Online Learning

Dear All;

I hope you are all doing well. While our school remains closed, our staff works remotely to transition into online learning. As part of our Distance Learning program, students and teachers will utilize Google Classroom platform for online learning. Students will access learning materials and assignments via their Gmail account and communicate with their instructors through email and online conferencing tools.

Students are expected to login to their account by Monday, March 30th 2020 (and at least once every week day), and follow the instructions to continue learning. Students should communicate with their teachers and/or counselors in case of any questions or need for assistance. Please know that our staff work from their homes as our school building will remain closed until further notice and they are available to assist you remotely during regular work hours on weekdays.

PLEASE USE THE LINKS BELOW TO ASSIST WITH ONGOING STUDIES.Please check all links to make sure that you stay updated. (If you would like to request the alternative learning package due to lack of technology, please make sure that you communicate with the teachers.) 

HARMONY AT-HOME LEARNING & SAMPLE DAILY SCHEDULE

VIDEO TUTORIAL ON HOW TO ACCESS MY.HARMONYTX.ORG

CLASS INFORMATION

INSTRUCTIONS

VIRTUAL TEACHER OFFICE HOURS

FREE INTERNET FOR 60 DAYS

GOOGLE CLASSROOM: TUTORIAL FOR PARENT ACCESS

SKYWARD ACCESS TUTORIAL

Thank you and Stay Safe!

/by

Letter from our CEO: Classes remain online-only until further notice

Dear Harmony Families & Team Members,

For the past 20 years, Harmony Public Schools has established an educational model built strongly on the foundations of science-based learning and responsible citizenship in our communities.

Currently, all available science from community health experts continues to tell us that the best way to be responsible members of our communities is to have our students and staff remain at home.

This is why we have determined that it is in the best interest of our students, team members, and communities to discontinue in-person schooling at our campuses and administrative offices statewide until further notice.

While these facilities remain closed, instruction and learning at Harmony schools will continue. Our classes are operating online through our established digital learning tools, taking advantage of many of the technology tools and blended learning methods already practiced in Harmony’s  physical classrooms. Because our teachers and school leaders will remain available to guide our students each school day, we anticipate instructional continuity during these unusual and difficult times. To request access to a Chromebook and/or for questions regarding internet access, please contact your child’s campus.

(For more information on our at-home learning program, visit HarmonyTX.org/AtHome . To request access to a Chromebook or internet access, contact your child’s campus.)

We will also continue to offer free meal services to children in our communities, as local and state safety guidelines allow.

We thank you for your support and understanding in making this critical decision. We also are profoundly grateful for the extreme determination and Harmony pride shown by both our students and team members these past several weeks. Time and again you have proven why Harmony Public Schools is an institution where excellence is the standard.

We will continue to provide timely updates as new, relevant information comes available, and inform you immediately if our campuses reopen prior to the end of the school year.

Thank you and be well,

 

Fatih Ay

CEO | Harmony Public Schools

/by

Updated Meal Pick-Up Dates

Dear Families,

In an effort to continue to meet the food and nutritional requirements of every student while our campus is in closure for the COVID-19 outbreak while also observing recommended practices for containment, we are changing our meal distribution procedures effective tomorrow, Monday, March 23, 2020.

We will now distribute multiple days’ worth of meals twice weekly:

  • Mondays from 11am – 1pm: breakfast, lunch and milk will be distributed for each student to have nutritious meals for Monday lunch – Thursday breakfast.
  • Thursdays from 11am-1pm: breakfast, lunch and milk will be distributed for each student to have nutritious meals for Thursday lunch – Monday breakfast.

While the meal pickup location for our campus will remain the same, in order to maintain the safety of school personnel, vendor servers, and parents/guardians, the distribution process will change as follows:

  • All individuals will maintain a 6 feet social distance during meal distribution.
  • Tables will be set-up with the meal sacks on them.  Parents should drive up, step out of the car, approach the table, and take the number of bags per children 18 and under in the vehicle.

We look forward to serving you soon.

Harmony Public Schools

*************************************************************************************

Queridas familias,

En un esfuerzo por continuar cumpliendo con los requisitos alimenticios y nutricionales de cada estudiante mientras nuestro campus está cerrado por el brote de COVID-19 y al mismo tiempo observar las prácticas recomendadas para la contención, estamos cambiando nuestros procedimientos de distribución de comidas a partir de mañana, lunes 23 de marzo, 2020.

Ahora distribuiremos comidas de varios días dos veces por semana:

  • Lunes de 11am a 1pm: se distribuirá desayuno, almuerzo y leche para que cada estudiante tenga comidas nutritivas para el almuerzo de lunes a jueves.
  • Jueves de 11 am a 1 pm: el desayuno, el almuerzo y la leche se distribuirán para que cada estudiante tenga comidas nutritivas para el almuerzo del jueves y el desayuno del lunes.

Si bien la ubicación de recogida de comidas para nuestro campus seguirá siendo la misma, para mantener la seguridad del personal escolar, los servidores de los proveedores y los padres / tutores, el proceso de distribución cambiará de la siguiente manera:

  • Todos los individuos mantendrán una distancia social de 6 pies durante la distribución de comidas.
  • Se colocarán mesas con los sacos de comida en ellas. Los padres deben conducir, salir del auto, acercarse a la mesa y llevar el número de bolsas por niño de 18 años o menos en el vehículo.

Esperamos servirte pronto.

Escuelas públicas de la armonía

/by

Distance Learning Program

Dear Students/Parents,

 

This week, we are completing the first phase of our distance learning program, the learning packets. Remember to complete your learning packets and return once classes resume. The next phase begins on Monday, March 30, 2020. Students and teachers will go online for a comprehensive digital learning experience that includes elements of independent learning, video-based lessons, and a variety of online software, including Google Classroom.

 

ACCESS to TECHNOLOGY

Students will sign in to my.harmonytx portal to reach integrated software and google classrooms on chromebooks or other devices. Students without computers or access to the internet at home should contact us. For further details on accessing technology, you may visit https://www.parent.harmonytx.org/athomelearning and Free Internet access for 60 days.)

 

GOOGLE CLASSROOM

 

HPS will utilize Google G-Suite platform to provide learning plans for students. Students will log in to their My Harmony accounts to join the google classrooms by using the codes provided by their teachers. Teachers will use the platform to communicate, provide feedback, and assess the learning progress of their students. Harmony students have already been using blended learning software in their classrooms; software will be integrated into learning plans.

 

Throughout the next phases, our teachers will be available via email and other digital platforms to provide structure, guidance, and feedback. Once, our teachers set up their google classroom, they will contact you to start the online learning experience. Information regarding grading and high school credits will be shared later.

 

Below, you will find the comprehensive plan and a sample daily schedule you can follow.

 

STUDENTS with SPECIAL NEEDS

 

For students in special education and 504 programs, accommodations and/or modifications will be implemented to the extent appropriate and possible by our teachers in google classrooms (technology may have some limitations).  For students in pullout programs, our special education teachers will create google classrooms, provide resources and support virtually to the extent appropriate and possible (technology may have some limitations). We are still working on a plan regarding provision of speech therapy and related services, ARDs, 504 meetings, and FIEs. For all of these matters, we are following guidelines from the State of Texas and Department of Education, which is still forthcoming and additional changes may be made as we receive further instruction. Your patience is appreciated as we work to ensure student needs are met.

 

DISTANCE LEARNING COMPREHENSIVE PLAN (The plans includes minimum goals, please check details with your teachers` google classrooms.)

 

Middle  Schools 
Content Area Learning Platform  Integrated Online Resources  Software Goals  Useful Information
Mathematics Google Classroom my.hrw.com , ALEKS Practice assignments on my.hrw.com

 

If available, ALEKS Formative Assessment

or

15 ALEKS topics per week

 Students are expected to follow the procedures provided in the  self-learning plans through Google Classroom.

 

Students are assigned weekly assessments either through ALEKS or Google Classroom.
ELAR Google Classroom MyOn, NoRedInk 15-30 m. weekly (NoRedInk) Daily Reading (20 m.) + Weekly Reading Response

————————–

Daily Writing (x4 / week)
Science Google Classroom STEMScopes 30 min. daily Students may need to first login to Stemscopes for a Stemscopes link to work.
Social Studies Google Classroom Exploros

(8th only)

 1 Experience per week

(8th only)

 2 tasks per week:

·        1 reading based (content)

·        1 writing based

(skills) 
Tech. Applications Google Classroom Learning.com Each teacher will  assign the assignments and instructional materials through Learning.com for each class
ESL Google Classroom N/A N/A ESL will have sample Google classrooms in grades 6-12 prepared according to their language levels as beginner, intermediate and advanced. This will provide them with opportunities to practice their language skills.
Art, Music, PE, Electives Google Classroom Various N/A Activities will be recommended. No assignment or assessment will be given.

 

 

High Schools 
Content Area Learning Platform  Integrated Online Resources  Software Goals  Useful Information
Mathematics ·        Google Classroom ·        Alg 1: Pearson Realize, ALEKS,

 

·        Geo, Alg2: Pearson Realize

 Practice assignments on Pearson Realize

 

AND

 

If available, ALEKS Formative Assessment or 15 ALEKS topics per week

 Students are expected to follow the procedures provided in the self-learning plans through Google Classroom.

 

Students are assigned weekly assessments either through ALEKS or Google Classroom.
Mathematics ·        Pearson MyMathLab Pre-Cal, Alg Reasoning, AP Cal, AP Stats: Pearson, MyMathLab   Students are expected to complete the practice and assessment tasks assigned by the teachers on Pearson MyMathLab
ELAR Google Classroom MyOn, NoRedInk, 15-30 m. weekly (NoRedInk) Daily Reading (20 m.) + Weekly Reading Response

————————–

Daily Writing (x4 / week)
Biology/PreAP-Biology Google Classroom STEMScopes, POGIL, CK-12 Amoeba Sisters Channel, Bozeman Science Videos N/A Use STEMscopepedia as an online textbook option.
Chemistry Google Classroom cK12, PhET, POGIL, Parlay N/A Assignments will be posted in Google Classroom, but students will need to login to their Harmony Portal to access their cK12 and Parlay accounts. Learning packets that correlate to the online lessons will also be available for students without the internet at their individual campuses / teachers.
Physics Google Classroom www.physicsclassroom.com, CK-12, PhET OpenStax( Online Textbook)
Social Studies Google Classroom N/A N/A 2 tasks per week:

·        1 reading based (content)

·        1 writing based

(skills) 
ESL Google Classroom N/A N/A High school ESOL courses will have SCL materials
Dual Credit Courses Google Classroom  

Content provided by local community colleges
AP Courses Google Classroom College Board Online System  

Local campuses will communicate more information.
Electives/CTE/ Counseling Services Google Classroom  

Local campuses will communicate more information.

SAMPLE DAILY SCHEDULE

Activity Estimated Time Platform
ELA 40-45 min Google Classroom
Math 40-45 min. Google Classroom
Science/SS 40-45 min. Google Classroom

Lunch/Break
Independent Reading/Writing Practice 30-40 min MyON, RazKids, No Red Ink,or hard-copy books
Math Lab 30-40 min Dreambox, ALEKS, Math XL
Specials/Electives 30-40 min Google Classroom

Everyday Routines
·        DO THE FIVE 

·        Wash Your Hands 
Physical Activity 30 min.
Bedtime Reading 15-20 min.

 

To access the Harmony At-Home Learning Program online, click here.

Free internet service for 60 days

/by

TSI Testing

Dear Parents and Students;

I just want to share update about remote testing for TSI until we can get back to the campus. When the summer and fall Dual credit course registration start, you may need to take the test.Since the school close, we can`t make the testing on site. However there is an opportunity with the remote testing from your home through Examity. We as HSD still pay the TSI testing fee.Unfortunately, the challenge is there is a remote testing fee which is $25 which you will pay Examity.

If you would like to take the TSI during this time, you will need to follow the following steps.

Step 1: Fill out this google form completely.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScvap_dev1A-Pv1SqzNGH32HtsHxuywIj3Kqt9ILdGmFbAevg/viewform

Step 2: Once your request is fulfilled, you will receive an email from ACCUPLACER with your voucher code. This voucher code will allow you to schedule and take your exam.
Step 3: Click the Examity link to register. Enter your first name, last name, email, and select your institution.
Step 4: You will receive a confirmation email from Examity with login credentials.

Step 5: Click the Examity link and login with the User ID and Password provided to you.At this point you will create your profile using your student ID and schedule your exam. On your exam day, you will log back in to Examity and click on “start exam” and then “connect to proctor”. Once you connect with your test proctor they will verify it is you and will allow you to start the exam.

HSD and you will receive your results when you complete the exam.

Please stay safe and healthy.

/by

IMPORTANT UPDATE: TEMPORARY CLOSURE

The safety of our students and staff is our top priority at Harmony Public Schools. As new developments continue to unfold regarding the COVID-19 situation, we wanted to provide you an important update regarding the potential impact of the virus on our schools.

While there have been no cases of COVID-19 reported on our campuses or within our school family at this time, out of an abundance of caution we are announcing a temporary closure of all Harmony Public Schools campuses through Monday, April 6. All school activities, field trips, athletics events, and competitions have also been cancelled during this time.

At this time, we are anticipating classes will be able to resume for students on Tuesday, April 7. Staff will return for a work-day on Monday, April 6.

This decision was made after discussions with, and upon the recommendations of, local health officials.  We strongly believe it is the best decision for helping to keep our students, staff, and communities safe at this time.

During this closure, our Harmony team members will continue to work remotely to finalize the details of distance-learning plan to make sure students continue to receive educational services with minimal  interruption.You will receive regular updates how this plan will be implemented.

Additionally, all full-time, non-exempt and exempt employees will continue to be paid according to their normal rate and schedule.

We continue to urge families and team members to stay informed of current Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines related to the prevention of the spreading of viruses, including limiting out of town travel, “social distancing,” and self-quarantine for those who have recently traveled to impacted areas.

We recognize this is a rapidly evolving situation and will continue to aggressively monitor new developments and respond with appropriate actions based on the best interests of our Harmony families and the guidance of local health officials. Throughout this process, we will continue to communicate with you new information as soon as possible. We anticipate further updates no later than the week of March 23-27.

Thank you for your support during these unusual circumstances. With your continued collaboration, together we can provide a healthy learning environment for our students and staff.

/by

COVID-19 & ‘clean campus’ procedures for after spring break

As students return from spring break, we would like to ask the Harmony community for your renewed diligence in helping our schools maintain the best-practices for clean campuses established before break.

That of course includes the normal requests regarding washing hands, covering your mouth when coughing, and staying home when sick. However, we also need your help keeping viruses and germs contained by asking your student to immediately report to their campus health office if their experience any of the following symptoms while at school:

  • Suspected fever: Student is flushed, student unusually pale, complaints of body aches/pains student is lethargic or unusually tired, student statements of having had a fever or taken medication at home to make them feel better.
  • Respiratory symptoms: Dry cough with or without nasal drainage, difficulty breathing (visibly difficult breathing includes using abdominal muscles to breathe, inability to speak more than a couple of words at a time, flaring nostrils when breathing) or statements of feeling short of breath, chest or lung pain, wheezing or grunting with breathing.

Additionally, families should be aware that any student returning from a travel area on the CDC list of at-risk countries for COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) MUST see their medical provider before returning to campus. Students will have 48 hours to submit a clearance letter from their doctor before returning to campus. After this, student absences will not be excused. A student cannot return until they have clearance from their doctor or have finished quarantine if medically recommended.

With your continued support and collaboration, together we can provide a healthy learning environment for our students and staff.

Thank you.

P.S. … For more information about COVID-19 and our school system’s response, including additional resources for families, visit https://www.HarmonyTX.org/coronavirus.

 

/by

COVID-19 Update: ‘Clean campus’ procedures for after spring break

As students return from spring break, we would like to ask the Harmony community for your renewed diligence in helping our schools maintain the best-practices for clean campuses established before break.

That of course includes the normal requests regarding washing hands, covering your mouth when coughing, and staying home when sick. However, we also need your help keeping viruses and germs contained by asking your student to immediately report to their campus health office if their experience any of the following symptoms while at school:

  • Suspected fever: Student is flushed, student unusually pale, complaints of body aches/pains student is lethargic or unusually tired, student statements of having had a fever or taken medication at home to make them feel better.
  • Respiratory symptoms: Dry cough with or without nasal drainage, difficulty breathing (visibly difficult breathing includes using abdominal muscles to breathe, inability to speak more than a couple of words at a time, flaring nostrils when breathing) or statements of feeling short of breath, chest or lung pain, wheezing or grunting with breathing.

Additionally, families should be aware that any student returning from a travel are on the CDC list of at-risk countries fro COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) MUST see their medical provider before returning to campus. Students will have 48 hours to submit a clearance letter from their doctor before returning to campus. After this, student absences will not be excused. A student cannot return until they have clearance from their doctor or have finished quarantine if medically recommended.

With your continued support and collaboration, together we can provide a healthy learning environment for our students and staff.

Thank you.

P.S. … For more information about COVID-19 and our school system’s response, including additional resources for families, visit https://www.HarmonyTX.org/coronavirus.

 

/by

A note for families about Coronavirus & spring break travel

Spring Break is almost here for our students and staff members across the state.  We sincerely hope everyone in our Harmony community has a fun and relaxing break before together we begin the final stretch toward the end of the school year.

We understand that many of you will be traveling this spring break. With concerns about the Coronavirus in the minds of many, we want to share a few tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) about staying healthy when traveling, as well as provide more info about a few Harmony policies related to returning to school after visiting certain risk-prone destinations.

Tips for Healthy Travel

In general, the same advice for fighting germs and bacteria  applies when traveling as it does when staying home:

  • Wash hands frequently and/or use hand sanitizer;
  • Do not touch eyes, nose or mouth;
  • Cover mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing, use a paper tissue, throw it away and then wash hands;
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick;
  • When greeting others, consider an alternative to hugs or handshakes, such as an elbow bump.

Additionally, here are a few additional tips related specifically to those traveling:

  • Be aware of your surroundings (including people who are sick) and try to distance yourself as appropriate;
  • Avoid areas that you feel might make your more likely to be exposed;
  • Know how to get reliable local information about any possible changes to the situation;
  • Avoid public transportation, if possible. Confined spaces such as buses, trains, subways, and airplanes may put you at a higher risk of infection;
  • When eating animal-based products, make sure they are thoroughly cooked before eating.

Returning to School After Visiting Risk-Prone Areas

Due to CDC travel guidelines, students and families that have traveled to locations that are marked as a Coronavirus risk by the CDC must have a letter of clearance from their medical provider before returning to campus. Failure to provide a clearance letter will result in the student being dismissed home. Students will have 48 hours to provide proof of doctor’s clearance. Any additional absence will require further documentation from the parents or doctor. For a list of countries with COVID-19 travel advisories, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html.

Currently these countries include: 

  • China
  • Hong Kong
  • Iran
  • Italy
  • Japan
  • South Korea

Additionally, please be aware that families travelling to China’s Hubei province or mainland China may face a mandatory quarantine and be monitored by public health officials. Any health department guidelines should be followed by any affected families and absences will be waived upon return to school with provision of proof of quarantine. 

At Harmony Public Schools, we take the health and safety of our students and staff members seriously. Harmony is closely tracking all new developments regarding the Coronavirus and will continue to share timely, relevant updates, as needed.

If you have any questions or concerns, please refer to your campus health staff. 

We appreciate your help in supporting healthy and happy learning environments for our Harmony community. 

 

/by

An important note about Coronavirus for Houston-area families

To Our Harmony Community,

Wednesday night, Health Department officials in Fort Bend County announced the first presumptive case of COVID-19 — better better known as Coronavirus — in the Greater Houston area. The patient, a man in his 70s who had recently traveled overseas to a high-risk country, is in stable condition.

While no cases of Coronavirus have been reported in our schools, Harmony Public Schools is continuing to proactively monitor each new development in the Coronavirus outbreak and working closely with local officials to make sure any and all measures are followed to keep our students and staff safe.

At this time, HPS will continue to hold classes as normal. However we will continue to seek direction from health officials and reassess, if necessary. We urge families to continue best practices for the prevention of spreading germs — wash hands frequently, cover mouth when coughing, avoid touching your face — and to please seek medical attention, if needed.

We appreciate your collaboration in keeping your campus a healthy learning environment for our students and team members.

Sincerely,

Harmony Public Schools

/by

School Culture and Climate Surveys

We would like to receive your feedback on School Culture and Climate. Also, on the content and effectiveness of the District Parent and Family Engagement policy (PFE). Our current policy can be found on our website: https://www.harmonytx.org/districts-houston-north.php

Parents, we need your help in making this policy more easy to read and understand for our parents. Please let me know if you can join us for a revision session on March 31st (after our DIP meeting) from 1-2:30 PM or 5 – 7 PM at Harmony School of Technology at 3203 N. Sam Houston Pkwy. W, Houston, TX 77038 Room #408. I will also give you the option to join virtually through ZOOM for either of those sessions.

Nos gustaría recibir sus comentarios sobre la cultura escolar y el clima. Además, sobre el contenido y la efectividad de la política de participación de padres y familias del distrito (PFE). Nuestra política actual se puede encontrar en nuestro sitio web: https://www.harmonytx.org/districts-houston-north.php

Padres, necesitamos su ayuda para hacer que esta política sea más fácil de leer y comprender para nuestros padres. Avíseme si puede unirse a nosotros para una sesión de revisión el 31 de marzo (después de nuestra reunión DIP) de 1-2:30 PM o 5 – 7 PM en Harmony School of Technology en 3203 N. Sam Houston Pkwy. W, Houston, TX 77038 Habitación # 408. También te daré la opción de unirte virtualmente a través de ZOOM para cualquiera de esas sesiones.

/by