Harmony Newsletter

Congratulations to Harmony’s School Counselors for the extraordinary initiatives they have taken to meet comprehensive components for School Counseling Services. Their efforts have earned the achievement of a GOLD STAR recognition for the 2023-2024 school year, as part of the LCPS School Counseling STAR System Program.

The “Star System” is a comprehensive school counseling program, based on the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) National Model. This evidence-based framework is integral to the school’s academic mission and has been proven to have a significant positive impact on student achievement, attendance, and discipline. Earning a star recognition requires great diligence, planning, and drive and it has been remarkable watching our School Counselors build and maintain their comprehensive programs.

Last year's school counselors were Jamie Sharp (Lead), Alysia Brown, Bryan Pecoraro, and Christy Pierson. Way to go TEAM!

Oct 8 - Earthquake Drill

Oct 10 - Staff Karaoke Contest (after school)

Oct 10 - Chorus to Perform at WHS (see flyer below)

Oct 14 - No School

Oct 15 - 80's Day

Oct 16 - Unity Day for National Bullying Prevention Day (wear orange for kindness, acceptance, and inclusion)

Oct 17 - Neon Day

Oct 17 - PTA Spirit Night (at MOD Pizza)

Oct 18 - Pink Out Day (for October National Breast Cancer Awareness Month)

Oct 29 - Staff Versus Student Volleyball Game

Oct 30 - Student Holiday (Workday for Staff)

Oct 31 - Student Holiday (Workday for Staff)

Nov 1 - Holiday

Nov 4 - Student Holiday (Staff Professional Development Day)

Nov 5 - Student Holiday (Staff Professional Development Day)

Nov 13 - 6th Grade Awards Night (Last Name A - L) @ 7 PM

Nov 13 - 6th Grade Awards Night (Last Name M - Z) @ 8 PM

Nov 14 - 7th Grade Awards Night @ 7 PM

Nov 14 - 8th Grade Awards Night @ 8 PM

Nov 19 - 8th Grade Signs of Suicide presentations start

School Website Link

So far this year we have completed: Bus evacuation drills, two lock down drills, and two fire drills. An Earthquake drill will occur on October 8. Contact names are below for any questions.

• School Security Officer, (SSO), Josh Stillwell (joshua.stillwell@lcps.org)
• School Resource Office (SRO), Loudoun County Deputy Chris Salter (christopher.salter@loudoun.gov)
• 7th Grade Dean and School Safety Contact, Justin Dailey (justin.dailey@lcps.org)
• Principal, Eric Stewart (eric.stewart@lcps.org)

School Phone is 540-751-2500 (then dial zero to reach the main office)

Congratulations to our 6th grade Harmony Singers who were selected for the 2024 All-County Chorus:

Sopranos

Noelle Bourke, Teagan Crosby, Kyleigh Fuller, and Abbie Kate Sparks

Alternates

Addison Araiza and Jasmine Walters

Altos

Georgia Kakouras, Sofia Metallo, and Ella Woolwine

Alternates

Kate Arnold and Makenna Alford

The last few weeks we have provided root words to help build student vocabulary. We've taken all of those words the last few weeks and made it into a matching game using AI to help. Match letters with the numbers. Good luck.

1. bene a. to write

Link to 6th Grade Curriculum

Link to 7th Grade Curriculum

Link to 8th Grade Curriculum

From the Week of Sept 30:

VIDEO LINK and CLUBS FOR OCTOBER

This year's ELKS essay theme is “What Does Patriotism Mean To Me?” This contest has four separate divisions for 5th, 6th, 7th & 8th grade students and awards for Each Grade Level. They provide various forms of recognition to respective winners TO INCLUDE PLAQUES, PRESENTATIONS AND CASH AWARDS.

RULES: Essay length is not to exceed 300 words.

AWARDS: Plaques will be awarded by Grand Lodge for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Place for national winning essays in Divisions I, II, III, and IV.

ENTRY DATE: Essay should be submitted to local Elks Lodge on/before December 15, 2024 Email all entries back to patsy.schierlmann@usgcs.com Send all inquiries to patsy.schierlmann@usgcs.com

On a recent Friday night football game at Woodgrove HS, several Harmony students and others from the elementary feeder schools, sang the national anthem at prior to kick-off. Thanks to all who participated.

This week we recognize several teachers!

Shout Out to Staff / Brenda Dowdy - for her integration of Gemini (AI) and her learning from her writing course. Her students identified an event in their lives, described it in writing, then sketched an animal from that event. They then went to Ms. Dowdy to write a prompt for Gemini to create a Tim Burton style image of their animal. Students worked at refining their prompts to get as close as they could to the animal in their mind/sketch. They’ll use these images as inspiration for their final project.

Another amazing staff member is Michele Schwartz. Aside from saving lives in the hallway, she will ALWAYS make time for any issue you may have big or small. Additionally, if she doesn’t know an answer to something she will extensively research it and find your answer. She truly exemplifies what a support staff member is and how they operate. Not only does she do all of this, she never complains and does this all with a smile on her face! Just the best!

My staff shout out goes to Stephanie Buckley! She goes above and beyond ANYTHNG. Between training new staff on how to properly set up subs to becoming De Facto ISR teacher. Even the assistant principals use her to do special projects.

Thank you parents and staff for submitting names. If you would like to recognize a staff member, please email eric.stewart@lcps.org)

The Step Up Loudoun Youth Competition presents middle and high school students with an opportunity to identify an issue in their communities and implement a solution as they contribute to the world around them.

As in the past, students will create a 5 minute team video due March 5, 2025, and then the top 20 teams will present live to judges on March 26, 2025. The Finals and Awards Ceremony will be on April 3, 2025, where the top 10 teams will be invited to present for cash prizes.

Registration for the Step Up Loudoun Youth Competition is now open. You will find information about SULYC and the link for the application at: www.loudounyouth.org under Programs: Step Up Loudoun Youth Competition. If you have any questions about SULYC, or Loudoun Youth, Inc., please reach out to me at swolfson@loudounyouth.org.

To Our Fantastic Custodians

In the halls of Harmony MS, where we learn and grow,
There’s a team of heroes, more than you know.
Led by Richard, with a heart so grand,
Our school shines bright, thanks to his guiding hand.

Melissa, Jennie, Howard, Cesy, Maria too,
Santa and Tania, we’re so grateful for you.
The floors are so clean, they sparkle and gleam,
So spotless, the principal would eat off them, it seems! (he would)

With smiles on their faces, and joy in their stride,
They work together, side by side.
This summer they toiled, through heat and through pain,
Ensuring our school is perfect again.

We see your hard work, your dedication and care,
And we want you to know, we’re so glad you’re there.
From the bottom of our hearts, we send our love,
You’re our school’s angels, sent from above.

(this poem written by AI with help from school staff)

Auditions will be held:

November 19 (6th and tech crew)

November 20 (7th and 8th grade)

November 21 (call-backs and dance crew) from 3:45 until 6 pm.

More information coming soon.

During HIVE Time students will continue learning about relationships and problem solving through Second Step Unit 4: Lesson 23. Please review next week’s grade specific topics in the chart below.