Welcome to school year 2023-2024! Education is a team effort, and we know that students, parents, teachers, and other staff members all working together will make this a successful year for our students.

The Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District Student Handbook contains information students and parents are likely to need to ensure a successful school year. The handbook is organized alphabetically by topic. Throughout the handbook, the term “student’s parent” means parent, legal guardian, or other person who has agreed to assume school-related responsibility for a student. The first part of the Student Handbook contains HCISD policies and the second part of the Student Handbook contains policies related to the school your child attends.

Students and parents must be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct, which lists the consequences for inappropriate behavior by students. The Student Code of Conduct is the behavioral standard required by state law and is intended to promote school safety and foster an atmosphere for learning. This document may be found as an attachment to this book and is available in any principal’s office.

The student handbook is designed to work in harmony with Board policy and the Student Code of Conduct adopted by the Board. Please be aware that this document is updated annually, while policy adoption and revision is an ongoing process. Changes in policy that affect student handbook provisions will be communicated by newsletters or other communications to students and parents/guardians. These changes will generally supersede the provisions found in this handbook and made obsolete by newly adopted policy.

In case of conflict between a Board policy or the Student Code of Conduct and provisions of the Student Handbook, the current provisions of the policy or the Student Code of Conduct are to be followed.

HCISD personnel do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, or disability in providing education services, activities, and programs, including Career Technical Education Program (CTE), in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972; Sections 504 the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.

HCISD personnel will take steps to assure that a lack of English language skills will not be a barrier to admission and participation in all educational and vocational programs.

NOTE:  The principal may suspend the wearing of any clothing apparel to school that is deemed to be inappropriate and warrants such action. The wearing of masks will align with any current HCISD guidelines and/or requirements.

Purpose of the Student Code of Conduct

Education in this community represents a significant commitment of financial and human resources. The benefits a student derives from this investment depend very much on the student's attitude toward learning and the student's adherence to high standards of behavior. The Student Code of Conduct that follows is the District's specific response to requirements of Chapter 37 of the Texas Education Code. The law requires the District to define misconduct that may or must result in a range of specific disciplinary consequences. This Code is an outgrowth of collaboration among District and campus staff, parents, other community members and representatives of the county juvenile board. This Code, adopted by the Board of Trustees, provides information and direction to students and parents regarding standards of behavior as well as consequences of misconduct.

NOTE:  The principal may suspend the wearing of any clothing apparel to school that is deemed to be inappropriate and warrants such action. The wearing of masks will align with any current HCISD guidelines and/or requirements.