LETTER: Harwood’s Harvest Fest launches student service initiative
October 3, 2025Editor’s Note: The following letter from Harwood Principal Megan McDonough was shared with students, staff and parents in a recent school newsletter.
To the Community:
We are excitedly preparing for our Third Annual Harvest Fest where our entire 7-12 Harwood school engages in service throughout our larger community.
We believe that you reap what you sow. We continue to increase our investment in presence, engagement, learning, and connection.
Last year, we did this by establishing a cell phone-free community.
This year, we are continuing these efforts by establishing a community service expectation for all of our high school students.
We believe community service has the power to increase the Harwood Way
across our community by specifically giving students the opportunity to think of others and give back.
by creating a greater sense of belonging and involvement in our community.
Additionally, we believe it has the potential to increase students’ preparedness for life after Harwood by creating opportunities for students to continue exploration that prepares them with knowledge, understanding, and skills for their next steps.
During the 2025-2026 school year, all high school students, grades 9-12, will be expected to complete 5 hours of community service. Students will have the opportunity to complete 3 of these hours during Harvest Fest on Oct. 9.
Please note: This expectation applies to all students, grades 9-12, who take two or more classes AT Harwood. For students applying or in the National Honor Society, these hours are in addition to the expectations of NHS.
Throughout the year, students will also have the option to sign up for community service ELOs, help the Music Department ready the citrus boxes for distribution in their fundraiser, work Harwood’s concession stands, participate in service activities organized by many Harwood clubs, or complete other opportunities off campus and on their own.
Students' participation in these 5 hours of community service will be tracked and verified through our counseling office and the support of Teacher Advisors. See here for more details.
Starting in 2026-2027, students will be expected to complete 10 annual hours of service. It is our intention as we move forward that students who wish to participate in the graduation ceremony will be expected to complete these community service hours prior to commencement.
As a community, we will support this expectation in many ways throughout the year, as we do all aspects of student readiness for graduation.
We look forward to the collective work ahead and are energized by the continued focus to strengthen our Harwood Community both on campus and throughout our district.
Megan McDonough, principal
Harwood Union Middle/High School