HARMONY SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE-AUSTIN
2100 E St. Elmo Dr., Austin, TX 78744  Tel: 512-693-0000  Fax: 512-693-0008
Dear Parents and students,
I am pleased to inform you beginning in the Fall of 2015, Harmony School of Excellence will offer a
comprehensive program, Servant Leadership Society (SLS), that teaches state governmental process in
a fun, interactive and exciting way!
The SLS recognizes outstanding achievement, promotes character and civic engagement, encourages
service involvement to school and community, fosters leadership skills, and provides a setting for your
child to develop interpersonal relationship skills such as team work, perspective for other views, and
exposure to actual government experiences.
Participants will learn about bill writing, current issues facing the State of Texas, hear from special guest
speakers, and much more. The SLS program will culminate on two trips throughout the year for District
mock committees and mock legislative sessions at the State Capitol, and attend an interactive tour of
the LBJ Presidential Library in Austin. For more information on the program please see the enclosed
SLS program packet.
If your child is a Sophomore- Senior, whom maintains above a 3.0 GPA, and has demonstrated
outstanding academic achievement, maintained a commendable attitude, and exemplified worthy
character throughout the school year, he /she is cordially invited to join the Servant Leadership Society
(SLS) at Harmony School of Excellence on September 9, 2015 at 4:00 p.m. in the Gym/Cafeteria for a
Student/Parent Information Session to learn more about this exciting opportunity and get involved!
Congratulations on the achievements of your child! I look forward to meeting you at the Parent and
Student Information Session and experiences that will continue to strengthen and build each student
throughout their school years and their lives ahead.
If you and your child are interested in participating in the Harmony SLS Program, please sign and return
the attached form. Feel free to correspond with questions to: dcox@harmonytx.org.
Sincerely,
Engin Dogan, M.Ed
Principal HSE Austin
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HARMONY SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE-AUSTIN
2100 E St. Elmo Dr., Austin, TX 78744  Tel: 512-693-0000  Fax: 512-693-0008
General Information
History
In order to better provide opportunity in the form of diverse program offerings for students, Harmony
Public Schools will look to formulate the Harmony Servant and Leadership Society (SLS) in the Fall of
2015.
Purpose
The Harmony SLS is a voluntary academic and mentorship program designed to help qualified students
improve their skills in in public speaking, academics, debate, extracurricular activities, and personal
development through the exploration of concerns, opportunities and diverse perspectives that shape
our world. Collectively the program offers a true and unique academic experience that will mold
character in students with a strong focus on leadership development and civic engagement.
Mission/Vision
The mission of the SLS is to provide academic and social opportunities to high achievers in quest of
becoming productive citizens of our nation needed in order to develop leadership and civic skills.
Components as such are invaluable mechanisms vital to the real world experiences students will be
exposed to in an external setting upon completion of high school.
The vision of the SLS is for every student to perform above and beyond their highest potential to
become responsible citizens and future leaders of our world by providing a collaborative environment
for students to be able to enhance their political awareness, understanding and skillsets as they engage
project-based learning experiences modeled after actual government.
Society Participation
In collaboration with Central Office and pre-selected districts, societies are organized within Harmony
high schools, each staffed with a faculty “Society Volunteer Mentor” for the purpose of steering and
consultation. The program shall be student driven and will conduct its meetings regularly throughout
the year and have an opportunity to participate in research field trips, seek out internships, take part in
the Congressional Award process, engage guest speakers, and attend the annual General Session
conference in Austin.
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HARMONY SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE-AUSTIN
2100 E St. Elmo Dr., Austin, TX 78744  Tel: 512-693-0000  Fax: 512-693-0008
Structure of Society
Harmony SLS
(Society
Coordinator)
Austin
Houston
HS
HS
Society Mentor #1
Society Mentor #2
Society Mentor #3
Student Group 1
Student Group 2
Student Group 3
San Antonio
HS
Society Mentor #1
Society Mentor #2
Society Mentor #3
Stuent Group 4
Student Group 5
Student Group 6
Society Mentor #1
Student Group 7
Society Mentor #2
Student Group 8
SLS Phases of Program
Students from 8 Harmony high schools from across the state will gain a unique understanding of local,
state, and national issues. Students will research, study and debate a myriad of state issues that may
have a significant impact on their community. The program will focus on molding character in students
with strong emphasis on social action through actual experiences in government, by exploring careers in
public service, participating in the Congressional Awards process, and engaging simulation of the Texas
state government process. Concurrently, the program will seek to offer valuable resources to
participants such as resume trainings, series of leadership discussions led by guest speakers, summer
internships, and retreats designed to support student growth in SLS.
The Harmony SLS Program is a mentorship experience carried out in multiple phases: (1) Participating
campuses will identify, research, debate a separate, relevant issue impacting their community (2)
Campuses will convert relevant issue into mock legislation (3) Campuses in a cluster will meet to discuss
and debate area-wide legislation (4) the annual General Session in Austin to discuss and debate
Statewide issues selected by Districts (5) Participation in the Congressional Award process.
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HARMONY SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE-AUSTIN
2100 E St. Elmo Dr., Austin, TX 78744  Tel: 512-693-0000  Fax: 512-693-0008
Congressional Award
The Congressional Award is a public/private partnership created by U.S. Congress to promote and
recognize initiative, service, and achievement among America’s youth. SLS will create working
relationships with Congressional offices to identify a unique opportunity for Harmony’s SLS students to
set and achieve personally challenging goals within the broader context of the SLS program offerings.
Through the Congressional Award process, Congress sets benchmarks challenges for youngsters to
identify and carry out within four main components: (1) Voluntary Public Service (sharing time and
talent for the benefit of others (2) Personal Development (expand on a student’s horizons while
developing individual interests, social and life skills (3) Physical Fitness (improving student quality of life
through participation in fitness activities) (4) Expedition/Exploration (develop a mindset of discovery and
adventure)
SLS Selection/Dismissal Procedure
Pre-Qualification:
10th, 11th, and 12th graders
1- Selection Procedure:
a. The students successfully participated in SLS during the previous year, will be directly
admitted to the program upon mentor availability.
b. For the new comers the selection should be done according to following weighted
criteria
Most recent ReadyStep/PSAT/SAT/EOC Test Result
GPA
Discipline Records
Minimum two teachers’ recommendation letters
50%
30%
20%
Letter from Dean of Students
( No Out of School Suspension)
Required
According to aforementioned criteria, the top ranking students will be eligible to enroll into the SLS and
the following ones will be put onto the waiting list.
Application Process
Invitation letters will be sent to interested and eligible students’ in participating Harmony high schools
via both email and mail in the early weeks of Fall 2015. Parents will be invited to CRLP information
session in September 2015.
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HARMONY SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE-AUSTIN
2100 E St. Elmo Dr., Austin, TX 78744  Tel: 512-693-0000  Fax: 512-693-0008
After the general parental information session, a meeting may be held to provide further detailed
information to parents about their child’s responsibility as a student in the program. During this time the
signed consent forms will be collected. Parents in the waiting list may be called upon availability.
Dismissal
Student will be dismissed from the SLS if:
a) The student fails to attend a total of three events and does not provide a valid excuse.
b) Student does not meet his/her academic requirements and other duties/assignments for 3
times.
th
2) 10 -12th grades: if Student’s Semester GPA drops below 3.00
3) Student gets out of school suspension or his/her DPS point reaches above 10/quarter.
Other Rules:
4) If student gets in school suspension, student may not be accepted to SLS for the following
year/semester.
5) Students will be required to follow explicit rules when engaged in debate, or during the General
Session phase of program (I.E.: Dress Code at Texas House of Representatives)
6) The student may be fully or partially suspended from the SLS activities for 3-6 weeks if:
a) Student’s GPA decrease during the semester
b) The core subject teachers or administrators have concerns about the students behavior and
academic performance
7) The student will be dismissed from the SLS if he/she is suspended from program more than two
times in a year.
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HARMONY SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE-AUSTIN
2100 E St. Elmo Dr., Austin, TX 78744  Tel: 512-693-0000  Fax: 512-693-0008
SLS Parent Agreement Form
PARENT
We (I), the parent (s)/guardian of ___________________________, have reviewed all of the
responsibilities and expectations of the Harmony Servant Leadership Society (SLS). We (I) understand,
acknowledge and agree to abide by all of our (my) responsibilities pertaining to the SLS as a parent
which is written on the “Responsibilities of Parents” addendum. Also We (I) agree to regularly
communicate with the Society Volunteer Mentor and encourage and support our (my) child to actively
participate in the SLS.
______For liability, We (I), the parent (s)/guardian of the student mentioned in the SLS Handbook
understand and agree that the SLS is a volunteer activity and function performed by Harmony School of
Excellence. This release is intended to cover all injuries of every name, type, kind or nature, and
personal property damage, if any, which may be sustained or suffered from any cause connected with or
arising out of, or from participation in all of the SLS events. I give permission for my child to participate
in all activities of the SLS, and I do not hold the Harmony School of Excellence liable for my child.
______For transportation, by signing this form parent(s) give(s) consent to his/her child to take the
transportation provided by school or teacher. Means of transportation could be any public, rental or
private vehicles driven by an adult.
______For Activity Costs, I am aware of the fact that, SLS is volunteer based program held by Harmony
School of Excellence and all I am responsible of the costs of the SLS program activities such as Camps,
Trips, etc. and I will make the payments on time. Any outstanding payment may result in inadmissibility
of my child to the activity.
Parent’s Full Name: ______________________________________
Signature: _______________________________
Date: ___ /___ / ______
Contact Details:
Home Address: ______________________________________________________________
Phone Number: (____) _____ - _______
Email: ______________________________________________________
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