Harmony Newsletter
Aug 28, 2026
Back in the Swing of School
Parents,
It is good to be back in action and see the kids in classrooms and hallways. I love the family atmophere of schooling. This week I asked one of our assistant principals, Ms. Kristen Hepner (#12 in picture), to highlight the importance of routines, and share with you. See below. Enjoy the weekend. (Eric Stewart)
from Kristen, "While the freedom of summer is refreshing, it sometimes feels good to get back on a consistent school routine. Since predictable routines make life a little bit less stressful, here are some proven routines for middle school students.
- Harmony gave every student an agenda on the first day of school. Students should use this agenda to write down every assignment, test date, or deadline on the date assigned. Checking the agenda every night helps ensure important dates don’t get missed. Using a calendar helps young people stay organized.
- Complete homework the day it is assigned instead of waiting until the night before it is due.
- Set up a dedicated space for charging Chromebooks each night. Make plugging in their Chromebooks and phones a nightly bedtime habit.
- Join at least one club, sport, or extracurricular activity soon to help meet people with similar interests.
- Ask for help early. Reach out to teachers and the counselor at the first sign of confusion. Don’t wait! We are here to help and want to be a partner in your child’s success!"
Calendar Items
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 9 to10 - Bus Evacuation Drills (in AM)
Sept 16 to 17 - Hearing and Vision Screenings
Sept 21 - Holiday
Oct 12 - Holiday
Oct 15 - Picture Retakes
Oct 28 - End of Quarter
Oct 29 / 30, Nov 3 /4 - Student Holidays
School Safety Goals
Bus Evacuation drills will occur in the morning as buses arrive on September 9 and 10. Drivers generally review safety procedures with the kids when they arrive and then carefully exit the rear door of the bus.
On August 24th, we had our first Fire Drill.
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)
Two New Grants
In addition to the 7th grade science team earning a grant (see last week's newsletter), we had two more staff earning grants.
Ms. Kathryn Hicks earned a grant for creative seating.
Ms. Paige Och earned a grant to pilot a Modern United Nation club (this spring).
Reflecting for Improvement
This week, Mr. Ken Whetsel's classes went outside for their annual "airplane toss."
Behind the scenes, kids were in conversations about measurement, design, lift, and aerodynamics. During the tosses, kids continually tried to improve their "toss distances" by adding weight, adjusting wings, or making higher elevation throws.
Kids had a blast, crashed some planes into the brick auditorium wall, and some even sent Mr. Whetsel scurring for cover, but all learned that thinking about why their plane flew a certain way was critical to improvement. (And it prepared them for the annual Rocket Launch next week - see below)
Academies of Loudoun Opened Monday, August 24, 2026
The application window for 8th grade students to apply to the Academies of Loudoun opened 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.
September 11 Memorial Information
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.
The LCPS Social Science and Global Studies Office has curated lessons and resources to support teachers in planning instruction related to September 11.
Teacher Shout Out
A comment below from a curent 9th grade parent to Ms. Colbert, 8th grade English teacher...
"I hope you had a great summer and your 2026 - 2027 school year is off to a good start! I just wanted to reach out to you and let you know how much we, and (our daugher), appreciate all of your efforts with her last year. You made a big difference in her 8th grade experience, and she keeps saying how much she wishes she still had you for English :)
Your attention to and compassion for her was amazing, and I wanted to make sure you knew it."
LCPS/Orblynx STEM Partnership
Ms. Heidi Mayo, Spectrum/ Gifted Teacher, received this recently...
"On behalf of the Gifted Education Office, in partnership with Orblynx STEM Academy, we are pleased to inform you that the Spectrum program at Harmony MS has been selected as a partner site for our Fall 2026 STEM initiative. This exciting opportunity will provide middle school students in your gifted program with engaging, hands-on STEM experiences designed to foster creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration.
The program will run for approximately nine - ten weeks, beginning the week of September 21, 2026.
We are thrilled to collaborate with your school and look forward to seeing the outstanding contributions your students will make as part of this partnership. Congratulations once again, and we look forward to working with you, your staff, and your talented students."
Science 6 Aims High
Students in 6th grade science classes began work on their rockets. The rooms were bustling with excitement. Teachers, Mr. Eddy Stetz, Mr. Ken Whetsel, and Mr. Caccavo were showing a tried and true student activity where kids can be creative, reflective, and learn authentically.
As of the printing of this newsletter (Aug 28) they were halfway done making rockets and (some) look awesome. Kids are learning how to work together, share ideas, and problem solve. Parents are invited to come out and watch the launches this Monday and Tuesday.
Which teacher's class will go the farthest? New to science teaching, Mr. Eddy Stetz, says his kids will for sure, just like his Super Bowl bound, Pittsburg Steelers.
The Materials
The Science
The Design Team
Club Information
Club Information and the below interest survery was given to students in Advisory this week. Many have filled them out already.
We will be closing the form this Sunday so we can give club sponsors the information and get the clubs started.
Students can still join later, but the form will not be available.
Typical Advisory Schedule
What happens in the morning during Advisory (8:50 to 9:05)? Generally Advisory is a time for students to get grounded for their day. They connect academically and through school activities. Here's what we did this week:
- Monday, August 24: Students will complete the Club Interest Form and participate in a Connection Activity. Students will be able to access both activities through Schoology.
- Tuesday, August 25, and Wednesday, August 26: Students will work in Mathspace, Geometry, DeltaMath, or i-Ready.
- Thursday, August 27: Connection Activity
- Friday, August 28: SEL Lesson
Activities like those above help schools ensure students are engaged and successful connecting to the school.
Bike Week in Gettysburg
Seventh Grader, Eliphas Fultz, travelled to Gettsburg PA with his family, watched a concert, and participated in Gettysburg Bike Week.
Bike Week provides live music concerts, bike shows, vendors, stunt shows, the Parade of Chrome, fireworks, food and drinks, and poker runs in the Gettysburg, PA area.
Eliphas LOVES the guitar and hopes to be in his own band some day.
Franklin Park Trout Derby
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!
What is SEL?
As part of the LCPS middle school advisory program, students will engage in a lesson series called Middle Ground. Developed locally by LCPS teachers, this curriculum is specifically designed to meet the evolving social and academic needs of our middle school learners.
Middle Ground offers relevant, engaging, and developmentally aligned experiences that support students not just academically, but socially and emotionally as well. These weekly lessons aim to nurture the whole child, helping students explore their strengths, understand themselves and others, and make responsible decisions.
During our Advisory, students will be participating in SEL lessons. This year, our SEL lessons will be taken from Middle Ground, a platform where LCPS teachers have developed SEL lessons found to be appropriate and helpful per grade level. Each grade level will have a particular focus including:
6th grade – Building Self and Social Foundations
7th Grade – Deepening Relationships and Responsibility
8th Grade – Leadership, Sense of Self and Future Readiness
To preview these lessons, feel free to click on the link for your child’s grade level. Should you have any questions, please contact Christy Pierson, 6th grade counselor.
Picture Day
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 should have been brought home by your child 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 direct any questions to assistant principal, Eric McGrady / eric.mcgrady@lcps.org
Alumni Update - Sylvesters Visit Japan
Harmony Alums Faye, Mai, and Eve Sylvester are all doing well. This summer they visited Japan (see picture).
Mai is now in NROTC at Penn State University. Faye is a Junior at Woodgrove HS. Eve is now at the Virginia Virtual Academy.
Also doing well are three former Harmony staff that our Parent Liaison (Ms. Jai Park) found at Briar Woods HS. All say Hello!
Mr. Steve Grubbs and Mr. Jeffrey Berry Say Hello
Mai Sylvester Starts NROTC at PSU
Ms. Sarah Shiavo Says Hello from BWHS
Yearbook
(Because we have over 40 clubs, we do not often make separate club announcements. However, as this one is a yearlong club we needed to get this out separately.)
Do you have a 7th or 8th Grade Student who's interested in being part of the Yearbook Club? We work on design, features, photography and other elements related to producing the 2026/2027 HMS Yearbook. Please note that we meet once a month at 8:00 AM and that students must have a reference from a teacher to apply (please check with the teacher first).
If your student wants to apply, please scan the QR Code on the flyer below, or go to https://forms.gle/SKZufXDRaqPkMzJK9.
Deadline to apply is September 9 and students will be notified on September 11 if they are accepted. Questions please contact the Yearbook Adviser at jennifer.heffron@lcps.org.
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
