HMS COVID-19 Update: Remote Learning to Continue through April 13, 2020
I can’t thank our community enough – and that means you – for all you’ve done to make our transition to remote learning as smooth as it’s been. The way you have managed this shift in your children’s learning while also adjusting to the ramifications of a global pandemic has been heroic! We know that technology … Read More
HMS COVID-19 Update, March 13, 2020
I am writing to announce that beginning on Tuesday, March 17, we are implementing a remote-learning model in all grades at High Meadow School. We will continue with remote learning at least through Friday, March 20th, and perhaps longer, depending on how the spread of COVID-19 develops. I have made this decision after consulting with … Read More
HMS COVID-19 Updates, March 12, 2020
As of now, all school-day and after-school activities at High Meadow are continuing as planned. A reminder that we will suspend classes for one day only, this Monday, March 16th. To prepare for a deep cleaning of the school, please empty your children’s cubbies and bring their belongings home with you TODAY, Thursday. Tomorrow, we ask that students … Read More
HMS COVID-19 Update, March 11, 2020
Next week, High Meadow School will close for one day only, Monday, March 16th, 2020. Teachers and administrators will use this day to prepare for online learning, should we need to suspend in-person classes for a longer period of time due to COVID-19. Please note that May 22nd, which was reserved as a make-up day for snow closures, will … Read More
HMS COVID-19 Update, March 10, 2020
First of all, as of this writing, all of High Meadow’s school-day and after-school activities are proceeding as planned. At the same time, as part of our ongoing response to COVID-19, High Meadow administrators and teachers are developing arrangements for remote education, should High Meadow need to cancel in-person classes. In making decisions about closure, we will follow … Read More
HMS COVID-19 Update, March 9, 2020
This letter is to update you on the current situation with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), our school’s response to the evolving situation and steps you can take to prevent the spread of the illness. While we have had no cases reported in our school community, there has been one confirmed case in Rochester. We want … Read More
Campus Sustainability at High Meadow
You might be surprised by how far HMS has moved toward sustainability in the past few years! Guided by the work of Buildings and Grounds Manager, Ann Ganter, the largest reduction in our carbon footprint has been in energy consumption for the Main Building, where last year, two boilers consumed 2586 gallons of fuel oil. … Read More
HMS COVID-19 Update, February 28, 2020
We wanted to reach out and offer informational resources related to the unfolding novel Coronavirus outbreak. Additionally, we want to share how our school addresses viral illnesses in general. Next week, our medical staff will be visiting all home rooms and in collaboration with the homeroom teachers, will be providing age appropriate information while reducing … Read More
High Meadow Students Represent at YESS!
Six of our 7th- and 8th-grade students recently participated in the first annual Youth Environmental Sustainability Summit (YESS!) at The Ashokan Center in Olivebridge. YESS! is a global climate solution and leadership summit for young people who are ready to change their lives and their communities by working towards climate resilience. The three-day event was … Read More
HMS COVID-19 Update, February 12, 2020
Some students have started to express feelings related to the topic of novel coronavirus. It is everywhere in the media right now. Out of concern for our students and community, we wanted to reach out and offer resources to those who are interested in seeking additional information related to this unfolding situation. While the immediate … Read More
High Meadow Alums: The Data Is In!
An Update from Head of School, Dr. Susan Paynter Our HMS high school alumni are thriving and are leading the way in academics, school governance, and the arts. This year, in the Roundout Valley School District (where half of our students are registered), an HMS alum is the 9th-grade class president, and two of our alumni … Read More
Environmental Science in Action
This month, 8th Grade Science received two visitors from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Amanda Higgs, fisheries biologist, and Rebecca Houser, of The Hudson River Estuary Program. The subject of their presentation? Sturgeon! Amanda talked about her hands-on work with this ancient and endangered fish, vital to the Hudson River ecosystem. Two species … Read More
Education Researchers Visit from China
This month, three researchers from the Innovation Platform for Children’s Foreign Language Education at Chongqing University of Education in China visited High Meadow to observe our early childhood classrooms, part of a dual degree program with SUNY New Paltz. The visit was organized by HMS alum Aiko Pletch, who attended in the early years of … Read More
Finding Gratitude All Around Us
We believe children flourish when they are allowed to explore nature, the outdoors, and their relationships within their community in a safe and supportive environment. To foster this exploration, before breaking for the Thanksgiving holiday, cross-grade Reading Partners took part in a new tradition, the Gratitude Scavenger Hunt, searching far and wide on our campus … Read More
Reading Partners and Cross Grade Learning
Each Friday, our older students join the younger ones for Reading Partners. They read together, make art, talk, and play, before walking together to our all-school Gathering. If you have a child at High Meadow, perhaps you’ve heard what a special time of the week it is for all ages. While Reading Partners certainly encourages … Read More
Our Students ARE Scientists
High Meadow 8th graders, led by science teacher Gian Ascione, had another opportunity to BE SCIENTISTS this month, participating in a regional project to collect and exchange scientific measurements from a 150-mile portion of the Hudson River, from NY Harbor to Troy Dam. The student-gathered data will be compiled to create a “day-in-the-life” snapshot of … Read More
Meet PE Teacher Sean Whalen!
This month, Sean Whalen joins our growing physical education program as PE Teacher for all grade levels. Sean grew up here in Stone Ridge, attending Marbletown Elementary (where his father teaches math) and Rondout High School. At Rondout, he was captain of the lacrosse team, and also played soccer. Sean continued his education at St. Bonaventure … Read More
Spotlight: Fall Electives
At High Meadow, we believe providing students with choice + voice along their educational paths helps prepare them to be decision-makers in their lives and communities. This kind of student-driven exploration promotes “21st-century skills” such as independent thinking and connection making, and allows students space and time to identify what they’re truly passionate about. Last week, students selected from 29 elective … Read More
Exploring Natural Materials through Art
This month, Kindergarten and 3rd Grade students in Kimberly Carmody’s art classes used materials they found on the High Meadow nature trail to experiment with mark-making in ink. (In this case, the ink was watered down, washable tempera paint!) Kimberly says she chose this project in support of our mission to engage students’ “intrinsic curiosity in … Read More
Thank You to Hungry for Music!
For 25 years, Hungry for Music has been providing donated instruments to music students across the country and around the world. Last year, the non-profit donated seven violins to jump start our new program; we now have enough for the entire 2nd grade! This year, we received three trumpets, two clarinets, and two alto saxophones to support our growing wind instruction … Read More
Report Out: All-Staff Equity Training
This week, teachers and administrators convened for a conversation focused on equity and inclusion at High Meadow. New HMS art teacher, Kimberly Carmody, facilitated the session, an extension of her work at Berkeley Carroll school in Brooklyn. Staff members were invited to consider their own varied “indentities”, including aspects of self related to gender, sexuality, race, disability, and religion, among others, … Read More