Weslaco Independent School District Student Handbook 2020-2021 Priscilla Canales, Ph.D. Superintendent If you have difficulty assessing the information in this document because of disability, please contact Sue Peterson at [email protected] or (956)969-6534. Weslaco Independent School District Student Handbook Contents Preface Parents and Students: .................................................................................................................... 12 Accessibility..................................................................................................................................................................... 13 Consent, Opt‐Out, and Refusal Rights ................................................................................................................... 13 Consent to Conduct a Psychological Evaluation or 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 ........................ 15 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, Analysis, or Evaluation .............................................................................................................................................................. 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 .......................................................................................... 18 Religious or Moral Beliefs ..................................................................................................................................... 18 Tutoring or Test Preparation ............................................................................................................................... 18 Right of Access to Student Records, Curriculum Materials, and District Records/Policies ............ 19 Instructional Materials ........................................................................................................................................... 19 Notices of Certain Student Misconduct to Noncustodial Parent ........................................................... 19 Participation in Federally Required, State‐Mandated, and District Assessments .......................... 19 Student Records ........................................................................................................................................................ 19 Accessing Student Records ............................................................................................................................. 19 Authorized Inspection and Use of Student Records ............................................................................ 20 Teacher and Staff Professional Qualifications .............................................................................................. 22 A Student with Exceptionalities or Special Circumstances ......................................................................... 23 Children of Military Families ............................................................................................................................... 23 Parental Role in Certain Classroom and School Assignments ................................................................ 23 Multiple‐Birth Siblings ..................................................................................................................................... 23 Page 1 of 106 Weslaco Independent School District Student Handbook Safety Transfers/Assignments...................................................................................................................... 23 Student Use of a Service/Assistance Animal ................................................................................................. 24 A Student in the Conservatorship of the State (Foster Care) .................................................................. 2 4 A Student Who Is Homeless ................................................................................................................................. 25 A Student Who Has Learning Difficulties or Who Needs Special Education or Section 504 Services ......................................................................................................................................................................... 25 Special Education Referrals ........................................................................................................................... 25 Contact Person for Special Education Referrals .................................................................................... 26 Section 504 Referrals ........................................................................................................................................ 26 Contact Person for Section 504 Referrals ................................................................................................ 26 Notification to Parents of Intervention Strategies for Learning Difficulties Provided to Students in General Education ...................................................................................................................... 27 A Student Who Receives Special Education Services with Other School‐Aged Children in the Home .............................................................................................................................................................................. 27 A Student Who Speaks a Primary Language Other than English .......................................................... 27 A Student with Physical or Mental Impairments Protected under Section 504 ............................. 27 Absences/Attendance ................................................................................................................................................. 28 Compulsory Attendance ........................................................................................................................................ 28 Prekindergarten and Kindergarten ............................................................................................................ 28 Ages 6–18 .............................................................................................................................................................. 28 Age 19 and Older ................................................................................................................................................ 28 Exemptions to Compulsory Attendance .......................................................................................................... 28 All Grade Levels ................................................................................................................................................... 28 Secondary Grade Levels ................................................................................................................................... 29 Failure to Comply with Compulsory Attendance ......................................................................................... 29 All Grade Levels ................................................................................................................................................... 29 Students with Disabilities ............................................................................................................................... 29 Ages 6–18 .............................................................................................................................................................. 29 Age 19 and Older ...............................................................................................................................................