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 Public Charter v. Traditional Public School: Do You Know the Difference? Understanding the commonalities and differences between charter schools and traditional public schools
Approximately 49 million students are enrolled in the nation's public schools in kindergarten through grade 12, and according to the National Center for Education Statistics, there are now more than two million students enrolled in public charters, with 178,000 of them being in Texas charters, including Harmony Public Schools. So what's the big deal anyway? What are some of the differences and similarities between Harmony and other public charters and their traditional public school counterparts? While most people are fairly familiar with the latter, it's important to first understand exactly what an open-enrollment, public charter school is. The Texas Charter Schools Association defines them as, "...free public schools that have the flexibility to adapt to the educational needs of individual students. Open-enrollment charter schools vary in mission and model, serving a wide range of students, many with needs beyond the one-size-fits-all traditional public school. Often, these charter schools provide a personalized learning environment that promotes greater student achievement. Although charter schools have some autonomy, they still must meet the rigorous academic standards dictated by the state for all public schools." Read the entire article here. |
 Chromebooks Roll Out at Harmony Campuses Across the State
Devices distributed to 6-12th grade students Students at Harmony Public Schools were all smiles as they finally received their own personal Chromebooks this week. This is just one of the many technological benefits students will receive as a result of the Race To The Top District Grant funding awarded to Harmony by the U.S. Department of Education. In late 2012, Harmony Public Schools applied for and was chosen as one of the first charter systems ever to receive this award. More information about Harmony's Race to the Top District Grant activities can be found here and here. |
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Remember Forever, Never Forget 
Harmony students honor the fallen and reflect on the anniversary of
September 11th
Harmony School of Science Elementary-Houston Fourth grade student Amra S. began Patriot Day at her school by announcing that all students and staff would be joining her in observing a moment of silence for those lost. Then eleven 3rd-6th graders proudly sang the National Anthem over the PA system. Students practiced hard to be able to honor their country in this way and were proud to lead their school in this special remembrance ceremony. Harmony School of Innovation-Houston The mission statement of the September 11th Memorial and Museum in New York City was read by 3rd grade student Abigail J. and eighth grade student Saeed M. at the start of the school day. Abigail and Saeed then led the entire school in holding a moment of silence to remember the significance of this day. The Patriot Day ceremony concluded with 7th graders Chayanne C. and Vilma C. singing the Star Spangled Banner. Harmony School of Excellence-Houston A local Boy Scout troop assisted students at Houston's Excellence campus by presenting the colors while the HSE Glee Club sang a special arrangement of The National Anthem. A moment of silence was observed by all. |
Hispanic Heritage at Harmony 
Students and staff hold festive assemblies, celebrating the beauty and diversity of Hispanic Culture
Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month by celebrating the histories, cultures, and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central and South America.
Celebration in El Paso
Students and staff marked the commemoration of Dieciseis and the beginning of Hispanic Heritage month with a lively and fun assembly held on September 20th. Students recited traditional poems in Spanish, while Kindergarten through 3rd grade students performed traditional Spanish folk songs, including "El Son de la Negra" and "El Jarabe Tapatio," before a packed house of proud parents and community members.
Special Ceremony in Laredo
For the past five years, Harmony Science Academy-Laredo has held a Diecis�is de Septiembre festival for the family with food, beverages, and music. This festival is the celebration of the start of the revolution of Mexico's Independence. Being a border town, Laredo is rich in Hispanic culture, with the majority being of Mexican descent. Therefore, this holiday is celebrated in grand all around town. The celebration took place at HSA-Laredo's cafeteria on September 13, 2013. The great Spanish language teachers were the major driving force behind this celebration. The festival began with the famous "Viva" speech from Miguel Hidalgo recited by junior Humberto Garza. This speech was the beginning of a revolution that would change the course of history in Mexico forever. Parents and staff contributed by bringing plenty of Mexican dishes and beverages, enough to feed the great number of people in attendance. This celebration brought people from various cultural backgrounds together.
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Faces of Harmony: Danielle Galow 
Assistant Principal at Harmony Science Academy-Bryan/College Station
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 Science Academy? I started working at Harmony Science Academy-Bryan College Station in August of 2009. I was first hired as a first grade teacher. I taught first grade for three years. My third year I also held the role as Activities Coordinator. In 2012-2013 I became the Assistant Principal for Operations and Finance. During this year I also worked as the high school academic counselor and the activities coordinator. This current year, 2013-2014 I am serving as the Assistant Principal for 6th-12th Academics/High School Counselor. The thing I love most about Harmony, especially our school, is that every year it keeps improving. No school is perfect however, I love being in a place that is continually trying to improve and learn, as that is what education is about. My favorite part of my job is working with students. I enjoy that moment when you know you've just taught a student something that they didn't know before.
Read the rest of the interview here.
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Harmony Happenings
Highlighting events and accomplishments from campuses across the state
Constitution Week at HSA-Beaumont
Harmony Science Academy-Beaumont (HSA-Beaumont) was fortunate to have a visit from District Family Court Judge Randy Shelton on Monday, September 16th as part of its Constitution Week activities. Judge Shelton enjoyed lunch and lively conversation with several of our administrative staff. Judge Shelton also toured the campus, met with some of our student council representatives, and spoke in Ms. Lytle's AP U.S. History class. As a father of a teacher, Judge Shelton is a kind, considerate man with a heart for education. He kept students engaged as they learned more about the Constitution and the way our government and court systems work.
Original Harmony Campus Alum Returns to Give Back to Students
Jared O'Neal Neely, who attended the original Harmony Science Academy in Houston, will be returning to the campus this school year to offer encouragement and advice to students about attending and finishing college. He graduated with honors in 2008 and was voted Mr. HSA by his peers. His accomplishments at Harmony were only the beginning.Jared later left Houston to attend the Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston, Massachusetts. He graduated this past summer on August 25th, 2013 with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Design. HSA-Braeswood is proud to call Jared one of its own!
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 This Month in Science History...
Every month, we feature a list of interesting historical events in science
October 3 In 1952, the first U.S. video recording on magnetic tape giving credible results of off-air black and white recordings was made by John T. Mullin at the electronics division of Bing Crosby Enterprises, Inc., Los Angeles, CA. Using a video tape recorder, the images on magnetic tape were not only one-third less costly than photographic methods, but were also immediately available to reproduce on a standard TV monitor tube as soon as the tape was rewound. The 12-head VTR used one-inch tape running at 120 inches per second to record ten tracks of monochrome video information, a clock track to control synchronization and an FM audio track. The basic theory was to use frequency division multiplexing with the 10 channels covering the desired video range. For a complete list of science history events in the month of October click here. |
Video of the Month!
Highlighting students in El Paso engaging in Project-Based Learning:
Click on image or the links below them to view the video.
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 Upcoming Events
Please mark your calendars
October 1 - 31
National Principals Month
Annually observed in honor of great principals across the nation
September 30 - October 4
Last week to register to vote
October 23 - 31, 2013
Red Ribbon Week
Annual event aimed at raising awareness of and resistance to drug abuse
October 24, 2013 - 6:00 p.m
Harmony Public Schools Board MeetingOpen to the public; held at the HPS Central Office October 25, 2013I-SWEEEP 2014 registration begins Visit www.isweeep.org for details
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Brain Teaser
of the Month
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Each month we ask a brain teaser question and the first 3 responders with the correct answer will win a small prize.
Three Water Taps
There is a water-cask with three different water-taps. With the smallest tap, the water-cask can be filled in 20 minutes. With the middle tap, the water-cask can be filled in 12 minutes. With the largest tap, the water-cask can be filled in 5 minutes.
Question: How long does it take to fill the water-cask with the three taps together?
Send your answers to [email protected]
Last month's answer: 5,170 toes
Last month's winners: Shachi Desai, Ismail Dilber and Resul Geyik
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9321 W. Sam Houston Pkwy S.
Houston, TX 77099
+1 (713) 343-3333
+1 (713) 777-8555
[email protected]
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"Instruction ends in the school-room, but education ends only with life." - Frederick W. Robertson
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