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Media & Public Relations
For media requests, please send an email to media@harmonytx.org with details of the request.
For more information, please visit our Media & Public Relations page.
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Website Accessibility
Harmony Public Schools (“Harmony”) is committed to making the information on its website accessible to individuals with disabilities in compliance with the requirements of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader, eye tracking device, voice recognition software, etc.) and have difficulty accessing information on the Harmony website, please contact HPS Webmaster by email at accessibility@harmonytx.org . Please include the following when communicating with Harmony regarding accessibility issues:
A description of your accessibility concern.
The format in which you prefer to receive the materials.
The web page address of the requested material(s).
The best way to contact you (email address or phone number, or both).Harmony will make appropriate accommodations to facilitate access to any website content.
Complaints regarding website accessibility may be submitted through the Public Complaint process outlined in Board Policy PG-1.12 (Public Complaints).
Please note that some pages on the Harmony website contain links to third-party sites, which are not within Harmony’s control. If you notify Harmony of problems with accessing a third-party site that is necessary to participate in one of Harmony’s programs or activities, we will make the material or information available in an accessible format.
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Report Bullying
If you are experiencing a problem with bullying at Harmony, or have other discipline-related concerns regarding one of our schools, please fill out the form at the link below for the Dean of Students.
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HPS Child Find Policy
It is the policy of the Harmony Public Schools to ensure that
- All children with disabilities enrolled in the charter school regardless of the severity of their disability, and who are in need of special education and related services, are identified, located, and evaluated; and
- A practical method is developed and implemented to determine which children are currently receiving needed special education and related services.
These requirements apply to:
- Homeless children;
- Children who are wards of the state;
- Highly mobile children (including migrant children); and
- Children who are suspected of being in need of special education but who are advancing from grade to grade.
20 U.S.C. 1412(a)(3)(A); 34 CFR 300.111(a)(1)(i), (c).
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Title IX
As required by Title IX, Harmony Public Schools does not (and is required not to) discriminate on the basis of sex in its educational programs or activities. This non-discrimination requirement applies to admission to and employment with Harmony Public Schools. Inquiries into issues related to Title IX may be referred to Harmony’s Title IX Coordinator(s) (identified below), to the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights of the Department of Education, or both.
Harmony’s Title IX Coordinator is:
Charles Lambert
Director of Internal Investigations
9321 W Sam Houston Pkwy S.
Houston, Texas 77099
clambert@harmonytx.org
713-343-3333 x1104 -
Non-discrimination Statement as Part of the School's Admission Policy
It is the policy of HPS not to discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, age, or disability in its programs, services, or activities as required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. For inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies, please contact Section 504/ADA Coordinator at (713) 343-3333 located at 9321 W. Sam Houston Pkwy S. Houston, TX 77099.
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Non-discrimination Statement in Career and Technical Education Programs
HARMONY PUBLIC SCHOOLS offers support to school district for career and technical education programs in Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources; Architecture and Construction; Arts, Audio/Video Technology, and Communications; Business Management and Administration; Education and Training; Finance; Government and Public Administration; Health Science; Hospitality and Tourism; Human Services; Information Technology; Law, Public Safety, Corrections, and Security; Manufacturing; Marketing; Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics; Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics. Admission to these programs is based on enrollment in HARMONY PUBLIC SCHOOLS secondary schools.
It is the policy of HARMONY PUBLIC SCHOOLS not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex or handicap in its CTE programs, services or activities as required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.
It is the policy of HARMONY PUBLIC SCHOOLS not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, handicap, or age in its employment practices as required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended; and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.
HARMONY PUBLIC SCHOOLS will take steps to assure that lack of English language skills will not be a barrier to admission and participation in all educational and CTE programs.
For information about your rights or grievance procedures, contact the Title IX Coordinator, CHARLES LAMBERT, and/or the Section 504 Coordinator, IHSAN KARA, at 9321 W. Sam Houston Pkwy S. Houston, TX 77099, Phone: (713) 343-3333.
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Aviso de No discriminación en los Programas de Educación Profesional y
Técnica
Las Escuelas Públicas Harmony ofrecen programas vocacionales en Agricultura, Alimentación y Recursos Naturales; Arquitectura y Construcción; Artes, Tecnología de Audio / Video y Comunicaciones; Administración de Negocios y Administración; Educación y Entrenamiento; Finanzas; Gobierno y Administración Pública; Ciencias de la salud; Hospitalidad y Turismo; Recursos Humanos; Tecnología de la Información; Derecho; Seguridad Pública, Correccionales y Seguridad; Manufactura; Mercadeo; Ciencias, Tecnología, Ingeniería y Matemáticas; Transporte, Distribución y Logística. La admisión a estos programas se basa en el número de estudiantes de secundaria registrados en las Escuelas Públicas Harmony.
Es norma de las Escuelas Públicas Harmony no discriminar por motivos de raza, color, origen nacional, sexo o impedimento, en sus programas, servicios o actividades de CTE, tal como lo requieren el Título VI de la Ley de Derechos Civiles de 1964, según enmienda; el Título IX de las Enmiendas en la Educación, de 1972, y la Sección 504 de la Ley de Rehabilitación de 1973, según enmienda.
Es norma de las Escuelas Públicas Harmony no discriminar por motivos de raza, color, origen nacional, sexo, impedimento o edad, en sus procedimientos de empleo, tal como lo requieren el Título VI de la Ley de Derechos Civiles de 1964, según enmienda; el Título IX de las Enmiendas en la Educación, de 1972, la ley de Discriminación por Edad, de 1975, según enmienda, y la Sección 504 de la Ley de Rehabilitación de 1973, según enmienda.
Las Escuelas Públicas Harmony tomarán las medidas necesarias para asegurar que la falta de habilidad en el uso del inglés no sea un obstáculo para la admisión y participación en todos los programas educativos y CTE.
Para información sobre sus derechos o procedimientos para quejas, comuníquese con el Coordinador del Título IX, CHARLES LAMBERT, y/o el Coordinador de la Sección 504, IHSAN KARA, a la siguiente dirección: 9321 W. Sam Houston Pkwy S. Houston, TX 77099, Teléfono: (713) 343-3333.
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TX Transition and Employment Guide
The Texas Transition and Employment Guide provides youth, young adults, parents and professionals with secondary transition resources to facilitate a young person’s progress towards post-secondary goals to education, employment, and community living.
Access the guide — in English and Spanish — at the Texas Transition Website.
Bilingual Teachers Needed!
Harmony Public Schools is recruiting talented, compassionate bilingual teachers dedicated to helping every student succeed. Harmony offers a competitive salary, excellent benefits and a commitment to excellence in the classroom.
Interested applicants may read the job description, or apply online.
HST 2020 FALL VIRTUAL CLUBS
Dear Parents and Students,
Please choose the clubs you want to get in for the 2020-2021 school year. Please make your selections based clubs dates do not have a scheduling conflict. Selecting clubs on this list doesn’t mean a guarantee that you will be in those clubs. If you like to apply for more than one club, you need to submit a new form for each club. Please review the after school clubs’ details for the Fall Semester, 2020-2021 school year, and slides below and click on the registration form to sign up.
Each club/organization has limited spots available. Once all spots are filled, no one else will be allowed to join that club.
Contact listed club advisor for detailed club information
If you have any questions, e-mail at aysetas@harmonytx.org
Please click here for the Club Manual and the registration Form
Harmony Public Schools hosts HPS Reading Challenge
Reading skills are foundational to educational success for all students.
Encouraging students to read more improves their skills and promotes a love of reading they can continue throughout their educational years and into adulthood.
That’s why Harmony Public Schools is hosting a fall Reading Challenge for all students in all campuses.
Join your classmates from across your campus and across the state from Monday, September 21, 2020 though Sunday, January 3, 2021 as together we show our love for reading and discover new and exciting ideas, authors, and stories through our favorite books.
Along the way, we’ll recognize our top readers and campuses each month, share favorite book picks, and ask for your reviews on some of your favorite reads.
The reading challenges by grade are:
Kindergarten – Grade 2
20 Books
Grade 3-5
10 Novels
3 Fiction
3 Nonfiction
1 Poetry
3 Student Choice
Grade 6-8
12 Novels
4 Fiction
4 Nonfiction
1 Poetry
3 Student Choice
Grade 9-12
14 Novels
5 Fiction
4 Nonfiction
1 Poetry
4 Student Choice
Share your favorite reads on social media by tagging Harmony and using the hashtag #HarmonyReads.
Harmony Public Schools hosts HPS Reading Challenge
Reading skills are foundational to educational success for all students.
Encouraging students to read more improves their skills and promotes a love of reading they can continue throughout their educational years and into adulthood.
That’s why Harmony Public Schools is hosting a fall Reading Challenge for all students in all campuses.
Join your classmates from across your campus and across the state from Monday, September 21, 2020 though Sunday, January 3, 2021 as together we show our love for reading and discover new and exciting ideas, authors, and stories through our favorite books.
Along the way, we’ll recognize our top readers and campuses each month, share favorite book picks, and ask for your reviews on some of your favorite reads.
The reading challenges by grade are:
Kindergarten – Grade 2
20 Books
Grade 3-5
10 Novels
3 Fiction
3 Nonfiction
1 Poetry
3 Student Choice
Grade 6-8
12 Novels
4 Fiction
4 Nonfiction
1 Poetry
3 Student Choice
Grade 9-12
14 Novels
5 Fiction
4 Nonfiction
1 Poetry
4 Student Choice
Share your favorite reads on social media by tagging Harmony and using the hashtag #HarmonyReads.
TIGER NEWS
CLICK HERE TO SEE THIS WEEK’S TIGER NEWS
NWEA MAP TESTING September 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th
NWEA MAP testing will take place remotely the week of September 14th through 17th. Your child’s schedule will look very different during testing week . Your child will be assigned a specific testing time by their homeroom teacher. During testing week, testing could take place as early as 9:00 AM am. Please see the attached parent letter and watch the informational video to learn how MAP testing will work. If you have any questions, please contact your child’s homeroom teacher or the campus testing coordinator, Mr. Sevinc at msevinc@harmonytx.org
PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR THE HST FALL 2020 MAP TESTING TEACHER’S ZOOM LINK
PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR THE MAP Family Toolkit – Resources for parents
Parent Information for Fall 2020 NWEA MAP Administration
School opening update
Dear HST Students, Parents and Teachers;
When the COVID-19 pandemic first began in our state last spring, we promised our Harmony community that our response to the pandemic would always be focused on keeping our entire Harmony community safe, and our students focused on learning. As a school system that places a heavy emphasis on science and math, we also promised that all of our decisions would be based on the best science and data available.
Today, we wanted to share with you an important update about the reopening of your child’s school. Just as importantly, though, we wanted to share with you more detailed information about how that determination was made and what specifics steps toward reopening will happen next.
From the beginning of the pandemic, Harmony has looked at a specific group of informed and reliable data sources to determine the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic in our local community. These sources are the Harvard University Data Center, the Texas Education Agency, the Texas Department of State Health Services, our city and county health agencies, and information from our neighboring school systems.
From this data, Harmony Public Schools has developed a four-stage reopening plan for its 58 campuses across Texas that allows the specific COVID-10 conditions in each community to determine each school’s individual reopening plan.
Our campus is currently Stage #1 and will begin Stage #4 on October 12th, 2020.
In short, Stage #1 means; Campuses must remain closed for both students and staff for the time being due to a high presence of COVID-19 in our community. However, in the next stage, Stage 2, it may be safe to host a limited number of students in Harmony Learning Centers. In these Learning Centers, students would complete their daily classwork remotely from a Harmony facility in a supervised, day-long “study hall”-like setting.
Stage #4 means; Campuses are open for in-person learning for all students whose parents opted for on-campus learning. Students and staff members would be required to follow all safety protocols outlined in the Harmony Public Schools Back to School Playbook, as well as any others deemed necessary for safe, productive learning.
Our ultimate goal is to reopen our campus for all students who opted into in-person learning (Stage 4) as soon as conditions are favorable.
Our goal for Stage 4 is October 12th, dependent on local COVID-19 conditions and TEA guidelines.
– Stage 2 starts on September 14th, 2020. Mostly distance learning with limited in-person students in a learning center setting
– Stage 3 starts on October 5th, 2020. In-Person instruction with targeted groups (students who have chronic absenteeism and staff kids)
– Staff returns on October 5th, 2020
– Stage 4 starts on October 12th,2020. Students who chose in person learning will start to come to campus.
Thank you for your support during these unprecedented times, and for helping keep our students safe and focused on learning.
We will continue to keep you updated as new developments take place.
If you have any further questions, please contact Celil Basol at cbasol@harmonytx.org
Sincerely,
Celil Basol
Principal
No School on Monday, September 7 (Labor Day)
Dear HST Parents and Guardians,
A reminder that there is no school on Monday, September 7th due to the Labor Day holiday. Classes resume Tuesday, September 8.
Harmony Health Services Notifications
Welcome to the 2020 school year! This year will be challenging, with many changes in education and the world at large. To help you navigate the School Health specific challenges for this year, we would like to make you aware of the following:
Regardless of attendance on campus or virtually, your child is required by state law to submit completed vaccine records or original copy of the affidavit of reasons of conscience from the state to be enrolled.
For current students, the deadline for submission was August 17th.
For newly enrolled students, the deadline for submission is September 16th.
After these dates the campus will be required to unenroll your student. Please make sure complete copies of your records are submitted before this deadline.
To reduce risk of exposure to students and staff, students will be seen for medications and scheduled treatments or illness concerns or scheduled appointments only.
Students who display signs of illness will be quarantined and must be picked up by the parent within 1 hour.
Students who do not display signs of illness needing quarantining will be returned to class.
This helps us keep students who are ill from unintentionally infecting students who are healthy during clinic visits. Thank you for your support.
Health guidelines including plans to keep your child healthy can be found in the Harmony Public Schools Back to School Playbook here: https://www.harmonytx.org/playbook
Please click here for Spanish
It’s Time to Pick-up Your Child’s Instructional Materials!
Dear HST Parents,
We will distribute instructional materials on Friday from 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Please make the necessary arrangements to come to school during those scheduled hours to pick up your student’s materials.
GATE (Gifted and Talented Education) Announcement!
In accordance with the Texas State Plan for the Education of Gifted/Talented students, Harmony Public Schools will begin taking referrals for kindergarten and newly- enrolled students in grades 1-12 for gifted and talented screening. Anyone interested in the educational welfare of these students may refer them for assessment. Referral forms are available on the school’s website. Read more
Parent Campus Reopening Announcement Extension September 14
Dear Harmony Team Members,
Today, we are sharing with our Harmony families a partial campus reopening plan for our schools across the state.
Campuses in Bryan and Lubbock will open for optional in-person learning on Tuesday, September 8.
Campuses in all other locations will continue learning remotely only through at least Monday, September 14, but perhaps longer as Harmony continues to weigh guidelines from the Texas Education Agency and guidance from local and state health officials.
This phased approach will allow Harmony additional time for further evaluation and preparation in communities with the most severe impact from COVID-19.
Regardless of location or return date, students and staff who return to campus will find a safe and organized learning environment with a number of improvements and new wellness protocols designed to increase safety while retaining a fun, collaborative, and academically-focused campus culture.
Among these safety enhancements are:
• Temperature screenings for students and staff.
• Requiring all students and employees to wear a mask when on campus or in other group settings. (Students may bring their own mask, or the school will provide them.)
• Limiting average class sizes to allow for social distancing. (Exact class size will be dependent on number of students attending in-person versus online-only.)
• Spacing desks at least six feet apart to maintain proper social distancing and/or installing partitions where students cannot be kept six feet apart.
• Severely limiting classroom rotations/switches to prevent the spread of germs across campus and to limit person-to-person exchanges.
• Staggered drop off and pickup times to limit person-to-person exchanges.
• Modified drop off and pickup procedures (ex. Students going directly to class after drop off and/or waiting in classroom at the end of the day until parent arrives for pickup).
• Requesting all students wash hands frequently.
• Detailed nightly cleaning by contracted company.
• Required Coronavirus Awareness & Prevention trainings for all employees.
Additional details on these and other safety protocols can be found in Harmony Public Schools Back to School Playbook.
We are excited to open our doors to all of our students and staff hopefully very soon. Thank you for all of your efforts and feedback in helping our school return to on-campus operation, and for your ongoing support in making this another great school year for our students.
Sincerely,
Celil Basol
Principal
Back to School Surveys Due Friday, August 28th
Back to School Surveys Due Friday, August 28th
Hello HST Families!
At this time, our campuses are tentatively scheduled to open for optional in-person instruction on Tuesday, September 8. Be sure to log into your FAMILY ACCESS ACCOUNT (not Student Account) by the end of Friday , August 28th and complete the short survey to let us know whether your student will continue to learn from home or switch to in-person learning once our campus opens up.
To access the survey: 1. You MUST log into your FAMILY ACCESS ACCOUNT (not Student Account)
2. Once inside Skyward, select “Back to School Instruction Selection Form” to begin the attendance selection process
3. Complete and submit the survey
If you have any questions at all, contact us on this number 281.444.1555; we are only available until 3:00 pm.
Your HST Teachers and Staff
Classes and live lessons will resume tomorrow Friday, August 28th
Dear HST Parents,
Classes and live lessons will resume tomorrow Friday, August 28th.
INCLEMENT WEATHER UPDATE
As a precaution due to Hurricane Laura, all Harmony Houston North campuses and the district office will be closed on Wednesday, Aug 26th and Thursday, August 27th. All classes are cancelled. A decision about Friday, August 28th will be made Thursday evening. Stay safe!
HELPFUL LINKS
Happy First Day of Fall 2020 Distance Learning!
HST would like to welcome our students, teachers and parents back to the start of the 2020-2021 school year. Happy First Day of Fall 2020 Distance Learning!
Child Nutrition Orientation Packets (CHOP) and School Cafe
Alternate meals letter to parents-English
Alternate meals letter to parents-Spanish
Meal distribution parent letter
School Cafe quick card
School cafe application quick card
Letter to household
School cafe creating an account
AUGUST SCHOOL MENU
Please click here to see August School Menu
VIRTUAL SCHOOL TOUR
New students only: We will have a virtual school tour and Q & A Session next Wednesday, August 12, 2020 at 2 pm.
ZOOM LINK
VIRTUAL MEET THE TEACHER DAY SCHEDULE
Dear HST parents and students:
Virtual Meet the Teacher orientation will take place on Friday, August 14, 2020. Parents and students will have a chance to meet their teachers on that day. You can check your child’s schedule on Skyward to see who their teachers are and their email address.
The 2020 – 2021 Meet Your Teacher Schedule is now available to view. Please click here
Upcoming Events and Back to School Information
Dear HST parents and students:
As the beginning of school draws closer, HST would like to provide you with pertinent information for your student(s):
Virtual orientation will take place next Friday, August 14, 2020. Parents and students will have a chance to meet their teachers on that day. You can check your child’s schedule on Skyward next week to see who their teachers are and their email address. Teachers will share their Zoom meeting links with students next week.
8/14/2020
New students only: We will have a virtual school tour and orientation next Wednesday, August 12, 2020 at 2 pm. We will send an email to new students’ parents with detailed information and Zoom link.
Technology and Chromebook process: We are in the process of gathering data from the parents who need a technology device. We are going to send a Chromebook request survey and agreement form. This form is due no later than Friday, August 7, 2020. In order to receive a Chromebook, the parent has to fill out the form. The pick-up dates and times will be shared later. Harmony School of Technology requests that the specific parent/guardian who completed the Chromebook Request Form be the same person that actually picks up the Chromebook. In addition, the HST student must be present at the time of pick up. It will be a drive through pick-up process, and parents need to come to the back side of Building B like it was for summer student lunches.
Please click here for the Technology Survey
Thank you for your patience.
School supply list: This is just a basic list. Teachers may require additional materials for class once we return to campus.
Please click here for the School Supplies List
How to set up your Harmony Portal: Please see link below on how to access your Harmony portal.
Please click here for the link
How to log into Skyward: Please see directions in link on how to access Skyward.
Please click here for the link
Thank you for your flexibility and patience. We look forward to a great school year.
Harmony Public Schools Reopening FAQ: Operations & Health
Note: This document is intended as a simplified version of our Harmony Public Schools “Back to School Playbook 2020-2021.” For further information or clarification on any topic, please refer to the Playbook.
When will campuses re-open?
As of August 1, 2020, campuses are scheduled to open Tuesday, September 8 for in-person learning to those students who wish to attend in person. Families may also elect to continue learning in a virtual setting from home.
Could the campus reopening date change?
Possibly. Harmony Public Schools is closely following guidance from the Texas Education Agency, public health officials, and others in determining when to reopen our campuses. Our top priority is ensuring the safety of our students, team members, and communities while preserving academic continuity for our learners.
What safety measures will be in place when campuses open?
Harmony is instituting a wide variety of health protocols, which are described in detail in “Back to School Playbook 2020-2021.” Among the new measures are:
How often will the campus and/or my student’s work station be cleaned and disinfected.
At the end of the day, custodial services will clean and sanitize all desk surfaces including seat, chair back, desk, any dividers if available with soap and water or all-purpose cleaning agents and sanitizers that meet state and local food safety regulations. Staff, including teachers, may also perform more frequent cleanings throughout the day, as needed.
What happens if a child or staff member attending school on-campus tests positive for COVID-19, is exposed to someone who is positive, or displays symptoms of COVID-19?
Anyone displaying the signs or symptoms of COVID-19 should follow below self-quarantine policy:
Exposure (confirmed or unconfirmed) or Illness with Positive Testing
The following criteria must be met in FULL:
at least three days (72 hours) have passed since recovery (resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications);
the individual has improvement in symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath); and
at least 14 days have passed since symptoms first appeared.
Exposure (confirmed or unconfirmed) or Illness with Negative Testing or MD Note
If an individual has symptoms of COVID-19 and wants to return to campus before completing the above stay at home period, the following criteria must be met in FULL:
Either obtain a medical professional’s note clearing the individual for return based on an alternative diagnosis OR obtain a negative COVID-19 test AND
at least three days (72 hours) have passed since recovery (resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications).
Exposure (confirmed or unconfirmed) or Illness with No Testing and No U.S. Based Medical Provider’s Note
The following criteria must be met in FULL:
at least three days (72 hours) have passed since recovery (resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications);
the individual has improvement in symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath); and
at least 14 days have passed since symptoms first appeared.
Proof of negative COVID tests or U.S. based medical provider’s alternative diagnosis delivered to campus health staff or registrar if no health staff is available OR
when all three of the following criteria are met:
At least three days (72 hours) have passed since recovery (resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications);
The individual has improvement in symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath); and
At least 14 days have passed since symptoms first appeared.
For more information on quarantine measures, including requirements for specific scenarios, see the “Back to School Playbook 2020-2021.”
Can parents visit their child at school during the school day?
Harmony is asking parents to limit visits to campus only to necessary appointments which cannot be done through virtual meetings. Harmony requests that all in-person visits be scheduled in advance. All visitors who enter the building will be required to wear a face covering and those who proceed beyond the reception area (pre-arranged and approved appointments) will follow campus guidelines for visitors.
How do I purchase uniforms for the new school year?
Uniforms can be ordered online using the Revtrak online ordering site listed on your campus website. Uniforms will be available to pick up once campuses reopen. Campuses will remain flexible with the enforcement of uniform policies until families are given an appropriate amount of time to order and pick up uniforms. Students will not be required to wear uniforms for online learning.
Will drop-off and pick-up change?
Yes. Both drop-off and pick-up times will be staggered to limit potential cross-exposure among persons.
What will lunchtime and breakfast look like?
Lunch will be served in the classrooms, however breakfast may be served either in the classrooms or in the cafeteria based on the number of students attending in-person. If eating in the cafeteria, students will be socially distanced.
Before and after meals or snacks all students and staff will also be able to wash their hands or use hand sanitizer.
Can I eat lunch with my child on campus?
At this time, due to COVID-19, parents and visitors will not be permitted to visit students during mealtimes.
Can I bring lunch to my child on campus?
Parents bringing food during the school day is prohibited. Students who forget their lunch will be provided a school meal.
Harmony Public Schools Reopening FAQ: Academics
Note: This document is intended as a simplified version of our Harmony Public Schools “Back to School Playbook 2020-2021.” For further information or clarification on any topic, please refer to the Playbook.
What do I need to learn from home?
Students will need access to a computer device and the internet to complete schoolwork from home. Students without consistent access to either may receive them from their Harmony campus. Campuses will begin distributing them via drive-through pick-ups starting the first week of August. Additionally, students may find that headphones, especially noise-canceling headphones, are helpful for online learning, however they are not required.
Will I need to shop for school supplies?
Yes. All students regardless of learning location (i.e. home or campus) will be completing assignments alongside their peers using the supplies listed by their campus.
Is anything different about online learning this year?
Yes, quite a bit. Harmony has upgraded its online learning by switching to a new system called Schoology. Through Schoology, students will be able to interact and engage with their teachers and peers in real-time throughout the school day to provide and more advanced and enriching school experience. Families will also have full access to grades, progress reports, assignments, classroom learning materials, calendars, and more from within the Schoology platform, providing a simple one-stop-shop for all things related to their student’s learning experience. Students and families will receive more instruction on accessing and logging into Schoology as classes begin.
Will online learners be taught differently than on-campus learners?
No. All students will be taught using the same material and at the same pace by the same Harmony teacher. In most cases, online learners will be taught simultaneously alongside their on-campus peers, unless the student is taking part in asynchronous learning (i.e independent learning outside normal school hours).
How will grades be calculated?
Grades will be counted on the traditional 0-100 scale. The “pass/fail” grading system that was implemented out of necessity during the Spring 2020 semester will not be used.
What hours of the day will online classes be taught?
Your campus will announce the specific schedule for your student, but generally speaking, classes will be taught online in real-time by their teachers during normal school hours (instructional minutes may vary by grade, according to Texas Education Agency requirements). This is called “synchronous learning.” A sample schedule can be found in the Harmony “Back to School Playbook 2020-2021.” Students needing to learn outside this timeframe can choose to learn independently. This is called “asynchronous learning.”
What rules or expectations are there for online learners?
Synchronous online learners will be asked to comply with the following rules:
How will absences and attendance be counted for online learning?
Students who are logged in and learning alongside their teacher and classmates during normal school hours (synchronous learning) will be counted in attendance when they lo in to learn.
Student who learn independently through self-guided instruction (asynchronous learning) will be counted in attendance when they meet daily learning benchmarks and/or turn in daily assignments by no later than 11:59 p.m. on the given schoolday.
What happens if my child doesn’t have a computer to do their schoolwork on while learning from home?
Harmony will supply a computer device and/or internet access for the purpose of completing schoolwork to any student that does not have consistent access at home. These will be provided beginning the first week of August and distributed by drive-through pickups at your nearby Harmony campus.
Will my child have to wear a Harmony uniform for online learning?
Students may choose to wear a uniform if they would like to when learning online, however they are not required to. Instead, they are required to follow the dress code guidelines set forth for “Free Dress Days” set forth in the Student & Parent Handbook. This states:
“Garments must be free of holes, tears, inappropriate wording, logos, messages or advertising. No short, skin tight, or legging dresses, or skirts may be worn. All dresses must have sleeves. Students may not wear low cut, midriff-baring, or backless blouses. Students may wear jeans, but they cannot be tight pants including jeggings, tights or skinny style pants. Clothing items must not depict images of violence.”
Technology Survey
Harmony School of Technology Technology Survey Form
Dear Parents and Guardians,
In response to recent school closures because of COVID-19, we are gathering information about the ability of our students to continue learning at home using online materials and/or a virtual classroom. Please complete the technology survey that has been sent to all families in a previous email in order to help us understand the availability of internet and electronic devices in your home. If you are unable to find it, we will also be sending a new email after this message that contains the same survey link. Based on your survey answers, if your student is determined to be in need of a Chromebook and a hotspot device, we will work to provide such things to support continued learning at home. Once you open the survey, we ask you to fill it out completely, once per student, therefore if you have multiple students please fill out the survey multiple times. Please complete the survey by this Friday, August 7th.
Survey link
Need a computer for virtual learning? Harmony can help
Families have enough to concentrate on these days without having to worry if their child has the tools they need to complete their schoolwork.
If your child doesn’t have consistent access to a computer device or the internet to complete schoolwork during virtual learning, Harmony Public Schools is here to help.
Beginning the first week of August, Harmony campuses across the state will be offering drive-by technology pickup days where families can pick up free computer devices and internet access solutions (ex. WiFi hot spot) for students to use to complete virtual learning during the 2020-2021 school year.
Last spring, about 4,000 Harmony students took advantage of our device-lending program, or about 1-in-every-8 students.
Through these devices, students and families will be able to access Harmony’s new learning management program Schoology. Through Schoology, students will be able to interact with both teachers and peers in a more in-depth, interactive learning experience that includes both live and on-demand classes, academic tutoring, interventions services, parent-teacher conferencing, and even extracurricular activities.
Families will also have full access to grading, assignments, schedules, progress reports, and messaging with Schoology, placing all a family’s educational tools in one easy-to-use program.
Best of all, when the time to return to campus comes, the student’s Schoology account will follow them back to campus, easing the transition for students, families, and teachers.
To find out when your campus will host its technology pickup day, follow them on Facebook.
To learn more about Harmony’s 2020-2021 reopening plan, visit https://www.HarmonyTX.org/ReOpening.