June 20, 2023 | By Lisa Scagliotti

As every K-12 parent, teacher and student knows well, the final days of school are a whirlwind of special events, final projects, deadlines, celebrations and surprises.

Here is a collection of tidbits from the final days of the 2022-23 school year, largely in photos.

Brookside Primary School’s Bubble Parade |Photos by Gordon Miller

Yes, it’s a bubble parade from Brookside Primary School down Stowe Street onto Main Street and back. And yes, that’s Co-Principals Sarah Schoolcraft and Chris Neville in their red capes.

What could be more pressing or fun on the last full day of school?

Click to enlarge the photos.

Harwood AP Physics Cardboard-Boat Regatta

The water filling the Waterbury Town Pool had just barely been turned off when Harwood’s AP Physics class showed up on June 5 for the maiden voyages of the class cardboard boats. It helps when your teacher is also on the town recreation staff and booked the just-filled swimming pool.

The class had completed a mini-unit on fluid dynamics after their AP Exam, according to science teachers Beth Gravelle and Heather Lessor. The regatta is a way for students to use their learning in a hand-on application.

Props to all of the students who sailed and maybe sank a little. The U.S.S. Melon (middle) proved to be the most seaworthy. Our thanks to Erika Nichols-Fraser from the Valley Reporter who made it to the pool to get photos.

***The U.S.S. Melon (middle) proved most seaworthy. Photos by Erika Nichols-Fraser | The Valley Reporter***

Click to enlarge photos

Air Force honors Harwood science teacher with STEM award

***Brig. Gen. Henry Harder Jr. with Harwood science teacher Susannah Cowden. Photo courtesy HUHS***

That’s Brigadier General Henry Harder Jr., Assistant Adjutant General of the Vermont Air National Guard, at Harwood Union High School last week.

Harder visited to recognize Harwood science teacher Susannah Cowden with a Teacher of the Year award from the Air Force Association. The awards honor teachers for exceptional educational abilities and contributions to Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics.

Harwood End-of-Year Awards

***Students receive medals from the STEM Department. Photo by Lisa Scagliotti***

Speaking of awards, Harwood Union High School held its final assembly for the year on the last day of school and teachers from most of the departments handed out academic awards and recognitions to dozens of students.

The ceremony was for students in grades 9-11 as seniors were not in attendance for the last week of school following graduation on June 10. The list is too numerous to run through here. Suffice it to say that faculty took time to call out their students for perseverance, excellence and commitment to learning throughout the school year.

Participating departments were English, Social Studies, Math, Science, STEM and Visual Arts. The Counseling Department also handed out a number of recognitions from colleges and universities around the region to juniors who now are members of Harwood’s next senior class.

Harwood Assembly Band needs your votes | Deadline: Friday June 23

The Harwood Assembly Band is on the ballot in the Beats For Good competition for a chance to perform at the National Life Group Do Good Fest in July. Their sample video is their performance of “Bound For Glory” by Tedeschi Trucks Band. Screenshot

School might be over, but the Harwood Assembly Band is hoping to land one last official gig that could leave behind a bit of a legacy for the musicians moving up to from the next version of the band in the fall.

That’s because the band is one of 10 Vermont high school group and solo musical acts on the ballot in the National Life Beats for Good contest.

The competition is open to acts of all sizes and genres to decide who the opening acts will be for this summer’s National Life Group Do Good Fest concert scheduled for Saturday, July 15, at National Life in Montpelier. The competitors have shared a video of a musical performance. Watch the clips then cast your vote online. The top three acts receive the most votes will be invited to play at Do Good Fest and they will receive a cash prize for their school’s music program. Top prize is a $5,000 donation; second place is $2,500; third place is $1,000.

Here’s the info including the spot to vote in the Beats for Good contest. (one vote per person only)

Proceeds of the Do Good Fest support Branches of Hope, the cancer patient fund at Central Vermont Medical Center. The headliner for the concert is the Grammy-nominated rock band Plain White T’s. Also on the lineup are Fastball, lovelytheband and the All Night Boogie Band. More info including a link for tickets is online at dogoodfest.com.

Final farewell tradition | Photos by Gordon Miller

***Students give an enthusiastic goodbye to teachers and staff waving from the sidewalk at Brookside Primary School. Photo by Gordon Miller***

It’s a sweet tradition that plays out around the school district each year.

The last day of school arrives. It’s usually an early release. Buses pull into the bus loop for the final time before summer vacation. Kids pile on. With any luck, it’s warm enough that they open the windows for a breeze on the way home. Teachers and school staff linger on the sidewalk taking in the scene. There’s waves, some shouts of goodbye, some teary eyes and air kisses.

Gordon Miller caught the farewell wave at Brookside Primary School last week. There likely was one at Crossett Brook, too. Even Harwood had one and they caught theirs using a drone. Check that out here.

Harwood 7/8 Girls Lacrosse finish on top

The high school teams usually get the spotlight. Here’s a final spring season note on Harwood’s 7-8 Girls Lacrosse team. Congratulations athletes! (and thank you, coaches)

School notes: Bubbles, boats, bus waves, band competition and more