Harmony Times Newsletter

Issue 26

Proven Success

Recent school rankings and competition results continue to prove the efficacy of the Harmony model

Children At Risk Report (as published on www.kxan.com)

The list of the Top 10 high schools throughout the Central Texas area is out, and two schools from the Austin Independent School District made the cut. Children At Risk graded nearly 400 schools in and around Austin looking at testing scores, poverty rates, and classroom improvement.

Top 3 public high schools in Central Texas:

Harmony Science Academy - North Austin
Nyos Charter School
Westlake High School (Eanes ISD)

Read the full article here.

INFOMATRIX International Project Competition, Bucharest Romania

As one of the representing teams from the U.S., Harmony School of Advancement (HS-Advancement) participated in the INFOMATRIX International Project Competition, in the Hardware Control Category. The competition was held in Bucharest, Romania. A total of 45 countries presented and 254 different projects were displayed and presented to the jury. HS-Advancement's MoHawk Warriors participated with their "UNDERWATER RESEARCH and PIPELINE INSPECTION ROV" project.

Our students, the creators of over 40 different projects, were awarded with gold medals as the winners of the competition in the Hardware Control Category.To see the projects, click here.

U.S. News and World Report

In 2012, HPS was ranked among the best performing schools in the nation, making Newsweek's list of "Best High Schools in America." This year, the Harmony schools on the U.S. News & World Report list ranked as follows:

Harmony Science Academy - Austin, Gold medal ranking at #20 in Texas and at #119 in the nation,
Harmony School of Advancement - Houston, Gold medal ranking at #31 in Texas and at #231 in nation,
Harmony Science Academy - Fort Worth, Gold medal ranking #35 in Texas and at #248 in nation,
Harmony Science Academy - Houston, Gold medal ranking #36 in Texas and at #254 in nation, and
Harmony Science Academy - El Paso, Gold ranking #37 in Texas and at#277 in nation.

Perfect SAT Score

The Duke University Talent Identification Program (Duke TIP) announced the names of 35 seventh grade students from across the country named 2013 William and Dorothy C. Bevan Scholars. The scholars earned a perfect score on one or more sections of the ACT or SAT. Kadriye Sude A. from Harmony School of Excellence in Houston was one of the 35 students who earned a perfect score as a seventh grader! Congratulations to Sude and her teachers.

Read the full press release from Duke University here.

Washington Post

The schools ranked on the Washington Post's "Most Challenging High Schools" are as follows:

Harmony Science Academy - Austin: 30^th in the nation,
Harmony Science Academy - El Paso: 43^rd in the nation,
Harmony Science Academy - Houston: 94^th in the nation,
Harmony School of Advancement - Houston: 98^th in the nation, and
Harmony Science Academy - Fort Worth: 187^th in the nation.

I-SWEEEP 2013!

Highlights from the world's largest 6th annual science Olympiad

I-SWEEEP, The International Sustainable World (Energy, Engineering, and Environment) Project, is a groundbreaking science fair competition open to high school students. It is the largest science fair event of its kind world-wide. I-SWEEEP is organized by Harmony Public Schools, with the support of with leaders of industry and higher education institutions. I-SWEEEP works with local, national, and international science fair organizations to bring together the top-ranking participants and qualifying projects from these competitions.

This year, 560 students from 68 countries and 41 U.S. states submitted and presented 393 projects to be reviewed by 263 judges. Gold, Silver and Bronze medals along with Honorable Mention and Special Awards were presented to students with projects in the categories of energy, engineering and environment. Medalists also received a monetary award, with $1,500.00 going to the top winner in each category.

Harmony Public Schools' I-SWEEEP Department thanks its many generous sponsors, supporters, teachers and volunteers who helped to make this amazing event possible.

For more information about I-SWEEEP, please visit www.isweeep.org.

First Texas STEM Education Week a Resounding Success!

Harmony works with STEM leaders to create Texas education history

Students, educators, industry, media, and legislators around the state of Texas joined together the week of May 6 - 12 to participate in "Celebrate STEM Education Week in Texas (CSEWT)." With the granting of the proclamation from Governor Perry in January, a team of dedicated staff members quickly created a CSEWT website, www.stemtx.org . A steering committee was formed to plan a large STEM conference and luncheon in Houston which was held May 10th at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston.

Through the collective efforts of many around the state, numerous STEM events were conducted, CSEWT proclamations were granted from more than twenty cities around the state, financial contributions were made to support the May 10th conference in Houston, and numerous entities pledged their support for STEM education. Tremendous ideas and energy continue to flow as a result of CSEWT; stay tuned for future events by visiting www.stemtx.org.

2nd Annual HPS College Acceptance Pep Rally

Thousands of students, staff and parents celebrate Harmony Seniors

On Friday, May 10th, more than 4,200 students and families from Houston-area Harmony campuses attended the second annual College Acceptance Pep Rally at the Tudor Field at Rice University. Students cheered as each of the approximately 170 seniors took the stage to enthusiastically announce which college or university they will attend this coming Fall. The University of Houston Cougar Brass Band kicked off the event with festive music, while officials from several different universities as well as U.S. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee addressed the students.

The College Acceptance Day Pep Rally serves as a means to celebrate our graduating seniors' acceptance to higher education, as well as a way to drum up excitement among younger students about attending college. The event functions much like "signing day" for athletes as they announce the sport they will play in college. This is the second year this event has been hosted; last year, the pep rally was held at the George R. Brown with over 3,000 students and 130 graduating seniors.

College Acceptance Day Pep Rally has become an annual tradition.Organizers hope to have approximately 250 graduating seniors at next year's event. Congratulations to our graduating seniors, their families and the wonderfully dedicated Harmony staff and volunteer parents who worked tirelessly for many long hours to ensure this event was a complete success.

Faces of Harmony: Jennifer Sabin

Harmony School of Innovation - Houston

How and when did your Harmony experience start? What positions have you held so far? What do you love most about your job at Harmony School of Innovation?

I began as an 8th grade ELA teacher in 2010 at the Harmony school of Innovation, the following year I became the Dean of Discipline and have held this position since. I love the people at Harmony. The atmosphere of the school feels like a community.

Can you tell us more about your interaction with your students?

I love talking to the students about what they are reading. Even though I am now an administrator, I still keep a library in my office. I feel that it is imperative to pass down a love of reading to our students.

Read the rest of the interview here.

Texas Legislators Recognize HSA-San Antonio's Commitment to the Community

Resolution designates May 12-18 as HSA San Antonio Community Service Week

For the last seven years the HSA-San Antonio student body has been rolling up their sleeves to volunteer their time, energy, and talents to what needs to be done for our neighbors in need and make the city an even better place to live. Volunteer efforts have ranged from feeding the hungry, to collecting donations, to providing recreational activities. Members of the National Junior Honor Society have worked to benefit charitable organizations across the city, including the San Antonio Food Bank, The Mission Continues, the Humane Society, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, the USO, the Wounded Warriors Foundation, and the American Red Cross.

As a result, the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas Legislature, along with State Representative Jose Menendez penned a formal Resolution recognizing May 12 - 18, 2013, as Harmony Science Academy-- San Antonio Community Service Week and commend all those associated with the school for their dedicated efforts.

A copy of the Resolution can be seen here and here.

Houston's HSA-West Campus Hosts Special Olympics Basketball Game

Wildcats vs. Wolfpack

On Tuesday, May 14, the HSA-West Houston Wildcats basketball team hosted the Katy Wolfpack Special Olympics basketball team for a friendly scrimmage. All of the players had great fun and the Katy Wolfpack finished out the night by sweeping all three games! Way to go Wildcats and Wolfpack!

Additionally, the PTO donated items for the concession stand and the school donated pizza for the concession stand for the scrimmage game. The Wolf Pack Basketball Club received $63 at the end of the night as a result of these sales.

All students involved really learned the benefits of team work. We are looking forward to more games in the future!

The Heart of Harmony - Giving Back to Those Who Need it Most

Harmony campuses all over Texas hold donation drives for those in West, Texas

Upon hearing of the terrible tragedy that afflicted the residents of West, Texas, Harmony students and staff sprang into action. Many, many donation drives were held to benefit those living in West and working towards recovery after the plant explosion. The outpouring of support is yet another reminder of the "heart" of Harmony - one big enough to encompass everyone. Here are a few examples of how Harmony gave back.

HSS-Austin - PTO members, students and staff held a fundraiser "Spirit day." Administrators and PTO worked together to determine a fund theme, and each student paid $1 for the privilege of dressing according to the theme.

HS-Endeavor - Money was collected from students for two weeks - students were allowed to pay $1.00 to wear jeans and $2.00 for free dress on Friday. All proceeds were donated to the Red Cross West Texas fund.

HS-Excellence - Free dress passes were sold to students for $2 each. The National Junior Honor Society collected the money purchased water, toiletries, diapers, formula, pet food, medical supplies, etc. and donated it to the Red Cross.

HSA-Waco - Administration accepted cash donations from faculty, staff, and students on Friday, April 19 and Monday, April 22 and the campus also donated all funds raised during our STAAR Spirit Week to West, Texas. In total, HSA-Waco raised $2,621! Students and staff were amazed at the generosity of everyone who participated. All of the money collected during this time was given to the West Fire Department and West ISD.Students and staff also wore red during the two-day drive to show our support for the West Trojans. Additionally, a local pizza company, Poppa Rollo's, was giving 100% of proceeds from sales on Monday, April 22nd to the West community. HSA-Waco teachers participated by placing a group order and were informed that their contribution helped Poppa Rollo's Pizza raise approximately $17,000!

HSA-Bryan - Staff, students and their families raised $1,789.02 on Friday, April 19th between 7:30am to 8:30am! Parents had been informed that their students could donate $2.00 to wear jeans and help those in West, but the administration never expected this kind of outpouring of support. As a result, HSA-Bryan was recognized by the General Manager of the local CBS affiliate. An email from him reads:

I can't thank you enough for your leadership on this project, and I agree, this is impressive. Humbled at what this community does when it pulls together, even more appreciative of this effort at Harmony. Again, for setting the course for students to follow, I applaud you. Thank you for all you do.

-Mike

Mike Wright

VP/General Manager

KBTX Media (CBS/CW/kbtx.com)

HSA-Braeswood - Harmony Science Academy - Houston National Junior Honor Society and Student Council went to work once they heard of the events that took place in West, Texas. In a school-wide effort and to promote good community service, they launched the HELP IN THE WEST campaign in order to collect non-perishable items for those affected by the tragedy in West, Texas. All items were donated to the Houston Chapter of the Red Cross.

This Month in Science History...

Every month, we feature a list of interesting historical events in science

May 1

In 1964, first BASIC program was run on a computer at about 4:00 a.m. Invented at Dartmouth University by professors John G. Kemeny and Thomas E. Kurtz, the first implementation was a BASIC compiler. The name is an acronym for Beginner's All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code, designed to be an easy programming language to learn quickly how to write simple programs. Originally for mainframes, BASIC was adopted for use on personal computers when they became available.

May 4

In 2003, the first cloned equine named Idaho Gem, a mule foal, was born at the University of Idaho, U.S. Researchers cloned the mule using a cell from a mule fetus and an egg from a horse. Mules are almost always sterile because donkeys have 62 chromosomes, horses have 64 and mules end up with 63. Equines such as horses, donkeys and mules are difficult to reproduce in the lab using in vitro fertilization and cloning. The cloning success rate was low. Out of 307 attempts, there were 21 pregnancies and three carried to full term. Idaho Gem was the first to be born; two others followed in June and July. The project's major sponsor was a mule racing enthusiast. Unable to breed new animals from proven race stock, mule cloning is an option.

For a complete list of science history events in the month of May click here.

Video of the Month: Two for One!

Videos revealing the secret behind Harmony's STEM success

Click on images or the links below them to view the videos.


Harmony STEM Project - Chaldni Plates (Vibration Patterns)	Harmony STEM Project - Hovercraft

Upcoming Events

Please mark your calendars

May 31, 2013

Last day of classes

July 4, 2013
Independence Day Holiday
Central office and all campuses closed.

July 22, 2013
Harmony Public Schools Board of Directors Meeting
6:00 p.m. Harmony Public Schools Central Office. Open to the public.

August 21, 2013
First Day of Classes
2013-14 School Year begins.