A Season of Connection

December is officially in full swing and it brings with it many opportunities for our community to connect. Whether at conferences, concerts, winter sports contests, or one of the many activities happening in our classrooms and schools. As the season picks up speed, I hope we can all find time to slow down and enjoy the small but meaningful moments we share.  Advocating For Our Schools Advocacy for all students remains a year-round focus of the Harborfields Board of Education. Last week, members of the Board, including ex-officio student board member Eren Bileydi, and district administration met with local legislators at Oldfield Middle School to share district priorities and continue important conversations about our programs and services. Thank you to the Board of Education, Assemblyman Keith Brown, Assemblyman Steve Stern, and Senator Mario R. Mattera. Students Selected for LISFA Honors We are thrilled to share that 30 Harborfields musicians were selected to participate in the prestigious Long Island String Festival concerts! These talented string students from TJL, OMS, and HHS will take part in intensive rehearsals with guest conductors and then perform as part of the honor groups at the festival concerts. LISFA festivals bring together top students from across Long Island, creating a truly special opportunity. Special thanks to Mr. Rinaldi and Mr. Antonelli for all their guidance and support!  Superintendent’s Spotlight - Athletic Training Course at HHS  Each month, student programs are spotlighted at our monthly Board of Education meeting. At the November Board of Education meeting, we highlighted the new Athletic Training course available to students at Harborfields High School. Mr. Franco introduced Mrs. Hallaran, who described the course and its many benefits, including CPR certification, injury taping, and introduction to medical-related careers and sports medicine. Students in the course shared their personal experiences with this helpful and hands-on course. I encourage you to take a few minutes to watch the video below and learn more about this wonderful addition to our course offerings.  Health & Wellness Committee - Wellness Wire Please take a moment to click on the image below to read the second edition of the Harborfields Wellness Wire.  The Harborfields Health & Wellness Committee is committed to sharing resources to support our entire HF Family. The committee's hope is that this newsletter offers a moment of calm, a bit of inspiration, and a reminder that wellness at Harborfields is something we build together, one small intentional step at a time. Enjoy!

Harborfields High School

Media Day at Harborfields High School provides a chance for our student athletes to shine, but Media Day also presents a tremendous opportunity for many other students to shine as well.  Our super talented Photography and Photo Journalism students and our Tornado News Broadcast Academy students make each media day possible by putting their learning into action and gaining real-world experience.  From taking pictures and videos, coordinating lighting and sound, live editing, interviewing, and more, these students can do it all.  A big thank you to Mr. Ambrosio and Ms. Rottkamp for their leadership and for allowing our students to thrive in a supportive environment.  Click on the picture below to see some of the behind the scenes images to get a sense of what our students can do when presented with a challenge! 

The winter concert season kicked off at OMS with the chorus and orchestra ensembles. The groups sounded incredible, showcasing all the hard work they have put into the pieces over the past few months. The debut of the OMS Chamber Orchestra was truly outstanding! Thank you to our musical directors, Ms. Lowenhar, Mr. Rinaldi, and Mr. Antonelli! 

Before the winter cold rolled in, students had the chance to try out the brand-new pickleball court! This new space offers a way to stay active, build teamwork, and try something new during PE classes and outdoor recess. 

Students from each class served as “planting partners” to help transfer seedlings into an indoor garden. The garden growing towers are located in the cafetorium so every day during lunch periods, students have the opportunity to watch the growth process take place. Hydroponics in action at WDPS!

Congratulations - NYSSMA All-State!

We are extremely proud of the five talented Harborfields High School students who are participating in the NYSSMA All-State concerts this weekend in Rochester!

Being selected to participate at the NYSSMA All-State level means these students are among the top student musicians from across the state. It's an incredible honor for them and for all of Harborfields! Congratulations Jackson Dunham, Harry Diner, Kyleigh Connors, Alec Gerde, and Rhys Walter!

Thank You - Corey's Promise Color Run!