DEPARTMENTAL NEWS & INFORMATION
ENGAGEMENT & SUPPORT
Parent/Teacher Conferences, Oct. 4
Planning should be well under way for parent/teacher conferences on Friday, Oct. 4. The best way to avoid misunderstandings with parents is to have ongoing, clear lines of communication from the beginning. The more you keep them informed about classroom news and include them in school happenings, the more they'll feel like a part of the team. The end result? Parents who are supportive, understanding, and a little less likely to jump to negative conclusions.
Fall Leadership Camps
Fall leadership camping trips are a highly anticipated activity every year that offer students a chance to have fun outside the classroom while learning valuable leadership skills. Typically, Harmony staff at the elementary level take their fourth and fifth grade classes, while staff at the secondary level take STUCO or CRLP students. October or November are the best months to plan a fall leadership camp. But March and April are also a great time to go. If you have questions on how to plan for a trip, see your campus engagement coordinator.
ACADEMICS
October Testing Reminders
· Oct. 1-15: DA1 Window for grades 3-11
· Oct. 8: SLO Modules (6-9)/Lead Teacher Training
· Oct. 16: Secondary campuses, PSAT Day October & Ongoing TSI tests
· Oct. 18: Interventionists Training, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. (
Registration link
closes at midnight on Oct. 6.)
OPERATIONS
Child Nutrition
We encourage parents to complete student eligibility applications online through
School Café
. The benefits of completing an online application include possibly qualifying for free or reduced price meals, increased funding for the school, and reduced fees on testing and school events for qualifying households. Households may be offered incentives for completing an application, such as a free dress pass. Meal accounts may be created for school staff by contacting the Child Nutrition Assistant at your school.
HUMAN RESOURCES
Useful Links:
Professional Learning
SafeSchools training is currently open with a due date for the 2019-2020 school year. Let’s make sure we have 100% completion for all employees. Reminder emails will be sent out to employees to complete the five (5) mandatory training courses by Friday, Oct. 4.
New District Office Employees
There are several new faces in the DFW District Office.
· Dan Bell, Director of Operations (student safety and discipline)
· Denis Hopovac, District Accountant
· Susan Campbell, Director of Communications and Marketing
· Ali Arikan, District Information and Technology Coordinator
· Hifzullah Celik, District Computer Systems Administrator
· Patricia Webb, District Office Secretary
Mr. Celik joins the District Office from HSI Dallas, while Mr. Hopovac joins comes from HSI Garland. Please join us in welcoming our newest team members the next time you are at the District Office!
COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING
Media Outreach Efforts
If you have great news, successes or a human interest story on your campus, please email Susan Campbell, HPS DFW’s new director of communications and marketing, at
scampbell@harmonytx.org
. All ideas are welcome, even if you think it may not be of any interest to the community. She will work with you to shape the story, draft a news release or media advisory and will then contact the appropriate media outlet on your behalf. She welcomes your suggestions!
