Jefferson Announces New Principal
At the March 15, 2023 board meeting, the board approved Rebecca Adams as the new principal of Jefferson Elementary School starting with the 2023-24 school year.
Adams has over 20 years of experience in public education, most recently serving her third year as principal of Oakland Elementary School in Antioch School District 34. Prior to that, she has also been assistant principal of Glacier Ridge Elementary School in Crystal Lake District 47, and a teacher of various grade levels for over 11 years in Woodstock District 200.
“Adams brings decades of experience in education to Harvard District 50,” said Superintendent Dr. Corey Tafoya. “We are excited to welcome her to our leadership team and believe that her dedication to serving all students and collaborative, forward-thinking philosophy is the perfect fit for our #HarvardRising culture.
Harvard High School Hosts First College & Military Fair
HJH Student Wins First Place in National Bilingual Essay Contest
Harvard Junior High 8th grade student Isabella Lazaro was recognized as the middle school first-place award winner in the National Association for Bilingual Education’s (NABE) 2023 Bilingual Student Essay Competition. Chosen out of over 400 other applicants, Lazaro will receive a $500 reward, a NABE certificate, and the NABE Shining Star Trophy.
In her essay, Lazaro explains how being bilingual strengthens the connection between all generations in her family.
“My inspiration for writing the essay was mainly my family and how being bilingual helps me maintain my Mexican roots,” said Lazaro.
Lazaro presented her award-winning essay to attendees during the NABE 2023 Awards Luncheon on February 24, 2023 at the Oregon Convention Center.
HJH Student Wins Wrestling State Championship
Harvard Junior High 8th grade student Blake Livdahl competed in the 2023 IESA State Wrestling Tournament, taking home the 167lb State Championship.
"I've always wanted to be a state champ, ever since I started wrestling," said Livdahl. "Hard work pays off."
Blake gives credit to his HJH coaches, Michael Altendorf, Steve Nulle, and Uriel Herrera for their guidance and support.
I not only feel proud, but privileged to have had Blake on my team, and I'm honored to have been able to experience his first State Championship close to his side," said HJH head wrestling coach Michael Altendorf. "I am hopeful for his future, and I can't wait to see what other great accomplishments he achieves in the near future."
CLICK HERE TO WATCH BLAKE'S INTERVIEW WITH DR. TAFOYA ON 'HANGING WITH HARMILDA'.
HHS Awarded 7 Medals at IDEA Drafting Competition
Jefferson Staff RISEs to the Occasion
HHS BPA Students Qualify for State Competition
Birth-3 Parents as Teachers Prepares our Littlest Learners
At a Birth to 3 home visit, Janet Santos shares important resources and learning activities with the mother of a 9-month old. Among other things, curiosity and cause-and-effect developments were discussed, leading to a parent/child interaction game called Down the Chute that will support the baby's motor skills, stimulate curiosity for learning and problem solving.
"The Birth to 3 program has three Parent Educators; Carolina Jimenez, Janet Santos and Alma Pelayo," said Birth to 3 Supervisor Veronica Figueroa. "Our Parent Educators are all trained using the Parents as Teachers model and work alongside parents to improve their parenting knowledge and skills and also help them understand the importance of supporting and engaging with their children, especially during the early years of a child's life."
Crosby's Royal Family
HHS Fairytale Performance
Band Students Strike the Right Note with Judges
On Saturday, March 4 and March 11, select Harvard High School and Junior High band students participated in a solo and ensemble festival. Students performed their piece for a judge, receiving helpful feedback afterwards. After all scores were tallied, high school students earned 30 division 1 ratings and 14 division 2 ratings and junior high students earned 84 division 1 ratings and 5 division 2 ratings.
I am so proud of the hard work that each student put in to prepare for this festival," said Lindsey Boyette, band & music teacher. "They spent time in class and at home preparing to play in front of a judge. They did a wonderful job representing themselves and Harvard Junior High."
Harvard Family Fun Night Lives up to its Name
Developing Dual Language Learners at Washington
A student in Ms. Sonia's Washington Pre-K dual language classroom is developing reading and writing skills by writing a special message to her dad in both English and Spanish.
In Harvard, we do not have a lottery for our dual language program because we believe in the power of bilingualism and biliteracy," said Amber Bowgren, Director of Language & Cultural Education. "We work hard to eliminate any exclusionary barriers making certain that ALL families have an equitable opportunity for their child to enroll in dual language."
Harvard CUSD 50 Dual Language Kindergarten Applications are now available! Fill out this application to register your child for the 2023-24 school year!
Congratulations, Q2 BHAG Winners!
HHS Athletic & Activity Achievements #GoHornets!
HHS Students Perform in McHenry County Honor Band
Watch Harvard High School students Jack Ellis, Angel Gonzalez, Daisy Landa, Allison Kratz, and Melody Coffer take the stage with an elite group of musicians from McHenry County.
Crosby P.E. Classes use the Weather as a Workout
CUSD 50 Welcomes Local Realtors to Harvard High School
CUSD 50 Voted McHenry County Top Workplace
Join Us at the Bilingual Parent Summit
Join #HarvardRising!
"I chose to join Harvard Community Unit School District 50 because I wanted to surround myself with individuals that share my same passion, compassion, empathy, acceptance, & dedication to service in a joy-filled way " - Kate Bieschke, Instructional Coach.
We are hiring! CLICK HERE to see all current open positions.
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