Dear Harmony Public Schools South Texas Community,

As we enter the beautiful month of October, I am thrilled to share the incredible achievements and events taking place across our district. This month, we have so much to celebrate, from National Principals Month to Hispanic Heritage Month, along with showcasing the ongoing excellence within our schools.

National Principals Month allows us to express our gratitude to our dedicated principals, who work tirelessly to ensure that every student reaches their full potential. Our principals are not only the leaders of their campuses but also the driving force behind the success and academic growth of our students. They ensure that the school environment fosters learning, inspires creativity, and upholds the highest standards, all while encouraging our students to strive for their personal best.

As we continue to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, our schools are honoring the rich cultural history and contributions of Hispanic Americans through events, projects, and activities. This month reminds us of the strength that diversity brings to our classrooms and our communities.

District Highlights:

• Alumni Visits: We are excited to have visited alumni from Harmony Public Schools South Texas District, learning about their journey after graduation and how Harmony prepared them for success in college and beyond.
• Applications for New Students: A reminder that 2025-2026 school year applications will open on November 1, 2024. Please share this exciting news with families who may want to join our Harmony family.

Campus Highlights:

• HSA-San Antonio: The Robotics Team had the unique opportunity to build their skills with a special mentor from UTSA, helping them gain advanced knowledge and problem-solving techniques.
• HSI-San Antonio: We're proud to celebrate our amazing teachers who achieved Master, Exemplary, and Recognized designations, representing the excellence in teaching that defines our campuses.
• HSE-San Antonio: Highlights the power of small groups in PreK, where young students thrive in personalized learning environments that foster early academic growth.
• HSS-San Antonio: Our Cross Country Team shined at the regional meet, showcasing their hard work and dedication to both academics and athletics.
• HSE-Laredo: Students strongly committed to inclusivity by taking the pledge for ‘No Place For Hate,’ fostering a safe and supportive campus.
• HSA-Laredo: We kicked off the season with our Annual Fall Festival, bringing the community together for a day of fun and connection.
• HSI-Laredo: Raised an impressive $1,275 for Childhood Cancer Awareness in support of the Golden Heart Project, showing our commitment to giving back.
• HSA-Brownsville: Hosted a fun-filled Annual Family Picnic, creating lasting memories and strengthening family bonds within our school community.
• HSI-Brownsville: Welcomed Mr. LJ Francis from the Texas State Board of Education to our campus, a moment of great pride for our students and staff.

As we celebrate these milestones and accomplishments, let’s continue to inspire each other and our students to reach for excellence. Thank you for your ongoing support and commitment to making Harmony Public Schools South Texas District a place of growth, opportunity, and community.

Warmest regards,

2024-2025 South TX District Academic Calendars

UPCOMING DATES TO NOTE:

September 15 - October 15 - Hispanic Heritage Month

October - National Principals Month

October 2 - School Custodian Appreciation Day

October 5 - World Teachers Day

October 6 - National Coaches Day

October 14 - Student Holiday

October 16 - Bosses Day

October 31 - Diwali

October 31 - Halloween

HSA-San Antonio - Robotics Team Builds Skills with Special Mentor from UTSA

Harmony Science Academy-San Antonio had an exciting Saturday on September 28. The campus FTC Robotics team welcomed a special mentor from UTSA's Robotics and Automation program for their building day. Scholars had a fantastic time learning key robotics fundamentals such as servos, pulse width modulation, 3D printing, strategy, and design. It was a great opportunity for them to engage in hands-on learning and expand their knowledge in these areas. We're grateful for the mentor's guidance and for the enthusiasm our scholars brought to the day!

HSI-San Antonio - Celebrating Teacher Excellence: Master, Exemplary, and Recognized Teachers

We are excited to celebrate the achievements of our teachers at Harmony School of Innovation-San Antonio. Congratulations to Ms. Olague, Ms. Foxx-Martinez, and Mr. Tayinci for earning the prestigious title of Master Teacher, and to Ms. Taylor and Mrs. Tayinci for becoming Exemplary Teachers. We also recognize the hard work of Ms. Sanchez and Mrs. McBride for achieving Recognized

status.

Together, these dedicated educators have raised $99,825 for our school. We are incredibly proud of their contributions and their commitment to our students. Please join us in applauding their accomplishments!

HSE-San Antonio - Highlights the Benefits of Small Groups in PreK

Harmony Public Schools recognizes the importance of small group instruction in early childhood education. Ms. Naomi Garcia, our Early Education Coordinator, shares five key benefits her Pre-K students enjoy in these focused settings:

• Focused Attention – Teachers provide individualized support to meet the unique needs of each child.
• Social Development – Children have more opportunities to practice teamwork and sharing with their peers.
• Active Participation – Smaller group sizes naturally encourage more student engagement and interaction.
• Customized Learning – Lessons are tailored to different skill levels, helping each student grow at their own pace.
• Comfortable Environment – In smaller groups, children feel more confident expressing their thoughts and ideas.

Small group instruction is just one of the ways we’re creating a positive and supportive learning environment for our youngest learners.

HSS-San Antonio - Cross Country Team Shines at Regional Meet

Our Harmony School of Science Cross Country team delivered an outstanding performance at the recent Regional Meet! Many of our athletes achieved personal bests, a true testament to their hard work and determination. While the team didn’t qualify for state, one standout athlete, Sydney Perez, finished an impressive 8th out of 66 middle school runners and secured her spot in the state competition.

We couldn’t be prouder of all our athletes for their dedication and achievements. Go Dolphins!

HSE-Laredo - Students Make a Pledge of 'No Place For Hate' on Campus

In a powerful show of unity and commitment to fostering an inclusive school environment, our students at Harmony School of Excellence have officially taken the "No Place for Hate" pledge. This pledge is part of a broader effort by Harmony Public Schools to promote kindness, respect, and understanding across its campuses.

The "No Place for Hate" initiative, a program by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), encourages schools to cultivate learning environments where bullying, discrimination, and hate are not tolerated. Students and staff worked together to organize a school-wide pledge event, affirming their commitment to making Harmony School of Excellence a welcoming space for all.

HSA-Laredo - Kicks Off the Season with Annual Fall Festival

As the leaves begin to change and their air turns crisp, it's time to welcome the fun of autumn! The start of the fall season kicked off at Harmony Science Academy-Laredo with their annual Fall Festival. Scholars and their families enjoyed an afternoon of games, music, food, and a whole lot of fun. Thank you to all our clubs, staff, and scholars who made this event fun and memorable. 

HSI-Laredo - Raises $1,275 for Childhood Cancer Awareness in Support of the Golden Heart Project

Harmony School of Innovation-Laredo showed their Tiger Pride with incredible support in raising awareness for childhood cancer throughout the month of September. Thanks to the generous efforts of the campus, they were able to raise $1,275.00 for the Golden Heart Project, a local non-profit organization dedicated to supporting children in Laredo who are currently battling cancer. These contributions are making a meaningful impact in the lives of these brave kids, and we are incredibly proud or their commitment to this important cause.

HSA-Brownsville - Hosts a Fun-Filled Annual Family Picnic

Harmony Science Academy-Brownsville recently hosted its Annual Family Picnic, and it was a fantastic success! Families gathered in large numbers to enjoy a day packed with fun activities, from fishing and splash pad excitement to thrilling games and lively music. The event was filled with laughter, connection, and an incredible sense of community spirit.

A big thank you to everyone who donated and contributed to making this event possible. We’re already looking forward to our next family gathering, and we hope to see even more smiling faces there!

HSI-Brownsville - Welcomes Texas State Board of Education Member Lj Francis

Harmony School of Innovation-Brownsville welcomed Mr. LJ Francis from the Texas State Board of Education to their campus. It was a fantastic opportunity to showcase our incredible students, dedicated staff, and the wonderful programs we offer.

Thank you, Mr. Francis, for taking the time to visit and for your continued support of education in Texas. We look forward to working together to make an even greater impact on our students and community!

HPS STX District

Area Superintendent

HPS STX District

Asst. Area Superintendent - Programs

HPS STX Asst. Area Superintendent - Operations & Business

HPS STX Asst. Area Superintendent - College & Career