Archive for month: August, 2020
Dear Harmony Families,
Hope you have had an enjoyable and restful summer. We are very excited for the opening of our fourth Harmony campus in El Paso for the 2002-2021 school year. As you know, initially this school was slated to be a pre-k -2nd and 6th grade campus for its inaugural year. However, we have received several inquiries to add an additional grade level and are thrilled to announce that we have listened to your requests. We have just received approval to open up 5th grade at Harmony School of Science. Enrollment is now open and available at harmonytx.org/apply.
We look forward to the start of the new school year and seeing you soon!
Harmony School of Science
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Child Nutrition is pleased to offer parents comprehensive access to lunch balances, payments, eligibility application, and more through Schoolcafe. Parents are encouraged to submit an eligibility application.
To create a parent account, click on the school cafe logo and follow the steps in the link below.
The first day of meal distribution will be from 4pm-5pm Friday, August 14th for students enrolled in virtual learning as part of the School Breakfast Program and National School Lunch Program. The following meal distribution will be Thursday, August 20th from 4pm-5pm. Meal distribution will be every Monday and Thursday from 4pm-5pm thereafter.
Only those students enrolled as Harmony students will be eligible to participate. Students will be charged for meals according to individual eligibility. Returning students begin the year on a 30-day grace period which carries over last year’s eligibility.
This video presentation will give you a basic overview of our new learning management system, Schoology. Please note: access to Schoology will be through your child’s My Harmony Portal Dashboard.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hJXu4FvJ-wYZNkrrhRwRJJ2-YckUUebQ/view?usp=sharing
Parent Support
- Connect to your students in Schoology. Make sure you have your child’s unique 12-digit code Parent Access Code available to set up your account. You only need to do this one time for each child. You can request this code from one of the teachers of your child or from the school admins.How to Create a Parent Account:
- Video Directions
- Written Directions 1
- Written Directions 2
REGISTRASE COMO PADRES para obtener una cuenta de Schoology nueva. Use el código de acceso para quedar automáticamente asociado a su hijo. (Video- Registrase Como Padres)Note: Harmony employees must create a personal Schoology account with their personal email. Use the Linking Account Instructions to toggle between your personal and professional account.
- Setup Your Notifications to customize your Schoology experience and receive updates about your child’s grades and activity in Schoology. Don’t forget to add your phone number to receive customized push notifications.
- Get the Schoology App on your device: Schoology also has a convenient mobile app that can be downloaded and used on mobile phones, tablets, and iPads! This app can be found in the iTunes and Google Play stores. Video Directions Written Instructions
- Have Your Schoology Account? Watch these short videos to create the best user experience.
- How to use Schoology? Video Link 1 Video Link 2 Written Instructions
- Do you want to explore More? Parent Guide Written Instructions
- Schoology Basics for Students: English Spanish
What Should I Expect in Schoology?
- Access to digital assignment submissions in Schoology directly through the grade book.
- Note Google Docs, Google Slides, Google Sheets, etc. are not viewable to parents because Google access is restricted to students and teachers)
- The learning experience delivered through the platform.
- Your child’s activity in the course, including but not limited to:
- Submitted and missing assignments
- Posts (text and media) your child created
- Classroom communication such as announcements about assignments and classroom updates
Parent FAQ
- How do I see my child’s Live Session Zoom Links and Schedule?
- You can see your child’s schedules from Skyward. Zoom Links will be shared from Schoology.
- When submitting assignments, what file types does Schoology support?
- While there is no limit to the number of files you can attach to materials in Schoology, you must upload each file individually. Schoology has a size limit of 512 MB per file.
Supported file types:
Images
*.jpg, *.gif, *.png, *.jpeg
Media (audio and/or video)
*.flv, *.mp4, *.mp3, *.mov, *.m4v, *.m4a, *.3gp, *.3g2, *m2v, *.avi, *.mpg, *.asf, *.wma, *.wmv, *.wm, *.swf, *.rm, *.caf
Files
*.doc *.docx, *.pdf, *.ppt, *.xls
Mac OS/iOS Users: Apple Pages (*.pages) files are not currently supported. Please export Apple Pages documents as PDF to ensure your assignments are accessible to your teacher.
Chromebook distribution will be held Saturday August 15th.
Saturday, August 15, 2020 | ||||
Last Name
A-F |
Last Name
G-L |
Last Name
M-Q |
Last Name
R-U |
Last Name
V-Z |
8:00 – 9:30 | 9:30 – 11:00 | 11:00 – 12:30 | 1:30 – 3:00 | 3:30 – 4:30 |

Meet the Teacher will be August 13. A Zoom link will be sent to parents by the classroom teachers.
Meet the Teacher Schedule
Pre K: 1pm-2pm
Kinder: 2pm-3pm
1st: 3pm-4pm
2nd: 4pm-5pm
6th: 5pm-6pm
Date | Time |
8/5 | 4pm-5pm |
8/7 | 4pm-5pm |
8/10* Spanish | 2pm-3pm |
8/13 | 12pm-1pm |
Note: This document is intended as a simplified version of our Harmony Public Schools “Back to School Playbook 2020-2021.” For further information or clarification on any topic, please refer to the Playbook.
What do I need to learn from home?
Students will need access to a computer device and the internet to complete schoolwork from home. Students without consistent access to either may receive them from their Harmony campus. Campuses will begin distributing them via drive-through pick-ups starting the first week of August. Additionally, students may find that headphones, especially noise-canceling headphones, are helpful for online learning, however they are not required.
Will I need to shop for school supplies?
Yes. All students regardless of learning location (i.e. home or campus) will be completing assignments alongside their peers using the supplies listed by their campus.
Is anything different about online learning this year?
Yes, quite a bit. Harmony has upgraded its online learning by switching to a new system called Schoology. Through Schoology, students will be able to interact and engage with their teachers and peers in real-time throughout the school day to provide and more advanced and enriching school experience. Families will also have full access to grades, progress reports, assignments, classroom learning materials, calendars, and more from within the Schoology platform, providing a simple one-stop-shop for all things related to their student’s learning experience. Students and families will receive more instruction on accessing and logging into Schoology as classes begin.
Will online learners be taught differently than on-campus learners?
No. All students will be taught using the same material and at the same pace by the same Harmony teacher. In most cases, online learners will be taught simultaneously alongside their on-campus peers, unless the student is taking part in asynchronous learning (i.e independent learning outside normal school hours).
How will grades be calculated?
Grades will be counted on the traditional 0-100 scale. The “pass/fail” grading system that was implemented out of necessity during the Spring 2020 semester will not be used.
What hours of the day will online classes be taught?
Your campus will announce the specific schedule for your student, but generally speaking, classes will be taught online in real-time by their teachers during normal school hours (instructional minutes may vary by grade, according to Texas Education Agency requirements). This is called “synchronous learning.” A sample schedule can be found in the Harmony “Back to School Playbook 2020-2021.” Students needing to learn outside this timeframe can choose to learn independently. This is called “asynchronous learning.”
What rules or expectations are there for online learners?
Synchronous online learners will be asked to comply with the following rules:
- Student’s camera must be on during class time.
- Student should maintain school-appropriate behavior.
- Student should be dressed appropriately. (shirt, school shirt, jeans or khakis are OK).
- Only the student may be visible (no friends or siblings).
- Student’s microphone should be off unless instructed by a teacher (this prevents background noise).
- Students are expected to interact through the Zoom chat function.
- Students must show up on time.
- Students must use appropriate and respectful language at all times.
- Students are asked to use tools such as “raising your hand” (available in Zoom) and the chat feature if you have a question or want to answer a question.
- Student should remove distractions, such as going where there’s less background noise and turning off your phone.
- Student should use headphones, if possible, for increased privacy and better speaker and microphone quality.
- Students should have all required materials for class (books, paper, markers, etc..) nearby before the session begins.
- Students should be prepared to be called on to answer a question or participate in a discussion or activity at any time.
How will absences and attendance be counted for online learning?
Students who are logged in and learning alongside their teacher and classmates during normal school hours (synchronous learning) will be counted in attendance when they lo in to learn.
Student who learn independently through self-guided instruction (asynchronous learning) will be counted in attendance when they meet daily learning benchmarks and/or turn in daily assignments by no later than 11:59 p.m. on the given schoolday.
What happens if my child doesn’t have a computer to do their schoolwork on while learning from home?
Harmony will supply a computer device and/or internet access for the purpose of completing schoolwork to any student that does not have consistent access at home. These will be provided beginning the first week of August and distributed by drive-through pickups at your nearby Harmony campus.
Will my child have to wear a Harmony uniform for online learning?
Students may choose to wear a uniform if they would like to when learning online, however they are not required to. Instead, they are required to follow the dress code guidelines set forth for “Free Dress Days” set forth in the Student & Parent Handbook. This states:
“Garments must be free of holes, tears, inappropriate wording, logos, messages or advertising. No short, skin tight, or legging dresses, or skirts may be worn. All dresses must have sleeves. Students may not wear low cut, midriff-baring, or backless blouses. Students may wear jeans, but they cannot be tight pants including jeggings, tights or skinny style pants. Clothing items must not depict images of violence.”
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Media & Public Relations
For media requests, please send an email to media@harmonytx.org with details of the request.
For more information, please visit our Media & Public Relations page.
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Website Accessibility
Harmony Public Schools (“Harmony”) is committed to making the information on its website accessible to individuals with disabilities in compliance with the requirements of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader, eye tracking device, voice recognition software, etc.) and have difficulty accessing information on the Harmony website, please contact HPS Webmaster by email at accessibility@harmonytx.org . Please include the following when communicating with Harmony regarding accessibility issues:
A description of your accessibility concern.
The format in which you prefer to receive the materials.
The web page address of the requested material(s).
The best way to contact you (email address or phone number, or both).Harmony will make appropriate accommodations to facilitate access to any website content.
Complaints regarding website accessibility may be submitted through the Public Complaint process outlined in Board Policy PG-1.12 (Public Complaints).
Please note that some pages on the Harmony website contain links to third-party sites, which are not within Harmony’s control. If you notify Harmony of problems with accessing a third-party site that is necessary to participate in one of Harmony’s programs or activities, we will make the material or information available in an accessible format.
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Report Bullying
If you are experiencing a problem with bullying at Harmony, or have other discipline-related concerns regarding one of our schools, please fill out the form at the link below for the Dean of Students.
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HPS Child Find Policy
Please click here for the HPS Child Find Policy.
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Title IX
As required by Title IX, Harmony Public Schools does not (and is required not to) discriminate on the basis of sex in its educational programs or activities. This non-discrimination requirement applies to admission to and employment with Harmony Public Schools. Inquiries into issues related to Title IX may be referred to Harmony’s Title IX Coordinator(s) (identified below), to the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights of the Department of Education, or both.
Title IX training presentation link
Harmony’s Title IX Coordinators:
Students/student matters:
Charles Lambert
Director of Internal Investigations
HPS Central Office
clambert@harmonytx.org
713-343-3333 x1104 Employee and applicant matters
Kelly Ann Hebeler
Director of Employee Relations
HPS Central Office
khebeler@harmonytx.org -
Non-discrimination Statement as Part of the School's Admission Policy
It is the policy of HPS not to discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, age, or disability in its programs, services, or activities as required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. For inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies, please contact Section 504/ADA Coordinator at (713) 343-3333 located at 9321 W. Sam Houston Pkwy S. Houston, TX 77099.
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Non-discrimination Statement in Career and Technical Education Programs
HARMONY PUBLIC SCHOOLS offers support to school district for career and technical education programs in Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources; Architecture and Construction; Arts, Audio/Video Technology, and Communications; Business Management and Administration; Education and Training; Finance; Government and Public Administration; Health Science; Hospitality and Tourism; Human Services; Information Technology; Law, Public Safety, Corrections, and Security; Manufacturing; Marketing; Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics; Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics. Admission to these programs is based on enrollment in HARMONY PUBLIC SCHOOLS secondary schools.
It is the policy of HARMONY PUBLIC SCHOOLS not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex or handicap in its CTE programs, services or activities as required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.
It is the policy of HARMONY PUBLIC SCHOOLS not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, handicap, or age in its employment practices as required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended; and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.
HARMONY PUBLIC SCHOOLS will take steps to assure that lack of English language skills will not be a barrier to admission and participation in all educational and CTE programs.
For information about your rights or grievance procedures, contact the Title IX Coordinator, CHARLES LAMBERT, and/or the Section 504 Coordinator, IHSAN KARA, at 9321 W. Sam Houston Pkwy S. Houston, TX 77099, Phone: (713) 343-3333.
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Aviso de No discriminación en los Programas de Educación Profesional y
Técnica
Las Escuelas Públicas Harmony ofrecen programas vocacionales en Agricultura, Alimentación y Recursos Naturales; Arquitectura y Construcción; Artes, Tecnología de Audio / Video y Comunicaciones; Administración de Negocios y Administración; Educación y Entrenamiento; Finanzas; Gobierno y Administración Pública; Ciencias de la salud; Hospitalidad y Turismo; Recursos Humanos; Tecnología de la Información; Derecho; Seguridad Pública, Correccionales y Seguridad; Manufactura; Mercadeo; Ciencias, Tecnología, Ingeniería y Matemáticas; Transporte, Distribución y Logística. La admisión a estos programas se basa en el número de estudiantes de secundaria registrados en las Escuelas Públicas Harmony.
Es norma de las Escuelas Públicas Harmony no discriminar por motivos de raza, color, origen nacional, sexo o impedimento, en sus programas, servicios o actividades de CTE, tal como lo requieren el Título VI de la Ley de Derechos Civiles de 1964, según enmienda; el Título IX de las Enmiendas en la Educación, de 1972, y la Sección 504 de la Ley de Rehabilitación de 1973, según enmienda.
Es norma de las Escuelas Públicas Harmony no discriminar por motivos de raza, color, origen nacional, sexo, impedimento o edad, en sus procedimientos de empleo, tal como lo requieren el Título VI de la Ley de Derechos Civiles de 1964, según enmienda; el Título IX de las Enmiendas en la Educación, de 1972, la ley de Discriminación por Edad, de 1975, según enmienda, y la Sección 504 de la Ley de Rehabilitación de 1973, según enmienda.
Las Escuelas Públicas Harmony tomarán las medidas necesarias para asegurar que la falta de habilidad en el uso del inglés no sea un obstáculo para la admisión y participación en todos los programas educativos y CTE.
Para información sobre sus derechos o procedimientos para quejas, comuníquese con el Coordinador del Título IX, CHARLES LAMBERT, y/o el Coordinador de la Sección 504, IHSAN KARA, a la siguiente dirección: 9321 W. Sam Houston Pkwy S. Houston, TX 77099, Teléfono: (713) 343-3333.
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TX Transition and Employment Guide
The Texas Transition and Employment Guide provides youth, young adults, parents and professionals with secondary transition resources to facilitate a young person’s progress towards post-secondary goals to education, employment, and community living.
Please choose a version to display the guide:
— English
— Spanish -
Harmony Public Schools Admission Policy
Click here to see Harmony Public Schools Admission Policy.
HARMONY PUBLIC SCHOOLS BOARD OF DIRECTORS
DR. ONER ULVI CELEPCIKAY, MR. HOMER STEWART, MRS. HELEN SHERWOOD, DR. HAKDURAN KOC, DR. MEHMET ARGIN, DR. OSMAN KANLIOGLU, MS. LAURA GONZALES