Harmony Union School District

Home of the Dragons and the Sharks!

Harmony Union School District, consisting of Harmony Elementary grades Kindergarten-2nd and the Blend School program, and Salmon Creek A Charter School grades 3rd-8th. Harmony Union School District is located on a 56-acre campus just outside the small town of Occidental, in western Sonoma County.

Among its many amenities are an 8,000-volume library and Macintosh-equipped computer lab, located in the center of the main building. Other campus buildings include a gymnasium and a newly-constructed, LEED- platinum certified environmental center which adds a state-of-the-art cafeteria, business office, conference room, and assembly hall to the campus facilities. Four distinct habitats co-exist on the campus: a year-round creek with waterfall and observation deck, a redwood forest, perennial wetlands, and grasslands. A large (3/4-acre) working garden, including a straw bale greenhouse and outdoor classroom which students helped construct, contributes fresh produce to the lunch program and serves as a major component.

Message from the Principal

May 14, 2012

Dear Harmony Afterschool/Recreation Program (HARP) Families;

This summer HUSD is embarking on a building replacement project. We will be replacing the three portable buildings in the back. The rooms include Tan Oak, Douglas Fir, Black Oak and Oracle Oak. Originally these rooms were slated for roof repair work under some state funding that the district received several years ago. However as administration and the Superintendent’s Facility Advisory Committee reviewed potential projects it became clear that replacement was the preferred option involving these rooms. Over the years water damage has contributed to dry rot and air quality issues. In order to get this project completed by the start of next school year we need to have them cleaned out and ready to be removed by the last day of school.

Unfortunately, this means we are going to have to close the HARP program early. We will still provide the free after school hour until the bus comes and students not riding the bus will need to be picked up by 3:30 p.m. The last day of the program’s extended hours will be Wednesday, May 30th.

This significant project is intended to improve the education environment and instructional opportunities for our students. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may bring to your family.

Questions or suggestions regarding the effort may be directed to David Wheeler, Superintendent.

Thank you for your understanding and working with us to make the best possible educational environment for our students.

Sincerely,

HUSD Administration

Ms. Rene McBride

LATEST NEWS

Have You Registered to Vote? http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/elections_vr.htm Have you registered to vote? Need to make changes? You can go to the official website linked here to do so.

California Standarize Testing (STAR) Testing window for HUSD students in grades 2nd-8th is April 23rd-May 4th

Healthy Children!

Did you know that thanks to your exemplary kitchen staff and Wellness Council, our school's lunches are some of the best around? While many schools have moved to bringing in pre-boxed food, and celebrity chefs lament the poor quality of school food, our meals keep improving, adding more and more organic, garden-grown ingredients.

But we also need your help. By coming with your child to breakfast EVERY Friday, you not only share great QUALITY time, but you support our school's healthy, organic lunches. $3.00 for adult breakfast; kids' breakfast is only $2.00! All money for breakfast and coffee goes directly to the farm-to-table garden program which grows the healthier, organic food for school meals!

SPECIAL Breakfast!:
The kitchen serves fresh, scrambled organic Laughing Hen eggs, hash brown potatoes, fresh all-natural chicken apple sausage patties from 100-year Occidental supplier. And if you noticed, occasionally, we mix it up! THIS WEEK: Green Eggs & Ham, in honor of Dr. Seuss's birthday, what would be his 108th!

Also available fresh brewed coffee, THANKS to Ari Parks and Gold Coast Coffee & Bakery. Coffee is ground to your strength preference in either caffeinated or decaf for $1.50.

LUNCH for NEXT WEEK:
In an ongoing effort to assist in planning your child's lunches, here is the LUNCH Schedule for Week of Monday, March 5. NOTE: Our garden-to-table program will feature sugar snap peas this month, and there are always fresh peppers, lettuces, and other organic veggies from the garden in many meals!

District to Embark on Classroom Replacement Project

As many parents and our staff have noted the District has been involved with several modernization and safety projects over the last few months. One of the significant projects on tap soon is the replacement of four 1980’s era portable classrooms. The rooms include Tan Oak, Douglas Fir, Black Oak and Oracle Oak all of which are located on the back portion of the campus. Originally these rooms were slated for roof repair work under some state funding that the district received several years ago. However as administration and the Superintendent’s Facility Advisory Committee reviewed potential projects it became clear that replacement was the preferred option involving these rooms. Over the years water damage has contributed to dry rot and air quality issues.

These rooms were then scheduled to be pulled out and replaced during the summer 2012. In several cases now we have found it necessary to close down services in one or two of the areas and have set up a temporary office module for the Health Office and other support activities for students. The District has developed a proposal request for architectural services and established a timeline for replacement over the summer break. The Facility Advisory Committee, staff members and the Board will be providing input the chosen architect and administration regarding the design of replacements facilities. Current design of existing facilities and cost will be significant factors in the decision making process. The intent is to undertake this project in a manner that does not infringe upon sensitive areas or interfere with the instructional process. The footprint for replacement is intended to be that which currently exists for the structures targeted for replacement.

This significant project is intended to improve the education environment and instructional opportunities for our students. Any questions or suggestions regarding the effort may be directed to Ann Hayes, Chief Business Official or David Wheeler, Superintendent.

Ann Hayes: ahayes@harmony.k12.ca.us
David Wheeler: dwheeler@harmony.k12.ca.us

UPCOMING EVENTS

May 3rd

Spring Concert 6:30 p.m.

May 5th

ARK Auction at Fernando's Bed and Breakfast 5:30 p.m.

May 7th-9th

8th graders overnight at Westminster Woods
7th graders day field trip on the 7th and 8th

May 9th

ARK Meeting 9:00 a.m.

May 9th

Site Council Meeting 3:15 p.m. (Library)

May 9th-11th

4th grade Gold Rush Trip

May 11th

Banana Slug String Band 5:30 p.m.
Bring your family and a picnic dinner

May 17th

HUSD Board Meeting 7:00 p.m. in the Assembly Hall

May 18th

Student Appreciation Day
*BBQ lunch will be provided to all students

May 18th

Fairy Festival 2:30-5:30 p.m. in the garden

May 22nd

Young Writers Presentation 6:30 p.m. in the gym

May 23rd

8th Grade Algebra Placement Test (8:45-10:45 a.m.)

May 24th

Ice Cream Social at 5:30 p.m.
5th Grade Book Presentation at 6:15 p.m. (Assembly Hall)
Open House at 6:30 p.m.

May 28th

Memorial Day (No School)

May 30th

Student Council to Six Flags

June 5th

8th Grade Promotion 5:00 p.m.
Reception 6:00 p.m.
Graduation Dance 6:30-9:00 p.m. (6/7th graders leave at 8:30 p.m.)

June 6th

Last Day of School!
Students release at 12:05

Harmony Union School District 1935 Bohemian Hwy Occidental, CA 95465 707-874-1205

Last Modified: Monday, May. 14, 2012