KENNEDALE ISD 2021-2022 STUDENT HANDBOOK CONTENTS Preface Parents and Students Accessibility 10 Section One: Parental Rights 11 Consent, Opt-Out, and Refusal Rights 11 Consent to Conduct a Psychological Evaluation or Provide Mental Health Care Service 11 Consent to Display a Student’s Original Works and Personal Information 11 Consent to Receive Parenting/Paternity Awareness Instruction if Student is under Age 14 12 Consent to Video or Audio Record a Student when Not Already Permitted by Law 12 Prohibiting the Use of Corporal Punishment 12 Limiting Electronic Communications between Students and District Employees 13 Objecting to the Release of Directory Information 13 Objecting to Release of Student Information to Military Recruiters/Institutions of Higher Education (Secondary Grade Levels Only) 14 Participation in Third-Party Surveys 14 Consent Required Before Student Participation in a Federally Funded Survey, Analysis, or Evaluation 14 “Opting Out” of Participation in Other Types of Surveys/Screenings & the Disclosure of Personal Information 15 Removing or Excusing a Student from Instruction 15 Human Sexuality Instruction 15 Reciting a Portion of the Declaration of Independence in Grades 3–12 16 Reciting the Pledges to the U.S. and Texas Flags 16 Religious or Moral Beliefs 17 Tutoring or Test Preparation 17 Right of Access to Student Records, Curriculum Materials, District Records/Policies 17 Instructional Materials 17 Notices of Certain Student Misconduct to Noncustodial Parent 17 Participation in Federally Required, State-Mandated, and District Assessments 18 Student Records 18 Teacher and Staff Professional Qualifications 21 A Student with Exceptionalities or Special Circumstances 22 Children of Military Families 22 Parental Role in Certain Classroom and School Assignments 22 Multiple-Birth Siblings 22 Safety Transfers/Assignments 23 Student Use of a Service/Assistance Animal 23 A Student in the Conservatorship of the State (Foster Care) 23 A Student Who Is Homeless 24 A Student with Learning Difficulties/Needs Special Education/Section 504 Services 25 A Student with in-home Special Education Services with Other School-Aged Children 26 A Student Who Speaks a Primary Language Other than English 27 A Student with Physical or Mental Impairments Protected under Section 504 27 Special Education Referrals 25 Contact Person for Special Education Referrals 26 Section 504 Referrals 26 Contact Person for Section 504 Referrals 26 Parent Notification-Intervention Strategies for Learning Difficulties 26 Section Two: Other Important Information for Parents and Students 28 Absences/Attendance 28 Compulsory Attendance 28 Prekindergarten and Kindergarten 28 Ages 6–18 28 Age 19 and Older 28 Exemptions to Compulsory Attendance 29 All Grade Levels 29 Secondary Grade Levels 29 Failure to Comply with Compulsory Attendance 30 All Grade Levels 30 Students with Disabilities 30 Ages 6–18 30 Age 19 and Older 30 Attendance for Credit or Final Grade (All Grade Levels) 31 Official Attendance-Taking Time (All Grade Levels) 31 Documentation after an Absence (All Grade Levels) 32 Doctor’s Note after an Absence for Illness (All Grade Levels) 32 Driver License Attendance Verification (Secondary Grade Levels Only) 32 Accountability under State and Federal Law (All Grade Levels) 32 Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery Test (Grades 10–12) 33 Bullying (All Grade Levels) 33 Career and Technical Education (CTE) Programs (Secondary Grade Levels Only) 35 Celebrations (All Grade Levels) 36 Child Sexual Abuse, Trafficking, & Other Maltreatment of Children-ALL GRADES 36 Warning Signs of Sexual Abuse 36 Warning Signs of Trafficking 36 Reporting and Responding to Sexual Abuse, Trafficking, & Other Maltreatnt of ChildrenFurther Resources on Sexual Abuse, Trafficking, and Other Maltreatment of Children 36 Class Rank/Highest-Ranking Student (Secondary Grade Levels Only) 3 8 Clas Schedules (Secondary Grade Levels Only) 40 College and University Admissions and Financial Aid (All Grade Levels) 40 College Credit Courses (Secondary Grade Levels Only) 41 Communications—Automated (All Grade Levels) 42 Emergency 42 Nonemergency 42 Complaints and Concerns (All Grade Levels) 42 Conduct (All Grade Levels) 43 Applicability of School Rules 43 Campus Behavior Coordinator 43 Deliveries 43 Disruption of School Operations 43 Social Events 44 Counseling 44 Academic Counseling 44 Elementary and Middle/Junior High School Grade Levels 44 High School Grade Levels 45 Personal Counseling (All Grade Levels) 45 Course Credit (Secondary Grade Levels Only) 46 Credit by Examination—If a Student Has Taken the Course/Subject (Grades 6–12) 46 Credit by Examination for Advancement/Acceleration 46 If a Student Has Not Taken the Course/Subject 46 Kindergarten Acceleration 47 Students in Grades 1–5 47 Students in Grades 6–12 47 Dating Violence, Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation (All Grade Levels) 47 Dating Violence 47 Discrimination 48 Harassment 48 Sexual Harassment and Gender-Based Harassment 48 Retaliation 49 Reporting Procedures 49 Investigation of Report 50 Discrimination 50 Distance Learning (All Grade Levels) 50 Texas Virtual School Network (TXVSN) (Secondary Grade Levels) 51 Distribution of Literature, Published Materials, Other Documents (All Grade Levels) 52 School Materials 52 Non-school Materials 52 From Students 52 From Others 52 Dress and Grooming (All Grade Levels) 53 Electronic Devices and Technology Resources (All Grade Levels) 53 Possession and Use of Personal Telecommunications Devices, Including Cell Phones, Other Electronic Devices 53 Instructional Use of Personal Telecommunications and Other Electronic Devices 54 Acceptable Use of District Technology Resources 54 Unacceptable and Inappropriate Use of Technology Resources 54 End-of-Course (EOC) Assessments 55 English Learners (All Grade Levels) 55 Extracurricular Activities, Clubs, and Organizations (All Grade Levels) 55 Standards of Behavior 56 Offices and Elections 57 Fees (All Grade Levels) 57 Fundraising (All Grade Levels) 58 Gang-Free Zones (All Grade Levels) 58 Gender-Based Harassment 58 Grade-Level Classification (Grades 9–12 Only) 58 Grading Guidelines (All Grade Levels) 58 Graduation (Secondary Grade Levels Only) 58 Requirements for a Diploma 58 Testing Requirements for Graduation 59 Foundation Graduation Program 59 Credits Required 60 Available Endorsements 61 Personal Graduation Plans 61 Available Course Options for All Graduation Programs 62 Certificates of Coursework Completion 62 Students with Disabilities 62 Graduation Activities 63 Graduation Speakers 63 Graduation Expenses 63 Scholarships and Grants 64 Harassment 64 Hazing (All Grade Levels) 64 Health—Physical and Mental 64 Illness (All Grade Levels) 64 Immunization (All Grade Levels) 65 Lice (All Grade Levels) 66 Medicine at School (All Grade Levels) 66 Asthma and Severe Allergic Reactions 67 Steroids (Secondary Grade Levels Only) 67 Mental Health Support (All Grade Levels) 67 Physical Activity Requirements 68 Elementary School 68 Junior High/Middle School 69 Temporary Restriction from Participation in Physical Education 69 Physical Fitness Assessment (Grades 3–12) 69 Physical Health Screenings / Examinations 69 Athletics Participation (Secondary Grade Levels Only) 69 Spinal Screening Program 69 Other Examinations and Screenings (All Grade Levels) 70 Special Health Concerns (All Grade Levels) 70 Bacterial Meningitis (All Grade Levels) 70 Diabetes 70 Food Allergies (All Grade Levels) 70 Seizures (All Grade Levels) 71 Tobacco and E-Cigarettes Prohibited (All Grade Levels and All Others on School Property) 71 Health-Related Resources, Policies, and Procedures 71 Physical and Mental Health Resources (All Grade Levels) 71 Policies and Procedures that Promote Student PhysicaL & Mental Health (All Grade Levels) 71 School Health Advisory Council (SHAC) (All Grade Levels) 72 Student Wellness Policy/Wellness Plan (All Grade Levels) 72 Homework (All Grade Levels) 72 Law Enforcement Agencies (All Grade Levels) 72 Questioning of Students 72 Students Taken into Custody 73 Notification of Law Violations 73 Leaving Campus (All Grade Levels) 74 During Lunch 74 At Any Other Time during the School Day 74 Lost and Found (All Grade Levels) 75 Makeup Work 75 Makeup Work Because of Absence (All Grade Levels) 75 DAEP Makeup Work 76 Elementary and Middle/Junior High School Grade Levels Error! 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Grades 9–12 76 In-School Suspension (ISS)/Out-of-School Suspension (OSS) Makeup Work (All Grade Levels)76 Alternative Means to Receive Coursework 76 Opportunity to Complete Courses 76 Nondiscrimination Statement (All Grade Levels) 76 Nontraditional Academic Programs (All Grade Levels) 77 Parent and Family Engagement (All Grade Levels) 77 Working Together 77 Parking and Parking Permits (Secondary Grade Levels Only) 78 Pledges of Allegiance and a Minute of Silence (All Grade Levels) 79 Prayer (All Grade Levels) 79 Promotion and Retention 79 Elementary and Middle/Junior High Grade Levels 79 High School Grade Levels 81 Release of Students from School 81 Report Cards/Progress Reports and Conferences (All Grade Levels) 81 Retaliation 81 Safety (All Grade Levels) 82 Accident Insurance 82 Insurance for Career and Technical Education (CTE) Programs 82 Preparedness Drills: Evacuation, Severe Weather, and Other Emergencies 82 Preparedness Training: CPR and Stop the Bleed 82 Emergency Medical Treatment and Information 82 Emergency School Closing Information 83 SAT, ACT, and Other Standardized Tests 83 Schedule Changes (Middle/Junior High and High School Grade Levels) 83 School Facilities