Pflugerville ISD Student Handbook 2021–22 School Year If you have difficulty accessing the information in this document because of disability, please contact the district at www.pfisd.net or 512.594.0000. Mission The mission of Pflugerville ISD is to provide an inspiring, engaging, and relevant education that empowers students to reach their full potential as productive members of a diverse global community. Vision Pflugerville ISD... Passionately Serving the Best Interests of Students. Beliefs We Believe: ● Diversity is our strength ● All individuals have worth ● Relationships are foundational to success ● A safe and nurturing environment is non-negotiable ● All students have the right to diverse educational opportunities ● Social-emotional learning is as critical as academic focus ● Civic-mindedness must be explicitly cultivated in our students ● Community partnerships and high expectations improve student outcomes ● Innovation and a strong work ethic ensure excellence Pflugerville ISD Student Handbook 1 Contents Pflugerville ISD Student Handbook 1 Preface Parents and Students: 11 Accessibility 12 Section One: Parental Rights 13 Consent, Opt-Out, and Refusal Rights 13 Consent to Conduct a Psychological Evaluation 13 Consent to Provide a Mental-Health Care Service 13 Consent to Display a Student’s Original Works and Personal Information 13 Consent to Receive Parenting and Paternity Awareness Instruction if a Student is under Age 14 14 Consent to Video or Audio Record a Student when Not Already Permitted by Law 14 Prohibiting the Use of Corporal Punishment 14 Limiting Electronic Communications between Students and District Employees 14 Objecting to the Release of Directory Information 15 Objecting to the Release of Student Information to Military Recruiters and Institutions of Higher Education (Secondary Grade Levels Only) 16 Participation in Third-Party Surveys 16 Consent Required Before Student Participation in a Federally Funded Survey 16 “Opting Out” of Participation in Other Types of Surveys or Screenings and the Disclosure of Personal Information 17 Removing a Student from Instruction or Excusing a Student from a Required Component of Instruction 17 Human Sexuality Instruction 17 Reciting a Portion of the Declaration of Independence in Grades 3–12 18 Reciting the Pledges to the U.S. and Texas Flags 19 Religious or Moral Beliefs 19 Tutoring or Test Preparation 19 Right of Access to Student Records, Curriculum Materials, and District Records/Policies 19 Instructional Materials 19 Notices of Certain Student Misconduct to Noncustodial Parent 20 Participation in Federally Required, State-Mandated, and District Assessments 20 Pflugerville ISD Student Handbook 2 Student Records 20 Accessing Student Records 20 Authorized Inspection and Use of Student Records 21 Teacher and Staff Professional Qualifications 25 A Student with Exceptionalities or Special Circumstances 26 Children of Military Families 26 Parental Role in Certain Classroom and School Assignments 26 Multiple-Birth Siblings 26 Safety Transfers/Assignments 26 Student Use of a Service/Assistance Animal 27 A Student in the Conservatorship of the State (Foster Care) 27 A Student Who Is Homeless 28 A Student Who Has Learning Difficulties or Who Needs Special Education or Section 504 Services 28 Special Education Referrals 29 Contact Person for Special Education Referrals 29 Section 504 Referrals 30 Contact Person for Section 504 Referrals 30 Notification to Parents of Intervention Strategies for Learning Difficulties Provided to Students in General Education 30 A Student Who Receives Special Education Services with Other School-Aged Children in the Home 30 A Student Who Speaks a Primary Language Other than English 31 A Student with Physical or Mental Impairments Protected under Section 504 31 Section Two: Other Important Information for Parents and Students 32 Compulsory Attendance 32 Prekindergarten and Kindergarten 32 Ages 6–18 32 Age 19 and Older 32 Compulsory Attendance—Exemptions 33 All Grade Levels 33 Secondary Grade Levels 33 Pflugerville ISD Student Handbook 3 Compulsory Attendance—Failure to Comply 34 All Grade Levels 34 Students with Disabilities 34 Ages 6–18 34 Age 19 and Older 34 Attendance for Credit or Final Grade (All Grade Levels) 35 Official Attendance-Taking Time (All Grade Levels) 35 Documentation after an Absence (All Grade Levels) 36 Doctor’s Note after an Absence for Illness (All Grade Levels) 36 Driver License Attendance Verification (Secondary Grade Levels Only) 36 Accountability under State and Federal Law (All Grade Levels) 37 Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery Test (Grades 10–12) 37 Awards and Honors (All Grade Levels) 37 Bullying (All Grade Levels) 37 Career and Technical Education (CTE) Programs (Secondary Grade Levels Only) 39 Celebrations (All Grade Levels) 40 Child Sexual Abuse, Trafficking, and Other Maltreatment of Children (All Grade Levels) 40 Warning Signs of Sexual Abuse 40 Warning Signs of Trafficking 41 Reporting and Responding to Sexual Abuse, Trafficking, and Other Maltreatment of Children 42 Further Resources on Sexual Abuse, Trafficking, and Other Maltreatment of Children 42 Class Rank/Highest-Ranking Student (Secondary Grade Levels Only) 43 Class Schedules (Secondary Grade Levels Only) 44 College and University Admissions and Financial Aid (All Grade Levels) 44 College Credit Courses (Secondary Grade Levels Only) 45 Communications—Automated (All Grade Levels) 45 Emergency 45 Nonemergency 45 Complaints and Concerns (All Grade Levels) 46 Conduct (All Grade Levels) 46 Pflugerville ISD Student Handbook 4 Applicability of School Rules 46 Campus Behavior Coordinator 46 Deliveries 47 Disruption of School Operations 47 Social Events 47 Counseling 47 Academic Counseling 48 Elementary and Middle/Junior High School Grade Levels 48 High School Grade Levels 48 Personal Counseling (All Grade Levels) 49 Course Credit (Secondary Grade Levels Only) 49 Credit by Examination—If a Student Has Taken the Course/Subject (Grades 6–12) 49 Credit by Examination for Advancement/Acceleration—If a Student Has Not Taken the Course/Subject 50 Kindergarten Acceleration 50 Students in Grades 1–5 50 Students in Grades 6–12 50 Dating Violence, Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation (All Grade Levels) 51 Dating Violence 51 Discrimination 51 Harassment 52 Sexual Harassment and Gender-Based Harassment 52 Retaliation 53 Reporting Procedures 53 Investigation of Report 53 Discrimination 54 Distance Learning (All Grade Levels) 54 Texas Virtual School Network (TXVSN) (Secondary Grade Levels) 54 Distribution of Literature, Published Materials, or Other Documents (All Grade Levels) 54 School Materials 54 Non School Materials 55 Pflugerville ISD Student Handbook 5 From Students 55 From Others 55 Dress and Grooming (All Grade Levels) 56 Electronic Devices and Technology Resources (All Grade Levels) 57 Possession and Use of Personal Telecommunications Devices, Including Cell Phones, and Other Electronic Devices 57 Instructional Use of Personal Telecommunications and Other Electronic Devices 58 Acceptable Use of District Technology Resources 58 Unacceptable and Inappropriate Use of Technology Resources 58 End-of-Course (EOC) Assessments 59 English Learners (All Grade Levels) 59 Extracurricular Activities, Clubs, and Organizations (All Grade Levels) 59 Standards of Behavior 60 Offices and Elections 60 Fees (All Grade Levels) 61 Fundraising (All Grade Levels) 61 Gang-Free Zones (All Grade Levels) 62 Gender-Based Harassment 62 Grade-Level Classification (Grades 9–12 Only) 62 Grading Guidelines (All Grade Levels) 62 Graduation (Secondary Grade Levels Only) 62 Requirements for a Diploma 62 Testing Requirements for Graduation 63 Foundation Graduation Program 63 Credits Required 64 Available Endorsements 65 FAFSA or TASFA 65 Personal Graduation Plans 66 Available Course Options for All Graduation Programs 66 Certificates of Coursework Completion 67 Students with Disabilities 67 Pflugerville ISD Student Handbook 6 Graduation Activities 67 Graduation Speakers 68 Graduation Expenses 69 Scholarships and Grants 69 Harassment 69 Hazing (All Grade Levels) 69 Health—Physical and Mental 70 Illness (All Grade Levels) 70 Immunization (All Grade Levels) 70 Lice (All Grade Levels) 71 Medicine at School (All Grade Levels) 71 Asthma and Severe Allergic Reactions 72 Steroids (Secondary Grade Levels Only) 72 Mental Health Support (All Grade Levels) 73 Physical Activity Requirements 74 Elementary School 74 Junior High/Middle School 74 Temporary Restriction from Participation in Physical Education 74 Physical Fitness Assessment (Grades 3–12) 74 Physical Health Screenings/Examinations 74 Athletics Participation (Secondary Grade Levels Only) 74 Spinal Screening Program 75 Other Examinations and Screenings (All Grade Levels) 75 Special Health Concerns (All Grade Levels) 75 Bacterial Meningitis (All Grade Levels) 75 Diabetes 75 Food Allergies (All Grade Levels) 75 Seizures (All Grade Levels) 76 Tobacco and E-Cigarettes Prohibited (All Grade Levels and All Others on School Property) 76 Health-Related Resources, Policies, and Procedures 76 Pflugerville ISD Student Handbook 7 Physical and Mental Health Resources (All Grade Levels) 76 School Health Advisory Council (SHAC) (All Grade Levels) 77 Student Wellness Policy/Wellness Plan (All Grade Levels) 77 Homework (All Grade Levels) 78 Law Enforcement Agencies (All Grade Levels) 78 Questioning of Students 78 Students Taken into Custody 79 Notification of Law Violations 79 Leaving Campus (All Grade Levels) 80 During Lunch 80 At Any Other Time