COVID-19
HARMONY PUBLIC SCHOOLS’ RESPONSE
For the past 20 years, Harmony Public Schools has established an educational model built strongly on the foundations of science-based learning and responsible citizenship in our communities.
Currently, all available science from community health experts continues to tell us that the best way to be responsible members of our communities is to have our students and staff remain at home.
This is why we have determined that it is in the best interest of our students, team members, and communities to discontinue in-person schooling at our campuses and administrative offices statewide until further notice.
While these facilities remain closed instruction and learning at Harmony schools will continue. Our classes are operating online through our established digital learning tools, taking advantage of many of the technology tools and blended learning methods already practiced in Harmony’s physical classrooms. Because our teachers and school leaders will remain available to guide our students each school day, we anticipate instructional continuity during these unusual and difficult times.
(For more information on our at-home learning program, visit HarmonyTX.org/AtHome . To request access to a chromebook or internet access, contact your child’s campus.)
We will also continue to offer free meal services to children in our communities, as local and state safety guidelines allow.
We thank you for your support and understanding in making this critical decision. We also are profoundly grateful for the extreme determination and Harmony pride shown by both our students and team members these past several weeks. Time and again you have proven why Harmony Public Schools is an institution where excellence is the standard.
We will continue to provide timely updates as new, relevant information comes available, and inform you immediately if our campuses reopen prior to the end of the school year.
Thank you and be well,
Resources for Families
Frequently Asked Questions
What should parents do if they suspect their child is ill?
Parents and guardians can help to keep their child, our schools, and community healthy by:
- Observing their child for signs of infection which may include coughing, colds, fever, itching on the skin and scalp and unusual rashes.
- Keeping sick students at home and seeking medical attention for severe illness.
- Reinforcing the importance of good hand hygiene.
- Adopting healthy practices, such as disposing of used tissues, coughing into a sleeve rather than into a hand, and not touching one’s eyes, nose, and mouth
- Keeping children home until free of fever for 24 hours (without the aid of fever reducing medication)
- Keeping children home until diarrhea free for 24 hours (without the aid of anti-diarrheal medication)
- Receiving the flu vaccine
What is Harmony Public Schools doing to ensure the health and safety of students and staff?
The safety of our students and team members is our top priority. Harmony Public Schools follows the guidance and expertise of national and local health officials to help protect our students and staff from all communicable diseases. HPS will continue to be in communication with our local partners and stand ready to take all appropriate measures. We will continue to closely monitor all developments and remain in communication with public health officials.
Our campus custodial staff will also continue to disinfect campuses each day to help offset the spread of communicable illnesses. We also ask our students and team members to do their part by following the following recommendations;
- Frequently wash hands with soap for at least 20 seconds;
- Cover mouth with coughing;
- Avoid touching eyes, mouth, or nose;
- Disinfect frequently-used surfaces and objects;
- Seek medical attention if you are experiencing a fever or symptoms of respiratory illness.
What is COVID-19, commonly known as “Coronavirus?”
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that range from the common cold to severe respiratory illnesses. COVID-19, the shorthand name for “Coronavirus Disease 2019,” is a new (or “novel”) strand of coronavirus first detected in China that has now spread to more than 70 locations. The virus is spread through person-to-person contact with infected individuals.
While the virus can be fatal to older individuals or those with underlying health conditions, the large majority of COVID-19 cases are mild. Typical symptoms for mild cases include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Symptoms typically present with 2-14 days after exposure.
Harmony Public School urges individuals experiencing these symptoms or who have been in contact with a person known to have COVID-19 to seek medical advice.