Tiger Newsletter
Wednesday, March 4, 2020
Campus Leadership
Administrators:
Sofieh Hopovac- Campus Principal: shopovac@harmonytx.org
Brett Garrett -Dean of Academics: bgarrett@harmonytx.org
Timothy Clark- Dean of Students: tclark@harmonytx.org
Coordinators:
Heather Gregory- Engagement: hgregory@harmonytx.org
Kyla McDade- Special Education: kmcdade@harmonytx.org
Tamara Yarborough- ESL/Testing/Federal Programs: tyarborough@harmonytx.org
Milada Kazazic- GATE Teacher: mmedinic@harmonytx.orgOffice:
Paula Gonzalez - Operations Manager: pgonzalez@harmonytx.org
Email: hgregory@harmonytx.org
Website: https://hsagarland.harmonytx.org
Location: 2302 Firewheel Parkway, Garland, TX, USA
Phone: 972-212-4777
Facebook: facebook.com/hsagarland
Twitter: @HSA_GARLAND
UPCOMING DATES
March
2 - School Store Information went home
2 - Reading Challenge Began
2-6 - Read Across America Dress Up Days (see flyer below)
4 - Spring Picture Information went home
5 - PTO Meeting
5 - Talent Show Contestants Announced (via letter)
6 - MAP Mania
8 - Daylight Savings Time Begins
9-13 - Spring Break (NO School)
14 - National Pi Day
17 - Spring Pictures (indivicual and group)
19 - 1st Day of Spring
20 - 3rd Quarter Awards Assembly
23 - Kindergarten Graduation Pictures
23 - Read A Thon Kicks Off
26 - Day of Awesomeness Celebration
26 - In N Out Cookout Fundraiser (see below for tickets) @ 5:30
26 - Talent Show @ 6pm
27 - Student Holiday (NO School)
31 - Parent CIP Meeting (campus improvement plan)
Spring Reading Challenge
One of the highest priorities of any educator is to instill a love of reading in our students. And implementing a reading challenge can be a great way encourage reading.
So from March 2 through May 1, all Harmony students will have a chance to participate in the Harmony Spring Reading Challenge.
How it works: Students are grouped into the K-2, 3-5 and 6-12 grade levels and will be asked to read any book of their choice appropriate to their reading level. The more books they read, the better the chance they’ll have to win incentives for their achievements. Harmony will then recognize the top students and campus in the DFW District based on participation.
You can help with this reading challenge by encouraging and motivating your child(ren) to keep reading. Research confirms that a child's motivation is one key factor in successful reading. Some ways parents can encourage reading includes:
- Surrounding your child(ren) with reading material
- Helping them choose age-appropriate books
- Visting your local libary
- Reading to your child(ren)
- Reading with your child(ren)
And finally, you can encourage reading by modeling good reading habits. Let your children see you reading!
Please don't hesitate to contact your child's teacher if you have any questions.
Register TODAY for Spring Break Camp!
Harmony Education Foundation is excited to announce a week full of fun and learning with their Spring Break Camp, March 9-13, at two DFW Harmony campuses—Harmony Science Academy-Plano and Harmony School of Innovation-Grand Prairie.
But you have to act fast—the registration deadline is Monday, March 2. So register now to secure your spot as enrollment is limited.
From 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., the camp will offer lots of outdoor, arts, and STEM activities to make this week an unforgettable experience for your child. For more information please visit harmonyed.org.
STOP the SPREAD!
Fighting the Flu: What You Need to Know
The United States may be gearing up for one of the worst flu seasons in years. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported last month that there have been 32 pediatric deaths so far this season. That’s the most flu-related deaths in children since the CDC started tracking flu numbers 17 years ago. Most of the deaths have been linked to influenza B — a strain young children are particularly susceptible to. Now, influenza A appears to be gaining momentum, upping the risk that this flu season will be even more severe than expected.
In total, there have been at least 9.7 million cases of the flu, at least 87,000 flu-related hospitalization, and up to 12,000 deaths, according to the CDC.
To help fight the flu, the CDC recommends the following:
- Stay home for at least 24 hours after fever is gone (except to get medical care);
- Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub;
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue (or elbow/shoulder) when you cough or sneeze;
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way;
- Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs like the flu.
DFW/Waco District Wellness Policy Meeting
We invite all parents, students, staff and other community stakeholders to attend Harmony Public Schools-DFW/Waco District Wellness Policy meeting. The meeting will be held at Harmony School of Innovation-Grand Prairie located at 1441 Fish Creek Rd, Grand Prairie, TX 75052 on Friday, March 27, 2020 from 9:30am to 12:30pm. We will review our current District Wellness Policy (located on each campus website) and the guidelines set forth in the HPS board approved Wellness Plan (available on each campus website) in regards to nutrition education, Smart Snack Guidelines, fundraisers, exemptions, classroom parties, etc. If you are interested in joining, no RSVP is necessary and we look forward to your attendance. For questions or additional information, please contact Linda Moore at LMoore@harmonytx.org.
Safety Updates
Attention parents: As an added safety feature to HSA-Garland we have installed a permanent lock and camera to our front doors. This layer of security is one more way to keep all of our students safe. As many of you know we have also changed where our students leave during dismissal. Please understand that students safety is one of our highest priorities so please plan accordingly if you are needing to pick your child up for appointments. Please pick them up by 2:20 pm.
Starting Monday August 26th any student arriving after 7:30 am is considered tardy and parents/guardians will need to come inside and sign your student into school with our tardy kiosk set up in the lobby. Any student not brought in by an adult will receive a phone call or need to meet with admin. This is just another way to insure the safety of our students. We understand that this might be an inconvenience but the safety of all students is important to us.
Students should be dropped off at the designated drop off zones. No students should be dropped off in the front of the building.
Please, if you have any questions please contact the school.
Birthday Requests
If you would like to bring food items to celebrate your student's birthday, you will need to fill out a birthday request 2 weeks prior to the day. If this request is not made, you will not be permitted to leave or bring items for a birthday celebration. Please email your child's teacher for approval. The celebration will be the last 15 minutes of the day.