BCISD follows the Texas Department of State Health Services recommendation for immunization compliance in order for a student to attend school. The law requires that all students be as up-to-date as medically feasible in order to attend classes. The immunization vaccine requirements for each grade level are listed on the Bridge City ISD website. Exemptions to the immunization requirements are allowable on an individual basis for medical contraindications, reasons of conscience-including religious belief, and active duty with the armed forces of the United States. For further information, visit the Texas Department of State Health Services.

• Texas Department of State Health Services Immunization Branch​
• Texas Vaccine Requirements for Students Grades K-12
• Texas Health and Human Services Allergies and Anaphylaxis 

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MENINGITIS VACCINE:

From  TEXAS HIGHER EDUCATION COORDINATING BOARD:

Beginning on January 1, 2012, all entering students are required to show evidence of an initial bacterial meningitis vaccine or a booster dose during the five-year period preceding and at least 10 days prior to the first day of the first semester in which the student initially enrolls at an institution. An entering student includes a first-time student of an institution of higher education or private or independent institution of higher education and includes a transfer student, or a student who previously attended an institution of higher education before January 1, 2012, and who is enrolling in the same or another institution of higher education following a break in enrollment of at least one fall or spring semester.

PARENTS:   Contact the nurse’s office at 735-1620 for additional information.

Click here to view the BCISD Health Handbook

Please consult Texas DSHS or our Local Health Department for any further questions regarding communicable disease control measures.

1. BCISD is closely monitoring events concerning communicable diseases and will follow the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and our Local Health Departments'  recommendations regarding communicable disease protocols. ​
2. ​BCISD specific measures to ensure a safe learning environment for students are as follows:
   BCISD staff will continue to educate our students, staff, and community members about the importance of frequent hand washing; covering a cough or sneezing; not touching one's eyes, nose, and mouth; staying home when sick, and other measures to prevent the spread of all communicable diseases.
   • ​​​Campuses are routinely disinfected against multiple disease-causing viruses and bacteria.
   • School staff will monitor students for symptoms and refer students to the school nurse for assessment as appropriate.
   • School Nurses will exclude students from school attendance according to guidelines from the Department of State Health Services, including but not limited to:
     • ​Fever -free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication​
3. Campuses will work with our Local Health Departments for any suspected case of a reportable condition. 
4. Parents/Guardians can help with:
   • ​Keeping sick children home until symptoms resolve, getting medical care when necessary, and reinforcing frequent hand washing and cough/sneeze etiquette.  

Please consult Texas DSHS or our Local Health Department for any further questions regarding communicable disease control measures.

Texas Department of State Health Services
Phone: 713-767-3000
Fax: 713-767-3006

Orange County Health Department 
Phone: 409-769-5705

You aren’t alone – support is out there.

Text HOME to 741741 to reach a trained Crisis Counselor.

Mental Health America: “It is easy for parents to identify their child’s physical needs: nutritious food, warm clothes when it’s cold, bedtime at a reasonable hour. However, a child’s mental and emotional needs may not be as obvious. Good mental health allows children to think clearly, develop socially and learn new skills. Additionally, good friends and encouraging words from adults are all important for helping children develop self confidence, high self-esteem, and a healthy emotional outlook on life.” See MHA’s collection of resources for helping your child with bullying, depression, mental and emotional development, cope with loss, relieve anxiety, and more.

Crisis Text Line

Spindletop Center: 409-839-1000

Toll-Free Crisis Hotline: 800-937-8097

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255

Suicide Prevention Resource Center

2-1-1 Local Resource Service: 2-1-1

Learn more about specific mental health conditions and children from Mental Health America

• ADHD - attentional problems
• Bipolar Disorder - depression and high energy
• Conduct Disorder - behavioral problems
• Depression - sadness
• Grief - coping with loss
• Psychosis -  hearing voices or seeing things that aren't there
• Suicide - thoughts of death/dying
• Substance use - drinking and using drugs

Bridge City Independent School District provides a comprehensive school counseling program designed to support students in their academic, career, social, emotional, and mental health development. School counseling services are educationally based and are intended to promote student success, well-being, and readiness for future academic and career opportunities. Parents and guardians will provide or deny consent for counseling services through the district’s Skyward registration process. This notice is intended to describe the counseling services available to students and to provide information regarding confidentiality, parent notification, staff referral practices, and the scope of school-based counseling services.

Academic and Career Guidance
School counselors may provide academic and career guidance services to assist students with educational planning and future readiness. These services may include, but are not limited to, schedule-related assistance, course selection, graduation planning, goal setting, college and career readiness, and other guidance related to a student’s academic progress and future planning.

If a parent or guardian provides consent for academic and career guidance services through Skyward, that consent permits the student to meet with the school counselor for these purposes during the school year, as appropriate.

Social, Emotional, and Mental Health Support
School counselors may provide school-based social, emotional, and mental health support to students, as appropriate, within the scope of the school counseling program. These services may include short-term support related to stress, peer relationships, problem-solving, emotional regulation, coping skills, and other school-related social or emotional concerns.

A student may be referred to the counselor by self-request, parent request, or staff concern. As part of the referral process, school personnel may document observed behaviors of concern through a staff referral or observation form to assist in determining whether school-based follow-up or support may be appropriate.

If a parent or guardian provides consent for social, emotional, and mental health support through Skyward, that consent does not mean the student will automatically receive ongoing counseling services. Rather, it permits the student to meet with the school counselor for support if the student requests assistance or if a school-related need for support is identified in accordance with district procedures.

In circumstances involving immediate student safety concerns, school counselors may conduct risk screening or assessment, including suicide risk screening or assessment, and may take additional steps necessary to protect the student and secure appropriate support.

School counselors respect student privacy. However, parents or guardians will be notified when necessary to support the student, address safety concerns, or comply with applicable legal or district requirements.

Confidentiality
School counselors strive to provide students with a safe and supportive environment in which to discuss school-related concerns. Information shared with a school counselor will be treated with professionalism and discretion. However, confidentiality within the school setting is not absolute.

Information may be disclosed to parents or guardians, school administrators, or other appropriate individuals when necessary to protect the health, safety, or welfare of the student or others, to respond to a safety concern, to comply with legal obligations, or to ensure appropriate support and follow-up.

Scope of School-Based Counseling Services
School counseling services provided by the district are short-term, school-based, and educationally related in nature. These services are intended to support students within the educational setting and are not a substitute for long-term counseling, psychological treatment, diagnosis, or outside mental health therapy. When a student demonstrates a need for more intensive or ongoing services, the district may recommend that the parent or guardian seek support from an outside provider or community-based mental health professional.

Consent Through Skyward
During the Skyward registration process, parents or guardians will provide or deny consent for the following counseling service areas:

1. Academic and Career Guidance

2. Social, Emotional, and Mental Health Support

Questions regarding school counseling services may be directed to the student’s campus counselor or campus administration.