For your information and consideration…
December 3, 2010
Semester Examinations—right around the corner!
Semester exams are Wednesday (12/15), Thursday (12/16), and Friday (12/17). Look at these documents for all the information you need to know about how exams work.
More information is in the student handbook, pp. 15-18.
Holding of examinations
“Students with outstanding obligations will not be permitted to take their examinations until the obligations are cleared. Examples of outstanding obligations include past-due accounts, overdue library books, lost textbooks, fines, fees, unreturned athletic or performance uniforms or equipment, an detention time” (handbook, p. 16). Students on this list may not be exempt from any exams until they clear their obligation.
Parker Uniforms December sale
Tentative calendar for 2011-12
Christmas concerts
Choruses—Monday, December 6 (6:30)
Bands—Saturday, December 11 (6:30)
No uniform day
On Tuesday, December 14, students may forego their uniforms and wear Christmas sweaters or shirts with jeans. They may wear Santa caps, reindeer antlers, glowing noses, elf ears, and the like during the assembly that day. It’s not a costume day, however.
Christmas break—December 20-January 3
Classes resume on Tuesday, January 4, 2011.
Inclement weather policy
“In the event of adverse weather conditions prior to the beginning of the school day, the school will follow the decision made by Shelby County Schools. Harding will not issue media announcements before school. If adverse weather conditions arise during the day, Harding will make an independent decision and announce a closing on its website, by email, and through the media” (handbook, p. 47).
Reminder—outerwear (coat/jacket) policy
“Any outerwear worn into the classroom or through the halls must come either from Parker or from the school store. Harding letter jackets are acceptable” (handbook, p. 33).
Students may wear other coats to school but must take them directly to their lockers. They may not wear or carry them in the halls or into classrooms.
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November 12, 2010
All Southwest Tennessee junior high chorus
Congratulations to these students who were selected by audition for the All Southwest junior high chorus.
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•Carissa Sevier - soprano 2
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•Kate Galloway - soprano 2
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•Justice Laws - tenor 2
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•Chris Brown - tenor 2
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•Brian Collins - bass 1
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•Jonathan Flatt - bass 1
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•John Shanklin - bass 1
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•Jalon Duncan - bass 2
Ben Ashley takes first, team takes second in state cross country
Congratulations to Ben Ashley for finishing first in the state cross country meet and to Sloan Scott for finishing fifth. The Harding boys team finished second.
Second quarter nears end
After Thanksgiving, we have only two weeks and two days in class before semester examinations. That time is checkered with holiday events. Students need to be present and be engaged every minute.
Thanksgiving holiday
Students are out of school November 24, 25, 26.
All classes exceed 5K Run goals
Every grade 7-12 not only met the 5K Run goal but exceeded it by 25% or more. Students earned an extra no-uniform day for themselves, and they earned a day out of school (the Monday after Easter) for the entire school. Well done!
Alumni Chapel
Monday, November 22, is Alumni Chapel. All Harding Academy alumni are invited to attend chapel and stay for a reception afterwards. Chapel begins at 9:50. Dylan Ledbetter, class of 2010, will be the speaker.
Driver’s licenses and permits
When a student applies for a driver’s license, he must present certification of compulsory attendance. The necessary forms are available from the dean of students (Mr. Goddard).
Excused absences are not granted for a student to take a driving examination.
(handbook, p. 35)
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October 22, 2010
Admissions Open House
Prospective students 7-11 and their parents are invited to tour the Cherry Road campus during Admissions Open House on Sunday, October 24, 2:00-3:30. If you have friends or associates who are looking for a school, please invite them to attend this come-and-go event.
Cheaper by the Dozen
Harding theatre will present Cheaper by the Dozen on Thursday and Saturday nights, October 28 and 30, and on Sunday afternoon, October 31. In this family-oriented comedy, Frank B. Gilbreth, Jr., and his sister Ernestine Gilbreth Carey re-create their unforgettable childhood with their entrepreneurial father. Eccentric by conventional standards, Frank B. Gilbreth was a strict disciplinarian who demanded top performance from his family while enjoying his inseparable roles as husband, father, and motion study expert. This self-assured, self-made man believed that his wife Lillian’s expertise in psychology and his in motion study was the perfect combination for rearing a large family.
Harding 5K Run
Harding’s 5K Run is set for Saturday, November 6. Registration is in progress now. Students school-wide will be rewarded with a day out of school if the students in grades 7-12 meet their goal. A class’s goal is the equivalent of 100% registration. The day out of school will be Monday, April 25, the day after Easter.
Students who purchase a 5K Run shirt may wear it instead of their uniforms on Friday, November 5.
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October 15, 2010
Students selected for All Southwest Chorus, All State
Congratulations to these students who were selected by audition for All Southwest Tennessee Honors choirs: Alicia Guthrie, Gerald Brown, Jalen Harris, John Frizzell, James Chapman, Stephen Thompson, and Alec Anderson. These students were selected for All State: Alicia Guthrie, Stephen Thompson, Gerald Brown, John Frizzell. Bravo!
Sale at Parker Uniforms
Customer Appreciation Sale at Parker Uniforms, October 15-30,will get you 20% off any one item, 15% off pants, shoes, and outerwear. Sale applies to in-stock items only.
Also, the store will be closed November 1 for inventory. It will reopen on November 2.
See this flier about the Customer Appreciation Sale.
Harding 5K Run
Harding’s 5K Run is set for Saturday, November 6. Registration is in progress now. Students school-wide will be rewarded with a day out of school if the students in grades 7-12 meet their goal. A class’s goal is the equivalent of 100% registration. The day out of school will be Monday, April 25, the day after Easter.
Students who purchase a 5K Run shirt may wear it instead of their uniforms on Friday, November 5.
Commencement announcement order time for seniors
Representatives from Jostens will meet with seniors on Tuesday, October 19, to offer Commencement invitations and other graduation paraphernalia. Orders will be taken at homeroom on Thursday, October 21, with a follow-up on Friday, October 22, at lunch. Parents are invited to come 4:30-6:00 on October 12 to see the wares and ask questions.
Admissions Open House
Prospective students 7-11 and their parents are invited to tour the Cherry Road campus during Admissions Open House on Sunday, October 24, 2:00-3:30. If you have friends or associates who are looking for a school, please invite them to attend this come-and-go event.
Cheaper by the Dozen
Harding theatre will present Cheaper by the Dozen on Thursday and Saturday nights, October 28 and 30, and on Sunday afternoon, October 31. In this family-oriented comedy, Frank B. Gilbreth, Jr., and his sister Ernestine Gilbreth Carey re-create their unforgettable childhood with their entrepreneurial father. Eccentric by conventional standards, Frank B. Gilbreth was a strict disciplinarian who demanded top performance from his family while enjoying his inseparable roles as husband, father, and motion study expert. This self-assured, self-made man believed that his wife Lillian’s expertise in psychology and his in motion study was the perfect combination for rearing a large family.
October 1, 2010
Getting ready for the second quarter
In the October First Friday Assembly, I talked to the students about assessing the first quarter and adjusting for the second. See the slide show FFA:Oct10.mov.
PSAT/NMSQT (Grades 10 and 11)
On Wednesday, October 13, 2010, students in grades 10 and 11 will take The College Board’s Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). The PSAT/NMSQT evaluates the skills that you’ve developed in three academic areas: critical reading, mathematics, and writing.
Juniors will report to first period at 8:00 A.M. as usual. Roll will be taken, and students will then go to the auditorium. Testing will last until approximately 11:10 A.M. when students will go to lunch. They will be back on their normal schedule for the rest of the day.
Sophomores will be in regular classes through lunchtime. Immediately after lunch (12:40), sophomores will go to the auditorium. The test will last until approximately 2:45.
Mrs. Banker visited all sophomore and junior English classes September 13-17 and distributed the 2010 Official Student Guide to the PSAT/NMSQT. Students were encouraged to read the description of the test, review the testing strategies, and take the practice test.
Parents, please help with the following suggestions by making sure that your son/daughter…
1.Has adequate rest on Tuesday evening, October 12, 2010.
2.Eats a well-balanced breakfast on Wednesday morning.
3.Is not late to school on Wednesday.
4.Brings several sharpened #2 pencils with erasers.
5.Reviews sample PSAT/NMSQT materials distributed earlier this month.
6.Strives to do his/her best on the test.
In addition, each student should…
1.Bring a four-function calculator. (Be sure to check or change your battery.)
2.Know his/her social security # (optional) and e-mail address.
This year in addition to their printed Score Report Plus, students who take the PSAT/NMSQT will be able to go online to The College Board’s website to receive the following free information and tools:
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1. Explanations for the answers to every question on this test
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2. My College Quick Start, an online personalized college and career planning tool that includes the following:
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An interactive score report that includes detailed answer explanations -
A personalized SAT study plan and hundreds of free practice questions
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A detailed personality test to help students identify their interests and find majors /careers that are a good fit
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A personalized list of colleges based on the student’s home state and intended major
PARENTS: For more information on the PSAT/NMSQT, scholarship opportunities and college planning, visit www.collegeboard.com/parents.
STUDENTS: For more information on the PSAT/NMSQT, scholarship opportunities and college planning, visit www.collegeboard.com/psat.
Memphis Area College Night
The Memphis Area College Night at the Agricenter will be Tuesday, October 12, 6:00-8:30. This event is primarily for sophomores, juniors, and seniors, but interested freshmen are also welcome to attend. Parents are encouraged to attend, also. Admission and parking are free. There will be approximately 140 colleges and universities represented, andstudents are urged to take advantage of the opportunity to "shop colleges." Acquiring first hand information from the college representatives is invaluable in the college search process.
Harding Academy College Day
College Day at Harding Academy will be Thursday morning, October 14, 8:00-10:00. Over 62 colleges and universities will have representatives on campus (in Ellers Gymnasium) to visit with students, primarily in grades 10, 11, and 12. Parents are welcome to attend.
Harding 5K Run
Harding’s 5K Run is set for Saturday, November 6. Registration will begin after fall break break. Students school-wide will be rewarded with a day out of school if the students in grades 7-12 meet their goal. A class’s goal is the equivalent of 100% registration. The day out of school will be Monday, April 25, the day after Easter.
Commencement announcement order time for seniors
Representatives from Jostens will meet with seniors on Tuesday, October 19, to offer Commencement invitations and other graduation paraphernalia. Orders will be taken at homeroom on Thursday, October 21, with a follow-up on Friday, October 22, at lunch. Parents are invited to come 4:30-6:00 on October 12 to see the wares and ask questions.
Admissions Open House
Prospective students 7-11 and their parents are invited to tour the Cherry Road campus during Admissions Open House on Sunday, October 24, 2:00-3:30. If you have friends or associates who are looking for a school, please invite them to attend this come-and-go event.
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September 24, 2010
Fall break
October 4-11
Classes resume Tuesday, October 12.
Quarter examination schedule
Monday—Bible, Spanish, French
Tuesday—mathematics, computer applications
Wednesday—English, humanities
Thursday—social studies, speech
Friday—science, art, music
Scream-free Parenting seminar
Would you like a scream-free household? A Scream-Free Parenting Seminar and Dinner with NY Times best-selling author Hal Runkel will be hosted by the Highland Church of Christ on Saturday, October 2, 6:00-8:00 p.m., at their building at 400 N. Houston Levee Road, Cordova, 38018. Tickets are $20 and include dinner and childcare and can be purchased online at www.highlandcc.org. www.screamfree.org
Texting and driving
The Shelby County Sheriff’s Department will present their program about the dangers of texting and driving to our students on November 30.
Book covers required
Every textbook is to be covered at all times. The best book covers are made out of brown paper grocery bags and duct tape.
PowerSchool
If parents have not picked up their new user names and passwords for PowerSchool, it’s important that you do that soon. We are nearing the end of the first quarter, and PowerSchool is Harding’s main tool to communicate with parents. Teachers spend time posting grades in PowerSchool, and we depend on parents to look at them and then get in touch with teachers when there is a concern or question. You may get your login information from Mrs. Jane Maness (901-683-1302).
Save your Boxtops
If you have not already committed your Boxtops to one of the elementary locations, please save them for Harding’s band. You can drop off your Boxtops in the main office.
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After-school enrichment classes for 7-12
New after-school enrichment classes are being offered this fall on the Cherry Road campus for grades 7-12. Flyers are available in the office of the Dean of Students, and registration for any of these classes should be taken to that office as well. This is a great opportunity for our students and the pricing is very reasonable. If you have general questions, please email Sheryl Ragland ragland.sheryl@hardinglions.org. Initial registration is September 2—this week.
Judo Club (Dustin Denzin)
Strings (violin, viola, cello)(Michael Neal)
Seventh Grade Chorus (Dan Burdette)
Mixed Media Art (Jenna David '06)
LEGO Mindstorm Robotics (Bits, Bytes & Bots)
Chess Club (Memphis Chess Club - Tony Maneclang)
School day pictures
School day pictures will be made on Thursday, September 16.
Junior ring orders
Josten’s representatives will be on campus to present class ring options to juniors on Tuesday, September 14, at homeroom time. Their Family Night (when parents are invited to come see the rings and ask questions) will be Wednesday, September 15, 4:30-6:30. Ring orders will be taken on Thursday, September 16 at homeroom. The representatives will be here at lunch on Friday, September 17, to follow up.
Seventh grade Bible Ceremony
The seventh grade Bible ceremony will be Wednesday, September 15, 9:45-10:45. Parents and other family members are welcome to attend.
Homecoming factoids—things parents need to know
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Students in grades 10, 11, and 12 have work time at the building on Tuesday through Thursday nights (September 7-10). -
Students in grade 9 will work only Tuesday night (September 8).
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Seventh and eighth grade students will not be at school at night for homecoming activities at all.
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Dinner is between 5:15 and 6:15 for grades 10-12 each work night.
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Students must dress modestly during the work time. Shorts are okay if they come to the fingertips. Sponsors will ask offenders to change clothes or go home.
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Work ends and students must be leaving campus by 10:00 each night.
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Students must have been at school for a full day in order to participate at night.
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It is impossible for us to account for which students are on campus, which leave early, etc. We supervise those who are here.
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Parents and alumni are welcome to come on Friday for festivities beginning at 1:05.
Midquarter
We are at the half-way mark of the first quarter. Students have approximately as much time left in the quarter as we have already had. September 7-10 is homecoming week, and then we have only two weeks of school before quarter exams begin.
CBU Engineering PreCollege Programs 2010-11
Christian Brothers University will again be offering Engineering High School Workshops during the 2010-2011 academic year. See this flier.
The middle school programs are open to any student in grades 6-8. Most are free, but all require advance registration. Typically, registration opens 4 weeks prior to the event and may be completed online.
The engineering workshops are intended for individual students to register and participate. These programs are not intended for group registration; it may, however, be possible to schedule special programs for organized groups.
For more information on CBU Engineering programs for pre-college students, please see our website at www.cbu.edu/engineering/precollege.html
Supply lists
Teachers’ posted supply lists on their blogs or web pages back in May. You should be able to find out what each teacher requires by going to the Harding website hardinglions.org, choosing Quick Links, then Secondary Directory.
Summer reading
Every student who will be in grades 7-12 has summer reading assignments. The assigned books have been posted on the front page of the Harding website since May. In some cases, study guides have been posted there, as well. http://www.hardinglions.org/secondary/readingliststudyguide09_10.html.
Uniforms
Students will wear uniforms on the first day of school (including the orientation day). Uniform information was mailed home at the beginning of the summer, but you can also check the Harding website for specifics. http://www.hardinglions.org/about/schooluniforms.html.
Tax-free weekend coming up August 6-8
The State of Tennessee's Annual Sales Tax Holiday is held every year on the first Friday in August and ends the following Sunday night. This year's tax-free holiday weekend begins at 12:01 a.m on Friday, August 6th and ends Sunday, August 8th at 11:59 p.m. http://tennessee.gov/revenue/salestaxholiday/