EDUCATIONAL EQUITY POLICY STATEMENT:

It is the policy of the East Marshall Community School District not to discriminate on the basis of sex, race, national origin, creed, age, marital status, or disability in their educational programs, activities, or employment policies as required by Title VI and VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, Title IX of the 1972 Education Amendments, and Section 504 of the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

It is also the policy of this district that the curriculum content and instructional materials utilized reflect the cultural and racial diversity present in the United  States and the variety of careers, roles and lifestyles open to women as well as men in our society. One of the objectives of the total curriculum and teaching strategies is to reduce stereotyping and to eliminate bias on the basis of sex, race, ethnicity, religion and disability. The curriculum should foster respect and appreciation for  the cultural diversity found in our country and an awareness of the rights, duties, and responsibilities of each individual as a member of the pluralistic society.

Inquiries regarding compliance with Title IX or Section 504 may be directed to: Equity Coordinator, 204 West Center Street, Gilman, Iowa, 50106, 1-641-498-7481. Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Monday – Friday).

FAMILY EDUCATION RIGHTS AND PRIVACY ACT OF 1974

Notification of Rights Under FERPA for Elementary and Secondary Schools The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords parents and students over 18 years of age (“eligible students”) certain rights with respect to the student’s education records. These rights are: 

1. The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days of the day the school 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 school official 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 the student’s education records that the parent or eligible student believes are inaccurate. Parents or eligible students may ask the school to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate. They should write the school principal, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate. If the school decides not to amend the record as requested by the parent or eligible student, the school 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 interests. A school official is a person employed by the school as an administrator, supervisor, instructor, or support staff member (including health or medical staff and law enforcement unit personnel); a person serving on the School Board; a person or company with whom the school 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.

• Officials of other schools in which the student proposes to enroll.

• Representatives of state and local government when auditing and evaluating federal education program.

• In connection with a student’s education financial aid application.

• Governmental officials to whom information is to be reported under the state law adopted prior to November 19, 1974.

• Organizations that process and evaluate standardized tests.

• Accrediting organizations for accrediting purposes.

• Parents of dependent children regardless of the child’s age.

• In connection with an emergency.

• Any other access to student records shall be only upon written consent or upon court order or legally issued subpoena.

4. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the School 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 20202-4605 

Student records are reviewed and inappropriate material removed periodically, but at a minimum when a student moves from elementary school to middle school, from middle school to high school, and when a student transfers out of the district. Those records not of permanent importance are destroyed within three years of graduation or discontinued attendance.

NOTICE OF CHILD ABUSE 

Incidences of abuse can be reported to: 

Primary Investigators: 

Matt Rasmusson, East Marshall High School: 479-2785 

Janelle Pirkl, East Marshall Middle School: 498-7483 

Cathy DeBondt, East Marshall Elementary: 476-3342 

Secondary Investigators: 

Marshall County Sheriff’s Department: (641) 754-5725

Deputy Tim Hungerford, Detective Sgt. Wade Ruopp, or the on-call sheriff covering the district

HOMELESS INFORMATION FOR SCHOOL-AGED YOUTH AND PARENTS

If you live in any of the following situations:

• In a shelter

• In a motel or campground due to the lack of an alternative adequate accommodation

• In a car, park, abandoned building, or bus or train station

• Doubled up with other people due to loss of housing or economic hardship

You may qualify for certain rights and protections under the federal McKinney-Vento Act.

Chapter 33 of Iowa Administrative Code defines “homeless child or youth” as a child or youth from the age of 3 years through 21 years who lacks a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence and include the following:

• A child or youth who is sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason; is living in a motel, hotel, trailer park, or camping grounds due to the lack of alternative adequate accommodations; is living in an emergency or transitional shelter; is abandoned in a hospital; or is awaiting foster care placement;

• A child or youth who has a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation of human beings;

• A child or youth who is living in a car, park, public space, abandoned building, substandard housing, bus or train station or similar setting; or

• A migratory child or youth who qualifies as homeless because the child or youth is living in circumstances described in paragraphs 1 through 3 above.

Eligible students have the right to:

• Receive a free, appropriate public education.

• Enroll in school immediately, even if lacking documents normally required for enrollment.

• Enroll in high school and attend classes while the school gathers needed documents

•  Enroll in the local school or continue attending their school or origin (the school you attended when permanently housed or the school in which you were last enrolled) if that is your preference and is feasible.

• If the school district believes that the school selected is not in his/her best interest, then the district must provide the student with a written explanation of its position and inform the student of his/her right to appeal its decision.

• Receive transportation to and from the school of origin, if requested.

• Receive education services comparable to those provided to other students according to the student’s needs.

If you believe you may be eligible, contact the local liaison to find out what services and supports may be available.

East Marshall Local Liaison

Mrs. Trudi Foval-Johnson, Student Services Liaison

641-479-2785 LeGrand

641-498-7483 Gilman

641-476-3342 Laurel

tfovaljohnson@e-marshall.k12.ia.us 

State Coordinator

Carolyn Cobb

515-402-2736

carolyn.cobb@iowa.gov 

FOSTER CARE POINT OF CONTACT

Mr. Anthony Ryan, Superintendent,

Phone: 641-498-7481  

tryan@e-marshall.k12.ia.us 

LOCKERS

All students in the 4th – 8th grades will be assigned a locker. It is your responsibility to keep your locker neat and clean. You have no right to open anyone’s locker but your own. Your locker is assigned to you to use, but we reserve the right to search any locker if “reasonable suspicion” exists. “Reasonable suspicion” means the school official has a reasonable and articulable belief a criminal offense or a violation of school rules/regulations has taken place. Do not leave valuables in your locker. The school is not responsible for thefts. If the student has a particularly valuable item, it should be kept by the classroom teacher or in the principal’s office.

Below is information regarding student locker searches – See East Marshall Board Policy 502.8. Regulation as follows:

1. Searches, in general.

A. Reasonable and Articulable Suspicion: A search of a student will be justified when there are reasonable grounds for the suspicion that the search will turn up evidence that the student has violated or is violating the law or school district policy, rules, or regulations affecting school order.

Reasonable suspicion may be formed by considering factors such as the following:

1. Eyewitness observations by employees

2. Information received from reliable sources

3. Suspicious behavior by the student

4. The student’s past history and school record although this factor alone is not sufficient to provide the basis for reasonable suspicion.

B.  Reasonable Scope: A search will be permissible in its scope or intrusiveness when the measures adopted are reasonably related to the objectives of the search. Reasonableness of scope or intrusiveness may be determined based on factors such as the following:

1. The age of the student

2. The gender of the student

3. The nature of the infraction

4. The emergency requiring the search without delay

Gym bags should be kept in the student’s PE locker if at all possible. Locker rooms are unlocked when students are released from the gym and after classes are over. If students don’t have a PE locker, bags are to be kept in their book lockers. Students are not to carry/drag bags between classes during the day, this includes going to their last period class. Bags block emergency exits in hallways, particularly in the 7th and 8th hall and the music area. Bags carried by students between classes make it more difficult than necessary to pass in the halls. When a student has a sleepover, etc and has a large bag (or bags), the bag should be left in the office, not in the halls.

7th and 8th grade students may be doubled, in their book locker, with a partner unless the principal or guidance counselor gives permission for single occupancy. Students are not to change the original locker assignments unless they have received permission from the guidance counselor. If students take jackets, etc. out of the gym area it is to be with specific permission of staff members on duty and the jackets should not be placed in book lockers.

LUNCH/LUNCH ACCOUNTS/FEES

The school offers a nutritious breakfast and hot lunch for all children. Students may also bring sack lunches. Pop in sack lunches is not allowed. Your child may purchase milk for 50 cents, and it is better for growing bodies. Students are expected to follow cafeteria rules. Eating should be done in a pleasant, friendly, and orderly atmosphere.

If you wish to purchase lunch to eat with your child, please call before 9:00 am so that we can inform the cooks in a timely manner. Bringing in lunch from fast food restaurants is highly discouraged due to the new Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act.

The lunch and breakfast prices are:

STUDENT PRICING                                       ADULT PRICING

Breakfast $1.70                                              Breakfast  $2.25 Second Breakfast $1.60                                   Lunch $3.80         Lunch $2.45 Salad/Entree $2.05

Second Lunch Entree $1.85

Reduced Price Lunch $.40

Extra Milk $.55

Please be aware that extra milk and extra entrees are available to all students with a positive balance in their lunch accounts. If parents wish to block the extras, please call the school office and request this.

East Marshall Community School has an automated lunch system. Once the balance in the account reaches -$5.00 or -$5.00 for EACH person on the family account, your child will not be allowed to have breakfast, and at lunch will be given a cheese (or similar) sandwich. Contact will be made with the family the day before this happens. Please make every effort to keep your child’s account in good standing. 

In cases where parents feel their children will qualify for free or reduced priced meals: Food stamp households who received a letter from the Department of Human Services during the first week of August need only sign the letter and bring it to the school. All other applicants must personally make arrangements in the school office or during school registration before free or reduced price meals will be granted. Parents who completed an application last year must complete a new application this year to establish eligibility for children to participate in the school’s breakfast/lunch program. Parents should file a completed application prior to the beginning of school. Application forms are also available on our web page at www.e-marshall.k12.ia.us. All applications are confidential.

Fees are expected to be paid within a timely manner. The East Marshall Board of Education has adopted a fees collection process. Parents who have delinquent fees will be sent a letter from the district office. All delinquent fees past the 10 day notice specified in the letter may be turned over to Credit Bureau Services of Iowa for the uncollected claims. The district is willing to consider setting up payment plans for those who request it. 

NOTIFICATION OF RIGHTS UNDER (FERPA) FOR ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS

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

1. The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days of the day the school 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 school official 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 the student’s education records that the parent or eligible student believes are inaccurate. Parents or eligible students may ask the school to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate. They should write the school principal, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate. If the school decides not to amend the record as requested by the parent or eligible student, the school 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 interests. A school official is a person employed by the school as an administrator, supervisor, instructor, or support staff member (including health or medical staff and law enforcement unit personnel); a person serving on the School Board; a person or company with whom the school has contracted to perform a special task (such as 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.

◦ Officials of other schools in which the student proposes to enroll.

◦ Representatives of state and local government when auditing and evaluating federal education program.

◦ In connection with a student’s education financial aid application.

◦ Governmental officials to whom information is to be reported under the state law adopted prior to November 19, 1974.

◦ Organizations that process and evaluate standardized tests.

◦ Accrediting organizations for accreditation purposes.

◦ Parents of dependent children regardless of the child’s age.

◦ In connection with an emergency.

4. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the School District to comply with the requirements of FERPA.

Any other access to student records shall be only upon written consent or upon court order or legally issued subpoena.

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 20202-4605.

Student records are reviewed and inappropriate material removed periodically, but at a minimum when a student moves from elementary school to middle school, from middle school to high school, and when a student transfers out of the district. Those records not of permanent importance are destroyed within three years of graduation or discontinued attendance.

NOTIFICATION OF RIGHTS UNDER PROTECTION OF PUPIL RIGHTS  AMENDMENT (PPRA) AND PPRA NOTICE AND CONSENT/OPT-OUT FOR  SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES

PPRA affords parents and students who are 18 or emancipated minors (“eligible students”) certain rights regarding our conduct of surveys, collection and use of information for marketing purposes, and certain physical exams. These include the right to:

Consent before students are required to submit to a survey that concerns one or more of the following protected areas (“protected information survey”) if the survey is funded in whole or in part by a program of the U.S. Department of Education (ED)

• The Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA), 20 U.S.C. 1232h, requires East Marshall to notify you and obtain consent or allow you to opt your child out of participating in certain school activities. These activities include a student survey, analysis, or evaluation that concerns one or more of the following eight areas (“protected information survey”):

1. Political affiliations or beliefs of the student or student’s parent;

2. Mental or psychological problems of the student or student’s family;

3. Sex behavior or attitudes:

4. Illegal, anti-social, self-incriminating, or demeaning behavior;

5. Critical appraisals of others with whom respondents have close family relationships;

6. Legally recognized privileged relationship, such as with lawyers, doctors, or ministers;

7. Religious practices, affiliations, or beliefs of the student or parents; or

8. Income, other than as required by law to determine program eligibility.

This requirement also applies to the collection disclosure or use of student information for marketing purposes (“marketing surveys”), and certain physical exams and screenings.

Receive notice and an opportunity to opt a student out of:

1. Any other protected information survey, regardless of funding;

2. Any non-emergency, invasive physical exam or screening required as a condition of attendance, administered by the school or its agent, and not necessary to protect the immediate health and safety of a student, except for hearing, vision, or scoliosis screenings, or any physical exam or screening permitted or required under State law; and

3. Activities involving collection, disclosure, or use of personal information obtained from students for marketing or to sell or otherwise distribute the information to others.

Inspect, upon request and before administration or use:

1. Protected information surveys of students;

2. Instruments used to collect personal information from students for any of the above marketing, sales, or other distribution purposes; and

3. Instructional material used as part of the educational curriculum.

East Marshall will/has develop(ed) and adopt(ed) policies, regarding these rights, as well as arrangements to protect student privacy in the administration of protected surveys and the collection, disclosure, or use of personal information for marketing, sales, or other distribution purposes. East Marshall will directly notify parents and eligible students of these policies at least annually at the start of each school year and after any substantive changes. East Marshall will also directly notify parents and eligible students of the specific or approximate dates of the following activities and provide an opportunity to opt a student out of participating in:

Collection, disclosure, or use of personal information for marketing, sales or other distribution. Administration of any protected information survey not funded in whole or in part by ED.

Any non-emergency, invasive physical examination or screening as described above. Parents/eligible students who believe their rights have been violated may file a complaint with:

Family Policy Compliance Office

U.S. Department of Education 

400 Maryland Avenue, SW

Washington, DC 20202-4605

The principal or person in charge of each attendance center may release the  following types of information to the public as they see fit, keeping in mind the privacy of the student and the student’s family, and the totality of the surrounding circumstances: name, address, photograph, image or likeness, telephone listing, date and place of birth, major field to study, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of the athletic teams, date of attendance, degrees and awards received, and the most recent previous school or institution attended by the students.