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Happy Thursday, Families!

It’s been a busy week here at HJH!

Please take a look at this week’s Blackhawk Beat.

We will host another Donuts and Discussion session with the administrative team on January 26 at 9:15 a.m. Our counselors will be discussing the new graduation requirements that affect our 8th graders and beyond. Please let us know what other topics you would like to hear about by completing the feedback form.

Be sure to check the Blackhawk Beat for game recaps and information about the upcoming Winter Dance on January 30. Reminder that there is no school on Monday to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day. 

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." 

~Martin Luther King Jr. 

Cameron Ramirez
Principal

Updates

Our ELA DBA is coming up on January 28th- Please make sure to plan for this by being here on time, all day and with a good breakfast! 

No Meta Glasses- These fall under the same category of personal communication devices and will be confiscated. 

Attention 9th Grade Boys!

TRINITY TROJANS Baseball Tryouts

Friday January 16, 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm at Trinity High School Baseball Field

**Bad weather tryouts will be moved to the indoor facility located behind the baseball field

New Safety Equipment Storage on Campuses

In accordance with a new Texas school safety law, HEB ISD will be installing secure equipment safes in or near the lobby of each campus to store required emergency response tools. These safes are part of statewide safety standards and are intended to support rapid response by trained law enforcement in the event of an emergency. The safes do not contain firearms, will remain locked at all times and are accessible only to authorized law enforcement personnel. This measure is one of several steps HEB ISD continues to take to prioritize the safety and security of our students and staff.

Celebrating a Great Week!

It has been a great week at Harwood. 

Girls 7th Grade Basketball

Your lady Blackhawks took on North Oaks last night, with both teams improving their records to 5-0. The B team won 26 to 6. Leading scorers of the game were Mariah Hayes, Olivia Villegas and Aadishree Shakya. Other important players of the game were Sofia Guadamuz, Adriana Roberts and Alina Rodriguez. The A team defeated Mustangs 48-5. Leading scorers of the game were Josephine Sullins, Winona Sika and Paula Betancourt. Other impactful players were Aria Wallace, Julia Sweeney and Harper Brown. Great job ladies! 

Boys 7th Grade Basketball

The Harwood Junior High 7th grade boys basketball teams put on a defensive clinic against the North Oaks Mustangs. The B team set the tone with relentless on-ball defense, holding the Mustangs scoreless until after the midway point of the second quarter and limiting them to just six total points with a complete team effort. The A team followed with that same intensity, playing suffocating on-ball defense and flying to the ball on every possession. Their unselfish offense was on full display as every player who stepped on the court scored. Three of the nine players finished in double figures, while two recorded double-doubles in an all-around dominant performance. With momentum on their side, the teams now set their sights on Euless next week. Please come out next Monday and show your support as we look to continue a dominant season.

Girls 8th Grade Basketball

Your 8th grade girls basketball kept their undefeated record going last week winning both games at North Richland. The B team won in dominating fashion 34-19. Leading scorers were Arielle Gutierrez with 14 points, Jaylyn Worsham with 8 points, and Yaman Osman with 4 points. Outstanding players Aj'ah Bendy, Sophia Brooks, and Phinea Diaz. The A team won 40-30. Leading scorers were Aryana Taylor, Lauren Skjeret, and Harleigh Grahn with 9 points each. Outstanding players were Aaliyah Donaldson, Jazlynn James and Ruby Loya. Coach Shaw is very proud of them and is looking forward to see them to continue to get better. 

Boys 8th Grade Basketball

Last week: The 8th grade Harwood Blackhawks B Team picked up a strong 59–22 victory over the North Richland Falcons. The Blackhawks set the tone early with tough defense, controlled the tempo, and pulled away as the game went on. A solid team effort on both ends of the floor and another step forward. B team is now 4-0 on the season. Your Blackhawks take on North Oaks at Harwood next Thursday. Go Hawks! 

Gymnastics

🎉 Congratulations to the Harwood Men’s & Women’s Gymnastics Teams on an outstanding performance at the Harwood Invitational last night! 🎉

💪 Men’s Team Highlights
The Men’s Team battled hard and brought home an impressive 2nd-place team finish!
Top individual performances included:

• Reece Harris
  4th on Pommel Horse, 4th on Rings, 3rd on Parallel Bars, 4th on High Bar
  4th All-Around

• Gordon McNeese
  4th on Vault
  
  

🌟 Women’s Team Highlights
The Women’s Team absolutely dominated the competition, taking 1st place overall over HEB and Birdville!
Top performances of the night included:

• Kayla Elliott
  2nd on Vault, 🥇 1st on Bars, 2nd on Beam, 🥇 1st on Floor
  🥇 1st All-Around
  
  

• Tatum Gilbert
  4th on Vault, 3rd on Bars, 🥇 1st on Optional Beam, 2nd on Optional Floor
  3rd All-Around
  
  

• Blair Scallin
  2nd on Bars, 3rd on Beam, 2nd on Floor
  4th All-Around
  
  

• Tannar Minnick
  🥇 1st on Optional Floor
  
  

🎖️ Special Congratulations to our Gymnast of the Month: Brenea Norman!

👏 Gymnasts—your coaches could not be prouder. You brought the HEAT last night, increasing your team's score by 2 full points and the second-place team by over 12 points. That means you’re not just beating the competition—you’re beating your own best score.

🔥 Keep the momentum going, stay focused, and bring that same energy all the way to a DISTRICT WIN!

SOCCER

Our Harwood boys soccer teams were in action last night. While the scoreboard didn’t go our way, there were valuable lessons learned about discipline, teamwork, and the grit required to compete.

Harwood (Albion) vs. Hurst

The Albion squad faced a tough challenge against Hurst. While the team did a great job sticking to the offensive game plan, some fundamental errors in the defence and in goal proved costly. These "beginner mistakes" led to a 3-0 loss, reminding us all that in soccer, the small details matter just as much as the big plays.

• Player of the Match: Logan Burden was recognized by Coach A for his consistent effort and focus throughout the game.

Harwood (Blackhawks) vs. Euless

In a narrow 1-0 loss to Euless, the Blackhawks learned that practice energy must translate to game-day execution. Most of the roster struggled to find their rhythm and execute the coaches' specific instructions early on.

The story of the night, however, was one of accountability and redemption. One of our key players lost his starting spot due to a violation of team and school standards. When he finally hit the pitch, he played with incredible heart, working tirelessly to regain the trust of his teammates and coaches. His performance served as a powerful reminder: while one player can’t carry a team to a win, personal character and hard work are the first steps toward making things right.

• Player of the Match: Donovan Lico earned Coach Megan’s "Man of the Match" honors for his relentless effort and determination to bounce back.

A Final Word to Our Players: We win as a team, and we learn as a team. Let’s take these lessons into the next practice and come back stronger!

Clubs in Action

• Yearbook Club – Mondays, 8:00 AM (H103)

• Creative Writing Club - Mondays, 3:45-4:45 pm (H118)

• Art Club – Mondays after school until 5:00 pm (Art Room)

• Book Club – 1st & 3rd Tuesdays, 3:40–4:15 pm (H119)

• Dance Club – Wednesdays, 3:45 PM - 4:30 PM 

• Student Council – 2nd Wednesday of the Month, 8:00 am (H103)

• Thespian Club – Thursdays, 7:30–8:10 am (G102)

• NJHS – 1st Thursdays, 8:00 am (H103)

• Chess Club-  Thursdays, 3:40 - 4:45 (C100) 

• HJH Dance Club- Wednesdays, 3:45-4:30

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Ongoing Reminders

• Beginning January 2026, all HEB ISD bus riders should have and use a SMART Tag each time they ride.

While all students are expected to use their SMART Tag, this requirement will be actively enforced for secondary students (grades 7–12). Students who do not present a valid SMART Tag may be denied bus service, including for athletics, band, and CTE shuttles.

HEB ISD provides a free SMART Tag to every student. Replacement SMART Tags can be purchased at your student’s campus front office.

Thank you for helping us keep transportation safe, efficient, and accountable for all riders.

For questions, please contact HEB ISD Transportation at 817-399-2441.

• Replacement IDs $3, Lanyards $1.00

• The 2024-2025 School Report Card has been added to the Helpful Resources Page and is linked here.
  
  

• Students may not leave campus in the mornings.
  
  

• Drop-off/pick-up: Please pull all the way to the gym; front entrance reserved for buses.
  
  

• Wednesdays = College Day / Thursdays = Spirit Day.

• Concession Stand Volunteers:   Our PTA runs the concession stand at all Harwood home games, and they are in need of volunteers to help keep it running. Concessions play an important role in supporting our school and student activities.  Please consider signing up to help when you are available. Your support is greatly appreciated!  Sign up here!
  
  

• Volunteer Fridays: Volunteers must be cleared through the district VIPS. 

• Support our teachers by preparing classroom materials (copies, sorting, etc.).

• 👉 Sign up here
  
  

🙌 Thank you for your support and partnership in making this year a success!

– Dr. Ramirez