Harrington: At Home In The Elements

Oasis	Zephyr	Phoenix	Everest

Returning eighth-graders and incoming seventh-graders to Harrington next September will find a new system of classroom assignment designed to lesson the impact of educational transitions. The "house system" has been in discussion at the middle school for several years, according to Principal Robert Mitchell, but has been the center of discussion with staff, parents and site-based team members throughout this school year.

Based upon the elements, Harrington's four houses will be Oasis, Zephyr, Phoenix and Everest.

"This really is not new to any of us in education. It's a system of classroom placement that allows for more community-building and reinforces relationships within the school, both for students and staff," said Mitchell.

"Our staff has been involved in every phase of the planning, and we have worked with members of our site-based team and our Parent-Teacher Organization in "fireside chats" throughout the year. We presented the concept to the PTO at its April meeting, and will present more formally to students and parents during our August 26 and 27 orientations."

In addition, Mr. Mitchell will continue his tradition of Fireside Chats with an open house from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on July 16. On that day, any parent may meet with him to ask questions or address concerns related to school structure at Harrington. While not a forum for individual student issues, this open house will offer an opportunity for meaningful one-on-one dialogue between parents and school administrators.

Reporting on the new system of classroom organization at the June 17 Board of Education Meeting, the principal and Assistant Principal Irene Romanelli said there would be no change in Harrington's curriculum or program whatsoever when houses are created.

"This will be a phase-in," said Mr. Mitchell. "Next year, students will still go 'off house' for some course offerings. We will continue to work on scheduling in the future to make each house self-sustaining in that regard."

Currently, Harrington is organized with four seventh-grade teams in the rear of the building and four eighth-grade teams in the front of the building. After one year, said Romanelli, seventh-graders must walk away from all of the familiar relationships they have built and begin anew.

As classrooms have been organized for next year, each house will contain seventh and eighth-graders, and will be organized into two halls - the Blue and the Gold - as follows:

Blue Hall
Oasis House & Zephyr House
Each house grade 7 & 8

Gold Hall
Everest House & Phoenix House
Each house grade 7 & 8

Answering questions at the June 17 meeting, Mr. Mitchell said there will still be opportunity for students at both grade levels to interact with their age group in other houses. "Next year, all of the seventh-graders will eat lunch together, and all of the eighth-graders will share lunch periods. Of course, all of our after-school activities will also provide an opportunity for that interaction, as it does now.

Students will remain in their hall for two years, staying with their house teachers and the assigned assistant principal and counselor. "Each year," said Romanelli, "approximately five hundred students move from one side of the building to the other, leaving behind the connections and relationships they made with their seventh-grade teachers. We want these relationships to continue and grow to be more meaningful."

View Mr. Mitchell's Power Point Presentation here.

Have a question regarding the house organization? Submit it here.