Texas Education Code (TEC), §37.0832(c), requires school districts to adopt policies and procedures concerning bullying prevention. TEC, §12.104(b)(3)(Q), also subjects open-enrollment charter schools to this requirement. Senate Bill 2050, 87th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2021, added TEC, §37.0832(c-1), which requires the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to adopt minimum standards for the bullying prevention policies and procedures adopted under TEC, §37.0832(c).
HISD will teach bullying prevention during SEL and Health lessons.
To report an allegation of bullying contact your campus administrator, email stopbullying@hisd.com, or report anonymously HERE.
Human trafficking is defined as a form of abuse or neglect under the Texas Family Code, Section 261.001. All individuals have a duty to immediately report suspected abuse or neglect to law enforcement or the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS).
Each school district must provide child abuse anti-victimization programs in elementary and secondary schools (Texas Education Code § 38.004). In accordance with Texas Administrative Code § 61.1051, each school district and open-enrollment charter school must adopt policies that include programs consisting of age-appropriate, research-based prevention designed to promote self-protection and prevent sexual abuse and trafficking.
If you suspect a child is in immediate danger, call 911.
For all other cases in Texas, call the abuse and neglect hotline at 1-800-252-5400.
HISD has not opted to approve any additional Sexual Health curriculum beyond the TEKS aligned curriculum at this time. Additionally, it was not recommended by the Student Health Advisory Committee (SHAC).
Any lessons on reproduction begin in the 4th grade Health TEKS.
The HISD board approved curriculum resources are:
Quaver Ed (grades PK-5)
Goodheart-Wilcox (grades 6 - Health II)
The complete TEA Health TEKS can be found HERE.
If you would like to view the Quaver Ed. or Goodheart-Wilcox materials, please reach out to your campus principal.
HISD Board Policy - covers selection and procedures for challenging a book.
Follett Destiny- Search books in our library.
Goodreads- Goodreads is a book finding tool for readers of all ages. Browse reviews posted by fellow readers, follow favorite authors, and network with people who are reading the same kind of books as you are!
Substance abuse prevention involves helping individuals develop the knowledge, attitudes, and skills needed to make good choices. The use of drugs during childhood and adolescence has more potential to disrupt brain function in areas critical to motivation, memory, learning, judgment, and behavior control, because the brain is still developing during these periods. Substance abuse prevention programs in schools foster protective factors, such as school connectedness and positive peer relationships, which can help students avoid engaging in risky behaviors and help students learn skills important to promoting healthy choices, such as decision making, goal setting, self-management, and bystander intervention.
HISD is training staff in Youth Mental Health First Aid.
Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA)
Teaches individuals who work or live with adolescents (ages 12 - 18) how to help these youth when they experience a mental health or substance use crisis.
Training includes identifying risk factors and warning signs of mental health and substance use problems that may start in adolescence; information on a 5-step action plan to help someone in crisis; and where to turn for help – professional, peer, and self-help resources.
Teaches about recovery and resiliency – the belief that individuals experiencing these challenges can and do get better and use their strengths to stay well.
A list of DSHS resources can be found HERE.
Read about the TEA requirements for schools HERE. From the listed programs, HISD is training staff in Youth Mental Health First Aide (see substance abuse tab).
Call: 800-273-8255 (800-273-TALK)
Chat online: suicidepreventionlifeline.org
Support for people who are deaf and hard of hearing: 800-799-4889
Crisis Text Line provides free, 24/7 crisis support and trains volunteers to support people in crisis.
Text: TX to 741741 for free, 24/7 crisis support in the U.S.
Visit: crisistextline.org
Discussing suicide in a neutral and factual manner decreases stigma and encourages others to open up about suicide. Download Language Matters: Talking About Suicide (PDF) for more information about speaking about suicide in a safe and caring manner.
It is important for parents to know how to talk to their youth about suicide prevention. To learn about connecting with youth to discuss thoughts of suicide, download the Youth Suicide Prevention (PDF).
A list of DSHS resources can be found HERE.