PE/Health Parent Notification Letters

In accordance with Texas Education Code 28.004, HB1525 and Senate Bill 9, Katy ISD students will receive instruction in human growth and development. Additionally, students will receive instruction on the required TEKS specific to abuse and violence prevention. Under Texas statute, parents must choose to “opt-in” their child to participate in the lessons that address human growth and development, abuse prevention, and violence prevention.  Students who are not opted-in will receive alternative instruction.   Additional Information for parents can be found below for each grade band. 

PARENT NOTIFICATION OF HEALTH EDUCATION INSTRUCTION

In accordance with House Bill 1525 and Senate Bill 9 and the Texas Education Code, Sec. 28.004, Katy ISD is required to inform the parent/guardian of each student enrolled in the district of the intent to offer Human Sexuality Instruction (HSI) and instruction on Abuse and Violence Prevention (AVP).   

Under Texas statute, parents must provide written consent for their student to participate in the lesson(s). In accordance with state law, parents and guardians have the right to review all curriculum materials used for instruction on human sexuality, abuse prevention, and violence prevention. 

At least 14 days prior to instruction, the district will share information regarding how to review the curriculum, dates of the scheduled lessons, and the procedure to give consent for your student to receive instruction. Students who are not given consent will be provided alternative lessons and will not be subject to disciplinary or academic penalties. 

The Katy ISD curriculum has been adopted by the Board of Trustees with the recommendation of the School Health Advisory Council (SHAC). All lessons are aligned with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) and meet the state's mandated requirements. Texas Health Skills for Middle School and Texas Health Skills for High School by Goodheart-Wilcox and curated resources were used to develop the Katy ISD approved curriculum materials. The content of the curriculum and the timeframe for instruction are as follows: 

Elementary School (Grades 4-5)  

Human Growth and Development Instruction: Human growth and development instruction will be provided in the spring through their PE class. Students will learn about developmental changes that are a normal part of growing up. 

Abuse and Violence Prevention: School counselors will provide instruction to fifth graders on personal health and safety, which includes the prevention of child abuse, family violence, and sex trafficking in the fall. Students will learn strategies to stay safe online, body boundaries, and how to report abuse.  This instruction will take place during the 2nd and 3rd nine weeks of the fall semester

Middle School (Grades 6-8)  

Human Growth and Development Instruction: Students enrolled in PE or Athletics will receive instruction on human growth and development, including puberty, personal hygiene, abuse prevention, and disease prevention during the 6th six weeks.   

Abuse and Violence Prevention: School counselors will provide instruction on healthy and unhealthy relationships and abuse and violence prevention. This instruction will take place during the 3rd six weeks of the fall semester.

High School 

Students enrolled in high school health will receive instruction on human sexuality, abuse prevention, and violence prevention during the 3rd six weeks for students earning credit during the fall or the 6th six weeks for students earning credit in the spring. Topics covered include puberty and adolescent development, personal hygiene, dating violence, sex trafficking, abstinence, and prevention of communicable and non-communicable diseases.  

If you are interested in serving on the School Health Advisory Council (SHAC) and making recommendations about the curriculum used to teach these lessons, please visit the Katy ISD School Health Advisory Council (SHAC) webpage for more information.   

For High School Students who do not take a health course for graduation (this is no longer required for graduation for the Class of 2029 and beyond), parents will the opportunity to give consent for their students in to the human growth and development content via a self-paced module later this fall.

If you have concerns or require further assistance, please follow the guidelines outlined in Board Policy FNG(LOCAL).

• Elementary Parent Notification Letter
• Junior High Parent Notification Letter
• High School Parent Notification Letter