The exhibit lasts until March 21 and is free.

Our featured students include:

Cavin Benjamin

Geneva Durgin

Lillian Lachle

Taylor Lynds

Monet Nolan

Logan Lapole

Norah Wood

Congratulations!!

HHS 10th graders were provided the opportunity to take the PSAT on Thursday, this test is provided at no charge for all 10th graders.

On March 12, 11th grade students will be provided a free SAT.

The Hartford School Board is looking for student representatives. If your student is interested please let them know to come to the main office and see Robin for more details. This is a wonderful opportunity for student(s) to be heard and have a voice in our school's future.

Hartford High Lites: March 7, 2025

Building Trades students have made great progress on the house this winter, despite the cold temperatures. They've continued work on electrical, rough plumbing, insulation board, sheetrock, and tile backer board. On very cold days, they spent time in the HACTC shop practicing cabinet work and other projects to prepare for installing cabinets in the house this spring. Building Trades level II also recently hosted students from Ottauquechee School, helping them build bat houses.

Additionally, both Building Trades levels have been preparing for NCCER (National Center for Construction Education and Research) basic core carpentry credentialling exams. This industry-recognized credential will help show employers that our students have the skills needed to excel in entry-level construction positions.

In Introduction to Engineering Design, students have been working on a project with the open-ended prompt "design a protective case." While honing their 3D modeling skills, students have created case designs for a variety of objects, including a cell phone, Magic the Gathering cards, headphones, and sharp tools.

Students in Principles of Engineering have been focused on robotics as they build robots inspired by nature to take part in playing a symphony. Designs included a frog-sound percussion robot, an owl-inspired drum player, a cell phone-waving synthesizer player, and kalimba-playing robots. This project helped students build their Python programming skills and practice working as a team, learning how to break up work to play to each member's strengths.

Both classes also took a field trip to BETA Technologies, where they learned about careers, toured the aerospace manufacturing facility, and learned how to make epoxy coasters with carbon fiber.

This VT Digger article highlights a ‘24 alum, his two years in our welding program, and the impact both VSAC and the HACTC had on ‘launching his journey’.

Additionally, this article was shared with level I and level II students who then reflected on the impact of that article and the stories of other alumni visits; it’s a powerful reminder of how storytelling connects past, present and future students on their journeys.

Highlights from the HACTC: March 7, 2025

The Wilder School: March, 2025

Please join Project SEARCH and DHMC for a special screening of THE RIDE AHEAD, a documentary by Emmy-Award winning father-son filmmaker duo Dan and Samuel Habib, on March 28 from 4:30-7pm, at DHMC Lebanon in Auditorium E and F.

THE RIDE AHEAD follows Samuel Habib, a typical 21-year-old, itching to move out, start a career, and find love. But no one tells you how to be an adult, let alone an adult with a disability. Samuel is determined to avoid the statistical realities: unemployment, isolation, institutionalization. He seeks out wisdom through conversations with disabled mentors: comedian Maysoon Zayid, Americans with Disabilities Act legends Judy Heumann and Bob Williams; Tony-winning wheelchair-using pioneer Ali Stroker; hip-hop artist Keith Jones; autistic, queer activist Lydia X.Z. Brown; and marathon runner and disability activist Andrew Peterson.

Following the screening, Dan and Samuel Habib will conduct a post-film discussion with the audience. The screening and discussion is free and open to the public.

Please reach out to Project SEARCH at project.search@hitchcock.org or call 603-650-6439 if you require any accommodations. The film will be shown with open captions and is in a wheelchair accessible venue.

Please enjoy the Equity Newsletter for February!

Phenomenal Woman

By Maya Angelou

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.

I’m not cute or built to suit a fashion model’s size

But when I start to tell them,

They think I’m telling lies.

I say,

It’s in the reach of my arms,

The span of my hips,

The stride of my step,

The curl of my lips.

I’m a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That’s me.

I walk into a room

Just as cool as you please,

And to a man,

The fellows stand or

Fall down on their knees.

Then they swarm around me,

A hive of honey bees.

I say,

It’s the fire in my eyes,

And the flash of my teeth,

The swing in my waist,

And the joy in my feet.

I’m a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That’s me.

Men themselves have wondered

What they see in me.

They try so much

But they can’t touch

My inner mystery.

When I try to show them,

They say they still can’t see.

I say,

It’s in the arch of my back,

The sun of my smile,

The ride of my breasts,

The grace of my style.

I’m a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That’s me.

Now you understand

Just why my head’s not bowed.

I don’t shout or jump about

Or have to talk real loud.

When you see me passing,

It ought to make you proud.

I say,

It’s in the click of my heels,

The bend of my hair,

the palm of my hand,

The need for my care.

’Cause I’m a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That’s me.

Copyright Credit: Maya Angelou, “Phenomenal Woman” from And Still I Rise. Copyright © 1978 by Maya Angelou. Used by permission of Random House, an imprint and division of Penguin Random House LLC. All rights reserved.

Source: The Complete Collected Poems of Maya Angelou (Random House Inc., 1994)

A link is here for your convenience!

Hartford Athletics

Jeff Moreno, CAA

Athletic Director

morenoj@hartfordschools.net

The Hurricane hockey teams are back in the state semifinals! Both teams are in action Friday night after a thrilling doubleheader victory on Tuesday at Barwood Arena! The girls defeated U-32 4-0 and the boys defeated rival Woodstock 4-2. Both teams are 1 win away from advancing to the state title games! Good luck Canes!

Junior netminder Nella Bowen served a shutout in goal for the Hurricanes in their 4-0 victory over U-32 on Tuesday. Including the final game of the regular season (also against U-32) that was 6 straight shutout periods for Nella. Very impressive work for the 3 year starter!

Spring sports registration is open! Families may go on Infinite Campus to register for tennis, track & field, softball, baseball, Unified basketball, or lacrosse. Information and instructions can be found on the athletic webpage (https://hhsvt.com/athletics-2). Pre-season starts on March 17th (pitchers / catchers / Unified) or March 24th (everyone else). Plan ahead and register today! Please contact Burke Farrell (farrellb@hartfordschools.net) if you have any questions about your child’s physical.

The girls indoor track 4x800 relay team broke the school record at the New England Championship this past weekend in Boston. Their time of 11:26.74 is the fastest time in school history! Congratulations to Geneva Durgin, Dakota Smith, Aria Smith, and Scarlett Brooks!

Recent Hartford graduate Ava Thorburn (‘23) is destined to be a head coach! She was both a player and a manager during her years at HHS and recently came back to be a volunteer coach for the girls basketball program. Ava has incredible attention to detail and loves finding ways to make the connection between the past, the present, and the future. Hartford athletics benefits a great deal from Ava serving as a coach. She is currently studying Human Services at SNHU. Thank you Ava!

Please join us!

As the community is aware, we have been carefully monitoring the level of PCBs throughout the district and very recently have discovered that the PCB levels at the high school require more attention, and the scope of the project has significantly increased.

Based on the information that was provided by Buildings & Grounds Director Jonathan Garthwaite at a special board meeting held on February 27 at 7 PM, and again on March 3, at the Hartford School and Town meeting, at which time the Director presented the latest findings in the developments of the PCB remediation and abatement analysis, the board has directed that the following actions be taken:

• District Building & Grounds Director will work with contractors to conduct an in-depth and thorough bulk sampling of affected areas, which will help to fully understand the depth and scope of this project and assist the board in making timely and critical decisions concerning the direction and costs that will be involved in this project.

• District Director of Finance, Jacob Vezina, will investigate funding sources that will look beyond what might be recovered through a litigation process.

• Interim Superintendent, Caty Sutton, will confer with legal counsel to discuss other pending litigation action against Monsanto to help determine how the district will proceed and will explore how the Administration will move forward with planning academic and co-curricular programming.

Our guiding priority is that our teaching and learning community is safe and that we maintain our students’ academic and co-curricular programming with minimal disruption. This is an ever-evolving situation that we are assessing and planning for in real time. We will continue to update the community with the latest developments in this evolving situation.

HSD budget materials and resources can be found here!

Vermont Public Radio provides a good explanation of how Vermont schools are funded in THIS piece. The article and the video work well to bring clarity to a confusing system.