From the Desk of the President of the Harrington Park Board of Education:
Hello, HP!
The BOE had a full agenda during our Executive Meeting prior to the Public Session on Thursday, February 9th.
We were joined in our Executive Closed Session by Celeste Bonura, who is the Director of Special Services Department at Harrington Park School. We spent time discussing and learning about the work that the Special Education staff and Child Study Team provide for the students in our school. Since arriving at HPS in 2020, Ms. Bonura and her team have helped to bolster the program as well as ensuring a robust continuum of programs for our Special Education students. We wrapped up the conversation by discussing future considerations for this program that will allow for a high level of service in a fiscally responsible way. Ms. Bonura will join the Board again in the near future to continue this very important discussion.
During the Public Session, the BOE formally approved the 2023-24 calendar. It has been posted to the school website.
We were pleased to welcome both Peyton Callahan and Anjali Kolkebeck from the Student Council. They provided us an update on all the great events the Student Council is hosting. Earlier on the day of February 9th, the 8th Graders took on the Teachers in the Annual Have-A-Heart volleyball game, which benefited the American Heart Association. In what turned out to be an exciting game, the students broke a 10 year winning streak and were able to defeat the teachers! Other great initiatives, included the 100 Day Food Drive donation and the $300 that the Heart Gram sale raised for the American Heart Association. Great work all around!
In regard to the Permanent Superintendent search, it has been 17 years since HPS has had to place someone in this position. While the Board will make the final decision in this process, it is important that we get critical feedback and input from families, community members and HPS staff. It is this feedback that helps to shape the outcome of our next Superintendent. A letter has been shared with the public regarding Community Input sessions to be held on the day of March 6th. For those who cannot attend in person, an online format will be made available. The March 6th schedule will follow in the coming days.
Next Board of Education Public Session will be Thursday, March 2nd at 6pm.
Until then, I’d like to wish everyone a safe and fun Winter Recess.
Kind Regards,
Peter Toomin