During the month of February, Academy learners will be provided guidance over violence prevention/healthy relationships. You received the below district email with a form to fill out so that we may include your child in this guidance lesson.
If you miss the deadline, your child can still participate in the guidance if a parent/guardian emails their counselor permission to attend the guidance. We are also happy to answer any questions you have about the guidance.

In the guidance, teens are empowered with potentially life-saving information on abuse, engage in role playing scenarios that distinguish between abusive and healthy relationships, and learn about community resources. They will also receive hotline cards that encourage them to call if they or a friend need help with abuse.

In compliance with Senate Bill 9 and House Bill 1525, all school districts in Texas are required to provide parents an “opt in” consent for their child to receive instruction in the required Texas Essential Knowledge & Skills (TEKS) for the following topics, rather than the previous “opt out” process:

• anti-victimization education (child abuse and human trafficking prevention);
• violence prevention (family violence prevention and healthy relationships); and
• reproductive health (grades 4, 5, 7 and health and biology classes for older students).

Topics vary by grade level and are designed to be developmentally and age-appropriate, in accordance with the state standards.

If you would like for your child to receive instruction and not be removed from the classroom when the above topics are taught, you will need to complete an “opt in” form by January 31, 2023, for your child. Parents will need your child’s student ID number to complete the form (available in the Parent Portal or by contacting your child’s school). Students who do not receive explicit parental consent (opt in) for this instruction will be removed from the classroom learning environment while the instruction for the above listed topics is provided. The content is available for students to learn on their own. More details are included in the form. The form takes approximately 3 minutes to complete. A non-response will default to your child not receiving instruction in the classroom environment as the statute clearly requires parents to opt in.

Urgent Action Needed: Please read and respond to the form(s) indicating whether you do or do not grant consent for your child(ren) to receive instruction on the topics outlined above in the classroom environment.

Link to form

After entering your child’s student ID number and the first three letters of the last name, you will receive the form to read and complete electronically.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this important matter.