Hartford Hurricanes 2026-2027

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

There is so much energy and positivity in our building right now, and I am continually inspired by how involved and dedicated our students are across every area of school life. Whether it’s competing with incredible effort and sportsmanship across all of our fall sports, being incredible Unified sports partners, or preparing for our upcoming production of Spamalot, our Hurricanes are shining across all settings!

We see this leadership and heart everywhere you look; from our Link Crew leaders mentoring peers, to organizing and hosting fun All-School Meetings, to students giving back at local elementary schools, to active initiatives led by Hope Happens Here and Student Council. A special shout-out to our National Honor Society members who represented HHS so wonderfully by participating in the recent CHaD Hero Race! Our students consistently show up, support one another, and make a positive impact in our school and local community.

Looking ahead, I want to preview an important point of connection coming up on Tuesday, November 3rd during our district Inservice day. Our educators will spend time that morning engaging in a neurodiversity workshop, learning strategies to even better support the full range of learners in our classrooms. Afterward, advisors will be spending time reaching out directly to families via phone call or email to provide updates on your student’s grades and attendance. As a reminder, both grades and attendance are also accessible to you anytime through the Parent Portal on Infinite Campus.

This dedicated check on student successes and challenges is part of our home and school partnership, and helps us continue to foster a school culture where every student is known, respected, understood, and advocated for.

Thank you for your continued partnership, support, and dedication to our Hartford High community!

My best,

Amy Molina

Principal, Hartford High School

HHS Students:

If you are considering wearing a Halloween costume on Friday, please keep in mind that all standard school rules and dress codes still apply AND keep reading for more information. If you aren’t planning on dressing up, you can stop reading at this point!

To ensure a fun, safe, and welcoming environment for everyone, please adhere to the following guidelines:

1. Culture is Not a Costume: Avoid costumes that caricature, stereotype, or appropriate traditional attire, sacred symbols, or ethnic identities. If you’re unsure, ask yourself: Is this someone's identity or a costume? You can also read more about this at https://studentlife.web.baylor.edu/my-culture-not-costume.

2. No Weapons or Props: Real, fake, or toy weapons of any kind (guns, swords, knives, bows, etc.) are strictly prohibited.

3. No Full Face Masks: For security and identification, face masks or heavy face paint that fully conceals your identity or impairs vision are not allowed. Accent makeup is fine!

4. School-Appropriate Attire: Costumes must comply with the school dress code - no excessively revealing clothing, blood or gore, or references to drugs, alcohol, or violence.

5. Functionality: Make sure you can comfortably sit, walk, see, and participate in class activities throughout the school day without causing disruption (for example a T-Rex costume is not appropriate for the school day!!!)

If you want to participate on Friday, please do it respectfully and help make it a fun day. If you have any questions about whether a costume is appropriate, check with an administrator before Friday!!

This month's "Artist, Designer, and Innovator Awards" go to Josiah Eisler for Metals and Ceramics and

Amelia Whipple for her dedication to the performing arts.

Amelia has been an integral member of the department for the last 4 years. She is a section leader in choir, a member of the chamber choir, and the overtones. She is also currently taking guitar and is making huge improvements in her playing. Amelia is also playing the role of Lady of the Lake in this year's production of Spamalot and is constantly working on perfecting her songs for the show.

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

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

On Sunday, October 18th, HHS National Honor Society students Sylvia Johnson, Maxwell Smart, Kathryn Summarsell, and NHS Advisor and Social Studies teacher, Angela Conrad-Schlager, participated in the CHaD Hero 5K race in Hanover, NH. Our Team, Hurricane Honor, raised $1,122. Money raised goes directly to the Children's Hospital and Children's Health at Dartmouth. Many thanks to those who supported and made a financial contribution to our team!

There were 3,700 event participants and over $1 million was raised at this year's CHaD Hero race.

Good Evening HSD Teaching and Learning Community,

The Hartford Board of School Directors is seeking community input into the budget models and approaches that were presented to them at last week's Board meeting.

Here is a link to the survey that was developed to gather feedback from all of the various stakeholders in the school and district community and beyond.

Your input matters and is so valuable as the board considers the path forward, a path that has been made incredibly challenging by the legislation passed last session (for an understanding of the hurdles that have been placed in front of us, please also see the joint statement that was signed by the HSD Board, HSD Leadership, and HEA Leadership).

We very much appreciate your feedback and support as we navigate through this challenging situation together.

With Gratitude,

Caty

• Friday, October 31 - End of Quarter 1

• Monday, November 2 - Early Dismissal for Teacher Inservice

• Tuesday, November 3 - No School for Teacher Inservice

• Wednesday, November 11 - No School for Veteran's Day

• Monday, November 16 - School Picture Re-Take Day (please note date change)

• November 25: No School

• November 27: No School

• November 26: No School

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 on time) 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.

I want to extend a sincere thank you for your support at home during our recent Star Reading and Math diagnostic assessments. Thanks to your encouragement, our students took these assessments seriously, giving us valuable data to help tailor our instruction and support every learner. If you would like to review your student’s results, please reach out to their counselor, advisory teacher, case manager, or me, and we will gladly provide a copy.

Hello Hurricane Families!

Please register for your winter sport (if you haven’t already) on Infinite Campus.

The winter sports student-parent-coach orientation is scheduled for November 9th at 7:00. You should enter the building through the main entrance and follow the signs to your sport specific breakout room. (Indoor Track, Basketball, Ice Hockey). Pre-season practices begin November 30th. There will be open ice and open gym time during the break between fall sports and November 30th including camps offered by Hartford Parks and Rec.

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

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 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!

Jeff Moreno

Athletic Director

Hartford High School

• Friday, November 6th (5th Block): Sophomore Info session in the HS Auditorium*** Students then must submit Sophomore Visit Interest Survey by 11/24***
• December 8th (8:40 to 10:15): Interested students visit the Tech center *** Students then must submit Sophomore Visit Interest Survey by 11/24***
• December 11: HACTC application link goes live on HACTC.com
• January 7 HACTC Prospective Student Open House @ 6pm (Jan 14th Snow Date)
• January 12 Virtual Information Session @ 7pm
• January 22 Application deadline for SY 2027 - 2028 admission
• February 17 Admission Decision letters mailed (via USPS) to students and families

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

The Hagan Scholarship is a nationwide need-based merit scholarship, providing recipients with the opportunity to achieve their goals and graduate from college debt-free. Parents’ Adjusted Household Income must not exceed $125,000. The scholarship provides $1,000 to help purchase essential items for college and up to $7,500 each semester for up to 8 consecutive semesters. Free workshops, free Schwab Brokerage Accounts, and free Study Abroad opportunities provide recipients with a practical understanding of important life skills not typically covered in the school curriculum. Hagan Scholars have attended 745 colleges and universities located in all 50 states and the District of Columbia and have studied abroad in 64 countries.

The Hagan Graduate Scholarships are for Hagan Scholars who have graduated from college while enrolled in the Hagan Scholarship Program and are good for up to four additional consecutive semesters, providing up to $7,500 each semester to attend graduate school or the first two years of a professional program.

The Hagan International Graduate Scholarships follow the same terms as the Hagan Graduate Scholarships. International applicants must have graduated or will graduate from a foreign institution, and must have received an acceptance letter for the upcoming fall semester as a first-time graduate student at a college or university located in the U.S.

https://haganscholarships.org/application/

• 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.

Virtual Date: Tuesday, October 20th 6:00-7:00pm
Registration Link: ccv.edu/ECinfo - For more information, go to gotocollegevt.org

You’ll hear about:

• How to apply for Early College at CCV
• How Early College can put you on a pathway to a FREE associate degree

through the Free Degree Promise

• How to access financial aid for the Early College year and beyond
• How Early College helps high school seniors pursue their interests, enjoy greater flexibility and independence, and get a head start on their future.

Seniors and parents join Katie Rafferty from VSAC for a personal one on one 30 minute appointment in the Counseling Office on Monday, October 19th 12:00pm to 6:00pm. Please start the process and come prepared as possible because appointments are only 30 minutes long. Bring all your questions and concerns. Below is information on how to create your FSA ID which should be made at least a week in advance and the links provided to help. If the available times do not work please sign up through VSAC for a personalized Zoom appointment or contact Katie directly at rafferty@vsac.org

FSA ID Directions

VSAC FAFSA Information

Personal Appointment Sign Up Sheet

Please contact Katte Rafferty or Lauren Parker with any questions.

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

VSAC is 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.

Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a vibrant Mexican tradition that honors and remembers deceased loved ones. Rooted in indigenous Aztec customs combined with Catholic traditions, the holiday is based on the belief that the souls of the departed return to the physical world during this time to reunite with their families. Celebrated annually on November 1st and 2nd, it is not a period of mourning, but rather a joyous celebration of life, love, and memory that views death as a natural part of the human experience.

The celebration is marked by colorful rituals, most notably the creation of ofrendas (altars) in homes and public spaces decorated with marigold flowers (cempasúchil), photos of the deceased, sugar skulls (calaveras), and the favorite foods and drinks of those who have passed. Families gather in cemeteries to clean and decorate graves, tell stories, play music, and share special treats like pan de muerto (bread of the dead). In addition, lively parades featuring elaborate face paint mimicking skeletal figures (La Catrina) bring communities together to celebrate their heritage and connection to ancestors.

Simultaneously, the living experience for many Mexican immigrants in the United States today stands in sharp contrast to this celebratory heritage, as they face an increasingly hostile environment. Expanded enforcement operations, strict border border restrictions, legal status revocations, and the threat of mass deportations have created widespread climate of fear and uncertainty for both documented and undocumented Mexican migrants. As rhetoric and policies continue to target immigrant communities, many families are forced to navigate the heightened risks of separation, discrimination, and economic instability while trying to maintain their cultural roots and daily lives.

Individuals and communities can take action by supporting the immigrant community by donating to established immigrant advocacy organizations—such as UnidosUS, the Hispanic Federation, and the Immigrant Legal Resource Center which helps fund free legal representation, provides "Know Your Rights" education and emergency assistance for families facing deportation or legal hurdles.

At the local level, people can volunteer with grassroots groups, food banks, or community centers that provide direct relief, English language learning, and healthcare navigation to newly arrived migrants and long-term residents. Additionally, engaging in civic advocacy by pushing local and national representatives to support fair immigration reform, humane border policies, and local sanctuary protections ensures that immigrant communities have a voice and a safer environment in which to live and celebrate their rich cultural heritage.

The National Museum of the American Latino: Immigration Stories

Small Truths: The Immigration Experience Through the Eyes of Children

Discover La Catrina: A Beautiful Symbol of Mexico's Culture!

Previous Curiosity Corners

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.

Last Friday, we had our second All-School Meeting! And for a special treat, our HHS Pep Band performed and provided the music for the Advisory Competition for Musical Chairs. A huge shout out for our Whitney Houston Drum Challenge Winner - Ms Conerty!

Click on the photo below to hear our Pep Band in action!

October is our national depression education and awareness month. With this in mind I have provided a link for parents and students that offers a quick guide to depression and how it can impact teens. There are also some resources for parents who are managing their own depression while dealing with the challenges that arise during parenting. Please take the time this month to check in with yourself and your child as we work together to raise awareness about depression and how it impacts both teens and adults in our community.

Be well and take care,

Alex Bronner, LICSW,

Hartford High School, ext. 2216

bronnera@hartfordschools.net

Show dates are:

• Friday, November 13 at 7:00pm
• Saturday, November 14 at 2:00pm & 7:00pm
• Sunday, November 15 at 2:00pm

$10 for adults and $7 for students/seniors.

Tickets can be purchased here! Tickets are limited, so please get yours early!

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

Adaptive Pickleball - We were excited to partner with New England Healing Sports Association to offer Pickleball for our students. The students had a great time and even asked to do this activity again!

Both experiences were funded by a grant made possible by generosity of Noelle Family.

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!

The Dartmouth Alliance for Children of Color (DACC) is hosting a series of activities for BIPOC youth and their families. Dartmouth Alliance for Children of Color is an organization on Dartmouth's campus. We host weekly play dates connecting kids of color in the Hanover/Upper Valley area and Dartmouth students of color! We welcome children of color from the area and their parents to join us.

For many of the minority children in the Upper Valley, it is not uncommon to find themselves in situations where they are the only person of color in school or community settings. DACC volunteer program is designed to promote positive cultural awareness and expression, and to foster strong relationships between involved students of color and Dartmouth and Upper Valley minority children and their families.

Here is a link to the DACC listserv which will send you invites to their upcoming events.

Hartford-Norwich Holiday Basket Helpers have served vulnerable community members in the towns of Hartford and Norwich, Vermont since 1983. Connecting households with children to sponsors who fulfill gift wish lists. If you are a Hartford High School family who needs help this year please use this link for support. * complete this link NO LATER THAN Monday, November 2

https://holidaybasketsvt.org/family-registration-form/

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. 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.