Hurricane Happenings
September 13th, 2020
Harper Park Middle School
Be sure to follow HPMS on Facebook, Twitter, and our school website for important updates!
Curbside Pick-Up of Student Materials
We will hold the "make-up" curbside materials pick-up event Monday, September 14th from 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Student materials to be distributed during curbside pick-up include:
Administrative Items (Student Agendas and 1st Day Folders), Instruments for students to borrow (see separate area below regarding musical instruments), School Supplies that were ordered from Sprout, any paper packets generated by specific departments/subject area, and any Yearbooks/Rising 9th grade t-shirts for students who will be at Heritage this year. See the attached map that will show the locations of the distribution areas.
We recommend that parents follow the schedule listed below to assist in "spreading out" the 1,000 vehicles that we will have come through our school parking lot over this four hour stretch.
Please print out the sheet provided below, put your student information in all of the applicable areas, and hold up to the windshield so we can expedite your car through the stations.
Attendance Reporting Procedures during 100% Distance Learning
1. Parents can log into ParentVUE and report their students attendance (this is the most secure way).
2. Parents can fill out the following Attendance Google Form by clicking HERE.
3. Parents can call the attendance line at (571)252-2822
As an aside, parents and students are reminded that attendance is taken during each period of the day that a student is scheduled to attend (even for resource). The advisory block that starts at 8:35 a.m. is extremely critical for students to attend as this is the way that we pull our official attendance for the day and distribute important school-wide information to students.
Please, if at all possible, schedule appointments and dismissals outside of the normal school schedule (listed below).
National Hispanic American Heritage Month
Permission Click for Multiple Online Software Platforms for Students
Please see the following permission click to review and give permission for your student to access various educational software platforms for this year:
Meal Service for All Students
- Walk Up Meal Service - 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
- Daily Bus Delivery of Breakfast and Lunch Meals throughout Loudoun County-2 Runs: 11:30 am – 12:30 pm and 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm
- For delivery: Please visit the interactive map to identify the nearest bus stop and associated time for mobile service.
- Daily Breakfast and Lunch Meal Service under the Summer Food Service Program at 93 sites
- Children and teens aged 18 and younger eat FREE of charge
- Breakfast & Lunch Meals Distributed Simultaneously at both walk up sites and bus stops
- Parent Meal Pick Up Available
- Meal Service available for childcare participants and students in attendance
Schoology Information and Student Schedules
We just finished up the first week of school and for many of us, navigating the Schoology platform is something we are still getting used to. Please see the attached "tips" for navigating Schoology.
Academies of Loudoun Admission Information
The AOL admissions team will be hosting several webinars explaining the admissions process and answering parent questions. The first one is this Monday, Sept 14th at 6:30 PM. There will be several between now and October 14th. Applications are currently open. They will close on October 23rd at 12:00PM (noon).
The link to the page that has the dates and registration form: https://www.lcps.org/domain/22344#calendar287033/20200911/month
Common Sense Media Opportunities
Over the course of the next few weeks your student will receive several presentations through their resource class from Common Sense Media, a program that provides education and advocacy to families to promote safe technology and media for children. Here are some resources to foster further discussion with your student.
Common Sense Media - Check out common sense media for movie and game reviews before you view or play so you know what to expect. Click on the Movies & TV or Apps & Games tabs to see reviews.
Wide Open School - Free learning activities from Common Sense Media on a variety of interesting subjects. Explore by selecting a subject and topic.
Digital Citizenship Resources for Family Engagement - Scroll down to Family Activities - Grades 6-8 Family Activities and select one of the topics for family activities and discussion.
Cellphone Parenting - Lay the groundwork for responsible cellphone use and manage the challenges and opportunities they bring. Check out the articles and videos by scrolling down to those sections.
If you have questions regarding Common Sense Media, please contact Mr. Howell by email at: james.howell@lcps.org
HPMS PTA Membership 2020-2021
Harper Park PTA would love you to join us! We invite you to join the PTA for your child because increasing our membership, even by one, makes it possible to provide important educational resources, speak up on important issues, and create a stronger school community. There is no wrong or right way to be involved—anything you can give, whether it’s time or money, will support your child’s potential. Especially starting the school year off virtually this year, if you are looking for a way to be involved to support our administration, staff, parents, and students, please join. We will be focusing a lot of effort in supporting them at a distance.
To become a PTA member, please register in MemberHub, then go to MemberHub store to purchase your PTA Membership. Simply follow the instructions below to get started.
To register for MemberHub click here
To purchase your PTA Membership click here
To follow us on our PTA Facebook for up to date information click here
If you have any questions please contact Charlie Greenough at harperparkpta99@gmail.com or Shirley McLellan at skmclellan@verizon.net
Thank you for your support!
PTA SPIRIT WEAR
Internet HotSpots Available - Quantities Limited
Harper Park Middle School is seeking information on which families are in need of an LCPS-issued internet hotspot to assist during the extended closure due to COVID. If you would like to request a mobile internet hotspot, please contact Harper Park Social Worker, Ashley Olson (Ashley.Olson@lcps.org) or Harper Park Parent Liaison, Neldy Negron (neldy.negron@lcps.org). You must be an LCPS student to be eligible to request a device. Quantities are limited. Therefore we plan to evaluate the need with multiple data points to ensure that devices are not distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, but rather to the students with the greatest needs first. Submitting a request does not guarantee that a hotspot will be provided.
The school staff will review and approve all requests. If approved, staff will contact you to inform you how to coordinate the pickup of the device at one of the Hardware Repair Centers starting 9/1/20.
If you do not have cellular coverage in your area, please contact us to discuss alternative options to assist your student(s). "
Chromebook Distribution and Technical Support
Students who are new to LCPS will pick-up their assigned Chromebooks the week of August 31st at one of the many centralized on-site repair centers available across the district. The locations of these on-site repair centers will be posted to the LCPS website and pick-up of your student’s chromebook will require an appointment. Chromebooks will not be distributed at Harper Park during the Curbside Distribution next week (as previously announced).
Getting Assistance for your computer
Students and parents/guardians are encouraged to reach out to their respective teachers when questions arise with how to use the chromebook or access instructional resources.
The Department of Digital Innovation (DDI) will continue to provide technical support. Staff members and students can receive technical support through one of the following methods:
- Fill out this form for an appointment by clicking on this link: Repair Appointment
- Email your question to supportcenter@lcps.org (from your LCPS provided email)
- Call the Technology Support Center at (571) 252-2112