Greetings Hayfield Families and Community:
As we continue our journey together, I’m pleased to share some important information and updates. First, I’m proud to say that regarding instruction, all of our teachers – building-wide - are now working in collaborative teams during common planning time. Along with sharing lesson ideas and strategies, teachers are developing common assessments. They’re using the data gathered from these assessments to create intervention and enrichment opportunities for our Hawk students. With Hawk Time now built into our master schedule, we have the perfect time frame to connect with these students. We are also continuing to build momentum with our vertical team within the Hayfield pyramid. A team of school leaders from Hayfield Secondary has been meeting regularly with school leaders from our feeder elementary schools. Our focus to this point has been on developing vertical instructional goals. The time we’ve spent connecting as a team and evaluating data has been invaluable to us. 

As you are aware, a current national debate is centered on the topic of grading practices and policies. At Hayfield Secondary, we are currently dialoguing as an entire school over this issue. Our ultimate goal is to develop well-rounded students and to prepare them as best we can for the next step in their young lives. There is so much passion around the topic of grading, and it has been enlightening to say the least, as we continue to gather information and feedback. I will be conducting a “town hall” meeting in late January on the topic of grading. I’ll be sending a Keep in Touch message once a date and facility space have been confirmed. Stay tuned as it is my sincere hope that you will be able to join me for this meeting. Your input and opinions are valued. Remember, it takes a village to raise a child and in our case, that means the entire school community.

Switching gears, we continue to receive generous donations for our new marquee project. The goal is to begin the installation process this spring with the hope that by summer time, our new electronic marquee will be up and running. We’re excited about this new resource as it will allow us to communicate more effectively with our entire Hayfield community. There are so many great things going on in the Land of the Hawk as you know. Your participation is not only valued, but also essential as we work together to provide the absolute best educational experience for our students.

Please note the following important events/dates on your calendars.

• December 16 - Interims Mailed Home
• December 22 - Students Dismissed @ 12:05 p.m.
• December 23 - January 2 Winter Break
• December 27-29 - Hayfield Secondary Main Office Hours are 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
• January 11 - PTSA Meeting, 6:30 p.m., Hayfield Library
• January 17 - Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday
• January 28 - Second Quarter Ends
• January 31 - February 1 Teacher Workdays/Student Holidays
• February 2 - Third Quarter Begins
• February 8 - Report Cards Mailed Home

Stay warm during these winter months. I’ll look forward to seeing you at the many events we have planned over the winter months. Please make a point of saying hi and we’ll celebrate together.