Weekly Newsletter | April 1, 2026
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Dear Bromfield Middle School Families,
Glow Dance!
I am excited to invite all TBMS students to attend the annual Glow Dance next Friday, April 10, 7:00–9:00 PM. The cost is $5 at the door, light refreshments will be provided, and attire is casual. Students are encouraged to wear clothing that may be enhanced by blacklight.
As with all school events, we expect students to be respectful of one another and of all adults in attendance. Students are welcome to be in the cafeteria, the hallway immediately outside the cafeteria (where refreshments are located), and the gym. They may not be in any other areas of the school.
I want to be especially clear about one expectation: students may not leave the dance before 9:00 PM unless a parent or caregiver comes to the door to pick them up. Students are not permitted to exit the building and return, and attempts to do so will result in removal from the event and may impact participation in future school activities. Our goal is to ensure a safe, well-supervised environment for all students, and we appreciate your partnership in reinforcing this expectation.
As a reminder, while phones are permitted, students may not take photos or videos of others without permission, nor may they share images or videos without permission - including on social media or messaging platforms.
PowerSchool Update
I want to provide a brief update on our shift to limiting student access to PowerSchool.
As shared previously, this change is grounded in a concern that constant, real-time access to grades has led for some students to patterns of frequent checking, increased anxiety, and an unhealthy focus on grades as a running measure of self-worth. Our goal is to preserve access to important information while also supporting healthier habits and a more balanced relationship with academic progress.
We have heard thoughtful questions and concerns from both families and students. In particular, some have noted that not being able to check grades as frequently can initially feel uncomfortable, and that students have relied on PowerSchool for practical purposes such as checking their schedules. I understand those concerns. At the same time, part of this shift is helping students build comfort with not having immediate access to grades at all times and recognizing that it is okay not to know their exact standing in every moment of the day. While that adjustment may feel challenging at first, we believe it will ultimately support students’ well-being.
To support students in managing their schedules independently, we have added an additional access point: PowerSchool will now be available during homeroom on Mondays, in addition to Flex blocks on Mondays and Thursdays. This week, many students found it helpful to take screenshots of their schedules during homeroom, and I encourage students to continue doing so.
As with any new approach, we will continue to monitor how this is working, listen to feedback, and make adjustments as needed. Our goal remains to strike the right balance - ensuring students have the information they need while also reducing unnecessary stress and promoting healthy habits.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Mr. Daniel Hudder
Bromfield Middle School Principal
Upcoming Events:
Upcoming Celebrations & Observances:
Wed, Apr 1 Passover Begins (Jewish) Fri, Apr 3 Good Friday (Christian) Sun, Apr 5 Easter (Christian)
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WEEKLY UPDATES
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SIXTH GRADE
In ELA, sixth graders have recently begun a unit focused on narrative nonfiction and the early Civil Rights Movement. The unit launched with a trip to the library where students learned how to use the catalog, call numbers, and indexes to carry out research through a scavenger hunt (pictures below).
Students then used these skills to research historical topics that will help add context to our reading of Simeon’s Story. Through a study of Simeon’s Story, students will analyze how personal memoirs serve as vital primary sources for understanding American history. Our primary goals for this unit are to:
Analyze Author’s Purpose / Tone: Compare how historical events are portrayed in textbooks versus personal narratives. Build Literacy Skills: Focus on complex vocabulary, identifying central themes, and evidentiary writing. Foster Empathy and Examine Courage / The Ability of Individuals to Make a Difference (SEL): Use literature to discuss the human experience and the foundations of the Civil Rights Movement. Due to the complex nature of these topics, discussion and reflection will be at the center of this unit.
  
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SEVENTH GRADE
In science we are nearing the end of our unit on evolution. As part of this unit, students have been working in pairs to investigate an example of biodiversity such as tardigrades, bacteria, tendril peas, methanogens, and earthworms (shown in the attached pic) to name a few.
As part of our next topic, ecology, which starts after April vacation, we will be doing the “Eco-Column” project which has become an annual tradition in seventh grade science. For this project, students will assemble an ecosystem model made from three 2-Liter plastic soda bottles. (See attached picture). Families are welcome to provide their own bottles, but if you prefer you can send in 15 cents to receive bottles saved by the Boy Scouts at the town transfer station. Feel free to round up to a quarter if it is more convenient! Money collected will be given to the Boy Scouts to compensate them for the cash value they would have earned from redeeming the bottles. The Eco-Column project will happen in May. Bottle money can be turned in any time before then.
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EIGHTH GRADE
Solving for two variables… one of the infamous topics of Algebra 1! We are in the midst of the longest unit of the school year: solving a system of linear equations. Throughout this unit, we have learned how to identify if a system has one solution, no solutions, or infinitely many solutions by graphing. Starting this week, we have begun learning about the substitution method where students isolate one of the variables and substitute that equation into the other equation! Next week, students will learn about the elimination method. Finally, we will cover how to write a system of equations and solve for the solution! A very exciting time! Checking in with your student regarding homework completing and effective strategies will best support your student during the longest unit of the school year. Often, asking them to teach you will help them better understand the material and help them gain confidence in their math skills! In flex this week, students had a math day, followed by the STAR reading assessment. Then, on Wednesday, students had an academic day which was then followed by an ELA day!
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UNIFIED ARTS
The Middle School Band has been making great progress as we prepare for our upcoming concert on May 6th at 6:30 PM—just over a month away! Students have learned the majority of their music and are now entering an exciting phase of refinement. We are focusing on how an audience might interpret each piece, the composer’s intent, and the ways music can connect to poetry, art, and storytelling. Students are also exploring how their playing can clearly convey mood and emotion. It’s been wonderful to see their growth as both musicians and thoughtful performers, and we’re looking forward to sharing their hard work with you at the concert!
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PTO NEWS AND EVENTS
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Harvard Public Schools PTO – Annual Spring Soirée Fundraiser (2026)
Theme: School Spirit!
Get ready for a fun night out with friends, neighbors, and the Harvard school community! The Harvard Public Schools PTO invites you to our Annual Spring Soirée Fundraiser—a high-energy evening celebrating School Spirit while raising critical funds for PTO programs that support our students and teachers all year long.
Wear your favorite school colors, college gear, spirit wear, or your best “school pride” look and join us for a night of food, drinks, and fundraising for a great cause.
Friday, May 29, 2026
5:30 PM – 10:30 PM
Craft Food Halls, Boxborough
Tickets on sale now!
Buy early and save! https://secure.givelively.org/event/harvard-pto-inc/2026-pto-spring-soiree-tickets
$100 Early Bird (Feb 23 – April 13)
$115 Regular Price (April 14 – May 15)
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
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COMMUNITY NEWS AND EVENTS
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Harvard Schools Trust Rock The Night Away Concert
Please join the Harvard Schools Trust, The Barn Burners, and Wednesday Night Project for the third annual Rock the Night Away fundraising concert on May 2 at 6:00 pm at The Billiards Cafe in Ayer. All proceeds go to grants made to Harvard Public Schools. Get your tickets here -- http://bit.ly/4sz6wPc
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The online application for SUN Bucks (formerly Summer EBT) is now open. This federal food benefit program provides a $120 lump-sum summer benefit per school-aged child for income-eligible families. SUN Bucks income eligibility standards are the same as the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)—all enrolled students identified as meeting the income eligibility standards for free or reduced-price lunch during school year 2025-26, either through an NSLP household paper application or direct certification, are automatically eligible for SUN Bucks. Students identified as homeless, migrant, runaway, or participating in Head Start are also automatically eligible. The program is administered by the state Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) in partnership with DESE with assistance from schools. Find details and learn how to apply on the SUN Bucks website.
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Dear Families,
Project 351 is partnering with Cradles to Crayons for our annual clothing drive Spring Service. This drive is running through April 10. Attached is a poster we are hoping you would consider circulating within your community. Our goal is 175 bags of clothes. Will you help?
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Come Hear the Bromfield String Ensemble!
Join us for a celebration of music at our Spring String Recital on Saturday, May 2nd, from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Harvard. This event showcases the hard work and talent of our grades 6-12 orchestral bowed string musicians on violin, viola, cello, and double bass who participate in the Bromfield String Ensemble. Free and open to all students, families, and community members!
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The Harvard Ultimate Club, or HUC, is a high school ultimate frisbee team located in Harvard Massachusetts that strives to promote the rapidly growing sport of Ultimate within our community and to enhance a sense of camaraderie, competition and the spirit of sportsmanship in young athletes. Open to students in grades 6 - 12 Website
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Join the annual Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry Walk for Hunger on May 3rd from 1–3 PM!
This community event is more than just a walk, it’s a powerful way to stand alongside neighbors facing food insecurity and make a tangible difference right here at home. Every step taken and every dollar raised helps provide healthy, nutritious food to individuals and families in need.
Whether you walk as a team, with family, or on your own, your participation matters. Lace up your sneakers, invite a friend, and be part of something meaningful on May 3rd. Together, we can help ensure no one in our community goes hungry.
Register here: Register - Loaves & Fishes Walk to Feed Our Neighbors
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Pre-register for Comprehensive Curbside Composting with Black Earth Compost
Only a few more pre-registrations are needed for this service to open in Harvard. Black Earth accepts all food scraps including meat, bones, dairy, fish, shells, oils, cooked foods, processed foods, and certified compostable tableware. Many add-on services are available including for yard waste, plastic film, coffee pods, and styrofoam. The cost is $94.99 for curbside pickup every other week for 6 months. A one time cost for your bin and starter bags is $39.50. Please visit www.blackearthcompost.com for more information and to pre-register. Thank you, the Harvard Climate Initiative.
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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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