IMPORTANT PARENT/STUDENT NOTICES
These important notices have been prepared so that parents and patrons may know the policies and procedures followed by North Bend Central Public Schools. These pages include information on asbestos inspections, non-discrimination and grievance procedures, special education services, staff qualifications, parental involvement and student privacy, federal privacy rights, recruiting information disclosure, Internet safety and website privacy, visitors and access to students, and the sex offender registry. Generally, policies are summarized below and a link to the complete policy is presented. If you have questions regarding these policies and procedures you may also contact James Havelka, Superintendent, at North Bend Central Public Schools, P.O. Box 160, North Bend, NE 68649; (402) 652-3268; jhavelka@esu2.org
ASBESTOS INSPECTIONS--The Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act of 1986 (AHERA) was enacted by Congress to identify and develop solutions for any problems that schools may have with asbestos. The North Bend Central High School and North Bend Elementary attendance centers have had their facilities inspected by a certified asbestos inspector, as required by AHERA. The inspector located, sampled, and rated the condition and hazard potential of all materials suspected of containing asbestos. We are pleased to report that our schools do not contain asbestos materials which are reported to be damaged or significantly damaged. Under the law, we must still maintain an asbestos management plan for the school and assign a designated asbestos coordinator to ensure that no asbestos is introduced into the school. The plan is available for inspection in the school during regular school hours. Any inquiries may be directed to James Havelka, Superintendent and designated asbestos coordinator, at (402) 652-3268.
NON-DISCRIMINATION.--It is the policy of North Bend Central
Public Schools not to discriminate on the basis of race, national
origin, creed, age, marital status, sex, or disability in its
educational programs, activities, or employment policies as
required by Titles VI and VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, Title
IX of the 1972 Education Amendments, Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of
1990, and the Nebraska Equal Educational Opportunity Act. It is the
intent of NBCPS to comply with the law in making certain that
discrimination does not exist in its policies, regulations, and
operations. In addition, the school district recognizes its
responsibilities under Section 504 (Part D) of the Rehabilitation
Act of 1973 to identify, evaluate, and provide access to
appropriate educational services for students with
disabilities.
The Superintendent of Schools is hereby designated as the
coordinator of the district’s efforts to comply with the policy
statement above. Any person, including students, employees,
volunteers, visitors, and patrons of the school district, who
believes that he/she has been discriminated against, denied a
benefit, or been excluded from participation in any district
education program or activity on the basis of sex, race or handicap
in violation of this policy may grieve such matters using the
grievance procedures outlined below. The procedures provide for
prompt and equitable resolution of complaints alleging acts of
discrimination.
Inquiries regarding compliance with any of the federal and state
laws cited above may be addressed to: Superintendent of Schools,
North Bend Central Public Schools, P.O. Box 160, North Bend, NE
68649.
GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE. The rapid elimination of grievances is in the best interests of the school district and it is the intent of the Board of Education to handle grievances in an efficient, humane way. No reprisals of any kind shall be invoked against any party who avails himself/herself of the grievance procedure.
In an effort to resolve problems informally when possible,
students, employees, and others with grievances should first
discuss them with the Principal of the building in which the
problem is alleged to have occurred or with the Superintendent. If
a grievance is within the power and authority of the Principal or
Superintendent to resolve without resort to a formal process,
he/she shall do so as quickly and diplomatically as possible.
If the grievance is not resolved informally to the satisfaction of
the aggrieved party, a written statement of grievance must be filed
with the Superintendent within five (5) working days asking for a
formal resolution. If the Superintendent is unable to resolve the
problem within five (5) working days after submission of the
statement, or if the aggrieved party is dissatisfied with the
determination of the Superintendent, the aggrieved party shall then
submit the grievance in writing to the President of the Board of
Education. The President shall cause the Board to make an
investigation, either by committee or in committee of the whole,
and shall give the aggrieved party an opportunity to appear before
the full Board in person. A decision shall be rendered by the Board
within 30 calendar days of the completion of the investigation.
See Board Policy 2210 for further details.
BOARD POLICY 2210: NON-DISCRIMINATION
SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES--North Bend Public Schools can provide a broad range of services for students with special learning conditions. This includes pre-school children from birth on. Learning is too important for these services to be unused. If you feel that your child needs more learning assistance than he or she is getting, call us. A child's success in school is crucial and we need to use all of the resources at our command to achieve it. In addition, the school asks your help in finding children aged 0-21 who may be in need of special education services. These services are provided for children with the following handicaps: vision, hearing, physical development, emotional development, speech or language development and intellectual development. Please contact the Elementary Principal/SPED Director, Caryn Ziettlow, at 652-8122, the junior/senior high school Principal, Brenda Petersen, at 652-3268, or Superintendent Jim Havelka at 652-3268, if you know of a child in need of such services.
STAFF
QUALIFICATIONS--The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 gives
parents the right to get information about the professional
qualifications of their child’s classroom teachers. Upon request,
North Bend Central Public Schools will give parents the following
information about their child’s classroom teachers:
(1) Whether the teacher has met state qualifications and licensing
criteria for the grade levels and subject areas in which the
teacher provides instruction.
(2) Whether the teachers is teaching under an emergency or
provisional teaching certificate.
(3) The baccalaureate degree major of the teacher. You may also get
information about other graduate certification or degrees held by
the teacher and the field of discipline of the certification or
degree.
We will also, upon request, tell parents whether their child is
being provided services by a paraprofessional and, if so, the
qualifications of the paraprofessional.
The request for information should be made to the Principal of your
child’s school building or to the Superintendent of NBCPS. The
information will be provided to you in a timely manner. Finally,
North Bend Central Public Schools will give timely notice to you if
your child has been assigned, or has been taught for four or more
consecutive weeks by, a teacher who does not meet the requirements
of the Act.
PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT
AND STUDENT PRIVACY--Both state and federal law requires
schools to adopt a policy on parental involvement in school
programs, selection of curriculum, testing procedures, etc. The
general policy of North Bend Public Schools is that parents are
welcome at school and are always welcome to analyze our policies,
procedures, curriculum, instructional materials, etc.
In addition, the federal No Child Left Behind Act requires that the
school district notify parents and allow parents to inspect any
third party surveys that would be administered within the schools
and to protect student privacy if the survey delves into one of
these subjects: political affiliations or beliefs of the student or
the student's parents, mental or psychological problems of the
student or the student's family, sex behavior or attitudes,
illegal, anti-social, self-incriminating, or demeaning behavior,
critical appraisals of other individuals with whom respondents have
close family relationships, legally recognized or privileged
relationships, and income other than required by law.
The No Child Left Behind Act also provides for the right of parents
to inspect upon request any instructional materials (except tests)
used as part of the educational curriculum of a student. It
provides for notice to parents if the school district is going to
become involved in the collection, disclosure, or use of personal
information (names, phone numbers, addresses, and social security
numbers) collected from students for the purpose of for selling or
marketing (with certain exceptions for developing educational
products or services. Lastly, schools are required to notify
parents of any non-emergency, invasive physical examination or
screening that is required as a condition of attendance,
administered by the school and scheduled by the school in advance,
and not necessary to protect the immediate health and safety of the
student or other students. Hearing, vision and scoliosis screening
and exams or screenings required by state law are not included in
the federal definitions. North Bend Central Public Schools conducts
only those health checks and screenings required or allowed by
federal and state law.
The NBCPS Board Policy on parental involvement states: "The North
Bend Central Public Schools Board of Education encourages parent
interest and involvement in the educational practices of the school
district. This policy shall be reviewed annually following an
opportunity for public comment. It is the policy of the school
district to provide full access, during the regular office business
hours, to the parent or legal guardian of any student of this
district to review textbooks, tests, curriculum materials, records
of a student of any such parent, unless otherwise prohibited by
law, and to any surveys of students done by the school
district."
Complaints or objections to any materials or procedures can be
referred to the Superintendent. In addition, Parents are encouraged
to visit school and to observe classroom procedure, activities, and
the general atmosphere of the educational process. All visitors are
to report to the school office prior to classroom visitations.
Further information can be found in Board Policy 2420.
BOARD POLICY 2420: PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT
PRIVACY RIGHTS--The Federal Rights and Privacy Act (FRPA) protects students and parents from the unauthorized release of information. Reproduced below is our district's regulation regarding the release of information under FRPA and the release of information to military recruiters under the federal No Child Left Behind Act. Please contact your child's Principal or the Superintendent if you have questions or concerns regarding the release of information by the school district.
Administrative Regulation 3140AR: Notification of Rights under FERPA
Board Policy 3140 provides that on an annual basis, the Administration shall publish via Student Handbooks, district newsletters, or other means, a notice to students and parents of their rights under FRPA and a notice as to the District’s intent to disclose directory information.
A. 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 students education records. They are:
1. The right to inspect and review the student’s education
records within 45 days of the day the district receives a request
for access. Parents or eligible students should submit to the
school Principal (or appropriate school official) a written request
that identifies the record(s) they wish to inspect. The Principal
will make arrangements for access and notify the parent or eligible
student of the time and place where the records may be
inspected.
2. The right to request the amendment of the student’s education
records that the parent or eligible student believes are inaccurate
or misleading. Parents or eligible students may ask the school
district to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate or
misleading. They should write the school Principal, clearly
identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why
it is inaccurate or misleading. If the district decides not to
amend the record as requested by the parent or eligible student,
the district will notify the parent or eligible student of the
decision and advise them of their right to a hearing regarding the
request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing
procedures will be provided to the parent or eligible student when
notified of the right to a hearing.
3. The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable
information contained in the student’s education records, except to
the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. One
exception which permits disclosure without consent is disclosure to
school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school
official is a person employed by the district as an administrator,
supervisor, instructor or support staff member (including health or
medical staff and law enforcement unit personnel); a person serving
on the school board; a person or company with whom the District has
contracted to perform a special task (such as an attorney, auditor,
medical consultant or therapist); or a parent or student serving on
an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance
committee or assisting another school official in performing his or
her tasks. A school official has a legitimate educational interest
if the official needs to review an education record in order to
fulfill his or her professional responsibility and effectively
provide the function or service for which they are responsible.
Contractors, consultants and volunteers are permitted to have access to education records where they are performing a function or service that would otherwise be done by a school employee. Their access is limited to education records in which they have a legitimate educational interest; which means records needed to effectively provide the function or service for which they are responsible.
The District forwards education records (may include academic, health and discipline records) to schools that have requested the records and in which the student seeks or intends to enroll, or where the student has already enrolled so long as the disclosure is for purposes related to the student’s enrollment or transfer.
4. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the district to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the office that administers FERPA is:
Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20202-4605
B. Directory Information. The District may disclose Directory Information. The types of personally identifiable information that the district has designated as directory information are as follows: student’s name, address, telephone listing, electronic mail address, photograph, date of and place of birth, major fields of study, dates of attendance, grade level, enrollment status (e.g., full-time or part-time), participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, degrees, honors and awards received, and most recent previous school attended. A parent or eligible student has the right to refuse to let the District designate any or all of those types of information about the student as directory information. The period of time within which a parent or eligible student has to notify the District in writing that he or she does not want any or all of those types of information about the student designated as directory information is as follows: two weeks from the time this information is first received. The district may disclose information about former students without meeting the conditions in this section.
Also, some teachers may have persons other than the teacher or school staff, such as volunteers or fellow students, assist with the task of grading student work and returning graded work to students. The District designates such student work as directory information and as non-education records. Each parent and eligible student shall be presumed to have accepted this designation in the absence of the parent or eligible student giving notification to the District in writing in the manner set forth above pertaining to the designation of directory information. Consent will be presumed to have been given in the absence of such a notification from the parent or eligible student.
C. Designated Law Enforcement Units. The District designates the Dodge, Saunders, and Colfax County Sheriffs’ Departments as the District's “law enforcement units” for purposes of (1) enforcing any and all federal, state or local law, (2) maintaining the physical security and safety of the schools in the District, and (3) maintaining safe and drug free schools.
D. Disclosure to Military/Higher Education. The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 requires North Bend Central Public Schools to provide military recruiters and institutions of higher education access to secondary school students’ names, addresses, and telephone listings. Parents and secondary students have the right to request that North Bend Central Public Schools not provide this information to military recruiters or institutions of higher education, without their prior written parental consent. The Administration will comply with any such request.
E. Governmental Agencies. Personally identifiable information may be given to government agencies without parental permission if such agencies are empowered by law to request such information without permission of parents/guardians. Absent exceptional circumstances, an effort will be made to secure parental approval. Nothing in this policy shall inhibit law enforcement officers in the conduct of investigations. However, such officers shall obtain parental permission or a valid warrant or other authority when investigating student records.
BOARD POLICY 3140: STUDENT RECORDS
DISCLOSURE OF STUDENT RECRUITING INFORMATION--The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 requires North Bend Central Public Schools to provide military recruiters and institutions of higher education access to secondary school students’ names, addresses, and telephone listings. Parents and secondary students have the right to request that North Bend Central Public Schools not provide this information (ie., not provide the student’s name, address, and telephone listing) to military recruiters or institutions of higher education, without their prior written parental consent. North Bend Central Public Schools will comply with any such request.
INTERNET
SAFETY--The Board of Education of North Bend Central Public
Schools has adopted the Internet Safety Policy reproduced below as
required by federal law. In accordance with the policy, the school
district has installed various types of filtering devices to limit
Internet access by students. In addition, for elementary students,
access to the Internet is supervised by faculty or staff members.
However, it must be recognized that no filtering device can prevent
all access to inappropriate Internet sites and no level of
supervision is ever perfect. The cooperation of parents and
students in informing school officials of misuse of Internet access
privileges is solicited. Board Policy 2250, Internet Safety, states
in part:
“The North Bend Central Public Schools Board of Education hereby
adopts and shall enforce a policy of making technology resources
available only to advance educational goals and objectives,
supplement instruction, and further school purposes. The operation
and use of technology resources by students, staff, and the
community shall be consistent with this policy. Technology
resources include, but are not limited to, computers and related
technology equipment, all forms of e-mail or electronic
communication, and the Internet.”
More detailed information is available in Board Policy 2250.
BOARD POLICY 2250: INTERNET SAFETY
WEBSITE
PRIVACY--Board Policy 3140 provides that Directory
Information as defined in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy
Act (FERPA) may be released by the school district without parental
permission subject to the following restrictions: a parent or
eligible student (ie., a student 18 years old or older) has the
right to refuse to let the district designate any or all of the
types information listed as Directory Information. The period of
time within which a parent or eligible student has to notify the
district in writing that he/she does not want any or all of those
types of information about the student designated as Directory
Information is two weeks from the time the notice is first
published. The district may disclose information about former
students without meeting the conditions of this section.
Notwithstanding the foregoing policy statement, it shall be the
policy of North Bend Central Public Schools to restrict the release
of Directory Information on the school district’s website as
follows:
**Directory Information that may be placed on the website without
further parental permission includes the student’s name,
parent/guardians’ names, photograph, enrollment status, grade
level, dates of attendance, the most recent school previously
attended, current field of study, participation in officially
recognized activities and sports, height and weight of athletes,
degrees, honors, and awards received. Nothing in this policy shall
prevent an activity sponsor from discussing a student's activity
performance.
**Directory Information that may not be used on the website without
the specific, written permission of the eligible student or his/her
parent or guardian includes: student’s address, telephone listing,
electronic mail address, and date/place of birth.
**While photographs of students and student names may generally be
used on the website, the use of full name/photograph combinations
for students in Grade 8 or below is restricted. Permission of a
Principal or the Superintendent is required for full name/group
photo combinations, and written permission of the student’s parent
or guardian is required for full name/individual photo
combinations. Partial names (first names, last names, or initials)
may be used in conjunction with photographs without administrative
or parental permission.
**A student’s work product, including original artwork, essays,
class projects, and similar efforts, may be cited on the website
and quoted in part, but a full reproduction of the work product
shall require the written permission of the eligible student or
his/her parent or guardian.
**Inclusion of any other student information not referenced above
on the district’s website shall require the written permission of
the eligible student or his/her parent or guardian.
The Superintendent of his/her designee is authorized to establish
and enforce regulations, procedures and forms to implement student
privacy protections for the school district’s website.
SCHOOL
VISITORS/ACCESS TO STUDENTS---Parents and other guess
encouraged to visit North Bend Central Public Schools, but visitors
must check in to the Principal's Office before visiting any part of
the buildings. Permission from the Principal, Superintendent, or
their designee is required prior to contacting any student.
Access to students is governed by Board Policy 3410. That policy
states, in part:
“North Bend Central Public Schools welcomes visitors during the
regular school day, as well as at the district’s public events.
Parents and/or guardians are particularly encouraged to visit the
schools. However, the protection of the students and staff of North
Bend Central Public Schools is of paramount importance and the
Board of Education and administration may take reasonable and
non-discriminatory measures to restrict access to the schools and
to students and staff.
All visitors are required to check into the school office before
visiting classrooms or other areas. If the building administrator
determines that the presence of any person is disruptive of, or
detrimental to, any or all phases of the school program, then the
administrator may prohibit that individual’s presence on school
property.
Any person who comes to the school to talk to or take a student
with him/her must obtain permission of the Superintendent or
his/her designee prior to contacting the student. The
Superintendent or his/her designee shall not grant such permission
unless the person has a clearly valid and proper reason for
contacting the student. Parents and guardians will be granted
access to their students on an immediate basis upon request unless
their is a legally necessary reason to deny such access. However,
parents and guardians who enter classrooms may be subject to
reasonable restrictions to prevent the disruption of the
instructional process. Non-custodial parents may have access to
students in accordance with the conditions of their custody
agreement. Access to students by non-parents must be authorized by
the Superintendent or his/her designee.
Law enforcement officers shall be granted access to students at
school on a limited basis. When possible and appropriate, law
enforcement officers shall contact the student’s parents before
conducting interviews with a student. In cases of suspected child
abuse or neglect, law enforcement officers may be granted
permission by the Superintendent or his/her designee to talk to the
student or students involved. If requested by the law enforcement
officer, the Superintendent or his/her designee shall not contact
the student’s parent/guardian, but shall be present during the
interview. When conducting a legal arrest or pursuant to any valid
court order, law enforcement officers shall be allowed to remove a
student or students from school premises. The Superintendent or
his/her designee shall make an attempt to contact the student’s
parent or guardian in such circumstances.
Except as described above or in emergency circumstances, the
Superintendent or his/her designee shall not consent to the removal
of a student who is lawfully in attendance from school premises
either during school hours or during supervised activities without
the permission of the student’s parent or guardian.
BOARD POLICY 3410: SCHOOL VISITORS
SEX OFFENDER REGISTRY--The Nebraska State Patrol maintains a Sex Offender Registry on its website for high risk sex offenders. Information on high risk sex offenders living in Nebraska communities can be accessed on the NSP website. The website address is: http://www.nsp.state.ne.us/sor/ We encourage parents/patrons to access this website to view photos and location information as a safety precaution. However, the site warns that any action taken against those listed , including vandalism of property, verbal or written threats of harm or physical assault against the person, his or her family or employer can result in arrest and prosecution.
