The Community's Source

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Mission

To prepare youth for lifelong learning through the Montessori and IB philosophies; fostering individual responsibility, mutual respect, self-discipline, and a passion for excellence in order to become inquiring, compassionate, internationally minded global citizens who take action to create a better world.

Greetings,

I hope this message reaches you all safe, well, and excited about this year at HSMA. In a year that’s presented lots of unique, unprecedented, and unforeseen challenges, our commitment to continual learning has given us great opportunities for growth as a school community. Whereas the implications and implementation of “new normal” protocols may have stifled and even divided some communities, our HSMA Family remains intact and unified and continues to set an example of what can be done when teamwork is aligned with our highest aim; a great learning experience for all of our students!

Last month, news of the Governor’s Executive Orders to stop school districts from requiring or mandating masks landed at HSMA. This was followed up by our District’s response, which stated, “After June 5, everyone is highly encouraged to continue wearing masks inside schools, on buses, and all-district facilities, as an added measure of safety for all. Dallas ISD remains committed to continue following social distancing and sanitation protocols...and will continue studying best practices in the coming weeks and will share updates with our students, staff, and families.”

At HSMA, we plan to adhere to the guidance from the District by continuing safety protocols currently in place while following the Governor’s Executive Order. All students will be given the choice to wear a mask beginning Monday, June 7, 2021.

I am very confident in our staff and students, as we will work together to keep everyone safe and healthy and learn from this experience. The last ten days of the school year (June 7-18, 2021) will allow us to learn more regarding best practices, self-regulation, and choice.

Again, as we follow suit with the district to encourage everyone to practice the safety protocols that have served us thus far (which includes wearing masks), we are aware of and respect families who chose differently. Regardless of your family’s decision, please know that all students will be treated equitably and with respect both our students and school well deserve.

You are invited to join us for our next Site-Based Decision Making (SBDM) Committee meeting Monday, June 7th.

We are excited to announce that we will host our bridging summer camp for students new to our prekindergarten/kindergarten (The Children's House) and middle school (MYP). The day camp will be held June 22-24 and June 28-July 1, 2021. Invited students will attend both weeks. More information will be provided at our 2021-22 Registration Block Party, held on Thursday, June 17, 2021.

We are excited about all of our upcoming end-of-the-year events. Classroom teachers and sponsors will send specific information about the scheduled events.

Honored to serve,

Niki Jones

Monday, June 7, 2021

• MYP Students "A" Day
• SBDM Cmt. Mtg. - Ms. S. Mokuria - 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday, June 8, 2021

• MYP Students "B" Day

Wednesday, June 9, 2021

• MYP Students "A" Day
• World Friends Exchange Gathering hosted by Ambassador Chowdhury (5th Grade Students) - 1:00 p.m. - Dr. V. Mokuria and Upper Elem. Guides
  

Thursday, June 10, 2021

• MYP Students "B" Day

Friday, June 11, 2021

• MYP Students "A" Day
• Pre k/K Virtual Field Day - Primary Squad

Saturday, June 12, 2021

• "SUPER Saturday" Tutorials - 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. - M. Thomas/J. Miner/T. King/M. Scruggs/D. Bishop/E. Simon

Our final meeting for SBDM will be Monday, June 7th at 6 pm. At the meeting, we will hold our election for new members, vote for leadership, review the CIP and CNA, and celebrate the end of the school year.

We are accepting nominations for the 2021-22 SBDM Committee.

~Sara Mokuria

SBDM Cmt Chairperson

Activity Funds are funds consisting of resources received and held by the school as trustee to be expended or invested in accordance with the conditions of the trust.

All funds collected by school district personnel from students are defined as activity funds and must be handled through the activity funds accounts.

Activity funds are divided into two account categories:

Student Activity Fund (SAF) - 865

• Monies raised and controlled by a bonafide student group and governed by a representative student body

Campus Activity Fund (CAF) - 461

• Monies raised by the school and controlled by the principal
• Monies raised by the students and controlled by a non-bonafide group sponsor
• bonafide student group and governed by a representative student body

Pre-COVID, you would have been able to access an updated balance of our Activity Fund accounts in our main office on the 10th of each month. Below you will find both of our Activity Fund accounts for May 2021.

SOURCE: TEA Financial Accountability Resource Guide 12.0

In October of 2020, the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) required the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to make several edits to the Parent's Guide to the Admission, Review, and Dismissal Process and the Notice of Procedural Safeguards documents. A summary of changes for each of these two documents can be found below this notification.

Effective immediately, OSEP requested that all Local Education Agencies (LEAs) in Texas distribute the updated versions of these documents to all families who received the previous versions during the 2020-2021 academic year. This includes families of students who were evaluated and determined to not qualify for special education services, wherever applicable.

Mrs. Green, our Special Education instructor will contact all families affected by the updates, per TEA directive.

Following Gov. Greg Abbott's executive order lifting the mandatory mask-wearing requirement,

Texas Education Agency released guidance for schools to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Schools must continue to require students and staff to wear masks. Based on these guidelines and our commitment to student and staff safety, Dallas ISD will continue following our current health and safety protocols. We will require that students and staff wear masks over their nose and mouth and adhere to hand-washing and social distancing practices when on district property. We appreciate everyone's understanding and cooperation. We will bring updates as they are provided.

TEA Also Provides Updates to COVID-19 Vaccine FAQ bit.ly/3uTYDqr

Facebook: CUSP19 serves schools, businesses, camps & communities to make cyber use safe, productive, and ethical.

City of Dallas Community Resource Hub

The new community resource hub was created to connect residents with resources such as COVID-19 assistance programs, English literacy, food, transit, financial assistance, healthcare, education, work, immigration, and legal services. Residents can search for resources using their ZIP code. Search results are offered in 110 different languages. The community resource hub contains hundreds of organizations that provide a wide range of services accessible to all community members. To access the site, click here.

COVID-19 Resource Hotline

The City of Dallas has launched a COVID-19 resource hotline. The hotline offers information in Spanish and English 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The number is 214-670-INFO (4636). You can also find a breakdown of additional resources here.

Got Stress?

COVID-19 Mental Health Resources are available for Dallas County Residents. Call the 24/7 COVID-19 Mental Health Support Line at (833) 251-7544. Visit https://ntbha.org/ for additional resources.

If you have more questions about COVID-19, including what you should do if you believe you might have the virus, check out the City's web page, www.DallasCityHall.com/coronavirus.

Administrative Team

Niki Jones - Principal

Tiphanie Paige-Assistant Principal

Maria A. Hernandez - Assistant Principal

Elvira Ortiz - Office Manager

ReNeice Reed - IB Coordinator

Kristi Coleman - Counselor

LaSonja Coleman - Counselor

Rosia Roberts - Media Specialist

Robert Hawkins - Facilities Manager

Rochelle Allen - Stone Cafe' Manager

A. Keysha Hunter - Nurse

Community Partners

SBDM Team Chairperson - Sara Mokuria

HSMA PTA President - Tess Blackburn

Dad's Club President - Jose' Hernandez

The Community's Source Editors

Janet Washington

Catherine Luster

Website: https://www.dallasisd.org/stone
Location: 4747 Veterans Drive, Dallas, TX, USA
Phone: 972-794-3400
Facebook: facebook.com/HarrystoneMA
Twitter: @HsmaWorld