Legal Notices

Per Policy 5010, The district, as a recipient of public funds, is committed to undertake affirmative action, which will make effective equal employment opportunities for staff and applicants for employment.

In compliance with the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act of 1988 (AHERA), the North Kitsap School District engages in a continuous asbestos surveillance program to ensure that there are no asbestos problems or dangers to students and employees. A copy of the District asbestos plan management plan is available for review at the Maintenance Office (360) 396-3065.

IDEA requires all school districts to locate, evaluate and provide services for any child between the ages of birth through 21 who may have a disability. Parents having concerns about their child’s health, hearing, intellectual functioning, language, learning, movement, serious behavioral needs, speech, or vision can call their child’s school.

Comcast and the Federal Communications Commission are offering the largest discount program ever for both computers and Internet service to students who qualify for free lunch through the National School Lunch Program. This program, called Internet Essentials, is an excellent opportunity for students who aren’t online or don’t have computers at home. A qualifying family can get Internet for $10 a month and a computer with Microsoft software for $150. Families can find out more information at http://www.internetessentials.com or call 1-855-846-8376.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords parents and students over 18 years of age ("eligible students") certain rights concerning the student's education records. They are:

• The right to inspect and review the student's education records within 45 days of the day the district receives an request for access.

Parents or eligible students should submit to the district records custodian a written request that identifies the record(s) they wish to inspect. The records custodian will make access arrangements and notify the parent or eligible student of the time and place where the records may be reviewed.

• The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the parent or eligible student believes is inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student's privacy acts under FERPA.

Parents or eligible students may ask the district to amend a record they believe is inaccurate or misleading. They should write the school principal, clearly identify the part of the record they want to be changed, and specify why it is inaccurate or misleading. If the district decides not to amend the record as requested by the parent or eligible student, the district will notify the parent or eligible student of the decision and advise them 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.

• The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in 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 outlined 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 to fulfill his or her professional responsibility.

• The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the district to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the Office that administers FERPA is: Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue S.W. Washington, D.C. 20202

Use of Directory Information and Photos

Federal Law permits a school district to identify specific information as directory information that may be released publicly without the parent's permission. The North Kitsap School District identifies directory information as:

• the student's full name
• photograph
• address
• telephone number
• date and place of birth
• dates of attendance
• participation in officially recognized activities and sports
• weight and height of members of athletic teams,
• dates of attendance
• diplomas and awards received
• most recent previous school attended

The actual residential addresses of participants in the state Address Confidentiality Program will not be available for release as directory information. Social Security numbers, student identification numbers (with authentication factors such as a secret password or personal identification number) or other personally identifiable information is not considered directory information.

Photos, videos, and information about students may be used in school and district newsletters, email, websites, and social media sites, or released to the news media, as there are many opportunities to recognize student accomplishments and activities throughout the year. Directory information or photos may be used for purposes such as publication of a student directory, school-related fund-raising (North Kitsap Schools Foundation, PTSAs), parent organization mailing lists, school yearbooks, newspapers, commencement programs, and publishing honor rolls. Information will not be released for commercial purposes.

Visit the Directory Information and Photos page to learn about withholding your child's directory information from release.

If the school does not receive a written request by September 15 each year, it will assume that there is no objection to releasing such information.

A citizen complaint is a written statement that alleges a violation of the federal rule, law or regulation or state regulation that applies to a federal program.

• Anyone can file a citizen complaint.
• There is no special form.
• There is no need to know the law that governs a federal program to file a complaint.

To file a complaint in our school district, please follow the procedures in School Board Policy 4220. The links to the policy and procedure are listed below:

• Policy 4220 - Complaints Concerning Staff or Programs
• Procedure 4220 - Complaints Concerning Staff or Programs

If your complaint is not resolved, visit the Citizen Complaints - Federal Programs page of the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction website for more information and the next steps.

Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), parents of children with disabilities must receive a copy of procedural safeguards one time a year (and upon initial referral or parental request for an evaluation) and upon filing a request for due process hearing, the filing of a first request for a due process hearing, a disciplinary action constituting a change in placement, and at the request of a parent. Contact Lori Buijten at (360) 396-3072 for information or to request a copy.

Washington State Legislature requires all school districts to adopt a pesticide policy and related procedures for implementing the policy. North Kitsap School District has adopted an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program for managing undesired vegetation and pests. A program is an ecological approach to suppressing pest populations (weeds, insects, diseases) in which alternative pest controls are considered, and where practical, implemented before chemical controls are used.

NKSD will manage undesired vegetation and other pests using an ecological approach that minimizes the use of pesticide risk to human health and the environment. The district will perform regular monitoring of grounds and facilities to determine when treatments are needed and employ physical, biological, chemical, and education tactics to prevent intolerable damage or annoyance from undesired vegetation or pests. If the use of a pesticide is determined to be the most effective, economical, and environmentally safe approach, its application will be timed to minimize adverse effects on human health and beneficial organisms.

To notify students, staff, parents, and users of school properties of planned pesticide application, signs will be posted a minimum of 48 hours in advance of the application except when immediate action is required. If pre-notification is not provided, signs will be posted at the main entrance to each school and the location of the application will list the name of the pesticide; the date and time of the planned application; the area to be treated; and the name and telephone number of the contact person. Pre-notification will not be sent when students do not occupy the facility for two consecutive days following the application per  RCW 17.21.415.

In addition, some might want prior notification of applications at their school. If you would like to be placed on a list to receive a prior notification at your school, please contact Sandy Stivers, Maintenance and Facilities Program Coordinator, at (360) 396-3065. You will need to leave your name, phone number, mailing address, email address, and the name of the school(s). The list will be kept from September through August. To remain on the list, you will need to renew your request on an annual basis.

The maintenance department makes an effort to apply fertilizer to fields and lawn areas on non-student days. Dates for fertilizer application may vary each year dependent on the school calendar and weather conditions. Generally, fertilizer is applied during early October, mid-December, early April, mid-June, and mid-August.

If you have any questions or concerns, please call (360) 396-3065.

The McKinney-Vento Act is a federal law that makes sure children and youth who do not have permanent housing can go to school and preschool. It gives children and youth rights to enroll in school, stay in school, get transportation to/from school, and access school lunch programs. If you become aware of students who may qualify for services under the McKinney-Vento Act or are in need of services for students in your family, please contact the principal of your school or Beth Bourque at (360) 396-3092.

As of July 2005, schools in Washington are required to make information available on Meningococcal diseases and reducing your student’s risk of contracting HPV to parents or guardians of all students entering Grades 6-12.

MENINGOCOCCAL DISEASE AND PREVENTION

Meningococcal disease is a serious bacterial infection. Fortunately, this life-threatening illness is rare, with only 20-50 cases reported each year in Washington. Symptoms of the disease may include fever, cough, rash, and headaches. It can cause meningitis (swelling of the covering of the brain and spinal cord). The disease spreads through close contact with an infected person. Teens and young adults are more likely to get meningococcal disease, especially if they live in a group setting like college dorms.

HOW TO PROTECT YOUR CHILD FROM MENINGOCOCCAL DISEASE:

The meningococcal vaccine, or MCV4, prevents against four types of the disease. It is recommended for all children between 11 and 12 years of age, and again at 16 to 18 years of age. This meningococcal vaccine is not required for school attendance.

HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS (HPV) AND PREVENTION

HPV is a common virus. Most people exposed to HPV will never develop health issues. But for others, HPV causes major health problems including cervical, anal, vulvar, mouth and, throat cancer. Most infected people have no symptoms and may spread the virus without knowing it. HPV spreads mainly through sexual contact.

HOW TO PROTECT YOUR CHILD FROM HPV:

Make sure your child gets the HPV vaccine. The vaccine is highly effective. The best time to get it is before sexual activity ever starts. The HPV vaccine can prevent infection from some of the most common and serious types of HPV that cause cancer and genital warts. The vaccine does not get rid of existing infections. Three doses of the HPV vaccine are recommended for all boys and girls starting at ages 11 to 12. It is recommended for females up to age 26 and men up to age 21. The HPV vaccine is not required for school attendance in Washington.

WHERE TO FIND MENINGOCOCCAL AND HPV VACCINES:

Ask your doctor or nurse, or call Kitsap Public Health District, 360-337-5235

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON MENINGOCOCCAL DISEASE, HPV, VACCINES, AND CERVICAL CANCER:

Washington State Department of Health

• https://www.doh.wa.gov/youandyourfamily/illnessanddisease/meningitis
• https://www.doh.wa.gov/YouandYourFamily/IllnessandDisease/HumanPapillomavirusHPV#requirements

Centers for Disease Control & Prevention

• www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-statements/mening.html
• www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Vaccine Education Center

• http://www.chop.edu/conditions-diseases/meningococcal-infections

American Cancer Society

• www.cancer.org

Please visit our nondiscrimination statement page to view Title VI, Section 504, Age Discrimination Act, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and Boy Scouts Equal Access Act statement.

Students and school employees who are subjects of threats of violence or harm shall be notified of the threats in a timely manner. Parents shall be included in notifications to students who are subjects of threats of violence or harm. Timing and details of the notice will be as extensive as permitted by the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, other legal limitations, and the circumstances of the situation.

The Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA) (20 U.S.C. § 1232h; 34 CFR Part 98), requires NKSD to notify you and obtain consent or allow you to opt your child out of participating in a student survey, analysis, or evaluation that concerns any of the following:

1. Political affiliations or beliefs;
2. Mental and psychological problems;
3. Sex behavior and attitudes;
4. Illegal, anti-social, self-incriminating, and demeaning behavior;
5. Critical appraisals of other individuals with whom respondents have close family relationships;
6. Privileged or analogous relationships, with lawyers, physicians, doctors or ministers;
7. Religious practices, affiliations, or beliefs;
8. Income, other than that required by law to determine eligibility.

This requirement also applies to the collection of student information for marketing purposes, and certain non-emergency, invasive exams, and screening.

NKSD will notify parents prior to the administration of any such survey or activity and will provide an opportunity to review the survey and opt their child out. Parents who believe their rights under PPRA have been violated may file a complaint with:

Family Policy Compliance Office

U.S. Department of Education

400 Maryland Avenue, SW

Washington, D.C. 20202-5920

Most students in Washington go to the public schools that are closest to their homes. But parents and guardians have many enrollment options for their kids. Students can attend an approved private school, enroll in an Alternative Learning Experience program (such as an online school), be taught at home, or attend a charter school. In some circumstances, they also can transfer to other schools within or outside the district in which they live.

In 1990, the state Legislature formalized some of the public school options by passing the Learning by Choice law.

Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction - Learning by Choice

If you are a parent of a student at a school that receives Title 1 funds, you have the right to know the professional qualifications of the classroom teachers who instruct your child. Federal law allows you to ask for certain information about your child’s classroom teachers and requires a district to give you this information in a timely manner if you ask for it. Specifically, you have the right to ask for the following information:

• Whether the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) has licensed or qualified the teacher for the grades and subjects he or she teaches.
• Whether OSPI has decided that the teacher can teach in a classroom without being licensed or qualified under state regulations because of special circumstances.
• The teacher’s college major; whether the teacher has any advanced degrees and, if so, the subject of the degrees.
• Whether any teachers’ aides or similar paraprofessionals provide service to your child and, if they do, their qualifications.

If you would like to know if your child’s school is a Title 1 school and/or to receive any of this information, please contact the district office at (360) 396-3000.

The law requires that schools track unexcused absences for students and work with parents to develop a plan for when a student has three unexcused absences in one month. If a student has five unexcused absences in a month or 10 in a school year, the school district shall file a petition for civil action with the Juvenile Court.

The definition of an excused absence is illness or health condition; family emergency; religious observance, (when requested by a parent); school-approved activities; some disciplinary actions or short-term suspensions, as required by law; or family-approved activities. A family-approved activity is only excused if there is prior written approval by the principal and no serious, adverse effect on the educational progress of the student.

Please call the school office as soon as you know that your child will not be attending school, and please do everything you can to schedule appointments outside of school hours. If you do not call, your school will try to verify your child’s absence by contacting you. If you cannot be contacted, the absence is considered unexcused.

View the Policies and Procedures for details. (Policy 3122, Procedure 3122P)