Annual Notifications and Policies

The district is required by state and federal law to annually provide a series of policy notifications.

They are listed here:

Access to School District Records

Requests for information that the district makes available according to the Freedom of Information Law should be addressed to District Records Access Officer: Timothy Holmes, 225 West Street, Warwick, NY 10990

Access to Student Records

Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), parents and students over 18 years of age have the right to inspect and review the student’s records or request an amendment of records believed to be incorrect. They can also withhold consent on disclosure of personally identifiable information, except in cases where the law allows for disclosure without consent.

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 WVCSD District Office during regular business hours.

Annual Professional Performance Review

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.

Attendance Policy

The District believes that regular school attendance and student success have a direct correlation. It is the intent of the district to strongly encourage students to be in attendance every day. Therefore, our goal is to have students participate in their education for the mandated 180 days a year. All children of compulsory attendance age (6 through the school year in which a child turns 16) must attend school on a regular basis.

In the case of a student’s absence from school, parents are required to call the main attendance office at their school by the start of the school day to inform them of the reason for the student’s absence. Otherwise, the school will make a reasonable attempt to contact the parents regarding the student’s absence.  Click Here for the Attendance Policy.

Please note that a written excuse must be provided and brought to the attendance office by the student upon his/her return to school. Without a note, the student’s absence from school is deemed unexcused.  

Code of Conduct

The WVCSD Board of Education, in accordance with Project SAVE Legislation, has adopted a Code of Conduct for the 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 here on the District’s website, and at each school.

Computer Acceptable Use Policy (AUP)

Please click on the link below to view the full text of the document.

Computer acceptable use policy (PDF)  

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.

Dignity for All Students (DASA) Coordinators:

District-wide DASA Coordinator – Meghan McGourty
Park Avenue Elementary School – Jeanette Myrick
Sanfordville Elementary School – Grace Geysen
Warwick Valley Middle School – Patricia Dubois, Debra Girardi 
Warwick Valley High School – Tamara Scotto, Brian Zambrzycki 

Educational Records

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 a parent 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 requesting; 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 parent’s 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).

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 nondiscrimination 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 IX (sexual harassment/gender or sex based discrimination) 
Meghan McGourty – Director of Special Education

Title VII (discrimination in employment based on race, color, religion, sex and national origin)
Meghan McGourty – Director of Special Education

Title VI (discrimination based upon race, color, creed, national origin, ethnic group, religion)
Meghan McGourty – Director of Special Education

Section 504 (disability based discrimination and/or harassment)
Meghan McGourty- Director of Special Education

General Non-Discrimination

Questions about this non-discrimination policy may be directed to the appropriate Compliance Officer, c/o WVCSD District Clerk, 225 West St., 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 Complaint 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. In the absence of a victim’s complaint, the Board, upon learning of, or having reason to suspect the occurrence of any 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:  

• Title VI
• Title VII
• Title IX
• Section 504/ADA
• DASA Policy

Family Educational Rights and 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. �

The Notification of Rights under FERPA for Elementary and Secondary Schools explains the rights protected by FERPA and how to file a report if you believe a school district has been non-compliant.

FERPA requires that the District, with certain exceptions, obtain your written consent prior to the disclosure of personally identifiable information from your child’s education records. However, WVCSD may disclose appropriately designated “directory information” without written consent, unless you have advised the District to the contrary. The FERPA Model Notice for Directory Information includes details about what information may be shared and how to notify the District if you do not want your student’s directory information shared.

Free and Reduced-Price Lunch

Free/reduced meal applications are available at any time during the school year. Applications are available at the Principal’s office and on the district website. Students who meet the eligibility guidelines are entitled to one complete breakfast (MS/HS only) and one lunch daily (all schools).  
Please click here for more information

Homeless Liaison

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 Ms. Marguerite Adams, 89 Sanfordville Rd., Warwick, NY 10990

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.  

Lunch at school

Information about the school breakfast and lunch program, including the district Wellness Policy and monthly menus, is available by visiting the Food Service page of the website. 

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:
James Yap, WVCSD, P.O. Box 595, Warwick, NY 10990

Parents Bill Of Rights For Data Privacy and Security

Pursuant to Section 2-c and 2-d of the Education Law, parents and students are entitled to certain protections regarding confidential student information, as set forth below:

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 education record;
3. The District is committed to implementing safeguards associated with industry standards and best practice under state and federal laws protecting the confidentiality of personally identifiable information, including but not limited to, encryption, firewalls, and password protection when data is stored or transferred;
4. A complete list of all student data elements collected by the State is available for public review at http://www.p12.nysed.gov/irs/vendors/templates.html or by writing to:
   Information & Reporting Services, Room 863 EBA, 89 Washington Ave., Albany, NY 12234; and
5. Parents have the right to have complaints about possible breaches of student data addressed. Complaints should be directed to James Yap, 225 West St., Warwick, NY 10990
6. Agreements with third party contractors/consultants will ensure that the subcontractors, persons or entities that the third party contractor/consultant will share the student data or teacher or principal data with, if any, will abide by data protection and security requirements.
7. A parent, student, eligible student, teacher or principal may challenge the accuracy of the student data or teacher or principal data that is collected by filing a written request with the Superintendent of Schools or his administrative designee, by sending a written challenge to 225 West Street, Warwick, NY 10990.

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 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 each school year – in writing.

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

NCLB requires that school districts 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 and completing the Military Consent Form.  
If you are unable to access this form, please contact the High School main office so the document can be provided in another format. Contact jnaples@wvcsd.org, 845-987-3050 ext. 12511.

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 accommodations to enable access to educational facilities, programs and 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 Meghan McGourty, Director of Student Support Services, at mmcgourty@wvcsd.org.
Click here for the Notice of Section 504 Rights

Student Grade Promotion and Retention

The District’s policy regarding student grade promotion and retention is available on the District’s website at the following link: 
Student Grade Promotion and Retention Policy

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 here:
District Enrollment Instructions and Forms.

Student Directory Information

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

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.

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 at www.nysed.gov and/or by review the following Procedural Safeguards Notice at http://www2.ed.gov/policy/speced/guid/idea/modelform-safeguards.pdf or by contacting:
Meghan McGourty, Director of Student Support Services at mmcgourty@wvcsd.org or 845-987-3000 ext. 10620.

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 PPS, please contact Special Education.  

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 Title 1 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.  

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 parents in 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.
District Wellness Policy

*If you have difficulty accessing any of the above documents that are in PDF format, please contact Louise Hutchison at lhutchison@wvcsd.org , who can provide an alternative version of the document.