Rhinebeck Central School District

Policy #0330 Evaluation of Professional Staff

Policy #9192 Parental Rights to Annual Professional Performance Review Composite Scores and Quality Ratings Under Education Law Section 3012-c

 
Parent/Guardian Notification and Form

In accordance with NYS Education Law 3012-d 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.

Policy #5100 Comprehensive Student 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.

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.

The state requires schools to track each student’s Body Mass Index (BMI) and weight status category as part of school health examinations.  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 the state surveys Rhinebeck, 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 the nurse in their child’s school building.

Link to BMS/RHS Opt out letter - BMI Opt Out Letter

CLS Opt out letter - Please contact Susan Lengyel at 845-871-5520 ext. 6136

There are many laws that require individuals who come into contact with children and/or certain adults to report instances of suspected abuse and neglect.

Policy #5300

Policy #8635 Information and Data Privacy, Security, Breach and Notification

Education Law § 2-d requires each educational agency to publish its Data Privacy and Security Policy to its website along with a Parents’ Bill of Rights for Data Privacy. 

Policy #5300 Code of Conduct

Section IX: Dignity for All Students: Prohibiting Bullying, Discrimination, Hazing and Harassment

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.

Rhinebeck High School Dignity for All Students (DASA) Act Coordinator: Dr. Ed Davenport 

Bulkeley Middle School Dignity for All Students (DASA) Act Coordinator: Mr. John Kemnitzer

Chancellor Livingston Elementary Dignity for All Students (DASA) Act Coordinator: Mr. Brett King

DW School Safety Plan
Emergencies and violent incidents in school districts are critical issues that must be addressed in an expeditious and effective manner. School districts are required to develop a district-wide school safety plan designed to prevent or minimize the effects of serious violent incidents and emergencies and to facilitate the coordination of the school district with local and county resources in the event of such incidents or emergencies. This district-wide plan has been developed to be responsive to the needs of all schools within the district and consistent with the more detailed emergency response plans required at the school building level.

School districts stand at risk from a wide variety of acts of violence, as well as natural and technological disasters. To address these threats, the State of New York has enacted the Safe Schools Against Violence in Education (SAVE) law.  Project SAVE is a comprehensive planning effort that addresses risk reduction/ prevention, response, and recovery with respect to a variety of emergencies in the school district and its schools.

The Rhinebeck Central School District supports the SAVE Legislation and has committed to full and active participation in the planning process. The Superintendent of Schools encourages and advocates on-going district-wide cooperation and support of Project SAVE.

Policy #5500 Student Records
The federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) provides parents/guardians and students who are 18 years of age or older (known as “eligible students”) with certain rights with respect to the student’s records.  Parents/guardians and eligible students have the right to: 

• Inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days after the day a request for access is received by the school.  These requests should be submitted to the building principal. 
• Request the amendment of the student’s education records that the parent/guardian or eligible student believes are inaccurate, misleading or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy rights;

• Provide written consent before the school discloses personally identifiable information from the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent as outlined below;

• File a complaint with the USDOE concerning alleged failures by the district to comply with the requirements of FERPA.  The name and address of the office that administers FERPA are:  Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20202.

Policy #5151
The McKinney-Vento Act is a federal law that entitles children to a free, appropriate public education, and requires schools to remove barriers to their enrollment, attendance, and success in school.  The purpose of the McKinney-Vento Act is to promote school continuity for children who are experiencing instability with their housing.  Students who meet the criteria are entitled to free meals at school (breakfast & lunch) provided by the school district, transportation to and from school as well as other services.