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Click here for The Blackhawk Beat—your source for this week’s updates, celebrations, and key campus information, including archived newsletters. 

Highlights of this week's newsletter: 9th grade banquet, culture week, exemptions, students of the month and yearbooks. 

9th grade banquet payments will be cut off at the beginning of next week to allow us to inform the catering company, so please reserve your spot for your student ASAP. 

Culture week is next week. Please encourage your student to send in any photos or videos so we can highlight the diversity that makes Harwood so special! Yearbooks can be purchased until the end of next week. All links and information are in the newsletter. Happy last few weeks!

Here is the  parent feedback form and we appreciate all that you to do support Harwood. 

Have a great weekend!

Cameron Ramirez
Principal

Announcements

Family Engagement Newsletter: 

English Newsletter

Boletín en Español

النشرة العربية

The spring dance had very slow ticket sales, so it is canceled. 

Yearbooks can be purchased online at: yearbookforever.com get yours now before they sell out!  

Exemption Information

Today in advisory your students  talked about semester exams. Semester exams are coming up on May 21 and May 22. These exams are their chance to show what they’ve learned this semester, and they count as 1/7 of their final grade.

HEB ISD Exemption Policy

You have options for grade calculators. Choose what works best for you: 

HEB ISD Grade Calculator

Grade Calculator

Frequently Asked Questions: 

• Students must take all exams. 

• All students are scheduled to take exams. Exemptions can be decided after the student takes the test. If the scores are readily available, the student may see the score before deciding to use an exemption. 

• Students must be present to use an exemption. 

• Teachers cannot excuse students from exams.

Exam Exemption Guidelines

Grade Requirement
Students must have an average of 80 or higher in the class.

Attendance Requirement

• 0–2 absences: 2 exemptions

• 3–4 absences: 1 exemption

• 5 or more absences: 0 exemptions

Attendance Rules

• Missing one class period or more counts as a full-day absence.

• Tardies count toward attendance and impact exemptions.

• All absences are treated the same, whether excused or unexcused.

Important Policies

• Exams cannot be taken early.

• Missed exams must be made up during the summer.

Checking Grades
Log into HAC:

• 7th & 8th grade: check the Final Average tab

• 9th grade: check the Spring Semester tab

Preparation Expectations

• Attend school daily and arrive on time

• Participate actively in class

• Complete study guides

• Submit all missing work

• Ask for help when needed

• Attend tutorials

• Prepare in advance, not the night before

For 8th and 9th Grade Students
Semester grades determine GPA. GPA impacts class rank, college opportunities, and scholarships.

Questions
See Mrs. Parrill before school, after school, or during lunch. Do not leave class to ask questions.

Culture Week

Culture Week is coming next week- May 11th-15th. Each day has a theme. Dress accordingly and submit a picture or short video for "Rep your Roots". Selected submissions will be shown during lunch.

Monday- Fly High (Country flag colors)

Tuesday- Future Me

Wednesday- Decades Day

Thursday- POP Culture! (Dress as a trend/meme)

Friday- Traditional Cultural Attire (Rep your Roots)

Day 1:  Fly High
Wear your country flag colors

Day 2: Future Me
Dress as your future career or goal.
Examples: doctor, engineer, artist, athlete, teacher; include props or settings that match your goal.

Day 3: Decades Day
Dress from the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, or 2000s.
Examples: outfits, hairstyles, dances, or references to music and pop culture.

Day 4: POP Culture!  (dress as a trend/meme)
Instead of a traditional costume (like a pirate or superhero), you dress as something recognizable from online culture—such as a viral video, popular joke format, TikTok trend, or widely shared image. The key is that others can identify the reference as something that’s been trending. 

Day 5: Rep Your Roots
Dress in cultural attire, country colors, or symbols of your heritage.
Submit: A photo or short video showing your outfit or sharing something about your background.
Examples: traditional clothing, video dance, a flag, family recipe, or a brief explanation of a cultural tradition.

Submission Guidelines

• Photos or videos (under 60 seconds)

• School-appropriate content only

Google Form: https://forms.gle/4CnMvZXZPsTK7BW 

Donations

There are always needs on our campus, and Harwood Junior High is no exception—we’re so grateful for a community that’s always willing to lend a hand!

Our NJHS and STUCO students are hosting the Spring Dance on May 8 and are in need of donations. If you’re able to help, please check out our SignUpGenius: https://tinyurl.com/26HJHSpring

We are also accepting donations to support our 9th Grade Banquet and help keep costs down for our students. You can contribute through our Amazon wishlist and ship items directly to Harwood: https://tinyurl.com/26-9thHJH

Additionally, we are in need of school-appropriate shorts and sweatpants (Adult sizes S–XXL) for students who may need a change of clothes due to dress code violations. Thank you for supporting our students and helping make these events possible!

🎓 9th Grade Banquet – Legacy Loading…

We are excited to invite you to our 9th Grade Awards & Banquet, Legacy Loading, on Friday, May 15, 2026. This special evening will celebrate the accomplishments, growth, and memories of our freshman class.

Event Schedule:
6:00–6:30 PM | Gym   Awards Ceremony (Parents and families are invited)

6:30–8:30 PM | Cafeteria  Student-Only Banquet & Celebration (Dinner, music, photo booth, and more)

Banquet Payment

The cost to attend the banquet is $15 per student. Please submit payment using the link below:

https://hebisd.schoolcashonline.com/Fee/Details/18952/191/False/True   (Cash will also be accepted on campus if needed.)

Slideshow Submissions – Legacy Loading

We are creating a special slideshow to showcase our students and their freshman year experience. Please complete the form here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfHT-ZhuDNYZ_TGnNe0u8e_vx3S0R17gsUV7f8hAyOgIsE8IQ/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=106980739535812558138

Save the Date - 7th and 8th grade Award Times

7th grade - Monday May 18th at 9:00 

8th grade Tuesday May 19th at 9:00 am

Trinity Soccer Camp

7th grade - Monday May 18th at 9:00 

8th grade Tuesday May 19th at 9:00 am 

Boys/Girls Soccer Summer Camp running from May 28-30 2026 @ THS. We would love it if you could get this information out to any and all future TROJANS student athletes.

Should you have any questions, feel free to reach out! I thank you in advance, have a wonderful blessed day!

REGISTRATION LINK-

https://forms.gle/mRGB7rpv63GR4EC58

Trinity Cross Country

Join Trinity Cross Country

PDF Version: TRINITY CROSS COUNTRY TEAM INFORMATION 

Celebrating a Great Week!

It has been a great week at Harwood. 

Students & Teacher of the Month

We are proud to recognize our outstanding Students of the Month:

7th Grade: Andrew Jackson & Catarina Cox
8th Grade: Eva-Lee Mancilla & Asher Alam
9th Grade: Farooq Juuko & Margaret Pittman

Congratulations to each of these students for their hard work and dedication!

Teacher of the Month: Mr. Earnhart
Thank you for your continued commitment to excellence in the classroom!

8th grade Soccer

Hear ye, hear ye! Gather ‘round, noble scholars, and attend this proclamation of triumph from the kingdom of the 8th Grade Girls Soccer Team!

In a grand clash upon the fields of valor, both the A Team and B Team faced the challengers of Euless Junior High—and lo, both emerged victorious in splendid fashion!

The mighty A Team stood as an unbreakable fortress, allowing not a single goal to breach their defenses—another glorious shutout victory to their name!

Meanwhile, the courageous B Team battled with heart and determination, allowing but one lone score from their foes while claiming victory for the realm!

With swift feet, sharp minds, and unyielding spirit, these noble athletes continue to defend their honor and bring glory to our school!

Let their triumphs echo through the halls—Huzzah for our champions! 

In the Classroom

Science

Our 7th Grade Advanced Science students turned anatomy into an adventure by designing Body System Amusement Parks!

From thrilling roller coasters to splash-tastic water parks and even glowing, light-up attractions, each park was packed with creativity and scientific application. We saw everything from "Old Mill"-style experiences to high-energy rides inspired by how our bodies work!

Amazing work, everyone, your imagination and innovation truly brought science to life!

History

Last Friday, in celebration of our nation’s upcoming 250th birthday, our 8th grade U.S. History students prepared a special project to honor America’s rich history and spirit!  We kicked off the festivities a little early, and the excitement was already building. Students from each class period proudly paraded through the school dressed in red, white, and blue, showcasing their creative, student-made “parade floats.”

It was a fun and spirited tribute—our halls were filled with pride and school spirit as we celebrated together!