April issue

Page 1

NORTH HARFORD HIGH SCHOOL

211 PYLESVILLE ROAD, PYLESVILLE, MD 21132

410-638-3650

VOLUME 43 ISSUE 1

March 25, 2019

event features wide range of activities; Going green: Annual Educational opportunities spark interest TORI GAY Reporter

North Harford is known to many in the local community as the ‘duck farmers’, the ag school that boasts a drive-your-tractor to school day on Earth Day. The 2019 Earth and Ag Heritage Day experience at North Harford featured over 20 booths set up around the pond area of the school. Topics ranged from therapy dogs to turtles, fish, bees, jewelry, rats and even an actual cow. Each year, the event is organized by Natural Resource teacher Laura O’Leary, and Animal Science teacher Aimee Densmore, as well as the rest of the agricultural department. Students from North Harford Middle and High were both invited to come out and enjoy the sunshine while learning about a wide range of topics. Junior Casey Divienti set up a booth with a kiddie pool filled that featured Grace Anderson’s turtles. Diventi remarks, “I really love Earth Day. It’s an amazing opportunity to show how special this school really is.” At Diventi’s booth, students had the opportunity to interact with her turtles

and to learn about their habitat and lifestyle. Not all animals brought to the event lived in water: Junior Kassie Reeves trailered her two donkeys to the event as well. Visitors were encouraged to interact with the creatures, ask questions and learn about the difference between donkeys and horses. Earth Day also showcased jewelry made by North Harford Art Department students. The jewelry was made in class out of a combination of glass and rocks.These students commented that Earth Day is an excellent opportunity to showcase what they have been working hard on all year. Senior Olivia Walton and her friends had a booth about dogs and their allergies. If a student answered the questions correctly, they won a small prize. Senior John Lemley had a booth all about bees. Lemley brought special equipment and explained how honey is collected without disturbing the bees. He even demonstrate how to put on his beekeeping gear. Towards the end of the day, North Harford middle schoolers visited the event. Eighth grader

Claire Johnson explained, “Earth Day is so much fun! My favorite booth was the reusable bag table, where you could make a bag out of an old shirt. The booth was my favorite because it was something I could keep and actually use.” Densmore commented that she was “so happy with how this year’s Earth Day turned out. It’s a great opportunity for everyone to get outside and see what the Ag kids are always up to. Also, to be outside and get some fresh air.” Densmore also commented, her Earth Day and Ag Heritage Day features a wide range of activities and edufavorite section cational experiences for students. The engaging hands-on, interactive stations were the tractors. began at 8am and ended around 1:15pm. PHOTO CREDIT: Emily Hunter “Overall, we had 8 tractors that were As far the future, Densmore continue to encourage students driven to school,” said the ag hopes to grow the number of to learn more about the earth, ag, teacher. tractors that come to school, and and the environment.

#Choosekind: Students, staff participate in third annual Kindness Week REBEKAH KEATON ALEAH BICKLE Each year for the last three years, Kindness Week takes place in the days leading up to Earth Day and Ag Heritage Day. Each day features a kindness challenge and this year organizers add a spirit week as well. Beginning April 8, students were able to participate in mix match day, where they were encouraged to “show their unique style”. That Monday was also the third annual sticky note challenge day. Mrs. Jacque Williams and her health students crafted ‘do good’ challenges that were placed on every locker and in every staff member mailbox. The rest of the week followed with similar themes with Tuesday, as ‘Team Kindness” spirit day and the new addition of Hawk Shout outs. Wednesday was Wave of kindness, where students were greeted with fun music and high fives and handshakes as they entered the building. Staff and students were encouraged to wear Hawaiian shirt that day for Wave of Kindness day. Rounding out the week was

Twin day, and Earth and Ag Heritage Day. Kindness Week was organized by English and Journalism teacher Jennifer Chandler, English and Yearbook teacher Mrs. Carla Harward, and Health teacher Jacqueline Williams, who remarked, “I didn’t really do much, it was mainly Mrs. Chandler and Mrs. Harward. I just assisted where they asked me to. I’d have to say the majority of my responsibilities were getting everything approved and checking schedules. Overall, Kindness Week was very successful.” Kindness Week’s goal to positively influence students was certainly met. Senior Jess McGowan explains, “My favorite day to participate in was the last day because I love the Earth. I love the earth so much and saving it makes me happy. I pick up trash all the time at Rocks State Park. So, I love that our school does so much for the earth.” Teachers also commented on the positivity of the week. Math teacher Bill Wardel comments, “I had an absolutely wonderful week last week. I’m convinced that it’s because I was picking

up all of the little slips of paper that fell off of the lockers and I was trying to do every single one of them. So all week long I had to be kind and it was one of the best weeks of my life.” Sophomore Chloe Henkel, is asked what her favorite thing about kindness week was, “I don’t know, I think my favorite thing about it is just how fun it is, like everyone is getting dressed up.” Harward said she was especially proud of how all the kids seemed to be “in to building the spirit of the school” and she was “impressed with the amount of donations from students and staff, which were overwhelming.” Chandler agrees. “Though the week takes time, preparation, and planning, the end result is always amazing,” said the teacher. Chandler added that Kindness Week “reflects what is best about North Harford” and that she is so proud that the “wear and share event and the yes, you can initiatives were so well received.” Both Harward and Chandler agree that this week is

designed to reinforce to both students and staff that we have an obligation to take care of one

another and to do what we can to foster a spirit of generosity and kindness.

PHOTO CREDIT: CRY OF THE HAWK STAFF


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