Hartford Hurricanes 2026-2027

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

As we continue moving through the school year, I want to take a moment to highlight two essential focus areas that directly impact our students' growth and success. First, we know that Hartford High School is a better, richer place when all of our students are present each day. Research consistently shows that strong attendance, regardless of the reason for an absence, is one of the single greatest predictors of academic success, while missing school significantly reduces a student's ability to stay on track.

Please help us prioritize daily attendance so your student can thrive and our community can benefit from their presence. If you do know your child will need to miss more than two consecutive days of school, please have them complete our Planned Absence Form and talk directly with their teachers ahead of time to stay caught up.

Secondly, our teachers use standardized diagnostics and assessments throughout the year to better understand what our students need from us. While an assessment is just one measure of a student, it provides invaluable insight into where we should lean into specific teaching strategies, deliver targeted support, and allocate our school resources. This coming week, students in grades 9–11 will take our first STAR diagnostic assessment. We rely on STAR data to identify individual strengths and growth areas, track progress over time, guide daily classroom instruction, and help predict state test performance, ultimately helping us make smarter, data-driven decisions for your student. We ask for your partnership in encouraging your child to take these diagnostics seriously and give them their best effort.

Beyond our academic focus, the HHS campus is full of energy and exciting achievements! HoCo Week is upon us - including our themed Spirit Days, lots of home athletic games, and our Spiderman No Way Homecoming Dance on Saturday night. Please be sure to read through the rest of this week’s newsletter below to see all of the wonderful updates, events, and highlights happening across Hartford High School. Thank you for your continued support and partnership!

My best,

Amy Molina

Principal, Hartford High School

This month's "Artist, Designer, and Innovator Awards" go to Walker Garthwaite for Advanced Metals and Ceramics and Isis Oellrich for Broadway Performance.

Walker is a skilled and talented artist who completes their art projects with superb craftsmanship, imagination, and perseverance. We always look forward to Walker's amazing design creations.

Isis has demonstrated a natural talent for acting and just comes alive on stage. She is a hard worker and is improving her craft everyday. It is hard to believe that she is new to the stage because she is fearless in her acting!

Congratulations and thank you for sharing your passions and talents with the Hartford community!

Congratulations to HHS Senior Kathryn Summarsell who has been awarded the Green and Gold Scholars Award from The University of Vermont (UVM). This merit scholarship awards full in-state tuition for up to four years to those who apply, are accepted, and attend UVM. It also includes an invitation to UVM’s prestigious Patrick Leahy Honors College. To receive the Green and Gold Scholars Award, the selected student must be a competitive applicant, meet or exceed minimum entrance requirements to the University and for the selected academic program, apply for admission by January 15 of the senior year, and must choose to attend UVM by May 1 of the semester prior to enrollment.

Congrats, Kathryn, on your achievement!

#UVMGreenAndGold

Congratulations to HHS Social Studies teacher, Doug Anton, for his recent induction into the Burr & Burton Academy Hall of Fame.

Doug Anton’s explosive athleticism and leadership played a defining role in revitalizing Burr and Burton’s basketball program. A three-year Varsity starter and senior captain, Doug led the Bulldogs in scoring, rebounding, and blocked shots as a junior and senior - finishing his high school career with 875 points, 40 dunks, and a 32-point single-game high. His crowning achievement came junior year, anchoring BBA’s dominant 23-1 State Championship run, highlighted by a brilliant 25-point performance in the state semifinals.

A McDonald’s HS All-American nominee, Doug’s extensive accolades include All-State honors, Burlington Free Press Dream Dozen selection, 2005 Green Mountain Tournament MVP, and selections to both the Twin State Classic and North/South All-Star Game.

Dear Parents and Guardians,

An addition to the Yearly Update in Online Registration is parental consent for school Google use. For some features, Google is requiring yearly parental permission. It is all explained within the Yearly Update and permission is gathered in Online Registration.

It is time to start gathering all the beginning of the year paperwork. All the required information will be gathered through the Registration Yearly update button available in the Parent Portal app, directions here. If you do not have a parent portal account, please contact your child's school registrar, Lorena Burnett (burnettl@hartfordschools.net). For other Infinite Campus support articles visit the HSD Family Infinite Campus Support page.

Please complete this as soon as possible, as this information is needed for effective communication and other state and federal education requirements. It also updates the student's FERPA settings in Infinite Campus, which includes media release and student directory preferences. Student directory preferences are used to allow and limit student/parent directory information for PTO and Athletic teams. Both these areas are Opt-out.

If you have any questions or concerns please contact your child's school administrative office.

Thank you for your time,

Bill Yates

Hartford School District

Data Administrator

Vermont families are encouraged to complete the 2026-2027 Household Income Form, even though, thanks to Vermont’s Universal Meals law, all students have access to free meals regardless of household income. Information reported on the form helps determine eligibility for and access to important programs and funding to support students and families. These include Title I, E-rate, Early College benefits, and other educational resources.

By completing the confidential form, you help our school receive resources that support programs and services benefiting our entire school community. The form can be filled out online and it takes just a few minutes. Thank you for your time and willingness to help out. The form can be completed here

• Voter Registration on Tuesday, October 6 - Reps from the League of Women Voters will be in the H-Lobby helping students to register to vote in November.

• No School on Friday, October 9 - Teacher Professional Learning Day

• No School on Monday, October 12 - Indigenous Peoples' Day

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

We meet on Wednesday mornings before school. Our goal is to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and plan community events.

We meet on Friday's during Block 5. All are welcome!

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, for EVERY class.

Hello Hurricane Families!

Mark your calendars for October 2nd at 7:30 (halftime of the football game) for our 2026 Homecoming celebration! We will honor our championship reunion teams and then enjoy a fireworks display. If you were a member of any of these teams please grab your championship jacket, spread the word with your teammates, and come join the festivities on October 2nd!

Reminder - The Maxfield Bus will depart at 3:10 daily from Barwood Arena.

Reminder - 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

The HHS Unified Soccer team will host Otter Valley Unified on Friday (10/2) at 11:00 at Alumni Field. All students, staff, and community members are invited to attend. We hope to see you there!

The HHS Unified Cross Country team will host our first ever Cross Country race on Sun, Oct 4th starting at 10:00am. Come on over to Alumni Field to cheer on all of the Athletes and Partners.

Jeff Moreno

Athletic Director

Hartford High School

Want to Purchase Sports Passes?

Please see the attached GoFan Flyer for special All Sports Passes good for fall and winter when we charge admission.

The Booster Club needs your help!

The Booster Club is looking for parents and family members to help staff the concession stand this fall (and winter...and spring). The Boosters are a massive source of funding and support for our athletic teams and with the tough budget season that is being predicted we need all the help we can get! If you are able to serve (even a single game shift!) please reach out to Booster President Jen Lyman (lyman.jenifer@gmail.com). Thank you for your support!

For more details about each scholarship and the eligibility requirements, read the details below carefully.

• Scholarships Available
• United States Senate Youth Program Scholarship (USSYP) - Due 10/20
• Distinguished Young Women
• Student Scholarships - rolling applications/deadlines. Always being updated

Wednesday, October 8th 8:25 to 2:45 - Juniors and Seniors are invited to join the counseling office for a college fair, campus tour, and lunch with admissions at Southern New Hampshire University. Permission slips are in the Counseling Office with Lauren Parker. We have 1 bus so get your seat now!!!!

• 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!

• 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.

Are you a Vermont student that needs help filing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2027-28 school year?

We're available to assist Vermont families in person or virtually. Virtual meetings are being offered Monday-Thursday with in-person meetings available Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Find out what documents are needed by visiting our Focus on FAFSA page and navigating to the "7 Steps to FAFSA" tab.

Already filed your FAFSA or have other financial aid questions (such as "what's next?" or "did I do this right?") that you would like to ask? Email resourcecenter@vsac.org to request an appointment. Please include any specific discussion topics (IE: grants, scholarships, SAI, college awards, etc.) so we may better serve you.

We’re kicking things off with a new lineup of healthcare career exploration opportunities at Dartmouth Health designed to spark curiosity, build connections, and give students a closer look at the incredible variety of careers available within healthcare.

Ways for students to explore:

• Youth Engagement Experiential Learning Days
  Take learning beyond the classroom! Students connect with healthcare professionals, explore different career areas, participate in interactive activities, ask questions, and hear firsthand career stories. These experiences are designed to help students discover careers they may not even know exist.
  • Career Exploration Events Listing (Registration can be found in the event listing)
• Under-18 Allied Health Shadowing
  Give students the opportunity to see healthcare careers in action through supervised observation experiences, including:
• Radiology – 8-hour observation
• Ultrasound – 4-hour observation
• Physical & Occupational Therapy – 4-hour observation
• These experiences provide students with a real-world glimpse into healthcare careers and what it’s like to work in these fields.
• Under-18 Job Shadow Program Interest Form

Stay Connected!

Be sure to check out our Center for Career Development website and events calendar for upcoming programming, registration information, and additional opportunities throughout the year.

• Center for Career Development-Student Career Exploration Portal
• Career Exploration Events Listing

The transition after high school has always involved big decisions, but today’s students are navigating those choices in a world full of new possibilities and new uncertainty. Research shows that students who take intentional time away from formal academics return with real-world skills, greater self-confidence, and a clearer sense of purpose. Families are turning to gap years as a creative way for young adults to build a stronger foundation for what lies ahead.

Julia Rogers, a local gap year counselor and nationally recognized expert on experiential education, will share how gap years help students gain confidence, explore new interests, and prepare for what’s ahead. She’ll outline how families at every budget level can make a gap year possible, highlight the wide range of opportunities students are pursuing, and explain why more colleges and employers are recognizing the benefits.

This free, local community event is part of Gap Year Exploration Month this October. Whether you’re a student, parent, or educator, it’s an opportunity to learn why the growing popularity of the gap year option is reshaping how families think about success after high school. Come learn more about a Gap Year at the Howe Public Library in Hanover on Thu, Oct 1.

National Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated annually from September 15 to October 15 to recognize the histories, cultures, and contributions of American citizens with roots in Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. The observance began in 1968 as a week-long celebration under President Lyndon B. Johnson before President Ronald Reagan expanded it to a 30-day period in 1988. The mid-September starting date is highly significant, as it coincides with the independence day anniversaries of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Mexico, and Chile. Today, the month is celebrated nationwide through festivals, community gatherings, and educational programs hosted by major national institutions to honor the enduring achievements of Hispanic and Latino Americans.

The celebration of Hispanic contributions to the United States exists alongside complex immigration policies that profoundly impact these communities. While National Hispanic Heritage Month emphasizes cultural integration and systemic achievement, heightened immigration enforcement through the Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) shapes the daily lives of millions of Latino Americans. This aggressive focus on mass detention and deportation has frequently cast a shadow over community gatherings, leading to the cancellation of several high-profile heritage festivals due to widespread safety concerns.

Concurrently, the tenuous future of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program adds severe legal instability for hundreds of thousands of "Dreamers" who grew up in the United States. This reality leaves young undocumented professionals vulnerable to sudden enforcement actions and highlights the deep divide between the national celebration of Hispanic culture and the legislative precarity of its people.

National Hispanic Heritage Month highlights a profound national duality: while the United States officially honors the rich cultural fabric and historical contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans, systemic enforcement policies and legislative uncertainty continue to jeopardize the daily security of these very communities. Reconciling this divide requires moving beyond symbolic recognition toward meaningful policy reform that provides true legal stability and safety. By bridging the gap between cultural celebration and systemic protection, the nation can ensure that its appreciation for Hispanic heritage is fully reflected in the lived realities of all Hispanic and Latino Americans.

To celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month, enjoy some read aloud books by Hispanic authors:

Areli is a dreamer read-aloud 🛵👨‍👧 MY PAPI HAS A MOTORCYCLE | Read Along with the Author | Brightly Storytime Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor Shares Turning Pages & Pasando Páginas

Julia Lau

Equity Coordinator

HSD

The Hartford High School National Honor Society, in partnership with HHS Staff members Robin Martin & Jamie Briggs, organizes the Hartford High School Food Shelf. The food shelf provides a variety of foods and hygienic products to student families in need. Currently we provide resources to 9 student families on a weekly basis. Every year it is uncertain how many people will be in need of our help.

• Ramen Packs

• Dry cereals

• Oatmeal

• Fruit Cups

• Pasta & Sauces

• Peanut Butter

• Jelly

• Canned tuna

• Canned chicken

• Macaroni & Cheese

• Granola Bars

• Canned soups

Thank you for your support.

The Hartford High School National Honor Society Students are participating in the CHaD Hero race on Sunday, October 18th. This is an awesome fundraiser for Dartmouth Health Children's. Our team is HURRICANE HONOR. We are encouraging all HHS Staff, students and families who are interested in participating to join us. For more information, click here.

The Class of 2028 is doing ANOTHER encore order of our super popular, subtle but spirited monochromatic sweatshirts. We have added another color option and, in addition to crewneck sweatshirts, we have both short and long sleeve t-shirts. To place an order, please either make a copy of the order form and send it to garrowk@hartfordschools.net or print it and have it turned into room 107 at HHS. Cash or checks to Hartford High School will be required before the order is placed. All orders are due by 10/1. Thank you for helping us fundraise for our prom!

We had our first All School Meeting (ASM) with emcee's Maya and Amara! As a part of this month's ASM we had a Club Fair. Stay tuned for more information about existing clubs and potential new ones!

Boom Boom!

Kara Garrow, Rebecca Whitney, and Hannah Romeo

HHS Link Crew Coordinators

HI, My name is Alex Bronner and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who serves as a Mental Health Clinician at HHS. Welcome back to the start of the 2026-2027 school year! As I enter my fifth year at HHS I am excited to continue my work supporting students and staff as they navigate the many challenges that come with being in a high school. I work closely with students offering individual counseling and crisis services including safety assessments and crisis interventions. I operate from a relational framework focused on developing self esteem and healthy coping mechanisms for life's many challenges. Striving to build a strong sense of community and belonging, I view everyday as an opportunity to make new connections while supporting students I work with in navigating the many challenges that arise in life and at school. If your student could benefit from meeting with me, please contact me at bronnera@hartfordschools.net, (802)295-8610 ext.2216

Getting back into the swing of things while transitioning from summer break to a new school year can be challenging! Supporting our students in developing routines can help to reduce stress and improve mental health. The following resource contains helpful information for parents and students about the benefits of routines and some suggestions on how to get started.

Routines Matter

Please visit the HHS Performing Arts Calendar of Events for all of our upcoming events!

Pep Band Season is HERE!!!

Recently, the RRC students went apple picking and then used them for many things in school. Students worked on measurements and life skills by making apple crisp and worked cooperatively to construct apple towers. Some apples were peeled, sliced and placed in the freezer to be used later for their annual Thanksgiving apple pie.

https://www.treering.com/purchase?PassCode=101747803035920

All students can create 2 free custom pages in their book! These pages will only print in your book, but it is a great opportunity to get your memories in there!

This month, we would like to highlight the partnership between HSD and HPD. The Hartford Police Department Outreach Division serves as a vital community safety net by pairing law enforcement with specialized professionals to tackle the root causes of a crisis. Deploying an Outreach Commander, a Police Liaison, and a Substance Use Responder to handle non-criminal emergencies—like housing instability, mental health, substance use, or child safety issues—the division ensures that vulnerable youth and families receive compassionate, specialized care, ultimately fostering a safer and more supportive environment for the entire school community.

The outreach team has partnered specifically with school staff to be available at open houses, school events, and at bi-weekly prevention planning meetings. This month, HPD will be joining Hartford Community Coalition and HSD Student Assistance Counselor in providing awareness events around bullying prevention month and Red Ribbon Week.

Janet Potter,

Student Assistance Provider (SAP)

HMMS

The League of Women Voters will be in the H-Lobby at lunch time on Tuesday, October 6th helping to register students.The League is a political grassroots network and membership organization that believes the freedom to vote is a nonpartisan issue.

If that doesn't work, students can see Becky Whitney in the Library for paperwork OR anyone can go to THIS WEBSITE to register before November 3rd.

The Public Health Council is pleased to announce 2026 Community Flu Vaccine Clinics. A full list of the clinics is below, and a poster is attached. Please help us spread the word about these free and easy flu vaccine clinics. A full list of flu vaccine clinics is also available HERE.

Offered by the Public Health Council of the Upper Valley, in partnership with Dartmouth Health and the Geisel School of Medicine

• Walk-in vaccine clinic.
• All PHC clinics are free, open to the public, and do not require registration. If your insurance information is on file with Dartmouth Health, when vaccine records are stored. Your insurance will be billed as a preventive care service. There will never be an out-of-pocket cost to you.

• Clinics are open to all adults & children ages 10+.
• All PHC clinics offer both the regular dose vaccine and an enhanced dose formulation for people 65 years and older.
• All vaccines are preservative-free.

Vermont issued S-EBT benefits to over 38,000 school-aged children this summer, but some of these benefits are expiring soon. As of early September, more than 12,000 children have more than $20 left on their benefit cards. Over $1.4 million in Summer EBT Benefits will be returned to the federal government on Saturday, October 10, 2026 if they are not used.

Your Summer EBT Benefits Will Expire Soon!
Summer EBT benefits only last for 122 days (about 4 months) after you get them. If you received S-EBT benefits this summer, make sure to use them before they expire and are returned to the federal government. Once they expire, you can’t get them back. This year, most households need to use their benefits before Saturday, October 10, 2026.

Need Help?
If you need a new EBT card or want to know when your benefits expire, call 1-888-354-0012 and press Option 7.