Harmony Newsletter
October 16, 2026
Calendar Items
Oct 20 - Texas Roadhouse Fund-Raiser (3 PM to 10 PM) -- open pdf link at end of this newsletter for more information
Oct 28 - Staff Versus Student Volleyball Game (PM)
Oct 28 - End of Quarter
Oct 29 / 30 - Student Holidays / Teacher Work Days
Nov 2 / 3 - Student Holidays / Teacher Professional Development
Nov 10 - Report Cards available in ParentVUE by 4 PM
Nov 12 - Two Hour Delay Schedule to run special testing (but school is on time)
Nov 13/14 - 8th Grade "Signs of Suicide" Presentations
Nov 17 - 6th Grade Academic Awards (7 PM)
Nov 18 - 7th Grade Academic Awards (7 PM)
Nov 18 - 8th Grade Academic Awards (8 PM)
Nov 19 - 8th Grade Guitar Performs at STATE CONFERENCE in Richmond (6 PM)
Dec 4 - Round 2 - Spelling Bee - Top 25 from Classrooms.
School Safety Tips
A few reminders:
- Call 911 to report any ongoing criminal activity affecting life, limb, or property.
- Use the Safe2Talk Mobile App—While we encourage everyone to report suspicious or concerning behavior to a school official, we understand that some parents and students prefer to remain anonymous. This app is a great resource. It can be downloaded to any mobile device and is also located in LCPS Go in this form for students to use.
- As always, See Something, Say Something. If you aren't sure or something doesn't look right, report it to staff.
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)
Side By Side Orchestra Concert
Sharing a few files from this week's concert with Harmony's Strings students and Woodgrove HS's Strings students.
Harmony musicians were such professionals and the Woodgrove musicians enjoyed the opportunity to work with them in a mentorship capacity.
Teacher Training Pays Off
After receiving "training and tips" from veteran Harmony Teaching Assistants (TA), we received this from new TA, Ms. Alexandra Faust,
"Thank you for the training today! I definitely learned a few new things that I can use, and I truly appreciate the opportunity to continue to learn and grow. Most importantly, you made us feel valued and appreciated as T.A.s. Knowing that our work is valued and recognized and that we make a difference is just as important as the training itself.
Thank you for acknowledging the important role we play and making us feel like an important part of the team!"
The Carnival Game
How to make math fun? Our 6th grade teaching team created a "Carnival Game" to help the students learn probability. In this lesson, students would create a carnival game that would teach them the difference between experimental and theoretical probability in real life.
After seeing what the teachers created, each student team came up with a proposal of their own to be approved by the teachers. Students were required to test their game several times first and then test on their classmates. And then do a self -reflection.
Fun. Fun. Fun. Thank you teachers for making authentic lessons for the students and keeping them engaged.
Teacher Impact
This month we highlight two of our staff members for their hard work and impact on kids:
"Dr. Caitlin Gosnell is an amazing special education teacher. She is committed to the learning of all students and is a great resource for our special education department. She has high standards and high expectations for herself and our students. Her impact on student learning is to be commended. She creates a positive classroom culture and has strong instructional practices. She creates a learning environment where students feel supported, challenged, and encouraged to think critically."
"Mr. William "Hart" Wells is a champion of the arts and a maestro at connecting with students. He has helped elevate Harmony's guitar program, and his impact can be seen and heard. From having students selected to perform in the All-Virginia Middle School Guitar Ensemble (this November), recognizing some of the best guitarists in the state, to the creation of Harmony's Rock Band, which brings together musicians of all disciplines, Mr. Wells excels at encouraging our young musicians."
Dahnert's Book Club
Ms. Meghan Dahnert's 6th and 7th graders particpated in a Book Club. This club was designed to get the kids engaged in the conversations about books, and why they liked them. Kids had a Discussion Board from which they could ask relevent questions to each other about the book but then expect authentic answers back.
Groups then created an "Instagram Post" to show their knowledge of the book. This was a very exciting part of the activity that the kids really enjoyed.
Below are some photos from the book clubs. Most are 7th graders. The bottom left one is 6th grade.
Harmony Intramural Flag Football Championship
Congratulations to the team of Brandy Blue Elite for winning the Harmony Intramural Flag Football Championship. They defeated the team of VSG, 23 to 16, in the championship game.
Team members will represent Harmony at the LCPS Flag Football Championships at Woodgrove High School next Saturday:
Jonathan Allen, Cole Felmey, Lucas McDermott, Brennan Swartz, Brayden McIntosh, Liam Bundick, Camden Corbett, Elias Murray, and Declan Ramsey. Good luck at the finals!
Principal's Advisory Committee Kicks Year Off with Chick Fil A Working Lunch
This week Mr. Eric Stewart held his first meeting with the Principal's Advisory Committee. The committee's purpose is to give school administrators feedback on various events in the school. This quarter's theme discussed the school opening, the first two months of school, and also looked for highlights and suggestions to improve upon (in our three focus areas Safety, Instruction, and Climate).
The students felt all three areas were going fairly well. Charlotte made an astute observation about other people. She said she learned that one of her teachers loved to cook and that once she figured that out, it was easier to talk to him about (his hobby) and because of that it was easier to connect and relate to him. (She may have discovered the secret to getting along with people! Ask about THEM. Show an interest.)
The group also decided that the best teachers similary make connections with kids and that once those connections were establshed they loved the class more.
The group suggested an improvement would be to give the students a head's up as to when their Resource classes would be interupted by other lessons (from deans, or high school counselors, or presenters), so that they could plan their work schedule ahead of time.
Members include: Charlotte Cornely, Amara Horton, Ian Gilchrist, Blake Wealand, Penelope Carter, Kaiden Johnson, Nate Perlet, Collin Briggs, Ashlyn Ransbotham, and Isaac DenHerder.
Mr. Stewart loved the feedback, even more, he said, than the Chick Fil A #1 Meal he ate with them! (Picture was AI generated)
Club Highlight
The "Green Club" will hold its second meeting on Thursday October 22 at 7:45 am in room C9.
Last month they collected over 2 pounds of trash around the school. All are welcome to come help keep Harmony a clean space.
Information on other clubs can be found here on this LINK.
Ring Ceremony
While the Woodgrove HS baseball team received their "rings" from last springs' State Baseball Championship, one Harmony MS staff member was there to get his as well.
It was our very own, Mr. Rusty Smith, Harmony HPE teacher and Head Coach of the Woodgrove Baseball Team. It was his third trip to the state championship as Head Coach and first VICTORY!
(It is also his second state championship ring. His first was as an assistant coach at LVHS, 400 years ago.)
Third Annual One Loudoun Photo Contest
School staff had fun submitting photos for the LCPS One Loudoun Photo Contest.
We are TROPHY WINNERS from the past two years and hoping for a third! Thanks to everyone who was able to participate this morning! Here are a couple of fun shots. (Picture from last year. Check out some from this year.)
Principal Newsletters:https://www.lcps.org/o/hrm/article/1802790
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