Weekly Newsletter | January 29, 2026
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Dear Bromfield Middle School Families,
Staffing News
I apologize for this newsletter coming out on Thursday this week. I wanted to wait until the information below was official before sharing it. I have two important personnel updates to communicate.
Grade 7 math teacher Ms. Nolan will be on leave from now through April break. She left robust and well-organized materials to support a smooth transition, and we were fortunate to secure a long-term substitute teacher quickly. Mr. Slaughter will be joining us beginning Monday, February 2. Parents and caregivers of Grade 7 students can expect a communication from Mr. Slaughter within the next week.
We are very sad to say goodbye to Ms. Graham, our digital literacy teacher, who concluded her 13-year tenure in the Harvard Public Schools this week. As part of budget planning for next school year, the digital literacy position will not continue, which understandably led Ms. Graham to begin exploring other opportunities. She accepted a position in another district that required her to start immediately.
We are grateful that Mr. Sprague, a TBS learning assistant, is stepping into the long-term substitute teaching role. He was able to meet with Ms. Graham prior to her departure and began teaching this week, resulting in no interruption to digital literacy classes.
Please join me in warmly welcoming Mr. Slaughter to our school community and Mr. Sprague to his new role.
On Kindness - Part II
In December, I shared some reflections on student behavior - highlighting many positive trends across the school, while also naming areas where we were seeing unkind or hurtful interactions and reaffirming our commitment to ensuring that every TBMS student feels safe, respected, and known. Today, I’m excited to share some of the concrete steps we are taking to bring that commitment to life.
Beginning later this week, every student will participate in an activity during Flex block focused on the concepts of agency and responsibility, and how those ideas shape each student’s role in contributing positively to our school culture. This activity will serve as a preview of our upcoming all-school assembly on Thursday, February 5, led by our guest speaker Jamele Adams, whom students know as “Mr. J.”
Titled This Is Our House, the assembly will deepen our collective focus on kindness and belonging and will challenge students to exercise their agency and fulfill their responsibility to improve the experience of others at TBMS. Following the assembly, students will engage in additional Flex lessons in which they set individual goals and identify specific action steps related to how they contribute to our school community.
We are also planning an evening event with Mr. J so that parents and caregivers can learn more about this work and how to partner with us in supporting students as they grow socially and emotionally. More details about that event will be shared soon.
I want to take a moment to again thank the Harvard PTO and the Harvard Schools Trust, both of whom provided the financial support to bring Mr. J to our school. Their partnership and commitment to the Harvard Public Schools is nothing short of tremendous.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Mr. Daniel Hudder
Bromfield Middle School Principal
Upcoming Events:
Upcoming Celebrations & Observances:
Sun, Feb 1 First Day of Black History Month (U.S) Sun, Feb 1 National Freedom Day (U.S) Mon, Feb 2 Tu Bishvat (Jewish) Mon, Feb 2 Groundhog Day (U.S.) Wed, Feb 4 National Girls and Women in Sports Day (U.S.)
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WEEKLY UPDATES
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SIXTH GRADE
In math class, our sixth-grade students have been working diligently on solving equations. They have been practicing how to find the value of a variable by using inverse operations and checking their solutions to make sure they make sense. Students are growing more confident in explaining their thinking and showing their work step by step.
In the coming days, we will build on this foundation as we begin learning how to solve inequalities. Students will explore the similarities and differences between inequalities and equations, as well as how to represent solutions using number lines and inequality symbols. This work helps strengthen problem-solving skills and prepares students for more advanced algebraic thinking.
We are excited to share that students will soon be participating in an upcoming community-building project focused on strengthening our sense of belonging, community, and empathy. During this project, students will be assigned to one of several committees, each with a meaningful role in supporting our school and the wider community.
The committees include Clean Up Crew, Motivational Morning, Compliment Crew, Baking Treats, and Crafting for Seniors. Through these groups, students will collaborate with peers, take responsibility for shared goals, and practice kindness, creativity, and service to others. Each committee is designed to help students see the positive impact their actions can have on those around them.
We look forward to seeing students grow as thoughtful, caring community members through this project. Thank you for your continued support as we work together to foster connection and empathy in our school community.
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SEVENTH GRADE
In science we are in the middle of our unit on genetics. The focus in the first half of the unit was on DNA structure and function, and in the second half we will explore pedigrees and Punnett squares to model and predict genetic outcomes. Parents and families will be able to participate by helping generate data on the ability to taste PTC, a bitter chemical. Look for test strips to come home in the next few days. The summative assessment for genetics will come in the form of a screen recording to explain a genetics problem, due before February break.
As a special treat this week in science, students enjoyed a snack of alfalfa sprouts grown hydroponically right in our classroom. Everyone had a choice of a cucumber slice or a cracker with either whipped cream cheese or hummus, topped with alfalfa sprouts. Many students commented on how much they enjoyed the treat, so don’t be surprised if you hear a new snack request!
In Flex last week the seventh grade had a mid-year class meeting with principal Hudder where he reviewed general expectations with students and how well they have been doing this year. There were several academic support periods to allow students time to complete work before the end of the term, which was on Friday, January 16.
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EIGHTH GRADE
In math, students are learning about arithmetic and geometric sequences. We are practicing how to recognize patterns among these sequences and how to predict the value of a term within that sequence. We do so by using both recursive and explicit formulas for arithmetic sequences. A challenge problem for students is to write the rule of the following geometric sequence: 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64 … (Hint: the formula will include an exponent)
Due to the winter storm, we did not have flex for the first few days of the week from our schedule. On Wednesday, students engaged in an ELA lesson, followed by an academic day on Thursday and a math lesson on Friday.
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UNIFIED ARTS
Middle school health students have been hard at work gaining new knowledge and essential skills! Sixth grade students have wrapped up their nutrition unit where they learned about essential nutrients, the food groups, and building balanced meals. Students made unique and creative restaurant menus that showcased their understanding of the importance of balanced eating. Students are now learning about different forms of exercise, their health benefits, and have been enjoying moving their bodies in the classroom through yoga and stretching.
Seventh and eighth graders have transitioned from digital literacy and began their semester of health! In these past couple of weeks, students have been introduced to classroom routines, expectations, and have prepared for success! We have begun our first project called, “Winter Wellness”, in which students create collages that highlight the healthy habits and activities they practice (or would like to start) during the winter season. Winter can feel unmotivating – the snow, the cold temps, and early sundown can make it challenging to maintain positive health habits. Through this work, students are not only reflecting and goal setting, but also inspiring others by sharing their own practices! I look forward to an exciting semester learning from each other!
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PTO NEWS AND EVENTS
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The PTO supports the whole Harvard Public School community. Even when your children transition to TBMS and TBS, the PTO is still hard at work supporting them! From academic enrichment and classroom resources to student programs and special events, PTO-funded grants make a real impact at every grade level. We invite all school community members to be part of this work. Curious how PTO funds are used? Check out recently funded grants here. Ready to make a difference today? Join the PTO and help continue these valuable programs by becoming a member here. Want to get involved, or have questions? Email info@harvardpto.org
Discounted Ticket Link:
https://www.gofevo.com/event/harvardps
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COMMUNITY NEWS AND EVENTS
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Harvard Climate Initiative Committee Organizes a Repair Café
What do you do with a broken toaster, scissors that no longer cut, or a sweater with moth holes? Toss them? No way! HCIC is organizing the town’s first ever Repair Café at the Harvard Senior Center/COA, 16 Lancaster County Road, on Saturday, February 7th, from 1:00-3:00 pm.
Volunteer repair experts will be available to make repairs free of charge for small electrical appliances, clothing, furniture, toys, and many other broken items. Visitors are asked to bring an item from home, plus one or two spares. If time permits, our repair experts will try to fix them all.
Repairs of broken items will reduce the volumes of waste that fill our landfills, will save money, and will build community with neighbors helping neighbors. For more information or to pre-register (highly encouraged!), please visit https://harvardmaclimateinitiative.org.
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Scan the QR code or go to www.jostens.com/yearbooks to order your yearbook now. When selecting your school, be sure to select THE BROMFIELD MIDDLE SCHOOL for a middle school yearbook. Act now to secure the current sale price of $35. The price will increase to $40 on January 31, 2026, so don’t wait!
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Greetings from the Bromfield Science Department!
Consider being a judge at the 2026 Science Fair. The annual Bromfield Science Fair will take place in person at The Bromfield School, 14 Massachusetts Avenue in Harvard, MA on Friday, March 7 at 3:30 pm. What could be more fun than interacting with some enthusiastic and energetic young scientists on a topic they’re passionate about?
Prior experience is not required; training and guidance will be provided. A background in science is helpful but not essential. What’s more important is a love of learning and an interest in interacting with young scientists. Judging at the science fair requires about 1½ to 2 hours. We ask judges to arrive at 3:00 pm, so we can start with a brief training session. Judging will finish around 5:45 pm, depending upon the number of projects that are in your panel.
If you are interested and available to judge at this year’s science fair, please complete this form (link: https://forms.gle/XnuYJE7xxUzgm7pp8) with your contact information as well as the subjects and grade levels you prefer to judge. We will determine judging assignments based on the number and types of projects and do our best to match your preferences. Please contact Kristen Vanderveen, the Bromfield science department leader, with any questions or changes to your availability.
We look forward to hearing from you!
Sincerely,
The Bromfield Science Department
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Harvard Youth Lacrosse spring registration is open until February 1st!
Girls: In-town ministix for pre-K & K and travel teams for grades 1-6.
Boys: Our boys program is back! After a three-year hiatus, we are thrilled to welcome back boys lacrosse with a new Learn to Play program.
We want every child in Harvard to have the opportunity to try lacrosse, so HYL provides financial aid for those in need. For information and to register please visit: https://harvardlax.org/
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Ticket Link
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The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts will be hosting a Webex Webinar Keeping Kids Safe and Secure Online: A Project Safe Childhood Presentation .
The webinar will take place on the evening of Tuesday, February 3, at 6:30 pm in a partnership between the United States Attorney’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations Digital Forensics/Child Exploitation/Cyber Crime Unit. Advanced registration is required, and the capacity of the Webex webinar platform is 1000. In the event we reach capacity, those who are unable to register can email USAMA.PSCOutreach@usa.doj.gov to be put on the list for the next webinar.
Register link:
https://usao.webex.com/weblink/register/r83f7d49f6565b65bce8bb420f1cfef7c
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THE BROMFIELD MIDDLE SCHOOL
Daniel Hudder, Principal
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| 14 Massachusetts Avenue, Harvard MA, 01451 | (978) 456 - 4145 |
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