You can find the official dress code in the Student Handbook.

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

We recommend all kids’ carry a light jacket or hoodie for the cold classrooms. LABEL EVERYTHING!

Please check the Lost & Found regularly. It is located near the Kinder doors. Your student can check it at anytime. You can check it anytime you are inside the school, or anytime there is a staff member at the door if you are outside.

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

If not, here are the 2026-27 Harvard grade level supply lists . 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 Sprout is the way to go, just make sure you order before the July deadline!

Yes! Your Harvard Elementary PTA gives every Harvard teacher a generous supply budget three times a year to fulfill any supply WishList they may have. If they need more, or have a bigger wish or classroom want, they can submit a request to the PTA!

Thank you for your continued support so that we can do this for our beloved teachers!

Instagram: The PTA uses Instagram for daily updates: @harvardelementarypta

Teachers: Many teachers also have Instagram accounts, including the specialty teachers.

HISD: @houstontxisd

Parentsquare (App + Website): The PTA and the school communicate via the PTA-funded ParentSquare. [New to Harvard? You will sign up this summer or once school starts]

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

PTA Board Email Addresses.

School Messenger: HISD sometimes 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.

Based on last year, 2026-27 Teacher Assignments will likely be shared through Parentsquare in August, prior to Meet the Teacher.
Meet the Teacher is in the afternoon on August 7. Families are welcome. Details forthcoming.

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 (and before school) program is run by the school and called “Eagle’s Nest.” The staff is Harvard staff and the kids know and love them (they also oversee lunch time!)! Eagle’s Nest ALWAYS fills up, so make sure you register in time in the summer!

Enrichment classes are also available (these are different than After School Clubs).

There are additional after school care options, not run by the school. Please contact the school for more information.

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.

Beginning with the 2026–2027 school year, Harvard will no longer be eligible to participate in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) program. As a result, lunch will no longer be free for all students.

Breakfast will continue to be provided at no cost to all HISD students.

Families who would like to be considered for free or reduced-price lunch must complete a Free/Reduced-Price Meal Application. Eligibility is based on household income and federal guidelines. Students who qualify will receive free or reduced-price meals; families who do not qualify will be responsible for paying for lunch.

Applications for the 2026–2027 school year open July 22, 2026, and can be completed online at https://schoolcafe.com/HoustonISD. All applications are reviewed to determine eligibility for free, reduced-price, or paid meals. Student eligibility information is kept confidential. Questions? Contact the Student Eligibility and Accountability Department at 713-491-5944 or eligibilityinfo@houstonisd.org.

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 lunch or snacks you may do so here.

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

Yes. VIPS-approved parents and caregivers were able to have lunch with their child, in the cafeteria, during their child’s lunch time, about once a month on a 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.

Harvard Elementary’s annual PTA Gala is our biggest fundraiser of the year — and it’s always an unforgettable evening of music, exciting performances, and extravagant fun with the Harvard community. Guests can bid on incredible items donated by our generous local supporters, including vacation homes, unique experiences, and much more. Most parents and Harvard staff attend. You don’t want to miss it! Find out all about it here!

Socials are Harvard’s favorite kind of fundraiser — a party with a purpose!

Socials are fun, themed events hosted and sponsored by Harvard families or teachers, with tickets sold by the PTA. From themed parties to learning something new to kid-friendly adventures, Socials bring our community together while raising money for our school.

They often sell out fast — sometimes within minutes — and 100% of the proceeds go directly to Harvard Elementary. Want to host one?

Fall Socials go on sale in August (usually the second Friday after school starts)

Spring Socials go on sale in January.

via harvardfundraiser.com

On sale dates will be well publicized on our Instagram and Parentsquare. You don’t want to miss it!

Harvard is often in the news because our community is vocal, engaged, and unafraid to speak up when change is needed. Whether it's advocating for our teachers, supporting our leadership, or demanding better conditions—like working A/C and heat—we rally together and make things happen.

Email us! We are happy to help!