Procedures Explained

According to Policy IIA, the superintendent is responsible for creating, implementing, and periodically updating procedures for implementing this policy. Those procedures include several processes that are explained here.

• a process for identifying instructional materials, including supplementary materials, with sexually explicit content;

HCS Curriculum Leaders will annually review their curricula to identify instructional materials with sexually explicit content and communicate that information to the public via this website.

Supplemental materials are resources that enhance the learning experience by adding detail, background, or context. The nature of supplemental materials may be time sensitive, such as current events, videos, or social media. When possible, teachers will notify parents via ParentSquare of the use of supplemental instructional materials with sexually explicit content 30 days in advance. However, due to the nature of supplemental instructional materials, less advance notice may be given. In these cases, the teacher vouches that the supplemental instructional materials are of the highest quality and will have a significant impact on learning and a minimum of 48 hours prior notice via ParentSquare will be given.

• a process for identifying, prior to the start of each school year, any instructional material that includes sexually explicit content that may be used during the upcoming school year;

HCS Curriculum Leaders will annually review their curricula to identify instructional materials with sexually explicit content and communicate that information to the Curriculum, Assessment, and Instruction (CIA) department. The CIA department will organize this information into a spreadsheet that will be linked to the division website and shared with curriculum leaders. Curriculum leaders can edit the spreadsheet to keep it current. As edits are made, updates will be reflected on the division website.

• a process by which schools will provide written notice to parents at least 30 days prior to the use of any instructional materials with sexually explicit content, that (a) specifically identifies the instructional materials with sexually explicit content, (b) informs parents of their right to review such instructional materials, and (c) informs parents of their right to have their child use, upon request, in a non-punitive manner, alternative instructional materials that do not include sexually explicit content;

HCS teachers will notify parents via ParentSquare at least 30 days prior to the use of instructional materials with sexually explicit content. Every notice will include a description of the instructional materials, a statement of the parents' rights to review the instructional materials, and an option to choose an equitable alternative that does not include sexually explicit content. Teachers may also include a justification for the use of instructional materials with sexually explicit content, but it is not required.

• a process by which parents may change their decision with respect to the use of alternative instructional materials by providing written notice;

After notification of the use of instructional materials with sexually explicit content via ParentSquare, parents may opt to choose an equitable alternative that does not include sexually explicit content. After choosing an equitable alternative, the parents change may their minds for any reason and decide to allow their students to use the instructional materials with sexually explicit content.

If this happens, the parent must inform the teacher by email at least 1 school day in advance. If the email is sent on a Monday, then the student will have access to the original instructional materials by Wednesday. If the email is sent on a Friday or the day before a school closing, then the student will have access to the original material by Tuesday or 1 school day after school reopens.

The email from the parents should include

• • • their first and last names

    • the first and last name of their student

    • the name of the class

    • the class period

    • a valid contact phone number

• a process for maintaining a current list of instructional materials with sexually explicit content by grade and subject matter on the division’s website; and

HCS Curriculum Leaders will annually review their curricula to identify instructional materials with sexually explicit content and communicate that information to the Curriculum, Assessment, and Instruction (CIA) department. The CIA department will organize this information into a spreadsheet that will be linked to the division website and shared with curriculum leaders. Curriculum leaders can edit the spreadsheet to keep it current. As edits are made, updates will be reflected on the division website.

• a process for online access for parental review of instructional materials that includes sexually explicit content unless such review is not technically feasible or is prohibited by copyright protection. The process shall include provisions requiring schools to have instructional materials including sexually explicit content available for review by parents.

HCS Curriculum Leaders will annually review their curricula to identify instructional materials with sexually explicit content and communicate that information to the public via this website. Included on this website under the Parents tab, will be links to sites that provide content reviews. Parents and students may read these reviews. In addition, parents may request physical copies of the instructional materials if they are available by emailing the teacher.