Harmony Newsletter

Kindness

In November, we are celebrating world kindness. As part of world kindness month, we want to remind students to nominate their peers for the Throwing Starfish Award. The nomination form is located in their school counseling Schoology folder.

This month we challenge all of Harmony students and staff to continue making a positive difference in the lives of others. Let’s celebrate the power of compassion, empathy and positive actions.

Calendar Items

Morning Announcement Link

Nov 2 / 3 - Student Holidays / Teacher Professional Development

Nov 10 - Report Cards available in ParentVUE by 4 PM

Nov 12 - Two Hour Delay BELL 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.

Dec 4 - Current 5th Graders will visit Harmony MS (10:00 AM to 11:30 AM)!

Dec 11 - WHS will perform for 8th graders (AM)

Safety News

School Safety Tips

We practiced an Earthquake drill this week. Students STAY IN PLACE but get under desks and away from the center of the room. 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)

Instructional News

Band Concert

Students in Mr. Chris Fairchild's class kicked off the 2026 - 2027 concert season with ten performance sin a one hour display of early season mastery.

Some of the songs included Ghostbusters, Latin Fire, a Halloween Theme, and T-Rex.

Students introduced each song and a good time was had by all.

Cross Country and Football Intramural Finals

Congrats to our Intranural Flag Football Champs. They made the LCPS semi-finals before losing in OT.

Congrats to the intramural x-country team. Good luck in this week's Championship meet at Woodgrove HS. Congratulations to our 7 boys and 7 girls listed below!

Will Sauer, Saachiv Shah, Jason Ohlinger, Cedric Kamakawi, Hans Black, Yovanni Vargas, Pete Muhlenberg

Teagan Crosby, Kiran Sundaram, Johanna Oakley, Rylie Jenkins, Charlotte Lilienkamp, Jaqueline Davis, Mary Rathmann

Veterans Day Plans Shaping Up

Our school will have a variety of events we are still planning. Details coming next week.

In the meantime, something all classes will see on their visits to the library will be a military / veteran / patriotic theme in honor of Veterans Day.

Climate News

Staff vs. Student Volleyball Game

October 28 was the Staff vs. Student Volleyball game. As a precaution, an infirmary was set up directly next to the the staff bench area. Two nurses, eigth ice packs, and a warming station were all primed and ready for any staff injuries.

The students on the other hand, laughed and hustled all the way around the court, jumping, diving, and creating confusion to the teachers who were not mentally prepared to keep up. However, by good fortune and a few lucky breaks (not to any bones) the undeafeated STAFF TEAM were able to hang on and beat the students. They now have six days to rest and receive medical treatment.

Staff Team: David Bell, George Cassutto, Meghan Dahnert, Justin Dailey, Jodi Hillebrand, Melissa Murray, Cassie Ransbotham, Nick Wozney, Casey Gernerd

The students played well, to a cheering and student-friendly crowd of fellow 8th graders, but it wasn't enough on this day where the teachers pride was on the line. Officiating were former HMS students now playing at Woodgrove. Special guest, Ms. Annette Fincham, returned to cheer the kids on.

Student team including Caroline McDaniels, Callie Littlefield, Greylin Tonking, Makenna Alford, Reese Groenhout, Alicja Dolega-Jasinski (Ala), Tessa Adlung, and Mila Peters.

Alumni Highlight

Some great photos here of Antarctica from one of our subs, Oxford Graham (age 20)! He is doing an interesting internship restocking and supplying aircraft through Feb. 2027 in the COLD cold Antartica.

Oxford and his two brothers, Tovi (now 19) and Wilder (at Woodgrove) attended Harmony a few years back and participated in many events for the school. Oxford and Tovi, in fact, have since been substitue teachers at the school and little brother, Wilder, was the founder of the Magic Club and the Card Club at Harmony. He (Wilder) is also a Juggling Club member from Harmony and now at Woodgrove. Look for him on AGT someday!

Oxford has kept in touch with Harmony staff,

"I finally finished my first week in Antarctica. It's certainly much different than subbing. There's so much to see and do down here. It is also kind of cold. I hope the staff are good and feel free to share the photos with the staff. (I had told Mr. Weitlich, Mr. Cornell, Ms. Heenan, and Ms. Danhert that I would send them photos, but my data is limited so if you wouldn't mind showing them that'd be great).

Thank you so much for being a helpful hand in guiding me around Harmony. I look forward to sharing more stories when I get back. -Oxford Graham"

We miss the them all.

The Work Station

Brutal Weather

Cold Work

Pumpkin Decorating Contest

Our FUN Advisory activity was the recent Pumpkin Decorating Contest. The entire school participated and we even had to order paint brushes, paint, and other supplies because we ran out.

Final products were creative, creepy, funny, and adorable. Check out this link and the pictures for some examples.

LINK TO ALL

3rd place winner is BIG RED KOOLAID MAN from Ms. Thompson's room

2nd Place BIPPITY BOPPITY BOO from Mrs. Pasquel's Hive class

1st place goes to SLUSHI from Ms. Dowdy's Hive class!

Dress Code

Fall dress code reminders, especially as we approach Halloween.

Our school DOES NOT celbrate halloween or allow costumes. This is the case all year as well, and includes any clothing accessories.

Please talk to your child about the costumes and contact your dean(s) with any questions.

Club Highlight (FISHING)

This week we highlight the Fishing Club...

The Fishing Club identified fish in VA and MD and had casting lessons from sponsor and assistant principal, Mr. Eric McGrady. (He at one time had the second biggest catfish ever caught in Virginia)

You will see from the pictures below only one snag caught the ceiling, many went ino the "fishing hole" (garbage can), and members learned new species. Blake Wealand (pictured with a Large Mouth Bass) caught this beast recently in Virginia. Enjoy the outdoors!

Check out all our CLUBS ( LINK.)