Harmony News - Back to School News
August 22, 2021
Principal Welcome
(For all LCPS buildings, all students, staff, and visitors are expected to wear masks.)
See you all soon!
Eric Stewart
Important Dates
Aug 23 - 6th Grade Orientation (8:00 to 11:30 AM)
Aug 23 - Parent Orientation - any grade - (11:00 to 11:30 AM)
Aug 23 - 7th and 8th Grade Schedule / Locker Access, last names A - M (2:30 to 4:30)
Aug 24 - 7th and 8th Grade Schedule / Locker Access, last names N - Z (2:30 to 4:30)
(On Aug 23 / 24 (2:30 to 4:30), kids and parents can get into lockers, bring supplies, and "walk" their schedule so they know where to go the first day)
Aug 26 - First Day of School
SEPT 8 - 6th Grade Back to School Night (7 PM to 9 PM)
SEPT 15 - 7th and 8th Grade Back to School Night (7 PM to 9 PM)
6th Grade Orientation (AUG 23)
6th Grade Students and Parents,
(Must have MASK)
WHEN? Monday, August 23 from 8 AM to 11:30 AM. Students can begin arriving at 7:40 AM at the corner GYM entrance (we will have staff there). Parents can drop their child off and meet them for pick up after their 11:00 parent orientation with principal Stewart (in the auditorium).
WHAT? Students will have three and a half hours or activities around the school. They will receive their schedules, learn how to find the different areas of the building from school staff (and 8th grader mentors), and get their lockers. Additionally, they will meet their peers and continue making connections and friendships with other 6th graders. Most teachers will be out of the building at county-wide in-services so today is not about meeting the teachers.
WHY? This is Harmony's traditional practice of making students more comfortable with coming to school and providing opportunities to learn the building and meet more kids their age. The morning activities have been highly successful in the past and accounts for our yearly smooth opening first day (AUG 26).
OTHER? Kids should dress comfortably and bring a mask to wear. No food, materials, or anything else is needed. Kids will meet parents after the parent orientation with principal Stewart (in the auditorium) from 11:00 to 11:30.
PLAN AHEAD: Once we get kids into the building at 8 AM, we will split them up so they are with smaller groups and further apart from larger crowds. At 11:30, they will be divided into three groups to make it easier to find you (and you to find them - see list below). After you meet up with them, each family should decide when they feel safe to take their child to their locker to open it and put in first day school supplies. With 312 students and potentially 312 (or more) parents, the locker area will be quite jammed up with people. The school will be open until 4:30 PM Aug 23 for any parent and child to return to set up lockers when there are less people. Please decide ahead of time when works best for your family.
At 11:30, kids will meet parents in the following locations:
GYM - Last Name begins with A to G
CAFE - Last Name begins with H to O
AUD - Last Name begins with P to Z
School questions about 6th Grade Orientation?
6th grade dean, eric.mcgrady@lcps.org
6th grade counselor, bryan.pecoraro@lcps.org
6th student orientation day coordinator, sarah.schiavo@lcps.org
PTA News
Hi Harmony Families!
We are so glad to be back in school this fall and we'd like to invite all of you to join your PTA for the 2021-2022 school year. Not only does your membership support your PTA, the simple act of joining tells our wonderful staff that you want to be a part of a successful school year.
Please click here to join: https://harmonyms.memberhub.com/store?category=Memberships
We'll share info soon about our fall spirit wear collection (it's going to be a one-stop shop for the whole family!).
Please reach out if you have any questions at any time - president@harmonymspta.org
Warmest regards,
Natalie Metzler
Harmony MS PTA President
Chromebooks
6th Grade Students and Parents.
GREAT NEWS - We have BRAND NEW Chromebooks and charge cords for EVERY 6th grader. However, to receive one we need your old one back in the following condition:
- ALL stickers must be completely removed
- The same Chromebook you were issued at your elementary school must be returned.
- You must return your charge cord with your Chromebook (Lost cords are $20).
You will be asked to bring the Chromebook AND charge cord on our first day of school, THUR, AUGUST 26. That morning, all students who have those TWO items (and no stickers on them) will receive their new Chromebook and charge cord.
Students - Please help your parents get these items ready for AUG 26.
Parents - Please help your child remove all stickers and find their charge cord. Send them with them on AUG 26. (We will not be prepared to trade them before that day.)
We are excited to meet everyone.
First Day of School Information
(Repeat from a previous newsletter)
Please login to ParentVUE on the Loudoun County Public Schools’ (LCPS’) website (not the mobile app) to complete the Online Verification process as part of Loudoun County Public Schools’ First Day of School initiative. This process is required for families to review and update important information about their students as we begin the 2021-22 school year. The Online Verification process must be completed no later than Friday, September 24.
If you do not have a ParentVUE account, please contact the school of any of your students to request an Activation Letter.
For resources and FAQs to help you with the Online Verification process and start of the new school year, go to: www.lcps.org/FirstDay. This page covers the following topics and more:
- Parent access to and training in Schoology
- School Calendar
- Student Rights and Responsibilities
- Parent Resources
- Guide and Directory to the LCPS division
- Program of Studies for Secondary Students
- Free and Reduced Lunch Application
- McKinney-Vento Application
- Insurance Information
- LCPS Mobile App Details
- Transportation Information
Academies of Loudoun
The application for the Academies opens on August 18. A student must be sitting in an algebra I class to be eligible to apply.
Upcoming Academies of Loudoun Information Session for anyone from any school: AUG 23, 6:30 to 7:30 PM at Blue Ridge MS.
Contact christy.pierson@lcps.org
Sneakers and Shoes Needed
Did you know that your gently worn sneakers could help your Harmony Middle School PTA?
Well, they can and here’s how…Our team is participating in a fundraiser where there is nothing to buy or sell; All we need is your support and your gently worn, used, or new sneakers!
Here’s how you can help:
Start in your and your family’s closets and gather as many pair of sneakers that you no longer want; maybe you’ve out-grown them, they’re out of style, or out of season. If you and your household have 5 pairs, great! If not, don’t worry. You can ask your neighbors, friends, co-workers, and anyone in your social networks to help out. Every pair counts!
The sneakers that we all collect will help raise money to support our program AND will help our environment by keeping sneakers out of landfills.
Can we count on you? Collection boxes will be available outside the school during the open houses on August 23 and 24 and again during the Back To School Nights on Sept. 8 and 15. Thanks for your support!
Harmony PTA
Contact Us
Nurse:
Attendance Questions:
erin.goodlin@lcps.org, registrar and attendance secretary
Special Programs (Academies of Loudoun - AOL, NJROTC, Career Day, etc.):
christy.pierson@lcps.org, counselor
6th Grade:
eric.mcgrady@lcps.org, dean
bryan.percoraro@lcps.org, counselor
7th Grade:
valarie.dicarlo@lcps.org, dean
jamie.sharp@lcps.org, counselor
8th Grade:
erin.pinero@lcps.org, dean
alysia.brown@lcps.org, counselor
Any Questions:
eric.stewart@lcps.org, principal
patrick.white@lcps.org, assistant principal (assessment)
kristen.hepner@lcps.org, assistant principal (special education)