HPS Student and Parent Handbook 2019-2020

For Pre-kindergarten and Kindergarten Students: Current
Immunization record must be provided to the school during the
registration process. The students in these grade levels cannot
attend school unless all immunization requirements are met.
Immunizations received outside the United States
Vaccinations received outside the United States must be
adequately documented and comparable to the schedule and
dosage required by the State of Texas. Foreign immunization
records must be legible and officially certified.
Provisional Enrollment
A student may be enrolled provisionally for no more than 30 days
if he or she transfers from one Texas school to another, and is
awaiting the transfer of immunization records. A student may be
enrolled provisionally if the student has an immunization record
that indicates the student has received at least one dose of each
specified age-appropriate vaccine required by law.
To remain enrolled, the student must complete the required
subsequent doses in each vaccine series on schedule and as
rapidly, as is medically feasible and provide acceptable evidence
of vaccination to the school, per the catch-up schedule available
at https://www.dshs.texas.gov/immunize/schedule/#catchuppro.
Harmony Public Schools shall review the immunization status
of a provisionally enrolled student every 30 days to ensure
continued compliance in completing the required doses of
vaccination. If, at the end of the 30-day period, a student has not
received a subsequent dose of vaccine, the student is not in
compliance and the school shall exclude him or her from school
attendance until the required dose is administered.
A student who is homeless, as defined by the McKinney Act (42
U.S.C. § 11302), shall be admitted temporarily for 30 days if
acceptable evidence of vaccination is not available. The school
shall promptly refer the student to appropriate public health
programs to obtain the required vaccinations.
Exclusions from Immunization Requirements
Exclusions from immunization compliance are allowable on an
individual basis for medical reasons, reasons of conscience, and
active duty with the armed forces of the United States.
If a student should not be immunized for medical reasons, the
student must present a statement signed by the child’s physician
(M.D. or D.O.), duly registered and licensed to practice medicine
in the United States who has examined the child, in which it is
stated that, in the physician’s opinion, the vaccine required is
medically contraindicated or poses a significant risk to the health
and well-being of the child or any member of the child’s
household. Unless it is written in the statement that a lifelong
condition exists, the exemption statement is valid for only one
year from the date signed by the physician.
To claim an exclusion for reasons of conscience, including a
religious belief, a signed DSHS affidavit must be presented by the
student’s parent, stating that the student’s parent declines
vaccinations for reasons of conscience, including because of the
person’s religious beliefs. The affidavit will be valid for a two- year
period and the hard copy must be kept on the school campus.
Information for obtaining an affidavit for exclusion from
immunization requirements is available at
www.ImmunizeTexas.com. (click on the “School/Childcare
Requirements” link). The official DSHS affidavit form must be
notarized and submitted to the school office within 30 days of
enrollment. Harmony Public Schools will accept only official DSHS
affidavit forms developed and issued by DSHS; no other forms or
reproductions will be allowed. The student, who has not received
the required immunizations for reasons of conscience, including
religious beliefs, may be excluded from school in times of
emergency or epidemic declared by the commissioner of public
health.
To claim an exclusion for military service, the student must prove
that he or she is serving on active duty with the armed forces of
the United States.
If a parent seeks an exemption for more than one student, a
separate form must be provided for each student.
Immunization Records Reporting
The school’s record of your student’s immunization history, while
private in most instances, may be inspected by the Texas
Education Agency, local health departments and the Texas
Department of Health and transferred to other schools associated
with the transfer of your student to those schools.
Emergency Medical Treatment
If a student has a medical emergency at school or a school- related
activity and the parent cannot be reached, school employees will
seek emergency medical treatment unless a parent has previously
provided a written statement denying this authorization.
Therefore, parents are asked each year to complete an emergency
care consent form, which includes information about their
student’s allergies to medications, etc. Parents should keep
emergency care information up-to-date. Please contact the
Principal or secretary to update any information.
Illness During the School Day
Students becoming ill or injured during the school day are directed
to report to the health office. If the health staff is not available,
the student should report to the main office. Parents or other
persons designated on the student’s enrollment application will
be contacted as appropriate.
24 | Revised in July 2019