(THIS WILL LIKELY CHANGE FOR 2024. Will be voted on in May 2024)

The dress code allows students to wear any solid color polo (small embroidered logos are fine), Harvard spirit shirt (or dress), or college shirt with khaki, navy, or black uniform bottoms (not athletic material or leggings) any day of the week. Any solid color polo-style dress, or navy or khaki jumpers are also fine. Students may wear leggings underneath their uniform bottoms. Closed-toe shoes for safety. We recommend all kids’ carry a light jacket or hoodie for the cold classrooms. LABEL EVERYTHING!

Obviously, we recommend our awesome spirit wear - fresh designs, soft materials, and the kids (and staff) love them!

You can also order Harvard logo embroidered Lands End uniforms here.

You can find the official dress code here.

If you order before the July deadline, you can get a discounted box of your child’s school supplies delivered (by the PTA) to your child’s classroom before school starts. Order here. School code: HES001

If not, the supply lists can be found here. If you buy your own, bring them to Meet the Teacher before school starts!

Advice from seasoned parents: Many of these supplies are not easy to find. Ordering from Sprouts is the way to go, just make sure you order before the July deadline!

The school primarily communicates via the PTA-funded ParentSquare. [New to Harvard? You can sign up once school starts]

Teacher Email Addresses. Teachers are required by the school to respond to you within 72 hours. You can also reach them via ParentSquare.

The PTA communicates via ParentSquare regularly, but for up-to-the-minute updates, follow us on Instagram.

You can also email any member of the PTA Board.

HISD communicates via School Messenger. You can choose which communications and how you receive (text, phone call, email) them in their app. We highly recommend you go through ALL the settings to prevent an overload of communications on things you likely don’t care about.

The school has traditionally sent postcards with your child’s teacher on it two weeks before school starts to your address on file.

In 2019, they arrived on 8/14

In 2020, they arrived 8/20 (school started late)

In 2021, they arrived on 8/14

In 2022, they arrived on 8/10

In 2023, they had a myriad of mail issues. They are revisiting the process for 2024.

The school will give you this information before school starts! There are walker and car pickup lines based on grade levels. First day pickup is always a mess - it gets better!

Harvard’s after school program is run by the school and called “Eagle’s Nest.” The staff is Harvard staff and the kids know and love them! Enrichment classes are also available (these are different than After School Clubs).

After school clubs generally start in October and run until May, and are run by Harvard teachers. They are after school, once a week, for an hour. There will be an application process in the fall, and a lottery to select students for these clubs. In the past, the clubs have been things like Robotics, Chess, Choir, Art Car, Name that Book, and more. The cost is free.

Breakfast and lunch are FREE for ALL Harvard Elementary students for the 2023-24 school year. More info from HISD here.

Daily Menus are published here.

Kids can also bring their lunch*, or purchase snacks (ice cream & chips are popular). Home lunches are kept at room temperature. Lunch room staff will help your child open lunch items.

Kids should bring a labeled, refillable water bottle every day.

If you would like to add money to your child’s account to purchase snacks, you may do so here.

*Your teacher will let you know if there are any classroom allergy rules

Yes. VIPS-approved parents and caregivers were able to have lunch with their child, in the cafeteria, during their child’s lunch time, about every other Friday. The schedule will be posted on ParentSquare. Lunch times starts at 10 AM and go until 1 PM, based on your child’s schedule.

You are able to bring your child lunch on these days.

There are many opportunities to volunteer at school - with the PTA, at our events, through various subcommittees, in the classroom, in specialty classrooms, going on field trips, class parties, and more! You absolutely must be VIPS-approved to volunteer in the school. In our experience, you are usually approved within 24 hours.

It iind out all about it here.s the most amazing PTA fundraising event of the year! You don’t want to miss it! Find out all about it here.

Email us! We are happy to help!