Policies, Procedures and Required Notifications - Tri-Valley Central School District

Allergies and Dietary Restrictions

The New York State Education Department’s Child Nutrition regulations require that each and every year a medical or dietary restriction letter from a medical authority be on file with the district. Therefore, we cannot alter or substitute your child’s school lunch without a written note from their doctor.

In the event your child’s restrictions change through the course of the year, doctor’s orders are needed to reflect those changes.

If your child has special dietary concerns, please forward the information to us as so the cafeteria staff may insure your child’s nutritional well-being.

Annual Professional Performance Review Plans (APPR)

The Annual Professional Performance Review (AAPR) is the process by which teachers and principals are evaluated in New York. The intent of APPR is to assist educators to improve the quality of instruction in schools and, in turn, to improve students’ performance and readiness for colleges and careers. View the most recent TVCSD APPR plans.

ARP-ESSER Funding Plan

The 2021-22 enacted state budget includes language requiring local education agencies, such as school districts, that receive funding from the Federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund allocated by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP-ESSER) to post on their website a plan by school year of how these funds will be spent.
Details about the TVCSD APR-ESSER plan are available here.

Asbestos Management Plan

The district maintains an asbestos management plan, which is available for review during regular business hours in the district office.

Code of Conduct

The Tri-Valley Central School District is committed to maintaining high standards of education and conduct. This requires the development and implementation of a Code of Conduct that clearly defines individual responsibilities, describes unacceptable behavior, and provides for appropriate disciplinary options and responses.

Body Mass Index

New York requires schools to track each student’s Body Mass Index (BMI) and weight status category as part of school health examinations. Every year, the NYS Department of Health will survey some schools for the number of pupils in each of six possible weight status categories. If the state surveys the TVSD, 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.

Child Abuse Hotline

If you suspect a child is being abused, neglected or maltreated, 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.

Dignity for All Students Act (DASA)

In accordance with the Dignity for All Students Act, 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.

District Safety Plan

The TVCSD has developed a district-wide School Safety Plan and Building-level Emergency Response Plans. Preparedness drills are held regularly.

Public Hearing-Draft District Safety Plan for 7-27-2023

Ed Law 2D

The TVCSD Board of Education recognizes the legal requirement to maintain the confidentiality of education records. The procedures adopted by the District for the confidentiality of, and access to, education records shall be consistent with state and federal laws, including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and its implementing regulations and the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education. The Superintendent shall be responsible for ensuring that the District complies with all requirements under the laws applicable to education records.

At the beginning of each school year, the District shall send a notice to parents and to students who are 18 year of age or older (“Eligible Students”) concerning their rights under FERPA and this Policy (“Annual FERPA Notice”). The 2023-24 annual FERPA notice is available here.

The Annual FERPA Notice shall inform parents and Eligible Students that they have the right to: (1) inspect and review the student’s education records; (2) seek amendment of the student’s education records if the parent or Eligible Student believes such records to be inaccurate, misleading or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy rights; (3) consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s education records, except to the extent FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent; and (4) file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning the alleged failures of the District to comply with the requirements of FERPA. In addition, the Annual FERPA Notice shall include:

the procedure for exercising the right to inspect and review education records;
the procedure for requesting amendment of education records; and
a list of “school officials” who may have a “legitimate educational interest” in education records and may thus have access to education records without prior parental consent. The District shall provide a translation of the Annual FERPA Notice for those parents who have a primary or home language other than English.

Fiscal Transparency

Information about the district’s annual budget, audit reports, and other important financial information is available on the TVCSD Business Department’s page.

Foundation Aid Plan

The district is slated to receive foundation aid funding that will be used to address student performance and need over the course of the 2021-22, 2022-23 and 2023-24 school years. As required by state education law, the district maintains a Foundation Aid Spending Plan and must post this plan on its website. This plan is designed to outline how these funds will be used each year. The TVCSD APR-ESSER plan is available here.

Freedom of Information

For access to TVCSD records under the NYS Freedom of Information Law, please contact District Clerk, Samantha Damms by:

Mail: 34 Moore Hill Road
Grahamsville, NY 12740
Email
Phone: (845) 985-2296 ext. 5202

Requests should state that information is being sought under the Freedom of Information Law and provide a brief description of the public records requested. Please be as specific as possible (i.e. relevant dates, names, descriptions, etc.).

The district will acknowledge receipt of any FOIL requests within five business days. The nature of the request will determine how quickly the information can be provided.

Grade Promotion and Placement Policy

Decisions about student promotion and placement 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 is available here and was adopted by the board of education following a review by the district administration.

Hand Sanitizer Use

Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are available for use by students in its school buildings. To opt your child out of using it, send a written notice to the school nurse.

Homeless Students

Homeless students and unaccompanied youths (youths not in the physical custody of a parent) have 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.

Idling School Buses on School Grounds

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

Instructional Technology Plan

As required by Commissioner’s Regulation 100.12, the district maintains an Instructional Technology Plan to help support achievement and engagement through the seamless integration of technology into teaching and learning, improve learning experiences for students and increase equitable access to technology-rich learning experiences. Learn more about Instructional Technology at TVCSD here.

Lead Testing of School Drinking and Cooking Water

To protect public health, the Public Health Law and New York State Health Department regulations require that all public schools and boards of cooperative educational services (BOCES) test lead levels in water from every outlet that is being used, or could potentially be used, for drinking or cooking. Learn more about lead testing in Tri-Valley’s schools here.

Military Recruiters: Release of Information

The “Every Student Succeeds Act” (ESSA) in part, requires that schools release, to military recruiters, a directory of students with names, address and phone numbers. The law also provides the parent/guardian the right to request that their child’s name, address and phone number not be released.

Parents, or students who are at least 18 years old, may exercise the option to withhold their consent to release this information. This request must be made in writing to the high school principal’s office. The note should say:

“I hereby inform Tri-Valley Secondary School that I do not want my child’s name, address and phone number released to any military recruiters.” The note must also include:

The date
The student’s name
The parent’s name
The parent’s signature

New York State ESSA-Funded Programs Complaint Procedures

The process for resolving complaints submitted to the New York State Education Department’s (NYSED) Office of ESSA-Funded Programs alleging that a local educational agency (LEA), grantee or NYSED has violated a law, rule, or regulation in the administration of any “covered Federal program” under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) identified on the NYSED website.

The New York State ESSA-Funded Programs Complaint Procedures can be found here.

New York State Report Card

The NYS Report Card provide enrollment, demographic, attendance, suspension, dropout, teacher, assessment, accountability, graduation rate, post graduation plan, career and technical education, and fiscal data for public and charter schools, districts, and the state. The report card consists of three parts:

Accountability and Overview Report
Comprehensive Information Report
Fiscal Accountability Supplement

The TVCSD Report Card is available here.

Nondiscrimination/Equal Opportunity

The Tri-Valley Central School District does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, creed, national origin, marital status, gender or disability in its employment practices or on any other basis protected by law. The Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity Policy outlines this commitment.

Parents’ Bill of Rights | Title I

A student’s personally identifiable information (PII) cannot be sold or released for any commercial purposes. PII may only be shared for educational purposes.
Parents shall have the right to inspect and review the complete contents of their child’s education record.
State and Federal laws protect the confidentiality of personally identifiable information and safeguards associated with industry standards and best practices, including but not limited to, encryption, firewalls and password protection, must be in place when data is stored or transferred.
Proper authorization will be obtained before PII is released.
A complete list of all student data elements collected by the State is available for public review at NYSED or by writing to the Chief Privacy Officer at NYSED.
Parents have the right to have complaints about possible breaches of student data addressed. Complaints should be directed to the Superintendent of Schools in the District. Suspected breaches may also be reported to the Chief Privacy Officer at NYSED.

This bill of rights is subject to change based on regulations of the commissioner of education and the NYSED chief privacy officer.

Title I Parent Right To Know: 2017–18

According to the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, schools are required to ensure that teachers in core academic subjects are highly qualified to teach in their assignment area. Parents also have the right to request other information regarding the qualifications of their child’s teachers, such as:

Whether a teacher has New York 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.

Pesticide Application Notice

The district is required by law to maintain a list of staff and persons in parental relation who wish to receive 48 hour prior written notification of pesticide applications at relevant facilities. Read more about the Potential Use of Pesticides here.

Request for Proposals

Click here for Tri-Valley Central School District’s Request for Proposals for Pre-Kindergarten Services for the 2024-25 School Year

School Budget Documents

New York State Education Law requires the district to provide a detailed statement of the amount of money which will be required for the ensuing year for school purposes, specifying the several purposes and the amount for each. This TVCSD annual budget information and other fiscal documents are available on the Business Department’s page.

School Counseling and Guidance Programs

New York State Education Law requires the district to develop district-wide and building-level comprehensive developmental school counseling guidance plans and to post these plans on the district website. These TVCSD school counseling guidance plans are available here.

School Meals | Prohibition Against Meal Shaming

The Board of Education recognizes that on occasion, students may not have enough funds for a meal. To ensure that students do not go hungry, the Board will allow students who do not have enough funds to “charge” the cost of meals to be paid back at a later date subject to the terms of the Charging School Meals and Prohibition Against Meal Shaming Policy.

School Safety Plans (District-Wide)

The Tri-Valley Central School District-wide Emergency Response Plan has been developed pursuant to Commissioner’s Regulation 155.17. At the direction of the Tri-Valley Central School Board of Education, the Superintendent of Schools appointed a District-wide Safety Team and charged it with the development and maintenance of the District-wide Emergency Response Plan. You can read the TVCSD District-Wide Safety Plan here.

Smart Schools Investment Plan

As required by the Smart Schools Bond Act (SSBA) Implementation Guidance, the district must post a final Smart Schools Investment Plan on its website. This plan is designed for the district to participate in the Smart Schools Bond Act of 2014, which was passed in the 2014-15 Enacted Budget and approved by the voters in a statewide referendum held on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2014. The act authorized the state to finance $2 billion for educational technology and infrastructure to improve learning and opportunity for New York students. TVCSD’s Smart Schools Investment Plan is available here.

Standard Work Day

As required by the New York State and Local Retirement System, the district is posting the adopted Standard Work Day and Reporting Resolution for Elected and Appointed Officials.

Strategic Plan

The Tri-Valley Central School District’s Strategic Plan articulates the district’s mission and vision, as well as the goals and objectives needed to achieve that vision.

Student and Personal Electronic Devices

Personal electronic devices have become a common means of communication and information access in today’s society. However, these devices have the potential of disrupting the orderly operation of the District’s schools. The District has adopted the Student and Personal Electronic Devices Policy to govern the possession and use of personal electronic devices on school premises.

Student Privacy | Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment

The Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment provides parents/guardians with certain rights regarding the conduct of surveys, collection and use of information for marketing purposes and certain physical exams. In particular, if a survey is funded in whole or part by the U.S. Department of Education, parents/guardians have the right to consent before students are required to complete a survey that asks about any of the following protected areas:

Political affiliations or beliefs of the student or student’s parents/guardians;
Mental or psychological problems of the student or student’s family;
Sexual behavior or attitudes;
Illegal, anti-social, self-incriminating or demeaning behavior;
Critical appraisals of others with whom respondents have close family relationships;
Legally recognized privileged relationships, such as with lawyers, doctors or ministers;
Religious practices, affiliations or beliefs of the student or student’s parent; or
Income, other than as required by law to determine program eligibility.

Parents/guardians will also receive a notice and an opportunity to opt students out of the following:

Any other survey that asks about the above protected areas;
Any non-emergency, invasive physical exam or screening required as a condition of attending school or school functions, with the exception of physical exams or screenings required or permitted by state law (e.g. hearing, vision or scoliosis); and
Activities involving collection, disclosure or use of personal information collected from students for marketing or to sell or otherwise distribute the information to others.

Parents/guardians have the right to inspect any surveys that ask about the above protected areas, as well as surveys created by third parties that are used to collect personal information from students for marketing purposes and instructional materials used as part of the curriculum.

The school district will directly notify parents/guardians of its student privacy policy at the start of each school year and after any substantive changes. Parents/guardians will also be provided with reasonable notification of specific activities or surveys covered by this policy and the ability to opt their child out of such activities.

These rights transfer from the parents/guardians to their child who is at least 18 years old or an emancipated minor.

Parents who believe their PPRA rights have been violated may file a complaint online by selecting the PPRA complaint form option here or by mailing the form to the following address: Student Privacy Policy Office, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20202.

Title IX

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) enforces, among other statutes, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. Title IX protects people from discrimination based on sex in education programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance.

Title IX states: No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.