Dear Parents/Guardians,

This summer the 88th Texas Legislature passed House Bill 114 (HB 114) in response to the growing concerns surrounding e-cigarettes and vaping among young people. This law mandates that any student found in possession of, using, selling, giving, or delivering an e-cigarette (a vape device) on school premises or at any school-affiliated event must receive a discipline consequence at the District’s Alternative Learning Center (ALC). Cypress-Fairbanks ISD will make necessary adjustments to the Student Code of Conduct in order to comply with this new law.

How this might impact your student:

1. If your student possesses an e-cigarette (even if it contains nothing) or any component, part or accessory for any vaping device while on school grounds or at a school-related event, they will be recommended for a mandatory placement at the ALC for at least 10 days for first-time e-cigarette offenses.
2. It is important to note your student assumes responsibility for any item knowingly within their possession, even if it is not their own.
3. When at the ALC, your student is not able to participate in any school activities. Furthermore, they may face removal from specific student clubs or organizations as stipulated by each organization's rules and regulations.
4. Students with ALC placements do not qualify for final exam exemptions for that school year.
5. Modified bus transportation is provided to the Alternative Learning Centers but is not provided to the elementary Special Opportunity School.

Parent/Guardian's next steps::

1. Please talk with your student to ensure they are informed about the new law.
2. Prompt your student to be aware of the contents of their backpack, vehicle, and personal belongings.
3. Remind your student not to allow friends to store prohibited items, such as e-cigarettes, in their backpack or vehicle, and discourage them from holding such items on behalf of others.
4. Talk with your student regarding the adverse health effects of vaping. We have shared resources below to help you start the conversation.
   1. Centers for Disease Control "Quick Facts on the Risks of E-cigarettes"
   2. CFISD's Substance Use, Awareness and Prevention Portal

We deeply appreciate your cooperation and support in ensuring that Cypress-Fairbanks ISD remains a safe, healthy, and thriving educational environment for all students. If you have any questions please contact your campus administration.

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Prior to the start of each school year, Texas State Law requires school districts to inform, in writing, the parent/guardian of each student enrolled in the district of the intent to offer human sexuality instruction (HSI).  As a part of the district’s curriculum to address the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), students receive instruction related to human sexuality. In the 4th-grade and 5th-grade Health curriculum, students receive instruction related to human development and reproduction.  The middle school and high school Health curriculum includes instruction in human sexuality.

Permission Process
Under Texas statute, parents must choose to "opt-in" for their student to attend the lesson(s). Permission letters, as well as a detailed schedule of curriculum, will be sent home a minimum of 14 days prior to the start of instruction.   Students who do not opt-in will be provided alternative lessons and will not be subject to disciplinary or academic penalties. 

Curriculum Review
Parents and guardians have the right to review all curriculum materials used in human sexuality instruction. In accordance with state law, a parent may review materials prior to the start of instruction.

Texas State Law Regarding Human Sexuality Instruction (HSI)
In accordance with Texas Education Code, Sec. 28.004, the district’s (HSI) course materials and instruction will:

1. present abstinence from sexual activity as the preferred choice of behavior in relationship to all sexual activity for unmarried persons of school age;

2. devote more attention to abstinence from sexual activity than to any other behavior;

3. emphasize that abstinence from sexual activity, if used consistently and correctly, is the only method that is 100 percent effective in preventing pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, infection with human immunodeficiency virus or acquired immune deficiency syndrome, and the emotional trauma associated with adolescent sexual activity;

4. direct adolescents to a standard of behavior in which abstinence from sexual activity before marriage is the most effective way to prevent pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and infection with human immunodeficiency virus or acquired immune deficiency syndrome; and

5. teach contraception and condom use in terms of “human use reality” rates instead of theoretical laboratory rates, if instruction on contraception and condoms is included in curriculum content.

Content Summary
The district defines Human Sexuality instruction (HSI) as content that develops and strengthens the ability/skills of students to make conscious, healthy, and respectful choices regarding dating/romantic relationships, personal safety, anatomy and physiology, puberty and adolescent development, pregnancy and reproduction, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV. HSI Instruction will take place in the spring semester for 4^th graders, 5^th graders, 7^th graders and 8^th graders.  For high school students, HSI instruction will take place during the last grading period of the one- semester Health course. Depending on the grade level, instruction on each of the above content might include:

• Relationships: characteristics of healthy and unhealthy dating/romantic relationships and the skills needed to navigate changing relationships among family members, classmates, and partners; treating everyone with dignity and respect.

• Personal safety: the prevention of child abuse, family violence, dating violence, and sex trafficking; strategies for using social media safely, legally, and respectfully; the right to bodily autonomy and how to report inappropriate touching, including sexual abuse. 

• Anatomy and physiology: medically accurate terms for reproductive systems and their functions in males and females.

• Puberty and adolescent development: how to manage the physical, social, and emotional changes during puberty.

• Pregnancy and reproduction: human reproduction, pregnancy prevention, prenatal care, and fetal basic development;  up-to-date, medically accurate information on methods of contraception, including effectiveness and failure (“human use reality") rates; and the legal, financial, and emotional consequences associated with pregnancies.

• STIs and HIV: facts and figures about STIs; the impact of STIs on young adults and how to prevent and reduce the risk of STI transmission; and the importance of STI testing and treatment.

As required by state law, abstinence is stated as the 100 percent most effective way to prevent pregnancy and STIs. Sexual abstinence is defined as a conscious decision not to participate in sexual activity and the skills needed to support that decision. The content shall include information related to making decisions; setting, communicating, and respecting other people's boundaries; and refusal skills.

Opportunities for Parent Involvement
The HSI curriculum is adopted by the Board of Trustees with the advice of the parent led School Health Advisory Council (SHAC).  Information regarding the SHAC can be found on the CFISD website> Our District > Committees > School Health Advisory Council.  Additionally, the district's Office of Curriculum and Instruction is also a resource for any parent seeking support in providing instruction directly to their child in the home.

Feel free to contact your child’s campus or refer to FNG(LOCAL) for any additional information or questions.

 

 

Sincerely,

Dr. Linda Macias
Chief Academic Officer

If you are interested in being considered for either the Community Leadership Committee (community members and parents) or the Superintendent’s Parent Leadership Committee (parents only), please complete an application by Friday, Sept. 1. Please review the purpose, membership requirements and expectations below for each of the two committees.

 

COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP COMMITTEE (CLC)
    Purpose/Charge of Committee:
            - To develop community ambassadors who positively promote CFISD.
            - To develop a strong foundation of the inner workings of the district.
            - To understand the impact of proposed legislation and regulatory rule making on CFISD and public education.

Membership:

• District committee application
• Community members, business leaders, and parents interested in the quality of education and services in CFISD and the impact of federal, state, and local issues on the District and public education.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Willingness to share information with other parents, community members, and business leaders.
• Eager to learn and take initiative.
• Commit to the goals and expectations of the committee.
• Members will be selected based on geographic areas of the district, occupation or industry types, and other demographic information to ensure diversity in membership.  

Expectations:

• Attend all monthly meetings at the Mark Henry Administration Building, 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
• Attend a minimum of two CFISD Board of Trustees Meetings.
• Advocate positively for CFISD and public education.

 

SUPERINTENDENT’S PARENT LEADERSHIP COMMITTEE (SPLC)

• Purpose/Charge of Committee: 
  Meet with Superintendent and other administrators four (4) times per year
• Discuss district-wide issues.
• Share useful district information about the district, campuses, and community.
• Disseminate district information and provide valuable input to  maintain a quality education for students and the community.

Membership:

• District committee application
  • Two (2) representatives from each elementary campus will be selected; three (3) representatives from each middle school campus; five (5) representatives from each high school campus.

Expectations:

• Attend meetings four (4) times per year at the Mark Henry Administration Building, offered at both 9-10:30 a.m. and 6-7:30 p.m.
  
  
• Disseminate district information to community stakeholders.
  
  

Thank you for considering these two opportunities.