We are so excited to have you all here at Harding for the 2024-2025 school year. If you are new to Harding we want to send a warm welcome to you and your families. If you are returning, welcome back!

This year we're going to focus on building community, creating a safe environment, and having fun while learning. We want to encourage families to get involved in events and activities here at Harding; our school is not just a place for students to learn but also a place of community for all family members.

Welcome Back to School from the AVID Teachers and Students! We hope you had a great summer and are ready to start the year fresh.

For those who don’t know, AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) is a college readiness program that focuses on building academic skills, collaboration, and critical thinking. It is a fun elective with college visits, guest speakers, and tutoring help. Our amazing AVID students are already off to a great start this year and we want everyone else to have a great start too!

Welcome back, students!

Harding’s College and Career Center (CCC) is excited to continue supporting students as they get ready for careers, college, and life after high school. Next week will start our fall season of college representative visits, where reps from colleges all over the country will visit Harding to meet with interested juniors and seniors. In October there will be multiple field trip and event opportunities for students:

• Tuesday, October 15th – Career Connect Day at St. Paul RiverCentre
• Wednesday, October 23rd – National College Fair at the Minneapolis Convention Center
• Thursday, October 31st – College Fair at Harding High School

Students will get information about signing up for these various opportunities through advisory slides, the CCC bulletin board, and their CCC Schoology group. Want to meet with a CCC staff member or wondering what you can get help with in the CCC? See our flyer below to learn more!

Please join us for Harding’s 3rd Annual “Family Knight” on Tuesday, October 1, 2024 from 4-7pm. This will be a fun, open-house event to provide opportunities to meet Harding staff and learn about all Harding has to offer. The evening will include informational booths such as academic and athletic programs, student clubs, parent support to learn how to access students' grades and attendance, health and mental health services, college and career info, and family involvement opportunities. Entertainment, karaoke, games, prizes and food will be provided! Bring your whole family; we will have activities for young children as well.

Informational booths are open from 4-6:30 pm. Stop by any time throughout the evening to speak to staff members about the wonderful programs and opportunities at Harding. Student and staff performances will begin at 5:30 pm. We look forward to seeing you there!

Tuesday, October 1st- Family Knight at 4:00pm

Thursday, October 3rd- NO SCHOOL

Friday, October 4th- Pep Fest during school hours and Harding vs Johnson Soccer game at Allianz Field at 5:30pm

Saturday, October 5th- Homecoming game at 1:00pm and dance at 6:30pm

SEPTEMBER

• Tuesday, Sept 17 - Women’s Soccer PEP BAND @4pm vs Johnson

OCTOBER

• Friday, Oct 4 - Homecoming Pep Fest during school

• Saturday, Oct 5 - Homecoming PEP BAND @1pm vs Como

• Wednesday, Oct 16 - Football PEP BAND @7pm vs Minneapolis Southwest

All Family Engagement meetings will be on the 3rd Wednesday of each month. We will have a light dinner and then break out into meetings.

The first one is on October 23rd.

Are you interested in traveling to the land of K-pop and K-dramas over Spring Break? Harding and Central students will be traveling to South Korea- including Jeju Island-over Spring Break 2025.

Please RSVP using the QR code to sign up for our Harding information meeting on Tuesday, September 24th at 6:15. At the meeting we will discuss our tour organization, travel itinerary, and what’s included in the cost.

Please feel free to contact Mr. Brandt (erik.brandt@spps.org) or Ms. Petroske (carrie.petroske@spps.org) with any questions.

When in the classroom

• Cell phones must be silent & out of sight during class time.

To view the whole policy please click this link https://docs.google.com/document/d/1G9EEazR7k6qNrIxEQXo03tAR4g1lPrkhvJZqJxITGx0/edit?usp=sharing

• Retakes will be on Tuesday November 5th 2024

• Retake day is for;

• Students new to harding after September 30th 2024

• Students Absent on September 30th 2024

• Students who did not get there picture taken on September 30th 2024

• For students who ORDERED photos but did not like them (they will need to bring back their picture packages for a new picture taken)

• Retake day is not for students who didn't order photos or didn't like their student ID photo

• Students MUST get their picture taken on one of these 2 days in order to be able to get an ID.

• Hijabs are allowed and acceptable

• Must be able to see BOTH eyes

• No hats, headbands, head gear of any kind

• No hoodies worn up (on head)

• No sunglasses

• No masks

• No props

• Masks will be removed just for the picture and then students can put them back after the photo.

Student ID Information

• The Lifetouch photo taken on picture day is the only photo that can be used for the student ID

• Students are given only 1 (one) Free Student's ID a year if they have their picture taken during the current school year.

• Student ID's can only be made once students have their school picture taken by Lifetouch.

• If a student's ID is stolen or lost, students can buy a replacement ID for $2.00 (cash) by stopping in room 1242.

• Students enrolled to Harding After November 5th, 2024 can have an ID made in Room 1242 during Advisory, Before school, or After School

To Pre-order your students photos from Lifetouch go to: https://my.lifetouch.com/mylifetouch/#/

Use this code when preordering: EVT7MRG6V

Now through December 31st 40.00 plus tax

January 1st through April 30th $45.00 plus tax

No book sales After April 30th.

Must pre-order your yearbook to get a yearbook in the spring (mid/late May books arrive)

Please keep your emailed receipt

Order Online ONLY at www.hardingyearbook.com

Please email questions to: teresa.holmes@spps.org

Dear Parents,

Our amazing teachers give so much to our students every day, and we have a wonderful opportunity to give back! The Harding Sunshine Fund helps support our teachers in meaningful ways, from providing meals during conferences to fulfilling classroom Wishlist's and offering gifts during life's big moments like retirements, weddings and deaths. Your generous donations make these acts of appreciation possible.

Please consider contributing to the Harding Sunshine Fund so we can continue showing our gratitude to the teachers who do so much for our children. Every donation, big or small, makes a difference! You can donate via Venmo or bring a cash/check (made out to Harding Sunshine Fund) with your child and bring to room 1359, Ms. Adrienne Anderson, or drop off in the main office.

Thank you for your support!

Please remember to email our Attendance Clerk at Gertraud.Kussmaul@spps.org or call the attendance hotline each day your student is absent from school. If your child is absent from school, it is necessary for a parent/guardian to call the Attendance Hotline at 651-744-3063. Please leave the following information:

-Student name -Student number

-Day and date(s) of absences -Reason for the absence

If you need to pick up your student early, before the end of the school day, please call the office at least 2 hours in advance of the departure time.

The Harding office phone number is 651-793-4700. School office hours are 8:00-3:30. If you need to reach a teacher or staff member directly, please contact them through email.

All staff email addresses are: firstname.lastname@spps.org and can be found on Harding’s online staff directory.

This is our updated 2024-25 School Counseling Department directory face-sheet. Mr. Xiong is out on leave for semester 1. We are in the process of getting a Substitute Counselor starting on 9/23. In the meantime, please reach out to any of the other Counselors for help and support. Let's make it another great year!

Shanie Xiong (A-Ha) shanie.xiong@spps.org or 651-744-1428