Incoming Seniors,

For your Summer Reader Project, you will read at least TWO (2) books over the summer. You will illustrate a quote / passage for the first book you read. For the second book you read, you will write a book review. These projects will be due the first day of the 2021-2022 school year to your respective 12^th grade English teacher.

If you have any questions or concerns about the following instructions or requirements, please email:

• Antonia Flores (antonia.flores@harmonytx.org) for English IV
• Roy Gonzales (roy.gonzales@harmonytx.org) for English IV – Dual Credit

Book #1 – Illustrate the Text

Step 1: Choose, and read, one of the six English Literature books below. We’ve included PDF links to each book for easy access.

Step 2: Choose one favorite quote or passage from the book. Copy the quote/passage on your paper, then do your illustration. You may illustrate on regular computer paper or a poster board.  You may paint or draw by hand. You also have the option of using any computer design program to make your illustration.  Be as creative as possible!

Book #2 – Write a Book Review

Step 1: Read any book of your choosing, as long as it is appropriate for a school setting. The book must range from 200 – 250 pages.

Step 2: Write an original review of the book you’ve read using the Book Review Template that is attached. You can print the form out and fill it in, you can copy the format on a sheet of paper and fill it in, or you can type your own using the same format.

Things to keep in mind when writing your review:

• Don’t give away the book’s ending when writing your summary! The review will likely be seen by other students, so you don’t want to spoil the book for them.
• You can see examples of book summaries on the book jacket/back of the book, on sites like barnesandnoble.com, amazon.com, and goodreads.com. Remember, these examples are mentor texts for you to model your summary – do not copy these examples to use as yours.
• Finally, write your recommendation for the book. Why did you like it? Who else might like reading it?
• Other people will be reading your reviews, so make sure to write neatly!

For more information please click here

Summer Reading Project Requirements 9TH GRADE

All students are required to complete both Summer Reader project tasks BEFORE the 1st day of the 2020-2021 school year. These two project tasks will count as 40% of your grade for the first nine weeks. Your English I teacher will assign the dates that each project is due when you come back to school. If you have any questions or concerns please email either one of your 9th grade English teachers:
Mr. Carlos Limon = climon@harmonytx.org
Mrs. Alejandra Ovando = aovando@harmonytx.org

Project Requirements:

• Every student will read 2 books in total for the Summer Reader Project. One book will be assigned by your teacher and the other will be a student-choice book.
• Every student will complete 2 projects: One Book Review and One Illustration Review.

Book Choice #1 – Teacher Choice – Please purchase or rent one of these two books to read:
Sycthe by Neal Shusterman or Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card
Book Choice #2 – Student Choice: The second book is a free choice for students to pick whichever book interests them the most; however, the book must have a minimum of 250 pages and must be of appropriate nature and content for school setting.

If you have any doubts about your book choice, please email either one of the 9th grade English teachers for approval or confirmation.
**These two books do not have to be in print format. You can buy them with your iPad, Kindle, or Nook, or find a version of them online.

Wow, I am really busy in the summer! How can I find time to read TWO books?

• Reading before bedtime is a great way to get in quality, daily reading time. It helps you relax and wind down from your busy summer day.
• Carry your books everywhere-read while you are at the carwash, running errands, waiting in line at a store, at the beach or pool, or waiting to get picked up or picking up a family member from dance class, taekwondo or summer day camp! Remember, listening to an audio book version is also available.
• Don’t RUSH to finish-take your time-read a little bit every day and ENJOY IT!

Project 1: Book Review (Use teacher-choice book)

• Use the 9th Grade Book Review Template found below for your review. You can print the form out and fill it in, you can copy the format on a sheet of paper and fill it in, or you can create a Word File/Google document while using the same format and instructions.
• The 9th Grade Book Review Template has been attached to this Summer Reader handout. A teacher-made example has also been attached if you feel you need a reference or a guide.
• Remember, the review will likely be seen by other students, so you don’t want to spoil the book or ending for them.
• Also, you can see examples of book summaries or recommendations on the book jacket/back of the book, on sites like barnesandnoble.com, amazon.com, and goodreads.com. Remember, these online or print examples are mentor texts for you to model your summary or recommendation – do NOT copy any examples from the internet or in print because this will be considered plagiarism, and the assignment will receive an automatic zero.
• Please know that your English teacher wants to get to know your unique thoughts and writing style, so believe in your own ability to explain and create a good summary/recommendation.

Project 2: Book Illustration: (Use student-choice book)

• You will need to choose your favorite quote from your book that demonstrates your author’s unique writing style or any personal beliefs. Make sure your quote is at least 2 complete sentences minimum or 5 complete sentences maximum. Please select a quote that has meaningful word choice or comments on a significant topic or situation.
• Add the title of the book and author. Then, copy the quote (include page # and chapter #) and then create an illustration to decorate or help visualize these words. Your original drawing or painting can focus on a specific scene surrounding or representing the quote; you can be inspired by the internet but avoid copying other original work to avoid plagiarism.

• The size of the design is up to you, but you may choose to create your illustration on a regular 9 x 11 piece of paper, on a poster, or even a canvas of your size.
• On the back of your illustration, please explain why you chose these lines to best represent your author’s writing style or your own personal beliefs. (3 sentences minimum and 5 sentences maximum)
• Remember, this is an illustration, so you must add color effectively to attract your reader’s attention; you may also use a black and white charcoal/pencil color scheme if this is your preference. Please see the Teacher-made Example to gain an idea of what a strong Book Illustration should look like and contain.

For more information please click here

11^th Grade Summer Reader Project

Incoming 11^th graders,

For your Summer Reader Project, you will read at least TWO (2) books over the summer.  You will illustrate a quote / passage for the first book you read.  For the second book you read, you will write a book review.  These projects will be due the first day of the 2021-2022 school year to your respective 11^th grade English teacher.

If you have any questions or concerns about the following instructions or requirements, please email:

• Antonia Flores (antonia.flores@harmonytx.org) for English III
• David Santos (dsantos@harmonytx.org) for English III – Dual Credit
• (If you will take AP English with Mr. Roy Gonzales, you will work on a separate Summer Reader. Please email him at gonzales@harmonytx.org if you have any questions.)

Book #1 – Illustrate the Text

Step 1: Choose, and read, one of the six American Literature books below.  We’ve included PDF links to each book for easy access.

Step 2: Choose one favorite quote or passage from the book. Copy the quote/passage on your paper, then do your illustration.  You may illustrate on regular computer paper or a poster board.  You may paint or draw by hand.  You also have the option of using any computer design program to make your illustration.  Be as creative as possible!

Book #2 – Write a Book Review

Step 1: Read any book of your choosing, as long as it is appropriate for a school setting.  The book must range from 200 – 250 pages.

Step 2: Write an original review of the book you’ve read using the Book Review Template that is attached.  You can print the form out and fill it in, you can copy the format on a sheet of paper and fill it in, or you can type your own using the same format.

Things to keep in mind when writing your review:

• Don’t give away the book’s ending when writing your summary!  The review will likely be seen by other students, so you don’t want to spoil the book for them.
• You can see examples of book summaries on the book jacket/back of the book, on sites like barnesandnoble.com, amazon.com, and goodreads.com.  Remember, these examples are mentor texts for you to model your summary – do not copy these examples to use as yours.
• Finally, write your recommendation for the book.  Why did you like it?  Who else might like reading it?
• Other people will be reading your reviews, so make sure to write neatly!

For more information please click here

Incoming 9th-graders, You’re invited to attend the T-STEM Summer Bridge Program taking place this June! 

Dates: June 1st-4th and June 7th (8:30 AM -12:30 PM) via Zoom
Registration Deadline: Friday, May 28th, 2021
Register at: https://forms.gle/nqSyU1JVNkfQfSK36

Classes Include: 

• TSIA2 ELA and Math Workshops and Practice Tests
• Intro to T-STEM Program and Campus Expectations
• Nepris College and Career Exploration Sessions
• Workforce Solutions Career Exploration Sessions

For more information, please contact Ms. A. Garcia at ashley.garcia@harmonytx.org 

The deadline to register is May 28th! Limited slots are available. 

Please click here for more information

Esteemed Harmony Family,

First and foremost, I hope that you and your family are doing well!  We would like to inform you that HSE-Laredo will provide summer 2021 dual credit courses through Lone Star College (online) and Texas A&M International University (face to face and online).  Harmony will pay for the tuition of 1 online summer 2021 course through Lone Star College and or for the remaining balance of 1 Texas A&M International University course for which a scholarship was awarded.  Note that TAMIU requires scholars to have a 3.0+ overall GPA to qualify to take dual credit courses.  Please view the following important information:

1) Thoroughly read the HSE-Laredo dual credit action plan document and complete the communicated steps by Friday, May 14th, 2021.

a) Complete the steps on pages 3-6 starting from step 1.

2) Complete and submit the appropriate form(s) by Friday, May 14th, 2021.  

a) The forms can be found on the document attached above.

3) Our counseling department will assist you throughout this dual credit endeavor.  Therefore, please let us know how we can support you

a) 11th: I. Pala, ipala@harmonytx.org

b) 10th: B. Abastta-Santos, bsantos@harmonytx.org

c) 9th: L. Cantu, lcantu@harmonytx.org

Thank you so much for being part of our Harmony family.  Keep up the wonderful work and please contact us in case you have any questions about dual credit or the registration process; We’ll be more than happy to assist you!

Virtual Summer

Coding & Biology Camp

For 3^rd-12^th Grades

June 7-11, 2021

July 12-16, 2021

$10 non-refundable fee per camp

Register by May 19, 2021!

harmonytx.org/UTDsignup

Camp Course Details:

harmonytx.org/UTDcamp21

Contact your campus student success & engagement coordinator for more information!

Please click here for more information

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Harmony Public Schools is committed to providing your child with the best possible education. To do that, we need to hear from them about our district, our schools, and the education we provide. That’s why we’re asking students to take our School Culture Survey.

The survey asks for feedback on student support, academic preparation, safety and behavior, school leadership, and family involvement. The results will help us determine our strengths, identify opportunities for improvement, and develop responsive action plans.

The survey is open March 23, 2021 – April 9, 2021. Students in grades 6-12 will have an opportunity to take the survey at school. Although they will use their student ID to access the survey, their responses will be strictly confidential.

We’re partnering with independent research and communications firm K12 Insight to administer the survey and compile the results. No one from the district or your child’s school will know how your child responds.

With your child’s candid feedback, I’m confident we can shape the right futures for the district and our schools. Thank you for being a part of the Harmony Public Schools family.

Sincerely,

Alan Chetin

Principal

For more information about the survey, please contact HSE front office at 956.791.0007

Dear Parents and Scholars,

Harmony School of Excellence – Laredo, Harmony Science Academy – Laredo, and Harmony School of Innovation – Laredo are working together to give back to individuals in our community.

With the support from our Harmony family (scholars, parents, and staff), we will serve our community with kindness by preparing and donating personal care packages to the Laredo Police Department and Sheriff Department which will be issued to community members in need.

For any questions please call our front office at (956) 791-0007.