| Welcome to our Fall 2024 newsletter!
In this issue, we're thrilled to kick off the 2024-2025 school year with some fantastic news about our Harmony community. Included, you'll learn about our new community partner, Sycamore Land Trust, one high school senior's internship with a political candidate, a spotlight on a spectacular parent volunteer, and of course our upcoming events and activities.
I hope you enjoy reading about what's happening inHarmony this fall! Steve "Roc" Bonchek Executive Director |
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| High School Senior Interns with State Representative Candidate |
This election season, Harmony High School senior, Rafiul Shefar, is learning all about the inner workings of a political campaign while advocating for ideas he believes in through his internship at the Thomas Horrocks campaign.
“I am currently interning for the campaign of Thomas Horrocks who is running for the 62nd district of Indiana’s House of Representatives. We are trying to break the Republican supermajority in the state house currently, and make it so other parties have some voice in the state house.” Shefar said. “Thomas Horrocks wants to fight systemic injustices in Indiana which have a big effect on people in poverty, people of color, women, and LGBTQIA people. He wants to make it so they are protected by the law and not targeted by it, and I want to help him do it!”
Originally from Bangladesh, Shefar has a unique perspective on life outside the United States and the impact of government. In addition to the work experience he hopes to gain from his internship, he is also passionate about the stated values of the Horrocks campaign.
“As someone who was born in a brutal dictatorship and has seen what happens when the government becomes oppressive, I hold the value of Individual liberty very dearly! When I went back to Bangladesh after spending 5 years in Malaysia I was 14. I was old enough (then) to understand things around me, and things around me weren't looking good. The education system was completely corrupted by the education ministry, and it was based on memorization.” Shefar said. “I found Harmony School at that time through a website. The democratic values and the project-based learning intrigued me, and I wanted to be a part of this community. With the help of the school I came to the United States where I was allowed freedom of expression, and access to works of literature that would change my values and views on life forever! So the reason I am doing this is that I want Harmony School and the United States to stay the beacon of hope it was for me for many generations to come.”
Click Here to Read More About Shefar |
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Harmony celebrates the start of school with old traditions and new faces |
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Each fall, Harmony School kicks off the school year with a school-wide trip to McCormick's Creek State Park. This decades-long tradition is intended to help students bond, experience nature and get to know each other in a retreat-like setting to start the year off strong.
While students in grades 5-12 spend the better part of the first week of school at the park, younger students join them on the second day of school for a morning meeting at the amphitheater. Students then split up into activity groups based on interest and regardless of age, allowing students of all ages to spend time getting to know each other and exploring their chosen activity. Activities include Harmony traditions, such as: -
Capture the Flag Game
- Riding Bikes
- Creek Walk & Playing at the Waterfall
- Nature Center Visit
- Various Hiking Trails
Check out the Then & Now photos that show how much things have changed and stayed the same over the years! |
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Harmony Mom Leads Extravaganza Planning
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On September 21st, Harmony celebrated the 40th Annual Extravaganza, a time-honored tradition at the school campus in the Elm Heights Neighborhood, dating back to the original Elm Heights School Penny Carnival.
This year, Harmony parent Marika Voukidis volunteered to lead planning for this family-favorite event. Harmony asks parents and families to engage in the Harmony Community Co-Op Program throughout the school year, which requires 22 hours of volunteer service for single parents and 44 hours for two-parent households.
“Marika is an amazing Extravaganza Coordinator! Her dedication and organization kept us on track, and her presence makes every meeting more fun,” Harmony Operations Director Tonya Walden said. “Without her leadership, I don't think Extravaganza would have happened this year. Or if it did, it wouldn't have been nearly as nice.”
Even though the Extravaganza has concluded, Marika’s volunteer work continues this semester, as she plans to host a Pet Treat Club, where students of all ages make treats in the kitchen for their pets. “Volunteering doesn’t have to be a burden,” Marika said, “You just have to find a way to contribute that works for you.”
Click Here to Read More About Marika |
| Marika Voukidis, Parent Volunteer and Extravaganza Coordinator |
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Some of the highlights of Extravaganza included pie in the face for two lucky teachers (High School teacher Jamie Schmiechen pictured), local food vendors including Rasta Pops, and the cotton candy booth. |
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Sycamore Land Trust Environmental Education Director Saige Sentell explains native and invasive plant species to students before they weed out the non-native plants growing on Harmony's campus. |
| Sycamore Land Trust & Harmony School Partner Up for Conservation Education |
Sycamore Land Trust and Harmony’s third & fourth grade class are teaming up for conservation education this fall! Students worked with Sycamore Land Trust (SLT) Environmental Education Director Saige Sentell in September, hand weeding all non-native and invasive species on Harmony’s campus. Other activities are planned this semester to help students experience the outdoors and learn more about the local environment. “Our partnership with the third and fourth grade class will allow students to engage in hands-on stewardship and conservation practices while gaining an understanding of the benefits of our natural environment.”
In October, Sentell will present a lesson about tree identification and facilitate a service day of tree planting with the class. Students will also take a field trip to hike at Amy Weingartner Branigin Peninsula Preserve to explore the trail and identify native trees and plants they’ve learned about through the SLT experiences.
Click Here to Read More About Sycamore Land Trust & Harmony's Partnership |
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Upcoming Events & Activities |
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