Required Notifications

State and federal laws require that school districts notify parents/guardians of certain policies, protocols, etc. each year. Below are most required notifications with additional important information the North Syracuse Central School District. 

Following is a listing of notices provided: 

• Asbestos (AHERA) Notification
• Parent Notification Regarding Student Work and Photos
• Parents Bill of Rights for Data Privacy and Security 
• Privacy and Ed Law 2-D
• Data Protection Policy
• Dignity for All Students Act
• Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) Notice
• Integrated Pest Management
• Protection of Pupil Rights Act Notification
• Notification of Policies
• Notification of Specific Events
• Notification of Special Education Referral and Evaluation Rights
• Attendance
• District-wide Safety Plan
• Health Services
• Homelessness
• School Closing Information and Early Dismissal Information
• Non-Discrimination Policy
• Code of Conduct

Parent Notification Regarding Student Work and Photos 

During the school year, your child may have the opportunity to have their photo taken, video image and voice recorded and/or art and written work published in connection with a school district activity or program. Your child's photo (image), school work and/or name may be published in local newspapers, posted (displayed) on the district's internet site or used by the requesting organization (local TV or print media) for programming, i.e., backup and their news stories. If you DO NOT want your child's picture, name or schoolwork to be used in newspaper articles, video and/or district publications including our district's website, please inform your school principal in writing.

Attendance & Reporting Your Child’s Absences

Regular class attendance is one of the most important aspects of a student’s educational program. The educational process requires continuity of instruction and active classroom participation. According to the Board of Education policy on comprehensive attendance, children who turn six years of age during the school year are required to attend school at the start of classes in September. Also, students who turn 16 during a school year continue to be subject to the compulsory education laws through the end of that school year. The North Syracuse Central School District Board of Education strongly believes that daily classroom attendance is an important aspect of a student’s educational program.

While we want all our students and teachers in school as much as possible, we want to stress the importance of attending school only when feeling healthy. 

Within the meaning of the education law, excused absences are for illness or injury, medical or dental appointments, family emergencies, death or religious holidays. Upon returning to school students must present a written explanation relative to their absence, including the specific dates they were out, to their teacher or attendance office.

Chronic truancy problems are reported to Onondaga Family Court and the student may be adjudicated as a “Person in Need of Supervision” (PINS).

Asbestos (AHERA) Notification

The NSCSD has been inspected for building materials containing asbestos as required under the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (“AHERA”). Copies of the Management Plan and the three year re-inspection are available in the main office of each building.  

AHERA requires the district to appoint a “Designated Person” for asbestos-related concerns. Matthew Erwin, Director of Facilities, has been appointed as the “Designated Person” for asbestos-related concerns in the North Syracuse Central School District.

Non-Discrimination Policy

It is the policy of the Board that no student shall be denied educational benefits or subjected to discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, race, creed/religion, mental or physical disability, marital status, military status, national origin, ethnic origin, gender/sex, sexual orientation, domestic violence victim status, genetic predisposition and carrier status, weight or any other protected category. The Board also prohibits any retaliatory behavior directed against complainants, victims, witnesses, and/or any other individuals who participate in an investigation of a discrimination or harassment complaint. 

The North Syracuse Central School District also does not discriminate with respect to employment, including the appointment of employees, employment pay, benefits and opportunities. No person shall be denied employment or employment advancement solely because of any physical, mental or medical impairment, provided the individual is capable of performing, with or without reasonable accommodation, the essential functions of the job applied for or held. 

Inquiries regarding the district’s Non-Discrimination Policy should be directed to:
Section 504 Compliance Officers:
Directors of Special Education - Julie Darmody-Latham, Catie Reeve and Sara Kees
North Syracuse Central School District
5355 West Taft Road
North Syracuse, New York 13212
(315) 218-2144
OR
Title IX, Title VI, Title VII, ADA, ADEA and New York Human Rights Law Compliance Officer: 
Dr. Michael G. Baroody, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources
North Syracuse Central School District
5355 West Taft Road,
North Syracuse, New York 13212
(315) 218-2125

Protection of Pupil Rights Act Notification 

The Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (“PPRA”) affords parents and students who are 18 years of age or older or emancipated minors (“eligible students”) certain rights with respect to the conduct of surveys, analyses or evaluations that are funded in whole or in part by the United States Department of Education (“DOE”).  These rights include: 

(i) The right to consent before students are required to submit to a survey that is funded in whole or in part by a program of the DOE, which concerns one or more of the following protected areas (“protected information survey”): 

1. Political affiliations or beliefs of the student or the student’s parent; 
2. Mental or psychological problems of the student or the student’s family; 
3. Sex behavior or attitudes; 
4. Illegal, anti-social, self-incriminating, or demeaning behavior; 
5. Critical appraisals of other individuals with whom respondents have close family relationships; 
6. Legally recognized privileged or analogous relationships, such as lawyers, physicians, and ministers; 
7. Religious practices, affiliations, or beliefs of the student or the student’s parent; 
8. Income (other than that required by law to determine eligibility for participation in a program or for receiving financial assistance under such program). 

(ii) The right of the parent and eligible student to receive notice and an opportunity to opt-out of: 

1. Any other protected information survey, regardless of funding;
2. Activities involving the collection, disclosure, or use of personal information collected from students for the purpose of marketing or selling or otherwise providing that information to others for marketing or sales purposes; and
3. 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 of other students.  

The right to receive notice and an opportunity to opt-out 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, such as the following:  (i) college or other post-secondary education recruitment, or military recruitment; (ii) book clubs, magazines, and programs providing access to low-cost literary products; (iii) curriculum and instructional materials used by elementary and secondary students; (iv) tests and assessments used by elementary and secondary students to provide cognitive, evaluative, diagnostic, clinical, aptitude, or achievement information about students (or to generate other statistically useful data for the purpose of securing such tests and assessments) and the subsequent analysis and public release of the aggregate data from such tests and assessments; (v) the sale by students of products or services to raise funds for school-related or education-related activities; or (vi) student recognition programs.  

In addition, the opportunity to opt-out of physical examinations and/or screenings does not apply to physical exams or screenings for hearing, vision, or scoliosis, or any other physical examinations or screenings that are permitted or required by State law without parental notification.  

(iii) The right to inspect, upon request and before administration or use the following: 

1. Protected information surveys of students;
2. Any survey created by a third party; 
3. Instruments used to collect personal information from students for the purpose of marketing or selling that information; and 
4. Instructional material used as part of the educational curriculum for the student. 

Notification of Policies

The district has developed and adopted 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’s Policy and Amplifying Guidelines and Instructions regarding the compliance with the PPRA are available on the district’s website in the Board of Education Policies section. Paper and/or electronic copies of these materials are available upon request by contacting: Ms. Jilian Herrera, District Clerk, North Syracuse Central School District, 5355 West Taft Road, North Syracuse, NY 13212, (315) 218-2131.

The district shall include information, annually, to coincide with the start of the school year, in a newsletter, or comparable mailing or bulletin, about the continuing availability of these materials online and upon request, as set forth above. If the district makes any substantive changes to the PPRA Policy and/or Amplifying Guidelines and Instructions, the district shall provide an alert in a subsequent newsletter, or comparable mailing or bulletin, about the changes and the availability of the revised PPRA Policy and/or Amplifying Guidelines and Instructions (as applicable) on the district’s website and by paper and/or electronic copies upon request.

Notification of Specific Events 

The district will directly (e.g., by mail or e-mail) notify parents and eligible students, at least annually at the start of each school year, of the specific or approximate dates during the school year  when the following specific activities, if known, pertaining to individual students and/or groups or classes of students are scheduled or expected to be scheduled. The district will provide parents  the opportunity to opt out their child from participation, and will likewise afford eligible students the opportunity to personally opt out from participation in: 

1. The collection, disclosure or use of personal information for marketing, sales or other distribution; 
2. The administration of any protected  information survey not funded in whole or in part by DOE; and
3. Any non-emergency, invasive physical examination or screening as described above. 

Parents and eligible students who believe their rights have been violated may file a complaint with: 
Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, Southwest, Washington, D.C. 20202

 Notification of Special Education Referral and Evaluation Rights

Attendance

Regular class attendance is one of the most important aspects of a student’s educational program. The educational process requires continuity of instruction and active classroom participation. According to the Board of Education policy on comprehensive attendance, children who turn six years of age during the school year are required to attend school at the start of classes in September. Also, students who turn 16 during a school year continue to be subject to the compulsory education laws through the end of that school year. The North Syracuse Central School District Board of Education strongly believes that daily classroom attendance is an important aspect of a student’s educational program.

While we want all our students and teachers in school as much as possible, we want to stress the importance of attending school only when feeling healthy. 

Within the meaning of the education law, excused absences are for illness or injury, medical or dental appointments, family emergencies, death or religious holidays. Upon returning to school students must present a written explanation relative to their absence, including the specific dates they were out, to their teacher or attendance office.

Chronic truancy problems are reported to Onondaga Family Court and the student may be adjudicated as a “Person in Need of Supervision” (PINS).

Code of Conduct

The Code of Conduct applies to all students, staff, parents/guardians, and visitors while on school property, at school events or taking part in school-related activities. The main goals are to create a safe, respectful and supportive learning environment; teach responsibility, respect and good citizenship and ensure fairness and consistency in how rules are enforced. 

Student Rights:
Students have the right to:

• Learn in a safe environment.
• Be treated fairly and respectfully.
• Express themselves as long as it doesn’t disrupt others or violate school rules.
• Be informed about rules and consequences.

Student Responsibilities:
Students are expected to:

• Come to school ready to learn.
• Show respect for others and school property.
• Follow directions from school staff.
• Follow all school rules, including behavior, attendance and dress code.
• Not bring dangerous or illegal items to school.

General Rules:

• No bullying, harassment or discrimination.
• No violence, fighting or threats.
• No drugs, alcohol, tobacco or vaping.
• No weapons of any kind.
• No cheating or dishonesty.

Positive behavior is encouraged and supported.

Disciplinary Actions (Consequences):
If a student breaks the rules, consequences may include:

• A warning or meeting with staff;
• Loss of privileges;
• Detention (staying after school);
• Suspension (removal from school for a set time);
• Referral to counseling or outside support;
• Possible police involvement for serious offenses.

The school tries to be fair, considers each situation, and may offer support services to help students correct their behavior.

Parent/Guardian Involvement:
Parents are expected to:

• Stay informed about school rules.
• Help their children follow the rules.
• Communicate with the school when needed.

Visitors:
All visitors must check in at the main office and follow school rules while on campus.

Homelessness - Information for Families Experiencing Temporary Housing

The NSCSD is committed to helping all students succeed, no matter their housing situation. If your family is temporarily without a permanent home, your child has special rights under the law to ensure they can continue their education without disruption.

Here’s what you should know:
Who qualifies?
Your child has rights under this policy if you are:

• Staying with friends or family because you lost housing
• Living in a shelter, motel, car, campground or other temporary place
• In any situation where you don’t have a fixed, regular and adequate place to sleep

Your child has the right to:

• Stay in the same school (even if you move out of the school district) if it’s in their best interest
• Get free transportation to and from school
• Enroll and start school right away even if you don’t have all the required documents (like proof of residency, immunization records, or school records)
• Receive the same services and programs as other students

How do I get help?
The district’s Homeless Liaison can help you enroll your child, arrange transportation or answer questions about your rights. Contact Donna Marie Norton at 315/218-2121.