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Issue 19: May 19th, 2013
 
Hardy M.S. PTO Newsletter

Thank you!  Muchos Gracias!  Merci!  Grazie!

 

Last week's First Annual International Dinner was a huge success!!    

 

The "brainchild" of parent Tracey Weisler and Italian teacher Chiara Monticelli, International Night began with wonderful  performances by Ms. Monticelli's students and those of Ms, Bright (Spanish), Ms,Tcheffo (French) and Ms. D. Smith (American Sign Language), as well as a traditional Bangladeshi dance, also performed by Hardy students.   

 

Parents and students then adjourned to the field to enjoy mouthwatering dishes from around the world, all cooked by Hardy families. It was a beautiful night, and wonderful way to celebrate the many different cultures represented at Hardy, 

 

Huge thank you's are in order to all who helped make this wonderful evening happen, including: Mr. Brody, who emcee'd the program, Ms. Garcia, Ms. Aliaga, Ms. Smith, and Mr. Cephus, who helped so much with setup and breakdown, and parent volunteers Derek and Sarah Spooner, Paula Godfrey (and family), Linda Petersen, Dawn Ellis, Greg and Marisa Mize, and of course, event organizer Tracey Weisler. 

 

Hardy is truly an amazing place - rich with diversity, talent, and a sense of community - all of which was on full display Friday night! 

Message from the Principal
School Spirit is Still Soaring...go Hawks!

One might think that as the school year winds down kids will lose interest and look only to the last days of school. Absolutely not!!! At Hardy, nothing says school spirit and end-of-year fun like Engineering Day, Math Carnival, and Poetry Slam (as well as the Spring Concert, Sports Cookout, and International Night, discussed above and in the Editor's Letter below).

Today I'd like to give some very special shout outs both to students and staff involved in these events. First, kudos to the 8th graders and their teachers for putting on both Engineering Day and the Math Carnival. These events were rooted in educational work, but sportsmanship, teamwork and fun also were on full display.

On Engineering Day, the building rocked with enthusiasm and even though it was, strictly speaking, an 8th grade event (in fact it was the final exam for science), 6th and 7th graders were invited to attend the assembly too. For Math Carnival, the threat of rain didn't dampen anyone's enthusiasm -- Hardy 6th and 7th graders (as well as Hyde and Eaton 5th graders) played math games created by the 8th grade, won prizes, and had a blast.

And Hardy students in grades 6 through 8 made their voices heard in the schoolwide Poetry Slam, sharing ideas, stories, dreams, hopes and even fears. A big thank you to the English teachers for creating this opportunity; for many students, it was their first performance of this type and very important practice for the future.

Middle schoolers spend a great deal of time trying to fit in and are in a continuous process of self-exploration, and activities like these - which combine creativity and demonstrations of competence - are a great way to boost to their self-esteem and sense of self-worth. Being heard is so very important at this age.

...Dr. M
Letter from the Editor
Dear fellow Parents,

 

What a week we had last week at Hardy! As parents, as the end of the school year approaches, it's easy to start looking ahead to summer - what will we do to keep the kids busy?  have we got camps sorted out? how will I parcel out computer time vs. reading (and how will I enforce those rules from work?) And when do the pools open again?!

 

That's where my head was, until I spent Friday night and Saturday at Hardy, at the International Program/Dinner and the Sports Cook-out, respectively. (My husband went to the Spring Concert - I was hung-up at work).   

 

We all know middle-schoolers have a ton of energy, and are passionate about a ton of things. And yet sometimes it feels like herding cats to get them organized to do anything at the same time. But our incredible art and music teachers (Mr. Chisholm, Ms. Delaine, and Ms. J. Brown and Ms. Carpenter and Mr. Garner), and Coaches Garner, Foster, Norman, Perry, Robinson, Turner, and Walker (ably led by Athletic Director Lucille Hester) do this on a daily basis. And the fruits of their labor were in full display, at the Spring Art and Music Celebration and at sporting events throughout the year.   

 

I am grateful for the energy and commitment of each of these professionals, reflected in their students so beautifully in the past week. Each of them has given a gift to our son Ben, and to all of the students at Hardy, that they will carry with them into adulthood.  

 

Teachers take a lot of flak these days; today, I want to express my sincere appreciation to the teachers, and staff, at Hardy for all they've done for our kids this year.  

 

With gratitude,  

 

Karen Bates  

 

Don't forget these important dates: the PTO's last "First Friday" Coffee of the year will be held on June 7th, starting at 8:45 am, and our final PTO meeting of the year on June 11th. at 8:00 a.m.Hardy Coaching Team

 

HELP NEEDED AT THE 8TH GRADE PROMOTION
Can you help out at 8th grade promotion on Thursday, June 13th?

Traditionally, 6th and 7th grade parents have helped the 8th grade team on on the day of promotion, with set-up and serving cake and refreshments, so the 8th grade parents can enjoy the program.

 

If you can assist this year, please contact Ms. Garcia at maya.garcia@dc.gov, or call Ms. Wilson in the office. Volunteers are needed beginning at 9:30am and will be finished by noon. Thanks!

IMPORTANT INFO FOR RISING WILSON 9TH GRADERS! 
In August Wilson High School will hold orientation meetings for rising 9th graders. The schedule is as follows:
For Students with Last Names:
  • A-D: August 12, 8:30 - 2:30 
  • E-K: August 13,  8:30 - 2:30 
  • L-R: August 14, 8:30 - 2:30 
  • S-Z: August 15, 8:30 - 2:30 
  • Make-Up Session for All Students: August 16, 8:30 - 2:30 
And Parents, Please Save the Date!
  • New Parent Orientation: August 21, 7 pm
  • Back-to-School Night: Sept 12: 6-9 pm 
UPCOMING EVENTS 

Friday, June 7th: First Friday PTO Coffee, after drop-off in front of school.

Friday. June 7th: Last day of afterschool programs.

Tuesday, June 11th: PTO Meeting, 8 am, in the school Library.

Thursday, June 13th, 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony, 10a.m.- noon.


Friday, June 21st, last day of school - students dismissed at 12:15.
NEWS FROM DCPS:

The DCPS Parent Handbook was created by the Office of Family and Public Engagement to provide families with

comprehensive

(but not exhaustive) information about DCPS policies, practice, and protocols.

 

It highlights resources, services, and supports available to parents to support their child's academic success.  

 

The handbook is available in English, Spanish, French, Vietnamese, Chinese, and Amharic on the DCPS website at:  

parent handbook.   

Check it out!

PTO Executive Committee Members:

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

Kanika Brookins,
First Vice President
intelmuse@yahoo.com

Hudson Primus,
Second Vice President
hfprimus@msn.com 

Stephen Frum, Treasurer
sfrum@mac.com

Dean Hill,
Recording Secretary
deanmhill@yahoo.com

Chuck Alexander, Corresponding Secretary   
calexander@burness communications.com

Marcio Duffles, Development Chair
mduffles@gmail.com

Newsletter Editor:
 
K
aren Bates,

bates.dc@verizon.net



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

Dr. Mary Stefanus, Principal

mary.stefanus@dc.gov

 

Loren Brody,

Assistant Principal

loren.brody@dc.gov

 

Sah Brown,

Assistant Principal

sah.brown@dc.gov

 



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