Principals Message

Welcome to Hartwood where our “Hornets” are always buzzing with activity! Hartwood is a community of learners. Our staff is continually adding to their skills and, at the same time, prodding students to achieve at high levels; we demonstrate daily that education is a life-long process and should be highly valued.  While our students have scored well on the annual Standards of Learning assessments, the benchmark scores are increasing each year. Therefore, we need continuing, constant effort from staff, parents, and community members in assisting our students in learning the expected content and skills, in reinforcing our instructional strategies, and in encouraging high quality work on homework as well as on class work.  We all have a hand in helping students reach high expectations for academic achievement.    

Since our school goal is to produce good people as well as good students, we have implemented many strategies to support this effort. Peer mediators model the Boys/Girls’ Town Social Skills on the morning announcements and the skills are followed up in classrooms with discussions and other activities. All students learn the “Big 5” Hartwood rules and the Kelso’s Choices Program during class meetings and classroom guidance. We have fully implemented the Responsive Classroom model during 2007-08 and are pleased with our students’ understanding and behavior about ways to help the classroom function more productively and positively. We are especially proud of the respectful way our students treat each other and all adults. 

In addition, Hartwood has many talented students whose talents and strengths need to be showcased. Students present a musical program for their parents at least once during the school year. Student art work adorns our halls throughout the year. The PTA provides assembly programs that extend and enrich our curriculum. Book fairs supplement the library’s offering of student reading material and D.E.A.R. (Drop Everything And Read) time is held regularly. In physical education classes, students not only learn the skills for team and individual sports, they also learn the requirements for a healthy lifestyle. Students leave Hartwood with academic strengths, with skills in the fine and performing arts, with an understanding of total wellness, and with an appreciation of the adventure of acquiring new knowledge. The future demands workers who will continue to grow and learn throughout their career and their life. We think our Hartwood students will be well-prepared for future learning as well as for life.  We are committed to helping our Hornets buzz ahead and we welcome your partnership in the education of Hartwood children!

                                                                                        Catherine K. Walker, Principal

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