Annual Parent Notifications
Washougal School District is required by law to provide parent annual notification of the following:
CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION
School districts must work with state agencies (including OSPI) to establish a coordinated primary prevention program for child abuse and neglect. All "parents shall be given notice of the primary prevention program and may refuse to have their children participate in the program."
TEACHER QUALIFICATIONS
Title 1 Schools
If you are a parent in a Title I school, you have the right to know the professional qualifications of the classroom teachers who instruct your child. Federal law allows you to ask for certain information in a timely manner. Specifically, you have the right to ask for the following information:
Whether OSPI has licensed or qualified the teacher for the grades and subjects he or she teaches.
Whether OSPI has decided that the teacher can teach in a classroom without being licensed or qualified under state regulations because of special circumstances.
The teacher's college major; whether the teacher has any advanced degrees and, if so, the subject of the degrees.
Whether any teachers' aides or similar paraprofessionals provide services to your child and, if they do, their qualifications. If you would like to receive any of this information, please call the district office.
DRUG FREE SCHOOLS
Congress has adopted legislation requiring drug-free schools. A study by the National Commission on Drug-Free Schools indicated that drug and alcohol use among our nations youth remains widespread. Appreciable numbers of students begin to use alcohol in the elementary grades and increasing numbers begin to use illicit drugs in middle school. Washougal School District is committed to drug-free schools. The board has established a policy requiring that each student adhere to all the rules of conduct adopted by the district. Failure to do so shall be cause for corrective action enforced by school officials.
Use and/or possession of alcohol and illicit drugs is unlawful, wrong, and harmful. A student shall not knowingly possess, use, transmit, be under the influence of, or show evidence of having used any narcotic drug, hallucinogenic drug, amphetamine, barbiturate, marijuana, alcoholic beverage or intoxicant of any kind while:
-On the school grounds during and before and immediately after school hours;
-On school grounds at any other time when the school is being used by a school group(s);
-Off the school grounds at a school activity, function, or event.
Discipline sanctions up to and including expulsion and referral for prosecution will be imposed on students who violate the standards of conduct. Examples of sanctions may include notification of parent/guardian, notification of authorities, referral for substance abuse evaluation, curtailment of participation in district sports, suspension, expulsion, and/or completion of a drug/alcohol rehabilitation or treatment program not at district expense. (Use of a drug authorized by a medical prescription from a registered physician shall not be considered a violation of this rule.)
Information about the drug/alcohol counseling and rehabilitation program may be obtained from the building administrator or student service counselors. Compliance with the above standards of conduct is mandatory for all students and will be enforced without exception. For more information on Washougal board policy, go to: www.washougal.k12.wa.us
PESTICIDES
The Washington State Legislature requires all school districts to adopt a pesticide policy and related procedures for implementing the policy. It is our intent to take steps that will promote a safe and healthy environment to our students and our community. Information regarding the use of pesticides in the district is available at the district office.
ASBESTOS PLAN
The district engages in a continuous asbestos surveillance program to assure that there are no asbestos problems or danger to students and employees. A copy of the district asbestos management plan is available for review at the district office.
RELEASING INFORMATION
Schools may release specific directory-type information, including names, address, and phone number, without prior parental consent if the school both provides notification that it reserves the right to release such information and defines what kind of information will be considered directory information.
However, under FERPA, parents must be given the right to opt out of directory information release. Though schools may release directory information without obtaining the prior consent of parents, school officials use their discretion as to whether they release such information to third parties.
LEGISLATION REGARDING MILITARY RECRUITERS
Section 952B of the No Child Left Behind Act, also known as Armed Forces Recruiter Access to Students and Student Recruiting Information, requires schools to provide student contact information to military recruiters and other institutes of higher education. However, FERPA protects information about students from being released if parents opt out or require prior consent in writing.
Consent/opt out forms are sent home via your child's school newsletter. For more information, contact the school office.
CHILD IDENTIFICATION PROCEDURES
The district conducts childfind activities for the purpose of locating, evaluating, and identifying students with a suspected disability who are residing within district boundaries. Childfind activities apply to children who are not currently receiving special education and related services. Parents having concerns about their child's health, hearing, intellectual functioning, language, learning, movement, serious behavioral needs, speech, or vision can call the school office.
SEXUAL HARRASSMENT AND BULLYING
The district and the Board of Directors recognize their responsibility to provide a working environment for employees and a learning environment for students that is free from all types of discrimination, including sexual harassment and bullying. Sexual harassment is illegal, and procedures have been developed that provide for receiving and investigating a complaint from any staff member or student. To make a confidential report, contact the school office.
TITLE IX
The district assures that all its students have an opportunity to enroll in classes, programs and extracurricular activities without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, or handicap. Inquiries regarding compliance and/or grievance procedures may be directed to the school district's Title IX Officer at the district office.
CONFIDENTIALITY--FERPA
Parents in the school district have rights to confidentiality under the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). The parent or eligible student has a right to:
-Inspect and review the student's education records;
-Request amendment of the student's education records to ensure that they are not inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student's privacy or other rights;
-Consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student's education records;
-File with the U.S. Department of Education a complaint concerning alleged failures by the agency to comply with the requirements of the act;
-Obtain a copy of the policy adopted under section 99.6. A copy of this policy is available by request at the district office.