Harmony Newsletter

Dec 13 - Woodgrove HS to perform for our 8th graders (AM)

Dec 13 - UGLY Sweater Day

Dec 13 - 8th Grade Music Dept to perform for 6th / 7th Grade (Last Block)

Dec 16 - Wear FLANNEL Day

Dec 17 - CANDY CANE Day Wear Red & White

Dec 18 - GRINCH Day Wear Green

Dec 19 - BRING the SUNSHINE Wear Yellow

Dec 20 - HOLIDAY PJs

School Website Link

This year we have completed: bus evacuation drills, two lock down drills, four fire drills, and an earthquake drill. We also reviewed these "Safety Scenarios" in Advisory. We did a fire drill on Nov 13 and had an unplanned "Sprinkler Issue" that led to an evacuation of the building on Dec 13. 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)

Our Chamber Carolers performed at the Loudoun County Hospital welcome area this past week. They "jammed" for a little bit and then came back to school. See pictures below of their trip to the Inova Hospital in Lansdowne. Thank you Mr. Schear and students:

From the Week of:

VIDEO LINK (Dec 9)

VIDEO LINK (Dec 16)

PAVAN is happy to announce the dates for 2025 are July 7 - 18! The online application and updated audition requirements can be found on the PAVAN website at https://pavangsa.org/. Applications and audition videos are due February 28, 2025.

Next year's 6th grade class visited us on December 6th. They had a building tour and heard all music options through an assembly by our entire 8th grade music department (and a few 7th graders).

They demonstrated behaviors that we are excited about such as being well behaved and very polite.

Our 8th graders did a marvelous job and performed again (on Dec 13) for our current 6th and 7th graders.

Kids seem to enjoy the multiple games and skill sports in the HPE department! Air Hockey, hockey, bowling, and much more.

When we can't go outside, we make good use of the inside equipment and space.

Here's a few songs from our recent Choral Concerts:

Underneath the Tree

https://share.icloud.com/photos/07eBzTzzKIUsqUk2uwleTHnJQ

8 Lights for Hanukkah

https://share.icloud.com/photos/089zrQ8tb62eZ9mMHi304Cwtg

In-Harmony: Jingle Bell Rock

https://share.icloud.com/photos/0b5Xn5KkOZBgqq2xHDQLvKJsQ

All-County Singers Recognition

https://share.icloud.com/photos/05b3jJtdILdsNf2mdAt-zxTIQ

Transition

https://share.icloud.com/photos/0bfyCAxTaMkqxaS4O854-1WBQ

Let The River Run

https://share.icloud.com/photos/0b5kKsbo7CZktBBE2mCfbLM2w

There Will Be Stars

https://share.icloud.com/photos/0521o7POyt50U7ZnMTJl5lynw

Today our community helped us with a $1,000 donation. We received a check for $1000 from Backpack Buddy Foundation of Loudoun. Photo is assistant Principal, Eric McGrady, with Super Sub, Betty Webber, former parent, former PTA vice president, former Parent Liaison, and frequent Harmony substitute.

Thank You Backpack Buddy Foundation!

This article has some reminders about the available resources for school counselors and the Mental Health team. There is lots and lots of help available. Contact a counselor for assistance.

Harmony Mental Health Resources

LCPS Mental Health Services

"The word patriotism can have several meanings depending on the context. Many people would say that showing patriotism means cheering for their country during the Olympics or wearing red, white, and blue on the Fourth of July. These actions are okay, but they don’t exactly demonstrate patriotism. To me, patriotism means more than just waving a flag. Patriotism means building our community and changing our country for the better.

If someone is cheering and wearing colors, they’re doing a great job of motivating others. Motivation can be part of patriotism if it has to do with gratitude, but it doesn’t define the word as a whole. When motivating, what separates it from patriotism is that you aren’t making a difference. In my opinion, making a difference is the most important part of patriotism. Instead of cheering, you can make a difference by doing something that would benefit our country. For example, singing your heart out during the Veterans Day songs is different from telling veterans directly how much you and your family appreciate them. By communicating sincerely, you are telling them that unlike people who don’t think about their community, you are someone who shows their gratitude freely. You can do the same with all the other people that make our nation a better place. Aside from yourself, by appreciating someone who helps our country, you could improve the lives of others in your community.

To sum up, patriotism means more than just waving a flag. It means to think about changing our country for the better. Those changes could be in your home, your community, or anywhere that makes our nation more than just people being people. If everyone contributes just a little by showing a tiny bit of patriotism, the world would be a better, more peaceful place."

Next year's 6th graders, currently at Hillsboro ES, had a super cool opportunity to talk to the Commander of the International Space Station during an event at Hillsboro Elementary School (Dec 11). This was all organized by one of Harmony's parents, Ms. Megan Tucker. The event was a huge success and our (future) kids loved it. Can't wait to see them at Harmony.

BPB holiday sign up:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C44AAAD23A1FCC70-53163627-holiday