Request for Records

IF NO INFORMATION IS GIVEN IT WILL BE ASSUMED THAT YOUR CHILD HAS NO SPECIAL HEALTH NEEDS

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ACCESS TO RECORDS

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. 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 Sweetwater City Schools 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.

(4) The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the District to comply with 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 Ave., S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20202-4605

The Sweetwater School District has designated certain information contained in the education records of its students as directory information for purposes of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. (FERPA)

“Directory Information” means information contained in an education record of a student which would not generally be considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if disclosed. It includes, but is not limited to the student’s name, address, telephone listing, photograph, date and place of birth, dates of attendance, grade level, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, degrees, honors and awards received, and most recent educational agency or institution attended.

Directory information may be disclosed by this institution for any purpose in its discretion, without the consent of a parent of a student or an eligible student. Parents of students and eligible students have the right, however, to refuse to permit the designation of any or all of the above information as directory information. In that case, this information will not be disclosed except with the consent of a parent or student, or as otherwise allowed by FERPA.

Any parent or student refusing to have any or all of the designated directory information disclosed must file written notification to this effect in the central office located at 220 S. Clark St. on or before the 15th day of September, 2023.

In the event a refusal is not filed, this institution assumes that neither a parent of a student or eligible student objects to the release of the directory information designated.

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

PPRA affords parents certain rights regarding our conduct of surveys, collection, and use of information for marketing purposes, and certain physical exams. These include the right to:

• Consent before students are required to submit to a survey that concerns one or more of the following protected areas (“protected information survey”) if the survey is funded in whole or in part by a program of the U.S. Department of Education (ED)-

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

• Receive notice and an opportunity to opt a student out of –

1. Any other protected information survey, regardless of funding;
2. Any non-emergency, invasive physical exam or screening required as a condition of attendance, administered by the school or its agent, and not necessary to protect the immediate health and safety of a student, except for hearing, vision, or scoliosis screenings, or any physical exam or screening permitted or required under State law; and
3. Activities involving collection, disclosure, or use of personal information obtained from students for marketing or to sell or otherwise distribute the information to others.

• Inspect, upon request and before administration or use –

1. Protected information surveys of students;
2. Instruments used to collect personal information from students for any of the above marketing, sales, or other distribution purposes; and
3. Instructional material used as part of the educational curriculum.

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

The Sweetwater City Schools 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. Sweetwater City Schools will directly notify parents of these policies at least annually at the start of each school year and after any substantive changes. Sweetwater City Schools will also directly notify, such as through U.S. Mail or email, parents of students who are scheduled to participate in the specific activities or surveys noted below and will provide an opportunity for the parent to opt his or her child out of participation of the specific activity or survey. Sweetwater City Schools will make this notification to parents at the beginning of the school year if the District has identified the specific or approximate dates of the activities or surveys at that time. For surveys and activities scheduled after the school year starts, parents will be provided reasonable notification of the planned activities and surveys listed below and be provided an opportunity to opt their child out of such activities and surveys. Parents will also be provided an opportunity to review any pertinent surveys. Following is a list of the specific activities and surveys covered under this requirement.
•    Collection, disclosure, or use of personal information for marketing, sales or other distribution.
•    Administration of any protected information survey not funded in whole or in part by ED.
•    Any non-emergency, invasive physical examination or screening as described above.

Parents who believe their rights have been violated may file a complaint with:

Family Policy Compliance Office
U. S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20202-5901

Sweetwater students and teachers will use computers and the Internet. These resources will enhance student learning today. They will help us develop the skills needed to work and learn in the 21st century. The following rules apply to computer and Internet use through school resources.

(1) School persons have the privilege of using the following school Internet resources: Electronic Mail, Telnet, FTP (File Transfer Protocol), Worldwide web browsers This privilege is based on school related use of this resource. It includes responsibility to report misuse to school authorities.

(2) Email account use is limited. The account owner may use it. The owner may loan it to another user for a set purpose and time. All files including email accounts are considered school property.

(3) Users will respect the property of others. Users will not try to copy or change that which belongs to another. Users will not seek information on the password of others. Users will not log into a network or Internet under any name other than their own unless specifically directed to do so by their teacher.

(4) Users will only make Internet connections related to school activities. They will not use the Internet to access inappropriate materials.

(5) Users will be safe and polite. Users will respect the privacy of other’s email. Users will report all violations of privacy. Users will make sure that all email and downloads are virus-free. Users will ensure the files they access to be morally fit for general school use. Users will monitor their accounts. They will delete needless files. Students will not use last names in e-mail messages or identify themselves in other ways except as directly instructed by the teacher. Students will not be identified by names with pictures on web pages.

(6) Network administrators will maintain a good school environment. They will define appropriate behavior and/or materials. They will remove, suspend, or restrict user accounts as needed. They may inspect, delete, or reproduce files as they see fit. They will report detected illegal activity to the appropriate authorities. All files including e-mail accounts will be monitored by teachers and technology staff. The terms and conditions reflect the entire agreement of the parties and supersede all prior oral and written agreements and understandings of the parties. These terms and conditions shall be governed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Tennessee and the United States of America.

AGREEMENT OF PARENTS – FREE TEXTBOOKS

August 8, 2024

      Please help us to make the best possible use of FREE books, and by doing so, save yourself and the school needless expense by signing the following agreement:

      I hereby agree that I will be responsible for all FREE textbooks used by my child or children. I hereby further agree that I will reimburse the Sweetwater Board of Education for the value of any book or books that are badly damaged, destroyed, or misplaced which my child or children have used during the scholastic year in the Sweetwater City Schools.

SWEETWATER CITY SCHOOLS
P.O. Box 231
Sweetwater, TN 37874
423-337-7051

Americans with Disabilities – Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1974 Notice

No qualified individual shall, on the basis of disability, be excluded from participation in or be denied the benefits of services, programs, or activities provided by Sweetwater City Schools.

A disability is (a) A physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities of an individual; (b) A record of such an impairment; or (c) Being regarded as having such an impairment.

Services, programs, and activities will be administered in the most integrated setting appropriate to the needs of qualified individuals with disabilities.

Complaints should be filed with the ADA/504 coordinator, Mardee Miller, Supervisor of Special Education, 220 S. Clark St., Sweetwater, Tennessee 37874 (423-337-7051). Complaints should include the date of the incident, a description of the incident, and the name, phone number, and address of the complainant. Mediation will be scheduled to occur within 30 days and a hearing scheduled within 45 days from the date the complaint is filed.

American with Disabilities Act, as amended – Title II.
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1974, as amended.

TO:              PARENTS OF BUS STUDENTS
FROM:          MR. RODNEY BORUFF, DIRECTOR OF SCHOOLS
RE:              BUS REGULATIONS

      Attached is a copy of the rules and regulations of the State Board of Education and the Tennessee Department of Safety relating to bus students. Please read these rules and discuss them with your child.

     Should you learn of violations of the rules, please contact the principal of the school your child attends, reporting the nature of the incident and the names of the individuals involved. Each incident will be investigated and necessary action taken.

     A pupil shall become ineligible for pupil transportation when his/her behavior is such as to cause dissension on a school bus, or when he/she disobeys state or local rules and regulations pertaining to pupil transportation.

Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.

TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF SAFETY

SAFETY BULLETIN
SUBJECT: SCHOOL BUS SAFETY RULES

The Department of Safety advises all pupils who ride school buses to follow the rules and regulations listed below:
Pupils riding the buses:
1. Must at all times take orders from bus drivers and bus patrols.
2. Must have a fixed place for catching the bus.
3. Must stand well off road and stand clear of bus until it comes to a complete stop.
4. Must load in an orderly manner and be seated before bus starts; must not move around while bus in motion.
5. In unloading get off of bus under the direction of driver.
6. Pupils who must cross road must do so under the direction of the driver or bus patrol.
7. Be careful in approaching bus stops; walk on the left side of the road, facing oncoming traffic; when getting off bus, cross the road only after the bus driver or bus patrol has signaled that it is safe.
8. Be on time for the bus and help the driver keep on his schedule.
9. Reach assigned seat in bus without disturbing others; remain seated while bus in motion.
10. Obey driver and patrols promptly and cheerfully; remember, they have a big responsibility and it’s your duty to help.
11. Treat driver and patrols as well as other students with courtesy.
12. Do not distract driver’s attention with loud talking, laughing, or unnecessary confusion.
13. Always keep head, arms, and hands inside bus.
14. Do not clutter up the aisle with books, lunch boxes, etc. – hold them on your lap unless the bus has a book rack.
15. Treat bus equipment carefully and help to keep it clean.

 

Sweetwater City Schools
P.O. Box 231
Sweetwater, TN 37874
Phone (423) 337-7051
FAX (423) 337-6773

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Special Education Services

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 Our school system provides a full range of educational programs to meet the individual needs of children ages three through eighth grade who meet state standards for a disability and require special services in order to receive a free and appropriate public education. Services include, but are not limited to: speech and/or language therapy, specialized instruction, and related services.

Federal and state guidelines are followed in the identification of children with disabilities and in the collection, storage, release, and transfer of records. Children are educated in the least restrictive appropriate educational environment. The principal of the school attended by the child with a disability has primary responsibility for the provision of services for such students and for the records generated. Confidential records of students no longer enrolled in the Special Education program are stored by the Supervisor of Education in a central location.

It is our goal to locate and identify the special needs of every child with disabilities in the school district. If you have information regarding a child who you suspect to have an educational disability that is unknown to the school system, please notify that child’s principal in writing to request an evaluation. The school support team will address all such concerns.

 

Mardee Miller, Supervisor of Special Education

As Parent and/or Guardian of the named student, I hereby authorize the diagnosis and treatment by a qualified and licensed medical professional, of the minor child, in the event of a medical emergency, which in the opinion of the attending medical professional, requires immediate attention to prevent further endangerment of the minor’s life, physical disfigurement, physical impairment, or other undue pain, suffering or discomfort, if delayed.  Permission is hereby granted to the attending physician to proceed with any medical or minor surgical treatment, x-ray examination and immunizations for the named athlete. In the event of an emergency arising out of serious illness, the need for major surgery, or significant accidental injury, I understand that every attempt will be made by the attending physician to contact me in the most expeditious way possible. This authorization is granted only after a reasonable effort has been made to reach me.

This release is authorized and executed of my own free will, with the sole purpose of authorizing medical treatment under emergency circumstances, for the protection of life and limb of the named minor child, in my absence.

 

TITLE VI/IX COMPLIANCE

The Sweetwater City School System abides by the following nondiscrimination policies:

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT

     Opportunity for employment, as well as continuation and advancement in employment, shall be afforded equally to members of all races, creeds, colors, sexes, religions, ages, national origins, and individuals with disabilities or veteran status with regard only for qualifications for the positions involved.

STUDENT GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

In order to establish an environment conducive to learning for each student, the Board established the following goals:

1. To assure all students the same educational opportunities regardless of race, color, creed, religion, ethnic origin, sex or disabilities;

2. To protect and observe the legal rights of students;

3. To promote a learning environment which provides opportunities for all students without regard to race, creed, ethnic origin, sex or disabilities;

4. To enhance the self-image of each student by helping him/her feel respected and worthy through a learning environment which provides positive encouragement from frequent success;

5. To provide an environment of reality in which students can learn personal and civic responsibility for their actions through meaningful experiences as school citizens;

6. To deal with students in matters of discipline in a fair and constructive manner;

7. To provide for the safety, health and welfare of students; and

8. To promote faithful attendance and good work.

COMPLAINT PROCEDURES

     Any student who feels he/she has been discriminated against or a parent acting on behalf of his/her child may file a complaint with Mardee Miller, Title VI/IX Coordinator, or the Director of Schools at 220 S. Clark St. (423-337-7051). Additional information may be obtained from Mardee Miller and/or the Office of Civil Rights (404-562-6350). Complaints should be filed within 180 days of the alleged discrimination. A response will be made within 90 days of the receipt of the complaint.

     A register of all complaints shall be maintained. The register will include the date of the complaint, the name of the person filing the complaint, the nature of the incident, and the date of resolution.

SWEETWATER CITY SCHOOLS

ATTENDANCE POLICY HIGHLIGHTS
Complete Attendance Policy is available at
www.sweetwatercityschools.com

· Each day of absence is classified as either excused or unexcused.

· A maximum of five days of absence per school year can be excused by using a parent note.

· All days, as verified by a doctor’s note, will be excused.

· A half day of absence is excused for dental appointments unless a full day is specified by the dentist.

· Up to two days of bereavement leave is granted for the death of a parent, step-parent, grandparent, legal guardian, or sibling. Absences for other deaths can be excused by using a parent note.

· A student must provide proper verification to excuse an absence within three days of the student’s return to school. If verification is not provided, the absence will be designated as a parent note if any notes remain. Otherwise, the absence will be classified as unexcused.

· The accumulation of five unexcused tardies or early dismissals or a combination of these will count as a day of absence. If still available, a parent note will be used.

NOTE: The school day begins at 8:00 a.m. This means “the student is in the classroom ready for the first activity of the day”—NOT coming in the building, standing in the hallway, at the door, the office, or anywhere else.

· Any student who has accumulated three unexcused absences is subject to the beginning steps of the Progressive Truancy Intervention Plan (See page 2).

· Students are allowed to make up work for any type of absence. It is the student’s and/or parent’s responsibility to inquire about make-up work before or immediately upon the student’s return to school.

· Poor student attendance can be a factor in determining promotion or retention.

Kathy Allen, Attendance Supervisor (423-337-4333)

 

The following changes have been made to Part B of Policy 6.200 (Attendance Policy) of the SCS Board Policy Manual, effective for the 2023/2024 School Year.

B. The following absences will be excused with proper documentation. E.g. doctor’s notes, court papers, etc.

1. Medical Appointments-Sweetwater City Schools will only accept 10 non-specialist medical notes (e.g. urgent care, walk-in clinics, emergency room) during the school year. If the non-specialist notes exceed 10, and all parent notes have not been used, parent notes will be assigned. Otherwise, the student will receive an unexcused absence.

2. Dental and Eye appointments (maximum half day will be excused unless the physician’s note specifies an entire day).

Parent/Guardian
Equipment Contract

As the parent or guardian of a student or students in Sweetwater City School's I understand and agree to the following statements regarding my child’s use of digital equipment issued to them by the school:

• I understand and agree that I will review the Student Equipment Contract with my student and will support him or her in the care and maintenance of their equipment.

• I understand that paying the annual Sweetwater City School insurance agreement will cover my child’s assigned Chromebook device only. This will cover the cost of one repair per year.

• I understand that if I opt out of the insurance agreement I could be held liable for any damage to the device, which could be up to the total price of the device or equipment.

• I understand that my child’s ability to use and have access to technology is critical to his or her future success in today’s world. I will encourage and support my child as they navigate the digital environment.

• I understand that my child’s equipment must be returned to Sweetwater City Schools at the end of the school year or immediately upon the withdrawal from the school district.

• I understand the equipment should be returned to the school in good condition and in good working order.

I, as the registered am 18 or over, or I am a parent or legal guardian of the registered who is currently under the age of 18, grant  consent to its Discipline Policy and also do hereby release the Sweetwater City School System from any and all liability or responsibility due to any injury that he/she/I may incur as the result of, or arising in any way from participation in activities at or under the direction of The Sweetwater City School System. I am fully aware and consent to accept these risks and voluntarily agree to allow his/her participation in activities. If I cannot be consulted in an emergency, I hereby give permission to the physician selected by a representative of The Sweetwater City School System to hospitalize, secure treatment for, and to order injections, anesthesia, and/or surgery for the person named above. I understand that I will take primary responsibility for any fees or charges at any clinic, facility, or hospital arising from treatment of injury or illness. I furthermore understand The Sweetwater City School System often takes photographs or videos of participants during its activities or events. I grant permission without compensation that these photographs or videos may be used in publications, presentations, websites or promotion of The Sweetwater City School System. The Sweetwater City School System will not release any other personal information without additional written permission from me.

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