Weather conditions which make it unsafe to transport students or have school, can occur with very little warning.  Our first priority in bad weather situations is the safety of the students.  Mistakes are a possibility when trying to “second guess” Kansas weather.  If we do err in our decisions this school year, it is our hope that we make our mistakes on the side of student safety.

The superintendent is primarily responsible for cancelling school or altering the school day.  In inclement weather conditions, Superintendent O’Dea will be in contact with neighboring schools before cancelling or altering the school day.  On the days we do not hold school or we dismiss early, we will not have athletic practices, contests, or other activities after dismissal time. On any day that will have a Late Start no breakfast will be served and we will not hold morning preschool classes.

If school is to be closed during a regular school day, or if the decision is made to cancel school for the next day, an “Apptegy Alert” automated text message will be sent to all student households who have a current phone number with USD 108 and have not opted out of messages.  The phone number(s) used will be the notification numbers provided to the school during enrollment. These phone numbers can be updated in the offices as necessary during the school year. The Alert message will state what is happening, why, and when. Other Alert messages may be sent during the year for various district related events.

Weather related school closings and delays will be reported to WIBW-TV.

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 Washington County Schools receives a request for access.

Parents or eligible students 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 school to amend a record should write the school principal, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and 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.  A school official is a person employed by the school 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 or contractor outside of the school who performs an institutional service of 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 has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an educa­tion record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility.

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

Student Privacy Policy Office

U.S. Department of Education

400 Maryland Avenue, SW

Washington, DC  20202

PPRA affords parents of elementary and secondary students certain rights regarding the conduct of surveys, collection and use of information for marketing purposes, and certain physical exams.  These include, but are not limited to, the right to:

· Consent before students are required to submit to a survey that concerns one or more of the following protected areas (“protected information survey”) if the survey is funded in whole or in part by a program of the U.S. Department of Education (ED)–

1. Political affiliations or beliefs of the student or student’s parent;

2. Mental or psychological problems of the student or student’s family;

3. Sex behavior or attitudes;

4. Illegal, anti-social, self-incriminating, or demeaning behavior;

5. Critical appraisals of others with whom respondents have close family relationships;

6. Legally recognized privileged relationships, such as with lawyers, doctors, or ministers;

7. Religious practices, affiliations, or beliefs of the student or student’s parent; or

8. Income, other than as required by law to determine program eligibility.

· Receive notice and an opportunity to opt a student out of –

1. Any other protected information survey, regardless of funding;

2. Any non-emergency, invasive physical exam or screening required as a condition of attendance, administered by the school or its agent, and not necessary to protect the immediate health and safety of a student, except for hearing, vision, or scoliosis screenings, or any physical exam or screening permitted or required under State law; and

3. Activities involving collection, disclosure, or use of personal information collected from students for marketing or to sell or otherwise distribute the information to others. (This does not apply to the collection, disclosure, or use of personal information collected from students for the exclusive purpose of developing, evaluating, or providing educational products or services for, or to, students or educational institutions.)

· Inspect, upon request and before administration or use –

1. Protected information surveys of students and surveys created by a third party;

2. Instruments used to collect personal information from students for any of the above marketing, sales, or other distribution purposes; and

3. Instructional material used as part of the educational curriculum.

These rights transfer from the parents to a student who is 18 years old or an emancipated minor under State law.

Washington County Schools USD 108 has developed and adopted policies, in consultation with parents, regarding these rights, as well as arrangements to protect student privacy in the administration of protected information surveys and the collection, disclosure, or use of personal information for marketing, sales, or other distribution purposes.  USD 108 will directly notify parents of these policies at least annually at the start of each school year and after any substantive changes.  USD 108 will also directly notify, such as through U.S. Mail or email, parents of students who are scheduled to participate in the specific activities or surveys noted below and will provide an opportunity for the parent to opt his or her child out of participation of the specific activity or survey.  USD 108 will make this notification to parents at the beginning of the school year if the District has identified the specific or approximate dates of the activities or surveys at that time.  For surveys and activities scheduled after the school year starts, parents will be provided reasonable notification of the planned activities and surveys listed below and be provided an opportunity to opt their child out of such activities and surveys.  Parents will also be provided an opportunity to review any pertinent surveys.  Following is a list of the specific activities and surveys covered under this direct notification requirement:

· Collection, disclosure, or use of personal information collected from students for marketing, sales, or other distribution.

· Administration of any protected information survey not funded in whole or in part by ED.

· Any non-emergency, invasive physical examination or screening as described above.

Parents who believe their rights have been violated may file a complaint with: 

 Student Privacy Policy Office

U.S. Department of Education

400 Maryland Avenue, SW

Washington, D.C.  20202

The McKinney-Vento Education Assistance Act

The McKinney-Vento Education Assistance Act is a federal law that provides services to families and unaccompanied youth that live in a temporary situation due to loss of housing. The McKinney-Vento program addresses the barriers that homeless students have faced in enrolling, attending, and succeeding in school.

 Under the act, schools must ensure that each homeless child and youth has equal access to the same education as the students who are not homeless.

 Who is eligible?

The definition of homeless is, according to the Federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, children and youth who lack a fixed, regular, or adequate nighttime residence. If any one of the three conditions listed below is missing, the child is considered homeless based on the current living situation.

 · Fixed: securely placed not subject to change or fluctuation.

 · Regular: is defined as consistent or habitual.

 · Adequate: is defined as meeting both the physical and psychological needs typically met in home environments.

 This act guarantees homeless children and youth the following:

· Immediate enrollment

 · The right to attend the his/her school of origin

 · Transportation assistance

 · Immediate eligibility for free child nutrition

 · Services comparable to those received by housed schoolmates, including supplemental educational services.

 Contact:

Denise O’Dea

USD 108 Homeless Liaison

785-325-2261 x 3

101 West College Street

Washington, KS 66968

dodea@usd108.org

—or—

Maureen Tabasko

State Coordinator

785-296-1101

 If you need further assistance with your children's educational needs contact the National Center for Homeless Education:

 1-800-308-2145

homeless@serve.org

https://nche.ed.gov/

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that requires the school district, with certain exceptions, to obtain your written consent prior to the disclosure of personally identifiable information from your child’s educational records. However, the school may disclose some student information without written consent when the information is designated “Directory Information” unless the parent or eligible student notifies the office in writing that any or all of the categories should not be released without prior written consent.

The primary use for Directory Information by the district is to include this type of information in certain school publications. It is generally not considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if released. Examples of school publications are:

· A playbill or program, showing your child’s role in a drama or music production

· The annual yearbook

· Honor Roll or other recognition lists published at school or in newspapers

· Graduation programs

· Sports statistics listed in programs, such as football, which may include height and weight of team members

· School or district website

Directory Information can also be disclosed to outside organizations without a parent’s prior written consent. Outside organizations include, but are not limited to:

· Other schools the student is seeking to attend (transcripts, etc)

· Class ring manufacturers

· State or federal authorities auditing, evaluating programs, or enforcing state or federal laws

· A court by order of subpoena

Washington County Schools has designated the following as Directory Information:

· Student Name

· Address

· Telephone Number

· Email Address

· Degrees, honors and awards received

· Most recent educational agency or institution attended

· Participation in school sponsored activities and sports

· Weight and height of members of athletic teams

 · Major field of study

· Dates of attendance

· Photograph

· Date and place of birth

· Grade level

· Enrollment Status

· Parent Name

· Parent Address

· Parent Telephone Number

Applicants for admission and employment, students, parents of elementary and secondary school students, employees, sources of referral of applicants for admission and employment, and all unions or professional organizations holding collective bargaining or professional agreements with Unified School District #108 are hereby notified that the district does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, any of its programs and activities.  Any person having inquiries concerning Unified School District #108’s compliance with the regulations implementing any federal law prohibiting discrimination is directed to contact Denise O’Dea, Superintendent of Schools, 101 West College St, Washington, Kansas 66968, 785-325-2261, who has been designated by the Unified School District #108 to coordinate its efforts to comply with the regulations implementing federal nondiscrimination laws.  Complaints may also be filed with the Regional Office for Civil Rights:  Kansas City Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, One Petticoat Lane, 1010 Walnut St, Suite 320, Kansas  City, MO 644106. Telephone: 816-268-0550

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:

1. mail:
   U.S. Department of Agriculture
   Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
   1400 Independence Avenue, SW
   Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or

2. fax:
   (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or

3. email:
   Program.Intake@usda.gov

 This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

De acuerdo con la ley federal de derechos civiles y las normas y políticas de derechos civiles del Departamento de Agricultura de los Estados Unidos (USDA), esta entidad está prohibida de discriminar por motivos de raza, color, origen nacional, sexo (incluyendo identidad de género y orientación sexual), discapacidad, edad, o represalia o retorsión por actividades previas de derechos civiles.

La información sobre el programa puede estar disponible en otros idiomas que no sean el inglés. Las personas con discapacidades que requieren medios alternos de comunicación para obtener la información del programa (por ejemplo, Braille, letra grande, cinta de audio, lenguaje de señas americano (ASL), etc.) deben comunicarse con la agencia local o estatal responsable de administrar el programa o con el Centro TARGET del USDA al (202) 720-2600 (voz y TTY) o comuníquese con el USDA a través del Servicio Federal de Retransmisión al (800) 877-8339.

Para presentar una queja por discriminación en el programa, el reclamante debe llenar un formulario AD-3027, formulario de queja por discriminación en el programa del USDA, el cual puede obtenerse en línea en: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027s.pdf, de cualquier oficina de USDA, llamando al (866) 632-9992, o escribiendo una carta dirigida a USDA. La carta debe contener el nombre del demandante, la dirección, el número de teléfono y una descripción escrita de la acción discriminatoria alegada con suficiente detalle para informar al Subsecretario de Derechos Civiles (ASCR) sobre la naturaleza y fecha de una presunta violación de derechos civiles. El formulario AD-3027 completado o la carta debe presentarse a USDA por:

   (1)   correo:
           U.S. Department of Agriculture
           Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
           1400 Independence Avenue, SW
           Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or

   (2)   fax:
           (833) 256-1665 o (202) 690-7442; o

   (3)   correo electrónico:
           program.intake@usda.gov

Esta entidad es un proveedor que brinda igualdad de oportunidades.

Food is a source of nourishment, stability, and comfort for your child. USD 108 is working very closely with state agencies in ongoing efforts to protect the health and wellness of children. Federal, state, and local organizations have collaborated to prioritize food availability and food safety for young customers participating in school nutrition programs. We want to assure you that school nutrition program personnel are taking every precaution to support the safe delivery of program meals to your children in whatever form that takes in the coming months. 

Standard protocol for handling foods served in school nutrition programs is to follow the four key steps of food safety: clean, separate, cook, and chill. Following strict food safety protocol has been, and will continue to be, part of program practices at all times.

Protocol includes:

·         Proper handwashing before handling foods and food-contact surfaces.

·         Application of the “No Bare Hand Contact Rule” when handling ready-to-eat foods.

·         Exclusion of employees experiencing symptoms of illness. 

·         Purchase of foods from reputable sources.

·         Cooking and holding foods at proper temperatures.

·         Cleaning and sanitizing surfaces, as well as disinfecting facility surfaces when necessary.

The strict practices followed by school nutrition program personnel are designed to protect the safety of the foods and better ensure children receive quality meals that meet their nutritional needs.  The Kansas State Department of Education, the Kansas Department of Agriculture, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, and USD 108 take the health and wellness of your child very seriously.

 For more information about our program, contact Head Cook, Rose Zach, rzach@usd108.org, 785-325-2261 ext 255.