Growth & Connection is the Direction - Belonging as the ultimate measure of Joy, Value, and Connection

• Students, Families, and Staff will feel a strong sense of belonging at HMS – day-to-day, week-by-week, and throughout the school year

• Students, Family and Staff will cultivate mutual understanding of shared responsibility in fostering inclusivity.

• Admin and staff will strengthen a positive sense of belonging by students/families by engaging in  regular, positive communication home via phone calls/postcards. (Staff to name the calls/process.)

• Meet with Strategic Planning members on Wednesday, August 28 to discuss opening meeting components

• Opening Newsletter, 8/28 - an opportunity to share our focus on belonging to our families as well as students

• Opening Staff Meeting, 9/3

  • Distinction between feeling welcomed and belonging

  • Discussion on how we foster and make real for all at HMS

• Revamping of student data meetings to gauge belonging as well as academic concerns

  • Begin to incorporate asset-based language in SST meetings. Ex: We strive to  avoid words and phrases that look at students from a “deficit” lens that prioritizes what's missing or what's wrong. We instead employ a people-first approach that avoids words and phrases that prioritize what's missing or wrong, and instead focuses on what people can do and what skills, gifts, and knowledge they have. 

• Development of ad hoc group to explore opportunities and barriers to belonging (Respected & Reflected 2.0)

• HMS Speaker Series related to belonging: Renee Petit Jones, Christine Tuttle, Kids Escaping Drugs

• Faculty Surveys

• Parent Surveys

• Student Surveys 

• Club rosters 

• Sports rosters 

• Behavioral information

• Staff input / involvement at staff meetings, classroom visits

• Return of programs like Connected Athletic League

• Continued attempt at 360 degree surveys for students

• SST process that moves in a more balanced approach to social and academics