Annual Notifications & Policies

Annual Notifications & Policies

The district is required by state and federal law to provide a series of policy notifications each year. They have been posted below for your convenience. Use the links to the right to jump to a particular topic.

Access to School District Records

Requests for information that the district makes available according to the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) should be addressed to the District Clerk at (845) 987-3000, Ext. 10511, or slaroe@wvcsd.org.

Annual Fire Inspection

In accordance with New York education law, Warwick Valley Central School District is required to publish a public notice of the filing of its annual fire inspection report within 20 days of filing it with the New York State Education Department (NYSED). It must be published at least once in the designated official newspaper of the district or a newspaper in general circulation for its postal area. For more information on annual fire inspection notices, please contact the district clerk at (845) 987-3000, Ext. 10511 or slaroe@wvcsd.org.

Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR)

In accordance with NYS Education Law 3012-c, parents have the right to access the composite APPR score for the teacher(s) and/or principal of the school building to which their child is assigned during the current school year. Learn more

Asbestos Management Plan

In accordance with federal law, the district has in place a management plan to identify and manage asbestos building materials. The Asbestos Management Plan is on file and available for review in the District Office during regular business hours.

Body Mass Index (BMI) Screening

New York State requires schools to track each student’s Body Mass Index (BMI) and weight status category as part of school health examinations for students in grades 2, 4, 7 and 10, as well as new students. Every year, the New York State Department of Health will survey some schools for the number of pupils in each of six possible weight status categories. If Warwick Valley Central School District is surveyed by the state, the district will share summary group data only, and will not share individual names or information. Parents who wish to exclude their child’s data from such group calculations must contact their child’s school nurse in writing. School nurse contact information

Code of Conduct

The Board of Education, in accordance with Project SAVE Legislation, has adopted a Code of Conduct for the Warwick Valley Central School District, and for each of the schools in the district. The Code of Conduct governs the conduct of students, teachers, staff and visitors, and is meant to help maintain safe, orderly schools. The Code of Conduct and age-appropriate plain English versions of the Code of Conduct are sent to parents and shared with students each year during the month of September. The Code of Conduct is also available on the district’s website, and at each school.

Child Abuse Hotline

If you suspect a child is being abused or maltreated (neglected), report it by calling 1-800-342-3720, a toll-free 24-hour hotline operated by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services. If you believe a child is in immediate danger, call 911 or your local police department. Information about reporting child abuse and maltreatment (neglect) is available online at the Office of Children and Family Services website.

Computer Acceptable Use Policy

Students and parents will be asked to sign and agree to the District’s Acceptable Use
Agreement. View policy

Dignity for All Students Act (DASA)

The Board of Education recognizes that a learning environment that is safe and supportive can increase student attendance and improve academic achievement. A student’s ability to learn and achieve high academic standards, and a school’s ability to educate students, is compromised by incidents of discrimination or harassment, including but not limited to bullying, taunting, hazing and intimidation. The district will strive to create an environment free of discrimination and harassment and will foster civility in the schools to prevent and prohibit conduct which is inconsistent with the district’s educational mission.

The district condemns and prohibits all forms of discrimination and harassment of students based on actual or perceived race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability, sexual orientation, gender or sex by school employees or students on school property or at school-sponsored events and activities that take place on or off of school property. In addition, any act of discrimination or harassment outside of school-sponsored events which can reasonably be expected to materially and substantially disrupt the educational process may be subject to discipline.

Diginity Act (DASA) Coordinators:

More information about the Dignity for All Students Act

Equal Opportunity

The district hereby advises students, parents, employees and the general public that it does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, gender, national origin, religion, age, economic status, marital status, military status, disability, predisposing genetic characteristics or sexual orientation in its educational programs, activities or employment practices and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups.

This policy of non-discrimination includes, but is not limited to: (a) access by students to educational programs, counseling services, course offerings, student athletics, student employment assistance, extracurricular activities and other school resources; and (b) recruitment and appointment of employees, as well as their compensation, benefits, opportunities for advancement and/or terminations.

Further, the district, its officers, employees and agents shall not discriminate against students on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability, sex; sexual orientation, or gender (including gender identity and expression).

The following are the district’s Compliance Officers:

  • Title VI (discrimination based upon race, color, creed, national origin, ethnic group, religion): 
    Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources, and Compliance Officer for Employees, Visitors and Volunteers
    (Title VI, VII, IX/Section 504 & ADA Compliance Officer)
    Cindy Leandro
    (845) 987-3000, ext. 10522
    cleandro@wvcsd.org
    and
    Director of Pupil Personnel Services, and Compliance Officer for Students
    (Title VI, IX/Section 504 & ADA Compliance Officer)
    Patricia Close
    (845) 987-3000, Ext. 10610
    pclose@wvcsd.org

Questions about this non-discrimination policy may be directed to the appropriate Compliance Officer, c/o District Clerk, P.O. Box 595, Warwick, NY 10990. The appropriate compliance officer has information related to grievance procedures. The Board also prohibits any retaliatory behavior against complainants or any witnesses. Any individual who believes that he/she has been subject to discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability, sex; sexual orientation, or gender (including gender identity and expression) should report the alleged misconduct immediately, to the appropriate compliance officer, so that corrective action, up to and including discharge of an employee or suspension of a student, may be taken at once.

In the event that the compliance officer is the offender, the complainant shall report his/her complaint to the next level of supervisory authority. The complainant shall not be discouraged from reporting an incident of alleged discrimination or harassment, will ensure that an investigation is promptly commenced by appropriate individuals. Any person who has knowledge of specific acts that he or she reasonably believes constitutes wrongful conduct should disclose the conduct to the appropriate district official.

Please see the following policies for additional pertinent information and complaint procedures:

Family Educational Records Privacy Act (FERPA)

As required under FERPA, the district would like to inform parents/guardians and students 18 years of age or older currently in attendance, of their right to:

  • Inspect and review their child’s education records;
  • Request that records be amended to ensure that they are accurate and not misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy or other rights, and;
  • Control disclosures from the student’s education records, with certain exceptions.

Parents have the right to ask for and review records about their child unless the district has been legally notified in writing that their rights as parents have been terminated or otherwise limited by court order. Upon the parents’ request, the district must make a child’s records available within a reasonable time; in no case more than 45 calendar days after requested; before any meeting about their child’s individualized education program (IEP); and before any due process hearing about their child’s special education needs.

The rights of parents concerning educational records transfer to students at age 18. However, the district may disclose educational records to an eligible student’s parents if the student is claimed as a dependent for federal income tax purposes by either parent, without the student’s consent.

Student records and/or student record information may not be released without a parents’ consent unless it is given to school officials, including BOCES or private school officials or district consultants and agents (e.g., school physician, school attorney, insurance company, service provider and/or evaluators) with a legitimate educational interest, state/local educational authorities or certain individuals designated under federal law; or otherwise as permitted by law (FERPA).

For access to school district records, please contact the Office of the Superintendent of the Warwick Valley Central School District, P.O. Box 595, Warwick, NY 10990, (845) 987-3000, Ext. 10511.

Please click here for the Opt-Out form.

Free and Reduced-Price Lunch

Free/reduced meal applications are available at any time during the school year. Applications are annually mailed to each household and are also available at each school office. Students who meet the eligibility guidelines are entitled to one complete breakfast and one lunch daily. Visit the Food Services section for more information and an application.

Food Service Notifications

Information about the school breakfast and lunch program, including the district’s Wellness Policy, Prohibition Against Meal Shaming and monthly menus are available by visiting the Food Service section of the website.

Grade Promotion and Placement

Decisions about student promotion and placement are at the discretion of the building principal. These decisions are guided by recommendations of teachers and staff members, past academic performance and parent/guardian input. Past academic performance refers to a variety of indicators of student achievement and growth. The district’s promotion and placement policy was adopted by the board of education following a review by the district administration. Promotion and placement decisions are not based solely, or primarily, on student performance on New York state assessments in grades 3-8 English language arts or mathematics.

Influenza Materials

Influenza (the flu) is an infection of the nose, throat and lungs caused by influenza viruses. There are many different strains of the flu virus, and they are constantly changing. These viruses cause illness, hospital stays and deaths in the United States each year. The flu can be very dangerous for children. Each year about 20,000 children younger than 5 years old are hospitalized due to flu complications, including pneumonia. 

Homeless Students Policy

All programs and services of the district are available to homeless students and unaccompanied youth. Whenever a homeless child or unaccompanied youth seeks to enroll in the district, and at least twice annually while the child is enrolled, the parent and child will be informed of their rights. Some of these rights include the right to attend the school they previously attended or to attend school in the district of current location, the right to be enrolled even though the admission requirements have not been completed and prior student records are not available, and the right to transportation to and from school.

The district’s Homeless Liaison is:
Heather Roecker
Coordinator of Health & Attendance
hroecker@wvcsd.org
845-987-3000, Ext. 10523

Idling School Buses on School Grounds

The Board of Education recognizes the need to promote the health and safety of students and staff and to protect the environment from harmful emissions found in bus exhaust, in particular diesel exhaust, by eliminating the unnecessary idling of all school buses on school property including all schools within the district or at any school or school-related activities to which district students are transported. For purposes of this policy, and “idling school bus” shall mean a school bus that is parked or stopped at a school or other location and has its engine running. This policy applies to the operation of every district-owned and/or contracted school bus as well as other district-owned vehicles (i.e., maintenance trucks). The district shall strive to eliminate all unnecessary idling of school buses and district-owned vehicles such that idling time is minimized in all aspects of operation.

State education law now requires that all school districts ensure that every driver of a school bus or other school vehicle turn off the engine of the vehicle while waiting for passengers to load or off load. The law provides for certain exceptions when necessary for heating, mechanical or emergency circumstances.

Integrated Pest Management 

Warwick Valley Central School District must notify the public that pesticide products may be used in school buildings during the year. Parents, guardians, and staff may request 48-hour advance, written notification that includes the date and place where pesticides will be used, the EPA registration number, and whom to contact for more information. To make a request, contact the main office of your child’s school.

Limited English Proficient Students

Within 30 days of the start of the school year, parents of Limited English-Proficient students will be notified if their child is participating in, or identified as eligible for, a program of bilingual education or for English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) instruction. Parents will also be notified within two weeks after placement, if their child is placed in such program or will receive such services after the beginning of the school year. In addition, parents will be advised of their rights, including their right to decline having their child enrolled in the program.

No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) Parental Notifications

Pursuant to the federal No Child Left Behind Act, parents may request information regarding the professional qualifications of their child’s classroom teachers and teaching assistants, including:

  • Whether state requirements and licensing criteria have been met for the grade level and subject area being taught.
  • If the teacher is working under emergency or other provisional status under which state qualification and licensing criteria have been waived.
  • The teacher’s college major and subsequent advanced degrees.
  • Qualifications of any teaching assistants providing services to your child.
  • If an uncertified teacher will be working in a classroom for four or more weeks.

Requests for the above information may be directed to Ms. Meghan McGourty, P.O. Box 595, Warwick, NY 10990 or mmcgourty@wvcsd.org.

Parents Bill of Rights for Data Privacy and Security

The Warwick Valley Central School District is committed to ensuring student privacy in accordance with local, state and federal regulations and district policies. To this end and pursuant to U.S. Department of Education (DOE) regulations, the district is providing a Parents’ Bill of Rights for Data and Privacy and Security.

Pesticide Application Notice

The district is required by law to maintain a list of staff and persons in parental relation who wish to receive forty-eight (48) hour prior written notification of pesticide applications at relevant facilities. To register and be placed on the list, please contact the main office at your child’s school building.

Publicity

Students’ names, grade levels and photos may be published on the district website, in school publications or released to the media to recognize student achievement or depict activities of the district. Parents who object to the use of their child’s information or image for publicity purposes should notify BOTH the superintendent of schools and their child’s building principal – in writing – by September 15.

PLEASE NOTE: While the district will honor the request of any parent who has submitted written notification opting their child out of publicity efforts, the district is not responsible for media that covers news happenings, sporting events or school events.

Release of Information to Military Recruiters

Pursuant to the federal No Child Left Behind Act, Warwick Valley Central School District must disclose to military recruiters and institutions of higher learning, upon request, the names, addresses and telephone numbers of our high school students. However, parents or students may request, in writing, that the district NOT release such information to military recruiters and/or institutions of higher learning. Parents, or students who are at least 18 years old, may exercise the option to withhold their consent to release this information by contacting the high school principal’s office. (Military Recruitment Consent Form)

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, commonly called “Section 504,” is a federal law that protects students from discrimination based on disability. Section 504 assures that students with disabilities have educational opportunities and benefits equal to those provided to students without disabilities. Students may be eligible for evaluation and reasonable services. To be eligible, a student must have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activity.  If you believe that your child may have a disability and be entitled to reasonable accommodations and/or services, please contact:

Section 504/Title II ADA (disability-based discrimination and/or harassment):
Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources, and Compliance Officer for Employees, Visitors and Volunteers
(Title VI, VII, IX/Section 504 & ADA Compliance Officer)

Cindy Leandro
(845) 987-3000, ext. 10522
cleandro@wvcsd.org
or
Director of Pupil Personnel Services, and Compliance Officer for Students
(Title VI, IX/Section 504 & ADA Compliance Officer)

Patricia Close
(845) 987-3000, Ext. 10610
pclose@wvcsd.org

Warwick Valley Central School District 504 policy and comprehensive “Notice of Section 504 Rights.”

School Report Card

New York State Education Law requires school districts to make report card and accountability reports information available on district websites. Click here to review the Warwick Valley Central School District’s report card archives. 

Special Education

Children with special needs may be entitled to additional services from the school district in which they reside. If your child has special needs and is not known to the school administration, please call the district office. Parents or persons in parental relation of newly enrolled students are hereby notified that they may obtain additional information regarding the referral and evaluations of student suspected of or having disabilities by reviewing the publication “A Parent’s Guide to Special Education in New York State for Children Ages Three Through Twenty-One” on the New York State Education Department website and/or by review of the following Procedural Safeguards Notice or by contacting the Director of Pupil Personnel Services, Patricia Close, at pclose@wvcsd.org

New York State Education Law also requires that each public school district account for the education of all resident minors. Please help the district comply with this requirement. If your child is home-schooled or attends a non-public school and has not previously been registered with the Attendance Office, please contact Heather Roecker, Coordinator of Health & Attendance, at (845) 987-3000, Ext. 10523, or by email at: hroecker@wvcsd.org

Student Complaints And Grievances Regulation

Definition

  1. Grievant shall mean a student who alleges that there has been a violation
    of Title IX or Section 504 regulations which affect him/her.
  2. Grievance shall mean any alleged violation of Title IX or Section
    504 regulations.
  3. Compliance Officer shall mean the employee designated by the Board of
    Education to coordinate efforts to comply with and carry out responsibilities under Title IX and/or Section 504.
  4. Representative shall mean any person designated by the grievant as his/her counsel or to act in his/her behalf. Individual complaints and grievance shall be handled in accordance with the following guidelines:
    1. Within thirty (30) days after the events giving rise to the grievance, the grievant shall file a grievance in writing with the Compliance Officer. The Compliance Officer may informally discuss the grievance with the grievant. He/She shall promptly investigate the complaint. All employees of the school district shall cooperate with the Compliance Officer in such investigations.
    2. Within fifteen (15) days of the receipt of the grievance, the Compliance Officer shall make a finding in writing that there has or has not been a violation of Title IX or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. In the event the Compliance Officer finds that there has been a violation, he/she shall propose a resolution of the complaint.
    3. If the grievant is not satisfied with the finding of the Compliance Officer, or with the proposed resolution of the grievance, the grievant may, within fifteen (15) days after he/she received the report of the Compliance Officer, file a written request for review by the Superintendent.

Please click here for all steps for the grievances

Student Grade Promotion and Retention

The district’s policy regarding student grade promotion and retention is available on the board policies website.

Student Privacy Rights

The Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA) of NCLB affords parents and students over 18 years of age certain rights with regard to student surveys, instructional materials, physical examinations or screenings, and the collection, disclosure or use of personal information. The district will provide you the specific or approximate dates during the school year when any of the following are scheduled or expected to be scheduled:

  1. Activities involving the collection, disclosure or use of personal information collected from students for the purpose of marketing or selling that information;
  2. The administration of any survey containing one or more of the items in the PPRA;
  3. Any non-emergency, invasive physical examination or screening that is required as a condition of attendance, administered by a school and scheduled by the school in advance, and not necessary to protect the immediate health and safety of the student and/or other students.

You will have the opportunity to exclude your child from participating in any of the above activities by notifying the district in writing. Please call or contact the principal of your child’s school if you have questions about this notice.

Student Registration and Residency Determinations

Information and forms relating to the enrollment of students in the district can be obtained on the district website registration page.

Student Directory Information

The district releases certain types of neutral student information also known as “Directory Information.” The district has designated some types of information “directory” in nature (for example: name, address, phone number, etc.). Under the Family Educational Records Privacy Act (FERPA), parents may object in writing to the release of that information.

Student Health Data

Because New York State is interested in child health data, schools are required to record students’ height, weight and Body Mass Index (BMI). If our district is surveyed by the state, we will only share group data (for instance, the number of second-grade boys whose BMI is below the fifth percentile) – not individual data. However, if parents wish their child’s data to be excluded from such group calculations, they may do so by contacting their school nurse. School nurse contact information

Teacher Qualifications

Under the Every Student Succeeds Act, parents/guardians have the right to know the professional qualifications of their child’s classroom teachers, including:

  • Whether a teacher has state certification for the grade levels and subjects he or she is teaching;
  • The teacher’s baccalaureate degree major and any other certifications or degrees; and
  • Whether their child receives services from paraprofessionals and, if so, their qualifications. Parents/guardians may request their child’s classroom teacher’s professional qualifications by contacting the district office.

Title I Parental Involvement – District Level Policy

Under the federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, school boards receiving federal Title I funds must adopt a written parent involvement policy that is developed jointly with, agreed on with, and distributed to, parents of participating children and is incorporated into the district’s Title I plan. Board Policy

Website Accessibility Statement

It is the goal of the Warwick Valley Central School District that the information on our website be accessible to individuals with visual, hearing or cognitive disabilities.

Good faith efforts have been made to ensure that our site complies with New York State standards on website accessibility (New York State OFT Policy, P04-002, Accessibility of State Agency Web-based Intranet and Internet Information and Applications).

The majority of pages in our site are available in HTML format that can be deciphered by screen readers. Some documents are in Adobe PDF format, which require Adobe Acrobat Reader to view. If you do not already have Adobe Acrobat Reader on your computer, you can download it for free from the Adobe website.

Some features on this site may require the Adobe Flash Player to view. If you don’t have the Adobe Flash Player, please visit the Adobe website to download a copy.

If you are unable to access any page(s) in our site, please email the District webmaster with detailed information on the location of the page or document you were attempting to access. Be sure to include your name, email address and phone number so that we may contact you to provide the information in another format.

Please note that some pages on the Warwick Valley Central School District Website contain links to third party sites, which are not within our control and may not comply with accessibility standards. The district is not responsible for the content or accessibility of third party sites.

Civil Rights Compliance Officer


The district’s designated Compliance Officer responsible for compliance with the district’s Non-Discrimination policy, and all compliances, is the Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources & Safety, Warwick Valley Central School District, PO Box 595, Warwick, New York 10990, (845) 987-3000, Ext. 10522. The Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources & Safety will provide information, including complaint procedures, to any student, employee or person who feels that his or her rights have been violated.

Wellness Policy

The district is committed to developing healthy schools that support student learning and create an environment conducive to the health and well-being of faculty, staff and all students, while also supporting parent sin accomplishing this goal. To that end, the Board of Education has adopted a policy that addresses: nutritional standards of foods and beverages sold on school grounds; physical education; extra-curricular activities; recess; emotional wellness; staff wellness; nutrition education and student awareness; community wellness and knowledge; and health education. Wellness Policy

Community Services and Policies

Buildings and Grounds Use

Resident non-profit groups may use school facilities after the school day. Applications must be completed online through the Facility Use Information webpage. For further information, contact Darcy Halbig at (845) 987-3000, Ext. 10533.

Community Use of School Buildings

Throughout the year, many local non-profit organizations use our school facilities to hold meetings and other activities. These include scout troops, sports programs and other youth groups.

You can access the Community View Calendar, Facility Request Form, Insurance Requirements and other information on the Facility Use Information webpage.

Visitors

Visitors and guests are always welcome in Warwick schools. In an effort to ensure safe school environments, some measures are taken to manage visitors’ comings and goings. At all schools, doors will be locked from the outside within 15 minutes of the opening bell. All visitors must report to the main entrance and will be received and welcomed from there.

At the high school, there is a greeter inside the main doors to welcome you and sign you in. Each elementary school has a bell, intercom and camera at the front door. Visitors will be buzzed in and directed to the main office to be welcomed and assisted.

Working Papers

Working papers are available at the Middle School and High School offices on business days between 8 am – 3 pm. Working papers are required by law for students under the age of 18 who are seeking paid work.

More Information

All district policies are available to read through BoardDocs.

Buildings and Grounds Use

Resident non-profit groups may use school facilities after the school day. Applications must be completed online through the  Facility Use Information webpage. For further information, contact Darcy Halbig at (845) 987-3000, ext. 10533.

Community Use of School Buildings

Throughout the year, many local non-profit organizations use our school facilities to hold meetings and other activities. These include scout troops, sports programs and other youth groups.

You can access the Community View Calendar, Facility Request Form, Insurance Requirements and other information from the Facility Use Information webpage.

Visitors

Visitors and guests are welcome in Warwick schools. In an effort to ensure safe school environments, some measures are taken to manage visitors’ comings and goings. At all schools, doors will be locked from the outside within 15 minutes of the opening bell.

There is a buzzer, intercom and camera in place outside the main entrances of all schools. Visitors will be buzzed in and welcomed by the greeter inside the main doors. Additionally, the “Raptor” security system is used to run a security check on visitors by checking IDs against sex offender databases. Once they have checked in at the greeter’s desk, visitors will be issued name badges.

Working Papers

Working papers are available at the Middle School and High School offices on business days between 8 am – 3 pm. Working papers are required by law for students under the age of 18 who are seeking paid work.