Hornet Nation,

We have so much to be proud of in our schools and our community. Last week, it was on full display as we celebrated Homecoming with spirit days, the parade and game, and a high school dance.

We also have some challenges, or as I like to call them, "probletunities." Like schools all across the country, we are experiencing an uptick in behavior issues (physical aggression, refusal to comply, harassment, use of profanity, etc.) and mental health concerns (anxiety, depression, trauma, etc.). As educators, we seek to understand what is behind the behavior, and how to implement support, especially when mental health issues lie beneath. We also know that we are not mental health or behavior specialists, so we do our best to hire or contract with those who are, to provide as much support as possible.

When our larger world does not always provide the best examples in patience, kindness, and goodness, I worry about what our young people are seeing and internalizing. For example, if a young person sees aggression or cyberbullying from adults (whether that is in person, on social media, or in the news) as the response to stress, conflict, or disagreements, it should not surprise us that we are seeing those same responses in our schools.

We do have a student code of conduct that we follow, which includes progressive discipline with a wide range of options. Punishment alone does not change behavior, so again, getting to the root cause of the behavior is vital, regardless of immediate consequences. Everyone -- students and staff alike - deserves to feel and be physically and psychologically safe in our schools.

Today and moving forward, I re-dedicate myself to model patience, kindness, and goodness to all in our community, and those beyond it.

In partnership and with Hornet Pride,

Judy

juwalton@harrisonschools.com

989.539.7871

The staff of Harrison Community Schools, in the spirit of a growing and changing community, pledge to educate all students by teaching the District Curriculum and beyond, ensuring the development of responsible learners prepared to take an active role in a complex society.

• With a positive COVID test, 5 days from either the onset of symptoms, or if no symptoms, from the test date. Onset of symptoms or test date = day zero, and student may return on day 6 with a mask assuming symptoms are improving. This is the same as employees.
• For 24 hours after fever, diarrhea, or vomiting ends, without medication.
• Contagious diseases such as chickenpox, measles, strep, pinkeye, flu, etc. Ask your doctor or health care provider when they can return to school. Generally, the following apply: chickenpox (no school until all spots /lesions are dried and crusted), lice (no school until after the first treatment), strep throat or other strep infections (can return if they do not have a fever and have been on antibiotics for at least 12 hours).

October 12: Half day for students (parent/guardian conferences with teachers in afternoon and evening)

October 13: Half day for students

October 18: Picture day for Larson

November 8: Half day for students (teachers have professional learning in afternoon)

November 15: No school for students or staff

• Early Childhood & Larson Elementary, 989.539.3259 (Principal Andrea Andera, aandera@harrisonschools.com, Assistant Principal Sandy Hargraves, shargraves@harrisonschools.com)
• Middle School, 989.539.7194 (Principal Jennifer Thrush, jthrush@harrisonschools.com, Assistant Principal Brad Carlstrom, bcarlstrom@harrisonschools.com)
• Hive, 989.539.7417 (Principal Stacey VanAntwerp, svanantwerp@harrisonschools.com)
• High School, 989.539.7417 (Principal Joe Ashcroft, jjashcroft@harrisonschools.com, Assistant Principal/Athletic Director Brad Carlstrom, bcarlstrom@harrisonschools.com)

Superintendent, 989.539.7871 (Judy Walton, juwalton@harrisonschools.com)

Special Education (Stacey VanAntwerp, svanantwerp@harrisonschools.com)

Homeless Child/Youth Services (Andrea Andera, aandera@harrisonschools.com)

Bus Services, 989.539.7082 (Kelli Whitaker, kwhitaker@auxilioservices.net)