Student Attendance Policy Summary

The attendance policy has been formalized as Board of Education Policy 7110 and is available on our board policies page or by request from the District Office.

The district is an active partner with students and parents in the task of ensuring that all students meet or exceed the New York State Academic Standards. The district recognizes that consistent school attendance, academic success, and school completion have a positive correlation, and therefore has developed a Comprehensive Student Attendance Policy to meet the following objectives: a) Increase school completion for all students; b) Raise student achievement and close gaps in student performance; c) Identify attendance patterns in order to design attendance improvement efforts; d) Know the whereabouts of every student for safety and other reasons; e) Verify that individual students are complying with education laws relating to compulsory attendance; f) Determine the District’s average daily attendance for state aid purposes.

Determination of Excused and Unexcused Absences, Tardiness and Early Departures. a) Excused: if due to personal illness, illness or death in the family, impassable roads due to inclement weather, religious observance, quarantine, required court appearances, attendance at health clinics, approved college visits, approved cooperative work programs, military obligations or other such reasons as may be approved by the Board of Education. b) Unexcused: if the reason for the lack of attendance does not fall into the above categories (e.g., family vacation, hunting, babysitting, haircut, obtaining learner’s permit, oversleeping).

A written excuse, signed by a parent/guardian in parental relation should be presented by the student when returning to school following each absence.

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

Student Records

Policy 7240, Student Records: Access and Challenge can be found at Board Policies.

The Board of Education recognizes the importance of accurate student records and the need to maintain confidentiality in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). With respect to a student’s educational records, parents have the right to: (1) inspect and review the student’s education records; (2) request the amendment of the student’s education records that the parent or eligible student believes are inaccurate; (3) consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent; and (4) file a complaint with the U.S. Dept. of Education concerning alleged failures by the district to comply with FERPA. The name and address of the Office that administers FERPA are: Family Policy Compliance office, U.S. Dept. of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20202-4605

School contact: Dale R. Munn Jr., Records Access Officer.

Release of Student Information

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), a federal law, requires that the Gouverneur Central School District, with certain exceptions, obtain your written consent prior to the disclosure of personally identifiable information from your child’s education records. However, the district may release student information defined as "directory information" without written consent, unless otherwise notified by parents. The primary purpose of directory information is to allow the district to include this type of information from your child’s education records in certain school publications. Examples include:

• The annual yearbook
• Honor roll or other recognition lists
• Graduation programs
• A playbill from a drama production
• Sports activity sheets

District website including official social media sites

Directory information can also be disclosed to outside organizations, such as companies that manufacture class rings or publish yearbooks, without a parent’s prior written consent. The district has designated the following information as directory information: Student’s name; Address; Telephone listing; Date/place of birth; Major field of study; Participation in officially recognized activities and sports; Weight and height of members of sports teams; The most recent educational agency or institution attended.

If you do not want the district to disclose directory information from your child’s education records without your prior written consent, notice of refusal must be sent in writing to Dale R. Munn Jr., Records Access Officer, at 133 E. Barney St., Gouverneur, NY 13642 by September 15 of each year.

Disclosure of Student Information to Military Recruiters and/or Colleges

In accordance with federal law, the district must release secondary school students’ names, addresses and telephone listings to military recruiters or institutions of higher education unless eligible students or parents/guardians request in writing that such information not be released. If you would not like this information released, please notify the High School Principal in writing by September 30 of each year.

Rights Under the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA)

The full policy can be found on our website: Board Policies as Policy 7516, Student Privacy, Parental Access to Information, and Administration of Certain Physical Examinations to Minors.

The Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment provides parents/guardians with certain rights regarding the conduct of surveys, collection and use of information for marketing purposes, and certain physical exams. In particular, if a survey is funded in whole or part by the U.S. Department of Education, parents/guardians have the right to consent before students are required to complete a survey that asks about any of eight protected areas: a) Political affiliations or beliefs; b) Mental or psychological problems; c) Sex behavior or attitudes; d) Illegal, anti-social, self-incriminating or demeaning behavior; e) Critical appraisals of other individuals with whom respondents have close family relationships; f) Legally recognized privileged or analogous relationships, such as those of lawyers, physicians and ministers; g) Religious practices, affiliations, or beliefs; or h) Income (other than that required by law to determine eligibility for participation in a program or for receiving financial assistance under such program). The following specific activities and surveys are covered under this requirement: The collection, disclosure, or use of personal information for marketing, sales or other distribution; administration of any protected information survey not funded by the Education Department; and any non-emergency, invasive physical examination or screening. Parents who believe their rights have been violated may file a complaint with: Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Dept of Education, 400 Maryland Ave, SW, Washington, D.C. 20202-5901.

Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment

In accordance with applicable federal and state laws and regulations, the district does not discriminate on the basis of any legally protected class or category in its education programs and activities or when making employment decisions. Further, the district prohibits discrimination and harassment on school property and at school functions on the basis of any legally protected class including, but not limited to: race, color, religion, disability, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, military status, sex, age, and marital status.

Further, the district does not discriminate on any other basis prohibited by state or federal nondiscrimination laws, and provides equal access to its facilities to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The school district will act to promptly, thoroughly, and equitably investigate all complaints of discrimination and will promptly take appropriate action to protect individuals from further discrimination.

A formal complaint may be filed in writing with the District’s Civil Rights Compliance Officer(s): Mr. Cory Wood, 315-287-1900; wood.cory@gcsk12.org; or Mrs. Jessica Sullivan, Gouverneur CSD, 133 E. Barney St., Gouverneur NY 13642; 315-287-4836; sullivan.jessica@gcsk12.org.

Dignity for All Students Act (DASA)

The full policy can be found on our website: Board Policies as Policy 7532,Dignity for All Students.

The district seeks to create an environment free of harassment, bullying, and discrimination; to foster civility in its schools; and to prevent conduct that is inconsistent with its educational mission.

The district, therefore, prohibits all forms of harassment and bullying of students by employees or other students on school property and at school functions. The district further prohibits discrimination against students, including, but not limited to, discriminatory acts based on a person’s actual or perceived race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability, sexual orientation, gender, or sex by employees or other students on school property, at school functions, and in certain instances off school property. The district will promptly respond to reports of harassment, bullying, and/or discrimination of students, ensure that all investigations are conducted within a reasonably prompt time frame and under a predictable fair grievance process that provides due process protections, and impose disciplinary measures and implement remedies when warranted.

To make a report, contact any Dignity Act Coordinator (DAC). All district employees who witness or receive an oral or written report of harassment, bullying, and/or discrimination are required to make an oral report not later than one school day after to the Superintendent or Principal, their designee, or the DAC. All incidents are thoroughly investigated.

If a report is investigated through the proper channels and it is determined to NOT be a case of bullying or harassment, the district and school administration will work with those involved to reach a mutually agreeable solution to the problem.

The District’s Dignity Act Coordinators are:

• Mr. Jessica Sullivan, Lead Coordinator, District
• High School: Principal, Guidance Counselors
• Middle School: Principal, Guidance Counselors
• Elementary School: Principal, Guidance Counselors

Title IX and Sex Discrimination

Title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any education program or activity operated by a district that receives federal financial assistance. The full policy can be found at Board Policies as Policy 3421, Title IX and Sex Discrimination.

Inquiries about this policy or the application of Title IX may be directed to the District's Title IX Coordinator(s), the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights of the United States Department of Education, or both.

The district has designated and authorized the following district employee(s) to serve as its Title IX Coordinator(s): Cory Wood, Executive Director of Operations and Personnel, 315-287-1013, wood.cory@gcsk12.org, and Jessica Sullivan, Assistant Superintendent, 315-287-4836, sullivan.jessica@gcsk12.org.

Use of Pesticides & Request for Notification

The full policy can be found on our website: Board Policies as Policy 5693, Pest Management & Pesticide Use.

The Gouverneur Central School District uses an Integrated Pest Management approach to control weeds, structural and landscape pests and to minimize pesticide exposure to students, employees and visitors. The district will maintain a list of those people who wish to receive forty-eight (48) hour notice before pesticide applications and will deliver such notice in a timely fashion to all affected. To receive these notifications, please send a written request to Cory Wood, GCSD pesticide representative, at 133 E. Barney St., Gouverneur NY 13642, or wood.cory@gcsk12.org.

Asbestos Notification

In accordance with the Federal EPA Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA), all public and private K-12 schools in the United States are required to inspect their facilities for asbestos. An additional requirement of the regulations is that parents and staff are to be informed that the inspection was done.

A copy of the AHERA management plan is in the Main Office and available for your inspection. For additional information or questions, contact Cory Wood, Executive Director of Operations & Personnel in the Gouverneur Central School Office at 315-287-1013.

Parents' Bill of Rights for Data Privacy and Security

The district is committed to maintaining the privacy and security of student data and teacher and principal data. In accordance with New York Education Law Section 2-d and its implementing regulations, the following is a summary of the district’s Parents' Bill of Rights. The entire document and supplemental information can be found on our website at https://sites.google.com/gcsk12.org/gcsd-edlaw2-d.

1. A student’s personally identifiable information cannot be sold or released for any commercial purposes.
2. Parents have the right to inspect and review the complete contents of their child’s educational records.
3. State and federal laws protect the confidentiality of personally identifiable student information, and safeguards must be in place when data is stored or transferred.
4. A complete list of all student data elements collected by New York State is available for review at the following website: http://www.p12.nysed.gov/irs/sirs/documentation/NYSEDstudentData.xlsx or by writing to: Office of Information & Reporting Services New York State Education Department Room 863 EBA, 89 Washington Avenue Albany, NY 12234
5. Parents have the right to have complaints about possible breaches of student data addressed. Complaints should be directed to: Jacquelyn L. Kelly, Data Protection Officer, mailto:kelly.jackie@gcsk12.org, 315-287-4870 OR Chief Privacy Officer New York State Education Department 89 Washington Avenue Albany, NY 12234 Email: CPO@mail.nysed.gov
6. Each contract with a third-party contractor which will receive student data, or teacher or principal data will include provisions requiring that confidentiality of such shared data be maintained in accordance with law, regulation, and district policy.

Homeless Students

Students in temporary housing (i.e., homeless children and youth) will have access to the same free and appropriate public education, including public preschool education, as other students, as well as access to educational and other services necessary to be successful in school.

The McKinney-Vento Liaison for Students in Temporary Housing

The district has designated Monica Scott, Gouverneur Middle School (315-287-1903, Option 4) as the district liaison for students in temporary housing (otherwise referred to as the McKinney-Vento liaison). The district's McKinney-Vento liaison serves as one of the primary contacts between families experiencing homelessness and school staff, district personnel, shelter workers, and other service providers. The McKinney-Vento liaison coordinates services to ensure that homeless children and youth enroll in school and have the opportunity to succeed.

Access to Free Meals

The district will provide free meals to all children identified as homeless. They do not have to complete a free or reduced-price meal application. When the McKinney-Vento liaison or a shelter director provides a child's name to the district's school food service office, free school meals will commence immediately.

Comparable Services

The district will provide services to students in temporary housing comparable to those offered to other students in the district, including: transportation services; educational services for which the child or youth meets the relevant criteria, such as services provided under Title I or similar state or local programs; educational programs for students with disabilities; educational programs for English learners; programs in career and technical education; programs for gifted and talented students; and school nutrition programs.

Student Privacy

Information about a student in temporary housing's living situation will be treated as a student education record and will not be deemed to be directory information under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). A parent/guardian or unaccompanied youth may consent to the release of a student's address information in the same way they would for other student education records under FERPA.

FamilyID - Athletics SignUp

GCSD uses FamilyID for sports sign-ups. This provides a convenient way to sign up for one or more sports for all family members throughout the school year. Go to our Sports Registration page to enroll or access your current account.

The Dominic Murray Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act

This act is a new law as of July 1, 2022. This law requires schools, students, and parents/guardians have information on sudden cardiac arrest risks, signs, and symptoms. To decrease any chance of SCA in a student, the Interval Health History for Athletics must be completed and signed by a parent/guardian before each sports season unless a physical examination has been conducted within 30 days before the start of the season.

The law also requires any student who has signs and symptoms of pending SCA be removed from athletic activity until seen by a physician. The physician must provide written clearance to the school for the student to be able to return to athletics.

Additional information will be provided to all student athletes and their families prior to the start of their sports season, or you may contact Beverly Martin, Head of Health Services, at martin.beverly@gcsk12.org or 315-287-1902.

Questions may be directed to the State Education Department’s Office of Student Support Services at studentsupportservices@nysed.gov or 518-486-6090.