HPS Student and Parent Handbook 2019-2020

8. The HPS medication administration form must be filled by the
treating physician in order for the health staff to administer
any medication.
9. Only medications for anaphylaxis or asthma (eg epi-pens and
inhalers) may be self-carried and permission to self-carry
must be indicated on the completed doctor’s orders, along
with parent signature. Orders for self-carry medications must
be kept in the school health office.
Changes to daily medications require written instruction from the
physician or ANP and written permission from the parent. Parents
are responsible for advising the school office that a medication has
been discontinued.
Asthma and Anaphylaxis Medication
Asthma and anaphylaxis are life-threatening conditions, and
students with those conditions are entitled to possess and selfadminister
prescription medication while on school property or at
school-related events with physicians’ orders.
Student possession and self-administration of asthma or
anaphylaxis medication at school requires the student to
demonstrate his or her ability to self-administer the medication to
the student’s physician or other licensed health care provider and
the school health staff, if available. Requirements also include
written authorization from the student’s parent and physician or
other licensed health care provider on file in the school office
indicating the student is capable of independently administering
his or her own asthma or emergency anaphylaxis medication.
Medication in a student’s possession must be in an original
container with a prescription label. Please note that most
pharmacies will place a label on the inhaler device upon request.
Food Allergy Information
(1) The parent of each student enrolled at the school must
complete a form provided by the School that discloses (1) whether
the child has a food allergy or a severe food allergy that should be
disclosed to the School to enable the School to take any necessary
precautions regarding the child’s safety and
(2) specifies the food(s) to which the child is allergic and the nature
of the allergic reaction.
For purposes of this requirement, the term “severe food allergy”
means a dangerous or life-threatening reaction of the human body
to a food-borne allergen introduced by inhalation, ingestion, or
skin contact that requires immediate medical attention.
(3) The School may also require information from a child’s
physician if the child has food allergies.
(4) If your child suffers from life-threatening food allergies, it is
important to contact your school health office to obtain an
Anaphylaxis & Food Allergy Action Form as well as a Special
Dietary Accommodations form. This form should be filled out
annually by your medical professional and given to the school
health office along with any necessary medications such as Epi-
Pens. If your child already has a 504 plan or you would like to refer
him/her for Section 504 due to severe food allergy, please contact
the Campus Special Education/504 Coordinator.
Food allergy information forms will be maintained in the child’s
student records, and shall remain confidential. Information
provided on food allergy information forms may be disclosed to
teachers, school counselors, school health staff, and other
appropriate school personnel only to the extent consistent with
Board policy and as permissible under the Family Educational
Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (“FERPA”).
Potty Trained
All students entering Harmony Public Schools must be potty
trained unless it states otherwise in their Individualized Health
Plan (IHP) or Individualized Education Plan (IEP).
Fitness Testing
According to requirements under state law, the school will
annually assess the physical fitness of students. The school is not
required to assess a student for whom, as a result of disability or
other condition identified by rule or law, the assessment exam is
inappropriate. Annually, the coaches will conduct a physical
fitness assessment mandated by the state of students in grades 3
– 12 and all students in physical education and or athletics in 9 -
12. These evaluations include physical activity tests such as mile
and pacer tests as well as gathering data such a student height and
weight. At the end of testing, the campus may send the results to
all parent/guardian or make results available upon parent request.
Dyslexia and Related Disorders
At the end of each school year, all kindergarten and first grade
students will be screened for dyslexia and related disorders. From
time to time, other students may also be screened and treated for
dyslexia related disorders in accordance with programs, rules, and
standards approved by the State of Texas. Parents will be notified
should the school determine a need to identify or assist a student
diagnosed with dyslexia or related disorder.
Vision and Hearing Screenings
All children enrolled in Texas schools must be screened for
possible vision and hearing problems in accordance with
regulations issued by the Texas Department of State Health
Services. Students shall be screened for vision and hearing
problems annually at any time during the year prior to May 31.
Screening records for individual students may be inspected by the
Texas Department of State Health Services or a local health
department, and may be transferred to another school without
parental consent.
26 | Revised in July 2019