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EHBK (TSBVI) Special Programs: Other Instructional Initiatives

Mandatory RECOGNITION DATES

TSBVI shall regularly observe the following recognition days, weeks, and months by appropriate programs, celebrations, and activities:

Women’s Independence Day

August 26:  Women’s Independence Day, to commemorate the ratification in 1920 of the Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which guaranteed women the right to vote.  Gov’t Code 662.051

Texas First Responders Day

September 11:  Texas First Responders Day, in honor of the bravery, courage, and determination of Texas men and women who assist others in emergencies.  Texas First Responders Day shall be regularly observed by appropriate ceremonies in the public schools to honor Texas first responders. TSBVI may determine the appropriate ceremonies by which Texas observes Texas First Responders Day.  Gov’t Code 662.050

Constitution Day

September 17:  A school that receives federal funds for a fiscal year shall hold an educational program for their students on the United States Constitution .  Pub. L. 108-447 (2004)

Celebrate Freedom Week

Week of September 17:  Celebrate Freedom Week, to educate students about the sacrifices made for freedom in the founding of this country and the values on which this country was founded.  [See CELEBRATE FREEDOM WEEK, below] Education Code 29.907

American Indian Heritage Day

The last Friday in September is celebrated in recognition of the historic, cultural, and social contributions American Indian communities and leaders have made to Texas. American Indian Heritage Day shall be regularly observed by appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs in public schools to honor American Indians in Texas and to celebrate the rich traditional and contemporary American Indian culture.  Gov’t Code 662.057

Hydrocephalus Awareness Month

September:  Hydrocephalus Awareness Month, to:

  1. Increase public awareness of hydrocephalus, a serious neurological condition characterized by the abnormal buildup of cerebrospinal fluids in the ventricles of the brain; and
  2. Encourage the development of partnerships between the federal government, health care professionals, and patient advocacy groups to advance the public’s understanding of the condition, improve the diagnosis and treatment of the condition, and support research for a cure.

Hydrocephalus Awareness Month shall be regularly observed by appropriate activities in public schools to increase awareness of hydrocephalus.

Gov’t Code 662.106

Father of Texas Day

November 3:  Father of Texas Day, in memory of Stephen F. Austin, the great pioneer patriot and the real and true Father of Texas.  Father of Texas Day shall be regularly observed by appropriate and patriotic programs in the public schools to properly commemorate the birthday of Stephen F. Austin and to inspire a greater love for this beloved state.  Gov’t Code 662.045

Sam Rayburn Day

January 6:  Sam Rayburn Day, in memory of that great Texas and American statesman, Sam Rayburn on his birthday.  Gov’t Code 662.041

State of Texas Anniversary Remembrance Day

February 19:  State of Texas Anniversary Remembrance Day (STAR Day), in honor of Texas joining the Union and the day that James Pinckney Henderson became the first governor of the State of Texas in 1846.  STAR Day shall be regularly observed by appropriate and patriotic programs in the public schools to properly commemorate the annexation of this state and to inspire a greater appreciation for the history of this state.  Gov’t Code 662.047

Texas History Month

March:  Texas History Month, to promote Texas history in honor of those Texans who helped shape the history of the State of Texas and in recognition of events throughout Texas’ history.  Gov’t Code 662.102

School Paraprofessional Day

The second Wednesday in May:  Public School Paraprofessional Day, in recognition of education paraprofessionals including teacher assistants, instructional aides, educational trainers, library attendants, bilingual assistants, special education associates, mentors, and tutors.  Gov’t Code 662.049

Texas Military Heroes Day

To educate students about the sacrifices made by brave Texans who have served in the armed forces of the United States, the governor shall designate a day to be known as Texas Military Day in public schools.

Texas Military Heroes Day shall include appropriate instruction, as determined by the School. Instruction may include:

  1. Information about persons who have served in the armed forces of the United States and are from the community or the geographic area in which the district is located; and
  2. Participation, in person or using technology, in age-appropriate learning projects at battlefields and gravesites associated with a person who has served in the armed forces.

Education Code 29.9071

Optional Recognition Dates

In addition, the School may observe the following recognition days, weeks, or months, by appropriate celebrations and activities:

Dr. Hector P. Garcia Day

Third Wednesday of September:  Dr. Hector P. Garcia Day, in memory of the significant contributions to the Mexican American civil rights movement of Dr. Hector P. Garcia, a distinguished physician and a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the founder of the American GI Forum, which promotes civil rights protection of Hispanic veterans and all Americans.  Dr. Garcia, a World War II hero, was awarded a Bronze Star Medal with six battle stars in recognition of his meritorious service to the United States. Dr. Hector P. Garcia Day may be regularly observed by appropriate ceremonies and activities in the public schools to properly commemorate the importance of the contributions made by Dr. Garcia.  Gov’t Code 662.055

Persons with Disabilities History and Awareness Month

October:  Persons with Disabilities History and Awareness Month, to increase public awareness of the many achievements of people with disabilities; encourage public understanding of the disability rights movement; and reaffirm the local, state, and federal commitment to providing equality and inclusion

for people with disabilities. The School may elect to observe Persons with Disabilities History and Awareness Month and determine the appropriate activities by which the School observes Persons with Disabilities History and Awareness Month.  Gov’t Code 662.109  TSBVI celebrates White Cane Day in October every year and invites alumni to return to campus.  The White Cane has become a symbol for independence and capability.

Texas Native Plant Week

Third week in October:  Texas Native Plant Week, to celebrate the native plants of Texas. Texas Native Plant Week may be regularly observed in public schools with programs to appreciate, explore, and study Texas native plants.  Gov’t Code 662.154

Lung Cancer Awareness Month

November:  Lung Cancer Awareness Month, to increase awareness of lung cancer and encourage funding of research and more effective treatments. Lung Cancer Awareness Month may be regularly observed by appropriate activities in public schools to increase the awareness of lung cancer and support for lung cancer research.  Gov’t Code 662.104

Human Trafficking Prevention Month

January is Human Trafficking Prevention Month to increase awareness of human trafficking in an effort to encourage people to alert authorities to any suspected incidents involving human trafficking. Human Trafficking Prevention Month may be regularly observed through appropriate activities in public schools and other places to increase awareness and prevention of human trafficking.  Gov’t Code 662.107

Law Enforcement Appreciation Day

January 9:  Law Enforcement Appreciation Day may be regularly observed in public schools and other places through appropriate activities.  Gov’t Code 662.065

Iwo Jima Day

February 19:  Iwo Jima Day, in memory of the heroism and courage of the men and women of the armed forces of the United States who participated in the successful capture of the island of Iwo Jima beginning February 19, 1945.  Iwo Jima Day may be regularly observed through appropriate activities in public schools and other places.  Gov’t Code 662.062

Child Safety Month

April:  Child Safety Month, in recognition of the children of this state as this state’s most precious resource.  Child Safety Month is meant to ensure that the children of this state grow up in a safe and supportive environment by promoting their protection and care through increased public awareness of ways to reduce accidental injury and death through the use of bicycle helmets, seat belts, safety and booster seats, and smoke alarms, and the dangers presented to children by unattended and unlocked vehicles and by being left in closed vehicles during hot or sunny weather.  Child Safety Month may be regularly observed by appropriate celebrations and activities in public schools to promote the protection and care of children in this state.  Gov’t Code 662.105

Sexual Assault Awareness Month

April:  Sexual Assault Awareness Month, to increase awareness and prevention of sexual assault. Sexual Assault Awareness Moth may be regularly observed through appropriate activities in public schools and other places to increase awareness and prevention of sexual assault.  Gov’t Code 662.111

CELEBRATE FREEDOM WEEK

Appropriate Instruction

The week in which September 17 falls is designated as Celebrate Freedom Week in public schools.  For purposes of this section, Sunday is considered the first day of the week.  Education Code 29.907

Each social studies class shall include, during Celebrate Freedom Week or during another full school week as determined by the Board, appropriate instruction concerning the intent, meaning, and importance of the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution, including the Bill of Rights, in their historical context.

The study of the Declaration of Independence must include the study of the relationship of the ideas expressed in that document to subsequent American history, including the relationship of its ideas to the rich diversity of our people as a nation of immigrants, the American Revolution, the formulation of the United States Constitution, and the abolitionist movement, which led to the Emancipation Proclamation and the women’s suffrage movement.

19 TAC 74.33(a)

Recitation

The School shall require that, during Celebrate Freedom Week or other prescribed week of instruction, students in grades 3-12 study and recite the following text:  “We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness – That to secure these Rights, Governments are instituted among men, deriving their Just Powers from the Consent of the Governed.”

Exception

The School shall excuse from recitation a student:

  1. Whose parent or guardian submits a written request that the student be excused;
  2. Who, as determined by the School, has a conscientious objection to the recitation; or
  3. Who is the child of a representative of a foreign government to whom the United States government extends diplomatic immunity.

19 TAC 74.33(b), .36

GENERATION TEXAS WEEK

Each school offering middle school, junior high school, or high school grade levels shall designate one week during the school year as Generation Texas Week.  During the designated week, each middle school, junior high school, and high school shall provide students with comprehensive grade-appropriate information about the pursuit of higher education, including:

  1. Higher education options;
  2. Standard admission requirements for institutions of higher education, including:
  3. Overall high school grade point average;
  4. Required curriculum;
  5. College readiness standards and expectations as determined under Education Code 28.008; and
  6. Scores necessary on generally recognized tests or assessment instruments used in admissions determinations, including the Scholastic Assessment Test and the American College Test;
  7. Automatic admission of certain students to general academic teaching institutions under Education Code 51.803 [see EIC]; and
  8. Financial aid availability and requirements, including the financial aid information provided by counselors under Education Code 33.007(b) [see EJ].

In addition, each middle school, junior high school, and high school shall provide to students at least one public speaker to promote the importance of higher education.

Education Code 29.911

CHARACTER EDUCATION

TSBVI may provide a character education program, which must:

  1. Stress positive character traits, such as:
  2. Courage;
  3. Trustworthiness, including honesty, reliability, punctuality, and loyalty;
  4. Integrity;
  5. Respect and courtesy;
  6. Responsibility, including accountability, diligence, perseverance, and self-control;
  7. Fairness, including justice and freedom from prejudice;
  8. Caring, including kindness, empathy, compassion, consideration, patience, generosity, and charity;
  9. Good citizenship, including patriotism, concern for the common good and the community, and respect for authority and the law; and
  10. School pride;
  11. Use integrated teaching strategies; and
  12. Be age appropriate.

In developing or selecting a character education program under this section, the School shall consult with a committee selected by the School that consists of parents of School students, educators, and other members of the community, including community leaders.

The provisions above do not require or authorize proselytizing or indoctrinating concerning any specific religious or political belief.

Education Code 29.906

STUDENT ELECTIONS

An election for the participation of students in first through 12th grades may be held in conjunction with a general or special election.  The student election may be ordered by:

  1. The commissioners court, for a student election held in conjunction with an election ordered by the governor or a county authority; or
  2. The governing body of a political subdivision, for a student election held in conjunction with an election of the political subdivision.

A student election may be held only on election day or the day before election day.

The authority ordering a student election shall specify in the order each grade that may participate in the election.  A student in a specified grade may enter a precinct polling place for the purpose of casting an unofficial ballot in the student election on the same offices and measures that appear on the official ballot.

The election officers serving in the official election may not serve in the student election.  The authority ordering a student election shall appoint a separate set of election officers to conduct the student election, supervise the participating students, and tabulate and report the results of that election.  The authority ordering a student election shall make the results of that election available to the public but only after the polling places are closed on election day.

An alternative location may be selected by the ordering authority if it is not feasible to hold the student mock election in the same polling area as the regular election.  The alternate location should be selected to serve the convenience of the students.

Expenses incurred in the conduct of a student election, including any personnel expenses, may be paid only from private grant funds or donations.

Election Code 276.007; Texas Administrative Code 81.301

CPR INSTRUCTION

TSBVI may accept from TEA donations the agency receives under Education Code 7.026 for use in providing instruction to students in the principles and techniques of Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).  The School may accept other donations, including donations of equipment, for use in providing CPR instruction.  Education Code 29.903

Adopted:         1/28/05

Amended:       11/18/05, 4/5/13, 11/15/18

Reviewed: