Home Visits
One of the best ways we show our investment in the lives of our students is though Harmony's Home Visit Program. We want to ensure our students know that they have the support of both their school and their family in their academic pursuits. We are encouraging staff to visit students who are newcomers, transition grades and/or seniors. When we retain our students, we are able to provide more support which will equip them with the necessary tools and mindset for overall success beyond college. So get a home visit scheduled today!
(Pictured is HSA-Carrollton Principal Mr. Jacob Norman and Superintendent Karan on a visit to the home of middle school student Jacob Cano. Jacob has been a Harmony student since Kindergarten.)
Home Visit Request Form for Parents: An Added Bonus!
To empower our parents, we have provided an alternative to schedule home visits. Parents now have the flexibility to request a home visit at their discretion. On your school webpages, we have created a Home Visit Request Form under the “Parents” subsection.
ACADEMICS
Instructional Strategy of the Month: TLAC - Begin With the End (Backward Design)
By: DFW District Instructional Coach, Ms. Oyoke, Fort Worth-Innovation
Begin With the End
is a strategy in which the teacher identifies standards for a unit, breaks them down into smaller objectives (learning targets), develops an assessment plan, and then creates lessons with aligned activities.
With so much content to cover in a single class or subject area, it is easy to unintentionally craft lessons that are not in line with the ultimate goal. By working backwards, or beginning with the end, teachers can plan each step (the unit goals, the assessments, the lessons, and the activities) so they stay focused on the finish line.
Teachers clearly understand the learning targets, plan and select appropriate lessons and activities, use effective formative and summative assessments that are aligned to the learning targets, and use assessment data to help students master the learning targets.
Students clearly understand the learning target, the connection between learning target and lesson/activities, assessment criteria, and how to monitor their own progress toward mastering the learning targets.
Benefits:
It generates higher quality lessons because teachers are focused on the intended outcome throughout the planning process.
Quick Tips:
In your planning, be sure to build in time for students to continue practicing skills they have mastered to keep those skills alive and extend students’ ability to use them.
You can collect assessment evidence from a variety of formal and informal assessments, including tests, quizzes, performance tasks, observations, and/or projects.
DA1 2019 Results Show Good Academic Start for DFW District
Based on the initial results of the DA1 scores, Harmony DFW exceeded the Harmony Public Schools’ scores in 11 out of 14 tested subjects, including all tested middle school subjects. The DA2 test in December will test all the Fall’s semester content material.
OPERATIONS
Enrollment Season is Open!
Open enrollment for new students begins today, Nov. 1. As a reminder, all children residing in a Harmony school's geographic boundary who meet registration requirements are eligible to attend. Unlike most other schools, though, Harmony's geographic boundaries are much wider and generally include the entire community in which the school resides, meaning that all students in the area – regardless of neighborhood or family income level – have the same opportunity to attend a high-quality Harmony school.
Here are some important dates to remember during this enrollment season:
Nov. 1: Open Enrollment for 2020-2021 Begins for New Students
Jan. 6-24: Re-Enrollment Period for Current Students
Feb. 10: Open Enrollment for 2020-2021 Application Deadline
Feb. 11-25: Campus Lotteries Held (if needed)
COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING
Trade Booth Equipment Available to Use
The District Communications and Marketing Office has trade show booth equipment available for campuses to use for their recruiting events and other engagement activities. Equipment includes a tent, chairs, pop-up banners and tablecloths. To request use of any piece of equipment, please contact Susan Campbell at
scampbell@harmonytx.org
at least one week in advance of needing the equipment. Equipment must be picked up in person by the requestor, signed out by and returned to the Communications and Marketing Office.
Have Some Good News to Share with the District?
If your campus has some good news to share and you’d like to get it included in the
Insight Newsletter
, please send your information to Ms. Campbell by the 15th day of every calendar month. Any information received by that date may be included in the following month’s newsletter and/or be given media consideration. Let’s see those great stories!
HUMAN RESOURCES
TEAMS ESC Account - District Deadline for Submitting Documents
Employees who provide service records (or other documentation) may receive credit, if the documentation is submitted no later than 5 p.m. on Sept. 15, and for late hires within 30 business days of their first day of employment. Service records received after this date which qualify for a salary increase will be processed for the following school year.
If additional compensation is claimed for an advanced degree, the official transcripts must be submitted no later than 5 p.m. on Sept. 15. Late hires have 30 business days from their first day of employment. Transcripts must show the date the advanced degree was conferred. Transcripts received after this date which qualify for a salary increase will be processed for the following year.
If additional compensation is claimed for having a professional certification, the certificate must be submitted no later than 5:00 p.m. on January 15. Late hires have 30 business days from their first day of employment. Certifications received after this date which qualify for a salary increase will be processed for the following year.
Please reach out to your designated Talent Specialist, below, if you have submitted any of the above documents to your TEAMS ESC account.
Nivea Leite, nleite@harmonytx.org
214-570-1606 ext 3105
Dallas-HSA Elem
Dallas-HSA MH
Garland- HSI
Garland-HSA
Carrollton- HSA
Carrollton-HSI
Dallas- HSI
Plano- HSA
District Office
Shimilya Curtis, scurtis@harmonytx.org
214-570-1606 ext 3118
Dallas-HSE
Euless-HSI
Euless-HSA
Fort Worth-HSA
Fort Worth-HSI
Grand Prairie-HSA
Grand Prairie-HSI
Waco- HSA
Waco HSI
New District Office Employees
There are even more new faces in the DFW District Office!
- Helen Miller, District Accountant
- Atyrgul Kalchabaeva, Assistant District Accountant
Cheers for Peers: Celebrating Each Other
Congratulations
Sarah Johnson
, Secretary at Fort Worth HSI!
From Sarai Perez, Library Assistant: "Sarah has been so supportive and has been extremely helpful as I have transitioned into this new position. She is always friendly and ready to help others."
Congratulations
Lindsay Lipscomb
, ELA Teacher at Fort Worth HSI!
From Amitha Thottam, ELA Teacher: "She has been so welcoming and supportive to her new teammates as well as juggling so many hats as graciously as she does."
Congratulations
Tina Millirons
, Kindergarten Teacher at Grand Prairie HSI!
From Carrie Lofland, ESL Teacher: "She is always focused on her students and there to support her fellow teachers. She deeply dedicated to her job, is always professional, supportive and isn’t scared to ask for help! She is a true blessing to our school, parents and especially our students!"
Congratulations
Rachel Brown
, Math Interventionist at Fort Worth HSA!
From Bianca Laserna, Computer Teacher: "She has contributed multiple things for our school. She is the number one of all home visits in DFW. She has brought OutTeach to our school. That has put in an outdoor learning center and more than $75,000 worth of improvements. She has created the Nora Islam Scholarship. She has brought staff and parents together to create two lending libraries. She has had Sprouts to sponsor $2,000 to this scholarship, She is also been an amazing competitor for Destination Imagination and has her team placed 2nd place for Service Learning, and 6th in Scientific. She has done many things for our school but these are a few that are the most notable."
Congratulations
Sara Brustein
, 2nd grade teacher at Carrollton HSI!
From Diana Marr, 2nd grade teacher: "Sara has given freely & graciously of her time to assist me with ALL aspects of being a new here to Harmony & ALL that entails. She always makes time to assist no matter what she has going on, she listens, understands, helps, provides solutions, practical help, emotional support & is a resilient and trustworthy friend & colleague. Sara is a quiet achiever, she lives each & every one of her students, she cares, she understands, she reaches deep - I couldn’t do this job without her!"
Congratulations
Jill Townsend
, Kindergarten teacher at Garland HSA!
From Michelle Shahda, Reading Interventionist: "She goes above and beyond to prepare and teach her kiddos, is helpful and kind toward her fellow teachers and staff members, and is just excellent about what she does!"
Congratulations
Thomas Kalb
, Social Studies teacher at Dallas HSI!
From Tina Stephens, Assistant Principal: "This educator cares deeply for our scholars and creates an atmosphere of trust and respect in the classroom. He takes his responsibility on our discipline committee seriously and then backs it up by running our after school restorative detention. He is almost always the first one to say "yes" when asked to volunteer for extra duty on campus."
Congratulations
Cheryl Irwin
, Assistant Principal at Waco HSA!
From Tamara Moore, Teacher Assistant: "She is amazing with the children and their families and she supports the staff! Highest Integrity and love and logic!"
District Office Shout Outs:
Congratulations
Linda Moore
. District Assistant Director of Operations
From Denis Hopovac, District Accountant: "She established a process to follow for Child Nutrition."
Congratulations
HSA Carrollton campus, PTO and Staff
!
Aaron Gecit, District Director of Engagement and Support, shares the following: "PTO had a wonderful surprise for HSA Carrollton staff. The teacher's lounge was renewed with brand new seating section and a dining area."
Congratulations
Fernando Cepeda
, CTE Engineering Teacher at Dallas HSA!
From Mucahit Karakas, District GT Coordinator: "Awesome dedicated STEM teacher. Always has a project with students."
Congratulations
HSI Garland campus
!
From Mucahit Karakas, District GT Coordinator: "Most improved campus."
Congratulations
HSA Garland campus
!
From Aaron Gecit, District Director of Engagement and Support: "Welcoming front Lobby."
Principals' Honor:
Congratulations
Jeffrey Williams
, Math Teacher at Euless HSA!
From Sevde Aslan: "Mr. Williams is an amazing person and team-member. Mr. Williams has great rapport with students, always ready to assist with any issues students or fellow teachers might have. Always volunteers to help with academic or extracurricular activities."
Congratulations
Melissa Kunko
, Science Teacher at Dallas HSA Elementary!
From Claudia Kongamnach: "Ms. Kunko is an innovative teacher who inspires her students through STEM projects and creative writing. Her students are always excited about her class. Recently her students made a model raft that hold at least 20 pennies and students also figure out a way for the raft to propel through the water. "
Congratulations
Leann Brown
, Child Nutrition Assistant at Dallas HSE!
From Ilker Fidan: "Innovative, Energetic, extra miles and amazing team player."
Useful Links
