Copy of Families Resources
Anti-bullying Guidelines
Forms
Substance Abuse Policy
School Related Links
Parent Rights
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), a Federal law, requires that McPherson USD 418, with certain exceptions, obtain your written consent prior to the disclosure of personally identifiable information from your child’s education records. However, McPherson USD 418 may disclose appropriately designated “directory information” without written consent, unless you have advised the District to the contrary in accordance with District procedures. The primary purpose of directory information is to allow the McPherson USD 418 to include this type of information from your child’s education records in certain school publications. Examples include:
- a playbill, showing your student’s role in a drama production;
- the annual yearbook;
- honor roll or other recognition lists;
- graduation programs; and
- sports activity sheets, such as for wrestling, showing weight and height of team members.
If you do not want McPherson USD 418 to disclose directory information about your child without your prior written consent, you must notify the your child’s school in writing by the first Tuesday after Labor Day. McPherson USD 418 has designated the following information as directory information: student's name, address, telephone number, picture, parent or guardian, date and place of birth, major field of study, weight, height, participation in and eligibility for officially recognized activities and sports, dates of attendance or grade placement, honors and awards received, and the most recent educational agency or school attended by the student.
These laws are: Section 9528 of the ESEA (20 U.S.C. 7908), as amended by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (P.L. 107-110), the education bill, and 10 U.S.C. 503, as amended by section 544, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2002 (P.L. 107-107), the legislation that provides funding for the Nation’s armed forces.
March 2005
Notification of Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA)
1.0 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 United States Department of Education:
1.1 Political affiliations or beliefs of the student or student’s parent;
1.2 Mental or psychological problems of the student or student’s family;
1.3 Sex behavior or attitudes;
1.4 Illegal, anti-social, self-incriminating, or demeaning behavior;
1.5 Critical appraisals of others with whom respondents have close family relationships;
1.6 Legally recognized privileged relationships, such as with lawyers, doctors, or ministers;
1.7 Religious practices, affiliations, or beliefs of the student or parents; or
1.8 Income, other than as required by law to determine program eligibility.
2.0 Receive notice and an opportunity to opt a student out of:
2.1 Any other protected information survey, regardless of funding;
2.2 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
2.3 Activities involving collection, disclosure, or use of personal information obtained from students for marketing or to sell or otherwise distribute the information to others.
3.0 Inspect, upon request and before administration or use:
3.1 Protected information surveys of students;
3.2 Instruments used to collect personal information from students for any of the above marketing, sales, or other distribution purposes; and
3.3 Instructional material used as part of the educational curriculum.
The right to file a complaint with the United States Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the school to comply with the requirements of PPRA. The office that administers PPRA is the following:
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202-4605
1.0 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.
2.0 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 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 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.
3.0 Consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student's education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without con-sent. 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. Upon request, the school discloses education records without consent to officials of another school district in which a student seeks or intends to enroll.
4.0 File a complaint with the United States Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the school to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The office that administers FERPA is the following:
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202-4605
Emergency Safety Intervention
Health and Wellness
Wellness Policy
JUNE 12, 2006
Physical Activity
• All students in grades K-12 will have opportunities, support and encouragement to be physically active on a regular basis.
• Recess occurs before lunch especially at the elementary schools and the middle school level if logistically practical.
• All classroom teachers practice the Quantum Learning techniques to keep students active frequently throughout the day aside from normal recess time.
• Further it is recommended that the district work toward the development of a more "student friendly" form of physical education for those students who are less competitive or able to perform as rigorously as others. It is also recommended that a non-coed class be offered for students who desire such a class.
• The district and the community work together to seek the development of walking trails and/or bike paths to encourage family involvement in improving physical well-being.
Nutrition
• McPherson USD 418 will continue to participate in available federal school nutrition programs.
• A qualified food service program will provide students with access to a variety of affordable, nutritious, and appealing foods that meet the health and nutrition needs of students.
• Foods and beverages sold or served at school will meet or exceed the nutrition recommendations of the U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
• Reduce the fat content of foods routinely offered not only in the Class A lunch but also the a la carte items.
• Reduce the number of less healthy a la carte items to encourage students to make healthier choices.
• Raise prices of some less healthy a la carte items to encourage purchase of other healthier items.
• Where needed, reduce the size of servings especially for French fries and other foods of MNV (limiting serving French fries (a la carte at MMS) to two days a week and eventually one day a week).
• Serve more whole wheat products as they become available from vendors.
• Work toward providing snack items that have fewer than 200 calories and 5 grams of fat (nuts excluded).
• A salad bar will be available at least several days a week and eventually every day.
• Current beverage standards will be maintained at the middle school and high school (low fat or skim milk, water, calorie-free flavored water, juices with at least 50% fruit juice. Gatorade should not be available to middle school students and be limited at the high school.
• Students will be provided with adequate time to eat in settings that are clean, safe, and pleasant.
Nutrition Education
• McPherson USD 418 will provide nutrition education to foster lifelong habits of healthy eating and physical activity, and will establish linkages between health education, school nutrition programs and related community services.
• Students at the elementary level will receive 5 hours (per year) of nutrition education at each grade level (to meet the Basic level). An FNP grant through K-State Research and Extension to begin this program starting with Lincoln and Roosevelt schools
• Guidelines for healthy snacks developed and included in the elementary and middle school handbooks.
• Candy should be discouraged as a reward or treat in classrooms.
• Information made available to parents to encourage healthy eating at home which also includes making healthy snacks available.
• Schools will continue to use professionals in the community, registered dietitians, K-State Research and Extension, and FACS teachers to assist in providing nutrition education especially at the elementary level.
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Resources
Lunch and Breakfast Menu Pattern
Free and Reduced Meals
Dear Parent/Guardian,
McPherson – USD 418 is pleased to announce the availability of applying for Free and Reduced Price Meals online! The process is SAFE, SECURE, PRIVATE, and AVAILABLE anytime, anywhere!
Safe & Secure
We use the highest level of data encryption available, meaning that your information is always safe and guarded.
Private & Available
Apply online in the comfort and privacy of your own home. The online service is available 24/7 anytime, anywhere there is an Internet connection!
Fast
Your data is transmitted to the Nutrition Office the same day you apply, allowing for quicker processing so you can receive benefits faster.
Go Green
No more paper applications to complete and return to the school office! Applying online is so convenient and good for the environment as well!
- Visit mcpherson418.schoollunchapp.com
- Select your State Kansas and then your School District McPherson – USD 418
- Follow the easy to use, step-by-step screens to enter student and household information
- Click “Apply” to submit your application for meal benefits!
It’s That Easy!
Click the image above. Haga clic en la imagen encima.
School Health Information
- Fever of 100 degrees or greater or an elevated temperature coupled with other symptoms such as sore throat, cough, etc. within the last 24 hours. Please do not give fever reducing medication at home and send your student to school
- Severe cold symptoms
- Nausea / Vomiting
- Sudden appearance of rash, unless it is known to be non-contagious
- Fainting due to an unknown cause or a grand mal seizure
- Head lice: Infested students must receive treatment including an appropriate shampoo and removal of nits to prevent re-infestation.
- Red / discharging eyes
For any prescription medications you will need to complete the Request for Administration of Medication at School form. This form must be completed by your physician and signed by parent or legal guardian. Understand that it may take up to 24 hours to receive orders from a physician to administer medication at school.
The school district has approved a list of over-the-counter medications that can be administered at school with parent permission only. Please complete the Permission for Over The Counter Medication form so that your child can receive these medications if needed. Please note that we do limit these medications to 3 doses per month. If your child needs more than 3 doses you will need to complete the Request for Administration of Medication at School form which will need to be completed by a physician.
All other over-the-counter medication will require a doctor's order and parent permission. Please complete the Request for Administration of Medication at School form for those medications.
All medication must be in the original container. If it is a prescription medication the dosage on the bottle must match the dosage on the doctor's order. Additional prescription bottles with labels are available from the pharmacy where you purchased your medication.
*DAY 2-6-DAILY-Apply ordinary shampoo followed by cream rinse/conditioner and a thorough fine-tooth wet combing. This should remove additional adults, nymphs, and some nits. Some nits will have to be removed by hand. The use of cream rinse/conditioner makes it difficult for lice to attach eggs to the hair strands.
*DAY 7-Apply recommended shampoo per directions followed by a thorough fine-tooth wet combing. This should kill and remove most remaining adults, nymphs, and some nits.
*DAY 8-14-DAILY apply ordinary shampoo followed by cream rinse and a thorough fine-tooth wet combing. Continue to check for remaining nits and remove by hand if needed.
Legal alternatives to school vaccination requirements are found at K.S.A. 72-5209.
Security & Emergency Information
All visitors must report to the school office before visiting a classroom or picking up a student from school. Parents needing to take a child out of school during regular school hours must check the child out at the office. Teachers are not to dismiss any child from school before dismissal without communication from the office. No student will be released from school, except to a parent, guardian, or designee. Students will not be released to a designee without prior notification from parents. This procedure helps to insure that students are accounted for at all times. Please provide court-ordered custodial documents as applicable for individual students.
Parents are urged to leave their children in school all day. To allow for smooth dismissals, please do not pick your child up before dismissal. Doctor or other appointments should be scheduled outside of school hours whenever possible.
The school district currently is utilizing a phone system (Power Announcement) which calls parents to inform them of school closings or emergencies. The system will also send email alerts and/or text messages. The contact information is provided from each school's database. Consequently it is essential that parents update their information to their child's school when changes occur to their address, home and cellular phone numbers and additional contact information.
When there is an emergency or weather-related closing in the school district, announcements via Power Announcement will be made as soon as possible. Information about school cancellations may be found on the district website, Channel 20 and on the following radio and television stations:
KBBE 96.7 FM
KNGL 1540 AM
KAKE Channel 10 TV
KSN Channel 3 TV
When a tornado or other severe weather is threatening, students will not be dismissed until the all clear is issued by emergency management or a central office administrator.
Since many kindergarten and first grade students have not reached the maturity level required to shoulder the responsibility for their own safety, only students in grades 2-5 are permitted to ride bicycles to school, unless accompanied by parent. Bicycle helmets should be worn.
Bicycles are to be parked AND LOCKED in the bicycle racks provided. Bicycles should be walked on the school grounds. Bicycle riders who do not obey all safety regulations will lose the privilege to ride a bicycle to school.
The Kansas Legislature established a statewide school safety hotline that will be staffed by the Kansas Highway Patrol. The purpose of the hotline is to give students an opportunity to report "impending school violence." The toll-free Kansas School Safety Hotline number is 1-877-626-8203.
The safety of your child is one of our major concerns. Your cooperation is needed to build good safety habits. Your child is urged to: walk on sidewalks; cross only when traffic is clear of the intersection, only at marked crossings, and, if possible, where crossing guards and/or traffic lights are located; never enter an automobile driven by a stranger; and travel directly to and from school along predetermined walkways. Crossing guards are on duty before school and after school.
Site Councils
The purpose of the school Site Council is to advise the school on such matters as student learning, education programs, school improvement planning, and accreditation issues. The site council also plays an advocacy role for the school regarding the same issues. Specifically, the purpose is to:
- Provide advice and counsel to the school in developing, implementing, and evaluating school performance goals and objectives, and
- Provide ongoing support for the students and staff of the school.
- The site council consists of at least six to twelve members and includes the principal, teachers, other school personnel, parents of students attending the school, the business community and other community groups.
- Membership on the site council is representative of the demography the school serves
- Community membership exceeds school staff membership with special attention given toward underrepresented groups.
- Local school board policies clearly delineate site council member selection, rotation, terms of service, eligibility for service and selection of leadership.
- Councils meet at regularly scheduled times agreed upon by site council members.
- Councils meet at least six times annually but optimally once a month during the school year.
- Council agendas include discussion of student learning, educational programs, school improvement planning, and accreditation issues.
- The chair, in consultation with the building principal or his or her designee(s), establishes agendas, conducts meetings, and communicates site council advisement.
- Site council members participate in sanctioned school improvement meetings and visits in an advisory capacity.
- Site council members periodically communicate with the school community and, at least annually with the local board, on site council activities and other council matters.
- Site council members take part in ongoing training to build their knowledge and skills related to site council work.
Technology Acceptable Use Policy
USD 418 Acceptable Use Policy
This policy sets forth guidelines for acceptable and safe use of USD 418’s technology resources, including Internet, network, hardware, and software. The use of these resources is a privilege and not a right. This policy has been adopted by the USD 418 Board of Education, and all users staff and students are expected to adhere to these guidelines. Violation of this policy may result in the loss of this privilege, and may result in discipline or criminal charges in accordance with board policy, state and federal law.
Network and Internet
The purpose of providing Internet and access to electronic communication tools for students and staff is to promote resource sharing, innovation, communication, and other 21st Century skills. Various accounts may be created for teacher-supervised educational purposes.
A content filtering system is utilized to minimize access to inappropriate Internet sites while on the district network, and to comply with the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA). Specific categories and levels of filtering will be determined by the District Technology Committee. No filtering system has proven to be 100% accurate, and inappropriate material may occasionally pass through the filter. Inappropriate sites which are not identified by the filter may be submitted to the district technology department for review and appropriate action.
Any communication over the school district network, whether on a district-owned or personal device, should not be considered private and is subject to monitoring. The district reserves the right to access stored data in cases where there is a reasonable suspicion that there has been a violation of this policy.
The school district reserves a wireless network for staff devices and a wireless network for district-owned student devices. Any unauthorized devices found on these reserved networks will be blocked from the school district wireless network.
Acceptable Use
Technology resources are only to be used for purposes which support the educational objectives of USD 418. The district requires legal, ethical, responsible and appropriate use of those resources. This applies to:
- District-owned technology resources at all times and in all locations.
- Privately-owned devices while on district property, at district sponsored events, or while using the district network.
The following acts are prohibited:
- Attempts to bypass network, security or content filtering safeguards. This includes using private networks, such as Wi-Fi hotspots, or cellular technologies, such as 3G/4G, for the purpose of circumventing those safeguards.
- Vandalism, or attempts to damage, interfere or tamper with the proper functioning of district-owned technology resources. This includes, but is not limited to, introducing or spreading computer malware.
- Unauthorized or fraudulent attempts to access information or resources.
- Sharing personal login credentials for technology resources or accounts.
- Using technology resources for non-educational purposes. This includes, but is not limited to, playing non-teacher approved computer games, and using network resources to access websites and digital media that do not support class, school or district goals.
- Transmission of material in violation of United States or state regulations. This includes, but is not limited to, copyrighted material, threatening or obscene materials, or material protected by trade secret.
- Transmission of obscene, bullying, profane, lewd, threatening, disrespectful, or gang related language or images. This applies not only to those who directly engage in this conduct, but also to those who have knowledge of and fail to report such conduct to a school administrator.
- Transmission of images, audio, or language through any digital media, such as websites, blogs, messaging or emails, that is inappropriate by normal classroom standards.
- Unauthorized distribution of confidential information.
- The use of technology resources in any locations or in any way that violates another person’s reasonable expectation of privacy.
- The use of technology resources for personal gain, promotion of non-profit or for-profit organizations, commercial activities, product advertisement, religious proselytizing or political lobbying.
- The use of technology resources in any way that disrupts the normal and safe conduct of school activities.
Security
Any issues with the physical security of technology resources, such as vandalism, theft or compromised passwords, should be immediately reported to the Director of Technology.
Financial
In the event that district-owned equipment is used by a student, the student and parent/legal guardian agrees to properly use and care for the equipment, and will assume the risk of loss by theft, destruction, or damage. If the equipment is damaged or returned with any accessories missing or damaged, as determined by the manufacturer or a district technology staff member, the district will charge the student/parent/legal guardian the repair/replacement cost. If the equipment is lost or stolen, the student/parent/legal guardian will be financially responsible for the cost of replacement. In the event that damage occurs, it must be reported immediately to a school administrator. Any unpaid fees or outstanding repair costs must be paid before/during enrollment, prior to the student obtaining a school-owned device. The school district reserves the right to disable student user accounts or withhold checking out another device until all fees have been paid. All equipment must be returned when requested. The district reserves the right to seek monetary reimbursement for any and all damages incurred as the result of vandalism.
Disclaimer
McPherson USD 418 makes no warranties of any kind, whether expressed or implied, for the service it provides. The district is not responsible for any damages, including loss of data resulting from delays, non-deliveries, misdeliveries, or service interruptions caused by its own negligence, errors or omissions. The district specifically denies any responsibility for the accuracy or quality of information obtained through its services.
User Agreement
I have read and agreed to the terms and conditions of the USD 418 Acceptable Use Policy. I understand that failure to abide by this policy may result in loss or suspension of privileges. I understand that disciplinary action and/or criminal charges may be brought against me for any violation of this policy. I accept the financial obligation outlined in this policy in the event that equipment is checked out to me.
Parents or Legal Guardians who have students under the age of 18 must also sign this form.
Adopted by the USD 418 Board of Education: 5/28/2018