Harmony Newsletter

Morning Announcement Link

Aug 25 / 26 - MAP (Reading)

Aug 27 / 28 - MAP (Math)

Sept 2 / 3 - Fall Pictures (details below)

Sept 4 - Student Holiday

Sept 7 - Holiday

Sept 8 - 8th Grade "Special Programs" Assembly (reviews high school course options)

Sept 21 - Holiday

Oct 12 - Holiday

Oct 15 - Picture Retakes

Oct 28 - End of Quarter

Oct 29 / 30, Nov 3 /4 - Student Holidays

At Harmony MS, safety ranks above all others. Many preventative programs are in place to help students and staff deal with any issues that arise. Here is the LCPS Drill Expectation:

• 1 evacuation drill in the first 10 days
• 2 lockdown drills in the first 20 days
• 1 evacuation drill per month (September – June)
• 2 hold drills (AED/MERT) during school year
• 1 shelter drill (earthquake) in October
• 1 lockdown drill in January
• 1 lockdown drill in February
• 1 shelter drill (tornado) in March

Contact names for questions or concerns are below:

• School Security Officer, (SSO), Josh Stillwell (joshua.stillwell@lcps.org)
• Dean and School Safety Contact, Justin Dailey (justin.dailey@lcps.org)
• Principal, Eric Stewart (eric.stewart@lcps.org)
• School Resource Office (SRO), Loudoun County Deputy Chris Salter (christopher.salter@loudoun.gov)
• School Phone is 540-751-2500 (then dial zero to reach the main office)

As the fall athletics season gets underway, LCPS reminds students, families and community members that clear bags are required at all varsity football games.

Additionally, parents of middle school students must accompany them at all Woodgrove HS games. Please do not drop them off and pick them up after the game. Please supervise them.

Bags must be clear plastic, vinyl or PVC, may not exceed 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches and are limited to one per person. Small medical or parenting bags may be permitted on a case-by-case basis and may be subject to additional security screening.

Please review the guidelines before heading to a game to help make entry as smooth as possible for everyone. Learn more about LCPS athletics and event guidelines.

At Harmony MS, rigorous teaching and learning is built on three core priorities: authentic student lesson engagement, student ownership, and student self-reflection on learning. We empower students to take ownership of their learning while staff purposefully build safe, supportive relationships.

To sustain our work, our schedules provide built in time for teacher collaboration on lessons, common assessments, and small group interventions. These focus areas are woven into the LCPS Instructional Framework launched in August 2025.

The 7th grade science team (Ms. Emily Eden, Ms. Gianelos, Ms. Smith, and Ms. Welge) earned a $775 grant to help support an opportunity for students to learn about and do a hands-on dissection on earthworms and frogs.

This is an engaging lab that the students look forward to all year. The authenticity, real life connections to their own physiology, and the development of a unique professional skill makes dissection invaluable and a fascination to students.

The application window for 8th grade students to apply to the Academies of Loudoun opens on August 24, 2026. Students must be enrolled in Algebra I, or above, to apply to the AOS or AET programs.

A presentation will be held for 8th grade students on September 8th for students to get additional information on the Academies and other special programs in LCPS. Visit the Academies application site for more information.

Please contact Jamie Sharp, at Jamie.Sharp@lcps.org, for additional information.

As we kick off our first assessment windows for the year, I want to share a brief perspective on how these tools are used at Harmony to support your child's journey. We view standardized assessments not as a final judgment, but as a single data point in a much broader picture.

When paired with many other points, such as daily classroom observations, classwork, classroom assessments, and teacher insights, tools like MAP Growth help us gain a balanced, holistic view of where your student stands today and—most importantly—how they are growing over time.

Our goal is always to measure individual progress and tailor our instruction to meet every student's unique needs. Thank you for your continued partnership as we enter this new school year. If you have any questions about assessments or testing, please contact our assistant principal. Mr. Eric McGrady, at eric.mcgrady@lcps.org.

Ready, Set, Organize!

Ms. Tricia Smith and Ms. Alysia Brown will be available next week to help students get organized and set up for success in their classes. They will offer after-school support next week from 3:50-5:00 in room B-08 by grade level as follows:

• 8th Grade: Tuesday
• 7th Grade: Wednesday
• 6th Grade: Thursday

During these sessions, they will help students organize their materials and ensure they understand what they need to be successful in each of their classes. Student will need to be picked up in front of the school building promptly at 5 PM. Please reach out to Mrs. Brown for specific questions. Alysia.brown@lcps.org

This is a note to Ms. Washington (Chorus) from a former student (many years ago)...

"Hello, Mrs. Washington!! I'm not sure if you're the same Mrs. Washington who taught music in 1996 at Farmwell Station Middle School... but if you were, my name is Jen J, and I have been involved in music and theatre my entire life. Now, it's my job! I'm the Associate Artistic Director for MacGuffin Theatre & Film Company in Philadelphia where I teach, direct, and choreograph for ages 4–18. I'm also involved in many other fun aspects of the performing arts—much of this is thanks to you and your fabulous teaching ways!!!!

(I remember a) phrase of yours we used while bowing, "Did I shine my shoes today? Yes I shined my shoes today." It made us hold the bow a certain length of time. I still use that same sentence with all of my students and I think of you everytime I use it!"

Ms. Washington - Thanks so much for impacting lives of our kids.

LCPS administers NWEA’s MAP Growth tests in Reading and Math, each fall and winter, to students in grades 2 - 8 and first grade students in Math. Students enrolled in Algebra I and Geometry are assessed in the fall to determine their instructional readiness level. The MAP Growth testing for the fall window at Harmony will be 8/25 - 8/26 for Reading and 8/27 - 8/28 for Math.

For more information about the MAP Growth test, visit: https://www.lcps.org/o/lcps/page/measures-of-academic-progress-map.

If you have any questions please contact assistant principal eric.mcgrady@lcps.org or call 540-751-2500.

As many LCPS schools do each year, information about September 11 will take place during social studies classes between Sept 9 - 11, depending on your child’s teacher’s schedule.

Please contact your child's teacher for specific information as we get closer.

At Harmony MS, our goal is to have all staff and students to have the support they need to feel safe, happy, and cared for in school. Climate is creating and maintaining a sense of belonging.

Specific activities are articulated here: Link to Recognition Programs.

Rising 7th grader, Layla Tyley, finished her season strong for her Revolution softball team. She played 2nd base and is the youngest on her team.

Other players who wore #11 include:

Edgar Martinez (Seattle Mariners)

Megan Wiggins (National Pro fastpitch)

Ryan Zimmerman (Washington Nationals)

Chelsi Lake Reichenstein (Baylor University)

This summer Mason Bowen got to experience many firsts. His first plane ride, his first trip to the West Coast, and in this picture, his first time seeing Haystack Rock and the Pacific Ocean in Oregon.

His family spent two lovely weeks in Oregon, up and down the coast with family, before capping it off in Portland to celebrate his mom's little brother‘s wedding.

The Arakelian’s travelled to Illinois to visit family and spent a brief time in Chicago. Jefferson (7th), Lily (6th), and big brother Augustus (10th), all had fun.

"We ate all the Chicago staples: deep dish, tavern style pizza (Tavern is the true Chicago winner) and Italian Beef Sandwiches. We explored Shedd Aquarium, cruised the Chicago River while admiring the architecture, and made sure to get a picture in front of the famous Bean."

This summer, Daniel Hurst spent a month with his family touring Switzerland, Austria, and Germany.

This picture was taken with his dad in Lucerne, Switzerland. It is the oldest covered wooden bridge in Europe built around 1360 as part of Lucerne’s medieval defenses, and is one of the best known symbols of Switzerland.

Harmony has twice earned a "No Place for Hate" status. Now we go for a three-peat.

The first Equity group advisory is coming up 9/11 and 9/14. They will be launching the NPH pledge for the year.

Each student will pledge by writing a word or phrase that they will focus on for the year to help make Harmony a no place for hate and then will place the sticky notes on a giant "tree poster" near the main office. The five finger pledge includes: Being Fair, Being Kind, Being Inclusive, Being Aware, and Being "Myself."

A simulated picture is what we hope it will look like.

Logan Bui went to Sand Bridge VA for a family vacation, this summer, just south of Virginia Beach. It has much less traffic and is less commercial than VA Beach.

Try the local donuts which are usually sold out by 9 AM at their local store.

Join a combined Western Loudoun Middle School Ice Hockey Team, which is composed of players from Blue Ridge and Harmony Middle School and plays in the middle school division of the Northern Virginia Scholastic Hockey League.

If interested, email JCLEMHOCKEY@gmail.com with questions.

The Calderone sons (Michael and Vincent) traveled to Barcelona and Mallorca for an incredible tennis experience, training at the Rafa Nadal Academy.

Vincent, a former HSM student, earned a well-deserved spot to train alongside the pros at the academy—an amazing accomplishment!

They also made their way to Paris, where they toured the legendary Roland-Garros Stadium, home of the French Open. 🇪🇸🇫🇷🎾 What an unforgettable trip filled with tennis, travel, and incredible memories!

Grant House had a great summer. During summer vacation, he braved the rollercoasters with siblings (Alexis and Caleb). They rode the velocicoaster at Universal and it was a highlight for Grant.

He (Grant) also finished his training to get certified to scuba dive by completing his in water portion in the Blue Grotto (Florida). Seventh grader Grant is now a certified scuba diver!

(Harmony Alum, brother Caleb, made Zones, a prestigious swim club).

Calling all anglers: Franklin Park will be hosting their fall trout derby this September 18th at the Franklin Park pond.

Last year the Turk twins took home some honors (they are now in 9th grade). Please see this link for more information.

Feel free to share pictures of your successful outing!

Parents,

We have attached the intramural information for the fall seasons of flag football and cross country.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1dzwIOAJ7PPI06JBMv3UTtoriTv3fqu5WDtl3JPBfOpI/edit?tab=t.0

Josh Young

On September 2nd and 3rd, students will visit the auditorium during their Resource or Spectrum class to have their fall pictures taken. Because these pictures will be used for the school yearbook, students should dress accordingly. Students will be asked to remove hats, hoods, masks, etc. during their picture.

Order forms will be coming home early next week, or you can order online at mylifetouch.com with your picture day ID: EVTN8GKSS. Picture retakes are scheduled for 10/15/26 if needed. Please also see the note below from Lifetouch:

Our company will no longer be able to accept cash/check orders after picture day (late orders). Students may still bring in their order forms on picture day (payment must be inside the order form) to give to the photographer but, once picture day has been completed parents will need to use their student’s proof sheet to place online orders only. The proof sheets will be delivered to the school 2-3 weeks after picture day along with any preordered photo packages, and parents will have 11 months to place orders.

Please direct any questions to assistant principal, Eric McGrady / eric.mcgrady@lcps.org

Club Information for students and parents will be coming soon (to your child's Advisory block)!

We'll send more information about that next week.

Principal Newsletters: https://www.lcps.org/o/hrm/page/harmony-newsletters

School Website: https://www.lcps.org/o/hrm

LCPS School Calendars: Documents | Loudoun County Public Schools

Everything You Need to Know About Dismissals, Buses, Car Rider Lines, and More

Sign up for ParentVue: https://www.lcps.org/PVUE

Join the PTA or Order Spirit Wear: https://www.lcps.org/o/hrm/article/2360486