As a parent or guardian, you have the fundamental right to make decisions regarding the upbringing and care of your child. Our role as a school district is to serve as a supportive partner by providing high-quality academic instruction while also promoting students’ overall well-being so they can remain focused and successful in school.
School personnel encourage students to discuss any well-being concerns with you and may assist in facilitating those conversations when appropriate. Staff members are also responsible for keeping parents informed regarding observations related to a student’s mental, emotional, or physical health. You have the right to access your child’s educational and health records at any time.
Teachers and staff may periodically check in with students about their well-being (for example, by asking how they are feeling). In some cases, more structured support may be appropriate. If school personnel determine that a student would benefit from additional structured observation (“monitoring”), you will be notified.
In accordance with Senate Bill 12, Texas House Bill 1525, and Texas Education Code
§§ 33.004–33.006, 37.0832, and 38.351, school districts are required to provide guidance and prevention education in elementary and secondary schools.
Leander ISD provides programs in the following areas as mandated by the State Board of Education:
Bullying/Cyberbullying Prevention, Intervention, and Postvention (TEC §37.0832)
Responsible Decision-Making, Positive Relationships, and Problem-Solving Skills (TEC §38.351)
School Engagement (TEC §33.006)
Grief-Informed and Trauma-Informed Practices (TEC §38.351)
High School and Post-Secondary Planning (TEC §§33.005–33.006)
Mental Health Promotion and Intervention (TEC §38.351)
Safe, Supportive, and Positive School Climate (TEC §38.351)
Substance Abuse Prevention and Intervention (TEC §38.351)
For all elementary grade levels, Leander ISD uses the Second Step curriculum to meet these requirements. Weekly lessons focus on four key areas:
Skills for Learning
Empathy
Emotion Management
Problem Solving
For most guidance topics, parental consent is not required. However, the district is required to notify parents and provide the opportunity to opt out.
If you wish to opt your child out of specific lessons or topics, you may submit written notice to your child’s school counselor.
In accordance with TEC §28.004(q-6), the following topics require written parent/guardian consent before instruction may be provided:
Child Abuse
Family and/or Dating Violence
Human Trafficking
Awareness and education on abuse and violence are essential for prevention and intervention. The content is designed to foster important conversations between children and their parents or guardians about personal safety.
A separate consent form will be sent at least two weeks before instruction on any of these topics. Elementary students receive this instruction through the Second Step Child Protection Unit. Additional information is available [here].
Before administering any well-being questionnaire to your child, the school will provide you with a copy of the questionnaire or form. The school will proceed only after receiving your written consent.
Your consent for services will remain in effect through the end of the current school year unless you submit a written change during the year.
We will make every effort to notify you in advance of any proposed changes to services related to your student’s mental, emotional, or physical health and well-being. If prior notification is not possible, you will be informed within three school days.
☐ I acknowledge that I have received notification regarding the district’s guidance and prevention education curriculum.
I understand that:
General guidance curriculum topics do not require parental consent, but I may opt my child out in writing.
Instruction on Child Abuse, Family/Dating Violence, and Human Trafficking requires separate written consent.
State-mandated guidance and prevention education is provided, and elementary instruction is delivered through the Second Step curriculum.
Linked here is a copy of a sample well-being questionnaire. Schools may administer questionnaires that include some or all of the questions listed.
☐ Yes, I consent to the school administering well-being questionnaires to my child.
☐ No, I do not consent.