Thinkery Summer Camp at HSS-Austin – Pre-Sale & Scholarships Available Now!

Our friends at Thinkery will join us once again as we host them for another fun & exciting Summer Camp. Harmony Pre-Sale is now available to get a jump on the Summer Camp spots.

Thinkery Camps provide a creative, safe and challenging environment for Pre-K to 5th grade campers to engage in playful, hands-on learning activities. Camps focus on science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM), with a variety of fun mental and physical challenges that activate campers’ creativity and stimulate their natural curiosity.

Please note: you will need to enter the promo code HARMONY on the ticketing site to activate your pre-sale. Register online: https://thinkeryaustin.org/camp-filter-by-location/

Camp themes and available dates vary by location. All camps will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis, and space is limited. We have also been provided a small number of scholarships for HSS-Austin students. All scholarship applications are due to the front office by Friday, February 21st. All other registration will be subject to Thinkery Summer Camp fees.

For registration questions, please call Thinkery Reservations Team at 512-469-6201.

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PTO Family Movie Night – Friday, February 21st – 5:30pm

It’s time for another exciting PTO sponsored Family Movie Night event! Join us on Friday, February 21st at 5:30pm for a fun family night. We will show Toy Story 4 in the Cafeteria and admission is FREE!

There will be concessions available also, so bring your blankets, pillows and lawn chairs (for parents if you don’t want to sit on the floor). Come out to enjoy this fun family event!

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Mock STAAR Testing Next Week – Tuesday, February 18th – Thursday, February 20th – CLOSED CAMPUS

Next week is Mock STAAR Week. There will be a CLOSED CAMPUS-NO VISITORS next week on Tuesday, February 18th -Thursday, February 20th. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding.

Testing Schedule:

Tuesday, February 18th: 4th Grade Writing & 5th Grade Math

Wednesday, February 19th: 5th Grade Reading

Thursday, February 20th: 5th Grade Science

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Student Holiday & Staff Development Day – Monday, February 17th

Monday, February 17th will be a student holiday and staff professional development day. There will not be school for students on this day.

 

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2020 HPS Austin Teacher Job Fair

HPS Austin is Now Hiring for Grades K-12

Join a school where you can thrive, and truly make a difference in today’s youth.  Join us for our HPS Austin Teacher Job Fair!

SATURDAY, March 28th, 2020, 10am-2pm

HPS Austin District Office
13415 FM 620 N
Austin, Texas 78717

Register Today! 

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Harmony Public Schools is now accepting applications for Open Enrollment for the 2020-2021 school year.Harmony Public Schools

Deadline approaching for Open Enrollment for the 2020-2021 school year at Harmony

The deadline for application for open enrollment for the 2020-2021 school year at Harmony Public Schools is almost here. If you are a current Harmony family that would like to change campuses next year, or would like to apply to become a first-time Harmony student in 2020-2021 here’s s everything you need to know about how to apply for next year.

WHAT WE BELIEVE

Every child isn’t the same. So why should every school be?

Harmony Public Schools believes each student can achieve their own unique, full potential through a caring and collaborative academic environment that emphasizes personalized learning and innovative instructional methods.

WHAT MAKES HARMONY DIFFERENT

Engaging Education: Our project-based learning engages critical thinking skills and makes learning fun with hands-on activities that educate and excite.

Skills for Tomorrow: Our curriculum has been recognized by the TEA & others for providing students the STEM skills they need for the in-demand jobs of the future.

College Ready: Harmony has a 100% college acceptance rate, and almost two-thirds of our students are the first in their families ever to attend college.

COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Does Harmony Public Schools charge tuition to attend?

Absolutely not. Harmony is a tuition-free, Texas public charter school. We believe every student deserves the opportunity to attend a high-quality public school that fits their individual needs regardless of income. 

Who is eligible to attend Harmony Public Schools?

All children residing in a Harmony school’s geographic boundary who meet registration requirements are eligible to attend. Unlike most other schools, though, Harmony’s geographic boundaries are much wider and generally include the entire community in which the school resides, meaning that all students in the area – regardless of neighborhood or family income level – have the same opportunity to attend a high-quality Harmony school.

What documents do I need to apply?

No documents are needed just to apply. However, if your child is selected for enrollment during the lottery process, you will need to provide a few basic documents that verify your child’s identity and home address.

I have a child in Harmony already, and would like to enroll their sibling for the first time. Do I still need to apply?

Yes. Siblings of current Harmony students still need to apply, but are given priority status if a campus lottery is needed.

 

DATES TO REMEMBER

February 10

Open Enrollment for 2020-2021 Application Deadline

February 11-25

Campus Lotteries Held (if needed)

Apply Now!

 

Harmony Public Schools is now accepting applications for Open Enrollment for the 2020-2021 school year. Harmony Public Schools is now accepting applications for Open Enrollment for the 2020-2021 school year.

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2020 Harmony Austin Science Fair

Join us Wednesday, January 29th, 2020 for our most anticipated annual Harmony Public Schools Austin District Science Fair! HPS Austin middle and high school students will present their science investigations to a panel of judges from 1:00 – 3:00 PM. The public is welcomed to view the student’s projects after that time. At 4:00 PM, the Awards Ceremony will begin to announce the category winners that will then advance to the Austin Energy city-wide science fair. We wish all of our young scientists luck and are excited to see what they will bring this year!

Calling all Volunteers! 

Are you interested in volunteering as a judge? We welcome you! Please, sign-up here.

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HSS-Austin Science Fair – Friday, January 17th

HSS-Austin will present its annual Science Fair on Friday, January 17th. We look forward to viewing the wonderful projects that our students have created.

If you would like to volunteer as a guest judge for the Science Fair, log on to your VOLY account and accept the opportunity for: HSS-Austin Science Fair Judges – Log In or Create your VOLY Account today:  https://harmony.voly.org/

Project Judging Begins – 2:45 pm

Parent viewing – 3:30 pm

Awards Ceremony – 4:00 pm

 

Due to Science Fair – We Will Not Have 5th Grade Tutorials

 

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First Semester Awards Assembly – Tuesday, January 14th

Our Awards Assembly for the First Semester awards of achievement will be on Tuesday January 14th. Each awards assembly is scheduled for 30 minutes with a few minutes in between for transition time. You may contact your student’s homeroom teacher for more information.

Assembly Schedule:

8:00 am – Kindergarten

8:45 am – 1st grade

9:30 am – 2nd grade

1:00 pm – 3rd grade

1:45 pm – 4th grade

2:30 pm – 5th grade

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After School Clubs – Beginning Monday, January 13th

Due to our teachers providing tutorials a few days each week, there will not be as many campus clubs available. Campus clubs will be available for selection on Tuesday, January 7th via our online registration on the HSS-Austin website: https://harmonytx.revtrak.net/austin/harmony-school-of-science-austin/#/listCampus Club Times: 3-3:50

Outside Partner Club Times: 3:10-4:10

There will still be several of our Outside Partner Clubs available for our students. Some flyers were sent home before the break and others will be sent home the week of our return.

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Academic After School Tutorials – Beginning Monday, January 13th

We will begin after school tutorials soon for the Spring Semester. Due to our teachers providing tutorials, there will not be as many campus clubs available. There will still be several of our outside clubs available for our students.

Please contact your grade level Assistant Principal and homeroom teacher via email if you have any questions regarding your student’s need for tutorials.

Please note: tutorials take priority over clubs, you may select a club on your student’s non-tutorial day.

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GATE Announcement

GATE (Gifted and Talented Education) Announcement!

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 2 & up who were tested in Fall 2019 are not eligible to test in Spring 2020. Referral forms are available at the front office and on the school’s website.

Parent GT Referral Form in English

Parent GT Referral Form in Spanish

 

The referral forms must be returned to the front office by Friday, February 7, 2020. 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. 

 

GATE (Educación para estudiantes dotados/talentosos) Anuncio

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 2019 no son elegibles para la prueba en la primavera de 2020. Los formularios de referencia están disponibles en la oficina y en el sitio web de la escuela.

Forma de nominación

 

Los formularios de referencia deben devolverse a la oficina de la escuela antes del viernes 7 de febrero del 2020.

Para obtener más información sobre el proceso de selección e identificación, los padres pueden comunicarse con el entrenador / maestro de GT de la escuela.

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Re-Enrollment is LIVE NOW for Fall 2020-2021 at Harmony Public Schools!

Re-Enrollment for the 2020-2021 school year for Harmony families has begun!

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 2020.

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 6-24, 2020. Look for more details in your email inbox, via Skyward, or on our Facebook page. 

Need more info? Here are the full details:

 

#1

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 be advancing to a nearby “feeder” campus (ex. moving from elementary school to middle school). Open Enrollment is for new students, or current students who wish to change Harmony campuses for other reasons (ex. transferring to a campus closer to home).

#2

When is Re-Enrollment season?

For the 2020-2021 school year, re-enrollment will be January 6-24, 2020.

#3

In what form will parents need to 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 should contact the school registrar’s office for additional assistance.

 #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 (Nov. 1, 2019 through Feb. 10, 2020) at 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 HarmonyTX.org/Apply.

 

 

 

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Winter background with blue sky and snow on the ground. Snowman with Winter Break No School written in black text.

Winter Holiday Break – Monday, December 23rd – Monday, January 6th

Winter Break is on the way! Winter Break will begin on Monday, December 23rd and end on Monday, January 6th. All students return to school on Tuesday, January 7, 2020! Have a wonderful time with your families and enjoy the holiday!

 

Winter background with blue sky and snow on the ground. Snowman with Winter Break No School written in black text.

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Yellow note pad sheet with early dismissal written in black on it.

Early Release Day & No Clubs – Friday, December 20th at 12:30pm

We have an early release day on Friday, December 20th before the Winter Break. There will not be any clubs on this day.

All students must be picked up by 12:45pm.

Yellow note pad sheet with early dismissal written in black on it.

 

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Ugly Holiday Sweater & Jeans Day – Friday, December 20th

Let’s join in on the fun before we head out for Winter Break. We are inviting students and staff to participate in the Ugly Holiday Sweater & Jeans Day. Wear an ugly holiday sweater or maybe a t-shirt representing the holiday season. Please note that sweaters don’t have to be ugly, but there may be some fun contests that day for the most unique sweaters on campus.

 

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Winter Concert – Tuesday, December 17th

Our amazing Winter Concert Event will be on Tuesday, December 17th. This year we will be on campus with grade level performances throughout the day. We are also planning a live-stream of this holiday event for our parents & families that are not able to make it.

Kindergarten-1st Grade – 8:30am Performance

2nd-3rd Grade – 1:00pm Performance

4th-5th Grade – 5:30pm Performance

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Harmony Public Schools Re-Enrollment for 2020-2021 is January 6-24

Re-Enrollment for current Harmony families begins Jan. 6: Here are 6 things you need to know!

Re-Enrollment for the 2020-2021 school year for Harmony families begins soon.

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 2020.

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 6-24, 2020. 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

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. Open Enrollment is for new students, or current students who wish to change Harmony campuses (ex. moving from elementary to middle school, transferring to a campus closer to home).

#2

When is Re-Enrollment season?

For the 2020-2021 school year, re-enrollment will be January 6-24, 2020.

#3

In what form will parents need to 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.

 #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 (Nov. 1, 2019 through Feb. 10, 2020) at 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 HarmonyTX.org/Apply.

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Stude

Harmony demonstrates how schools should lead on STEM

On National STEM Day, educators across America celebrated the exciting opportunities made possible by science, technology, engineering, and math studies. Charter schools have been major contributors to making STEM education more widely available to students in every neighborhood and from every background.

One charter school network that’s leading the charge: Harmony Public Schools.

Harmony Public Schools was founded with a mission—to encourage students in underserved communities to pursue science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields. There’s a well-known gap in STEM education with African American, Hispanic, and low-income students taking AP science courses and majoring in sciences in college at much lower rates than White, Asian, and wealthier students. But Harmony’s founders and educators—many of whom hold advanced degrees in science and engineering fields—knew that these disparities were about access, not ability, so they leveraged the charter school model to build a different kind of school.

Based in Houston, Harmony places a heavy emphasis on STEM through its award-winning PreK-12 curriculum and helps students gain critical job skills and hands-on experience for the future. At Harmony campuses, it’s not unusual to see 2nd graders using a 3D printer to code and print their own toys or high schoolers creating 3D-printed prosthetic limbs for families in need. The end result is remarkable—58 percent of Harmony alumni choose STEM majors in college, more than double the national and Texas averages.

By exposing students to cutting-edge technology and hands-on experiences, Harmony is leveling the playing field for underrepresented groups and giving students the support they need to find their passion. Khalid, a Harmony School of Excellence alum, credited his school with helping him to discover his love of engineering and inspiring him to positively influence his community.

In addition, teachers like Theresa Gray (who was just awarded Teacher of the Year by the Texas Charter Schools Association) are given the flexibility to offer classes on Entrepreneurship and Social Media Marketing in order to prepare students for a 21st century workforce.

This dedication to personalized learning and innovative teaching approaches has paid off. Harmony has a 98 percent graduation rate, and 100 percent of those graduating seniors are accepted to college, a feat that is made even more impressive by the fact that 64 percent of Harmony alumni are the first in their family to attend college.

Harmony Public Schools have received glowing ratings from the Texas Education Agency. In 2019, the agency awarded five out of seven Harmony networks an overall “A” rating for their academics and gave all seven networks “A” ratings for financial accountability. National media have noticed, too. This year, all 23 Harmony high schools were on U.S. News & World Report’s list of best high schools.

Harmony’s CEO, Fatih Ay, says, “A solid foundation in STEM allows our students to better understand the world around them and connects them with the future careers and opportunities that can make that world a better place. That’s why STEM is at the heart of Harmony’s academic model.” Harmony schools are proving that no student should have their horizons limited by low expectations or lack of access to world-class teaching. By inspiring students to pursue some of the most innovative work in the world, Harmony is showing students that nothing is beyond their reach. 

This article was written by Starlee Coleman, CEO of the Texas Charter Schools Association. It originally appeared in a blog post for the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools.

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¡La inscripción abierta para 2020-2021 ha comenzado!

Apply Now for Open Enrollment for the 2020-2021 school year at https://www.HarmonyTX.org

La inscripción abierta para el año escolar 2020-2021 en las Escuelas Públicas de Harmony ha comenzado. Aquí encontrará todo lo que necesita saber para solicitar el próximo año.

Familias de las Escuelas Públicas actuales de Harmony Estudiantes que desean permanecer en el campus actual el próximo año

Espere a que llegue su formulario de reinscripción al comienzo del segundo semestre, luego envíelo entre el 6 y el 24 de enero para informarnos que volverá en 2020-2021

Familias de las Escuelas Públicas actuales de Harmony Estudiantes con la intención de mudarse de campus el próximo año

Visite HarmonyTX.org/Aplicar del 1 de noviembre al 1 de febrero. 10 para solicitar la inscripción en su nuevo campus de Harmony.

Familias de estudiantes potenciales de escuelas públicas de New Harmony

Visite HarmonyTX.org/Aplicar del 1 de noviembre al 1 de febrero. 10 para obtener más información sobre Harmony y solicitar la inscripción abierta.

LO QUE CREEMOS

No todos los niños son iguales. Entonces, ¿por qué debería ser cada escuela?

Las Escuelas Públicas de Harmony creen que cada estudiante puede lograr su propio potencial único y pleno a través de un entorno académico solidario y colaborativo que enfatiza el aprendizaje personalizado y los métodos de enseñanza innovadores.

QUE HACE DIFERENTE LA ARMONÍA

Educación atractiva: nuestro aprendizaje basado en proyectos involucra habilidades de pensamiento crítico y hace que el aprendizaje sea divertido con actividades prácticas que educan y entusiasman.

Habilidades para el mañana: Nuestro plan de estudios ha sido reconocido por TEA y otros por proporcionar a los estudiantes las habilidades STEM que necesitan para los trabajos demandados del futuro.

Preparado para la universidad: Harmony tiene una tasa de aceptación universitaria del 100%, y casi dos tercios de nuestros estudiantes son los primeros en sus familias en asistir a la universidad.

PREGUNTAS FRECUENTES

¿Las Escuelas Públicas de Harmony cobran matrícula para asistir?

Absolutamente no. Harmony es una escuela chárter pública gratuita de Texas. Creemos que cada estudiante merece la oportunidad de asistir a una escuela pública de alta calidad que se adapte a sus necesidades individuales, independientemente de sus ingresos.

¿Quién es elegible para asistir a las Escuelas Públicas de Harmony?

Todos los niños que residen en el límite geográfico de una escuela Harmony que cumplen con los requisitos de registro son elegibles para asistir. Sin embargo, a diferencia de la mayoría de las otras escuelas, los límites geográficos de Harmony son mucho más amplios y generalmente incluyen a toda la comunidad en la que reside la escuela, lo que significa que todos los estudiantes en el área, independientemente del nivel de ingresos del vecindario o la familia, tienen la misma oportunidad de asistir a un escuela de armonía de calidad.

¿Qué documentos necesito para solicitar?

No se necesitan documentos solo para aplicar. Sin embargo, si su hijo es seleccionado para la inscripción durante el proceso de lotería, deberá proporcionar algunos documentos básicos que verifiquen la identidad y el domicilio de su hijo.

Ya tengo un hijo en Harmony y me gustaría inscribir a su hermano por primera vez. ¿Todavía necesito solicitar?

Sí. Los hermanos de los estudiantes actuales de Harmony aún deben presentar una solicitud, pero se les da prioridad si se necesita una lotería en el campus.

 

FECHAS PARA RECORDAR

01 de noviembre

La inscripción abierta para 2020-2021 comienza para nuevos estudiantes

6-24 de enero

Período de reinscripción para estudiantes actuales

10 de febrero

Inscripción abierta para la fecha límite de solicitud 2020-2021

11-25 de febrero

Loterías del campus (si es necesario)

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We're Hiring

WE’RE HIRING: Bilingual Teacher

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.

Interested applicants may click here to apply online.

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WEATHER ADVISORY: TWO-HOUR DELAY

WEATHER ADVISORY: Harmony Public Schools – Austin will operate on a two-hour delay for Tuesday, November 12th, 2019, due to perceived inclement weather conditions. Classes will begin at 10 am, and buses will pick up two hours later than a regular school day.

CONSEJO DEL TIEMPO: Harmony Public Schools – Austin operará con un retraso de dos horas para el martes 12 de noviembre de 2019, debido a las inclemencias climáticas percibidas. Las clases comenzarán a las 10 am, y los autobuses recogerán dos horas más tarde que un día escolar regular.

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Thanksgiving Holiday Break – Monday, November 25th – Friday, November 29th

Our Thanksgiving Holiday break is coming soon and there will be no school.  Please mark your calendars for the week of Monday, November 25th – Friday, November 29th and take the time to enjoy your families.

 

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Veteran's Day

Student Holiday-Veteran’s Day! Monday, November 11th

As a reminder, Monday, November 11th will be a student holiday in observance of Veteran’s Day.  This day will be a Staff Development day. Enjoy your long weekend!

 

Veteran's Day

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Food Drive to Support the Central Texas Food Bank – November 1st-15th

Our campus is supporting the Central Texas Food Bank by hosting a Food Drive beginning Friday, November 1st-Friday, November 15th. Let’s participate in a Tiger Way by bringing in your food donations during this period. The HSS-Austin class with the most cans donated wins a popsicle party!

Why Should We Help? – Facts About Hunger in Central Texas:

  • 1 in 5 children is at risk of hunger
  • 40% of the clients we serve are children or older adults
  • We serve nearly 46,000 people every week
  • 93% of our clients are not homeless
  • The majority of our clients work, but have trouble making ends meet

Food Items Needed:

peanut butter – canned items: chicken breast or tuna, low sodium vegetables or fruit in its own juice ( no sugar added) – dry pinto or other types beans – brown rice – non-fat dry milk powder – 100% whole grain cereal

The Central Texas Food Bank is looking for healthy, non-perishable food items with intact, un-opened, non-breakable(no glass) packaging items with an expiration date.

 

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