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Harborfields Central School District

Each Child. Each Day. One Harborfields Family.

Dr. Manning's 5-Minute Weekly Update

Posted Date: 9/14/25 (10:00 AM)


Dr. Manning's 5-Minute Weekly Newsletter - September 14, 2025
 

Superintendent's Message
 
I had the fortune to visit with Ms. Gutheil's kindergarten class this week to see their beautiful author illustrations!
Click on any of the pictures in this update for additional information. 

So Much To Celebrate at HF! 


The first full week of school is in the books, and it was a great one! OMS and TJL opened their doors to families for Meet the Teacher nights, giving families the chance to connect with teachers and learn more about the exciting year ahead. This coming week, WDPS and HHS will do the same. 


Homecoming was held yesterday at Harborfields High School. I always look forward to Homecoming week because it brings so much school spirit and HF pride to our entire community. From the spirit days and the bonfire, to the leadership carnival and pep rally, and of course, the parade and football game. It is a great week for our entire school community to create lasting memories. 




Be sure to check our social media accounts for pictures from this week’s homecoming events.


Honoring Patriot Day - September 11th


Students and staff across the District were united in solemn recognition of Patriot Day.  The day was filled with reflection, unity, and gratitude throughout Harborfields. We are so proud of the way everyone came together to remember and honor this important day. 



Blue Ribbon School of Excellence - Harborfields High School


It is with great pride that I share that Harborfields High School was one of only 19 schools across New York State nominated for the national Blue Ribbon School of Excellence award. This marks the second time our high school has earned this prestigious recognition. The award honors exemplary academic achievement across all student groups and stands as a testament not only to the dedication of our students but also to the exceptional commitment of our administrators, teachers, and staff, as well as the unwavering support of our families. Congratulations to our entire Harborfields Family on once again being recognized as a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence!




Unfortunately, the U.S. Department of Education recently announced its decision to discontinue the Blue Ribbon program, just two weeks before this year’s winners were to be publicly announced. While this news is disappointing, it does not diminish the significance of our nomination or the extraordinary efforts that led to it. We will proudly celebrate this achievement as a community, knowing it reflects the strength, talent, and spirit of Harborfields.


Health & Wellness Committee Newsletter

The Harborfields Health and Wellness Committee recently shared its first newsletter of the school year.  If you missed it, you can click here to read the Harborfields Wellness Wire, which is full of great information for students and families.  

 


Here are some of my favorite moments from this past week: 

Harborfields High School

The high school held its first Media Day of the year, showcasing our fall sports teams. The event was filled with athlete interviews, promotional shoots, and plenty of memorable moments that will be shared throughout the season. What made the day especially meaningful was watching our students take the lead and use their creativity and talent to bring the entire experience to life.



Oldfield Middle School
Students at Oldfield Middle School proudly displayed their Harborfields Pride by wearing their HF green on Friday.  It was great to see so many of our students demonstrating school spirit as we get ready to celebrate Homecoming Weekend! 
 

Thomas J. Lahey Elementary School:
TJL's annual trip to the high school to see the Marching Band and Kickline was filled with excitement! Students were wowed by the incredible performances and got a behind-the-scenes look at the programs, even learning a real marching band command straight from our high school students.
 

Washington Drive Primary School:
The start of the school year means visits to the outdoor classroom! Many classes have already spent time in the outdoor classroom, enjoying the fun equipment, and one class even completed a scavenger hunt!

 
 



Board of Education Meeting Preview

The Harborfields Board of Education will hold its next Regular Meeting on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at Oldfield Middle School.   The public portion of this meeting is expected to begin at approximately 7:45 p.m.   Doors will open to the public at 7:20 p.m.  The public does not need to register in advance to view the meeting remotely.  All meetings will be live-streamed on our student-run Tornado News website.  The link is also provided on the monthly Public Notice document posted on our website.  
 
The Board of Education welcomes and encourages the public to attend its meetings. The agenda for this meeting is posted on the Board of Education page of our website, along with a brochure describing Board of Education meetings and an informational letter describing the public comment process.  
 
Highlights of this month’s meeting are as follows:
 
  • Students and staff will be recognized for their accomplishments during the Board recognition program. 
  • My Superintendent's Report will include a spotlight on the district's Extended School Year Program.
  • A presentation of the 2025-2026 Professional Learning Plan will be provided.  
Following the Superintendent’s Report, the Board will act on items included in the agenda.  We hope you will be able to join us at this upcoming meeting of the Board of Education.  
 
Thank you for your continued support of our students and our schools!

Each Child. Each Day. One Harborfields Family.