QUILCENE SCHOOL DISTRICT

IMPORTANT PUBLIC NOTIFICATIONS

BECCA BILL

State law requires that a juvenile court petition by filed with the Prosecuting Attorney when a student reaches seven (7) unexcused absences in a calendar month or ten (10)accumulated truancies in a school year. The court then schedules a hearing and requires the attendance of the child and the parents at the proceeding.

DISRUPTION OF THE EDUCATIONAL PROCESS

Students must obey the reasonable instructions of school district personnel. Conduct that interferes with the educational process is prohibited and may result in disciplinary action. Students who shall willfully create a disturbance on school premises during school hours or at school activities shall by guilty of a misdemeanor (RCW 28.635.030) and will be subject to discipline, suspension or expulsion.Multiple offenses of any nature many result in suspension or expulsion.Offenses are cumulative throughout the student’s secondary school years no matter what school district the student has previously attended.

HARASSMENT AND BULLYING

Students are expected to refrain from conducting themselves in a manner that would endanger the physical welfare of others. Also, students are encouraged to report harassment of any kind to a staff member, knowing that confidentiality will be protected if possible. Harassment, bullying, threatening statements, intimidation, coercion and verbal abuse are not allowed and violations will result in disciplinary action and possible police referrals. Harassment, intimidation, or bullying means any intentional written, verbal, or physical act, including, but not limited to those that are reasonably perceived as being motivated either by any actual or perceived characteristic in RCW 9A.36.080, or other distinguishing characteristics, when the intentional written, verbal or physical act:

(a) Physically harms a student or damages the student’s property; or
(b) Has the effect of substantially interfering with a student’s education; or
(c) Is so severe,persistent, or pervasive that it creates an intimidating or threatening educational environment; or
(d) Has the effect of substantially disrupting the educational process.

CYBERSPACE HARASSMENT AND BULLYING

Bullying, harassment,threats, profane, lewd, and obscene language, conduct, or images are prohibited in e-mail, text messaging, and other electronic communications.

MALICIOUS HARASSMENT

Malicious harassment is a class C felony. Overt acts of prejudice or harassment related to a person’s race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, gender, culture, ethnicity or mental, physical or sensory handicap will result in immediate and serious consequences which may include long term suspension.

SEXUAL HARASSMENT

Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination and occurs when a person is subjected to unwelcome behavior, language, or an environment that is sexual in nature. Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or unnecessary physical contact is inappropriate, harmful, and against the law.

SMOKING AND USE OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS

The Quilcene School District fully enforces RCW 28A.210.310 that states students of any age are prohibited from smoking or using tobacco products. In addition students are not to have tobacco products, lighters, or matches in their possession at any time during the school day or at any school sponsored activities. Before or after school,students are not to use tobacco products on or adjacent to the school grounds and/or visual distance of any school grounds.

RCW 70.155.080 will also been forced, whereby, a person under the age of eighteen who purchases or attempts to purchase, possesses, or obtains or attempts to obtain cigarettes or tobacco products commits a Class 3 civil infraction under Chapter 7.80 RCW and is subject to a fine as set out in Chapter 7.80 RCW or participation in up to four hours of community restitution, or both. The court may also require participation in a smoking cessation program. The legislative intent and language upgrades the seriousness of tobacco possession and calls for police intervention. While municipal and district courts within the state have jurisdiction for enforcement of this section, the school district may impose sanctions. The use or possession of tobacco in any form, lighters or matches is not permitted on school property, at school events, or within the area surrounding the school grounds. Violation of this rule constitutes a serious offense and will result in suspension from school. Students will be disciplined for smoking within sight of QSD property during and after school, and during any school activity, on or off Quilcene School District grounds.

NONDISCRIMINATION

The Quilcene School District believes in fostering respect and recognition of cultural diversity, human dignity and individual rights. In this regard, the district complies with all federal and state rules and regulations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, or qualified individuals with disabilities. This holds true for all students who are interested in participating in educational programs and/or extra curricular school activities. Inquiries regarding compliance and/or grievance procedures may be directed to the school district’s Title IX/RCW28A.640 Compliance Officer (360) 765-3363 Ext. 206, Section 504 Coordinator and/or ADA Coordinator (360) 765-3363 Ext. 234.

PESTICIDE NOTIFICATION

The Quilcene School District applies pesticides (herbicides, fungicides, insecticides) as needed throughout the year by district employees and licensed contractors. District employees responsible for applying pesticides are required to attend annual pesticide application training.

The District shall comply with all legal requirements for record keeping regarding the application of pesticides to school grounds or school facilities. This includes creation of an annual summary report of pesticide usage and compliance with state department of agriculture rules regarding record keeping. Such records will be available on request by interested persons under the state Public Records Act and other laws.

At least 48 hours before the application of a pesticide to school facilities or school grounds, the District shall notify parents and staff of the planned application in writing, including the heading, “Notice: Pesticide Application.” This notice shall be posted in a prominent place in the building office in addition to being provided to parents and staff. This pre-notification is not required if the school grounds or facilities will not be occupied by students for two days following the application of the pesticide. If the application is not made within 48 hours of the notification, another notification shall be made prior to the application.This pre-notification is not required in the case of any emergency application of pesticides to a school facility, such as an application to control stinging pests, but full notification shall be made as soon as possible after the application.

Following the application of a pesticide to school facilities (structures and vehicles) a sign shall be posted at the location of the application. The notice shall be at least 8.5 x11 inches in size, shall include the heading, “Notice: Pesticide Application,”and shall state the product name; date, time and specific location of the application; the pest.for which the application was made; and a contact name and telephone number. The notice shall remain posted for 24 hours, or longer if required by the label of the pesticide. Following the application of a pesticide to school grounds notice shall be posted at the location of the application and at each primary point of entry to the grounds. The notice shall be at least 4 x 5 inches in size and state that the landscape recently has been treated with a pesticide and provide a contact name and telephone number. The notice shall remain posted for 24 hours, or longer if required by the label of the pesticide. These notices are not required for the application of antimicrobial pesticides (substances used to sanitize or disinfect for microbial pests; viruses, bacteria, algae, and protozoa). These notices are not required for the placement of insect or rodent bait that are not accessible to children.

FAMILY PRIVACY RIGHTS

The Federal Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 permits the Quilcene School District to release certain information, known as “directory information”, to certain people or institutions, unless parents request, in writing, that such information not be released. In many cases, requests for this type of information come from the news media or the armed forces for recruiting purposes. “Directory Information” may include:

Student name, address and telephone number, Date and place of birth, Participation in officially-recognized activities and sports, Weight and height of athletic team members, Date of Attendance, The most recent educational agency or institution attended, Photographs or other similar information. Photographs may occasionally be taken of students for use in the news media or school district publications. The Quilcene School District will not release any “directory information” for commercial or other purposes not related to school business. Please call 765-3363 ext 205 to request our opt-out release form if you wish your child to be excluded from any of these activities.

ASBESTOS NOTIFICATION

In compliance with the Asbestos Hazardous Emergency Response Act (AHERA), a copy of the Quilcene School District’s Asbestos Management Plan is available in the School Office. Questions may be directed to the Maintenance Department, Attention Robert Heck at (360) 765-3363 Ext. 203.

NOTIFICATION OF RIGHTS UNDER THE FAMILY EDUCATIONAL RIGHTS AND PRIVACY ACT (FERPA)

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords parents and students who are 18 years of age or older ("eligible students") certain rights with respect to the student's education records.  These rights are:

1. The right to inspect and review the student's education records within 45 days after the day the Quilcene School District receives a request for access.

Parents or eligible students who wish to inspect their child’s or their education records should submit to the school principal a written request that identifies the records they wish to inspect.  The school official will make arrangements for access and notify the parent or eligible student of the time and place where the records may be inspected.

2. The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the parent or eligible student believes are inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy rights under FERPA.

Parents or eligible students who wish to ask the Quilcene School District to amend their child’s or their education record should write the school principal specify why it should be changed.  If the school decides not to amend the record as requested by the parent or eligible student, the school will notify the parent or eligible student of the decision and of their right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment.  Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the parent or eligible student when notified of the right to a hearing.

3. The right to provide written consent before the school discloses personally identifiable information (PII) from the student's education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without con­sent.

One exception, which permits disclosure without consent, is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests.  The criteria for determining who constitutes a school official and what constitutes a legitimate educational interest must be set forth in the school’s or school district’s annual notification for FERPA rights.  A school official typically includes a person employed by the school or school district as an ad­ministrator, supervisor, instructor, or support staff member (including health or medical staff and law enforcement unit personnel) or a person serving on the school board.  A school official also may include a volunteer,  contractor, or consultant who, while not employed by the school, performs an institutional service or function for which the school would otherwise use its own employees and who is under the direct control of the school with respect to the use and maintenance of PII from education records, such as an attorney, audi­tor, medical consultant, or therapist; a parent or student volunteering to serve on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee; or a parent, student, or other volunteer assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks.  A school official typically has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an educa­tion record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility.

Upon request, the school discloses education records without consent to officials of another school or school district in which a student seeks or intends to enroll or is already enrolled if the disclosure is for purposes of the student’s enrollment or transfer.

The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the Quilcene School District to comply with the requirements of FERPA.  The name and address of the Office that administers FERPA are:

Family Policy Compliance Office

U.S. Department of Education

400 Maryland Avenue, SW

Washington, DC  20202

See the list below of the disclosures that elementary and secondary schools may make without consent.

FERPA permits the disclosure of PII from students’ education records, without consent of the parent or eligible student, if the disclosure meets certain conditions found in § 99.31 of the FERPA regulations.  Except for disclosures to school officials, disclosures related to some judicial orders or lawfully issued subpoenas, disclosures of directory information, and disclosures to the parent or eligible student, § 99.32 of the FERPA regulations requires the school to record the disclosure.  Parents and eligible students have a right to inspect and review the record of disclosures.  A school may disclose PII from the education records of a student without obtaining prior written consent of the parents or the eligible student –

• To other school officials, including teachers, within the educational agency or institution whom the school has determined to have legitimate educational interests.  This includes contractors, consultants, volunteers, or other parties to whom the school has outsourced institutional services or functions, provided that the conditions listed in § 99.31(a)(1)(i)(B)(1) - (a)(1)(i)(B)(3) are met. (§ 99.31(a)(1))
• To officials of another school, school system, or institution of postsecondary education where the student seeks or intends to enroll, or where the student is already enrolled if the disclosure is for purposes related to the student’s enrollment or transfer, subject to the requirements of § 99.34.  (§ 99.31(a)(2)) 
• To authorized representatives of the U. S. Comptroller General, the U. S. Attorney General, the U.S. Secretary of Education, or State and local educational authorities, such as the State educational agency (SEA) in the parent or eligible student’s State.  Disclosures under this provision may be made, subject to the requirements of § 99.35, in connection with an audit or evaluation of Federal- or State-supported education programs, or for the enforcement of or compliance with Federal legal requirements that relate to those programs.  These entities may make further disclosures of PII to outside entities that are designated by them as their authorized representatives to conduct any audit, evaluation, or enforcement or compliance activity on their behalf, if applicable requirements are met.  (§§ 99.31(a)(3) and 99.35)
• In connection with financial aid for which the student has applied or which the student has received, if the information is necessary for such purposes as to determine eligibility for the aid, determine the amount of the aid, determine the conditions of the aid, or enforce the terms and conditions of the aid.  (§ 99.31(a)(4))
• To State and local officials or authorities to whom information is specifically allowed to be reported or disclosed by a State statute that concerns the juvenile justice system and the system’s ability to effectively serve, prior to adjudication, the student whose records were released, subject to § 99.38.  (§ 99.31(a)(5))
• To organizations conducting studies for, or on behalf of, the school, in order to:  (a)  develop, validate, or administer predictive tests; (b)  administer student aid programs; or (c)  improve instruction, if applicable requirements are met.  (§ 99.31(a)(6))
• To accrediting organizations to carry out their accrediting functions.  (§ 99.31(a)(7))
• To parents of an eligible student if the student is a dependent for IRS tax purposes.  (§ 99.31(a)(8))
• To comply with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena if applicable requirements are met.  (§ 99.31(a)(9))
• To appropriate officials in connection with a health or safety emergency, subject to § 99.36.  (§ 99.31(a)(10)
• Information the school has designated as “directory information” if applicable requirements under § 99.37 are met.  (§ 99.31(a)(11))
• To an agency caseworker or other representative of a State or local child welfare agency or tribal organization who is authorized to access a student’s case plan when such agency or organization is legally responsible, in accordance with State or tribal law, for the care and protection of the student in foster care placement.  (20 U.S.C. § 1232g(b)(1)(L))

• To the Secretary of Agriculture or authorized representatives of the Food and Nutrition Service for purposes of conducting program monitoring, evaluations, and performance measurements of programs authorized under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act or the Child Nutrition Act of 1966, under certain conditions.  (20 U.S.C. § 1232g(b)(1)(K))