Harmony Tiger News
Wednesday, October 20, 2021 (Volume 9)
Harmony Science Academy Dallas (K-5)
Email: mdippold@harmonytx.org
Website: https://hsaedallas.harmonytx.org/
Location: 11945 Forestgate Dr, Dallas, TX 75243, USA
Phone: 469-730-2477
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HSADallasE/
_____________School Vision & Harmony Pledge_____________
At Harmony Science Academy Dallas, we will create responsible citizens who perform at or above grade level by instilling in them critical thinking skills and a global perspective with pride for themselves, others, and their school.
Urgent Reminder: Students Need to Attend School Every Day and On Time
Let's try to improve student attendance by making sure students are in the school building by 7:30am, so they do not miss out on lessons given in the class. Our goal is to have every student be in class on time and every day. Students will earn positive reinforcement points and other incentives for having good attendance. Thank you so much for your patience and support.
Respectfully,
Harmony Science Academy-Dallas Elementary
Quarter 1-Grades are Posted in Skyward
You are Invited to Join our Title 1-Parent & Family Engagement Meeting on Oct. 26th at 5:30pm via Google Meets
Via Google Meets Link: https://meet.google.com/shz-okbg-jzh
Or Dial: (US) +1-470-485-0553 PIN: 693 750 510#
Accepting Parent Nominations for PTO Board Elections
We are accepting parent nominations for our school's upcoming PTO Board elections which will take place on October 26, 2021 at 6:15pm, via Google Meets.
Via Google Meets Link: https://meet.google.com/shz-okbg-jzh
Or Dial: (US) +1-470-485-0553 PIN: 693 750 510#
If you would like to recommend a parent for the PTO Board, then please click on this link to access the PTO Parent Nomination form.
We are in need of the following PTO Board positions:
- PTO President- Works closely with the board in planning school events for student, family, and teacher engagement. President will send out notifications to the PTO Board, the school principal and the school staff.
- PTO Vice-President- Works closely with the board in planning school events for student, family, and teacher engagement. Vice-President will send out notifications to parents.
- PTO Treasurer- Handles monetary transactions and monetary reporting relating to all PTO school events. Treasurer will report to the President.
- PTO Secretary- Handles PTO meeting attendance sign-in sheets and meeting minutes. Reports to the President and Vice-President.
- PTO Membership Chair-Coordinates with parent volunteers and keeps a log of PTO membership. Reports to the President and Vice-President.
- PTO School Events Chair-Works closely with the President & the Vice-President in planning school events. School Events Chair will create the flyers for upcoming PTO events.
We are accepting nominations until Friday, October 22nd. Thank you for supporting our school's PTO. Please join our Parent and Family Engagement Meeting on Oct. 26th at 5pm to participate in voting for a PTO Board member. See more details in the school newsletter.
Red Ribbon Week-Spirit Wear is Oct. 25-Oct.29
LifeTouch Picture Day is Coming Soon...Monday, November 8th
Harmony Gives
Harmony Public Schools has been educating Texas students since 2000! With a college acceptance rate of 100%, we have earned the reputation of providing a distinct, high-quality education. Our schools also have the honor of being Texas Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (T-STEM) field pioneer schools.
These successes are only possible with YOU! The families and friends who are dedicated to our students, teachers, and staff. We accomplish these successes through volunteer service, donations, and advocacy.
Harmony Gives exists to serve our students and families through funding and opportunities to amplify their success and grow our students into future leaders and responsible citizens. Our efforts fund opportunities such as college and career counseling, scholarships, disaster relief, and much more. Join Harmony Gives today, to develop the future leaders of tomorrow!
How to See your Child's STAAR Test Results from Last Year
Dear Harmony families,
The STAAR is one of many ways to measure student learning. It helps schools and teachers better understand where students may have gaps created from the disruptions to learning caused by the pandemic. Our teachers will use last year’s STAAR results along with other information to create learning plans for this school year.
As you know, our current 4th & 5th grade students took the STAAR tests in May for the past school year. The state did not send out printed copies of student reports; everything was posted online. If you would like to see how your child performed on his/her test, you can view their report by following these easy steps:
1. Please go to https://txparentportal.emetric.net/lookup-access-code and get the unique student code. (see attached photo)
2. Please go to https://texasassessment.gov/staar/families/
· Enter your child's Access Code and their Date of Birth.
· Click on the "Log in to Student Portal" button and you will be able to see all the results.
This will take you directly to your child’s STAAR results, which will include detailed breakdowns in each subject, identifying your child’s strengths as well as areas where they may need additional support. Parents have shared that seeing which questions their child got incorrect has been the most useful. You will also see easy to use resources that can be used at home to focus on the skills your child needs the most support with. (see attached photo)
The following only pertains to parents of students that did not pass their 3rd, 4th or 5th grade STAAR tests for the 2020-2021 school year:
Given the disruptions of the 2020-2021 school year, the Texas Legislature has given parents new rights to help support their children. House Bill 4545, signed on June 16, 2021, provides additional learning opportunities for students who did not meet standards on the STAAR exam. One of those learning supports is extra tutoring.
The law requires that the tutoring is provided to students individually or in a group of no more than three students. School systems can also ask parents to agree to a larger tutoring group to support their child.
Why is my child receiving this tutoring?
Any child in grades 3-8 who did not pass STAAR or end-of-course (EOC) assessments will receive tutoring in the upcoming school year. If your child did not meet approaches or higher on one or more STAAR or STAAR EOC assessments, so he/she will receive tutoring in the upcoming year.
What decision do I need to make?
There are certain parts of House Bill 4545 that require a decision by parents. The tutoring required for students under House Bill 4545 states that students are to be in a group of no more than three students per one instructor. If your child did not meet approaches or higher on one or more STAAR tests HSA Dallas Elementary sent an email to you in early September asking you to provide permission for your student to receive tutoring in a group that is larger than three students. We are asking for this permission because we believe we can effectively meet your child’s needs by providing more tutorials in a larger group setting rather than less frequent tutorials in a smaller group. We strongly believe that ongoing and frequent tutoring is more effective to accelerate the learning of our students. Your decision will not affect whether your child receives tutoring or not.
What should I do now?
If you haven’t responded to the email we sent, please respond as soon as you can. The title for the email is “HSA Dallas Elementary Parent Notification for Tutoring Consent”
Thank you for your partnership! We appreciate all you do to help your child succeed.
Respectfully,
Cyndi Cavazos
Dean of Academics
Urgent: Don't Get Your Car Towed!
Just a few reminders:
Please do not park in other businesses' parking lots. They will tow unauthorized vehicles.
The parent pick up door opens at 3:10 Monday - Thursday and Friday at 2:20
Please use the new car tags (with the numbers on them) to pick up your children.
After 3:30 you will need to come inside to the front office to pick up your child.
Doors open at 7:10 am
Please have your child here by 7:20 to eat breakfast.
Harmony Clinic Flu/COVID Locations starting October 1st
Here is the schedule for October 1st .
Included you'll find the link for each school for teachers and staff to use to sign up for Flu vaccines and other vaccines as well as a QR code.
Appointments at Harmony school of innovation-Dallas were canceled since it was merged with Harmony Science Academy. Staff and students looking to get their 2nd COVID vaccine, can either go to Harmony Science academy on 12005 Forestgate Dr., Dallas from 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm on October 1st or use the following link to schedule an appointment at their nearest Tom Thumb/Albertsons.
September is Suicide Prevention Month
September is Suicide Prevention Month. We will have lessons presented by Mrs. Potts, our Licensed Professional Counselor, on suicide prevention in the 4th and 5th-grade classes. If you DO NOT want your 4th or 5th grader to participate in these lessons, please click here and complete the form.
If you or someone you know is suicidal, get help immediately via 911, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK or the Crisis Text Line (text “HOME” to 741741).
Suicide is the leading cause of death among school-age youth. However, suicide is preventable. Youth who are contemplating suicide frequently give warning signs of their distress. Parents, teachers, and friends are in a key position to pick up on these signs and get help. Most important is to never take these warning signs lightly or promise to keep them secret. When all adults and students in the school community are committed to making suicide prevention a priority and are empowered to take the correct actions, we can help youth before they engage in behavior with irreversible consequences.
Free Texas Region 4 Zoom Trainings for Parents who are Interested
Join this online parent series to learn more about addressing challenging
behaviors at home. Susan Catlett, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LBA, will describe
characteristics of autism that often result in challenging behaviors as well
as strategies to address these behaviors. Time will be allotted during each
session for questions so that participants can receive specific feedback.
These sessions are designed for parents but professionals who work with
students with autism are welcome to attend as well.
Zoom links will be emailed to registered participants 24-48 hours prior to
each session.
There is no fee to attend these sessions.
All sessions will be held from 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM. Below are the dates, session IDs, and links to registration pages for each session. Participants will need to register for each session individually.
- Topic: Self-Stimulatory Behavior Date: September 14, 2021 1611349 Register Here
- Topic: Self-Care Date: November 2, 2021 1611359 Register Here
- Topic: Adolescence Date: February 1, 2022 1611366 Register Here
- Topic: Anxiety Date: April 5, 2022 1611368 Register Here
Contact Cathy Williams, Ph.D., BCBA, LBA, with any questions
We are still accepting Enrollment Applications for 2021-2022 school year
Enrollment applications for the 2021-2022 school year at Harmony Public Schools are still being accepted. If you have friends or family members that are searching for a new school, please spread the word about Open Enrollment for new students only.
This Enrollment period is for the 2021-2022 – Is for New Students ONLY
Breakfast Menu
Lunch Menu
2021-2022 Approved Academic Calendar
2021-2022 Approved Academic Calendar
The Harmony Public Schools Executive Board has approved academic calendars for the 2021-22 school year. The first day for students is Aug.