Access to Student Records

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) gives students over 18 years of age and parents the right to review certain educational records. Pursuant to law, the following records are available for review:

• The guidance folder, which contains standardized test scores, biographical data and elementary progress reports;
• Academic records for grades seven through 12;
• Cumulative health records;
• Attendance records;
• Student disciplinary records reflecting superintendent’s hearings in which the student has been found guilty and letters and/or records of school suspension lasting five days or less;
• School medical records maintained at the school nurse’s office that contain the student’s medical history;
• Pupil service records that include psychological reports maintained by school personnel.

These records are confidential and cannot be released without the prior written consent of the parent or guardian. The law does provide for limited exceptions to the prior consent requirement, e.g., certain school employees or state or federal officials have a legitimate purpose for needing access to information contained in the students’ records.

The Board of Education has established a policy for maintaining the confidentiality of student education records, and for providing access to such records for parental review. Copies of this policy are available in the district office. Applications for access to student records also are available in the district office. Please direct any questions about the right to review student records to the respective building principal.

The Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA) to the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords parents certain rights regarding district surveys, collection and use of information for marketing purposes, and certain physical exams. Parents can request their child be excused from participation in such surveys by writing to the Superintendent of Schools.

Asbestos Management Plan

In accordance with the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) of 1987, Hannibal Central School District’s facilities have been inspected and response actions are planned to ensure a continued safe environment for our students and employees. The district conducts re-inspections every three years. The Center for Instruction, Technology & Innovation safety and risk management department was contracted to complete the 2016 triennial inspection of all facilities and update the asbestos management plan, which is available for your review in the district office during office hours from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, please contact 315-564-8100 (Press 4).

Attendance Policy

The Board of Education recognizes that attendance in class is an integral part of academics. By being present in class, students benefit not only from their own participation, but also from the general dialogue and interaction among students and teachers in the class. Teachers may include a participation grade in the computation of course averages.

An excused absence is any absence, tardiness or early departure for which the student has a valid school-approved excuse. Such excused absences shall include: personal illness, illness or death in the family, religious observance, required court appearances, medical treatment, approved college visits, military obligations, impassable roads and absences approved in advance by the principal.

An absence is considered an unexcused absence, tardiness or early departure if the student has no valid school approved excuse. Such unexcused absences shall include shopping trips, hunting, babysitting, family vacation, oversleeping, absence to allow for more time to complete school work or study for a test, missed the bus, skipping class and any other absence that is not excused.

Truant is an unexcused absence without permission or knowledge from home or school. If a student is truant, a zero will be assigned for any test or materials graded that day with no make-up allowed. Interventions to deal with negative attendance patterns may include:

1. Parent/guardian notification upon excessive absences
2. Parent/guardian conference when detrimental attendance patterns persist
3. Referral for counseling
4. Disciplinary action
5. Referral to agency personnel
6. Requirement of documentation from medical personnel to verify frequent or extended absences
7. Refusal to allow a student to attend summer school for the purpose of making up a class

A student is not to be counted present and immediately excused. For a student to be counted in attendance for the day he/she must be present for a minimum of one hour of instruction.

Parents who transport their children to school need to be sure they are not deviating from the established starting and ending times of the school day.

Dignity for all Students

Signed into law September 13, 2010, and effective July 1, 2012, the New York State Dignity for All Students Act (Dignity Act or DASA) applies to all public schools. The Dignity Act addresses issues related to harassment and discrimination in schools, including incidents on school property and at public school functions. No student shall be subjected to harassment, discrimination or bullying by employees or students. Incidents of harassment or discrimination shall be reported to the district’s DASA building representatives:

• Megan Jaworski (high school counselor)
• Sharon Laverty (middle school counselor)
• Maggie Olon (elementary social worker)
• Joseph Musa (director of Pupil Services/Special Education)

Disclosure of Secondary Student Information to the Military

Pursuant to the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), the Hannibal Central School District upon request will disclose students’ names, addresses and telephone listings to military recruiters. Parents can request their child’s information be withheld from military recruiters by writing to the Superintendent of Schools. 

Health Information Privacy

Under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), some districts or schools may be a “covered entity.” If a district or school (or person within that school, e.g., the school nurse) is included in the “covered entity” category, then the district must provide notice of its privacy practices with regard to protected health information.

Homeless Family/Students Policy

If you are experiencing housing difficulties, please contact our homeless liaison, Joseph Musa, at 315-564-8100 (press 1).

Non-Discrimination/Title IX

It is the policy of the district not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin, political affiliation, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, military status or disability in its educational programs, activities or employment, in accordance with Title IX of the 1972 Educational Amendments and Section 504 of the Rehabilitative Act of 1973. Any parent who believes his or her child is disabled has the right to refer the child to the building principal for evaluation. No otherwise qualified individual with a disability solely on the basis of that disability, shall be denied benefits of, or be subject to, discrimination from any program or activity of the district. Any parent who believes his or her child has been denied the benefits of an appropriate education as a result of discrimination based on disability should contact the building principal. Moreover, any person who believes his or her rights have been violated should contact the Title IX Compliance Officer, Dee Froio, at (315) 564-8100.

Parents' Bill of Rights: Data Privacy and Security

Pursuant to Education Law section 2-d, Hannibal Central School District is now required to publish a parents bill of rights for data privacy and security and to include such information with every contract a school district enters into with a third-party contractor where the third party contractor receives student data or teacher or principal data. 

Full Policy

Parents' Right to Know (APPR & Qualifications)

In accordance with the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), parents/guardians are entitled to information about the professional qualifications of their children’s classroom teachers. This includes whether the teacher has state certification for the classes being taught; the teacher’s bachelor’s degree major and any other certifications or degrees by field or discipline; and whether the child is provided services by instructional aides or similar paraprofessionals and, if so, their qualifications. Parents/guardians requesting a teacher’s composite score must do so in writing to the district superintendent.

Pesticide Notice

New York State Education Law Section 409-H, effective July 1, 2001, requires all public and nonpublic elementary and secondary schools 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 Hannibal Central School 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. 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 in tamper resistant bait stations in areas inaccessible to children;
• Nonvolatile insecticidal baits in tamper resistant bait stations in areas inaccessible to children;
• 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;
• The application of EPA designated 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.

In the event of an emergency application necessary to protect against an imminent threat to human health, a good faith effort will be made to supply written notification to those on the 48-hour prior notification list. To receive 48-hour prior notification of pesticide applications that are scheduled to occur in your school, please contact the HCSD Director of Facilities at 315-564-8100 (Press 4).

Student Directory Information

From time to time, student directory information (e.g., name, grade, photo, awards) depicting activities in the schools is released for use in district publications, on the district website or given to the media. Parents who object to the release of their child’s directory information and/or photograph should notify the superintendent in writing by Sept 14. Simply provide a written statement stating, “Please do not photograph my child(ren) [Student Name(s)] for use in publications and/or web.”

Tobacco-Free Policy

For the health and well-being of our students, staff and visitors, our district has adopted a 100% tobacco-free policy. Tobacco use shall not be permitted and no person shall use, distribute or sell tobacco, including any smoking device, on school grounds (buildings, athletic fields, parking lots, student drop-off areas, personal and school vehicles) or at school-sponsored events on or off campus. Please refer to the district’s smoking/tobacco policy (#7320 and #5640).