The Bi-Weekly What:
Friday, November the 6th, 2020

A Note from our School Leader

Dear New Harmony Family,

It’s tough out here. We’re months into a global pandemic with no end in sight. The election has been going on for what seems like years now. Racial tensions are high, and rightfully so with so much unnecessary brutality in our country. School has been our safe place in many ways, and even that has been put at arms length while we are distanced from one another. Parents are carrying a heavier burden with kids at home while we make tough decisions to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe. We see you, and we thank you.

Added to the mountain of unbearables, our New Harmony family has experienced another great loss. We are so, so saddened to share that one of our 11th grade students passed away suddenly and unexpectedly last week. Stella White was a founding student at New Harmony and such an important part of our school community. As her school family, we are feeling this loss deeply. Stella had so much good to share with the world, and we are simply broken knowing that her life has ended too soon. The hallways of New Harmony will definitely not be the same, and we will always remember her checkered Vans, love of animals– especially our guinea pigs– and incredible impact on our whole New Harmony community. We love you, we miss you.

Our students have been gathering remotely to remember Stella through stories, and when the time is right and safe, we will memorialize her as a community.

If any of our students or extended community need additional support, or if you’d specifically like counseling services, you may contact our school social worker, Christine, directly: (504) 228-4303.

Be kind to yourselves, and forgiving to others. Everyone is doing the best they can right now. I wish you all the best.

-Sunny Dawn Summers, Founding School Leader

What’s Happening in Humanities?

We’re thrilled to be featured in the new book, Difference Making at the Heart of Education. This new book by Tom Vander Ark and Dr. Emily Liebtag explores how educators can build on student talents and interests to develop their desire for a better world, an entrepreneurial mindset and personal leadership skills. We know that students learn more when they feel a sense of purpose. With adults to guide them, they’ll be ready to make a difference—and shape the world to come. You can learn more about the book and grab your copy here.

Book club: Excited to join Getting Smart for their Difference Making book club kicking off in the new year. You can get 20% off your copy of the book and register for updates here.

Community and Student Opportunities 

Nominate New Harmony for the LAPCS Community Roots Award

Students, get your FREE pair of Converse!

NORD and Converse are partnering to give away a *FREE* pair of Converse Shoes to Youth in New Orleans as part of the Converse & Good360 initiative.

To sign up, please follow the instructions below.

1. Visit nordc.org/converse and view the calendar at the top of the page.
2. Select your pick up location (Rec Center). 
3. Select your youth shoe size at your selected rec center.
4. Fill out the registration form.
5. Print out your completed registration form.
6. Bring your printed registration form to your selected rec center on Saturday, November 14 between 10:00 am – 2:00 pm to pick up your *FREE* pair of Converse shoes.

• Sizes 4-13 (Men & Women Sizes)

• One pair per person.

• For youth ages 18 and under.

• Must register on www.nordc.org/converse and bring confirmation form to receive shoes on Nov. 14, 2020 at designated rec center location.

Parent Actions and Need to Knows…

November Holiday Break