News from the Nest ~ HSPSC ~
Wednesday Mail 11-01-17 #HarmonyChangingTrends
Hawk Announcements
A Word from Principal Stengler
Dear Harmony School of Political Science and Communication Families:
Report cards have been mailed home, and you should receive them this next week. If you have any outstanding lunch balances, we also included that in the envelope.
Dates to Know:
11/1/2017 - Don’t Be A Monster Bully Program
11/1/2017 - Texas State admission officer will at HSPS
11/3/2017 - No School: Student Holiday / Staff Development
11/4/2017 - HSPS will hose a Math League Competition
11/10/2017 - College and Career Fair 8th – 12th-grade students. If you know anyone who can help present, please contact Mrs. Tunc.
11/11/2017 - Home Visit Weekend
11/20 - 11/24 - School closed for Thanksgiving
Go HAWKS!
Sincerely,
Waylon Stengler
Harmony School of Political Science and Communication
Attendance Battle of the Grades
Attendance is the extremely important for students success, According to the Department of Education, “about one out of every seven students missed three weeks or more of school in 2013-14”. By 6th grade, chronic absence becomes a leading indicator that a student will drop out of high school. Read more. Research shows that missing 10 percent of the school, or about 18 days in most school districts, negatively affects a student’s academic performance. That’s just two days a month, and that’s known as chronic absence. Read more. So let's support our student's academic success by ensuring they come to school on time and prepared.
https://ed.gov/datastory/chronicabsenteeism.html
Video of Importance of education https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJbQphVcGxA
Why attendance is important https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlEPKH2Izxg
ATTENTION HARMONY PARENTS: HSPSC Gardening Club
Our gardening club is collecting items to start our School Community Garden. Over the next two weeks we will be accepting donations as we get ready to break ground and begin composting the soil. Donated items can be dropped off during after school pickup, on the side of the school or in the school’s front lobby.
Items available for donating include:
➢ Shovels, hoes, rakes
➢ Planters
➢ Pruners
➢ Gloves
➢ Potting soil
➢ Etc.
To help composting our soil, you can also donate:
➢ Coffee Grounds
➢ Peels from fruits and vegetables
➢ Other organic material such as your jack-o-lantern.
See attached pdf below for more info.
We are also looking for more help, if you or your student wants to participate, consider joining Gardening Club every Monday 3:30-5pm. Students will be actively engaged in STEM activities such as learning the importance of caring for our environment, tips on growing their own garden, research skills, computer design skills, communication skills, grant writing skills, working with a team and much more.
Upcoming Events
Counselor's Corner - Announcements From Ms. Tunc
Just a few reminders: Senior students need to complete their FAFSA application as soon as possible. Guidance for parents and students is attached in pdf below.
ACC Spring course registrations have started.
http://www.austincc.edu/calendars/important-dates-and-deadlines
Non-TSI ready 9th - 12th graders will test during the week of November 6th. For students who are TSI ready, they can work on other assignments as long as it does not disturb the test takers.
Also, TODAY, November 1st is the priority deadline for seniors to apply to UT-Austin.
Upcoming Events and important Dates:
- November 1st - 2:30 pm Texas State University admissions officer visited HSPS.
- November 2nd - Texas Women's Conference, 11th &12th grade students, contact Ms. Tunc if interested.
- November 6th - Testing non-TSI ready 9-12th grade.
- November 10th, 9 AM - College and Career Fair*
*Parents, we are looking for representatives who could share on their chosen career field. Email myself or aalonzo@harmontx.org to get involved in the College and Career fair Nov 10th.
Community Service Hours and internship opportunities. Please let your counselor or outreach coordinator know if you need assistance with locating organizations. Here is a great link to start your research:
- http://www.handsoncentraltexas.org/calendar/
- November 18th if Austin Family Volunter Day. For more details see https://www.generationserve.org/familyvolunteerday.html.
- Volunteers needed at the Texas Book Festival, Nov. 4-5 https://www.texasbookfestival.org/
- Volunteers needed for It's My Park Day, Nov. 4 https://www.austinparks.org/volunteer/impd/
Thank you,
Ms. Tunc
The University of Texas at Austin Automatic Admission Policy
Senate Bill 175, passed by the 81st Texas Legislature, allowing The University of Texas at Austin to limit automatic admission to 75 percent of the university’s enrollment capacity designated for first-time resident undergraduate students.
The University has determined that it will automatically admit all eligible 2019 summer/fall freshman applicants who rank within the top six percent of their high school graduating classes, with remaining spaces to be filled through holistic review. A link to the letter from University President Gregory L. Fenves can be found here: https://tea.texas.gov/interiorpage_wide.aspx?id=51539617888
HSPSC College and Career Fair
Stay tuned for more information.
Professionals interested in community outreach should consider sharing career choice and academic experience with students at this event. Please contact aalonzo@harmonytx.org for information on how you can get involved.
Friday, Nov 10, 2017, 09:00 AM
Harmony School of Political Science, Ranch Road 620 North, Austin, TX, United States
November 11th - HSPSC Home Visit Day
The home visits will last between 15 and 20 minutes and is our way saying thank you for being apart of the Harmony family. Most of the home visits will take place in the morning since we are scheduling with large groups of parents.
If you are interested in having an HSPSC staff member visit you on November 11th, please complete the forms below.
THE TEXAS COLORADO RIVER ROLLING EXHIBIT
Thanks to Ms. Adams we will have the opportunity for our students to experience an amazing exhibit all about the watery ecosystem of Central Texas. We are excited to have the trailer here for three days 10/31- 11/2.
Housed in a 42-foot trailer, this project brings a museum-quality learning experience to Central Texas schools. Students enter a watery world where science and technology merge to encourage critical thinking about our most precious resource. Interactive models and electronic games engage and instruct, inspiring students to go out and make a difference.
For more info see link:
Bullying Prevention Program comes to HSPSC
Today, students received a special visitor from Don’t Be A Monster, the largest 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that offers unique and entertaining anti-bullying assemblies for students in 4th-10th grade. Their mission: to work to educate and empower youth to be leaders around diversity, inclusiveness, and show them how to stand up for their friends and peers. The Don’t Be A Monster’s program creates empathy towards the main character, Frank Shelley the victim of bullying. The message has been shown to be highly effective: 98.21% of schools surveyed post-presentation find the material beneficial and memorable for their students.
Brody Petty, DBAM presenter, had great things to say about Harmony students. "These kids were one of the most well behaved kids I have had the pleasure of presenting to. Their attention and willingness to learn made this presentation one for the books. Harmony charter schools will definitely be ones to remember. Thank you for having us this morning."
Students left the presentation equipped to have an educated and empathetic discussions with their peers and adult leaders. They learned the most common places for bullying to occur is at school and online. And the difference between bad behavior and bullying is that bullying is intentional, aggressive and repeated. They encourage students to promise to stand up against bullying by being kind and to be an upstander, not a bystander if they witness bullying in action. Thank you to Brody Petty of DBAM, and team for delivering such a poignant and relevant message in a fun and memorable way.
Campus Reminders
HARMONY GIVING DAY
On November 28, 2017, Harmony Public Schools will be hosting the first annual “Harmony Giving Day” on National Giving Tuesday.
Please help us spread the word by reaching out your friends, community members and businesses around you so that we can raise sufficient funds to make a difference in the lives of our graduating seniors.
RESETTING STUDENT EMAIL PASSWORD
Parents and students can now reset student email password. Students are now able to reset their email password. Before changing email password, students first need to set up a security question. Once the security question is set up, students will be able to change their password.
If a student forgets his/her security question, the designated campus employee, Dr. Karabay can assist reset the password. Dr. Karabay's email is DKarabay@harmonytx.org
Portal URL: http://studentpasswordreset.harmonytx.org
LOGIN FOR SKYWARD
If a student forgot their login for skyward, please follow these steps to gain assess.
1) Tell your students to go to Skyward's sign in page:
https://skyward.iscorp.com/HarmonyTXStuSTS/
2) They have to click on "Forgot your Username or Password?"
3) To reset their password, students can use either their usernames or email addresses. Students' usernames are in "firstname.lastnamefirstname" format which is different from teacher and parent usernames. As an example, joe black's username is joe.blackjoe.
If that option doesn't work, students can always use their school email addresses to reset their Skyward passwords. A student's email address is in Skyward, and it can be looked up by his/her teachers. So, please join me assisting students.
4) After successfully inserting the username or school email address in Skyward's "Forgot Password" page and clicking on submit button, an email to setup student's Skyward password will be sent.
5) The student must log in to his/her school email account at Gmail using his/her email address and follow the prompts sent in the email sent by Skyward. Please remember, the generic password for students' email addresses is "WelcometoHPS2017".
FLu Prevention
With the start of Fall comes the cold and flu season. Please help everyone stay healthy this season by providing Clorox wipes, kleenex, and hand sanitizer. Your child can bring those items to their teachers anytime throughout the year.
Also Please read the below "Nurses Note" about how you can Help Fight the Flu
5TH & 8TH GRADE SSI
The goal of the Student Success Initiative (SSI) is to ensure that all students receive the instruction and support they need to be academically successful in mathematics and reading. This effort depends greatly on schools, parents and guardians, and community members working in partnership to meet individual student needs. This manual is designed to support campus personnel in the implementation of the grade-advancement requirements of the SSI, including the coordination of Grade Placement Committees (GPCs) as required by law.
SchoolCafe
https://www.schoolcafe.com/ October menu below.
join an after-school club
Don't forget club payments are due at the first of each month.
Join Science Bowl Club
When: Tuesday, 3 pm-5 pm
Where: Room # 121.
Contact: Mr. Unver (munver@harmonytx.org)
Science Bowl® is a nationwide academic competition that tests students’ knowledge in all areas of science and mathematics. The Science Bowl is a Jeopardy-like event for high school and middle school students who have a strong interest and academic ability in mathematics and science. The program is designed to encourage students and teachers to achieve educational excellence in the sciences.
The fast-paced question-and-answer categories are astronomy, biology, physics, chemistry, mathematics, current events in the scientific community, computer, earth and general sciences.
Zenith Learning
For parents who need afterschool care until 6:00 pm. Zenith Learning will help your children become a more well-rounded student by focusing on homework completion, and by offering different STEM-based activities, outdoor games and sports, literacy time, arts and crafts, DIY games, leadership, team building and entrepreneurship activities.
Part-time options are available at selected schools.
Register online at www.zenithlearning.org or call at 713 988 9600.
For questions, send an email to kkoon@zenithlearning.orgEngagement Activities
Join a Campus-Needs Assessment (CNA) Committee
Partner in Education - Learn how you can be a volunteer
We need you! How can you help? Community members and parents are encouraged to volunteer at their respective HPS campus. Every day, volunteers fulfill essential needs especially in the administrative, support and fundraising areas so that HPS's faculty can focus all of their energy on our students. Volunteers may be utilized in the classrooms, assisting in the office, library, and cafeteria, or at community fundraising events. If you are interested in volunteering, please sign up at harmony.voly.org
If you are interested in joining the PTO, contact your Engagement Coordinator: Ms. Adams at HSPSC, hadams@harmonytx.org.
Substitute Teachers Needed
Dell Children's Hospital BookDrive
We are still collecting new and gently used books for Dell Children's Hospital and we thank your in advance for participating to make this book drive a success for those families. Please drop off books with the front office through the coming months. Stay tuned for more information on delivering books to Dell Children's Hospital.
Community Events
English Conversation Club
Tuesday, September 26, 2017 at 05:00 pm to Tuesday, November 14, 2017 6:00pm Global Engagement Office - St. Edward's University, 3001 S Congress Ave, Moody Hall 102, Austin, TX, 78704
UT Austin Free Public Telescope Viewing
Times vary through the year
Public star parties and telescope viewings are offered three times a week on the University of Texas at Austin campus. Observe planets, clusters, and many more astronomical objects. Programs take place on Wednesday evenings at the 16-inch telescope on the roof of the Robert Lee Moore Building. On Friday and Saturday evenings telescope viewing is available at Painter Hall. Program is free and no reservations necessary.
September 15 – November 26, 2017
Diego y Frida: A Smile in the Middle of the Way
http://www.mexic-artemuseum.org/exhibitions
Diego y Frida: A Smile in the Middle of the Way is a photography exhibition that presents the encounters and discussions of this famous couple of the twentieth century through photographs.
Pong to Pokemon: The Evolution of Video Gaming exhibit
Bob Bullock Museum
07/29/2017 - 03/18/2018
October 1, 2017 - March 31, 2018
Dream Big: Engineering Our World at the Bob Bullock Museum
Dream Big: Engineering Our World is a heartfelt story of human ingenuity that will transform how people of all ages think about engineering. From the Great Wall of China to ground-breaking skyscrapers and bridges soaring above the clouds, Dream Big shows how engineers push the limits of innovation in unexpected and amazing ways. It also reveals the imagination it takes to create a sustainable future, and the heart that drives engineers to save lives. Starring three young women engineers and a high school engineering team, Dream Big will encourage today's young minds to become the innovators of tomorrow.
November 2
Day of the Dead Panel Discussion
6:30 pm to 8:00 pm
Mexic-Arte Museum at 419 Congress Ave, Austin, TX, 7870
November 4
It's My Park Day https://www.austinparks.org/
November 4-5
Fossil Fest
http://www.austinpaleo.org/fest.html
2017 Texas Book Festival
21st Annual Austin Celtic Festival
10621 Pioneer Farms in Austin just passed Braker Lane
2017 Japan Fall Festival ~ JASGA's 11th Aki Matsuri
12:00 pm to 04:00 pm
Japan-America Society of Greater Austin
November 10
Cities in Space International Student Competition & Conference
Please join us for Cities in Space International Student Competition and Conference November 10, 2017. STEAM Space Education and New Worlds are proud to host the 3rd Annual Cities in Space held in Austin, Texas.
Check out InternationalAustin's calendar for more area events:
WRITE A REVIEW FOR YOUR SCHOOL!
WE APPRECIATE YOUR FEEDBACK ON FACEBOOK REVIEWS, GOOGLE REVIEWS, AND GREATSCHOOLS.ORG
Harmony School of Political Science & Communications
WRITE A REVIEW FOR YOUR SCHOOL! WE APPRECIATE YOUR FEEDBACK ON FACEBOOK REVIEWS, GOOGLE REVIEWS, AND GREATSCHOOLS.ORG
Website: http://www.hspaustin.org/
Location: 13415 FM-620 Austin, Texas, TX 78717
Phone: (512) 284-9880
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hspaustin/
Twitter: @hsps_Austin