Annual Student Notice

THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF SHEBOYGAN FALLS ANNUAL STUDENT NOTICE

Included below is a summary of each policy.  To view each board policy in its entirety, please visit our website at www.sheboyganfalls.k12.wi.us, District, Board of Education, Board Policies, and click on View the Board Policies at NEOLA.com.  

The Board designates the following individuals to serve as the District’s "Compliance Officers":  Mary Lofy Blahnik, Director of Instruction, 220 Amherst Avenue, Sheboygan Falls, WI  53085, 920-467-7893, mlofy@sheboyganfalls.k12.wi.us and Kevin Krutzik, High School Principal, 220 Amherst Avenue, Sheboygan Falls, WI  53085, 920-467-7890, kkrutzik@sheboyganfalls.k12.wi.us.

2260 – STUDENT NONDISCRIMINATION AND ACCESS TO EQUAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY

The Board is committed to providing an equal educational opportunity for all students in the District.
The Board does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, creed, pregnancy, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, sex, (including transgender status, change of sex or gender identity), or physical, mental, emotional, or learning disability ("Protected Classes") in any of its student program and activities.
The Board is also committed to equal employment opportunity in its employment policies and practices as they relate to students. The Board’s policies pertaining to employment practices can be found in Policy 1422, Policy 3122, and Policy 4122 - Nondiscrimination and Equal Employment Opportunity.

2261.01 - PARENT PARTICIPATION IN TITLE I PROGRAMS

In accordance with the requirements of Section 1118 of Title I, programs supported by Title I funds must be designed and implemented in consultation with parents of the students being served.

2414 - HUMAN GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

The Board of Education directs that students receive instruction in human growth and development, consistent with
Chapter 118.019(2) Wis. Stats.

2416 - STUDENT PRIVACY AND PARENTAL ACCESS TO INFORMATION

The Board of Education respects the privacy rights of parents and their children. No student shall be required, as a part of the school program or the District's curriculum, without prior written consent of the student (if an adult, or an emancipated minor) or, if an unemancipated minor, his/her parents, to submit to or participate in any survey, analysis, or evaluation that reveals information concerning: 

1. political affiliations or beliefs of the student or his/her parents;     
2. mental or psychological problems of the student or his/her family;     
3. sex behavior or attitudes;     
4. illegal, anti-social, self-incriminating or demeaning behavior;     
5. critical appraisals of other individuals with whom respondents have close family relationships;     
6. legally recognized privileged and analogous relationships, such as those of lawyers, physicians, and ministers;    
7. religious practices, affiliations, or beliefs of the student or his/her parents; or     
8. income (other than that required by law to determine eligibility for participation in a program or for receiving financial assistance under such a program).    

8330 - STUDENT RECORDS

In order to provide appropriate educational services and programming, the Board of Education must collect, retain, and use information about individual students. Simultaneously, the Board recognizes the need to safeguard students’ privacy and restrict access to students’ personally identifiable information.  Except for data identified by policy as "directory data," student "personally identifiable information" includes, but is not limited to: the student's name; the name of the student's parent or other family members; the address of the student or student's family; a personal identifier, such as the student's social security number, student number, or biometric record; other indirect identifiers, such as the student's date of birth, place of birth, and mother's maiden name; other information that, alone or in combination, is linked or linkable to a specific student that would allow a reasonable person in the school community, who does not have personal knowledge of the relevant circumstances, to identify the student with reasonable certainty; or information requested by a person who the District reasonably believes knows the identity of the student to whom the education record relates.

8330 - STUDENT RECORDS – RECRUITER ACCESS

In accordance with Federal and State law, the Board shall release the names, addresses, and telephone listings of secondary students to a recruiting officer for any branch of the United States Armed Forces or an institution of higher education who requests such information. A secondary school student or parent of the student may request in writing that the student's name, address, and telephone listing not be released without prior consent of the parent(s)/eligible student. The recruiting officer is to sign a form indicating that "any information received by the recruiting officer shall be used solely for the purpose of informing students about military service and shall not be released to any person other than individuals within the recruiting services of the Armed Forces." The District Administrator is authorized to charge mailing fees for providing this information to a recruiting officer.

5200 - ATTENDANCE

State law requires the Board of Education to enforce the regular attendance of students.  Further, the Board recognizes that the District's educational program is predicated upon the presence of the student and requires continuity of instruction and classroom participation.  The regular contact of students with one another in the classroom and their participation in a well-planned instructional activity under the tutelage of a competent teacher are vital to this purpose.  All children between six (6) and eighteen (18) years of age shall attend school regularly during the full period and hours, religious holidays excepted, that the school in which the child is enrolled is in session until the end of the term, quarter, or semester of the school year in which the child becomes eighteen (18) years of age, unless they fall under an exception under State law, this policy, or administrative guideline issued under this policy.  A child who is enrolled in five (5) year-old kindergarten shall attend school regularly, religious holidays excepted, during the full period and hours that kindergarten is in session until the end of the school term.

5223 - ABSENCES FOR RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION 

The Board of Education desires to cooperate with those parents who wish to provide for religious instruction for the children but also recognizes its responsibility to enforce the attendance requirements of the State.
The Board shall permit students, with written parental permission, to be absent from school during required school periods at least sixty (60) minutes but not more than 180 minutes per week to obtain religious instruction outside of school.  A student must be properly registered and a copy of such registration must be filed with the principal. The supervisor of the religious instruction must report monthly to the District the names of the students who are attending the weekly instruction.  The District will assume no liability for a student while attending religious instruction nor will it provide transportation for such instruction.  No solicitation for attendance at religious instruction shall be permitted on District premises. No member of the staff shall encourage nor discourage participation in any religious instruction program.

5136 - PERSONAL COMMUNICATION DEVICES 

"Personal communication devices" ("PCDs") as used in this policy are defined in Bylaw 0100.  Students may use personal communication devices (PCDs) before and after school, during their lunch break, in between classes as long as they do not create a distraction, disruption or otherwise interfere with the educational environment, during after school activities (e.g., extra curricular activities), or at school-related functions.  Use of PCDs, except those approved by a teacher or administrator, at any other time is prohibited and they must be powered completely off (i.e., not just placed into vibrate or silent mode) and stored out of sight.  However, technology including, but not limited to, PCDs intended and actually used for instructional purposes (e.g., taking notes, recording classroom lectures, writing papers) will be permitted, as approved by the classroom teacher or the building principal.  During after school activities, PCDs shall be powered completely off (not just placed into vibrate or silent mode) and stored out of sight when directed by the administrator or sponsor.  Under certain circumstances, a student may keep his/her PCD "On" with prior approval from the building principal.

5771 - SEARCH AND SEIZURE

The Board of Education has charged school authorities with the responsibility of safeguarding the safety and well-being of the students in their care. In the discharge of that responsibility, school authorities may search school property such as lockers used by students or the person or property, including vehicles, of a student, in accordance with the following policy.  The Board acknowledges the need for in-school storage of student possessions and shall provide storage places, including desks and lockers, for that purpose. Desks and lockers are public property and school authorities may make reasonable regulations regarding their use. The District retains ownership and possessory control of student desks and lockers and the same may be searched at random by school personnel at any time. A showing of reasonable cause or suspicion is not a necessary precondition to a search under this paragraph. Students shall not have an expectation of privacy in lockers, desks, or other school property as to prevent examination by a school official. The Board directs the school principals to provide students with written notice of this policy at least annually and that routine inspections be done at least annually of all such storage places.  The Board directs that the searches may be conducted by the District Administrator, building principals, assistant principals, and/or School Resource Officer.

5111.01 HOMELESS STUDENTS

Children and youth, including unaccompanied youth who meet the Federal definition of "homeless" will be provided a free appropriate public education in the same manner as all other students of the District. To that end, students who are homeless will not be stigmatized or segregated on the basis of their status as homeless and will be assigned to the school serving those non-homeless students residing in the area in which the homeless child is actually living. The District shall establish safeguards that protect homeless students from discrimination on the basis of their homelessness.

2271 EARLY COLLEGE CREDIT PROGRAM

The Board recognizes the value to students and to the District of students participating in programs offered by University of Wisconsin system institutions, tribally controlled colleges and private, non-profit higher education institutions in Wisconsin.  The Board will allow any high school student who satisfies the eligibility requirements to participate in the Early College Credit Program (ECCP) to enroll in an approved course at an ECCP-approved institution of higher education while attending in the District. Students will be eligible to receive college and high school credit for completing course(s) at authorized institutions of higher education provided they complete the course(s) and receive a passing grade.  The School District’s responsibility to pay for tuition, fees, books and other necessary materials shall be limited to eighteen (18) postsecondary credits per student.  The District Administrator shall establish administrative guidelines to ensure that the District’s Early College Credit Program comports with applicable State law and the administrative rules of the Department of Public Instruction. The District Administrator shall also ensure that all students enrolled in the District in the 8th, 9th, 10th, and 11th grades are provided with information regarding the Program by October 1st of each year.

2700.01 SCHOOL PERFORMANCE REPORT

The Board of Education believes that a vital component of the District’s educational programs is ensuring that parents and other individuals are informed of the performance of the schools and the school district. To this end, the Board has adopted this policy.  The Board of Education will publish an annual school and school district performance report including all information prescribed by statute. By January 1st of each year the School Board shall notify the parents of each student enrolled in the District of the right to request a school and school district performance report. Parents shall be notified that the performance report will be provided to the parent electronically unless the parent requests a written copy of the report By May 1st, the Board shall distribute copies of the report to those who have requested, the report including, students enrolled in charter schools located in the District, that have requested the report.
The annual school and school district report shall be made available on the District's internet website for public viewing. 

5517.01 BULLYING

The Board of Education 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.

8510 WELLNESS

As required by law, the Board of Education establishes the following wellness policy for the School District of Sheboygan Falls as a part of a comprehensive wellness initiative.  The Board recognizes that good nutrition and regular physical activity affect the health and well-being of the District's students. Furthermore, research suggests that there is a positive correlation between a student's health and well-being and his/her ability to learn. Moreover, schools can play an important role in the developmental process by which students establish their health and nutrition habits by providing nutritious meals and snacks through the schools' meal programs, by supporting the development of good eating habits, and by promoting increased physical activity both in and out of school.

2009 WISCONSIN ACT 96 INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT PLAN 
SCHOOL DISTRICT OF SHEBOYGAN FALLS ANNUAL NOTICE

The Sheboygan Falls School District would like to inform staff, students, parents, and the public of the district’s indoor environmental quality (IEQ) management plan.  The plan was initially developed in 2013 and is reviewed as necessary.  The plan was developed as deemed appropriate for the district.  Questions and concerns should be directed to the IEQ Coordinator.  Copies of the plan are available at the district office for a fee.  The district office is located at 220 Amherst Avenue, Sheboygan Falls, WI, 53085-1799.

SCHOOL DISTRICT OF SHEBOYGAN FALLS ANNUAL ASBESTOS NOTIFICATION

In compliance with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA), this is notice that the Sheboygan Falls School District has an Asbestos Management Plan at the school district office. The plan is available for inspection by the public, parents, and district employees. The district performs six month periodic surveillance of asbestos in April and October and full re-inspections every three years. For more information please contact the district office. 

THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF SHEBOYGAN FALLS
NOTICE OF EDUCATIONAL OPTIONS FOR CHILDREN WHO RESIDE IN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT

According to State Statue the School District of Sheboygan Falls is required to notify parents of the educational options, including the Special Needs Scholarship Program, available to children who reside in the resident school district.  This requirement also requires notification of the school’s accountability report.  

Our most recent accountability report data can be located at the following link:  https://apps2.dpi.wi.gov/reportcards/ or by searching “school report card” on the Department of Public Instruction website.  In addition, our website, www.sheboyganfalls.k12.wi.us, contains links to this information under District/About Us.  

Educational Opportunities Available to Sheboygan Falls Resident Students include:  http://dpi.wi.gov/ed-options

ANNUAL NOTICE OF SPECIAL EDUCATION REFERRAL & EVALUATION PROCEDURES 

Upon request, the School District of Sheboygan Falls 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 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 Emily Dahm, Director of Student Services, School District of Sheboygan Falls at 467-7894, or by writing her at: 1 Alfred W. Miley Avenue, Sheboygan Falls, WI  53085.