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LEA: TIVA SSSI September, 2023
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September 2023
"The best prep for tomorrow is doing your best today." H. Jackson Brown, Jr.
T4P4 Federal Program | Dates | Deadlines
All LEAs that received Fiscal Year 2022 and/or 2023 Title IV, Part A, Subpart 1, program funds are required to report data in the Federal Compliance Division (FPC) WorkApp Smartsheet, even if 100% of the LEA’s Title IV, Part A, allocation was used for REAP and/or Funding Transferability option(s).
September 26 | 9:30-11:30 am | 23-24 Random Validations Statewide Virtual Training Registration
- Unsafe School Choice Option Report
- ESSA Consolidated Compliance Reports
- Rural and Low-Income Schools Report
- Guidance: ESSA Consolidated Compliance Reports Resources & TEA Unsafe School Choice Option Guidance Handbook
Effective 9/1/23, Jaime Huerta will serve as the Division Director for the Federal Program Compliance Division in the Department of Grant Compliance and Administration. In his time at TEA and before, Jaime has been committed to service in our Texas Schools. He was a classroom educator, program director, principal, and assistant superintendent at various school districts and brings vast experience with federal programs to this role. Most recently, he served as TEA’s State Director for both Title I, Part A and Title IV, Part A. Please join the T4P4 School Safety State Initiative in congratulating Jaime and welcoming him into his new role.
Texas Education Legislation - Videos
School Safety
October 25 - TxSSC Review of EOP and Annexes
Email will be sent to superintendents on September 25. Deadline to submit is October 25, 2023. Required: Basic EOP Plan, Severe Weather, Hazmat, & Train Derailment Appendix. View an Interactive Map of EOP Review Specialist by ESC Region
School Safety and Security Committee Guidelines
This committee must actively participate in developing and implementing emergency plans for campuses and other facilities. The TxSSC has developed guidelines and FAQs to assist districts with this important task. Download the Committee Guidelines
October 10 - Mandatory School Drills + Active Threat Exercises take Effect
The proposed amendments will reorganize definitions and provide clarifications in §103.1209 and add requirements for certain active threat exercises in §103.1211. See here for the proposed changes.
Safe Firearm Storage Information
Districts must provide this information to the parent or guardian of each student enrolled in the district or school. The TxSSC recommends providing this information twice annually. Download the Safe Firearm Storage Resources Flyer.
Notification Regarding Violent Activity
HB 3 amended the Texas Education Code by adding Section §37.1131 (effective September 1, 2023), which requires each school system to adopt a policy for providing notice regarding violent activity that has occurred or is being investigated at a campus, other school system facility, or at a school system-sponsored activity. The policy must:
- Include electronic notification by text messages (SMS) and email (and may also include social media messaging and notifications and by posting on the school system’s website);
- Provide an option for real-time notification (e.g., robocalls and emergency application alerts); and
- Protect student privacy.
Policies must ensure that school systems notify students, staff, and parents (or those standing in parental relation) of certain incidents in a manner that is timely and provides adequate information for parents to assess the specific situation. Accordingly, notifications should be issued as soon as pertinent information is available.
Policies should not be limited to certain types of activities; however, notification must be issued for every incident that may pose a serious or continuing threat to the campus community. Incidents warranting district or campus-wide notifications should be based on the school system’s community needs. If a policy states that a notification will be issued, the school system must follow that policy. For Sample Notification Messages, please see TEA’s guidance related to Guidance on Model Standards for Parental Notification. TAA, September 7, 2023
School Safety Funding/Grants
SAFE Grant Needs Assessment
The Needs Assessment has been extended one week to September 28, 2023. School systems must complete the Needs Assessment to be considered for funding.
- See the General and Fiscal Guidelines, Eligibility to Apply for LOIs.
- SAFE Grant Needs Assessment link
- School systems can download a PDF preview of the survey prior to completing the Qualtrics survey.
The Office of School Safety and Security will host a webinar reviewing the eligibility requirements and allowable costs on September 25, at 12:00 p.m. CST. Register for the Safety and Facility Enhancement (SAFE) Grant webinar.
For more information, please visit Superintendent Supports: Safe Schools or email us at safeschools@tea.texas.gov.
School Health | Mental Health
Child sexual abuse, trafficking, and other maltreatment of children
Districts are required to provide methods for increasing staff, student, and parent awareness regarding child sexual abuse, trafficking, and other maltreatment of children
- Including prevention techniques and knowledge of likely warning signs indicating that a child may be a victim
- Age-appropriate, research-based anti-victimization programs for students
- Actions that a child who is a victim should take to obtain assistance and intervention
- Available counseling options for affected students.
TEC 38.0041
Fentanyl Awareness | Substance Use
- TAA - Implementation of Fentanyl-Related Legislation, released September 21, 2023. Includes information on :
- HB 3144 October as Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Month + Toolkit
- HB 3908 "Tucker's Law" - SHAC requirements
- SB 629 - Opioid Antagonists district requirements
- Required Instruction
- The SHAC must recommend curriculum on the dangers of opioids, including fentanyl.
- E-Cigarette/Vaping is included in substance use prevention.
- Districts must provide annual instruction on fentanyl abuse prevention and drug poisoning awareness to students grades 6-12.
- Substance use prevention is also required in K-8 Health Teks and in the High School Health course.
- Toolkits to assist school systems with educating their schools and communities on the growing dangers of this lethal opioid.
- Student Awareness Materials
Teen Dating Violence Toolkit
Recognizing and responding to teen dating violence requires an awareness of the prevalence of dating violence, indicators of abuse in relationships, and steps to take if someone is experiencing dating violence. Dating violence is often overlooked due to preconceived ideas about what abuse looks like in relationships or the false assumption that it is not prevalent in young people’s relationships. Visit the Toolkit.
TEA Health and Physical Education Newsletter,
For detailed information see the TEA Health and Physical Education Newsletter, to see information on 2023 Physical Fitness Assessment reporting options and overview meetings. Zooms will be held on September 26, September 27, and October 24.
- 2023-2024 Physical Fitness Assessment
- 2023-2024 Physical Fitness Assessment Overview Meetings
- Updates to Frequently Asked Questions
- Off-Campus Physical Activity Program Approval Requests
- Upcoming Dates and Reminders for the 2023-2024 School Year
- Catch Your Child Up on Routine Immunizations for Back to School
- Spread the Word About Bacterial Meningitis
- Ask About Food Allergies and Epinephrine Auto-Injector Policies
- Asthma and Unassigned Albuterol Policies
Updated FAQs - Health, SHACs, and PE
The FAQ documents for health education, school health advisory councils (SHACs), and physical education have been updated. To view the FAQ documents for health education and SHACs, please visit https://tea.texas.gov/academics/subject-areas/health-and-physical-education/health-education.
To view the physical education FAQ document, please visit https://tea.texas.gov/academics/subject-areas/health-and-physical-education/physical-education.
Mental Health Literacy for Educators
Promoting the mental health and well-being of students and understanding and supporting students experiencing adversity and distress can serve as a deterrent to school violence. Free training for educators at Classroom WISE.
School Health Resources
Every Kid Outdoors initiative for fourth-grade students. Teachers can submit requests for all fourth-grade students to receive a free National Park Pass
Food Safe Families Activity Book
School-Located Vaccination Clinic Toolkit
SaferCare Texasnteractive toolkit
Ensuring Child Safety During Times of Disruption.
Ways families can support student health and emotional well-being
Conferences + Trainings
2023 Fall ACET (Association for Compensatory Educators of Tx) | October 25-27 | Omni Mandalay Hotel @ Las Colinas
Parent and Family Engagement (PFE) Statewide Conference | October 4-6 | Corpus Christi | Registration has ended.
2023 National Summit on K-12 School Safety and Security on November 1-2, 2023. Registration.
Lone Star State School Counselor Association (LSSSCA) Annual conference | October 22-24 | Embassy Suites Dallas Frisco Hotel Convention Center | conference webpage.