PARENTS

ANNUAL LEGAL NOTIFICATIONS

We are required by certain Federal and State laws to make the following notifications to parents on a yearly basis. In most cases, specific language is required in these notifications. Should you have questions about any of the following notices please contact the District Office at 509-955-3120.

Notification of Rights Under FERPA for Elementary and Secondary Institutions

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords parents and students under 18 years of age (“eligible students”) certain rights with respect to the student’s educational records. They are:

(1) The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days of the day the District receives a request for access. Parents or eligible students should submit to the school principal a written request that identifies the record(s) they wish to inspect. The principal will make arrangements for access and notify the parent or eligible student of the time and place where the records may be inspected.

(2) The right to request the amendment of student’s education records that the parent or eligible student believes are inaccurate or misleading. Parents or eligible students may ask the Kittitas School District to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate or misleading. They should write the school principal, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate or misleading. If the District decides not to amend the record as requested by the parent or eligible student, the District will notify the parent or eligible student of the decision and advise them of their right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the parent or eligible student when notified of the right to a hearing.

(3) The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. One exception which permits disclosure without consent is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational concerns. A school official is a person employed by the District as an administrator, supervisor, instructor, or support staff member (including health or medical staff and law enforcement personnel); a person serving on the School Board; a person or company with whom the District has contracted to perform a special task (such as an attorney, auditor, medical consultant, or therapist); or a parent or student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks. A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility. Upon request, the District discloses education records without consent to officials of another school district in which a student seeks or intends to enroll.

(4) The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the District to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the office that administers FERPA is: Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, S.W. Washington, DC 20202-4605.

NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT

Kittitas School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities based on 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
Name and Title: Bill Oppliger
Telephone Number: 509-955-3120
Email: bill_oppliger@ksd403.org

Section 504/ADA Coordinator
Name and Title: Jenny La Frenier, Elementary Principal/Special Education Director
Telephone Number: 509-955-3120
Email: jenny_lafrenier@ksd403.org

Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator
Name and Title: Tim LaGrange Superintendent
Telephone Number: 509-955-3120
Email: tim_lagrange@ksd403.org

Annual Asbestos Notification

Asbestos is an issue we have been dealing with for many years. The Kittitas School District has had its facilities inspected by an accredited asbestos inspector as required by law. The inspector located, sampled, and rated the condition and hazard potential of all material in district facilities suspected of containing asbestos. An asbestos management plan has been developed and is on file for your inspection in the district and building offices. The Kittitas School District complies with all federal and state regulations in this area. The district contact is Bryan Nash, Facilities Director.

Release of Directory Information

Federal law permits a school district to identify certain information as “directory information”, which may be publicly released with permission of the parents. Kittitas Public Schools, in District Policy 3250, identifies this information as the following: 1) name, address, telephone number; 2) date and place of birth; 3) major field of study; 4) participation in officially recognized activities and sports; 5) weight and height of athletic teams; 6) dates of attendance; 7) diplomas and awards received; 8) most recent school attended; and, 9) photographs and other similar information. If you do not want this information released, please contact the building principal within ten (10) school days of receipt of this notice. If we do not hear from you by that date, we will assume that you have no objection to release of such information. We believe that it is in the student’s best interest to have such information released in school newsletters and community newspapers because of the recognition it gives them. We make every reasonable effort to protect our students privacy. For example, it is our policy not to release information to businesses for commercial purposes or to individuals without good reason. Therefore, most parents do not restrict the release of directory information.

School Attendance Required

State law requires that we notify you that parents of any child at least 8 years of age and under 18 years of age shall cause such child to attend the public schools of the district in which the child resides. Exceptions to this are: a) children released by the resident district to attend another public or private school; b) children receiving home based instruction; c) children who have been excused from attending school by the district superintendent because they are physically or mentally unable to attend school.

Tobacco, Substance Abuse and Dangerous Weapons Policies

The use of tobacco products on public school property, including buildings, grounds and vehicles is prohibited. The sale, possession or use of alcoholic beverages, illegal substances or substances purported to be drugs on school grounds or in a reasonable proximity thereto, or at school sponsored events is strictly prohibited. Violators are subject to suspension and/or expulsion. Also, it is a violation of district policy and state law for any person to carry a firearm or dangerous weapon on school premises, school-provided transportation, or areas of other facilities being used exclusively for school activities. Violators of the weapons policy will be expelled for a minimum of one year, will be reported to law enforcement, and parent/guardian will be notified. The superintendent of the school district may modify the expulsion of a student on a case-by-case basis through a formal appeal process.

Prohibition of Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying

The District is committed to a safe and civil educational environment for all students, employees, volunteers and patrons, free from harassment, intimidation or bullying. “Harassment, intimidation or bullying” means any intentional written, verbal, or physical act, including but not limited to one shown to be motivated by any characteristic in RCW 9A.36.080(3), (race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation or mental or physical disability), or other distinguishing characteristics, when the intentional written, verbal, or physical act: Physically harms a student or damages the student’s property; or, Has the effect of substantially interfering with a student’s education; or, Is so severe, persistent, or pervasive that it creates an intimidating or threatening educational environment; or, has the effect of substantially disrupting the orderly operation of the school. A complete copy of the policy addressing harassment, intimidation, and bullying (Policy 3207) is available in each building office. Parents and students with questions or concerns related to this topic should contact the building principal.

McKinney-Vento (Homeless)

The McKinney-Vento Education of Homeless Children and Youth Assistance Act is a federal law that ensures immediate enrollment and educational stability for homeless children and youth.  McKinney-Vento provides federal funding to support district programs that serve homeless students.  For information or questions, please contact the District's Homeless Liaison, Brittany Hall, at 509-955-3120 or brittany_hall@ksd403.org. 

Title I Required Notifications

In an effort to ensure that parents are actively involved and knowledgeable about their schools and children's education, the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) of 2001 requires districts receiving federal funds to provide parents with information and notices.

 Parent’s Right-to-Know

At Kittitas School District, we are very proud of our teachers and feel they are ready for the coming school year and are prepared to give your child a high-quality education. As a Title I school, we must meet federal rules related to teacher qualifications as defined in No Child Left Behind. These rules allow you to learn more about your child’s teachers’ training and credentials. We are happy to provide this information to you. At any time, you may ask:

  • Whether the teacher met state qualifications and certification requirements for the grade level and subject he/she is teaching,

  • Whether the teacher received an emergency or conditional certificate through which state qualifications were waived, and

  • What undergraduate or graduate degrees the teacher holds, including graduate certificates and additional degrees, and major(s) or area(s) of concentration.

You may also ask whether your child receives help from a paraprofessional. If your child receives this assistance, we can provide you with information about the paraprofessional’s qualifications.

Our staff is committed to helping your child develop the academic knowledge and critical thinking he/she needs to succeed in school and beyond. That commitment includes making sure that all of our teachers and paraprofessionals are highly skilled.

If you have any questions about your child’s assignment to a teacher or paraprofessional, please contact the Elementary School or Secondary School at (509)955-3120.

Title I Section 1119 Qualifications for Teachers and Paraprofessionals

Verification of Compliance – Principal Attestations

The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, states in ESEA Section 1119(h) that each local educational agency shall require that the principal of each school operating a program under ESEA Section 1114 - Schoolwide Programs or Section 1115 - Targeted Assistance Schools attest annually in writing as to whether such school is in compliance with the requirements of Section 1119. In addition, copies of attestations shall be:

  1. Maintained at each school operating a Schoolwide or Targeted Assistance program, and

  2. Maintained at the main office of the school district, and

  3. Available to any member of the general public on request

Requirements of ESEA Section 1119 – Teachers

Teachers hired and teaching in a program supported with Title I, Part A funds are highly qualified.

A plan has been developed to ensure all teachers are highly qualified. (Exception to this requirement is available to small rural schools identified in the flexibility provisions of March 2004.) Components of the plan shall include annual measurable objectives to:

  1. increase the percentage of highly qualified teachers, and

  2. increase the percentage of teachers who are receiving high-quality professional development, and

  3. such plan may include other measures determined by the school and/or district

Progress to meet annual measurable objectives must be publicly reported. This requirement may be met through reports to OSPI and used for data posting on the OSPI website for state, district, and building report cards.

Requirements of Section ESEA 1119 – Paraprofessionals

All paraprofessionals hired after January 8, 2002, hired with Title I, Part A funds or employed in a Title I, Part A schoolwide program and assisting with instruction must meet one of the following requirements before hiring:

  1. Completed at least 2 years of study at an institution of higher education.

  2. Obtained an associate degree (or higher).

  3. Met a rigorous standard of quality and can demonstrate through a formal state-approved assessment the knowledge of and the ability to assist in instructing, reading, writing, and mathematics, or assisting in instructing and the readiness of above-named subject areas, as appropriate.

All paraprofessionals working in a Title I, Part A funded program, including a Title I, Part A schoolwide program, shall have earned a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent.

Title I paraprofessionals will not be assigned a duty inconsistent with the duties outlined in Section 1119.

Paraprofessionals work under the direct supervision of teachers, consistent with Section 1119.

Statement

I attest that the provisions of ESEA Section 1119 - Qualifications for Teachers and Paraprofessionals, are met in this Title I school.

Parent Involvement

One of the goals of the Kittitas School District is to establish effective communications with parents and community. Increasingly, research finds that cooperation, communication, and a positive relationship between home and school is vital for student success in school.  We welcome both parent and community involvement within our schools.  The District's Title I Parent Involvement Policy 4130 can be viewed under School Board-Policies.