We are moving into the time of the year when we make plans and apply for Federal Funds applications (ESSA) for next school year, and we would like to gather parent and community feedback for our applications. Please use one of the public comment links below to share your comments or feedback with us:
Estamos entrando en la época del año en que hacemos planes y solicitamos solicitudes de fondos federales (ESSA) para el próximo año escolar, y nos gustaría recopilar comentarios de los padres y la comunidad para nuestras solicitudes. Utilice uno de los enlaces de comentarios públicos a continuación para compartir sus comentarios o comentarios con nosotros:
https://campus.harmonytx.org/hsasa-new/wp-content/uploads/sites/118/2023/02/nazarii1207191100158.png450450Emre Konakhttps://campus.harmonytx.org/hsasa-new/wp-content/uploads/sites/118/2017/10/HSA-San-Antonio-white-300px.pngEmre Konak2023-02-15 16:12:252023-02-15 16:18:542023 Public Comment on Federal Grant Applications
Harmony Public Schools is the first public charter school to win the prestigious Award of Excellence in Financial Management by the Texas Association of School Business Officials (TASBO), the organization has announced.
The award is given to Texas school districts, open-enrollment charter schools, and education services centers that demonstrate professional standards, best practices, and innovations in the area of financial management and reporting.
The criteria to qualify for the Award of Excellence in Financial Management is stringent, based on financial accounting and reporting guidelines identified by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) Financial Accountability System Resource Guide (FASRG). Applicants must submit documents across 11 key areas, which are reviewed by a TASBO accounting subcommittee.
“Making sure that each of our financial decisions is efficient, effective, and, most importantly, ethical is among our greatest operational priorities,” Harmony CEO Fatih Ay said. “In doing so, we are able to maximize our resources and provide our students with the most robust educational experience that can be offered.
“We are extraordinarily pleased to be honored with this award,” Ay said, “and are grateful to our finance team for putting our schools in a prime position to succeed.”
Harmony also was awarded its second Award of Merit for Purchasing Operations by TASBO. The Award of Merit was established in 2009 to recognize Texas school districts, open-enrollment charter schools, and education services centers that are committed to following professional standards in the acquisition of goods and services. Harmony remains the only charter school system to earn the award.
“These organizations have gone above and beyond to demonstrate transparency by meticulously documenting their districts’ policies and procedures,” said Tracy Ginsburg, TASBO Executive Director. “Not only have they showcased the ways they monitor spending, improve budgeting, implement controls, and enhance financial reporting, but they have shared their best practices with colleagues throughout Texas, helping even more educational organizations to better utilize taxpayer dollars.”
Members of the district’s finance team will be honored at an awards reception sponsored by Frontline Education in San Antonio, Texas, on February 15 during the 2023 TASBO annual conference.
Led by Chief Financial Officer Ebru Akyildiz, Harmony’s finance department includes 30 team members specializing in six separate subdepartments: purchasing, payroll, grants, budgets, accounting and capital management.
The department has implemented a number of industry-leading best practices, including working with the Texas Education Agency, TASBO and independent, external auditors to ensure transparency and accountability in all financial operations.
For the department’s efforts, Harmony also was awarded seven “A” ratings by the TEA in its annual FIRST Financial Accountability Ratings during the most recent award cycle in 2022.
Harmony also was the first double-rated charter school system in the U.S. to be highly rated (“BBB”) by Moody’s and S&P Global with (“AAA”) long-term program rating that reflects Harmony’s qualification for the Texas Permanent School Fund (PSF) Bond Guarantee Program.
“We are one of the largest Texas charter management organizations, but we don’t want to just speak about our size – we want to be able to speak about our quality and the accuracy in our processes,” Akyildiz said.
Harmony Public Schools is a Texas-born, Texas-wide public charter school system with campuses serving PreK-12 students in 23 cities across the state, including Greater Houston, DFW, San Antonio, Austin, El Paso, Waco, Lubbock, Odessa, Bryan, Beaumont, and the Rio Grande Valley. Harmony’s curriculum places a heavy focus on STEM skills, Character Education, project-based learning, and college readiness.
Harmony is now accepting applications for both students and team members for the 2023-24 school year.
https://campus.harmonytx.org/hsasa-new/wp-content/uploads/sites/118/2023/02/TASBO-thumb.png798800John Boydhttps://campus.harmonytx.org/hsasa-new/wp-content/uploads/sites/118/2017/10/HSA-San-Antonio-white-300px.pngJohn Boyd2023-02-06 15:51:212023-02-06 10:24:30Harmony makes history, winning TASBO Award of Excellence for finance
In accordance with the Texas State Plan for the Education of Gifted/Talented students, Harmony Public Schools will begin taking referrals for all interested students in grades K-12 for Gifted and Talented (G/T) screening.
Anyone interested in the educational welfare of these students may nominate them for assessment. Students in grades 1 & up who were tested in Fall 2022 are not eligible to test in Spring 2023. Referral forms are available at the front office and on the school’s website (see below).
The referral forms must be returned or emailed to the front office by January 31, 2023. The Spring GT testing window is set by the campus in February or March. Campuses may elect to use NWEA MAP scores as a prescreening criterion for GT Testing.
For more information about the screening and identification process, parents may contact the school’s GT Coordinator/Teacher.
ANUNCIO DE EDUCACIÓN PARA DOTADOS Y TALENTOSOS (GATE)
De acuerdo con el Plan Estatal de Texas para la Educación de Estudiantes Dotados / Talentosos, Harmony Public Schools comenzará a tomar referencias para todos los estudiantes interesados en los grados K-12 para la evaluación de estudiantes dotados y talentosos.
Cualquier persona interesada en el bienestar educativo de estos estudiantes puede nominarlos para dicha evaluación. Los estudiantes en los grados 1 y superiores que fueron evaluados en el otoño de 2022 no son elegibles para la prueba en la primavera de 2023. Los formularios de referencia están disponibles en la oficina y en el sitio web de la escuela.
Los formularios de referencia deben devolverse a la oficina de la escuela antes del lunes 31 de enero del 2023. Los campus pueden optar por utilizar las puntuaciones de NWEA MAP como criterios de preselección para las pruebas de GT.
Para obtener más información sobre el proceso de selección e identificación, los padres pueden comunicarse con el entrenador / maestro de GT de la escuela.
https://campus.harmonytx.org/hsasa-new/wp-content/uploads/sites/118/2017/10/HSA-San-Antonio-white-300px.png00ncarterhttps://campus.harmonytx.org/hsasa-new/wp-content/uploads/sites/118/2017/10/HSA-San-Antonio-white-300px.pngncarter2022-11-09 09:12:232022-11-09 09:12:32Dyslexia Awareness Night
Harmony Public Schools is recruiting talented, compassionate bilingual teachers dedicated to helping every student succeed. Harmony offers a competitive salary, excellent benefits and a commitment to excellence in the classroom.
https://campus.harmonytx.org/hsasa-new/wp-content/uploads/sites/118/2017/10/HSA-San-Antonio-white-300px.png00ncarterhttps://campus.harmonytx.org/hsasa-new/wp-content/uploads/sites/118/2017/10/HSA-San-Antonio-white-300px.pngncarter2022-10-24 10:11:292022-10-24 10:11:29THE BOYS VARSITY VOLLEYBALL TEAM IS GOING TO PLAYOFFS!
October is in the United States. Let’s deepen our understanding of this language-based challenge and try to raise awareness in our community.
Eight-year-old Evan is one of the brightest children in his third-grade class. He has a wonderful vocabulary and knows everything there is to know about baseball—he can even tell you who played in each of the last ten World Series games and who won. But when it comes to reading about baseball—or anything else—Evan has a lot of trouble. It takes him a long time to read each word, and even longer to read whole sentences. He often has to guess at how you say a word—and sometimes his guess is wrong. Reading out loud is especially stressful and embarrassing. His teacher recently told Evan’s parents that she thinks he might have dyslexia.
Most people assume that part of being smart is being able to read well. About 100 years ago, though, doctors figured out that some people, even some very smart people who do really well at many other things, have trouble learning to read. This difficulty with reading is called dyslexia.
Ishaan, a student who has dyslexia, cannot seem to get anything right at his boarding school. Soon, a new unconventional art teacher, Ram Shankar Nikumbh, helps him discover his hidden potential.
Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) Announcement!
In accordance with the Texas State Plan for the Education of Gifted/Talented students, Harmony Public Schools will begin taking referrals for kindergarten and newly enrolled students in grades 1-12 for gifted and talented screening.
Anyone interested in the educational welfare of these students may refer them for assessment. Referral forms are available at the front office and on the school’s website.
The deadline for GATE referral is September 30, 2022, and G/T assessment period will take place in October. For more information about the screening and identification process, parents may contact the school’s G/T coordinator or G/T coach/teacher.
GATE (Educación para estudiantes dotados/talentosos) Anuncio
De acuerdo con el Plan Estatal de Texas para la Educación de Estudiantes Dotados / Talentosos, las Escuelas Públicas de Harmony comenzarán a recibir referencias para kindergarten y estudiantes recién inscritos en los grados 1-12 para la evaluación de estudiantes dotados y talentosos.
Cualquier persona interesada en el bienestar educativo de estos estudiantes puede nominarlos para dicha evaluación. Los formularios de referencia están disponibles en la oficina y en el sitio web de la escuela.
La fecha límite de referencia de GATE es el 30 de septiembre de 2022 y el período de evaluación de G / T se llevará a cabo en octubre.
Para obtener más información sobre el proceso de selección e identificación, los padres pueden comunicarse con el entrenador / maestro de GT de la escuela.
https://campus.harmonytx.org/hsasa-new/wp-content/uploads/sites/118/2017/10/HSA-San-Antonio-white-300px.png00ncarterhttps://campus.harmonytx.org/hsasa-new/wp-content/uploads/sites/118/2017/10/HSA-San-Antonio-white-300px.pngncarter2022-08-31 10:33:152022-08-31 10:33:31Weekly Lunch Menu
https://campus.harmonytx.org/hsasa-new/wp-content/uploads/sites/118/2017/10/HSA-San-Antonio-white-300px.png00ncarterhttps://campus.harmonytx.org/hsasa-new/wp-content/uploads/sites/118/2017/10/HSA-San-Antonio-white-300px.pngncarter2022-08-31 10:30:142022-08-31 10:30:14How to Check and update the Lunch Balance in School Cafe
https://campus.harmonytx.org/hsasa-new/wp-content/uploads/sites/118/2022/01/Important-Update.png940940ncarterhttps://campus.harmonytx.org/hsasa-new/wp-content/uploads/sites/118/2017/10/HSA-San-Antonio-white-300px.pngncarter2022-08-02 11:32:282022-08-02 11:40:352022-2023 BACK TO SCHOOL UPDATES
Due to high demand, many uniform sizes quickly were sold out shortly after we launched our new online uniform store Thursday.
Stock shortage is not expected to be an ongoing issue. Fortunately, our uniform supplier has informed that they have added new inventory and are continuing to work to provide additional color and size choices as quickly as possible.
Shop now to get your uniforms purchases in time for the first day of school and take advantage of these offers:
EARLY SHOPPER SAVINGS
Shop July 21-Aug. 4 to get short sleeve polos for only $13.50 (reg. $15) or long sleeve for only $16.50 (reg. $18).
FREE HOME SHIPPING
Buy two or more items to qualify for free shipping directly to your home using promo code HPSPOLO at checkout.
Two Ways to Shop Your School’s Uniform Store
On Our Site
Click ‘Uniforms’ under the PARENTS tab of your child’s campus website.
The size and color I want are still out of stock – what can I do?
Our partners at French Toast are working hard to get more colors and sizes in stock as soon as possible. To get an automatic update when your uniform preference is ready to purchase, just enter your email in the ‘Notify Me’ box under the product ‘Out of Stock’ message.
Can my child still wear uniforms that were purchased previously?
Of course! If your child’s uniform is still in good condition, they are welcome to continue wearing uniforms from previous years, even if the campus has updated to a new uniform color scheme.
The free shipping code isn’t working – what’s up?
The free shipping code – HPSPOLO – is for orders of two items are more, so just make sure you have enough items to qualify for free shipping in your cart. If you’re still experiencing issues, please contact Customer Service at https://www.frenchtoast.com/contact-us.
Which uniform color do I need for my child?
When ordering new uniforms and polos, the following are the approved color schemes for each grade level:
The uniform color options don’t look like the ones I see above – is something wrong?
There might be a minor color variation between the preview image on the French Toast website and the images above, but not by much. If the uniform you’re selecting doesn’t look right, just make sure you have the correct dress code selected from the drop down near the top of your screen.
Why can’t I just order uniforms directly at my campus anymore?
Unfortunately, year-round direct sales of school uniforms can be a complicated and time-consuming process for an individual campus. We’d rather put our team’s talents to use by serving our students. By partnering with an industry-leading school uniform supply company like French Toast, Harmony is able to keep uniform costs down for families while freeing up school staff (and storage space!) to focus on the other needs of our schools.
No returns or exchanges. Uniforms will no longer be available for purchase at campuses.
https://campus.harmonytx.org/hsasa-new/wp-content/uploads/sites/118/2022/08/SAVE-NOW-3.png300300John Boydhttps://campus.harmonytx.org/hsasa-new/wp-content/uploads/sites/118/2017/10/HSA-San-Antonio-white-300px.pngJohn Boyd2022-07-22 13:46:052022-08-29 10:21:09Harmony Public Schools uniform store restocked with new inventory
https://campus.harmonytx.org/hsasa-new/wp-content/uploads/sites/118/2017/10/HSA-San-Antonio-white-300px.png00ncarterhttps://campus.harmonytx.org/hsasa-new/wp-content/uploads/sites/118/2017/10/HSA-San-Antonio-white-300px.pngncarter2022-05-26 16:14:202022-05-26 16:15:09HSA San Antonio's Prom Night 2022
https://campus.harmonytx.org/hsasa-new/wp-content/uploads/sites/118/2017/10/HSA-San-Antonio-white-300px.png00ncarterhttps://campus.harmonytx.org/hsasa-new/wp-content/uploads/sites/118/2017/10/HSA-San-Antonio-white-300px.pngncarter2022-05-17 13:57:182022-05-17 13:57:56Community Produce Market
Children need nutritious meals to learn, grow and thrive.
The Summer Meal Programs ensures kids have no-cost, health meals this summer and return to school read to learn.
Help us spread the word about this valuable program!
Text FOOD to 304-304 or visit SummerFood.org to find a site.
Los niños necesitan comidas nutritivas para aprender, crecer y prosperar.
Los programas de comidas de verano aseguran que los niños tengan comidas saludables sin costo este verano y regresen a la escuela leyendo para aprender.
¡Ayúdenos a correr la voz acerca de este valioso programa!
Envíe FOOD al 304-304 o visite SummerFood.org para encontrar un sitio.
https://campus.harmonytx.org/hsasa-new/wp-content/uploads/sites/118/2022/05/Girl-Eating-Sandwich-at-Table.jpg9001200John Boydhttps://campus.harmonytx.org/hsasa-new/wp-content/uploads/sites/118/2017/10/HSA-San-Antonio-white-300px.pngJohn Boyd2022-05-11 14:16:592022-05-11 14:16:59Summer Meal Programs provide no-cost, health meals to students
PEBT benefits will soon be available for families whose children have experienced COVID related absences and who qualify for free or reduced price benefits through the National School Lunch Program.
Does my child qualify?
Both criteria must be met to qualify for PEBT benefits.
#1 A COVID related absence from August – December due to a positive test or exposure that has been verified by the campus. COVID absences from January – May will receive benefits in July.
#2 Eligible for free or reduced price meals through the National School Lunch Program. To determine your child’s eligibility, submit an application through www.schoolcafe.com. Paper applications may also be requested from the school office. Students attending a CEP campus or who are directly certified automatically meet the eligibility requirement.
The deadline to complete a meal eligibility application is April 6th.
If you have any questions, please contact your school’s Child Nutrition Assistant.
https://campus.harmonytx.org/hsasa-new/wp-content/uploads/sites/118/2017/10/HSA-San-Antonio-white-300px.png00Emre Konakhttps://campus.harmonytx.org/hsasa-new/wp-content/uploads/sites/118/2017/10/HSA-San-Antonio-white-300px.pngEmre Konak2022-04-01 12:41:052022-04-01 12:41:05School Cafe applications now open to establish meal eligibility for PEBT eligible students!
In accordance with United States Code (U.S.C.) Annotated, Title 20, Chapter 70, Subchapter VIII, Part C, Section 7846, and Public Law (P.L.) 114-95, Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), Section 8306, an entity planning to submit a federal grant application must afford a reasonable opportunity for public comment on the application before it is submitted.
Harmony Public Schools hereby gives notice to the public that it intends to file the following applications and request awarded amounts for federal grant funds with the Texas Education Agency for the school year 2022-23. HPS welcomes comments or questions concerning any of these grants, and requests that any comments or questions be submitted by June 30, 2022 using the form below.
En concordancia con United States Code (U.S.C.) Annotated, Title 20, Chapter 70, Subchapter VIII, Part C, Section 7846, and Public Law (P.L.) 114-95, Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), Section 8306, una entidad que planea presentar una solicitud de subvención federal (subsidio) debe brindar una oportunidad razonable para comentarios públicos. Las siguientes son las subvenciones federales que
Harmony Public Schools por la presente notifica al público que tiene la intención de presentar las siguientes solicitudes y solicitar los montos otorgados para fondos de subvenciones federales con la Agencia de Educación de Texas para el año escolar 2022-23. HPS agradece los comentarios o preguntas sobre cualquiera de estas subvenciones y solicita que los comentarios o preguntas se envíen antes del 30 de junio de 2022 mediante este Google form.
https://campus.harmonytx.org/hsasa-new/wp-content/uploads/sites/118/2017/10/HSA-San-Antonio-white-300px.png00Emre Konakhttps://campus.harmonytx.org/hsasa-new/wp-content/uploads/sites/118/2017/10/HSA-San-Antonio-white-300px.pngEmre Konak2022-03-10 09:18:532022-03-10 09:20:43Public Comment on Federal Grant Applications
Each school year, thousands of families submit their application to become a part of Harmony Public Schools.
Here’s how we select applicants for enrollment each year to make sure each applicant has an equal opportunity to become our next high-achieving Harmony scholar.
STEP 1
Each January, we ask current families to let us know if they’ll be coming back to Harmony next year. This is called “Re-Enrollment.”
STEP 2
Based on the number of students returning next year and the number of classes in each grade level, we determine how many open spots we will have for new students.
STEP 3
Meanwhile, new families are submitting their applications during our annual Open Enrollment season, which runs from November 1 through February 10 each year.
STEP 4
After February 10, if the number of new applicants is greater than the number of available spots we have, Harmony holds a “blind lottery” to make sure all applicants have a fair opportunity to be seated.
STEP 5
Families of students selected for enrollment are notified. Those not selected are put on a “waitlist” and contacted as soon as a spot opens up.
… and that’s it!
Here are some answers to our applicants’ most frequently asked questions.
#1 – IS THERE ALWAYS A LOTTERY?
Not always, but often.
Whether a lottery is needed is determined by the number of spots available at each grade level and the number of eligible applicants interested in them.
#2 – I WAS SELECTED FOR ENROLLMENT –
WHAT DO I NEED TO DO NEXT?
Most importantly, we need you to officially accept the spot (a link will be provided on the acceptance letter). Then, between now and next fall, you’ll need to officially register your child and provide a few documents verifying their identity and home address.
After that, we’ll see you on the first day of school!
(Note: If you were accepted by more than one campus, please register at your preferred campus and decline the invitation of any others. This will allow us to offer those spots to another prospective Harmony family.)
#3 – I WAS PLACED ON A WAITLIST –
IS THERE ANY CHANCE I WILL GET TO ATTEND?
Absolutely – so don’t give up hope! Students initially placed on a waitlist are given the opportunity to enroll all the time at Harmony, often for one of the following reasons:
A student who was initially selected in the lottery didn’t completion registration by the deadline.
A student who was initially selected in the lottery moved away.
A student was selected by two schools in the lottery, but of course could only register at one.
We added an an extra class at the grade level for which you applied.
One of our nearby campuses had an opening,
and reached out to see if you were interested in attending there.
More Questions?
Reach out to us on Let’s Talk to let us know how we can help!
https://campus.harmonytx.org/hsasa-new/wp-content/uploads/sites/118/2022/07/Lottery-example-1.png500500John Boydhttps://campus.harmonytx.org/hsasa-new/wp-content/uploads/sites/118/2017/10/HSA-San-Antonio-white-300px.pngJohn Boyd2022-02-11 14:23:442022-07-18 08:52:41Harmony Public Schools enrollment and lottery process
After giving across-the-board pay raises to full-time teachers and campus staff earlier this school year, Harmony Public Schools will now be giving pay raises to all levels of substitute teachers.
The daily rate increase goes into effect February 14. The increase was approved unanimously by the Harmony Public Schools Board of Directors on January 29. Under the rate increase, substitute teachers will earn an extra $20-30 per day on top of the already-competitive Harmony rate.
For a teacher only working a few days per week, the increase will mean a few hundred dollars each month on top of the compensation they already earn. For certified teachers and long-term substitutes, the rate increase could mean up to $600 per month in increased pay (see chart above for rates for each position).
“Each day, substitute teachers are making a major impact on our schools by keeping our students on-track and learning when their regular teachers are unable to attend school,” Harmony CEO Fatih Ay said. “These professionals are important members of our school community, and we want to show our thanks.”
The increase was the third occasion in the past two school years in which Harmony announced a major improvement to employee compensation and benefits.
In January 2021, Harmony announced a sweeping upgrade of its employer-paid benefits that provided free vision and dental plans to all full-time employees, introduced matching retirement plan contributions for 403(b) and (457(b) participants, and increased life insurance payouts from $20,000 to $100,000.
In Summer 2019, Harmony also announced statewide base pay increases for employees ranging from $3,500-$5,000, as well as additional stipends for teachers working in hard-to-staff subjects.
Harmony Public Schools is a Texas-born, Texas-wide public charter school system with campuses serving PreK-Grade 12 students in 23 cities across the state, including Greater Houston, DFW, San Antonio, Austin, El Paso, Waco, Lubbock, Odessa, Bryan, Beaumont, and the Rio Grande Valley. Harmony’s curriculum places a heavy focus on STEM skills, Character Education, project-based learning, and college readiness.
Harmony Public Schools is currently accepting applications for the 2022-2023 school year for both students and team members.
About Harmony Public Schools
Harmony Public Schools are 58 high performing PreK-12 college preparatory charter schools throughout Texas. Harmony blends the highest standards and expectations, with a rigorous math- and science-centered curriculum and dedicated and engaged teachers and families to cultivate excellence and prepare students to succeed in college, careers and life. At Harmony Public Schools, we believe every child can succeed, and we are committed to helping them realize their full potential. To learn more about Harmony Public Schools and our 58 campuses across Texas, please visit: www.harmonytx.org, and follow us on Twitter at @HarmonyEdu and ‘Like’ us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/HarmonyTexas.
https://campus.harmonytx.org/hsasa-new/wp-content/uploads/sites/118/2022/01/SUBSTITUTE-TEACHER-PAY-RAISE-FACEBOOK.png788940John Boydhttps://campus.harmonytx.org/hsasa-new/wp-content/uploads/sites/118/2017/10/HSA-San-Antonio-white-300px.pngJohn Boyd2022-01-31 20:20:252022-01-31 20:20:25Substitute teacher pay raises announced at Harmony Public Schools
Harmony Science & Engineering Fair (H-SEF) is an annual science fair that brings together middle and high school students across the Harmony network who have engaged in advanced research projects all year long. Majority of H-SEF finalists are award winners in their regional science fairs within their local communities. H-SEF aims to promote STEM through advanced research among secondary students and increase their interest and motivation to pursue STEM careers.
H-SEF 2022 will be in person at the Harmony Public Schools Central Office in Houston and it is open to all Harmony middle and high school students.
Below you will find H-SEF rules and guidelines along with the event timeline.
In accordance with the Texas State Plan for the Education of Gifted/Talented students, Harmony Public Schools will begin taking referrals for all interested students in grades K-12 for Gifted and Talented (G/T) screening.
Anyone interested in the educational welfare of these students may nominate them for assessment. Students in grades 1 & up who were tested in Fall 2021 are not eligible to test in Spring 2022. Referral forms are available at the front office and on the school’s website (see below).
The referral forms must be returned or emailed to the front office by January 31, 2022. The Spring GT testing window is set by the campus in February or March. Campuses may elect to use NWEA MAP scores as a prescreening criterion for GT Testing.
For more information about the screening and identification process, parents may contact the school’s GT Coach/teacher.
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De acuerdo con el Plan Estatal de Texas para la Educación de Estudiantes Dotados / Talentosos, Harmony Public Schools comenzará a tomar referencias para todos los estudiantes interesados en los grados K-12 para la evaluación de estudiantes dotados y talentosos.
Cualquier persona interesada en el bienestar educativo de estos estudiantes puede nominarlos para dicha evaluación. Los estudiantes en los grados 2 y superiores que fueron evaluados en el otoño de 2020 no son elegibles para la prueba en la primavera de 2021. Los formularios de referencia están disponibles en la oficina y en el sitio web de la escuela.
Los formularios de referencia deben devolverse a la oficina de la escuela antes del lunes 31 de enero del 2022.
Para obtener más información sobre el proceso de selección e identificación, los padres pueden comunicarse con el entrenador / maestro de GT de la escuela.
During this time of year each January, we ask families to complete a simple, online Re-Enrollment process, letting us know they’ll be joining us for another great year of learning and fun next school year, which starts in August 2022.
This simple step allows us to make sure each current student’s spot at Harmony is reserved for the following school year, and assess how many new student seats we have available for other applicants.
Re-Enrollment at Harmony Public Schools runs January 4-28, 2022. Look for more details in your email inbox, via Skyward, or on our Facebook page soon.
In the meantime, check out these 6 things families need to know about Re-Enrollment at Harmony Public Schools.
#1 – When is Re-Enrollment season?
For the 2022-2023 school year, re-enrollment will be January 4-28, 2022.
#2 – How do I apply for Re-Enrollment?
The preferred method for re-enrollment is through the student’s online Skyward account. (A link to Skyward can be found at the top of your campus homepage or you can simply click here.). Parents without internet and/or Skyward access may also request a paper re-enrollment option from their child’s campus.
#3 – What is the difference between Re-Enrollment and Open Enrollment?
Re-enrollment is intended for current Harmony students planning to stay at their current campus the following school year, or who will naturally feed upward to a new campus (e. from elementary to nearby middle school). Open Enrollment is for new students, or current students who wish to change Harmony campuses for personal reasons (ex. transferring to a campus closer to home).
#4 – If a student plans to stay at the same school next year, are they automatically guaranteed re-enrollment if they complete the re-enrollment process before the deadline?
Yes, so long as their family completes the re-enrollment process.
#5 – What happens if a parent does not submit their re-enrollment information before the deadline?
If a parent misses the deadline to complete the re-enrollment process, then the student will lose his/her reserved space for next school year and must apply during Open Enrollment, held November 1-February 10 each school year. To apply, visit www.HarmonyTX.org/Apply.
#6 – What does a Harmony parent need to do if they would like to stay with Harmony, but transfer to a different campus for the next school year?
If a parent would like to change Harmony campuses for the following school year, they must submit an application for the desired school at www.HarmonyTX.org/Apply.
https://campus.harmonytx.org/hsasa-new/wp-content/uploads/sites/118/2021/12/Copy-of-ReEnrollment-Square.png788940John Boydhttps://campus.harmonytx.org/hsasa-new/wp-content/uploads/sites/118/2017/10/HSA-San-Antonio-white-300px.pngJohn Boyd2021-12-10 14:42:002021-12-10 14:42:00Re-enrollment is January 4-28 for 2022-23 at Harmony Public Schools
https://campus.harmonytx.org/hsasa-new/wp-content/uploads/sites/118/2017/10/HSA-San-Antonio-white-300px.png00ncarterhttps://campus.harmonytx.org/hsasa-new/wp-content/uploads/sites/118/2017/10/HSA-San-Antonio-white-300px.pngncarter2021-12-06 11:12:522021-12-06 11:12:52Decembers Breakfast and Lunch Menu
https://campus.harmonytx.org/hsasa-new/wp-content/uploads/sites/118/2022/02/TutorMe-English-1-1.png788940John Boydhttps://campus.harmonytx.org/hsasa-new/wp-content/uploads/sites/118/2017/10/HSA-San-Antonio-white-300px.pngJohn Boyd2021-11-15 20:54:152022-02-25 11:33:33Harmony offers free online tutoring for all students through TutorMe
One of the questions we hear most from prospective parents interested in applying to Harmony Public Schools is “I’ve been looking at schools near me, but I don’t understand – what is the difference between a charter school and an ISD public school?”
Public charter schools have grown exponentially in the past 25 years – both in Texas, and around the country – but we understand why many parents who grew up in a traditional independent school district setting themselves may still have questions.
That’s OK. We’ve got the answers to all of your biggest questions about charter schools.
So, what exactly is a charter school?
A charter school is a public school, and in many ways very similar to a traditional ISD school as you might think of one.
Charter schools do not charge tuition or application fees.
Charter schools accept every student who applies, as long as the school or grade level has not reached its enrollment capacity.
Charter school students take the same core classes and state tests (ex. STAAR) as ISD students.
Charter schools offer a full range of special services, including special education, English as a Second Language (ESL), Dyslexia, and 504.
However, what makes charter schools different is what we believe makes them special. In a word, that difference is “choice.”
Way back in 1995, the Texas State Legislature decided that even though there were a lot of great schools in Texas, a one-size-fits-all approach to education might not work for all families. Each child is unique: some with special gifts, others with special challenges, and all with special dreams for their futures.
To help better serve every Texas student, the Texas public charter school system was created to allow independent, education-based nonprofit organizations called Charter Management Organizations (CMOs) to open and operate free public schools for Texas students with the promise that they would provide a new school choice in education for local Texas families.
For some charter schools, that new choice might be a curriculum that focuses on dual-language learning. For others, it might be helping students who have dropped out of the traditional school setting reclaim their path to graduation.
Of the roughly 100 schools in Texas certified as official Texas STEM Academies be the Texas Education Agency, 23 are Harmony Public Schools high schools – more than any other school system in Texas!
As long as a student lives within its geographic boundaries of the school, any child can attend a Texas public charter school. However, unlike traditional ISD schools where students usually must attend whichever nearby campus they are “zoned” to, public charter school geographic boundaries are generally very large – often covering multiple communities or counties. These large geographic boundaries are another way Texas public charter schools offer Texas families a choice in their student’s education, and are unique from traditional ISDs. For example, rather than sending their child to an ISD campus near their home address, a parent may prefer for their child to attend a school near a grandparent’s home, or the parent’s place of work. Or they may prefer to send their child to a campus that specializes in a specific curriculum, like STEM, or with a higher TEA accountability rating than their neighborhood ISD school. All of these are options with Texas public charter schools.
They don’t. Charter school students are never “cherry picked” from an applicant pool. Any student who applies to attend a charter school will be accepted, so long as they meet three basic criteria:
They live within the schools geographic boundaries;
They are applying to a grade taught by that specific school;
Available seats are open in the grade-level to which the family is applying. At Harmony, if more students apply than there are available openings, the campus will hold a “blind” lottery to ensure fair an equal opportunity for enrollment to all new applicants.
When and how can a student apply to a charter school?
A student can apply to a charter school at any time during the school year and be accepted if space is available. However, most Texas public charter schools also offer an open enrollment period each year specifically for prospective new students. During this time, families can learn more about their charter school options and enter their name for the enrollment lottery, which is held in the event there are more applicants than available seats. For Harmony Public Schools, open enrollment runs each November 1 through February 10.
As opposed to a traditional ISD school, which receives its funding primarily from the taxes local homeowners pay each year combined with additional funding from the state, charter schools receive their primary funding from the state and federal governments. Additionally, charters often receive both public and private grants to fund many of their innovative academic programs. For example, in recent years Harmony Public Schools has received grants of varying amounts from the U.S. Department of Education, the Texas Education Agency, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, and the Elon Musk Foundation, among others.
Are Texas public charter schools for-profit?
No. By law, Texas public charter schools must be nonprofit entities. All funds received are used in the service of our students and school teams.
Do charter schools require uniforms?
That’s a decision that’s up to each charter school. At Harmony Public Schools, we do have a uniform policy. (Our students do get regular “free dress” days, though.)
Do charter schools offer the same types of programs and extracurricular activities as ISD schools?
Charter schools offer almost all of the same programs and extracurricular activities as ISD schools, though just like at an ISD school, the exact selection of extracurricular opportunities varies from campus-to-campus. Traditionally, charter schools specialize in offering a wide variety of academic-focused extracurriculars. For example, at Harmony Public Schools, some of our most popular extracurricular activities are our groundbreaking eSports clubs, LEGO robotics, rocketry, computer coding, and biomedicine. Our schools also compete in a wide variety of sports, including basketball, volleyball, soccer, and football.
What level accountability do charter schools have to maintain?
Just like traditional ISDs, Texas charter schools must remain in good academic and financial accountability with the Texas Education Agency. That includes annual inclusion in the TEA’s Financial Integrity System of Texas (FIRST) and Overall Accountability ratings. Charter schools that do not meet these standards face closure by the TEA. Finally, to help families easily understand how their charter school is performing, the TEA has created a Charter School Performance Framework (CSPF), which grades charter districts on overall academic performance and closing achievement gaps.
What other differences are there between charter schools and traditional ISD schools?
There are a few other differences between Texas public charter schools and ISDs, but most don’t impact the day-to-day campus life of our students. For example, charter school boards consist of appointed volunteers with a unique interest in education, rather than private individuals who have chosen to run for election. However, charter school board meetings are still open to the public to attend and participate.
What about …?
We couldn’t possibly share all the things that make charter schools a unique and important part of the Texas educational environment in just one article. So if you have more questions, we’d love the opportunity to tell you more. Just tell us what you want to know in our Let’s Talk family communication platform, and we’ll reach out with an answer soon!
https://campus.harmonytx.org/hsasa-new/wp-content/uploads/sites/118/2022/03/WORDPRESS-Charter-School-Facts-Wordpress.png880880John Boydhttps://campus.harmonytx.org/hsasa-new/wp-content/uploads/sites/118/2017/10/HSA-San-Antonio-white-300px.pngJohn Boyd2021-10-26 16:52:312022-03-28 14:42:58What is a charter school? The difference between ISD schools and Texas public charter schools
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The criteria to qualify for the Award of Excellence in Financial Management is stringent, based on financial accounting and reporting guidelines identified by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) Financial Accountability System Resource Guide (FASRG). Applicants must submit documents across 11 key areas, which are reviewed by a TASBO accounting subcommittee.
established in 2009 to recognize Texas school districts, open-enrollment charter schools, and education services centers that are committed to following professional standards in the acquisition of goods and services. Harmony remains the only charter school system to earn the award.
hildren need nutritious meals to learn, grow and thrive.
