Harmony Nature Tiger Prints
March 30 , 2019 Volume 63 Week 29
Harmony School of Nature
Email: hsnature@harmonytx.org
Website: https://hsnature.harmonytx.org/
Location: 8120 West Camp Wisdom Road, Dallas, TX, United States
Phone: 972 296 1000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hsanature/
Twitter: @HSNatureDallas
Highlights for the Week
- The Pulsera Project
- Campus Improvement Meeting
- Chocolate Fundraising Payments Due
- Harmony's Got Talent
- Lunch Program Updates
A Note from the principal
Dear parents and guardians,
I hope you all had a wonderful week. It is hard to believe that we are in the second week of our last quarter of the school year. Please continue to support your children and encourage them to do well and finish strong this last quarter. I can not express how grateful I am for the supportive parents that I have met with this year.
Please continue to encourage your children to attend tutoring to receive any help they may need from their teacher. Based on the students needs the parents have been notified via email and phone calls. If you are thinking your child needs tutoring and not notified please contact the front office.
Chocolate Fundraising has come to an end, please follow up with the front office to make sure your balance has been paid for the chocolate.
Please spread the word for the enrollment. We accept students from almost all grade levels.
Just in case if you need
Have a wonderful weekend,
Mr. Ilker Fidan, M.Ed
Report Cards
Please be aware that report cards were sent out on Wednesday. This is a great time of year to really emphasize to your child that the school year is not over and they need to work hard to finish strong. Please continue to follow up with your child and their teachers about their grades and assignments.
Campus Improvement meeting
Dear Parents,
Please join us for our CIP meeting of this school year. The purpose of the meeting is to identify the campus needs, revise and develop goals and objectives, and review strategies for the upcoming year. The meeting is open to all of our parents. If you are planning to attend the meeting or you have any questions, please contact with Mr. Thomas at bthomas@harmonytx.org.
Campus Improvement Plan (CIP) Meeting date:
April 2, 2019
Time: 1:00 pm
Room: 320
Dear Harmony School of Nature Family,
Over the next two weeks (3/18/19 - 4/01/2019) our National Honor Society will be partnering with The Pulsera Project, a fair trade nonprofit organization that seeks to empower, inspire, and educate people in Central America and the U.S.
The Pulsera Project provides sustainable, well-paying work opportunities for nearly 200 artisans in Nicaragua and Guatemala, most of whom make colorful hand-woven bracelets, or “pulseras” in Spanish. The project then creates a market for their artwork by partnering with schools across the U.S.
Pulseras (bracelets) will be sold for $5 here in our school in the rotunda by the library and during the middle school/high school lunches. The proceeds will be invested in a wide range of social impact programs in Nicaragua & Guatemala, including:
*Sustained employment for nearly 200 artists
*Legal and medical aid for those impacted by the crisis in Nicaragua
*Secondary education programs
* University scholarships for artisans and their families
*Healthcare for artisans and their families
*A housing program for artisans and their families
*Environmental initiatives
*Support for other social enterprises doing impactful work in these countries
We hope this will be a highlight of the school year as students engage with the beauty of Latin American culture while lending support to these skilled artisans and their communities!
Sincerely,
National Honor Society - NHS (Community Service/Academic Honor Society Club)
President: Monica Pham
Sponsors: Mr. Jeremy White and Mrs. Samantha McCommas
Harmony's Got Talent
HPS is starting to promote a new event...Harmony's Got Talent...We are looking for new young singers, magicians, showmen...
HSN auditions will be held on Friday, April 5th after school in the library and the school performances on Thursday, April 12th at 6:00 pm in the Gym.
Two winners will represent Harmony School of Nature on the District Talent Competition on Friday, April 18th at HSI Grand Praire.
And come to see our talented students who will be very famous in the next few years!
ZAP ( Zeros aren't permitted)
Harmony School of Nature is initiating a new program called ZAP -Zeros Aren't Permitted.
Our goal is to assist students and help them out to complete their missing assignments and turn them in.
With this program, we aim to minimize the students' Zero's in the grade book and get them ready for the upcoming district and state assessments.
We are pulling students to the library during;
- before school ( from their drop off time until the first bell)
- advisory
- after school ( right after the last block till 4:00 pm)
You as a parent will be getting phone calls or emails to inform you if they need to stay after school.
We will continue to work with students until they have no missing assignments.
Visitor ID
It is always our first priority to keep all students and staff safe in our building throughout the entire day. Please be aware that you will be required to always show a valid ID when visiting our school or picking up a student.
How to obtain STAAR test results
To obtain your child’s STAAR test results history on Texas Assessment Data Portal
Go to: https://txparentportal.emetric.net/login
You will need your student access code and date of birth
-To obtain student access code you will need student’s first name and social security number
Como obtener sus resultados de STAAR
Para obtener los resultados de STAAR en Texas Assessment Data Portal
Va a la pagina: https://txparentportal.emetric.net/login
Necesita su codico de acceso de su estudiante y su fecha de nacimiento
-Para obtener su codico necesita su primer nombre y numero de seguro social
Grow Your own teacher program
Dear Students and Parents!
I just wanted to let you know that Grow Your Own Teacher-GYOT application deadline is approaching and GPA requirement for campus alumni and HS seniors has changed to 2.50. We are highly recommending our students to apply who have interest in pursuing a career in the education profession.
Just wanted to remind you again GYOT is not a scholarship, it is a financial aid program for our interns who have been accepted into GYOT program. Recipients must fill out GYOT reimbursement form at the end of the semester along with supporting documents such as transcript, educational expense receipts such as tuition, one time laptop, parking fee, books and office supplies, [Dorm, Meal, and Gas expenses cannot be reimbursed at this time] to get their money back which are made out of their pocket.
All GYOT financial aid paid through the program will be forgiven after two years of service in HPS as an educator.
Application deadline for GYOT is March 29th, 2019.
More information can be learned by visiting GYOT official website.
GYOT Eligibility
A) Students Currently Enrolled in HPS (selected in Senior year, Fall semester)
Minimal Eligibility Requirements for Students Currently Enrolled in HP
● Completion of junior and senior year of high school at HPS.
● Cumulative HPS GPA of 2.5 or higher throughout enrollment.
● High school seniors applying for the Program must be accepted into an HPS-approved accredited college or university in the State of Texas.
● The applicant must be eligible to work in the United States.
B) Graduates of HPS
Minimal Eligibility Requirements for Graduates of HPS
● Completion of junior and senior year of high school with graduation and award of a diploma from HPS.
● HPS graduate must pursue any degree major that leads to teacher certification
● Cumulative college GPA of 2.5 or higher at the time the individual applies for the Program and throughout a selected Participant’s participation in the Program.
● The applicant must be eligible to work in the United States.
Feel free to contact Mr. Ertuna-CESC if you have any questions.
1st Annual Harmony Alumni Survey
Dear Harmony Alumni,
We would like to inform you that the 1st Annual Harmony Alumni Survey is active now and ready to receive your feedback. We would like to hear your input regarding your post-secondary experience.
Your responses will help us learn your challenges and experiences to design the Harmony College Access and Success Model and strategic plan with the Bellwether Educational Consulting firm.
Your feedback is very important to us. In an act of encouragement, survey takers will join a raffle in the first week of April to get one of five iWatches!
DEADLINE is: MARCH 31, 2019
Harmony Parent of the Year
We are honored to announce that our school nominee is Mrs. Christine Grudecki.
The winner will be announced in the first week of May.
Excellent Educator of the Month
Dear HSN Family,
Our staff of the month and the nominee for "Excellent Educator Award" is our ELA/ESL Teacher Ms. Tracy Ann Smith.
Now, as you did before for Ms. Hunter who was selected "January Excellent Educator" by NBC5 And SMU, we need your support again. It is an easy entry...basic contact info and why your teacher nomination inspires you in less than 500 words. It took me less than 10 minutes to do the nomination start to finish!
And please spread the word...
Nominate a Teacher Who Inspires You | NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth https://www.nbcdfw.com/on-air/contests/Nominate-a-Teacher-Who-Inspires-You-492108841.html?_osource=mobilesharebar
You all deserve the best...Thank you for your cooperation.
Spread the Word / Invite Friend
It's easy; just follow these directions:
Like our Facebook page and get one jeans day!
Like two posts and get one jeans day!
Refer someone who enrolls and get a free uniform shirt!
Show Mrs. Tanwar proof via screenshot or email to get your jeans bracelet.
Tutoring
The following is the schedule for tutoring:
Monday and Thursday: Math, Social Studies, and Writing
Tuesday and Friday: Reading and Science
Detention
Dress Code
Dress code policies are still in effect! No hoodies are allowed in the building. Parents will be notified and consequences will be given. Students can wear solid colored pullover sweaters, sweatshirts or cardigans. School cardigans and fleece jackets can be purchased at the front office for $15. Credit cards or money orders only.
Friday Spirit Days
Fridays are Spirit days! Students are allowed to wear blue jeans and a spirit or college shirt. Jeans must be blue and cannot be ripped, torn or shredded or look like they are.
BONUS Spirit Days
Student ID
Badges have been distributed to all students. The students are required to wear their badges around their neck at all times. Lost or damaged badges must be replaced. The $5 fee will be collected at the front office, via credit card or money order. A temporary badge will be issued if a student forgets theirs at home, but after three attempts, they will be required to replace their badge. Please help them remember to bring their badges to school.
Tardy Sweeps
School starts promptly at 7:55 am. While we understand that traffic can be an issue, our students are missing out on valuable instructional time when they arrive late. We have begun implementing tardy sweeps between classes and students will receive consequences when they are tardy. The consequences range from detention to in-school suspension. Please help us encourage your students to get to class on time.
No tardy student will get "no tardy party" end of this semester.
The following consequences will be issued for tardies:
5 tardies - detention
10 tardies - detention
20 tardies - in school suspension
30 tardies - out of school suspension
6th Grade Sky Ranch Trip
Credit card payments
Please note that we cannot accept cash payments or credit card payments over the phone for any item or service in the front office. You are welcome to pay by check or credit card (in person). If you are paying by check, please include your date of birth and driver's license number on the check itself.
National Lunch Program
Cafeteria Policies
- Students are not allowed to share food, due to allergies and dietary constraints. This includes bringing in food for celebrations, such as birthdays.
- Microwaves are limited. We strongly recommend that students bring lunches that do not need to be heated up or are in a Thermos-type container. Please refrain from sending items that have to be heated for more than 2 minutes to help alleviate wait times.
Students are not allowed to purchase a la carte items if their account has a $0 or negative balance. If they are purchasing a milk, we will allow them one charge as a courtesy. The Lunch Clerk will inform the student and parent that there must be funds in the meal account for a la carte purchases. The next attempt to purchase a la carte items will be denied until the account shows a positive balance.
The district charge limit applies to reimbursable meals only and not a la carte purchases.
Meal Charge Policy
Nutritious meals are available daily for a price of $1.70 for breakfast, $3.00 for lunch, and $0.50 for a la carte milk. Each student is provided a lunch account on to which money may be deposited. Households are encouraged to set up an account in School Cafe (www.schoolcafe.com) to view meal balances, make a payment, set low balance alerts, and schedule automatic payments. Payments may also be made in the school office.
Should a student’s meal account balance fall below $0, he /she will be allowed to charge up to -10 $ DISTRICT LIMIT. Once the negative meal account balance limit is reached, the student will receive an alternate meal. Alternate meals consist of cereal, fruit, and milk for breakfast; and for lunch, a sandwich, vegetable, and milk. If a student is later approved for free meals, he/she will begin receiving meals immediately. However, the household is still responsible for paying the negative account balance.
Most important meal, Breakfast
Breakfast is available from 7.30 am until 7:45 am. The breakfast menu can be found on the school website, front office and posted in the cafeteria.
Important documents/Notes regards to Lunch Program
Important Reminders
****Arrival and Dismissal Procedures****
Letter to Seniors
Dear Seniors/parents/guardians,
This is a reminder that the FAFSA/TASFA State Priority Deadline was on January 15, 2019 for institutional scholarships and grants. It is extremely important that your FAFSA was finished on time to ensure you will receive institutional financial aid (scholarships and grants). The impacts 4 year colleges and universities in Texas (not 2 year colleges). Please make arrangements to get this done if you haven't already.
The 10 colleges that you list on your FAFSA are extremely important, please make sure your list is updated to reflect your college list and the financial aid packages you are wanting to receive. Please note, many colleges must receive the students SAR report (from FAFSA) before giving any kind of financial aid (this will only be sent to the 10 colleges you have listed on your FAFSA), other colleges require the student to do a special application for financial aid (Ex: Texas Woman's University has this). Please make sure you know what your college/university requires so you don’t miss out on Financial Aid.
Counselors will be setting up meetings to go over Financial Aid letters with students/parents/guardians in April to help make the best decision by May 1st (National College decision day!). Students will need to confirm their enrollment at the college they have decided to go to or they may be dropped (colleges will start to accept students on the waitlist after this day).
Senior Reminders:
You’re almost done! You’ve worked 12 years to get to this moment. Students please make sure you (1) have submitted all of your volunteer hours through X2vol as soon as possible, if you have not already done so, (2) acceptance into a 4 year university, and (3) ensure that you are passing all of your current courses, and have finished and paid for any credit recovery course that might be needed. You will not be able to participate in the ceremony without meeting these graduation requirements.
Mandatory Graduation Practice:
Date: May 25, 2018
Time: 8:45 AM (it will last about an hour and a half to 2 hours)
Location: Duncanville’s First Baptist Church (graduation venue)
323 W Wheatland Rd, Duncanville, TX 75116
Please note, per Harmony policy, students are required to attend graduation practice. Not attending may result in not being able to participate in the ceremony.
Graduation Ceremony:
Date: May 25, 2018
Time: 4:00 PM (Students must report at 3:00 PM)
Location: Duncanville’s First Baptist Church (graduation venue)
323 W Wheatland Rd, Duncanville, TX 75116
Graduation Tickets:
Students are limited to bringing 20 or less guests (this is 5 more guests than last year), the venue does not have the capacity to seat more. The venue will be open for guests at 3:30 PM.
If you missed Herff Jones you can still order your cap/gown online at:
Telephone: 817-244-4645
Address:
3300 Joyce Drive, Suite A
Fort Worth, TX 76116
Have a wonderful weekend!
CIA Ambassador Program is coming to Harmony School of Nature!
On Monday, March 25 we will have two special guests from the CIA come to Harmony School of Nature and present to juniors and seniors about the CIA Ambassador Program that is available.
This program provides the opportunity to have their college paid for entirely through a summer internship, and students are guaranteed employment with the CIA with successful completion of the program (as long as they maintain the eligibility.)
Eligibility, Program Details and the Application can be found at this link
Dual Credit Helpful Links!
If a student is unsure of how to check their Mountain View Class Schedule or log onto Blackboard, please have them watch these instructional video and follow the steps:
How to Log onto Econnect and check Class Schedule (Video)
How to Log onto Blackboard for the first time (Video)
Please note, Harmony School of Nature Counselors do not have any access of any kind to reset passwords, find usernames, etc. for Mountain View College Accounts. If the student is still having trouble after watching the videos, please have them call the helpline.
School Day SAT is Coming April 23
We are excited to offer the School-Day SAT® at Harmony School of Nature on Tuesday, April 23, 2019. All 11th grade students will test for free during school hours, at our high school. Offering the test during school hours allows students to participate without changing their routines or missing commitments such as work or extracurricular activities. Major benefits of an SAT ®school day administration include: improves access and convenience; increases overall student participation and creates a college-going-culture; and minimizes test-day stress because students are in a familiar location with familiar staff.
The SAT® is a curriculum-based, high-stakes test that will provide an important measure of academic achievement as students prepare for post-secondary college and career opportunities. Participation in the SAT® also gives students valuable skills feedback, connects them with scholarship opportunities, and helps them select the best fit for college. The SAT® is also used by colleges and universities as part of their undergraduate admission process.
Study Resources:
https://www.khanacademy.org/sat (You can link this account with your College Board account for personalized instruction based on PSAT scores)Are you ready for your Summer Internship?
There are two summer internships we are working on with our students (students are not limited to these, if you know of any others please share them with your counselor). The Dallas Mayor’s Intern Fellows program and UT Southwestern Medical Center STARS program. You can view the requirements at the links below:
Link to requirements for Dallas Mayor’s Intern Fellows (10th-11th grade only)
Link to UT Southwestern Medical Center STARS program (11th grade only)
High School Credits
As the semester comes to a close, Counselors would like to take a moment and remind students that credits matter. Please make sure you are passing your classes. Not passing can often result in the need for credit recovery courses (they cost $100 dollars per semester) and for seniors it can impact the ability to graduate.
2018-2019 Counselor Assignments
8th Grade- Mrs. Senlik
9th Grade- Mrs. Senlik
10th Grade- Mrs. Rivers
11th Grade- Mrs. Rivers
12th Grade- Mrs. Rivers, Mrs. Senlik, Mr. Ertuna (students are assigned based on advisory classes and should now know who their counselor is)
Mrs. Rivers
Room 309
Mrs. Senlik
Room 308
Mr. Ertuna
Room 306
Please remember, you should never have to pay to complete a FAFSA application. If the application is asking you for money, then you are on the wrong site!
PTSO Contact Information
Need to contact the PTSO or want to keep up to date on what we're doing?
Here are the ways to keep in touch:
Email: hsnaturepto@gmail.com
Website: hsnaturepto.org
Facebook: @hsnaturepto
Instagram: @hsnaturepto
Cell Phone Policy
Students using their cell phones will have them confiscated and they will be given to the front office. Any student refusing to give a cell phone or other electronic device to school staff shall be subject to disciplinary penalties in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct. Parents will be required to come in and sign paperwork to retrieve the phone. Students cannot sign out their own phones. Please note that the use of camera phones for recording is strictly forbidden on the school premises at any time.
Morning drop off off update:
In order to help expedite the morning drop off process, we are making a slight change starting October 22nd. Students arriving after 8 am will need to be dropped off at the front of the school. As always, students arriving after 8:15 am must be signed in by a parent. Remember, students arriving after 8 am are marked tardy, so please make every effort to arrive before school starting time. for every minutes they are late will be recording as they are losing instructional time.
Chromebook Policy
Students will be assigned a specific Chromebook in each classroom and must always follow school guidelines for Internet safety.
A/B Week Schedule
Parent Connect
Check the Academic Programs website regularly for information on