Annual Notifications - Weedsport Central School District

The district is required by to adopt policies related to many aspects of school operations and state and federal law. It is also required to provide notifications related to a variety of topics and policies. Please use this page as a resource for the areas listed below.

New York State Department of Education Every Student Succeeds Act Complaint Procedures
Facilities Notices
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
Title I – Parents’ Right to Know
Parents’ Bill of Rights for Data Privacy and Security
Student Privacy
Dignity for All Students Act (DASA)
Testing Transparency
District-Wide Safety Plan
Equal Opportunity
Notification of Grievance Procedure for Non-Discrimination Policy
Body Mass Index
Absences & Tardiness
Homeless Liaison/McKinney-Vento Grant
Notification of Teacher and Principal Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR)
Grade Promotion and Placement Policy

Facilities Notices

Fire Inspection

All buildings which are owned, operated, or leased by a public school district or BOCES must be inspected for fire safety at least annually. No building which is owned, operated, or leased by a public school district or BOCES may be occupied or otherwise used unless the building has a valid Certificate of Occupancy issued by the Commissioner. Copies of the annual results of the Weedsport Central School Districts annual public school fire safety inspection available free of charge to all interested parties by contacting Mr. Chuck Roach at 315-834-8001. Building Certificates of Occupancy are posted in each district building.

Initial Pesticide Notification

New York State Education Law Section 409-H, effective July 1, 2001, requires all public and non-public elementary and secondary schools to provide written notification to all persons in parental relation, faculty, and staff regarding the potential use of pesticides throughout the school year on an annual basis. The Weedsport Central School District is required to maintain a list of persons in parental relation, faculty, and staff who wish to receive 48-hour notification of certain pesticide applications. The following pesticide applications are not subject to prior notification requirements:

A school remains unoccupied for a continuous 72 hours following application;
Anti-microbial products;
Nonvolatile rodenticides in tamper resistant bait stations in areas accessible to children;
Nonvolatile insecticidal baits in tamper resistant bait stations in areas inaccessible to children;
Boric acid and disodium octaborate tetrahydrate;
The application of EPA designated biopesticides;
The application of EPA designated exempt materials under 40CFR 152.25;
The use of aerosol products with a directed spray in containers of 18 fluid ounces or less when used to protect individuals from an imminent threat from stinging and biting insects including venomous spiders, bees, wasps, and hornets.

Asbestos (AHERA)

In accordance with the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s asbestos-containing materials in the School Rule (40CFR 763 Subpart E, commonly referred to as the AHERA Regulations), please be advised that since the last Annual Notification of Asbestos Management Activities, the Weedsport Central School District has undertaken abatement activities.

These activities are the results of building renovations based on six (6) month surveillances conducted and completed during 2018-2019 school year. Six (6) month surveillances are conducted once every six months for the purpose of monitoring the condition of intact asbestos containing materials previously identified in the Management Plan for each building. The results of these surveillances are incorporated into the Management Plan and are used to schedule maintenance and response activities. A copy of each school Management Plan is on file in the main office of each building, as well as in the Supervisor of Maintenance & Operations Office. The Management Plan is available for inspection by employees, parents and the public, at no charge during regular school hours.

The Weedsport Central School District has appointed Mr. Chuck Roach as the designated person certified to ensure that the requirements of AHERA are properly met and implemented. Any questions concerning the AHERA Plan should be directed to Mr. Chuck Roach at 315-834-8001.

Water Testing Results

On March 30, 2021, the Weedsport Central School District received the results from water sampling tests it conducted with Life Sciences Laboratories on drinking fountains and sinks at the Jr.-Sr. High School. Every test on drinking fountains and sinks used to prepare food at school returned Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) compliant results for quality drinking water. Find those results here. Also, on March 30, 2021, the Weedsport Central School District received the results from water sampling tests it conducted with Life Sciences Laboratories on drinking fountains and sinks at the elementary school. Every test on drinking fountains and sinks used to prepare food at school returned Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) compliant results for quality drinking water. Find those results here. On Sept. 6, 2016, New York state became the first state in the nation to require all public schools and BOCES to test all sources of drinking water for lead. For a detailed report on the tests, please call the district office at 315-834-6637.

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

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:

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 appropriate 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.
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 appropriate 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.
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. Further, upon request, the school discloses education records without consent to officials of another school district in which a student seeks or intends to enroll. The school intends to forward records on request.
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 20202-5901

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Title I – Parents’ Right to Know

In accordance with the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), if so classified as a Title I school, parents, guardians, and the local community have the right to have access to the school level parental involvement policy. Weedsport Central School, which is classified as a Title I school, is obligated to notify parents of the parental involvement policy in an understandable and uniform format and, to the extent practicable, in language the parents can understand. Further, if deemed to be a Title I school, the school is mandated to update the school level parental policy periodically to meet the changing needs of parents and the school.

Also, parents in the Weedsport Central School District have the right to know the professional qualifications of the classroom teacher who instructs their child. The ESEA allows parents to ask for certain information about their child’s classroom teacher. Specifically, they have the right to ask for the following information about each of their child’s classroom teacher(s):

Whether the teacher has met State qualification and licensing criteria for the grade levels and subject areas in which the teacher provides the instruction
Whether the teacher is teaching under emergency or other provisional status through which state qualification or licensing criteria have been waived;
The teacher’s college major and whether the teacher has any advanced degrees and, if so, the subject of the degree.
Whether their child is provided services by paraprofessionals and, if so, their qualifications.

Weedsport School/Parent Compact

All of the educational stakeholders – school staff, parents, guardians, and community at large – of Weedsport are ceaselessly involved in the education of the children from pre-school to high school graduation. With regard to the fulfillment of responsibilities in this educational partnership, the school willingly accepts responsibility to provide high quality curriculum and instruction in a supportive and effective learning environment that enables children serviced under Title I to meet the state’s student academic achievement standards. Additionally, the parent/guardian bears responsibility of equitable value in that they are to support their child’s learning through providing a safe, healthy, and supportive learning climate, make connections with schools, and promote a shared responsibility for the high performance of their child. A fundamental element for the success of the aforementioned is that a high level of communication must exist and occur between the appropriate school staff and the parent/guardian through not only the annual parent teacher conference but also on an ongoing basis relevant to progress. In fulfilling these responsibilities, the school and parents working cooperatively to provide for the successful education of the children agree:

The School Agrees:

to convene an annual meeting for Title I parents to inform them of the Title I program and their right to be involved.
to offer a flexible number of meetings at various times to formulate suggestions and to participate, as appropriate, in decisions relating to the education of the parent’s child, and to respond to any such suggestion as soon as practicably possible.
to actively involve parents in planning, reviewing, and improving the Title I programs and the parental involvement policy.
to provide parents with timely information about ALL programs.
to provide performance profiles and individual student assessment results for each child and other pertinent individual and school district education information (i.e. explanation of the curriculum in use at the school, the forms of academic assessment used to measure student progress, and the proficiency levels students are expected to meet).
to provide high quality curriculum and instruction.
to heighten the level of communication between school staff and parents through: – parent-teacher conferences, at least annually, – frequent reports to parents on their children’s progress, reasonable access to staff, – opportunities to volunteer and participate in their child’s class.
to assure that parents may participate in professional development activities if the school determines that it is appropriate (i.e. literacy classes, workshop on reading strategies, assessment awareness sessions).

The Parent/Guardian Agree:

to become involved in development, implementing, evaluating, and revising the school level parent involvement policy and Title I programs.
to use or ask for technical assistance training that the school may offer on child rearing practices and teacher and learning strategies.
to provide a home environment that encourages their child to learn.
to insist that all homework assignments are completed on time
to see that their child attends school regularly and on time.
to encourage their child to read and monitor his/her television viewing
to share responsibility for improved student achievement.
to communicate with their child’s teacher about his/ her educational needs.
to support the school in developing positive behaviors.
to show respect and support for their child, his/her teachers, and the school.

Parents’ Bill of Rights for Data Privacy and Security

The Weedsport Central School District is committed to ensuring student privacy in accordance with local, state and federal regulations as well as District policies. To this end and pursuant to U.S. Department of Education regulations, the District is providing the following Parents’ Bill of Rights for Data Privacy and Security:

A student’s personally identifiable information cannot be sold or released for any commercial or marketing purposes.
Parents 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. Safeguards associated with industry standards and best practices, including but not limited to, encryption, firewalls and password protection, are in place for student data which is stored and/or when such student data is transferred.
A complete list of all student data elements collected by the State is available for public review at http://www.p12.nysed.gov/irs/sirs/documentation/NYSEDstudentData.xlsx, or via regular mail from by writing to the New York State Department of Education’s (SED) Office of Information & Reporting Services, New York State Education Department, Room 863 EBA, 89 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12234.
Parents have the right to have complaints about possible breaches of student data addressed. Any such complaint should be submitted, in writing, to:

Gregory M. Stone
Superintendent of Schools
2821 East Brutus Street
Weedsport, New York, 13166
315-834-6637
gstone@weedsport.org

Complaints to SED should be directed in writing to Privacy Complaint, Chief Privacy Officer, New York State Education Department, 89 Washington Avenue, Albany, New York 12234. Complaints may also be submitted using the form available at the following website http://www.nysed.gov/data-privacy-security/report-improper-disclosure.

Supplemental Software Information

RIC One is a program made up of 12 Regional Information Centers (RICs) that help with different services provided to schools, one of which is the Data Privacy and Security Initiative Tool. This helps New York State school districts comply with Education Law 2-D, and Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) requirements. RIC One acquires required documentation from vendors, and works to support educators in implementing technology-rich learning experiences while making sure students’ privacy is not compromised.

Parents’ Bill of Rights – Supplemental Information Addendum

1. EXCLUSIVE PURPOSES FOR DATA USE: The exclusive purposes for which “student data” or “teacher or principal data” (as those terms are defined in Education Law Section 2-d and collectively referred to as the “Confidential Data”) will be used by [insert name of third-party contractor] (the “Contractor”) are limited to the purposes authorized in the contract between the Contractor and Weedsport Central School District (the “School District”) dated [insert contract date] (the “Contract”).

2. SUBCONTRACTOR OVERSIGHT DETAILS: The Contractor will ensure that any subcontractors, or other authorized persons or entities to whom the Contractor will disclose the Confidential Data, if any, are contractually required to abide by all applicable data protection and security requirements, including but not limited to, those outlined in applicable State and Federal laws and regulations (e.g., Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (“FERPA”); Education Law § 2-d; 8 NYCRR §121).

3. CONTRACT PRACTICES: The Contract commences and expires on the dates set forth in the Contract, unless earlier terminated or renewed pursuant to the terms of the Contract. On or before the date the Contract expires, protected data will be exported to the School District in [insert data format] format and/or destroyed by the Contractor as directed by the School District.

4. DATA ACCURACY/CORRECTION PRACTICES: A parent or eligible student can challenge the accuracy of any “education record”, as that term is defined in the FERPA, stored by the School District in a Contractor’s product and/or service by following the School District’s procedure for requesting the amendment of education records under the FERPA. Teachers and principals may be able to challenge the accuracy of APPR data stored by School District in Contractor’s product and/or service by following the appeal procedure in the School District’s APPR Plan. Unless otherwise required above or by other applicable law, challenges to the accuracy of the Confidential Data shall not be permitted.

5. SECURITY PRACTICES: Confidential Data provided to Contractor by the School District will be stored [insert location]. The measures that Contractor takes to protect Confidential Data will align with the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, including but not necessarily limited to, disk encryption, file encryption, firewalls, and password protection.

6. ENCRYPTION PRACTICES: The Contractor will apply encryption to the Confidential Data while in motion and at rest at least to the extent required by Education Law Section 2-d and other applicable law.

Read the Weedsport Software Agreement

Student Privacy

The Board of Education recognizes that student privacy is an important concern of parents, and the Board wishes to ensure that student privacy is protected pursuant to the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA), as revised by the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. To that end, the Board has adopted a policy on student privacy. Under the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment, as revised by the Weedsport Central School District on student privacy, you have the right to opt your child out of the following activities:

The collection, disclosure and use of personal information gathered from students for the purpose of marketing or selling that information. This does not apply to the collection, disclosure, or use of personal information collected from students for the exclusive purpose of developing, evaluating or providing educational products or services for, or to students, such as: a. college or other postsecondary education recruitment, or military recruitment; b. book clubs, magazines and programs providing access to low-cost literary products; c. curriculum and instructional materials used in schools; d. tests and assessments used to provide cognitive, evaluative, diagnostic, clinical, aptitude, or achievement information for students or to generate other statistically useful data for the purpose of securing such tests and assessments, and the subsequent analysis and public release of the aggregate data from such tests and assessments; e. student recognition programs; and f. the sale by student of products and services to raise funds for school-related activities.
The administration of any survey revealing information concerning one or more of the following: a. political affiliations or beliefs of the student or the student’s parent; b. mental or psychological problems of the student or the student’s family; c. sex behavior or attitudes; d. illegal, antisocial, self incriminating or demeaning behavior; e. critical appraisals of other individuals with whom respondents have close family relationships; f. legally recognized privileged or analogous relationships, such as those of lawyers, physicians
and ministers; g. religious practices, affiliations or beliefs of the student or the student’s parent; or h. income (other than that required by law to determine eligibility for participation in a program or for receiving financial assistance under such a program).
The administration of any non-emergency, invasive physical examination or screening that is required as a condition of attendance, administered by the school not necessary to protect the immediate health or safety of the student or other students and not otherwise permitted or required by state law. The term “invasive physical examination” means any medical examination that involves the exposure of private body parts, or any act during such examination that includes incision, insertion, or injecting into the body, but does not include a hearing, vision, or scoliosis screening. It does not apply to any physical examination or screening required or permitted under state law, including those permitted without parental notification.

Please review this list. If there any activities you wish to “opt out” of on behalf of your child, please notify your respective building principal in writing.

Notification of Parental Rights to Withhold Certain Information From Military Recruiters

Pursuant to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, our school district must disclose to military recruiters and institutions of higher learning, upon request, the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of our high school students. The district must also notify parents of their right and the right of their child to request that the district not release such information without prior written parental consent Parents wishing to exercise their option to withhold their consent to the release of the above information to the military recruiters and institutions of higher learning must provide written notification to the Jr.-Sr. High School principal.

Dignity for All Students Act (DASA)

A regulation named the Dignity for All Students Act went into effect July 1, 2012 in New York State. Its purpose is to ensure that all elementary and secondary public school students have the right to attend school in an environment that is free of discrimination, harassment, and bullying. New York State Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) prohibits actions — such as aggression, threats, and intimidation — that interfere with another student’s educational performance both at school and district events. It also creates a framework for sensitivity and diversity training to promote a positive school environment.

The district will act to promptly investigate all complaints, verbal or written, formal or informal, of allegations of discrimination, harassment and bullying; and will promptly take appropriate action to protect individuals from further discrimination, harassment and bullying. All complaints of alleged harassing, bullying and/or retaliatory conduct shall be:

Promptly investigated in accordance with the terms of District policy.
Forwarded to the school building’s Dignity Act Coordinator for monitoring; and
Treated as confidential and private to the extent possible within legal constraints

The district’s designated Dignity Act Coordinators are:

Lisa Dates, Elementary School: 315-834-6685
Sarah Mercier, Elementary School: 315-834-6685
Jeanette Rosenberg-Smith, Jr.-Sr. High School: 315-834-8106
Jessica Bradtke, Jr.-Sr. High School: 315-834-8106

Download a DASA form here

Testing Transparency

Based on the concerns conveyed to the commissioner surrounding the use of assessments, and in accordance with Section 1 of Subpart F of Chapter 56 of the Laws of 2014, the commissioner directed the Office of Teacher and Leader Effectiveness to review each district’s and BOCES’ APPR plan to identify opportunities for local action to ensure the minimum assessments necessary are used to inform effective decision making. The department encourages leaders to use the Testing Transparency Report to help review their currently approved APPR plan to identify modifications that would be approvable by the department and result in less testing for students. The department has consistently communicated that the amount of testing should be the minimum necessary to inform effective decision-making at the classroom, school, district and BOCES level. Guidance from the NY State Education Dept. on the approved regulatory amendments to APPR to help reduce local testing.

District-Wide 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 district with local and county resources in the event of such incidents or emergencies. The District-Wide plan is responsive to the needs of all programs within the district and is consistent with the more detailed emergency response plans required at the school building level. School districts are at risk of a wide variety of acts of violence, natural, and technological disasters. To address these threats, the State of New York has enacted the Safe Schools Against Violence in Education (SAVE) law. This component of 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 Weedsport Central School District continues to support this integral component of the SAVE Legislation through the regular review and updating of its contents. The Superintendent of Schools encourages and advocates this ongoing District-Wide cooperation and support of Project SAVE. Click here to see Weedsport’s District-wide Safety Plan

Equal Opportunity

The Weedsport Central School District, in accordance with Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title II of the Americans With Disabilities Act, or the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, political affiliation, sex, age, marital or veteran status, or disability in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The Board of Education recognizes its responsibility to provide an environment free from harassment and intimidation in the educational programs or activities it operates. We do not permit discrimination by employees, school volunteers, students, and non-employees such as contractors and vendors, as well as any third parties participating in, observing, or otherwise engaged in activities subject to the supervision of the district. This includes recruitment and employment practices, pay and health benefits, counseling services for students, access by students to educational programs, courses, and activities. The Board also prohibits harassment based upon an individual’s opposition to the discrimination or participation in a related investigation or complaint proceeding under the antidiscrimination statutes. This policy of non-discrimination and anti-harassment will be enforced on school district premises, in school buildings, and at all school sponsored events, programs, and activities including those that take place off school premises. Inquiries or complaints should be forwarded to the Superintendent of Schools.

Notification of Grievance Procedure for Non-Discrimination Policy

The compliance officer for Section 504 and other grievances related to student activities is the Director of Special Programs, Ann DeFazio, who can be reached by telephone at 315-834-8186. The compliance officer for all employee related activities is the Superintendent of Schools, Gregory M. Stone, who can be reached by telephone at 315-834-6637. Both can be contacted via mailing at: Weedsport Central School District, 2821 East Brutus Street, Weedsport, New York 13166. The compliance officer, upon request, will provide a copy of the district’s grievance procedure to any employee, student, or other covered person. A copy of each of the Acts and Regulations upon which this notice is based will be made available upon written request to the district compliance officer.

Body Mass Index

Because New York State is interested in data about children’s health, schools are now required to keep height and weight data and to calculate students’ Body Mass Index (BMI). BMI is a way of checking for underweight or overweight children based on their height and weight. Some schools will be surveyed by the state Department of Health each year and asked to share the number of pupils they have in each of six possible BMI categories based on students’ age and sex.

Absences & Tardiness

Parents are responsible under the School Attendance Laws of New York State for their children’s regular attendance and punctuality. A written excuse is required for each absence or tardy. The note should include reasons for the absence and the dates covered. The excuse must be signed by the parent or guardian. Parents are requested to phone the nurse on the day of an absence with the reason. For multiple day absences please call the first day with the anticipated duration. Attendance can affect high school course credit. See the Attendance Policy in the student handbook. When a child is late to school, we request that the parent or guardian notify the school in writing, giving the reason for the tardiness. A note should be sent to the nurse’s office the next day if tardiness is for a valid reason.

Homeless Liaison/McKinney-Vento Grant

The federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act requires states and school districts to ensure that homeless children and youths have equal access to the same free appropriate public education, including a public preschool education, as provided to other children and youths. The District’s Homeless Liaisons are:

Jessica Bradtke, Jr.-Sr. High School: 315-834-8106
Sarah Mercier, Elementary School: 315-834-6685

Notification of Teacher and Principal Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR)

The Weedsport Central School District’s plans for the Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR) of its teachers and principals met the criteria outlined in Education Law and were approved by the New York State Education Department. The APPR is designed to measure teacher and principal effectiveness based on performance, student achievement, and student growth. Teachers and principals will be evaluated and given a number grade at the end of every year that represents their effectiveness rating. While the Annual Professional Performance Review is a state governed process that determines the standards for these ratings and the process for assessing teachers’ and principals’ effectiveness, the details of the evaluation process were determined locally.

Annual Professional Performance Reviews have been paused due to COVID-19. Scores will be posted as per New York State Department of Education guidelines upon reinstatement.

Grade Promotion and Placement Policy

Decisions about student promotion and placement are at the discretion of school building principals. These decisions 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 was adopted by the board of education following a review by the district administration.

Promotion and placement decisions are not based solely, or primarily, on student performance on New York state assessments in grades 3-8 English language arts or mathematics.