Hartford Hurricanes 2026-2027

Dear Hartford High School Students, Faculty, Staff, Parents, Caregivers and Families,

On Wednesday and Thursday, I had the privilege of meeting with all of our students during our all-school convocation and advisory assemblies for our first community gatherings of the year. Having our entire school body together was what I had been looking forward to all summer. I shared with our students my belief that a school's primary mission is to create the right conditions, providing the opportunities, relationships, resources, support, guidance, and motivation, so that every student can thrive. Guided by a quote from the late Dolly Parton, “Find out who you are and do it on purpose,” I encouraged our young people to show up each day with intention, enthusiasm, warmth, and a commitment to taking care of themselves, our school, and each other. Whether stepping into HHS as a 9th grader or entering their senior year, this is a fresh start filled with endless possibilities. My ask of them was simple: work hard, support each other, get involved, and remember that kindness is a superpower. Building an incredible school community isn't just about what happens in the classroom, on the stage, or on a playing surface, it is about how we treat each other in the hallways, at lunch, and everywhere in between.

We are already seeing this spirit of purposeful leadership and school pride in action, and I want to celebrate several students who are actively making HHS a wonderful place to be. A sincere thank you to Jackson Whitney (Senior Class President) for setting a great tone for the senior class, Maxwell Smart and Padraiq Quinn for guiding our underclassmen as Link Crew Leaders, and Calvin Mills for taking the initiative to organize a Student Leadership Committee. I also want to recognize our Pep Band members, who are already hard at work practicing, and the hundreds of fall student-athletes kicking off their seasons this week. These young people are not only the foundation of our thriving school body, but they are also the future of our greater community, and I deeply appreciate their contributions. I am so honored to be on this journey with your students, and I look forward to partnering with them to make this year truly unforgettable.

My best,

Amy Molina

Principal, Hartford High School

Felix Ackerman

Mr. Ackerman is our new interventionist, supporting students and teachers with reading and writing instruction. This is his 10th year in education, most recently he spent six years teaching seventh and eighth grade in Haverhill, NH. He is an avid Ultimate Frisbee player, climber, and is close to completing hikes of all 115 mountains over 4000ft in the Northeast.

Ms. Amelia Huang has a B.A. in Geology and an M.S.Ed. She has previously worked for the Aloha Foundation programs in Fairlee, VT, taught high school science in Massachusetts, and most recently was a geologist in the environmental remediation industry. In her free time, she enjoys sewing, ultimate frisbee, and being outdoors. Ms. Huang will be teaching Earth and Space Science and Chemistry this year.

Ms. Abby Sykes

Hi HHS community! I’m so excited to join the English department for my 6th year of teaching. I hold a Bachelor's and Master's in Education, and I love what I do. My favorite parts of teaching are doing work that matters, having days that fly by, and the joy of teaching people new things. I can't wait to get to know this already incredibly welcoming community! Miss Sykes will be teaching Patters, Perspectives and Learning Through Place this year.

Mr. Wilson Thomas

I have been an educator for 15 years and I am extremely excited to be teaching at HHS. My hobbies include board gaming, gardening and taekwondo. I spend much of my free time on home improvement and installing a disc golf course in the woods around my home. I love parenting, which is truly my greatest joy and like traveling with my kids all over the country. Mr. Thomas will be teaching 3D Modeling and Algebra.

• Flynn Playing Fields Performance - Saturday, September 12th at 6:00pm.

• College Planning Night - Wednesday, September 16th 5:15 to 6:00 in the Library

• Hartford High School Open House - Wednesday, September 16th at 6pm.

• Picture Day - Thursday, September 24th - Stay tuned for more information.

• PSAT/NMSQT Testing Info: Wednesday, October 14th. Sophomores and juniors can sign up for $18. They will miss Blocks 1, 2 and part of 3. Students should see Lauren in the Counseling Office to sign up.

To Learn about clubs offered at Hartford High Schools during 5th block click here!
(List will be updated throughout the year)

The Student Leadership Committee (SLC) works to find and address issues present in Hartford High School through research-based solutions, collaboration across the student body, and the administrative body. Our focus is to advocate for important improvements that build a stronger educational environment and experience for all students in Hartford High School.

If you are a student that truly cares about the quality of your education, and the well being of yourself and your peers, if you are a student that loves to solve problems with real power to fix these issues, or someone who simply finds this interesting, please apply. Students, connect with senior Calvin Mills with questions or click here to apply.

A greater number of Vermont youth want to participate in the governance of their schools, and an increasing number of previously adult-only boards are soliciting youth involvement. Vermont school boards benefit from the creative thinking, point of view and type of questions that youth voice brings to the table, and youth representatives gain leadership skills and valuable life experience. Students who are interested in an application or to learn more about this opportunity to serve on the HSD School Board, should see or email Roy Hathorn (hathornr@hartfordschools.net).

The Vermont State Youth Council is now accepting applications from youth (ages 11-18) from Essex, Grand Isle, Rutland, and Windham counties to fill the Council’s current vacancies. These are 3-year terms during which youth meet regularly with the goal of crafting state policy recommendations they’ll present annually to the governor and Vermont Legislature.

Make sure the youth in your life know about this incredible opportunity to have their voices heard on matters important to youth, like climate change, education, equity and anti-racism, youth mental health, and youth voice. Visit the State Youth Council website for more info and the application.

Students who participate in a co/extra-curricular activity such as participating on a sports team or the musical are required to be on-time for school (and attend all classes) in order to be eligible to participate in after-school activities. Please help/encourage your student to be on-time EVERY day.

Hello Hurricane Families!

Unified Soccer is back for another year and new this year we have Unified XC! These offerings are held during B5 (2:08-2:53). Soccer is held on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays with Coach Jackie Henry and XC is held on Tuesdays with a squad of volunteers from Dartmouth Medical School. No prior experience is necessary for either activity...just show up and have fun. Register for these teams through Infinite Campus (same as for all other sports at HHS). These teams are open to athletes and partners (in other words...ANY Hartford High School student can sign up and participate!). Unified Soccer will have a few regular season games asd well as the state tournament at Norwich University in October. Unified XC will host a statewide XC meet right here at HHS in October (date TBD). Unified XC will have several races of various lengths so that all athletes have a race that challenges them at just the right level. Everything from 25 yards to a full 5k! Register on IC today. Please direct Unified Soccer questions to Coach Henry (henryj@hartfordschools.net) and Unified XC questions to Jeff Moreno (morenoj@hartfordschools.net). Practices start on September 9th Choose to include...join Hartford Unified!

The Maxfield Bus will depart at 3:10 daily from Barwood Arena. On 9/8 it will depart at 3:30 from the Luna Door

Fall fitness center hours are as follows:

• Monday: 3:00-5:30
• Tuesday: 3:00-5:30 & 7:00-9:30
• Wednesday: 3:00-5:30
• Thursday: 3:00-5:30 & 7:00-9:30
• Friday: 3:00-5:30
• Saturday: 10:00-11:30
• Sunday: CLOSED

Jeff Moreno

Athletic Director

Hartford High School

• Have you moved? Phone number or Emergency Contact changes needed? Please log into Infinite Campus to update your demographics. Please contact Rena Burnett if you need assistance.

• Wednesday, September 16th 5:15PM to 6:00PM in the library - Before this year's open house, join your School Counselors and VSAC for College Planning Night where students and families will learn about the specific steps in the college selection and application process.

• Admissions Representatives from schools all over visit Hartford High School. This is a great time to learn about schools, show interest, and meet the people who read college applications. You MUST sign-up for each college visit ahead of time. You can sign up in Infinite Campus using Responsive Scheduler for the 5th block time slot or in the Counseling Office with Lauren for earlier day visits. Your name must be on the list to be excused from class for the visit. *** Students are responsible for make up work and notes if attending a college visit during class time. You may not miss a test for an on-campus college visit***

• Here is the list of scheduled visits and times!

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology will be hosting an information session in the Hanover High auditorium on Wednesday September 9 from 7:00 - 8:30. This event is open to any prospective MIT student and their parents. If you would like to attend, please register using this event registration link.

• Senior Future Planning Meetings will start Monday, September 21st. Each student will be responsible for arranging their own meeting. Sign up with Lauren Parker in the Counseling Office.
• Common App Help - Want time, space and maybe help filling out your Common App? Set up an appointment during your free block with Lauren in the Counseling office or sign up to join during 5th block with responsive scheduler.

Learn more about: Jewish High Holy Days

The Jewish High Holy Days, also known as the Days of Awe (Yamim Noraim), are the most sacred period of the Jewish year. Spanning ten days in early autumn, this period is a time for deep reflection, soul-searching, repentance, and renewal.

Rosh Hashanah (9/11-9/13) (The Jewish New Year) celebrates the creation of the world. It marks the start of a 10-day period of introspection where individuals reflect on their actions over the past year and make amends. A highlight of Rosh Hashanah is hearing the blowing of the shofar (a ram’s horn), which acts as a spiritual wake-up call. Watch this video to see how a shofar is made!

At the end of the 10 days of introspection is Yom Kippur (9/20-9/21), The Day of Atonement. This is the holiest day on the Jewish calendar, focused entirely on purification, forgiveness, and reconciliation with God. Yom Kippur honors a strict 25-hour fast (no food or water) for adults, shifting focus entirely from physical needs to spiritual reflection, wearing white to symbolize purity, and spending the day in intensive prayer at the synagogue, concluding with one final, long blast of the shofar to signal the end of the fast.

Right after the solemnity of the High Holy Days comes Sukkot, one of the most joyous festivals on the Jewish calendar. Lasting for seven days, it is known as the "Festival of Booths" or the "Festival of Ingathering."

While Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are deeply internal and introspective, Sukkot is highly physical, outdoor-focused, and celebratory. It serves a dual purpose: commemorating the 40 years the Israelites spent wandering the desert living in temporary shelters, and celebrating the autumn harvest.

While the U.S. has historically been a refuge for Jewish people escaping persecution in Europe, systemic discrimination existed for centuries and has had a significant and troubling resurgence in recent years.

The rise in antisemitism has significantly altered daily life for the American Jewish community, which numbers roughly 7.5 million people. More than half of American Jews report changing their behavior out of fear—such as avoiding wearing visible Jewish symbols (like a Star of David or a kippah) or hiding their Jewish identity in public.

Ultimately, the High Holy Days and the vibrant celebrations that follow serve as a powerful testament to the resilience, continuity, and faith of the Jewish community. While the persistence of antisemitism highlights the urgent need for empathy and education, these sacred traditions remain an unyielding source of strength and hope. By grounding the community in timeless values of reflection, forgiveness, and joyful community, they reaffirm that no matter the challenges faced—past or present—the commitment to renewal and shared heritage endures.

Julia Lau

Equity Coordinator

HSD

Link Leaders from Link Crew, our 9th grade mentorship program, ran the 9th Grade Orientation on 8/20. All of our leaders did an amazing job and it was so exciting to have our new freshmen on campus before the year even started. Now that we are in the swing of things, there will be regular social and academic follow-ups within the small groups that met that day. Look out throughout the year for more updates or follow HHS Link Crew on Instagram @hcaneslinkcrew

Boom Boom!

Kara Garrow, Rebecca Whitney, and Hannah Romeo

HHS Link Crew Coordinators

• Come for the food, raffle prizes, and fun!
• All performing arts students and family members are invited to attend!
• WHEN & WHERE: Thursday, September 10 at 5:30 PM on the HHS Front Lawn
• What to bring (if you can):

Grade 9: Beverages

Grade 10: Desserts

Grade 11: Sides

Grade 12: Sides

FoPAH will supply the hotdogs and hamburgers/veggie burgers!

Pep Band Dates for Fall ‘26 (pizza for band members at 5:45 PM, game at 7 PM - except for 10/15 which is 4:45/6 PM): 9/25, 10/2, 10/15 (Thurs game), 10/23, and playoffs TBD.

The Pep Band Apparel Store (linked) is open now through 9/6. It closes on 9/6 so that we have the items in time for the first home game on 9/25. (Note: there is no required dress code for pep band and you do not have to order anything).

Auditions for this year's musical, Monty Python’s Spamalot, are on Wednesday, September 2nd. Audition materials are located on the Performing Arts Bulletin Board in the Performing Arts Department and in the Digital Folder. Sign up for an audition time on the sign up sheet on the Bulletin Board or during lunch at the Musical Table. Callbacks are on Thursday, September 3rd.

Special Education Parent Survey: Your Voice Matters

Are you a parent of a student who received special education services between July 1, 2025 to December 1, 2025? If so, please complete this Special Education Parent Involvement Survey. Your feedback helps to improve special education services and student outcomes in your supervisory union or district and is completely anonymous.

If you have not yet completed this survey, please submit your response by September 15, 2026.

If you need your unique survey identification code call: (802) 828-1256

For additional information about this survey visit: VT AOE Special Education Parent Survey Webpage

September 8th is 988 Day

988 Day is a national initiative dedicated to raising awareness about the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and emphasizing the importance of mental health and suicide prevention. The theme for 988 Day 2026 is 988 Reasons: Your reason is reason enough. This theme reminds us that you don’t have to be in crisis to reach out to 988. Whatever you’re facing, big or small, your reason for seeking support is reason enough. To learn more, please click here

Hartford will host its 3rd Annual Styrofoam/EPS recycling collection

Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, 9-11 am

Mascoma Bank parking lot

243 Sykes Mountain Ave

White River Junction, VT 05001

If there is heavy rain or other inclement weather, the collection will be rescheduled to Oct. 17, at the same location and times.

Would you be willing to donate your time on the morning of October 3, 2026 (or Oct. 17, if needed)? Volunteers will be needed from 8:15 - 11:30. We have a variety of volunteering needs. We need both able-bodied people who will likely help with sorting, packing, and loading foam, and people with limited mobility who will likely help with collecting donations, handing out flyers, and checking in volunteers. Please contact Jen Durgin at jendurgin3@gmail.com by Sept. 15 to sign up. Learn what can and cannot be recycled in the Foam 101 flyer. NOTE: If you’re putting Styrofoam in your recycling bin, it’s going to the landfill. Styrofoam recycling needs a specialized facility.

Register to vote!

Youth Service America’s ServiceVote campaign asks young people to help register, educate, and get their peers out to vote; to connect their volunteering and service to voting and advocacy on the issues they care about; and to call on public officials to create spaces at every decision-making table for young voices.

Janet Potter,

Student Assistance Provider (SAP)

HMMS

Join us on Saturday, September 12 at 6:00pm for the Playing Fields Project at Hartford High School. Playing Fields is a free back-to-school celebration presented by the Flynn and the Hartford School District. Bring your friends and family to Alumni Field for an awe-inspiring evening of large-scale puppetry, featuring Sea Fantasy – The Pearl, created by Plasticiens Volants, an exciting and dynamic street theater troupe from France.

🚲 Do you DRIVE, WALK or RIDE to HHS? If so, please check out this resource and reminders about how to do them all safely! 🛴

No time to read the whole thing?:

• Bike (including E-Bikes) and Scooter riders - Please wear a helmet and obey all traffic laws.
• Be very careful walking, driving or riding through the parking lots. Slow speeds save lives!