Notification of Rights under FERPA for Schools

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords parents and students who are
18 years of age or older ("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 after the day the
school district receives a request for access.

Parents or eligible students who wish to inspect their child’s or their education records should
submit to the school principal a written request that identifies the records 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.

1. The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the parent
   or eligible student believes are inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the
   student’s privacy rights under FERPA.
   
   Parents or eligible students who wish to ask the [School] to amend their child’s or
   their education record should write the school principal [or appropriate school
   official], clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it
   should be changed. 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 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.
    
2. The right to provide written consent before the school discloses personally
   identifiable information (PII) from 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. The criteria for determining who
   constitutes a school official and what constitutes a legitimate educational interest
   must be set forth in the school’s or school district’s annual notification for FERPA
   rights. A school official typically includes a person employed by the school or school
   district as an administrator, supervisor, instructor, or support staff member (including
   health or medical staff and law enforcement unit personnel) or a person serving on the
   school board. A school official also may include a volunteer, contractor, or
   consultant who, while not employed by the school, performs an institutional service
   or function for which the school would otherwise use its own employees and who is
   under the direct control of the school with respect to the use and maintenance of PII
   from education records, such as an attorney, auditor, medical consultant, or therapist;
   a parent or student volunteering to serve on an official committee, such as a
   disciplinary or grievance committee; or a parent, student, or other volunteer assisting
   another school official in performing his or her tasks. A school official typically 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 school discloses education records without consent to officials of
   another school or school district in which a student seeks or intends to enroll, or is
   already enrolled if the disclosure is for purposes of the student’s enrollment or
   transfer.
    
3. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning
   alleged failures by the [School] to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The
   name and address of the Office that administers FERPA are:

                                             Student Privacy Policy Office
                                             U.S. Department of Education
                                             400 Maryland Avenue, SW
                                             Washington, DC 20202

[NOTE: In addition, a school may want to include its directory information public notice, as
required by § 99.37 of the regulations, with its annual notification of rights under FERPA.]

See the list below of the disclosures that elementary and secondary schools may make without
consent.

Per Board Policy Section 506.1E8 and Iowa Code §22:279:9B, 280.24, .25, 622.10 (2005), the
following information about your student may be released to the public including; a student’s
name; grade, level, enrollment status; participation in officially recognized activities and sports;
weight and height of members of athletic teams; degrees and awards received; photograph and
likeness; and other similar information. Any parent or guardian who does not want this
information released to the public must make objection in writing to the principal of the
appropriate school no later than September 15th of each school year.

FERPA permits the disclosure of PII from students’ education records, without consent of the
parent or eligible student, if the disclosure meets certain conditions found in § 99.31 of the
FERPA regulations. Except for disclosures to school officials, disclosures related to some
judicial orders or lawfully issued subpoenas, disclosures of directory information, and
disclosures to the parent or eligible student, § 99.32 of the FERPA regulations requires the school
to record the disclosure. Parents and eligible students have a right to inspect and review the
record of disclosures. A school may disclose PII from the education records of a student without
obtaining prior written consent of the parents or the eligible student –

• To other school officials, including teachers, within the educational agency or
  institution whom the school has determined to have legitimate educational interests.
  This includes contractors, consultants, volunteers, or other parties to whom the school
  has outsourced institutional services or functions, provided that the conditions listed
  in § 99.31(a)(1)(i)(B)(1) - (a)(1)(i)(B)(3) are met. (§ 99.31(a)(1))
   
• To officials of another school, school system, or institution of postsecondary
  education where the student seeks or intends to enroll, or where the student is already
  enrolled if the disclosure is for purposes related to the student’s enrollment or
  transfer, subject to the requirements of § 99.34. (§ 99.31(a)(2))
   
• To authorized representatives of the U. S. Comptroller General, the U. S. Attorney
  General, the U.S. Secretary of Education, or State and local educational authorities,
  such as the State educational agency (SEA) in the parent or eligible student’s State.
  Disclosures under this provision may be made, subject to the requirements of § 99.35,
  in connection with an audit or evaluation of Federal- or State-supported education
  programs, or for the enforcement of or compliance with Federal legal requirements
  that relate to those programs. These entities may make further disclosures of PII to
  outside entities that are designated by them as their authorized representatives to
  conduct any audit, evaluation, or enforcement or compliance activity on their behalf,
  if applicable requirements are met. (§§ 99.31(a)(3) and 99.35)
   
• In connection with financial aid for which the student has applied or which the
  student has received, if the information is necessary for such purposes as to determine
  eligibility for the aid, determine the amount of the aid, determine the conditions of the
  aid, or enforce the terms and conditions of the aid. (§ 99.31(a)(4))
   
• To State and local officials or authorities to whom information is specifically allowed
  to be reported or disclosed by a State statute that concerns the juvenile justice system
  and the system’s ability to effectively serve, prior to adjudication, the student whose
  records were released, subject to § 99.38. (§ 99.31(a)(5))
   
• To organizations conducting studies for, or on behalf of, the school, in order to: (a)
  develop, validate, or administer predictive tests; (b) administer student aid programs;
  or (c) improve instruction, if applicable requirements are met. (§ 99.31(a)(6))
   
• To accrediting organizations to carry out their accrediting functions. (§ 99.31(a)(7))
   
• To parents of an eligible student if the student is a dependent for IRS tax purposes. (§
  99.31(a)(8))
   
• To comply with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena if applicable
  requirements are met. (§ 99.31(a)(9))
   
• To appropriate officials in connection with a health or safety emergency, subject to §
  99.36. (§ 99.31(a)(10))
   
• Information the school has designated as “directory information” if applicable
  requirements under § 99.37 are met. (§ 99.31(a)(11))
   
• To an agency caseworker or other representative of a State or local child welfare
  agency or tribal organization who is authorized to access a student’s case plan when
  such agency or organization is legally responsible, in accordance with State or tribal
  law, for the care and protection of the student in foster care placement. (20 U.S.C. §
  1232g(b)(1)(L))
   
• To the Secretary of Agriculture or authorized representatives of the Food and
  Nutrition Service for purposes of conducting program monitoring, evaluations, and
  performance measurements of programs authorized under the Richard B. Russell
  National School Lunch Act or the Child Nutrition Act of 1966, under certain
  conditions. (20 U.S.C. § 1232g(b)(1)(K))

The District offers breakfast and lunch each day school is in session. Meal prices are listed
below.

Breakfast
Elementary $2.00
Middle School $2.00
High School $2.00

Lunch
Elementary $2.45
Middle School $2.65
High School $2.85

Your child may qualify for free or reduced priced meals. You can access the application form for
free or reduced cost meals here. If you need further assistance, please contact Bryan Manley at
(712) 246-3773 or email manleyb@shenandoah.k12.ia.us. This is a confidential process so
please do not hesitate to ask for assistance.

It is the District’s policy to strive to identify homeless children and youth within the District,
encourage their enrollment in school, and ensure they have equitable access to public education,

including public preschool, is available at the District Offices, 304 W. Nishna Road, Shenandoah,
IA 51601 and on the District website.

Home School Liaisons are available at each school site and are assist homeless children and
youth.

Sonia Leece: Elementary & Middle School
Natalie Denton: High School

Chapter 33 in Iowa Administrative Code requires the District to give written notice to homeless
children and families before denying their access to educational programs. Homeless children
and families may obtain free legal services by contacting: Iowa Legal Aid Southwest Iowa
Regional Office. 532 1st Avenue, Suite 300 Council Bluffs, IA 51503 phone: 1-800 -532-1275.

Immunization records are required as part of the school registration process. Information about required immunizations and exemptions can be found here.
Iowa School Immunization Requirements
Certificate of Immunization
Medical Exemption Form
Religious Exemption Form
Provisional Certificate of Immunization
Approved Alternate Certificate of Immunization
 

It is the policy of this CNP provider not to discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, sex,
sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or religion in its programs,
activities, or employment practices as required by the Iowa Code section 216.6, 216.7, and
216.9.  If you have questions or grievances related to compliance with this policy by this CNP
Provider, please contact the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, Grimes State Office building, 400 E.
14th St. Des Moines, IA 50319-1004; phone number 515-281-4121, 800-457-4416;
website: https://icrc.iowa.gov/.

The school district maintains a school library in each building for use by employees and by students during the school day. Materials for the libraries are acquired consistent with all applicable laws and board policy, "Instructional Materials Selection." The district provides access to all parents and guardians of students enrolled in the district to an online catalog of all books available to students in the school libraries. The access is displayed as a quick link on the parent/student site and is available here. Any challenges to library materials will be handled following the process for handling challenges to instructional and library materials as established by board policy.

Library Access

Request to Prohibit a Student From Accessing Specific Instructional Materials Form

It is the policy of the Shenandoah Community School District not to discriminate on the basis of
race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, creed, age (for employment), marital status
(for programs), sexual orientation, gender identity, and socioeconomic status (for programs) in its
educational programs and its employment practices. There is a grievance procedure for
processing complaints of discrimination. If you have questions or a grievance related to this
related to this policy, please contact the district’s Equity Coordinator: Aaron Burdorf, 601 Dr.
Creighton Cir., Shenandoah, IA 51601, (712) 246-2520, burdorfa@shencsd.com

The Shenandoah Community School District offers career and technical programs in the
following areas: Agricultural Science, Automotive Technology, Business Education, Family
Consumer Science, Health Science, and Industrial Technology. It is the policy of the Shenandoah
Community School District not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex,
disability, religion, creed, age (for employment), marital status (for programs), sexual
orientation, gender identity, and socioeconomic status (for programs) in its educational programs
and its employment practices. There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of
discrimination. If you have questions or a grievance related to this related to this policy, please
contact the district’s Equity Coordinator: Aaron Burdorf, 601 Dr. Creighton Cir., Shenandoah,
IA 51601, (712) 246-2520, burdorfa@shencsd.com.

If you are interested in attending Shenandoah CSD and are a nonresident student you will need
to complete the open enrollment form. Once the form is completed you will need to submit it to the
central office for approval. This can be submitted to Cori Feller by email or sent to the  Logan
Administration Building located at 304 W. Nishna Road, Shenandoah, IA 51601. Resident students who
want to attend a different school district must complete the same process.  If you have questions about
the form or the process please contact Cori Feller or call 712-246-1581.

Open Enrollment
We encourage you to ask questions and arrange to visit our schools. If you have questions or
would like to discuss program services, please contact the following people.
Mr. Ty Ratliff, High School Principal
Mrs. Denise Green, IGNITE Online and Personalized Learning Principal
Mr. Luke Buttry, Middle School Principal
Mr. Jordan Newberg, Elementary School Principal
Dr. Kerri Nelson, Superintendent, District Services, Schools and Programs

In the 2021 legislative session, Governor Reynolds signed House File (HF) 868 into law. The
new law creates Iowa Code section 279.8B, i which outlines the process for eligible voters
within the school district to petition their local school board. With that, the purpose of this Iowa
Department of Education (Department) guidance is to provide school districts, local school
boards, and eligible district voters with information related to the petition process.

Petition Requirements

Notification of Rights Under the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA)

PPRA affords parents of elementary and secondary students certain rights regarding the conduct
of surveys, collection and use of information for marketing purposes, and certain physical exams.
These include, but are not limited to, 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)–

• Political affiliations or beliefs of the student or student’s parent;
• Mental or psychological problems of the student or student’s family;
• Sex 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.

·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 collected
   from students for marketing or to sell or otherwise distribute the information to others.
   (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 or educational
   institutions.)

·Inspect, upon request and before administration or use –

1. Protected information surveys of students and surveys created by a third party;
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.

These rights transfer from the parents to a student who is 18 years old or an emancipated minor
under State law.

District policies, in consultation with parents, regarding these rights, as well as arrangements to
protect student privacy in the administration of protected information surveys and the collection,
disclosure, or use of personal information for marketing, sales, or other distribution purposes.
The District will directly notify parents of these policies at least annually at the start of each
school year and after any substantive changes. The District will also directly notify, such as
through U.S. Mail or email, parents of students who are scheduled to participate in the specific
activities or surveys noted below and will provide an opportunity for the parent to opt his or her
child out of participation of the specific activity or survey. The District will make this
notification to parents at the beginning of the school year if the District has identified the specific
or approximate dates of the activities or surveys at that time. For surveys and activities
scheduled after the school year starts, parents will be provided reasonable notification of the
planned activities and surveys listed below and be provided an opportunity to opt their child out
of such activities and surveys. Parents will also be provided an opportunity to review any
pertinent surveys. Following is a list of the specific activities and surveys covered under this
direct notification requirement:

• Collection, disclosure, or use of personal information collected from students 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 who believe their rights have been violated may file a complaint with:

Student Privacy Policy Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20202

Click here for PDF version
503.8R REPORTING A THREAT OF VIOLENCE OR INCIDENCE OF VIOLENCE
 

In the case of any threat of violence or incident of violence that results in injury, property damage or assault by a student, the teacher will report to the school principal or lead administrator within 24 hours of the incident. The principal or lead administrator will notify the parent or guardian of the student(s) who threatened or perpetrated an act of violence and the student(s) who the threatened or perpetrated act of violence was made against within 24 hours after receipt of the teacher’s report and complete an investigation of the incident as soon as possible. The classroom teacher may also notify the parent or guardian of the student who made the threat or caused the incident, and the parent or guardian of the student against whom the threat or incident was directed (2023 Iowa Acts, chapter 96 (House File 604), sec. 4).

An investigation will be initiated by the principal or lead administrator upon learning of an incident of violence or threat of violence through any credible means. If the principal or lead administrator finds that an incident of violence or threat of violence did occur, the administrator will determine the level of threat or incident by considering all aspects of the situation, including the student's intent and knowledge of the impact of their actions, their developmental level, and context of the incident. The resolution will focus on identifying the cause behind the behavior and appropriate corrective action (2023 Iowa Acts, chapter 96 (House File 604), sec. 7, new section 279.79, subsections 1 and 4).

A student who makes a threat of violence, causes an incident of violence that results in injury or property damage or who commits an assault, will be subject to escalating levels of discipline for each occurrence. When appropriate, referrals will be made to local law enforcement. The school district retains the authority to assign the level of disciplinary measures appropriate to the severity of the threat of violence or incident of violence (2023 Iowa Acts, chapter 96 (House File 604), sec. 7, new section 279.79, subsection 5).

Threat of Violence
Threat of violence means a written, verbal, electronic or behavioral message that either explicitly or implicitly expresses an intention to inflict emotional or physical injury, property damage or assault.

Incident of Violence
Incident of violence means the intentional use of physical force or power against oneself, another person, a group or community or property resulting in injury, property damage or assault.

Injury
Injury means “physical pain, illness or any impairment of physical condition.” State v. McKee, 312 N.W.2d 907, 913 (Iowa 1981).

Property Damage
Property damage means any destruction, damage, impairment or alteration of property to which the individual does not have a right to take such an action. Property means real property, which includes any real estate, building or fixture attached to a building or structure, and personal property, which includes intangible property (Iowa Code section 4.1(21)).

Assault
Assault means when, without justification, a student does any of the following:
an act which is intended to cause pain or injury to or which is intended to result in physical contact which will be insulting or offensive to another, coupled with the apparent ability to execute the act; or any act which is intended to place another in fear of immediate physical contact which will be painful, injurious, insulting or offensive, coupled with the apparent ability to execute the act; or intentionally points any firearm toward another or displays in a threatening manner any dangerous weapon toward another.

The act is not an assault when the person doing any of the above and the other person are voluntary participants in a sport, social or other activity, not in itself criminal, when the act is a reasonably foreseeable incident of such sport or activity, and does not create an unreasonable risk of serious injury or breach of the peace (Following Iowa Code section 708.1).

Levels of Behavior
The following levels are used to determine the school district’s response to situations where the school district has determined that a student has made a threat of violence or caused an incident of violence. The school district’s response will be based upon the administration’s investigation into reports of a threat of violence or an incident of violence, the administration’s application of this policy to the particular facts of each situation, and the administration’s determination of the level of disciplinary measures appropriate to the severity of the threat of violence or incident of violence.

Escalating Responses by Grade Band

Grades PK-2

Grades 3-5

Grades 6-8

Grades 9-12

Definitions

Detention means the student's presence is required during non-school hours for disciplinary purposes. The student can be required to appear prior to the beginning of the school day, after school has been dismissed for the day or on a non-school day. Whether a student will serve detention, and the length of the detention, is within the discretion of the licensed employee or the building principal disciplining the student.

Expulsion means an action by the board to remove a student from the school environment, which includes, but is not limited to, classes and activities, for a period of time set by the board.

In-school suspension means the student will attend school but will be temporarily isolated from one or more classes while under supervision. An in-school suspension will not exceed ten consecutive school days.

Out-of-school suspension means the student is removed from the school environment, which includes school classes and activities. An out-of-school suspension will not exceed ten consecutive school days unless due process is provided as required by federal and state law. A restriction from school activities means a student will attend school and classes and practice but will not participate in school activities.

Placement in an alternate learning environment means placement of a student in an environment established apart from the regular educational program that includes rules, staff, and resources designed to accommodate student needs and to provide a comprehensive education consistent with the student learning goals and content standards established by the school district.

Removal from the classroom means a student is sent to the building principal's office. It is within the discretion of the person in charge of the classroom to remove the student.

Elementary School 8:00 AM to 3:15 PM
Middle School 8:00 AM to 3:15 PM
High School 8:00 AM to 3:25 PM

The Shenandoah Community School District does not discriminate in its educational programs and activities on the basis of a student’s disability. It has been determined that your child has a qualifying disability for which accommodations may need to be made to meet his or her individual needs as adequately as the needs of other students.

As a parent, you have the right to the following:

• Participation of your child in school district programs and activities, including extracurricular programs and activities, to the maximum extent appropriate, free of discrimination based upon the student’s disability and at the same level as students without disabilities;  

• Receipt of free educational services to the extent they are provided students without disabilities; • Receipt of information about your child and your child’s educational programs and activities in your native language;  

• Notice of identification of your child as having a qualifying disability for which accommodations may need to be made and notice prior to evaluation and placement of your child and right to periodically request a re-evaluation of your child;  

• Inspect and review your child’s educational records including a right to copy those records for a reasonable fee. You also have a right to ask the school district to amend your child’s educational records if you feel the information in the records is misleading or inaccurate should the school district refuse to amend the records, you have a right to a hearing and to place an explanatory letter in your child’s file explaining why you feel the records are misleading or inaccurate;  

• Hearing before an impartial hearing office if you disagree with your child’s evaluation or placement; you have the right to counsel at the hearing and have the decision of the impartial hearing office reviewed.  

It is the policy of the Shenandoah Community School District not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, creed, age (for employment), marital status (for programs), sexual orientation, gender identity and socioeconomic status (for programs) in its educational programs and its employment practices. There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination. If you have questions or a grievance related to this policy please contact Aaron Burdorf, 601 Dr. Creighton Cir., Shenandoah, IA 51601, (712)246-2520, burdorfa@shencsd.com. 

Notice of 504 Student and Parental Rights Policy & Forms

STUDENT DISCLOSURE OF IDENTITY

It is the goal of the district to provide a safe and supportive educational environment in which all students may learn.  As part of creating that safe educational environment, no employee of the district will provide false or misleading information to the parent/guardian of a student regarding that student’s gender identity or intention to transition to a gender that is different from their birth certificate or certificate issued upon adoption.    

If a student makes a request to a licensed employee to accommodate a gender identity, name, or pronoun that is different than what was assigned to the student in the student’s registration forms or records, the licensed employee is required by Iowa law to report the request to an administrator. The school administrator receiving the report is required by Iowa law to report the request to the student’s parent/guardian.  This requirement also applies to all nicknames.

To maintain compliance with Iowa law and also provide efficiency in the reporting requirements listed above, the Superintendent will provide the opportunity for parents and guardians to list in the student’s registration paperwork any and all nicknames used for students.

Code No. 503.7E1 REPORT OF STUDENT DISCLOSURE OF IDENTITY
Dear (Parent/Guardian) _________________,

This letter is to inform you that your student (student’s name listed on registration) ________________ has made a request of a licensed employee to (check all that apply):
______ make an accommodation that is intended to affirm the student’s gender identity as follows:
___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ______ use a name, pronoun or gender identity that is different from the name, pronoun and/or gender identity listed on the student’s school registration forms. The name, pronoun, or gender identity requested is _________________________________________________________________________.

If you would like to amend the student’s registration paperwork to permit the student’s requested accommodation and/or include the use of the above-referenced name/pronoun/gender identity, please complete the attached form and return it to the district administration office.

Sincerely, ____________________________________________                                                       __________________ Date 
                Administrator

Click here for PDF version

The Shenandoah Community School District is committed to the overall development of the
whole child and has adopted the following wellness policy