Franklin Family Newsletter

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The August edition of Franklin’s Newsletter is filled with important information about things to do in preparation for the start of school, as well as significant dates and events during the first month of school.

 

Welcome from Principal Kurt Krueger

Welcome to the 23-24 school year!  We hope that everyone is able to relax and enjoy what remains of the summer because the staff is ready to teach (and learn) at Franklin Middle School.

The staff and I look forward to seeing students on Thursday, August 31, 2023 for Ready, Set, Goal Conferences.  Please feel free to contact the office at 608-743-6000 with any questions throughout the school year.

Franklin is a great place because of the students, parents and staff members. We strive to provide an excellent adolescent educational experience to fulfill our mission that we are a community of learners that does whatever it takes to help students achieve and succeed so that they are college, career, and community ready.

Welcome, from the Student Services Team! 

Our Student Services Team focuses on promoting positive school climate, increasing academic performance and preparing students to be college, career and community ready. Contact Student Services Staff if you have any concerns regarding your student’s academic and/or social emotional development.  

Student Services Staff

• Mrs. Amundson, Secretary – 608-743-6026, tamundson@janesville.k12.wi.us

• Ms. Konstanz, School Counselor (Students in 7th grade & 8B) – 608-743-6027, jkonstanz@janesville.k12.wi.us

• Mrs. Clarquist, School Counselor (Students in 6th grade & 8A) – 608-743-6028, kclarquist@janesville.k12.wi.us

• Mrs. Wilker, School Psychologist – 608-743-6121, bwilker@janesville.k12.wi.us

• Ms. Rudersdorf, School Social Worker - 608-743-6019, audrey.rudersdorf@janesville.k12.wi.us

If you are unable to reach anyone, you can call the main school line at 608-743-6000.

Registration

The School District of Janesville will use the online registration process again this school year. Many of the forms required for registration will be available online on our district website. Online registration is open and available to parents. If you do not have the ability to register online, you can access computer resources at the public library or contact our Student Services office at 608-743-6026 for alternative methods of registration.

An accurate and current profile in Infinite Campus helps everyone communicate student progress, health needs, and school events.

Ready, Set, Goal Conferences

Franklin Middle School kicks off the new school year with Ready, Set, Goal Conferences on Thursday, August 31, 2023. These 20 minute conferences give parents, students, and teachers an opportunity to meet and get to know each other. 

Your student’s advisors have reached out to you via email to share the link for you to schedule your conference. Time slots are available from 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Please have your child attend the conference with you. If you have any questions about Ready, Set, Goal Conferences, you may call the main office at 608-743-6000.

The first full day of school will be Friday, September 1, 2023.

Picture Day-Lifetouch

Picture day this year will be on Thursday, September 7, 2023. Order forms will be available at school and at this link - Picture Day Ordering 

School Fees

School fees are $37.00 for the upcoming 2023-2024 school year.  Checks for fees and yearbooks should be made out to Franklin Middle School.  You can write one check for both school fees and a yearbook or make one check for multiple students that you may be registering. You may also pay your student's school fees, athletic fees, or deposit lunch money online through the Infinite Campus Portal. See the main office with all other questions about school fees.

Yearbooks

Yearbooks can be purchased at Franklin Middle School or through Josten's website. Yearbooks will be $25.  Yearbooks can be purchased through January 31, 2024 and are distributed the last week of school.     

Transportation

If your child will be riding the city bus this school year and you have questions about routes and the service you may call the Janesville Transit Service (JTS) at 608-755-3150. School bus routes have been traditionally published in the Janesville Gazette prior to the start of school. You may wish to study them carefully to notice any changes. Questions concerning riding the yellow school bus can be forwarded to the ESC at 608-743-5000.

Bell Schedule

Franklin, along with the other two middle schools are incorporating a new bell schedule this year. The school day remains unchanged with school starting at 8am and ending at 3:23pm.  Click on this link to see the entire schedule.

Breakfast  

Franklin offers a breakfast program to students. Breakfast is free to ALL students. Students may enter the cafeteria beginning at 7:30am.  Breakfast will be served from 7:30 to 7:45 am.  Students must finish their breakfast by 7:55 am and proceed to their 1st hour class. No food will be allowed out of the cafeteria. Students arriving at school after 7:45 am will not be able to get breakfast. 

4, 3, 2, 1 Grading Scale

Student achievement is reported based on student’s ability to meet the standards put in place for specific content areas by Wisconsin’s Department of Public Instruction.  Depending on the level at which a student is able to meet a standard, the student achievement will be reon a 4,3,2,1 grading scale.  

• “4” In addition to “3” performance, the student demonstrates an in-depth understanding and application that goes beyond the learning goals.

• “3” The student demonstrates mastery regarding the information and/or processes (simple or complex) of the learning goals.

• “2” The student demonstrates mastery regarding the simpler details and processes, and demonstrates partial understanding regarding the more complex ideas and processes of the learning goals.

• “1” The student demonstrates a partial understanding of some of the simpler details and processes and some of the more complex ideas and processes of the learning goals.

Teachers will determine if a standard is met through a variety of formative and summative assessments.  In addition, specific teacher comments regarding life skills such as responsibility and attitude will also be reported by subject area.  Parents will be able to view ongoing progress in Infinite Campus and report cards will be sent home with students at the end of each quarter.

Students at Parker and Craig High School have a traditional A-F grading scale. Continuing for 23 - 24 school year, and in order to support our eighth grade students as they begin to transition from middle school to high school, the 4,3,2,1 grading scale will continue and then be translated into a corresponding letter grade. The corresponding letter grade will be visible in Infinite Campus and will be reflected on all report cards. It is important to remember that over the course of a class, many standards will be scored and the letter grade is an average of all standards.

STOP, DROP, AND GO!

Please follow the signage for a safe drop off and pick up from school. 

Chromebooks

All students at Franklin are provided with a Lenovo touchscreen Chromebook.  Seventh and eighth grade students should make sure their devices are charged and ready to go by September 1.   Devices that are not working or damaged can be turned into the LMC for repairs.  Students will be given a loaner device to use while their Lenovo is getting repaired.  All new students, including sixth grade students, will be getting their Chromebook the first week of September.  Each Chromebook comes with one charging cable.  Extra replacement cables cost $25.  All Chromebooks should remain in their provided case at all times.   Students can take their devices home nightly to charge them, or each team center does have a charging station for students who wish to leave them at school.  Each charging station holds a limited number of devices.  Devices may be used at home.  All content is filtered through the school filter at home and at school.

Fall Fundraiser

Our annual fall fundraiser is back this year.  The kick off is September 7th and orders are collected through September 20th.  Again this year we will have a drive-thru order pick up on Monday, October 30, 2023.  Just stop, hit your trunk release, and the order will be placed inside your vehicle! 

Scoopie Nights

Scoopie Nights are held from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm on various nights throughout the school year.  Culver’s will donate 15 percent of the sales during this time to Franklin Middle School. Our Scoopie nights are September 19, 2023, December 6, 2023 and April 24, 2024.

Franklin Middle School Athletics

Season One sports offered to Franklin Middle School students are as follows:

• 6th Girls Volleyball
• 6th-8th Grade Flag Football
• 6th-8th Grade Cross Country
• 7th-8th Grade Tennis
• 6th-8th Grade Golf
• 8th Grade Softball

You can register your student by following the link. 

Rec Night Information

Although held at Franklin, Rec. Nights are events sponsored and operated by Janesville’s Leisure Services.  Leisure Services rents the building from the school district.  They are in charge of supervision and policies related to Rec Nights.  They always have several paid Leisure Service staff members at Rec Night, and parent volunteers are always encouraged to help out. Please contact Leisure Services if you would be able to help out with any future Rec Nights. 

If you have any Rec Night questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Leisure Services at 608-755-3030.

Franklin Rec Night Dates for the 23-24 school year are: November 10, 2023, January 5, 2024, February 9, 2024 and March 1, 2024.  

Attendance Office

Please remember, if you are calling about a student’s absence, medical appointment, medication, dropping off lunch money, requesting homework, or leaving a message for a student, please call the attendance office at 608-743-6030. 

Franklin Middle School Calendar Information

For a full calendar and school information please visit our website.

Ready, Set, Goal Conferences	8:00am. – 7:00pm (by appointment)	Thursday, August 31, 2023
First Full Day for Students	8:00am - 3:23pm	Friday, September 1, 2023
Labor Day	NO SCHOOL	Monday, September 4, 2023
Picture Day		Thursday, September 7, 2023
Fundraiser Kickoff		Thursday, September 7, 2023
Scoopie Night (W Court St)	4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.	Tuesday, September 19, 2023
Fundraiser Turn in Date		Wednesday, September 20, 2023
Teacher Professional Dev.	NO SCHOOL	Friday, September 29, 2023
Picture Retake Day		Tuesday, October 3, 2023
Parent Teacher Conferences	4:00pm – 7:00pm (by appointment)	Wednesday, October 25, 2023
Parent Teacher Conferences (No School)	8:00am. – 7:00pm (by appointment)	Thursday, October 26, 2023
Teacher Non-Work Day	NO SCHOOL	Friday, October 27, 2023
Fundraiser Distribution	3:00pm - 4:30 p.m.	Monday, October 20, 2023
Middle & High School Only	End of First Quarter	Thursday, November 2, 2023
Middle & High School Only	NO SCHOOL	Friday, November 3, 2023
Rec Night	6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.	Friday, November 10, 2023
Teacher Professional Dev	NO SCHOOL	Friday November 17, 2023
Thanksgiving Break	NO SCHOOL	Wednesday, November 22 - Friday, November 24, 2023
Scoopie Night (W Court St)	4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.	Wednesday, December 6, 2023
Orchestra Concert	6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.	Thursday, December 7, 2023
Band Concert	6pm - 8:00pm	Thursday, December 14, 2023
Choir Concert	6pm - 9pm	Tuesday, December 12, 2023
Winter Break Begins	NO SCHOOL	Friday, December 22, 2023
School Resumes		Tuesday, January 2, 2024

Important Phone Numbers

• Main Office 608-743-6000
• Attendance Office 608-743-6030
• Student Services 608-743-6026
• Athletic Office 608-743-6021

Moving

If you will be moving from your current home address please contact Franklin Middle school office at 608-743-6026 as soon as possible to determine what paperwork you will need to fill out for your child to continue attending his/her current school.  Please note: if you are moving to an address outside the School District of Janesville in most cases your child is eligible to continue attending the School District of Janesville as long as you complete the appropriate paperwork within the required timeline.

If you have any questions about school placement for a particular address please contact the enrollment office at 608-743-5011.  The New Student Enrollment Office is open year round.

If you are the parent of an elementary student and will be moving over the summer months when the elementary schools are closed, please contact the New Student Enrollment Office at 608-743-5011 to complete the appropriate paperwork.

Mandatory District Notices

National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs

We are pleased to inform you that Franklin Middle School will be implementing the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) while participating in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs for the 2023-2024 School Year.

All Franklin students are eligible for a free breakfast and a free lunch daily. This does not include extra milk, cold lunch milk, or ala carte purchases.

The district will still be requesting applications from households with a student participating in the CEP. Completing the application is necessary for other programs, funding,and may be used to determine if your household is eligible for additional benefits.

Please contact the School Nutrition Manager, at 608-743-5132 with any questions.

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at the following link, at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter 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
2. fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov. This institution is an equal opportunity provider

Schoolwide Title I Program Notice

As a school with a low-income rate of 70%, Franklin Middle School receives federal Title I funds to support the learning of all students through a Schoolwide Title I Program. Schoolwide programs serve all children in a school. All staff, resources, and classes are part of the overall schoolwide program. The purpose is to ensure all students, including those most in need, are positioned to  meet the state's challenging academic standards.  Schoolwide Title I schools annually complete a needs assessment to identify the school’s strengths and areas for improvement in student achievement, develop strategies and action steps to address how the goals identified will be achieved, and evaluate and update the plan as needed.   

Schoolwide Title I schools are required to engage parents and families in the Title I planning and evaluation process as well as provide opportunities for parents and families to engage in supporting their child’s education.  Parents of children enrolled in Title I schools have the right to:

• Timely information about services provided;
• Access to a description of the curriculum, the forms of assessment used to measure student progress, and the achievement levels of challenging state standards;
• Opportunities or meetings to formulate suggestions and to participate, as appropriate, in decisions relating to the education of their children upon their request; 
• Response to their suggestions in a timely manner.

Copies of the Schoolwide Title I Plan and the Title I Parent and Family Engagement Policy are available upon request. Please contact the school secretary at 608-743-6000 or tfredricks@janesville.k12.wi.us to request a copy.

Kindergarten Enrollment

If you have a child turning 5 (five) years old prior to September 1, 2022 and they are not currently enrolled in a School District of Janesville Preschool for Janesville (P4J) or Early Childhood (EC) program it is time to enroll in the Janesville Public School District.  Enrollment will take place from December 1, 2023, through December 15, 2023, at the Educational Services Center located at 527 S. Franklin St. (administration building) in the New Student Enrollment office by appointment only.  Please call (608) 743-5011.

If you cannot attend the enrollment period please make an appointment as soon as possible to enroll after December 15, 2023.  Enrollment in the district is required for participation in orientation.  When you enroll, you will need your child’s birth certificate for proof of age, proof of residency (top portion of a utility bill, or current lease) to determine school assignment, immunization records and photo identification.

The window for Requests for School Transfer/Placement within the School District (yellow forms) for incoming kindergarten students are available from December 1, 2023, through December 15, 2023, and should be submitted through the enrollment process. Enrollments are completed by appointment only. Forms are available at the Educational Services Center and must be completed at the time of enrollment for new incoming kindergarteners. Forms are also available at the schools for current students requesting a transfer. Current proof of residence and a photo ID are required when submitting a transfer request.

If you have questions regarding this process contact New Student Enrollment at 608-743-5011.  The status of requests will be determined by January 15, 2024 if they are turned in by December 15th.  If you have a student currently attending a school under a School Transfer/Placement within the School District, it does not automatically qualify your kindergarten student for attendance at the same school; however, siblings are generally assigned to the same school.  In order for your kindergarten student to attend the same school as a sibling, you must submit a request during the Kindergarten Enrollment time frame.  

If you know of a child in your neighborhood or from community activities that would be entering kindergarten for the 2023-2024 school year, please pass this enrollment information on.  

Non-District Residents

If you are a non-resident of the School District of Janesville and have a child turning 5 (five) years old prior to September 1, 2023 and would like your child to attend the School District of Janesville you must also apply for OPEN ENROLLMENT.  Currently open enrolled non-residents in a P4J or EC program do not need to re-apply. If you have questions regarding the Open Enrollment process, please contact Deen Hartley at 743-5152.

Request for School Transfer/Placement within the SDJ Attendance Areas

Due to Move:  If you move within the School District of Janesville during the school year and wish to remain at your current school, please ask the school office for a Request to Remain in Current School Following Move to New Attendance Area Form (blue).  Complete the form and return it to the school office. Current proof of residence and a photo ID are required when submitting a transfer request.  

Due to Parent Choice:  If you wish to apply to have your student transferred/placed in another school within the district next school year (2023-2024), please ask the school office for a School Transfer/Placement Within the School District Form (yellow).  Completed forms will be accepted from December 1 through December 15, 2023 only.  Submit your Request for School Transfer/Placement Within the School District Form (yellow) to your home school attendance area office.  Current proof of residence and a photo ID are required when submitting a transfer request.  Parents applying for a Request for School Transfer/ Placement Within the School District will be notified of approval or disapproval by January 15, 2024.  Parents applying for a Request for School Transfer/Placement Within the School District for incoming Kindergarten students will be notified of approval or non-approval after they have enrolled their child during the Kindergarten Enrollment period with the New Student Enrollment Office.  If you have questions, please contact the school office of your home school attendance area. 

Open Enrollment or Public School Choice 

If during the school year, you move outside the School District of Janesville and you wish to remain at your current school please contact the Open Enrollment Specialist at 743-5152 and request a tuition waiver form within two weeks of your move.  This will allow you to be eligible to attend your current school for the remainder of the current year tuition free.  To continue attending the School District of Janesville after the 2023-2024 school year, you will also need to complete an open enrollment application.  Application instructions are provided to the School District of Janesville by the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) and should be available by late January 2023.  This year applications will be accepted February 5 – April 26, 2024.  

If you have questions regarding Open Enrollment or Public School Choice, please contact the Open Enrollment Specialist at 743-5152. 

Annual Notice of Special Education - Referral and Evaluation Procedures

Child Find Notice

Upon request, the School District of Janesville is required to evaluate a child for eligibility for special education services.  A request for evaluation is known as a referral.  When the district receives a referral, the district will appoint an Individualized Education Program (IEP) team to determine if the child has a disability, and if the child needs special education services. The district locates, identifies, and evaluates all children with disabilities who are enrolled by their parents in private (including religious) schools, elementary schools and secondary schools located in the school district.

 A student with a medically diagnosed disability is not automatically eligible for special education.  An outside medical diagnosis is insufficient of special education eligibility.  A student must be found eligible as a “child with a disability” under state and federal special education law.  A student with a disability is one who requires specially designed instruction as a result of meeting the criteria for at least one of the identified disability categories under state and federal special education law.  A student cannot start receiving special education services without a full and individual comprehensive special education evaluation completed by the student’s district.  Outside evaluations and other information shared by the parent, such as medical diagnoses, are considered during the evaluation and may provide supporting or new information about the student’s academic and functional skills important for determining the nature and extent of the student’s disability and education needs.  34 CFR §§ 300.8 and 300.301. Wis. Stat. § 115.76(5).

A physician, nurse, psychologist, social worker, or administrator of a social agency who reasonably believes a child brought to him or her for services is a child with a disability has a legal duty to refer the child, including a homeless child, to the school district in which the child resides.  Before referring the child, the person making the referral must inform the child's parent that the referral will be made.

Others, including parents, who reasonably believe a child is a child with a disability may also refer the child, including a homeless child, to the school district in which the child resides.

Referrals must be in writing and include the reason why the person believes the child is a child with a disability.  A referral may be made by contacting Mrs. Kimberli Peerenboom, Director of Pupil Services, School District of Janesville, at 608-743-5061, or by writing her at 527 S. Franklin Street, Janesville, WI, 53548.

Confidentiality of personally identifiable information obtained through child find activities

The School District of Janesville is required to locate, identify, and evaluate all children, with disabilities, including children with disabilities attending private schools in the school district, and homeless children.  The process of locating, identifying, and evaluating children with disabilities is known as child find.  This agency conducts the following child find activities each year in the form of Early Childhood and Speech and Language Developmental Screenings. This notice informs parents of the records the school district will develop and maintain as part of its child find activities.  This notice also informs parents of their rights regarding any records developed.

The school district gathers personally identifiable information on any child who participates in child find activities.  Parents, teachers, and other professionals provide information to the school related to the child’s academic performance, behavior, and health.  This information is used to determine whether the child needs special education services.  Personally identifiable information directly related to a child and maintained by the school is a pupil record. Pupil records include records maintained in any way including, but not limited to, computer storage media, video and audiotape, film, microfilm, and microfiche. Records maintained for personal use by a teacher and not available to others and records available only to persons involved in the psychological treatment of a child are not pupil records.

Pupil records

• "Progress records" include grades, courses the child has taken, the child's attendance record, immunization records, required lead screening records, and records of school extra-curricular activities. Progress records must be maintained for at least five years after the child ceases to be enrolled.

• "Behavioral records" include such records as psychological tests, personality evaluations, records of conversations, written statements relating specifically to the pupil's behavior, tests relating specifically to achievement or measurement of ability, physical health records other than immunization and lead screening records, law enforcement officers' records, and other pupil records that are not "progress records." Law enforcement officers' records are maintained separately from other pupil records. Behavioral records may be maintained for no longer than one year after the child graduates or otherwise ceases to be enrolled, unless the parent specifies in writing that the records may be maintained for a longer period of time. The school district informs parents when pupil records are no longer needed to provide special education. At the request of the child's parents, the school district destroys the information that is no longer needed.

• "Directory data" includes the student's name, address, telephone listing, date and place of birth, major field of study, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, dates of attendance, photographs, degrees and awards received, and the name of the school most recently previously attended by the student.

• "Pupil physical health records" include basic health information about a pupil, including the pupil's immunization records, an emergency medical card, a log of first aid and medicine administered to the pupil, an athletic permit card, a record concerning the pupil's ability to participate in an education program, any required lead screening records, the results of any routine screening test, such as for hearing, vision or scoliosis, and any follow-up to the test, and any other basic health information, as determined by the state superintendent. Any pupil record relating to a pupil's physical health that is not a pupil physical health record is treated as a patient health care record under sections 146.81 to 146.84, Wisconsin Statutes. Any pupil record concerning HIV testing is treated as provided under section 252.15, Wisconsin Statutes.

Parent Rights

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and section 118.125, Wisconsin Statutes, afford parents and students over 18 years of age ("eligible students") the following rights with respect to education records:

• The right to inspect and review the student's education records within 45 days of receipt of the request. Parents or eligible students should submit to the school principal [or appropriate school official] a written request that identifies the records(s) they wish to inspect. The principal will make arrangements for access and notify the parent or eligible student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. The school district will comply with the request without unnecessary delay and before any meeting about an individualized education program, or any due process hearing, and in no case more than 45 days after the request has been made. If any record includes information on more than one child, the parents of those children have the right to inspect and review only the information about their child or to be informed of that specific information. Upon request, the school district will give a parent or eligible student a copy of the progress records and a copy of the behavioral records. Upon request, the school district will give the parent or eligible student a list of the types and locations of education records collected, maintained, or used by the district for special education. The school district will respond to reasonable requests for explanations and interpretations of the records. A representative of the parent may inspect and review the records.

• The right to request the amendment of the student's education records that the parent or eligible student believes is inaccurate or misleading. Parents or eligible students may ask [Name of] School District to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate or misleading. They should write the school principal, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate or misleading. If the district decides not to amend the record, the district will notify the parent or eligible student of the decision and the 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 in the student's education records, except to the extent that federal and state law authorize disclosure without consent. The exceptions are stated in 34 CFR 99.31, Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act regulations; Sec. 9528, PL107-110, No Child Left Behind Act of 2001; and section 118.125(2)(a) to (m) and sub. (2m), Wisconsin Statutes. One exception that permits disclosure without consent is disclosures to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by the district as an administrator, supervisor, instructor, or support staff member (including health or medical staff and law enforcement unit personnel); a person serving on the school board; a person or company with whom the district has contracted to perform a special task (such as an attorney, auditor, medical consultant, or therapist); or a parent or student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or 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. Upon request, the district discloses education records without consent to officials of another school district in which a student seeks or intends to enroll. Also the district discloses "directory data" without consent, unless the parent notifies the district that it may not be released without prior parental consent.

• 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, DC 20202-4605.

Bullying - Board Policy 5517.01

The Board is committed to providing a safe, positive, productive, and nurturing educational environment for all of its students. The Board encourages the promotion of positive interpersonal relations between members of the school community. Bullying toward a student, whether by other students, staff, or third parties is strictly prohibited and will not be tolerated. This prohibition includes physical, verbal, and psychological abuse. The Board will not tolerate any gestures, comments, threats, or actions which cause or threaten to cause bodily harm or personal degradation. This policy applies to all activities in the District, including activities on school property, including at any of the school buildings or other property used exclusively or in part, whether leased or owned by the District, for the purpose of school-related functions or events; or while traveling to or from school or to and from school-sponsored functions or events; in transporting vehicles arranged for by School District officials. The policy applies as well during activities that occur off school property if the student or employee is at any school-sponsored, school-approved, or school-related activity or function, such as field trips or athletic events where students are under the supervision of school authorities, or where an employee is engaged in school business, or where there is otherwise a connection to the school such that the conduct at issue affects or is intended to affect the student’s educational environment.

Any student who believes they have been or are the victim of bullying should immediately report the situation to the building principal or assistant principal, or the District Administrator. The student may also report concerns to a teacher or counselor who will be responsible for notifying the appropriate administrator or Board official. Complaints against the building principal should be filed with the District Administrator. Complaints against the District Administrator should be filed with the Board President.

Follow the link to read the entire board policy on bullying including definitions and complaint procedures.