Harmony Science Academy-Waco named school of character
Waco, Tx (FOX 44) – Harmony Science Academy Waco has been recognized as a National School of Character by a national advocate for character development in schools.
Each year, Character.org certifies schools and districts at the state and national level that demonstrate a dedicated focus on character development, which the organization says has a positive effect on academic achievement, student behavior and school climate. Only 72 schools nation-wide were recognized.
'At Harmony, our mission is to empower every student with both intellectual strength and emotional integrity,' said CEO Fatih Ay. 'It's truly inspiring to witness how our scholars are integrating academic knowledge with Character Education to enhance our schools and make meaningful contributions to their communities.'
'There is an ethic of care at these schools,' said Character.org spokesperson Lori Soifer. 'Working together with students, parents and community members, these schools are creating stronger communities focused on character.'
The announcement said each of these schools has put into place a comprehensive, multi-year approach to character education that inspires their students to understand, care about and consistently practice a set of core values that will enable them to flourish in school, in relationships, in the workplace, and as citizens. The schools then underwent a rigorous evaluation process to achieve their certification, documenting how they have implemented character education best practices and structures at each school.
Harmony Public Schools is a Texas-born, Texas-wide public charter school system with campuses serving PreK-12 students in 23 cities across the state, placing a heavy focus on STEM skills, Character Education, project-based learning, and college readiness.
Harmony Science Academy is located at 1900 North Valley Mills Drive in Waco.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBS News
an hour ago
- CBS News
Hemp industry among those urging Gov. Greg Abbott to veto bill that bans THC products in Texas
On the final day of the Texas legislative session, the hemp industry, veterans, and other advocates urged Gov. Greg Abbott to veto Senate Bill 3, which would ban THC products in the state. The legislation, a top priority for Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, has drawn sharp criticism from across the political spectrum. AUSTIN, TEXAS - JUNE 08: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott speaks at a news conference in the state Capitol on June 08, 2023 in Austin, Texas. Abbott and Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steve McCraw joined bill authors, sponsors, legislators and law enforcement members in the signing of bills aimed at enhancing southern border security. BRANDON BELL / Getty Images As of Monday, Abbott had not indicated whether he would sign or veto the bill. Opponents deliver 100,000 letters Opponents gathered at the Capitol Monday morning, delivering boxes they said contained 100,000 letters urging the governor to reject the measure. Veterans, Democrats, and some conservatives held a news conference to voice their opposition, arguing that the bill would harm Texans who rely on hemp-derived products for relief from pain and other conditions. Under SB 3, retailers would be limited to selling only non-intoxicating cannabinoids, such as CBD and CBG. Supporters cite public health risks CBS News Texas Supporters of the bill, including Patrick, argue it is necessary to protect public health. At a news conference last week, Patrick displayed several products that would be banned under the legislation, which is set to take effect Sept. 1 if signed into law. Aubree Adams, founder of Safe and Healthy Texas, spoke at a separate news conference Monday afternoon in support of the bill. "This bill is a collection bill to get rid of the poison that is synthetic THC," Adams said. "This drug operation is an all-out assault on Texas families and schools." Social media voices opposition Meanwhile, social media users have joined the debate. One man, identified as Johnny Lyon, posted on X: "I use the hemp products successfully. I want you to veto SB 3 because my wife and I like these products. They help with arthritis and help with other aches and pains." Medical marijuana program expands In a related development, lawmakers also passed a bill expanding the state's medical marijuana program, increasing the number of dispensaries and qualifying conditions. Watch Eye on Politics at 7:30 a.m. Sunday on CBS News Texas, on air and streaming. Follow Jack on X: @cbs11jack
CBS News
2 hours ago
- CBS News
Texas lawmakers' negotiations over judicial pay raises go down to the wire as legislative session ends
Lawmakers at the Texas Capitol negotiated over a single bill Monday afternoon before adjourning sine die. The final measure, Senate Bill 293, increases starting annual salaries for state judges from $140,000 to $175,000. The House and Senate had disagreed over one key issue: pensions for state lawmakers, which are tied to judges' salaries. The House opposed a pension increase for legislators, while the Senate supported it. Under the compromise reached Monday, lawmakers' pensions will increase now, but starting in 2030, the Texas Ethics Commission — not lawmakers — will determine future pension adjustments. Getty Images Among the major bills passed this session: A $1 billion school voucher program allowing students to use tax dollars to attend private schools. $8.5 billion in new funding for public schools. $10 billion in additional property tax relief. A $1 billion biennial investment in water infrastructure to create new sources and repair leaking pipes, pending voter approval in November. Legislation allowing ERCOT, the state's electric grid operator, to shut off power to large users like data centers, provided they have backup power. Bills ending diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) considerations in school district hiring. Measures expanding parental and school board control over public school library content. Other legislation includes abolishing the Texas Lottery Commission and transferring oversight to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, banning cellphones for K-12 students in schools, and requiring Apple and Google to verify users' ages on their apps. Several bills failed to pass, including one that would have replaced the STAAR standardized test and another that would have required Dallas Area Rapid Transit to return 25% of collected sales tax revenue to member cities. "This has been a pretty rough session. I think Democrats are going to come back invigorated. We're going to go into this next election cycle with fire in our eyes, and I think we want the public to come join us. We now hear the cries of the public," said state Rep. Gene Wu, D-Houston, chairman of the House Democratic Caucus. "The things that I and my voters will consider wins are probably not the things that Rep. Wu and his constituents might view as wins. But when I go back home and we have over $44 million in new dollars coming to our public schools, that's a win," said state Rep. Shelby Slawson, R-Stephenville, vice chair of the House GOP Caucus. Watch "Eye on Politics" at 7:30 a.m. Sunday on CBS News Texas, on air and streaming. Follow Jack on X: @cbs11jack
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Immigration Enforcement Bill Sent To Abbott After House And Senate Reach Agreement
(Texas Scorecard) – A high-profile immigration enforcement measure is now headed to Gov. Greg Abbott's desk after both chambers approved a compromise hammered out in conference committee over the last week. Senate Bill 8, a top priority of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and the Republican Party of Texas, requires all Texas sheriffs who operate or contract to operate a jail to pursue formal cooperation agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement under Section 287(g) of the federal Immigration and Nationality Act. State Rep. David Spiller (R–Jacksboro), who led negotiations for the House, called the legislation 'heavily negotiated.' When the Senate first passed SB 8 in April, it applied only to sheriffs in counties with populations over 100,000. But the House broadened the bill significantly, requiring universal coverage for all counties that run jails, regardless of population. That provision was maintained in the final version. 'We improved the bill with a floor substitute to provide for universal coverage of the 287(g) program to all counties that operate or contract to operate a jail,' Spiller told House members Monday. 'SB 8, in its original form, only had counties with a population of 100,000 or more. This version has expanded that to all counties.' Under the final language, counties may enter into any of the three ICE partnership models allowed under federal law—the task force model, jail enforcement model, or the warrant service model that had been emphasized in the House version. The conference committee also made a major funding shift. While the House had created both a grant and reimbursement program to support implementation, the final bill eliminates the reimbursement system and substantially increases grant funding instead. 'The monies that were there for the entirety are now basically front-end loaded,' said Spiller. 'We addressed concerns that counties needed funds to be able to implement and operate. We've done that.' The grant program awards counties between $80,000 and $140,000, depending on population, to help cover the cost of implementing an agreement with ICE. These funds can be used for officer compensation, reporting requirements, equipment, training, and detention-related expenses not reimbursed by the federal government. 'What we now have, in my view, is a very strong bill that achieves the public safety purposes of the bill,' Spiller said. 'It provides universal coverage and cooperation, provides necessary funding to the counties, guarantees coordination with the executive orders and President Trump, and provides assistance and cooperation with our federal partners to assist in enforcing existing immigration law.' The legislation now heads to Gov. Greg Abbott, who is expected to sign it into law.
