Harmony Public Schools is encouraging our families to take a few moments to complete the 2020 U.S. Census online, by phone, or mail.

The 2020 Census is a count of everyone who lives in the United States and its territories. The 2020 Census questionnaire asks a few simple questions like the age, sex, and the number of people living in your home.  Individual responses are confidential and cannot be used against you by any court or government agency.

When it comes to schools, the 2020 Census will determine funding for special education, teacher training, technology, school lunch assistance, Head Start and after-school programs. The census will also help determine funding for other important programs for families, such as maternal and child health programs, and housing, heating and food assistance.

People should count all children who live in their homes, including newborns and others too young for school. That’s important because responses to the census help schools plan for the resources they will need when the new generation of children is ready for school.

To begin, click here or call one of the numbers below, or look for the Census form in your mail.

CENSUS BY PHONE:

• English: 844-330-2020
• Spanish: 844-468-2020
• Chinese (Mandarin): 844-391-2020
• Chinese (Cantonese): 844-398-2020
• Vietnamese: 844-461-2020
• Korean: 844-392-2020
• Russian: 844-417-2020
• Arabic: 844-416-2020
• Tagalog: 844-478-2020
• Polish: 844-479-2020
• French: 844-494-2020
• Haitian Creole: 844-477-2020
• Portuguese: 844-474-2020
• Japanese: 844-460-2020
• English (for Puerto Rico residents): 844-418-2020
• Spanish (for Puerto Rico residents): 844-426-2020
• TDD (Telephone Display Device): 844-467-2020

The safety of our students and staff is our top priority at Harmony Public Schools. As new developments continue to unfold regarding the COVID-19 situation, we wanted to provide you an important update regarding the potential impact of the virus on our schools.

While there have been no cases of COVID-19 reported on our campuses or within our school family at this time, out of an abundance of caution we are announcing a temporary closure of all Harmony Public Schools campuses through Monday, April 6. All school activities, field trips, athletics events, and competitions have also been cancelled during this time.

At this time, we are anticipating classes will be able to resume for students on Tuesday, April 7. Staff will return for a work-day on Monday, April 6.

This decision was made after discussions with, and upon the recommendations of, local health officials.  We strongly believe it is the best decision for helping to keep our students, staff, and communities safe at this time.

During this closure, our Harmony team members will continue to work remotely to finalize the details of distance-learning plan to make sure students continue to receive educational services with minimal  interruption.You will receive regular updates how this plan will be implemented.

Additionally, all full-time, non-exempt and exempt employees will continue to be paid according to their normal rate and schedule.

We continue to urge families and team members to stay informed of current Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines related to the prevention of the spreading of viruses, including limiting out of town travel, “social distancing,” and self-quarantine for those who have recently traveled to impacted areas.

We recognize this is a rapidly evolving situation and will continue to aggressively monitor new developments and respond with appropriate actions based on the best interests of our Harmony families and the guidance of local health officials. Throughout this process, we will continue to communicate with you new information as soon as possible. We anticipate further updates no later than the week of March 23-27.

Thank you for your support during these unusual circumstances. With your continued collaboration, together we can provide a healthy learning environment for our students and staff.

As students return from spring break, we would like to ask the Harmony community for your renewed diligence in helping our schools maintain the best-practices for clean campuses established before break.

That of course includes the normal requests regarding washing hands, covering your mouth when coughing, and staying home when sick. However, we also need your help keeping viruses and germs contained by asking your student to immediately report to their campus health office if their experience any of the following symptoms while at school:

• Suspected fever: Student is flushed, student unusually pale, complaints of body aches/pains student is lethargic or unusually tired, student statements of having had a fever or taken medication at home to make them feel better.
• Respiratory symptoms: Dry cough with or without nasal drainage, difficulty breathing (visibly difficult breathing includes using abdominal muscles to breathe, inability to speak more than a couple of words at a time, flaring nostrils when breathing) or statements of feeling short of breath, chest or lung pain, wheezing or grunting with breathing.

Additionally, families should be aware that any student returning from a travel area on the CDC list of at-risk countries for COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) MUST see their medical provider before returning to campus. Students will have 48 hours to submit a clearance letter from their doctor before returning to campus. After this, student absences will not be excused. A student cannot return until they have clearance from their doctor or have finished quarantine if medically recommended.

With your continued support and collaboration, together we can provide a healthy learning environment for our students and staff.

Thank you.

P.S. … For more information about COVID-19 and our school system’s response, including additional resources for families, visit https://www.HarmonyTX.org/coronavirus.

Spring Break is almost here for our students and staff members across the state.  We sincerely hope everyone in our Harmony community has a fun and relaxing break before together we begin the final stretch toward the end of the school year.

We understand that many of you will be traveling this spring break. With concerns about the Coronavirus in the minds of many, we want to share a few tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) about staying healthy when traveling, as well as provide more info about a few Harmony policies related to returning to school after visiting certain risk-prone destinations.

Tips for Healthy Travel

In general, the same advice for fighting germs and bacteria  applies when traveling as it does when staying home:

• Wash hands frequently and/or use hand sanitizer;
• Do not touch eyes, nose or mouth;
• Cover mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing, use a paper tissue, throw it away and then wash hands;
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick;
• When greeting others, consider an alternative to hugs or handshakes, such as an elbow bump.

Additionally, here are a few additional tips related specifically to those traveling:

• Be aware of your surroundings (including people who are sick) and try to distance yourself as appropriate;
• Avoid areas that you feel might make your more likely to be exposed;
• Know how to get reliable local information about any possible changes to the situation;
• Avoid public transportation, if possible. Confined spaces such as buses, trains, subways, and airplanes may put you at a higher risk of infection;
• When eating animal-based products, make sure they are thoroughly cooked before eating.

Returning to School After Visiting Risk-Prone Areas

Due to CDC travel guidelines, students and families that have traveled to locations that are marked as a Coronavirus risk by the CDC must have a letter of clearance from their medical provider before returning to campus. Failure to provide a clearance letter will result in the student being dismissed home. Students will have 48 hours to provide proof of doctor’s clearance. Any additional absence will require further documentation from the parents or doctor. For a list of countries with COVID-19 travel advisories, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html.

Currently these countries include: 

• China
• Hong Kong
• Iran
• Italy
• Japan
• South Korea

Additionally, please be aware that families travelling to China’s Hubei province or mainland China may face a mandatory quarantine and be monitored by public health officials. Any health department guidelines should be followed by any affected families and absences will be waived upon return to school with provision of proof of quarantine. 

At Harmony Public Schools, we take the health and safety of our students and staff members seriously. Harmony is closely tracking all new developments regarding the Coronavirus and will continue to share timely, relevant updates, as needed.

If you have any questions or concerns, please refer to your campus health staff. 

We appreciate your help in supporting healthy and happy learning environments for our Harmony community. 

Click Here to See this Week’s Tiger Tribune

The deadline for application for open enrollment for the 2020-2021 school year at Harmony Public Schools is almost here. If you are a current Harmony family that would like to change campuses next year, or would like to apply to become a first-time Harmony student in 2020-2021 here’s s everything you need to know about how to apply for next year.

WHAT WE BELIEVE

Every child isn’t the same. So why should every school be?

Harmony Public Schools believes each student can achieve their own unique, full potential through a caring and collaborative academic environment that emphasizes personalized learning and innovative instructional methods.

WHAT MAKES HARMONY DIFFERENT

Engaging Education: Our project-based learning engages critical thinking skills and makes learning fun with hands-on activities that educate and excite.

Skills for Tomorrow: Our curriculum has been recognized by the TEA & others for providing students the STEM skills they need for the in-demand jobs of the future.

College Ready: Harmony has a 100% college acceptance rate, and almost two-thirds of our students are the first in their families ever to attend college.

COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Does Harmony Public Schools charge tuition to attend?

Absolutely not. Harmony is a tuition-free, Texas public charter school. We believe every student deserves the opportunity to attend a high-quality public school that fits their individual needs regardless of income. 

Who is eligible to attend Harmony Public Schools?

All children residing in a Harmony school’s geographic boundary who meet registration requirements are eligible to attend. Unlike most other schools, though, Harmony’s geographic boundaries are much wider and generally include the entire community in which the school resides, meaning that all students in the area – regardless of neighborhood or family income level – have the same opportunity to attend a high-quality Harmony school.

What documents do I need to apply?

No documents are needed just to apply. However, if your child is selected for enrollment during the lottery process, you will need to provide a few basic documents that verify your child’s identity and home address.

I have a child in Harmony already, and would like to enroll their sibling for the first time. Do I still need to apply?

Yes. Siblings of current Harmony students still need to apply, but are given priority status if a campus lottery is needed.

DATES TO REMEMBER

February 10

Open Enrollment for 2020-2021 Application Deadline

February 11-25

Campus Lotteries Held (if needed)

Apply Now!

Harmony Public Schools is now accepting applications for Open Enrollment for the 2020-2021 school year.

Re-Enrollment for the 2020-2021 school year for Harmony families is almost over. 

During this time of year each January, we ask families to complete a simple, online Re-Enrollment process, letting us know they’ll be joining us for another great year of learning and fun next school year, which starts in August 2020.

This simple step allows us to make sure each current student’s spot at Harmony is reserved for the following school year, and assess how many new student seats we have available for other applicants.

Re-Enrollment at Harmony Public Schools runs January 6-24, 2020. Look for more details in your email inbox, via Skyward, or on our Facebook page. 

Need more info? Here are the full details:

#1

What is the difference between Re-Enrollment and Open Enrollment?

Re-enrollment is intended for current Harmony students planning to stay at their current campus the following school year, or who will be advancing to a nearby “feeder” campus (ex. moving from elementary school to middle school). Open Enrollment is for new students, or current students who wish to change Harmony campuses for other reasons (ex. transferring to a campus closer to home).

#2

When is Re-Enrollment season?

For the 2020-2021 school year, re-enrollment will be January 6-24, 2020.

#3

In what form will parents need to apply for Re-Enrollment?

The preferred method for re-enrollment is through the student’s online Skyward account. (A link to Skyward can be found at the top of your campus homepage or you can simply click here.). Parents without internet and/or Skyward access should contact the school registrar’s office for additional assistance.

 #4

If a student plans to stay at the same school next year, are they automatically guaranteed re-enrollment if they complete the re-enrollment process before the deadline? 

Yes, so long as their family completes the re-enrollment process.

#5

What happens if a parent does not submit their re-enrollment information before the deadline?

If a parent misses the deadline to complete the re-enrollment process, then the student will lose his/her reserved space for next school year and must apply during Open Enrollment (Nov. 1, 2019 through Feb. 10, 2020) at HarmonyTX.org/Apply.

#6

What does a Harmony parent need to do if they would like to stay with Harmony, but transfer to a different campus for the next school year?

If a parent would like to change Harmony campuses for the following school year, they must submit an application for the desired school at HarmonyTX.org/Apply.

IT’S FALL BOOK FAIR TIME! The Scholastic Book Fair will run from November 16th-November 22nd.

Special programs include:
I-Fest: 11:00 am -2:00 pm
Family Night: 5:00 pm-7:00 pm

Please visit our school’s book fair page to see our lineup of events or set up an E-Wallet account:
https://www.scholastic.com/bf/harmonyschoolofexcellence3

Parents interested in volunteering may sign up at
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080b48aaa628a02-fall6