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Pine Bush Central School District > Parent / Community > Annual Notifications

Annual Notifications

Index

Asbestos Surveillance Inspections

In accordance with federal and state laws, the Pine Bush Central School District is required to post the following notice to the general public and to all employees of the school district:

Be advised that in the past year, two asbestos surveillance inspections have been performed at all school buildings in the Pine Bush Central School District.

The reports of these inspections and the building Asbestos Management Plan are available for review at the district office and the main office of each of our schools.

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Body Mass Index Reporting to New York State

As part of a required school health examination, a student is weighed and his/her height is measured. These numbers are used to figure out the student’s body mass index or ‘BMI’. The BMI helps the doctor or nurse know if the student’s weight is in a healthy range or is too high or too low. Recent changes to the New York State Education Law require that BMI and weight status group be included as part of the student’s school health examination every other year. A sample of school districts will be selected to take part in a survey by the New York State Department of Health. If Pine Bush is selected to be part of the survey, we will be reporting to New York State Department of Health information about our students’ weight status groups. Only summary information is sent. No names and no information about individual students are sent. However, you may choose to have your child’s information excluded from this survey report.

The information sent to the New York State Department of Health will help health officials develop programs that make it easier for children to be healthier.

If you do not wish to have your child’s weight status group information included as part of the Health Department’s survey, please contact your child’s school nurse.

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Child Abuse Hotline Notification

If you suspect a child is being abused or maltreated (neglected), report it by calling 1-800-342-3720, a toll-free 24-hour hotline operated by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services. If you believe a child is in immediate danger, call 911 or your local police department. Information about reporting child abuse and maltreatment (neglect) is available online at http://ocfs.ny.gov/main/cps/.

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Military Notification

Pursuant to federal law, the Pine Bush Central School District must disclose to military recruiters, upon request, the names, addresses and telephone numbers of high school students. Parents/guardians or students age 18 or older who do not want this information released to military recruiters should contact the Pine Bush High School Guidance Office, P.O. Box 670 / Route 302. Pine Bush, NY 12566.

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Non-Discrimination Policy

The Pine Bush Central School District prohibits and condemns all forms of discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, political affiliation, weight, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, military status, veteran status, disability, use of a recognized guide dog, hearing dog or service dog, domestic violence victim status or other protected categories under state and federal law, by employees, school volunteers, students, and non-employees such as contractors and vendors as well as any third parties who are participating in, observing, or otherwise engaging in activities subject to the supervision and control of the District.  Inquiries regarding this non-discrimination policy may be directed to:

  • Issues pertaining to: race, color, national origin, sex, age, and disability (Title IX & VI Compliance Officer and Section 504 Compliance Officer);
  • Issues pertaining to: race, color, national origin, sex, age, and disability (Title IX & VI Compliance Officer);
  • Issues pertaining to disability (IDEA/ADA and Section 504 Compliance Officer);
  • Issues pertaining to disability (IDEA/ADA and Section 504 Compliance Officer)

Inquiries regarding discrimination on the bases listed above may also be made to the United States Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights, 32 Old Slip, 26th Floor, New York, NY 10005, (646) 428-3800, ocr.newyork@ed.gov.

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Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act

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

  1. The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days of the day the School receives a request for access. Parents or eligible students should submit to the School principal a written request that identifies the record(s) they wish to inspect. The School official will make arrangements for access and notify the parent or eligible student of the time and place where the records may be inspected.
  2. The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the parent or eligible student believes are inaccurate, 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 a record should write the School principal, 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 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 privacy of personally identifiable information 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 outsourced services or functions it would otherwise use its own employees to perform (such as an attorney, auditor, medical consultant, or therapist); a parent or student serving 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 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 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.
  4. 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: Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Ave., SW Washington, DC 20202.

Student Directory Information

This District designates the following items, in accordance with Policy 7240, as directory information, and may disclose any of these items without prior written consent, unless the building principal is notified to the contrary, in writing, by the parent/guardian or eligible student by the end of the first fourteen (14) days of the school year: name, address, telephone listing, email address, date and place of birth, major course of study, dates of attendance, grade level, participation in school activities or sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, degrees and awards received, student ID number, and photograph. The District will not release a student’s social security number.

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    Pest Management

    New York State Education Law requires the district to provide written notification to all persons in parental relation, faculty and staff regarding the potential use of pesticides periodically throughout the school year. The district is required to maintain a list of persons in parental relation, faculty and staff who wish to receive 48-hour prior written notification of certain pesticide applications. If you would like to be added to this list, please contact James Licardi, Director of Operations and Maintenance, Pine Bush Central School District, P.O. Box 700, Route 302, Pine Bush, NY 12566.

    The following pesticide applications are not subject to prior notification requirements:

    • A school remains unoccupied for a continuous 72 hours following an application;
    • Anti-microbial products;
    • Nonvolatile rodenticides or insecticidal baits in tamper resistant bait stations, silica gel and other nonvolatile ready-to-use pastes, foams or gels in areas inaccessible to children;
    • Boric acid and disodium octaborate tetrahydrate;
    • The application of EPA designated biopesticides or exempt materials under 40CFR152.25;
    • 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.

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    Parents’ Bill of Rights for Data Privacy and Security

    The Pine Bush Central School District is committed to protecting the privacy and security of student data and teacher and principal data. In accordance with New York Education Law Section 2-d and its implementing regulations, the District informs the school community of the following:

    1. A student’s personally identifiable information cannot be sold or released for any commercial purposes.
    2. Parents have the right to inspect and review the complete contents of their child’s education record.
    3. State and federal laws protect the confidentiality of personally identifiable information, and safeguards associated with industry standards and best practices, including but not limited to encryption, firewalls, and password protection, must be in place when data is stored or transferred.
    4. A complete list of all student data elements collected by New York State is available for public review at the following website http://www.nysed.gov/student-data-privacy/student-data-inventory or by writing to the Office of Information and Reporting Services, New York State Education Department, Room 865 EBA, 89 Washington Avenue, Albany, New York 12234.
    5. Parents have the right to have complaints about possible breaches of student data addressed. Complaints 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/student-data-privacy/form/report-improper-disclosure.

    APPENDIX

    Supplemental Information Regarding Third-Party Contractors

    In the course of complying with its obligations under the law and providing educational services to District residents, the Pine Bush Central School District has entered into agreements with certain third-party contractors. Pursuant to these agreements, third-party contractors may have access to “student data” and/or “teacher or principal data,” as those terms are defined by law and regulation.

    For each contract or other written agreement that the District enters into with a third-party contractor where the third-party contractor receives student data or teacher or principal data from the District, the following supplemental information will be included with this Bill of Rights:

    1. The exclusive purposes for which the student data or teacher or principal data will be used by the third-party contractor, as defined in the contract;
    2. How the third-party contractor will ensure that the subcontractors, or other authorized persons or entities to whom the third-party contractor will disclose the student data or teacher or principal data, if any, will abide by all applicable data protection and security requirements, including but not limited to those outlined in applicable laws and regulations (e.g., FERPA; Education Law Section 2-d);
    3. The duration of the contract, including the contract’s expiration date, and a description of what will happen to the student data or teacher or principal data upon expiration of the contract or other written agreement (e.g., whether, when, and in what format it will be returned to the District, and/or whether, when, and how the data will be destroyed);
    4. If and how a parent, student, eligible student, teacher, or principal may challenge the accuracy of the student data or teacher or principal data that is collected;
    5. Where the student data or teacher or principal data will be stored, described in a manner as to protect data security, and the security protections taken to ensure the data will be protected and data privacy and security risks mitigated; and
    6. Address how the data will be protected using encryption while in motion and at rest.

     

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      Publicity Notice

      From time to time, students are photographed, videotaped, and/or interviewed by school district staff and/or representatives of outside news media agencies for the purpose of student achievement recognition or to inform the community of school district activities, events, programs, and/or other considerations.

      Parents who do not want their children’s name, age, grade, photograph, statements, or achievements included in school district publications (such as booklets, brochures, newsletters, and the school district calendar) or appearing on the district website, must complete this Student Publicity Restriction Request Form and contact the school principal. 

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      Student Non-Discrimination Grievance Procedure

      Individual complaints and grievances shall be handled in accordance with the following guidelines:

      Stages

      Stage I – Compliance Officer or his/her Designee

      1. Within thirty (30) days after the events giving rise to the grievance, the grievant shall file a grievance in writing with the Compliance Officer and/or his/her designee including the date, time, place and specifics of the incident, including the names of witnesses, if any, who may be able to corroborate the student’s allegations regarding the discriminatory actions, and any evidence that may be relevant to the grievance.
        (Oral grievances shall also be accepted but may be reduced to writing in order to ensure accuracy and consistency). The Compliance Officer and/or his/her designee shall promptly investigate the complaint and discuss the grievance with the grievant. All parties to the complaint, including any student, district employee and/or third party, shall cooperate in such investigation.
      2. The Compliance Officer and/or his/her designee shall promptly initiate and coordinate a thorough and impartial investigation and shall review any evidence that has been presented, and meet with the grievant, the accused/respondent, and any named witnesses. The Compliance Officer and/or his/her designee will also meet with any named district employee and/or third parties offered by the student or any other individual that the Compliance Officer and/or his/her designee believes will aid in the investigation.
      3. Within thirty (30) days of the receipt of the grievance, the Compliance Officer shall make a finding that discrimination based on the grievant’s membership in a protected category has or has not occurred and shall inform the grievant and the accused/respondent of the outcome of the investigation. The findings shall be issued in writing as to whether the allegations were substantiated or unsubstantiated. (Should the Compliance Officer be unable to render his/her decision in the specified amount of time, the Compliance Officer shall notify the grievant and the accused/respondent of such delay). In the event the Compliance Officer finds that there has been a violation, s/he shall propose a resolution of the complaint.
      4. If the grievant or the accused/respondent is not satisfied with the finding of the Compliance Officer, or with the proposed resolution of the grievance, the grievant or the accused/respondent may, within thirty (30) days after s/he has received the report of the Compliance Officer, file a written request for review by the Superintendent.

      Stage II – Superintendent of Schools

      1. The Superintendent may request that the grievant, the accused/respondent, the Compliance Officer, student, third party or any member of the school district staff present a written statement setting forth any information that such person has relative to the grievance and the facts surrounding it.
      2. The Superintendent shall notify all parties concerned as to the time and place when an informal hearing will be held where such parties may appear and present oral and/or written statements supplementing their position in the complaint. Such hearing shall be held within thirty (30) days of receipt of the appeal by the Superintendent.
      3. Within thirty (30) days of the hearing, the Superintendent shall render his/her determination in writing. Such determination shall include a finding that there has or has not been discrimination based on the grievant’s membership in a protected category, and/or a proposal for equitably resolving the complaint. The grievant and the accused/respondent shall be informed of the outcome of the Superintendent’s determination.
      4. If either the grievant or the accused/respondent is not satisfied with the determination of the Superintendent, the grievant or the accused/respondent may, within thirty (30) days after the date of the determination, file with the Clerk of the Board of Education, a written request for review by the Board.

      Stage III – Board of Education

      1. 1. When a request for review by the Board of Education has been made, the Superintendent shall submit all materials relative to the case to the president of the Board.
      2. The Board shall notify all parties concerned of the time and place when review of the record will be held. Such hearing will be held within thirty (30) days of the receipt of the request for review. The Board shall only review those documents that have been presented during Stages I and II of the grievance procedure.
      3. The Board shall render a decision in writing within thirty (30) days after the hearing has been concluded. The grievant and the accused/respondent shall be informed of the outcome of the Board’s decision.

      Discipline

      Any student found to have violated this policy may be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with the applicable law and/or the District Code of Conduct. Any employee found to have violated this policy may be subject to
      disciplinary action in accordance with the applicable law and/or his/her collective bargaining agreement.

      Any third party found to have violated this policy (third parties may access the District’s grievance procedures available to employees) may also be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with the applicable law and the
      District Code of Conduct.

      The District will take steps to prevent further harassment and to correct the effects of any harassment or discrimination.

      Non-Retaliation

      The Pine Bush Central School district prohibits any retaliatory behavior, including, but not limited to intimidation, reprisal, and harassment, directed against the grievant and any participants and/or witnesses in an investigation pursuant to this grievance procedure. Follow-up inquiries shall be made to ensure that discrimination has not resumed and that the grievant and any participants and/or witnesses have not suffered retaliation.

      Confidentiality

      All grievances shall be held in confidence and disclosed only to the extent necessary for purposes of investigation or as required by law.

      Student Complaints to Governmental Agencies

      The District acknowledges that while it would like students to raise issues of discrimination pursuant to this policy and regulation so that they can be addressed by the District, any student or his/her parent/guardian has the legal right to immediately make a complaint to the appropriate governmental entity: U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, New York Regional Office, 32 Old Slip, 26th Floor, New York, NY 10005 or 646-428-3800

      Please take notice that the failure to file a complaint within the statutory period may result in the loss of your legal rights.

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      Student Privacy

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

      Anyone who believes their rights have been violated may file a complaint with: Family Policy Compliance Office; U.S. Department of Education; 400 Maryland Avenue, SW; Washington, D.C.  20202.

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      Pine Bush Central School District
      State Route 302, Pine Bush, NY 12566
      Phone: (845) 744-2031
      Fax: (845) 744-6189
      Brian Dunn
      Superintendent of Schools
      This website is maintained by Public Information Specialist Linda Smith. It is the goal of the Pine Bush Central School District that this website is accessible to all users. View our accessibility statement. The district is not responsible for facts or opinions contained on any linked site. Some links and features on this site require the Adobe Acrobat Reader to view. Visit the Adobe website to download the free Acrobat Reader. This website was produced by Capital Region BOCES Engagement & Development Services, Albany, NY. Copyright © 2024. All rights reserved.