ACTION REQUIRED: Families should review the information below and log into their student’s Skyward account to complete the pop-up permission forms.

Senate Bill 12, passed during the 89th Legislative session, requires school districts to obtain parent permission for student club participation as well as health services and school-based counseling and support services. It also contains requirements for sharing instructional plans and the prohibition of assisting with social transitioning. The new laws go into effect for the 2025-2026 school year. Families should review the information below and log into their student’s Skyward account to complete the pop-up permission forms.

Student Club Participation

SB 12 requires that parents give written consent before a student may participate in a student club authorized or sponsored by the school. School districts may not authorize or sponsor a student club based on sexual orientation or gender identity. All clubs authorized or sponsored by GCISD will be in accordance with all applicable laws and policies. 

If a parent does not give general permission, they will be contacted about each individual club or activity for which their student expresses interest in attending. A paper permission form will be sent home and must be completed and returned to the school prior to the student being permitted to attend or participate in any club meetings. 

Health Services

SB 12 requires that staff must have parent consent before providing a student with any care, unless it is a life-threatening emergency. This includes: 

• Assessment of minor injuries and providing basic first aid (like a scraped knee)

• Assessment and management of common health issues and illnesses

• Checking vital signs such as temperature, blood pressure, pulse rate, respiratory rate, and pulse oximetry 

• Monitoring chronic conditions and implementing care plans as appropriate

• Provide general health teaching to students on topics such as hygiene, illness prevention, and healthy habits

• Proving state mandated screenings 

• Administration of epinephrine delivery system for anaphylactic reaction or an opioid antagonist, such as Narcan or naloxone, in accordance with TEC and GCISD Board Policy

• Application of topical preparations such as Aloe Vera gel, first aid spray, Benadryl cream, etc. 

Additionally, you will find a full list of detailed services provided by GCISD campus nurses within the form in Skyward. 

School-Based Counseling Services and Support Services

SB 12 requires that parents give permission prior to student participation in school-based counseling and support services. This includes setting academic goals and creating academic plans, guidance lessons, developing social well-being, and access to our character education curriculum, known as Character Strong. 

What Support May Include:

• Setting academic goals and creating academic plans

• Developing social well-being

• Checking in about emotions, challenges, or concerns

• Learning coping strategies and managing stress

• Addressing school-related issues (e.g., attendance, test anxiety, behavior, peer conflict)

• Building friendship and conflict-resolution skills

• Guidance lessons utilizing the Character Strong program 

• Participating in short-term individual or group sessions on school-related topics* 

*Parents/guardians will be notified and asked for additional consent if individual or group counseling is recommended.

School Counseling Does Not Include: 

• Therapy or long-term mental health counseling

• Assistance with social transitioning

Sharing Instructional Plans

SB 12 requires that teachers share an instructional plan or course syllabus with parents at the start of each semester. Teachers will email parents directly using email addresses provided in Skyward. 

Prohibition of Assisting with Social Transitioning

SB 12 prohibits school district employees from assisting students with social transitioning, which includes helping them change their name, pronouns, or other expressions of gender identity that differ from their biological sex at birth. 

Any applicable GCISD policies will be amended to be in alignment with state law.

Please be sure to read the updates in this newsletter and/or in the last GCISD Update about Senate Bill 12, which impacts school counseling. All guidance lessons, groups (including our New Gator Lunch), and other counseling services are on pause while collect parental consent for counseling services. If you have any questions about what counseling looks like at Glenhope or in GCISD, please do not hesitate to reach out to me directly or to explore the GCISD Elementary Counselors webpage.