SUPERINTENDENT'S MESSAGE
Dear Harmony Families,
The end of the school year is once again upon us!
When I reflect back on this school year, it’s incredible to think of the challenges we faced in the last ten months. From the COVID-19 pandemic, to an unprecedented Texas winter storm, our Harmony families showed incredible resilience in facing those challenges head-on.
And in a year faced with unprecedented challenges, there was still much to celebrate:
- All eight of Harmony Public Schools' Dallas-Fort Worth/Waco high schools were, once again, ranked among its top high schools in America in its highly-anticipated annual rankings of U.S. public schools.
- Harmony Science Academy-Garland was named an official Texas “State School of Character” for their outstanding efforts in promoting cultures of character in their schools and communities.
- Harmony Public Schools launched an Esports program to keep students actively engaged and involved in extracurricular activities during the COVID pandemic.
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The Harmony Public Schools' Communications Department received several Texas School Public Relations Association's "Star Awards" for outstanding work in the communications field. In TSPRA's 20-year history, this was not only Harmony's first award, but the first award for any charter school organization.
The biggest accomplishment of all, however, will come later this month when 492 Harmony DFW seniors will graduate and begin new chapters in their lives.
It is their continued success, as well as Harmony's ultimate goal, that is at the heart of Harmony's new five-year strategic plan we are introducing this month called the Harmony North Star.
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Like a real star, our North Star also has five points. And when a student graduates from Harmony, we want them to be able to say the following:
- I have something I'm passionate about.
- I can solve tough problems.
- I am well-prepared to lead my life.
- I know how to work with others.
- I have a plan for my future.
This plan will be at the heart of everything we do for our students, so I encourage you to visit Harmonytx.org/NorthStar to learn more, and to also be on the lookout throughout the month when we share profiles of Harmony students who tell us, in their own words, how Harmony's North Star plan has helped set them up for success.
With that, I’d like to congratulate you, and your students, on another successful school year. Stay safe and healthy, and we'll see you in August!
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Mr. Harun Karan
Superintendent
Harmony Public Schools DFW District
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MAY CALENDAR
May 3-7: National Teacher Appreciation Week
May 4: National Teacher Appreciation Day
May 5: Cinco de Mayo
May 17: Tax Day
May 27: Last Day of School
May 28: Teacher Workday
May 31: Memorial Day/District Holiday
Be on the lookout for news from your child's campus regarding celebrating and recognizing special monthly calendar observances.
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DFW DISTRICT 2020-2021 ACADEMIC CALENDARS
Please note there are two calendars for our District--one for Dallas/Fort Worth,
and one for Waco.
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2021-2022 Approved Academic Calendars
The Harmony Public Schools Executive Board has approved academic calendars for the 2021-22 school year. The first day for students is Aug. 12. Please note that there are two calendars: one for our Dallas/Fort Worth-area campuses, and one for our Waco campuses.
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Harmony High Schools Make List of Top High Schools in America
U.S. News & World Report has named all eight of Harmony Public Schools' Dallas-Fort Worth/Waco high schools among its top high schools in America in its highly-anticipated annual rankings of U.S. public schools.
Those schools include:
In determining its top schools, U.S. News & World Report looks at a variety of factors, including college readiness (30%), math and reading proficiency (20%), math and reading performance (20%), underserved student performance (10%), and college curriculum breadth (10%).
In total, Harmony Public Schools had an astounding 23 schools make the U.S. News & World Reports “Best High Schools” rankings for 2019, which also included schools in Houston, Austin, El Paso, Laredo, Katy, Sugar Land, Brownsville and Beaumont.
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Graduation Ceremony Schedule
Our Harmony seniors are gearing up for graduation at the end of the month! In just a few short weeks, approximately 492 seniors will embark on the next chapter of their lives.
Graduation ceremonies begin as early as May 23. Be advised that only a limited amount of guests are allowed per student, and social distancing protocols will be in effect. Venues may also have their own social distancing guidelines, so families are encouraged to check those ahead of time.
Some final details are still being arranged, so it's best to check with your graduate's school on finalized ceremony details.
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SUNDAY, MAY 23
Harmony School of Innovation-Fort Worth
7 p.m. (seating opens at 5:30 to ticketed parents and family)
River Ranch in the Fort Worth Stockyards
FRIDAY, MAY 28
Harmony School of Innovation-Dallas
10 a.m.-Noon
Tom Kimbrough Stadium, Plano
Harmony Science Academy-Dallas (High)
4-6 p.m.
Tom Kimbrough Stadium, Plano
Harmony Science Academy-Euless
10 a.m.-Noon
The LOT Downtown
Harmony School of Excellence-Dallas
4-6 P.M.
The LOT Downtown
SATURDAY, MAY 29
Harmony Science Academy-Carrollton
10 a.m.-Noon
Tom Kimbrough Stadium, Plano
Harmony School of Innovation-Garland
4-6 p.m.
Tom Kimbrough Stadium, Plano
SATURDAY, JUNE 5
Harmony School of Innovation-Waco
10 a.m.-Noon
Waco ISD Stadium
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Harmony Teachers Receive Bonus Just in Time for Teacher Appreciation Week
Dubbed a "Three C" bonus for the "Caring, Collaboration and Compassion" Harmony team members have demonstrated in helping students and their fellow teammates excel despite the challenges of a COVID school year, the bonus was passed unanimously by the Harmony Executive Board of Directors during the April 24 HPS board meeting.
The bonus will be distributed to employees during Teacher Appreciation Week, which runs May 3-7.
With approximately 4,000 workers statewide, the total commitment of the Teacher Appreciation Week "Three C" bonus will amount to roughly $1 million.
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"Shop For Good" at Kendra Scott on May 4-5
Need gift ideas for Teacher Appreciation Week, Mother’s Day, or Graduation? Then “Shop for Good” with a new fundraiser benefiting Harmony Public Schools!
When you shop in person at any Kendra Scott jewelry store on Tuesday, May 4 (online May 4 & 5), 20% of sales will go to Harmony Public Schools programs that support Harmony students experiencing learning gaps caused by COVID-19 when you use promo code “GIVEBACK-1D9P” at checkout.
Kendra Scott is one of America's leading jewelry brands. The jewelry line is named for its founder Kendra Scott, a single mom from Texas who created a fashion empire by making and selling jewelry from her home. The brand now has store locations in almost every state and three countries, though their headquarters is still right here in Texas. Their founder is also well known for her frequent appearances as an investor on TV's "Shark Tank.”
The money from your purchase of Kendra Scott products goes to support services and programs intended to help students recover learning losses caused by COVID-19. This includes instructional material for expanded learning sessions, funding for expanded small group intervention services for math and reading, small group targeted lab learning, and additional resources for student mental health and social-emotional learning concerns.
Participating stores in the DFW area include:
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Dallas Highland Village
1500 Cottonwood Creek, Suite 180
Highland Village, TX 75077
Preston Center
8383 Preston Center Plaza. #160
Dallas, TX 75225
The Shops at Clear Fork
5217 Marathon Ave.
Fort Worth, TX 76109
The Shops at Legacy-Plano
5800 Legacy Dr., Suite C3
Plano, TX 75024
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Virtual Summer Coding & Biology Camp
UT Dallas is offering a Virtual Summer Coding & Biology Camp exclusively for Harmony students in grades 3-12.
- Week 1: June 7-11, 2021
- Week 2: July 12-16, 2021
The camp is aimed at introducing coding and biology fields to our students in an enjoyable way and enable them to consider higher education and career in STEM fields.
Since attending the camps are virtual, Harmony encourages our students to join as many online camps as possible.
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Harmony Partners in Education: Garland Chamber of Commerce
Harmony Public Schools DFW is honored to continue the long-standing partnership with the Garland Chamber of Commerce. The Garland Chamber of Commerce is the Connecting Source for economic growth and business success. Harmony teams up with the Garland Chamber to learn more about surrounding businesses, seek out resources and identify experts willing to connect with students and teachers.
Through Garland Chamber events, Harmony DFW has gained access to community leaders such as State Representatives Angie Chen-Button and Rhetta Bowers, as well as Garland Mayor LeMay. In May, many district employees and Garland campus leaders will take part in a meet and greet business expo to exchange ideas & form new community relationships that benefit Harmony families and staff as well as the community.
Thank you, Garland Chamber of Commerce, for being the conduit.
If you'd like to recommend a community partner to Harmony Public Schools, please email Harmony's DFW's Director of PR & Outreach Rebecca Murry, rmurry@harmonytx.org.
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MONTHLY TIP FOR
SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING (SEL) AT HOME
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Social and emotional learning (SEL) provides a foundation for safe and positive learning, and enhances students' ability to succeed in school, careers, and life.
This month's tip offers some fun family activities for both younger and older children:
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HSA-Dallas (High) Teacher Featured in USA Today
Harmony Science Academy-Dallas (High) engineering teacher, Fernando Cepeda--who was recently selected as a 2021 NASA Airborne Astronomy Ambassador (AAA)--is now featured in USA Today!
AAA is a professional development program for science teachers designed to improve science teaching and increase student learning and STEM engagement.
Cepeda, an award-winning educator who has taught at Harmony for 10 years, is one of only 30 teachers from 10 states to be selected into the AAA program, and the only educator selected from the Dallas/Fort Worth area.
Read his story here, and how tirelessly works to inspire students to reach for the stars!
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Summer Newsletter Schedule
Publication of your Harmony Connection newsletter will pause during the summer, and will resume in August with the beginning of the 2021-2022 school year.
But don't worry--we'll be busily preparing for the new school year over the summer, and will communicate any important District information to you via email and on our social media platforms. So if you don't already follow us, be sure to do that now!
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Official District Facebook: Harmony Public Schools DFW District @DFWHarmony
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Official District Twitter: Harmony Public Schools DFW District @DFWHarmony
All of us here at Harmony Public Schools hope you have a restful and enjoyable summer, and we already look forward to seeing your children in August!
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LOOKING AHEAD - AUGUST/SEPT. 2021
Aug. 2: First Day for All Harmony DFW Staff
Aug. 12: First Day of School
Sept. 6: Labor Day (Staff/Student Holiday)
Sept. 17: Campus Professional Development (Student Holiday)
Sept. 23: Half Day/Early Release (Parent/Teacher Conferences)
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Follow Harmony DFW on social media! Like and share these stories our social media platforms. |
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