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Thursday, February 6, 2014. 


Reminder - PTO First Friday Coffee Tomorrow at 8:30 AM!
Just a reminder - tomorrow is the first PTO First Friday Coffee of the year.  We'll be outside Hardy with coffee, pastries, and conversation from 8:30 to 9:30 tomorrow.  Join us to visit and get the latest news on Hardy.

And one more reminder that our first PTO meeting of the year will next week, on Tuesday, February 11, at 8 AM in the Hardy Library.
Principal's Post

Hardy MS Family:

 

As some of you may know, I grew up in Colorado and Wyoming and have lived there several times with my husband and our own family.  I am a die hard Bronco's fan.  As I accepted the sad looks from my friends this past Sunday night after a great season of seeing Manning play like a champion with a team of equal measure I could not for the life of me understand who was on the field Sunday night at the Super Bowl.  As I thought more and more, it proved a point we try so very hard to get to our students... no matter what, no matter who you are, no matter how great life is at any given moment, things can change if you do not bring your "A" game.  And if you do...you can do anything!  The Seahawks brought it Sunday.  They came to the Super Bowl with a goal, they were focused, they never gave up, and they gave it their best effort to the last minute.  They are the NFL Champions.  Our students need to embrace the same dynamic. Even on homework, bring your "A" game, try your best, learn from the mistakes you made and you will succeed!

 

The last few weeks our students brought their "A" game in many ways!  Drew Koike was the winner of the all school Geography Bee and will represent Hardy MS at the next level.  The Hardy Students that attended the yearly ski trip to Liberty were given extreme praise from the program directors as the BEST students to participate from DCPS.  Our students did an outstanding job presenting their science projects last week (see more in the next section of this newsletter). Scores have been tallied and awards will be presented this week.  Our Rocket Club will have their first launch on the 22nd of this month!  Scrabble Club is spreading some fun and love for Valentines Day with the sale of Candy Grams to support their tournaments.  The Robotics Club received a $500 Educational Alliance Math & Science grant from Exxon Mobile that will be used to purchase 5 robotics kits and computer software!  If you purchase gas from the Exxon Mobile on Wisconsin thank them for the nomination!  In addition to the students bringing their "A" game Ms. Eisen in the Library has increased the library offerings with over 900 books in the class sets for teachers to use and over 860 new books in the general stacks for students to check out.  The book fair will be held the last week of February, keep an eye out for teacher and student wish lists. The 6th grade team instigated a Positive Reinforcement Raffle for students that get 2 or fewer tallies in a week or show positive behaviors in the classroom/school.  Ms. Allen was asked to bring a group of students to the White House for a STEM press conference and talk with the new incoming class of US Astronauts.  The kids were all talk when they came back that afternoon!  There are so many great things that are happening every day at Hardy MS it is hard to keep up!  January was a great month full of great things and February is bound to be the same. 

 

Sincerely,

 

Trish

 

PTO President's Note

Hardy Community -


I want to extend my deepest sympathies to Principal Pride and her Denver Broncos.  There's always next year...and the Rockies.

 - Please support our teachers and library at the book fair and book sale later this month.  These are great opportunities to find books for your children, help provide supplies for our teachers and raise money for other wonderful Hardy programs.

 - DCPS budget season is soon upon us.  As some of you remember from last year, decisions are made downtown very quickly - and can have a significant effect on the school.  Last year, with the help of parents contacting their council members, attending council meetings and generally making their voices heard, we were able to protect significant programs at Hardy.  Your help may be needed again this year.  Stay tuned.

 - Many of you may also remember what a wonderful event International Night was last year.  For those of you new to the Hardy Community, last year the world language programs showcased what our students have been learning, and Hardy families brought dishes to share at a giant potluck on the Hardy field.  It was a delightful evening.  We're deciding whether to try again this year.  It takes a fair amount of work, so please contact a PTO Board member (or come to a meeting) if you'd like to help.

David
Science Fair: Experiment in Success!
Congratulations to all of Hardy's future scientists, and thank you to all the judges who helped make last week's Science Fair a huge success.  

Projects were interesting, creative, and students and judges both learned so much.   

The science fair winners were:  

6th Grade: 3rd Place: Aaron S., 2nd Place: Chance L., 1st Place: Ryan N.
7th Grade: 3rd Place: Jacob D., 2nd Place: D'mia N., 1st Place: Jaelen W.

8th Grade: 3rd Place: Farhana A., 2nd: Zoe F., 1st : Seth M.


Good luck to our winners as they move forward to the citywide Science Fair!
Insert Science Fair Note from Ms. Whitty
Valentine's Day Candy Grams 
The Hardy Middle School Scrabble team will sponsor a fundraiser by selling Valentine's Day Candy Grams.  The Candy Grams will be sold between January 31-February 12.  Please help support the Scrabble Team by giving your students extra dollars to purchase Candy Grams; $1 for one and $5 for 6.  Parents are also encouraged to purchase Candy Grams for their children at Hardy MS, teachers, administrators and any other person you want!  All Candy Grams will be delivered February 13, 2013. Please see Ms. Henry (jann'l.henry@dc.gov) in room #125 for additional information. 
Grade level student liaisons are:

6th Grade: Brian O'Neill
7th Grade: Camille Pratt
8th Grade: Santiago Vega

Click here for more information.

Thanks!

Jann'l Henry-Robinson, 7th Grade English Teacher
"Once you learn to read, you will forever be free" Frederick Douglass
Poetry Slam/Fashion Show - You Can Help!
Maisha Harris is organizing a poetry slam/fashion show as a chance for our students to shine and raise money for Hardy. Students can bring poems to read or can read from one of the ones selected.  We need help organizing the event, preparing baked goods for sale, and helping everything come together on the night - sometime later in Spring.  Maisha's email is Maisha_Harris@yahoo.com if you want to find out how you can help.  Try-outs coming soon!
Hardy Fundraiser at Politics and Prose - Volunteers Needed!
On Saturday, February 22, Hardy will be hosting a fundraiser at Politics and Prose.   Hardy will receive 20% of the total of anyone who buys books at the store that day and mentions the school. Please come on out that day - buy some great books for you and your kids, and help raise money for the PTO.

We also need volunteers for that day.  Hardy will have a table at Politics and Prose on the 22nd, allowing us to highlight our school and our teacher's book wish lists.  We need volunteers to spend an hour or so during the day at the table.   If you'd like to volunteer, please contact Brian Cohen at brian.a.cohen@gmail.com.

Thank you! 
Hardy Scholastic Book Fair - Volunteers Needed!
Hardy will be hosting a Scholastic Book Fair from 02/24/14 - 02/28/14 in our library. Hardy librarian, Donna Eisen, is currently recruiting volunteers to help with the book fair. She needs help to set up on Wednesday, 02/19; during the fair 02/24/14-02/28/14; and to pack up on Monday, 3/03/14. If you can help out please access the here or email Donna.Eisen@dc.gov to let her know your availability and she will assign you a time slot. Thank you for supporting our school and literacy! Book Fair information such as hours and days open, Principal Pride's raffle, and online shopping can be here.
8th Grade Update - June Scheduling
Plans are already in place for the 8th Grade's promotion events.  The 8th Grade Field Trip will be on Tuesday, June 10; the 8th Grade Dinner Dance will be held on Friday, June 13th, and the 8th Grade Promotion .ceremony will be held on Tuesday, June 17.
Ross Elementary Auction
Ross Elementary will hold their school auction on March 22, 6 - 9:30 pm at the HRC Building, 1640 Rhode Island Ave NW.  Admission free.
UPCOMING EVENTS  
  

 


Feb. 14 - Teacher Professional Development Day - No School


Feb. 22 - Hardy PTO Book Day Fundraiser at Politics and Prose



PTO Executive Committee Members:

 

David Fredrickson, PTO President

davidr.fredrickson@gmail.com

 

Kanika Brookins, First Vice President 

intelmuse@yahoo.com

 

Natalie Taylor, Secretary

nyt1976@hotmail.com

 

Dean Hill, Vice President, Fundraising

deanmhill@yahoo.com

 

Laurie Strongin, Treasurer
laurie.strongin@gmail.com

 

Brian Cohen, Vice President, Communications
brian.a.cohen@gmail.com

 

Newsletter Editor:

Chuck Alexander,

calexander81@gmail.com



Hardy Middle School
1819 35th Street, NW
Wash DC  20007
(202) 729-4350

Patricia Pride, Principal

 patricia.pride@dc.gov



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