ANNUAL NOTICES
Revised June 2021
School Districts are required by federal and state laws and regulations to provide annual notices to parents and guardians, as well as students and employees in some cases.
NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT
Shelton School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination:
Title IX Coordinator
Linda Arnold, Executive Dir. of Human Resources
700 S. First Street; Shelton, WA 98584
360-426-1687
Email: LArnold@sheltonschools.org
Section 504/ADA Coordinator
Jenny LaFrenier, Director of Special Services
700 S. First Street; Shelton, WA 98584
360-426-2151
Email: jlafrenier@sheltonschools.org
Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator
Linda Arnold, Executive Dir. of Human Resources
700 S. First Street; Shelton, WA 98584
360-426-1687
Email: LArnold@sheltonschools.org
Complaint procedures can be found on the District’s website by clicking on the following link and viewing Policy & Procedure 3210: https://www.sheltonschools.org/district/policy_procedure.
SEXUAL HARASSMENT
Students and staff are protected against sexual harassment by anyone in any school program or activity, including on the school campus, on the school bus, or off-campus during a school-sponsored activity.
Sexual harassment is unwelcome behavior or communication that is sexual in nature when:
- A student or employee is led to believe that he or she must submit to unwelcome sexual conduct or communications in order to gain something in return, such as a grade, a promotion, a place on a sports team, or any educational or employment decision, or
- The conduct substantially interferes with a student's educational performance or creates an intimidating or hostile educational or employment environment.
Examples of Sexual Harassment:
- Pressuring a person for sexual favors
- Unwelcome touching of a sexual nature
- Writing graffiti of a sexual nature
- Distributing sexually explicit texts, e-mails, or pictures
- Making sexual jokes, rumors, or suggestive remarks
- Physical violence, including rape and sexual assault
You can report sexual harassment to any school staff member or to the district's Title IX Officer, who is listed above. You also have the right to file a complaint. For a copy of your district’s sexual harassment policy and procedure, contact your school or district office, or view Policy 3205 online here: https://www.sheltonschools.org/district/policy_procedure
GENDER-INCLUSIVE SCHOOLS POLICY AND PROCEDURE NOTIFICATION
Shelton School District’s Gender-Inclusive Schools Policy (3211) and Procedures (3211P) and Form (3211F) may be found on the District’s website by clicking on the following link: https://www.sheltonschools.org/district/policy_procedure. Copies of the policy/procedures/forms may also be obtained by contacting the District Office at 360-426-1687, or in person at 700 S. 1st Street; Shelton, WA 98584.
REGULATION OF WEAPONS ON SCHOOL PREMISES
It is unlawful for a person to carry onto, or to possess on, public or private elementary or secondary school premises, school provided transportation, or areas of facilities while being used exclusively by public or private schools, any firearm or any dangerous weapon (RCW 91.41. 280, RCW 69.50.435, REC 28A.210.310(2).
For more information and for the complete policy and procedures regarding weapons on school premises, see School Board Policy No. 4210, which can be found on the District’s website at https://www.sheltonschools.org/common/pages/DisplayFile.aspx?itemId=20117844
TEACHER AND PARA EDUCATOR QUALIFICATION NOTICE
Parents can request information regarding the professional qualifications of their students’ classroom teachers and para educators. An online publication titled, Parent’s Right To Be Informed, is available in English and Spanish at: http://www.k12.wa.us/TitleI/ParentFamilyEngagement/ParentsGuardians.aspx. Information regarding teacher and para educator qualifications can also be obtained by contacting Linda Arnold, Executive Director of Human Resources at LArnold@sheltonschools.org, or by calling 360-426-1687.
PUBLIC RECORDS
Pursuant to RCW 42.17, parents and other members of the public have the right to inspect and copy public records retained by the District, including records pertaining to employee discipline, unless the records are exempt from public disclosure under state law. To request records, contact Linda Arnold, the Records Coordinator at 360-426-1687, or LArnold@sheltonschools.org.
NOTE FOR CTE NOTIFICATION BELOW: Prior to the beginning of each school year, school districts must advise students, parents, employees and the general public that all vocational opportunities will be offered. The announcement of this nondiscrimination notification shall be made through local newspapers, district newsletters, and/or other media that reaches the general public. It also needs to be placed on the district’s homepage website and respective high school’s homepage websites.
NON-DISCRIMINATION NOTIFICATION – CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION
The Shelton School District does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, national origin, disability, or age in its program or activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The Shelton School District offers classes in many career and technical education program areas, including courses that span a wide variety of disciplines that lend to industry/business and college related to healthcare, math, environmental science, etc., under its open admissions policy. For more information about CTE course offerings and admissions criteria, contact Don Welander, Career-Connected Learning Coordinator at 700 S. 1st St.; Shelton, WA 98584; 360-426-1687; dwelander@sheltonschools.org. Lack of English language proficiency will not be a barrier to admission and participation in career and technical education programs. The following people have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies: Linda Arnold, Exec. Director of Human Resources;700 S. 1st Street; Shelton, WA 98584; 360-426-1687; larnold@sheltonschools.org.
NOTE: For publication in Food Service Newsletters and other Food Service Publications and online pages. This notice may be included in school newsletters/publications as well, but is not required.
CHILD NUTRITION SERVICES NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT
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: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and 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 mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; fax: (202) 690-7442; or email: program.intake@usda.gov. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
PARENT’S
RIGHT TO BE INFORMED
Parents can
request information regarding the professional qualifications of their
students’ classroom teachers. An online
publication titled, Parent’s Right To Be Informed, is available in English and
Spanish at: http://www.k12.wa.us/TitleI/ParentFamilyEngagement/ParentsGuardians.aspx
COMPLAINTS
RELATED TO FEDERAL PROGRAMS
A citizen
complaint is a written statement that alleges a violation of a federal rule,
law or regulation or state regulation that applies to a federal program. Anyone
can file a citizen complaint. There is no special form. There is no need to
know the law that governs a federal program to file a complaint. Complaint procedures can be found on our website at the following link: https://www.sheltonschools.org/common/pages/DisplayFile.aspx?itemId=25228877.
FAMILY
EDUCATIONAL RIGHTS AND PRIVACY ACT (FERPA)
Shelton
School District may disclose appropriately designated “directory information”
without written consent unless you have advised the District to the contrary in
accordance with District Procedure No. 3231. 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:
- A playbill,
showing student’s role in a drama production;
- The annual
yearbook;
- Honor roll
or other recognition lists;
- Graduation
programs; and
- Sports
activity sheets.
Directory
information, which is information that is generally not considered harmful or
an invasion of privacy if released, can also be disclosed to outside
organizations without a parent’s written consent. Outside organizations include, but are not
limited to, companies that manufacture class rings or publish yearbooks. In addition, two federal laws require the District
to provide military recruiters, upon request, with three directory information
categories: names, addresses, and telephone listings unless parents have
advised the District that they do not want their student’s information
disclosed without prior written consent. If you do not want the District to
disclose directory information from your child’s education records without your
prior written consent, you must notify the District in writing by September
10th of each year, or within ten days of a student’s enrollment. The District has designated the following
information as directory information:
- Student’s
name;
- Photograph;
- Video;
- Address;
- Telephone
number;
- Date and
place of birth;
- Dates of
attendance;
- Participation
in officially recognized activities and sports;
- Weight and
height of members of athletic teams;
- Diplomas and
awards received;
- The most
recent previous school attended;
- Other
information that would not generally be considered harmful or an invasion
of privacy if disclosed.
The actual
residential addresses of participants in the state Address Confidentiality
Program will not be available for release as directory information.
For more information, please access the District’s Policy/Procedures #3231 at the following website: www.sheltonschools.org. Click on School Board/Policies/3000s-Students/3221.
NOTIFICATION
OF RIGHTS UNDER THE PROTECTION OF PUPIL RIGHTS AMENDMENT (PPRA)
The
Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA) a®ords parents certain rights
regarding the conduct of surveys, collection and use of information for
marketing purposes, and certain physical exams. These include 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: (1) Political a®iliations 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, a®iliations, or beliefs of the student or parents; 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) The above and 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 obtained from
students for marketing or to sell or otherwise distribute the information to
others. Inspect, upon request and before
administration or use: (1) Protected information surveys of students; and (2) Instruments used to collect personal
information from students for any of the above marketing, sales, or other distribution purposes. •
Inspect upon request any 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.
WEBSITE
ACCESSIBILITY
The Shelton
School District is committed to providing access to all individuals, with or
without disabilities, seeking information on our district website. If, because
of a disability, you are unable to access content on Shelton School District’s
website, have questions about the accessibility of content or technology used
by the District, and/or would like to report barriers to accessing any
information on this website, please email accessibility@SheltonSchools.org.
FORMAL
GRIEVANCE PROCESS
Any person
who believes that Shelton School District has discriminated against them
because of their disability or failed to make reasonable accommodation for
their disability may file a written grievance with the Shelton School District.
Once a written grievance is received, the District will investigate the
allegations contained in the grievance in an effort to reach a prompt and
equitable resolution. The
grievance should be in writing and include (1) the nature of the grievance; (2)
the facts upon which the grievance is based; and (3) the complainant’s
signature and the date the grievance is filed. The grievance should be filed
with the Shelton School District at the following address:
Linda Arnold, Shelton School District 700 South 1st Street
Shelton, WA
98584.
LArnold@sheltonschools.org
360-426-1687
MCKINNEY-VENTO
HOMELESS ASSISTANCE
The
McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (also referred to as the Act or the
McKinney-Vento Act) acknowledges that disputes may arise between the school
district and homeless students and their parents, or unaccompanied youth, when
the district seeks to place a student in a school other than the school of
origin or the school requested by the parent or unaccompanied youth. The Act includes dispute resolution among the
required duties of the local education agency (LEA) liaison. The Washington State Office of Superintendent
of Public Instruction (OSPI) has developed a dispute resolution process as
required by the McKinney-Vento Act. The
dispute process can be found at http://k12.wa.us/HomelessEd/Resources.aspx.
IMMUNIZATIONS
Washington
State Law requires all students attending public schools, preschool through
12th grade, to provide proof of immunization. Personal and medical exemption
forms signed by a licensed healthcare provider or a completed religious
exemption form will also be accepted. All students, regardless of age, must be
in compliance in order to be in school.
EDUCATION OF
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES AND THE PROHIBITION OF DISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS
OF DISABILITY
The District
shall provide equal educational opportunity and treatment for all students in
all aspects of the academic and activities program without regard to race,
creed, color, national origin, sex, age, veteran or military status, sexual
orientation, gender expression or identity, the presence of any sensory or
mental or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service
animal by a person with a disability. (See Policy 2030.) In particular,
students with disabilities have the right to a free and appropriate public
education. Please contact the Special Education Department at 360-426-2151 to
receive information on (a) the way to refer a student, who because of a
disability, may need or is believed to need, special education or related
services, and (b) the rights of parents and students with disabilities in
identification, evaluation, and placement.
To refer a
student with a disability for Section 504 services: A parent, teacher,
counselor, or administrator who believes he/she is observing a student who is
exhibiting substantially limited performance in one or more major life
activities that is believed to be caused by a physical or mental impairment may
refer the student. The concerned individual should complete a Referral Form and
give it to the school principal. The Referral Form is available from the school
office or school counselor. For a complete description of the process that
follows a referral for Section 504 services, please see District Policy 2162
and Procedure 2162P. The 504 Compliance Officer is Jenny LaFrenier and can be
contacted at 360-426-2151. To see your rights visit
http://www.k12.wa.us/equity/Families/Section504.aspx.
CHILD FIND
In
compliance with Washington Administrative Code 392-172A-02040, this is to
notify district parents about Child find. Child find activities are conducted
to locate, evaluate and identify students who reside in the district and who
have a suspected disability including children experiencing homelessness,
regardless of the severity of the disability. If you have a child from birth
through age 3, please contact South Sound Parent to Parent for an initial
intake interview 360- 432-7788. If you have a child age 3-5 who you suspect may
have a disability, he/she may be eligible for special education services
through Shelton School District If you would like more information about these
programs, call 360-426-3175. If you have a student from kindergarten through
age 21 who has a suspected disability, call the school psychologist at your
local school for more information.
RESTRAINT,
ISOLATION AND OTHER USES OF REASONABLE FORCE
Shelton
School District is committed to providing a safe and beneficial learning
environment for all students. In accordance with state law, the use of
restraint and isolation is only permitted when reasonably necessary to control
spontaneous behavior that poses an imminent likelihood of serious harm. The following procedures are established for
the appropriate use of restraint and isolation including parent/guardian
notification in accordance with RCW 28A 600.485. You can also find more detailed information
in our Shelton School District Policy 3246 and Procedure 3246P
AHERA
(ASBESTOS HAZARD EMERGENCY RESPONSE ACT) ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 49
CFR, PART 763
As you may
be aware, some of our buildings still have some asbestos in them. Asbestos
containing materials are present or assumed to be present in seven district
school buildings and six portable classroom-type units; however, none of these
materials require immediate attention as all are in good/safe condition at this
time. The vast majority of the asbestos-containing materials in the district
are in floor coverings - either VAT (vinyl asbestos tile) or asbestos sheet
vinyl. Both of these are very stable products. Lesser quantities of other types
of asbestos-containing materials are also present. Types, quantity and location
are outlined in each respective school/facility book. There is no reason for
concern because custodians and district maintenance personnel have been trained
to inform the district Designated Asbestos Person immediately if there have
been any disturbances or if there is any question of a disturbance. Each school
facility containing asbestos has an Asbestos Management Plan book located in
the front o®ice. Per AHERA (Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response) requirements.
SSD facilities are periodically surveyed to inspect the condition of the
Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM). Inspections are performed every six months
by the district Designated Asbestos Person. Every three years an inspection is
also done by a non-district person to ensure the district stays in compliance
with all State and Federal laws. The last three year inspection was performed
in 2019 by ESD 113. SSD District Designated Asbestos Person is Fred Johnson. If
you have any questions about our asbestos situation please call him at (360)
426-6322.