Parental Rights Notification
Parent Notifications (Required by Federal Law)
Beyond requirements for reporting adequate academic progress as measured by the state’s battery of standardized tests, the law sets forth a number of required notifications regarding school governance issues that the school district must make to parents on an annual basis. They are:
Access to Student Records & Directory Information – Certain student information is considered directory information. Directory information may be released by the school to anyone who requests it, pending approval by the District Records Access Officer. Release of directory information is not permitted if the information is to be used for solicitation, fundraising, political or commercial purposes. Directory information includes:
- Student’s Name
- Student’s Email
If a parent, guardian or eligible student does not wish to have some or all of the directory information described above be released without prior consent, he or she must contact the school principal’s office within 30 days of publication of annual notice (usually August in district Calendar).
Parents and guardians of students have the right to inspect and review official educational records. As long as the records are directly related to their children, parents/guardians may obtain copies of them from the school district. If any record appears inaccurate or misleading, parents/guardians also have the right to file for a hearing to challenge the record’s contents. Requests to inspect, make copies, or amend educational records must be submitted in writing, either in person or by mail, to the District Records Access Officer, 1500 Dayspring Ridge, Walworth, NY 14568. The Records Access Officer will provide information on further procedures and any applicable fees. A form for this purpose may be obtained by calling 983-3521, ext 4313.
Under NCLB, U.S. military recruiters have unlimited access to any student’s school records unless a parent/guardian has filed a letter with the High School Counseling Center that specifically denies such access. Please contact the Principal at 986-3521 for details.
Parents and guardians of students have the right to inspect and review official educational records. As long as the records are directly related to their children, parents/guardians may obtain copies of them from the school district. If any record appears inaccurate or misleading, parents/guardians also have the right to file for a hearing to challenge the record’s contents. Requests to inspect, make copies, or amend educational records must be submitted in writing, either in person or by mail, to the District Records Access Officer, 1500 Dayspring Ridge, Walworth, NY 14568. The Records Access Officer will provide information on further procedures and any applicable fees. A form for this purpose may be obtained by calling 983-3521, ext 4313.
Under NCLB, U.S. military recruiters have unlimited access to any student’s school records unless a parent/guardian has filed a letter with the High School Counseling Center that specifically denies such access. Please contact the Principal at 986-3521 for details.
Student Privacy – Parents have the opportunity to opt their child out of participating in the following activities:
- The collection, disclosure or use of personal information collected from students for the purpose of marketing or for selling that information, or providing such information to a third party for that purpose. The Gananda School District has never engaged in this type of activity and will not in the future.
- Any non-emergency, invasive physical examination or screening that is required as a condition of attendance, administered by the school and scheduled in advance, and is not necessary to protect the immediate health and safety of the student, or of other students. The District has never contemplated such activities.
- Administration of any survey containing questions regarding one or more of the following protected information areas:
1) political affiliation or beliefs of the student or student’s family;
2) mental or psychological problems of the student or student’s family;
3) sex behavior or attitudes;
4) illegal, antisocial, self-incriminating, or demeaning behavior;
5) critical appraisals of others with whom respondents have close family relationships;
6) legally recognized privileged relationships, such as lawyers, doctors or ministers;
7) religious practices, affiliations, or beliefs of the student or parents;
8) income, other than as required by law to determine eligibility for particular programs (such as Free & Reduced Price meal programs).
2) mental or psychological problems of the student or student’s family;
3) sex behavior or attitudes;
4) illegal, antisocial, self-incriminating, or demeaning behavior;
5) critical appraisals of others with whom respondents have close family relationships;
6) legally recognized privileged relationships, such as lawyers, doctors or ministers;
7) religious practices, affiliations, or beliefs of the student or parents;
8) income, other than as required by law to determine eligibility for particular programs (such as Free & Reduced Price meal programs).
- Parents also have the right to inspect, upon request and before administration or use:
1) Protected information surveys of students;
2) Instruments used to collect personal information from students;
3) Instructional material used as part of the educational curriculum
2) Instruments used to collect personal information from students;
3) Instructional material used as part of the educational curriculum
The District has administered Character Education and Risk Behavior surveys to students at grade levels 6-12 that have included general questions on sexual attitudes and illegal behavior related to drug and alcohol usage. The District plans to continue administration of these surveys periodically.
Staff Qualifications – Parents have the right to request the following information regarding the professional teaching qualifications of the child’s classroom teacher(s):
- Whether the teacher has met NYS Education Department qualifications and licensing criteria for the grade levels and subject areas he/she teaches.
- Whether the teacher is teaching under emergency or another provisional status through which NYSED qualifications and licensing have been waived due to special circumstances.
- The teacher’s college major (undergraduate level); whether the teacher has any graduate certifications or degrees and, if so, the field of discipline of the certification or degree.
- Whether your child is provided services by any teaching assistants and, if so, their qualifications.
There are several other annual notifications required by law. These include:
The District Attendance Policy – A summary appears in specific school student/parent handbooks.
Student Codes of Conduct – Specific codes for each building are published in school handbooks.
Pesticide Application and Asbestos Abatement – Both notifications are available under Buildings and Grounds.
Student Codes of Conduct – Specific codes for each building are published in school handbooks.
Pesticide Application and Asbestos Abatement – Both notifications are available under Buildings and Grounds.