"Educational and Spiritual excellence for every child"
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July 2019 Edition
High School
Preparing students to lead and serve
High School
Preparing students for the demands of college and beyond
Decisions, decisions! The ninth-twelfth grade is a time for contemplating possibilities and weighing them against your own strengths. Will you pursue a college education? Will you serve our country in the military? Will you join the workforce or kingdom work?
Harmony Christian School will work alongside parents and teens in response to the future that God has planned for them. This is an exciting time, but it can also be a worrying
time of facing the unknown. We help our students to prayerfully, not fearfully, embrace their journey into adulthood.
But high school studies at HCS go far beyond just academic learning. We also offer fine arts, athletics, discipleship groups, and opportunities to serve and engage the communities locally and abroad.
HCS provides a healthy and comfortable environment for students to discover how God can grow them and use them to impact their world.
Curriculum information
Practical English
The Practical English class was developed to fulfill the needs of seniors who will be entering the workforce or entering the armed forces. It focuses on resumes, job searches, creating your own business, and citizenry. The class is open to all seniors and many have chosen to take both World Literature and Practical English.
Psychology
Introduction to Psychology is offered as an elective survey course to 11th and 12th-grade students. The course begins with a focus on biopsychology, learning about the structures and functions that make behavior and mental processes possible. Units of study include Sensation and Perception, Consciousness, Learning and Memory, Developmental Psychology, and Abnormal Psychology. Some special topics include managing stress, studying effectively, the science of addiction, and forensic psychology. The course is taught through a series of lectures, demonstrations, labs, and fieldwork. Students who have taken this course have performed exceptionally in college-level Psychology and Social Work courses.
Science, Biology and General Science
In science at Harmony Christian School, we have many fun and educational activities and experiments that allow the children to observe with their own eyes how the world works.
In Biology the students learn about microscopes and microorganisms by looking at pond water to see that there is life and living things all around us.
In General Science, the students even make their own experiments and use science to discover more and better understand the things that they want to know more about.
Math Department
The high school math curriculum includes 9th-grade Algebra, 10th-grade Geometry, 11th-grade Algebra 2/Trigonometry, 12th-grade Precalculus, 11th/12th-grade Consumer Math and AP Calculus. Algebra 1, Geometry and Algebra 2/Trigonometry are New York State Regents courses and are taught with the goal of having each student pass the New York Regents test at the end of the year. Each of these courses is taught from a mix of textbook lessons and official Common Core lessons. The Pre-calculus course does not have a Regents test but is also taught using a mix of textbook and common core lessons. The AP Calculus is a college level course and students take the national AP Calculus text at the end of the year for possible college credit. The Consumer Math course is a “hands-on” math course. The first half of the year includes such topics as income taxes, personal banking, savings and credit cards, mortgages and home repairs; the second half consists of the teen version of Dave Ramsey’s Foundations of Financial Peace course.
The high school curriculum includes extensive use of graphing calculators and is supplemented by computer activities and use of computer software.
Photography
Photography class is offered as a senior year elective at HCS. Photography students are in charge of taking photos for the school yearbook. HCS has four professional digital cameras that students share to learn basic photography skills including the exposure triangle, basic photo editing, composition, etc. Once a month we invite professional photographers to come in and present to the class and work one on one with our students to help them further their craft. Photography students have the opportunity to photograph major school events throughout the school year such as concerts, field trips, and ceremonies.
Home Economics
Home Economics is an elective course for High School seniors. It is held twice a week with each session being 45 minutes. The basics of cooking are taught and hands-on cooking experiences are held once or twice a month. The students learn everything from measuring, food safety, meal planning and a whole lot more. Beginning this year, the students will have an opportunity to plan a school lunch meal that will be healthy, nutritious, and delicious. Students enjoy sampling their creations and sharing with teachers and staff throughout the school. They look forward to the feedback given to them.
The course is mainly designed with cooking in mind, but there will be a few basic lessons thrown in like how to sew a button on and some other basic household lessons. Students will also take part in a food-themed field trip.
Student Council
Consists of President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and 2 representatives from each high school class. Goals are to represent the high school student body in activities and service to the school. Some activities of the student council are planning, coordinating and running Spirit Week and the annual Pep Rally, helping out with the Harvest Festival and planning and running the end of the year high school trip. We meet approximately every other week during lunch. In support of our goals, we also run various fundraisers including bake sales, smoothie sales, ice cream float sales, and others. We also help fund the high school
National Honor Society
The Harmony Christian School Chapter of the National Honor Society provides students with an opportunity to develop as both servants and leaders in the community. In addition to planning and carrying out our annual Blood Drive in partnership with the New York Blood Center, the students assist with the monthly Harmony Baptist Church food pantry that serves the greater Middletown and Montgomery areas. Students serve the school community as leaders in the classroom, providing extra homework help to lower grades, and performing small service tasks as needed. As members of the National Honor Society, students are eligible to apply for the 600 scholarships offered through the NHS Scholarship Program and participate in webinars that walk them through the complicated college application process.
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11
What you can expect from our High School program:
- Teachers with many years of experience
- Challenging curriculum taught from a biblical perspective preparing students to thrive at any private or public high school
- Daily communication via Parent Connection (Slack App), weekly newsletters, pictures of students sent home
- Clean and safe environment, doors secured, regularly scheduled drills
- Degreed and devoted Christian educators specializing in high school education
- College Guidance Department helping students with research, college applications, college essays, and transcripts.
- Core subjects in math, science, history, language arts, social studies, Bible, Spanish and literature at each grade level
- A range of electives including Practical English, World Lit, Psychology, Drama, Art, Photography, and more
- Small class sizes
- Competitive Christian league athletic programs in volleyball, boys & girls basketball, Co-ed Soccer and more
- Extracurricular activities including National Honor Society, Prom council, Student Council, Board Games Club, Ski Club, Golf Club, Bowling Club and more
- Global Missions and Community outreach programs
- Senior class trip (which usually has a missions component) and high school retreat at Young Life camp in Lake Champion.
High School Staff
Penny Garr
HS Supervisor, High School English Teacher
PENNY GARR
High School Supervisor
High School English Teacher
Mrs. Garr is one of our solid rocks at HCS! She began teaching here 13 years ago, first as a middle school English teacher, and then moved to high school English, and High School Supervisor.
Read on to learn more about her!
Why do you like teaching?
"I always felt that God was leading me to be a teacher, even when I was doing other things. I love that it is new every day. I am never bored and I always get to see the literature that I teach through the eyes of others."
What led you to HCS?
"A friend who was working here, knew that I was looking to teach the upper grades and told me of an opening. I had a great interview and felt at home immediately."
What do you most enjoy about your time at HCS?
"The kids, of course, are always the highlight of my day. I also love that my coworkers upstairs know how to laugh with one another, especially when life gets particularly absurd."
What are you looking forward to during this school year?
"I always look forward to getting my kids excited about things they don’t expect, like Sophocles and Shakespeare. This year my seniors will be doing a comparison paper on 1984 and Brave New World. I’m hoping to create some ethical medical practitioners and politicians. It’s a lofty goal!"
What is your educational background?
"I got my BA from Montclair State (It was college then, it’s university now!) I got my MS in Education from Wagner College. Since then I have extended my certification to cover 9-12 grade, taken a number of continuing education courses as well as courses for guidance counseling."
Personal information you would like to share?
"I guess the biggest and best news is my elevation to grandma. We’re up to three granddaughters and one grandson and it is wonderful! I have so much to be grateful for. Nothing makes my day like hearing from my family and that includes catching up will all my “borrowed” kids who have graduated from HCS."
Ashlee Strait
High School History Teacher
ASHLEE STRAIT
High School History
Why do you like teaching?
"Teaching is a connection between the past and the future. As a history teacher, I have the honor of telling the students about the people, events, and ideas that came before us. One day, these students will be the ones shaping the world, and the role we play in preparing them for that task is humbling."
What led you to HCS?
"My career at Harmony began when a former teacher had recommended that I send in my resume. I had left the workforce to stay home with my children, and my oldest was about to go to kindergarten. I was a little attached, to say the least. It worked out-she started kindergarten at Harmony that fall and I started teaching."
What do you enjoy most about your time at HCS?
"I love learning from and about my students. It is a joy to see them finding out what God has created them to be and to watch them grow in their faith. I've had the opportunity to pray with and for my students, to laugh and even cry with them."
What are you looking forward to during this school year?
"The school year comes fast and furiously, but when we have "Spiritual Emphasis Week", it's a time to pause and take some time to focus on God's word. That's a great time of bonding with the staff and students."
What is your education background?
"My degree is in History with a concentration in Political Science (Pensacola Christian College, '07)."
Tell us some personal information you'd like to share.
"When I am not at school, I am with my family. My husband Tim and I have been serving in ministry together since before we were married!
We have three beautiful girls-Taryn, Avery, and Evangeline. Poor Tim, even our family cat is girl!
I enjoy playing piano, which I use to serve on the HBC worship team, and I love to read.
And...Go Pats!"
Miriam Leino
Middle & High School Spanish Teacher
Middle and High School Spanish
What led you to HCS?
"I had been teaching at Leptondale Christian Academy when the school closed its doors in 2016 and we were all forced to look for jobs elsewhere. I remained prayerful and hopeful in God to place me where He wanted me to be for the following 2 years. In January 2018, as I continued to trust Him to put me where He wanted to use me I received a wonderful phone call that HCS was looking for a Spanish teacher and I responded with total trust in Him that this is where He wanted me to be."
What have been your roles at HCS?
"My roles since I started on February 1st, 2018 have been and are, teaching Middle School and High School Spanish. I also serve doing Hall Duty and Breakfast Duty once a week and I do PM Bus Duty-Parent Pick-Up Room Daily."
What do you enjoy most about your time at HCS?
"I enjoy laughing and being with the students in a safe, healthy, and loving teaching and learning environment. That is why I enjoy playing games to review what students have learned during the week as reinforcements of the lessons they've learned in Spanish class."
What are you looking forward to during this school year?
"Looking forward to expanding the Spanish Curriculum with more media reinforcements of the spanish language material covered in class."
What is your education background?
"I have an A.A. Degree in Liberal Arts from Borough of Manhattan Community College and I have a B.A. Degree in Spanish with many courses taken in Secondary Education from SUNY New Paltz."
Tell us some personal information you would like to share.
"I Love Jesus and I am very Thankful to God in all I will share.
The greatest personal thing that ever happened to me was believing and confessing and receiving Jesus as my personal Savior and Lord. Because of Jesus, I love the life He has given me to share with you!
I just celebrated my 25th wedding anniversary with my beloved husband Gerry Leino and have the most amazing and wonderful son, David Leino, who is 15 years old. David is our miracle child. After our 4th miscarriage, Doctor's told us we would never be able to have children. We prayed, believed God for a baby and God blessed my womb and gave us David Evans Leino. His name means Beloved Warrior. David is very bright and extremely artistic. He is trully a gift from God to us. We are so very grateful.
I enjoy quiet time with God and reading the Bible. I love spending time with my family going to the beach and bike riding. My husband and I are worship pastors at our home church that we've been attending now for the last 30 years. My son is on the worship team with us. We also belong to a traveling band in the Hudson Valley called "For God's Glory Christian Band". We have just recorded our 3rd CD as our Christmas Album. We also lead a homegroup Bible Study as a family every Friday night. Last but not least, we have "Toby". He is our precious baby boy Maltese and Lhasa Apso Mix.
Above all else, my family and I love Jesus. It's All About Jesus. Thank You Jesus."
Dr. Dennis Ashley
7th - 12th Grade Bible Teacher
DENNIS ASHLEY
7th-12th grade Bible Teacher
Varsity Soccer Coach
Why do you like teaching?
"I find joy in communicating God's Word to others, hopefully in a way that will help them draw nearer to God, to love Him, to love His Word, and to learn to hear from Him."
What led you to HCS?
"An opportunity arose after Goshen Christian School closed in 2010. Mr. Barry reached out to me and it was a good fit. I left to go to be a Pastor in Maine, but tried to keep a line of communication going with HCS. When I decided to return to New York from Maine, I reached out to Mr. Barry to see if there might be an opportunity again, and returned this year."
What do you enjoy most about your time at HCS?
"I enjoy working in this Christian environment with the talented, professional colleagues in our faculty and staff. Most of all though, I enjoy building relationships with our students - each one a unique trophy of God's grace."
What are you looking forward to during this school year?
"The longer I teach, the better I manage the pace of the curriculum and the balance between teaching by lesson plan and making the most of the opportunities to speak God's Word into the lives of our students as the moments arise. Finishing on schedule will be very satisfying to my obsessive-compulsive tendencies."
What is your education background?
"I have a Bachelor of Science in Bible from Cairn University, a Master of Divinity from Bethel Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry in Marriage and Family from Palmer Theological Seminary."
Tell us some personal information you would like to share.
"I have been married to my wonderful wife Kelly for over 35 years. I've been an ordained minister since 1984. I served 5 years in the U.S. Army, including 4 years in Berlin, Germany, during the years that the Berlin Wall came down. I have three adult sons and four young grandsons. Currently I'm enjoying opportunities to preach at local churches on Sundays. I enjoy kayaking and seeing interesting and beautiful places."
Timothy Montgomery
High School Math Teacher
TIMOTHY MONTGOMERY
High School Math
High School Student Counsel Advisor
Why do you like teaching?
"I like working with students helping them learn and grow. It's an absolutely amazing feeling working with students that have struggled with Math for years and seeing them actually begin to make progress and realize that they can indeed learn and grow and be successful. Of course helping students that have a genuine talent for Math grow even stronger is also amazing."
What led you to HCS?
"God. He coordinated events so that when I graduated with a Master's Degree and was applying for a Math teacher positions at various schools, a position came available unexpectedly at Harmony."
What has been your roles at HCS over the year?
"Teaching high school Math including Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2/Trigonometry, Precalculus, AP Calculus and Consumer Math. I have also been the High School Student Council advisor for the past 8 years."
What have you enjoyed most about your time at HCS? "Working with and talking with my students."
What are you looking forward to during this school year?
"Teaching my second ever AP Calculus class. Also, my daughter's graduation from the University of Michigan next summer with a PhD in Medicinal Chemistry."
What is your education background?
"Dual Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics and Computer Science from Penn State University and a Master's degree in Secondary Education from Mount Saint Mary College."
Tell us some personal information you would like to share.
"I'm a deacon at Calvary Baptist Church in Warwick, NY where I help lead services, teach Sunday School, and sing in the choir. I enjoy collecting comic books and playing board games and video games. I have been happily married to my wife for 31 1/2 years and have a son who is a computer programmer and a daughter who is in graduate school."
Liam Bergin
Technology Teacher
LIAM BERGIN
Computer Teacher
Network Administrator
and
HCS 2009 Alumni!
Why do you like teaching?
"I enjoy watching people do something that they are passionate about. For those who are unfamiliar with technology, I certainly do enjoy getting them familiar with new things and watching them learn. However, what makes teaching the most fun is finding students who are passionate about the things I love as well, and guiding them to grow and thrive in their passion."
What led you to HCS?
"My mother has worked here since I was an HCS student back in the 2000's. When the old computer teacher had left, Mr. Barry was asking around for someone who was knowledgeable about computers. My mother mentioned me and the rest is history!"
What do you enjoy most about your time at HCS?
"Talking with students about video games, or technology, or anime, or church, or just life in general. It's good to be around people who are a different age than you. Whether they are much younger or even older, it's good for both parties to learn about others and get different points of views and opinions."
What are you looking forward to during this school year?
"I always look forward to our programming curriculum and our hands on stuff like PC building and networking. We also have a new game/tabletop club that is meeting on Thursdays thanks to our new science teacher Marlon Bridgman!"
What is your education background?
"My first year of college was at Houghton in upstate NY. I studied computer programming and chemistry. I then transferred to Boston Baptist College and graduated with a bachelors in Biblical Studies and a minor in education.
The last couple of years I spent going to SUNY Orange to get some more IT and networking classes under my belt. I hope to get a Cisco Certification by the end of this school year."
Tell us some personal information you would like to share.
"I like video games like Starcraft, WoW, League of Legends, PUBG and many others. I have been getting more into tabletop and other role playing board games like DnD. Other than work and hanging out with my fiancé, HCS music teacher, Sandra O'Hare, I don't have that many hobbies. I guess I really like reptiles and I have 4 snakes!"
Marlon Bridgman
8th Grade & High School Science Teacher
MARLON BRIDGMAN
8th-12th Grade Science
We are excited this year to introduce Mr. Marlon Bridgman as our first feature teacher on “Teacher Tuesday”. Check back weekly to meet our amazing staff.
Mr. Marlon Bridgman joins the teaching staff at HCS bringing a wealth of scientific knowledge and experience. Mr. Bridgman has a passion for science, and seeing how it impacts the lives of young men and women for Christ. We had an opportunity to ask Mr. Bridgman a few questions about science, HCS, and some personal things, so you can get to know him more too!
Mr. Bridgman is a graduate of Sacred Heart University and is currently earning his master’s degree from Grand Canyon University.
On what drew him to science:
“I enjoy science because I believe that understanding more about the world around us brings us closer to the Lord. Science has led to some pretty astounding revelations about the world around us!”
On his time here at HCS and what he sees in the future:
“I was drawn to HCS because I felt that the work we get to do here is very important. Upon seeing the classroom and the grounds, I was filled with hope and excitement about the prospect of being part of the community here. Those feelings were affirmed within the first week of school. Personally, I am enjoying getting to know all of my students and getting to figure out how to best serve them. I am looking forward to teaching the more complex subject matter in all of my classes. I am very excited to inspire these young minds and get them as excited about science as I am.”
Mr. Bridgman is from Fishkill and has two cats (Talia and Mochi), loves to eat sushi, and listening to the newest music. In his free time he enjoys board games and singing, and can occasionally be found doing both at the same time. His favorite animal is an axolotl, an endangered Mexican Salamander that has external gills. His favorite sport is fencing.
Mr. Bridgman will be teaching 8th-12th grade science classes. Please join us in welcoming Mr. Marlon Bridgman to HCS!
Looking for more information?
If you are in need of more information, please either click the button below and fill out the form on the contact page or contact the school office directly.
According to Niche.com, Harmony Christian School is ranked #3 Best Private High Schools in Orange County, NY and #19 Best Christian High Schools in NY State.
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