U.S. Grant Career Center is required by state and federal laws to provide notice annually regarding the following:

ADVISING POLICY

This policy on career advising is reviewed at least once every two years and made available to students, parents, guardians and custodians, local post-secondary institutions and district residents. 

The district’s plan for career advising includes providing:

1. Grade-level examples that link students’ schoolwork to one or more career fields by implementing the Career Connections Learning Strategies offered by the Ohio Department of Education.

2. Career advising to students in grades 11-12, which includes meeting with each student at least once annually to discuss academic and career pathway opportunities.

3. Additional interventions and career advising for students who are identified as at risk of dropping out of school. These include:

   1. Identifying students who are at risk of dropping out of school using a local, research-based method with input from teachers, school counselors and other appropriate school staff.

   2. Developing a Student Success Plan for each at-risk student that addresses both the student’s academic and career pathway to successful graduation and the role of career-technical education, competency-based education and experiential learning, when appropriate.

   3. Before a district develops a pupil’s Student Success Plan, district staff will invite the student’s parent, guardian or custodian to assist. If that adult does not participate in the plan development, the district will provide the adult a copy of the plan, a statement of the importance of a high school diploma and a listing of the pathways to graduation available to the student.

4. Training for employees on how to advise students on career pathways, including use of the tools available in OhioMeansJobs K-12 and other online sources provided by the district.

5. Multiple academic and career pathways through high school that students may choose to earn a high school diploma, including opportunities to earn industry-recognized credentials and postsecondary course credit through College Credit Plus.

6. Information on courses that can award students both traditional academic and career-technical credit including, but not limited to, the District’s policy on credit flexibility and instructions for students to access the educational option.

7. Documentation on career advising for each student and student’s parent, guardian or custodian to review, as well as schools that the student may attend in the future. These include activities that support the student’s academic, career and social/emotional development.

8. The supports necessary for students to successfully transition from high school to their postsecondary destinations, including interventions and services necessary for students who need remediation in mathematics and English language arts.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT

Pursuant to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 ("Section 504"), the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended ("ADA"), and the implementing regulations (collectively "Section 504/ADA"), no otherwise qualified individual with a disability shall, solely by reason of his/her disability, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance. The Board of Education does not discriminate in admission or access to, or participation or treatment in its programs or activities. As such, the Board's policies and practices will not discriminate against students with disabilities and will make accessible to qualified individuals with disabilities its facilities, programs, and activities. No discrimination will be knowingly permitted against any individual with a disability on the sole basis of that disability in any of the programs, activities, policies, and/or practices in the District.

"An individual with a disability" means a person who has, had a record of, or is regarded as having, a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. Major life activities are functions such as caring for one's self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, eating, sleeping, standing, lifting, bending, speaking, breathing, learning, reading, concentrating, thinking, communicating, and working.

Major life activities also include the operation of a major bodily function, including, but not limited to, functions of the immune system, normal cell growth, digestive, bowel, bladder, neurological, brain, respiratory, circulatory, endocrine, and reproductive functions.

An impairment that is episodic in nature or in remission is considered a disability if it would substantially limit a major life activity when active.

The determination of whether an impairment substantially limits a major life activity must be made without regard to the ameliorative effects of mitigating measures such as medication, medical supplies, equipment or appliances, low-vision devices (not including ordinary eyeglasses or contact lenses), prosthetics (including limbs and devices), hearing aids and cochlear implants or other implantable hearing devices, mobility devices, oxygen therapy equipment or supplies, assistive technology, reasonable accommodations or auxiliary aids or services, or learned behavioral or adaptive neurological modifications.

With respect to public preschool, elementary and secondary educational services, a qualified person with a disability means a disabled person:

1. who is of an age during which non-disabled persons are provided educational services;

2. who is of any age during which it is mandatory under Ohio law to provide educational services to disabled persons; or

3. to whom the State is required to provide a free appropriate public education pursuant to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA).

With respect to vocational education services, a qualified person with a disability means a disabled person who meets the academic and technical standards requisite to admission or participation in the vocational program or activity.

Compliance Officers

The Board designates the following individuals to serve as the District’s 504 Compliance Officers/ADA Coordinators (hereinafter referred to as the "District Compliance Officers."

• Principal - 513-734-6222

• Curriculum Director - 513-734-6222

(Policy 2260.01 - SECTION 504/ADA PROHIBITION AGAINST DISCRIMINATION BASED ON DISABILITY)

APPLICATION OF PESTICIDES

Ohio Revised Code has established that written notification shall be provided each year, prior to any pesticide application when school is in session, to those parents, adult students, and employees who notify the school district in writing within ten (10) days after receipt of the District’s public notice. If you need prior notification of pesticide application, please submit a letter requesting prior notification to: Brenton Guy, Facilities Director, 718 West Plane Street, Bethel, Ohio 45106.

ASBESTOS MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

On October 22, 1986, President Reagan signed the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA, Public Law 99-519). The Act required the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop regulations for addressing asbestos in public and private elementary and secondary schools. On October 30, 1987, the EPA published the Asbestos-Containing Materials in Schools Rule (40 CFR Part 763 Subpart E). This rule stipulated, and our district has complied with, the following key requirements:

• Identification of asbestos-containing materials in all school buildings.

• Development and implementation of asbestos management plans for each school.

• Regular surveillance and re-inspections of the condition of asbestos in the buildings.

• Designation and training of a person to oversee asbestos activities within the district, and to ensure compliance with the regulations.

This memorandum is to advise you that asbestos management plans for the district schools were developed following the EPA ruling. These plans are regularly updated, and are available for you to review. Should you have any questions regarding this program or would like to review an asbestos management plan, please contact the Board of Education offices during normal business hours.

AUDIO/VIDEO RECORDING

Parents are prohibited from audio recording meetings with the District unless a parent or District staff member has a disability recognized under Section 504/ADA or a language barrier that would preclude the individual's ability to understand and/or participate in the meeting. The District representative may ask for documentation of the existence of any such disability or language barrier. If a parent is permitted to audio record the meeting, s/he must use his/her own recording device and the District will similarly record the meeting.

Video recording any District meeting is strictly prohibited.

Parents and students are expressly prohibited from using covert means to listen-in or make a recording (audio or video) of any meeting or activity at school. This includes placing recording devices, or other devices with one- or two-way audio communication technology (i.e., technology that allows a person off-site to listen to live conversations and sounds taking place in the location where the device is located), within a student's book bag or on the student's person without express written consent of the Superintendent. Any requests to place a recording device or other device with one- or two-way audio communication technology within a student’s book bag or on a student’s person shall be submitted, in writing, to the Secondary Director. The District representative shall notify the parent(s), in writing, whether such request is denied or granted within five (5) days.

If the District audio records an IEP Team meeting, the resulting recording shall become a part of the student's educational record and will be maintained in accordance with State and Federal law.

(Policy 2461 - RECORDING OF IEP TEAM MEETINGS)

BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS

The Board of Education seeks to provide a safe educational environment for students and take appropriate measures to protect those students who may be exposed to blood-borne pathogens in the school environment and/or during their participation in school-related activities. While the risks of students being exposed to blood-borne pathogens may be low, students must assume that all body fluids are potentially infectious and must take precaution to follow universal procedures in order to reduce such risks and minimize and/or prevent the potential for accidental infection.

In order to reduce the risk of students being exposed to blood-borne pathogens, the Superintendent shall implement guidelines which will:

1. identify potential situations where students may be exposed to blood and other infectious materials;

2. require proper training for staff in the universal precautions against staff or student exposure to blood-borne pathogens;

3. establish appropriate procedures for the reporting, evaluation, and follow-up to any and all incidents of student exposure;

4. provide for record-keeping of all of the above.

(Policy 8453.02 - STUDENT EXPOSURE TO BLOOD-BORNE PATHOGENS)

BULLYING/HARASSMENT

The Board of Education is committed to providing a safe, positive, productive, and nurturing educational environment for all of its students. The Board encourages the promotion of positive interpersonal relations between members of the school community.

Harassment, intimidation, or bullying toward a student, whether by other students, staff, or third parties is strictly prohibited and will not be tolerated. This prohibition includes aggressive behavior, physical, verbal, and psychological abuse, and violence within a dating relationship. The Board will not tolerate any gestures, comments, threats, or actions which cause or threaten to cause bodily harm or personal degradation. This policy applies to all activities in the District, including activities on school property, on a school bus, or while enroute to or from school, and those occurring off school property if the student or employee is at any school-sponsored, school- approved or school-related activity or function, such as field trips or athletic events where students are under the school's control, in a school vehicle, or where an employee is engaged in school business.

This policy has been developed in consultation with parents, District employees, volunteers, students, and community members as prescribed in R.C. 3313.666 and the State Board of Education's Model Policy.

(Policy 5517.01 - Bullying and Other Forms of Aggressive Behavior)

DRUG FREE SCHOOL

The Board of Education recognizes that the misuse of drugs is a serious problem with legal, physical, and social implications for the whole school community.

As the educational institution of this community, the schools should strive to prevent drug abuse and help drug abusers by educational, rather than punitive, means.

For purposes of this policy, "drugs" shall mean:

A. all dangerous controlled substances as so designated and prohibited by Ohio statute;

B. all chemicals which release toxic vapors;

C. all alcoholic beverages;

D. any prescription or patent drug, except those for which permission to use in school has been granted pursuant to Board policy;

E. anabolic steroids;

F. any substance containing betel nut (areca nut);

G. any substance that is a "look-alike" to any of the above.

The Board prohibits the use, possession, concealment, or distribution of any drug or any drug-related paraphernalia as the term is defined by law, or the misuse of a product containing a substance that can provide an intoxicating or mood-altering effect on school grounds, on school vehicles, and at any school-sponsored event.

It further establishes a drug-free zone within 1000 feet of any facility used by the District for educational purposes.

(Policy 5530 - Drug Prevention)

NONDISCRIMINATION AND ACCESS TO EQUAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY

Any form of discrimination or harassment can be devastating to an individual's academic progress, social relationship, and/or personal sense of self-worth. As such, the Board of Education does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation or transgender identity), disability, age (except as authorized by law), religion, military status, ancestry, or genetic information (collectively, "Protected Classes") in its educational programs or activities.

The Board also does not discriminate on the basis of Protected Classes in its employment policies and practices as they relate to students, and does not tolerate harassment of any kind.

Equal educational opportunities shall be available to all students, without regard to the Protected Classes, age (unless age is a factor necessary to the normal operation, or the achievement of any legitimate objective of the program/activity), place of residence within the boundaries of the District, or social or economic background, to learn through the curriculum offered in this District. Educational programs shall be designed to meet the varying needs of all students.

(Policy 2260 - NONDISCRIMINATION AND ACCESS TO EQUAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY)

RESTRAINT AND SECLUSION

The Board is committed to the District-wide use of Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports ("PBIS") with students, and the establishment of a school environment focused on the care, safety, and welfare of all students and staff members. Student personnel shall work to prevent the need for the use of restraint and/or seclusion. PBIS shall serve as the foundation for the creation of a learning environment that promotes the use of evidence-based behavioral interventions, thus enhancing academic and social behavioral outcomes for all students. An emphasis shall be placed on promoting positive interventions and solutions to potential conflicts. PBIS emphasizes prevention of student behavior problems through the use of non-aversive techniques, which should greatly reduce, if not eliminate, the need to use restraint and/or seclusion.

Professional staff members and support staff determined appropriate by the Superintendent are permitted to physically restrain and/or seclude a student, but only when there is immediate risk of physical harm to the student and/or others, there is no other safe and effective intervention possible, and the physical restraint or seclusion is used in a manner that is age and developmentally appropriate and protects the safety of all children and adults at school.

All restraint and seclusion shall only be done in accordance with this Policy, which is based on the standards adopted by the State Board of Education regarding the use of student restraint and seclusion.

(Policy 5630.01 - POSITIVE BEHAVIOR INTERVENTION AND SUPPORTS AND LIMITED USE OF RESTRAINT AND SECLUSION)

RIGHT TO INSPECT INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS

Parents have the right to inspect any instructional materials used as part of the educational curriculum for their student. "Instructional materials" means instructional content, regardless of format, that is provided to the student, including printed or representational materials, audio-visual materials, and materials available in electronic or digital formats (such as materials accessible through the Internet). Instructional material does not include academic tests or academic assessments.

(5780 - STUDENT/PARENT RIGHTS)

STUDENT RECORDS

In order to provide appropriate educational services and programming, the Board of Education, must collect, retain, and use information about individual students. Simultaneously, the Board recognizes the need to safeguard student's privacy and restrict access to students’ personally identifiable information.

Student "personally identifiable information" ("PII")includes, but is not limited to: the student's name; the name of the student's parent or other family members; the address of the student or student's family; a personal identifier, such as the student's social security number, student number, or biometric record; other indirect identifiers, such as the student's date of birth, place of birth, and mother's maiden name; other information that, alone or in combination, is linked or linkable to a specific student that would allow a reasonable person in the school community, who does not have personal knowledge of the relevant circumstances, to identify the student with reasonable certainty; or information requested by a person who the District reasonably believes knows the identity of the student to whom the education record relates.

The Board is responsible for the records of all students who attend or have attended schools in this District. Only records mandated by the State or Federal government and/or necessary and relevant to the function of the School District or specifically permitted by this Board will be compiled by Board employees.

(Policy 8330 - STUDENT RECORDS)

STUDENT DIRECTORY INFORMATION

Each year the Superintendent shall provide public notice to students and their parents of the District's intent to make available, upon request, certain information known as "directory information." The Board designates as student "directory information": a student's name; address; telephone number; date and place of birth; major field of study; participation in officially-recognized activities and sports; height and weight, if a member of an athletic team; dates of attendance; date of graduation; or awards received.

The Board designates school-assigned e-mail accounts as "directory information" for the limited purpose of facilitating students’ registration for access to various online educational services, including mobile applications/apps that will be utilized by the student for educational purposes and for inclusion in internal e-mail address books.

School-assigned e-mail accounts shall not be released as directory information beyond this/these limited purpose(s) and to any person or entity but the specific online educational service provider and internal users of the District's Education Technology.

Directory information shall not be provided to any organization for profit-making purposes.

Parents and eligible students may refuse to allow the Board to disclose any or all of such "directory information" upon written notification to the Board within fourteen (14) days after receipt of the Superintendent’s annual public notice.

In accordance with Federal and State law, the Board shall release the names, addresses, and telephone listings of secondary students to a recruiting officer for any branch of the United States Armed Forces or an institution of higher education who requests such information. A secondary school student or parent of the student may request in writing that the student's name, address, and telephone listing not be released without prior consent of the parent(s)/eligible student. The recruiting officer is to sign a form indicating that "any information received by the recruiting officer shall be used solely for the purpose of informing students about military service and shall not be released to any person other than individuals within the recruiting services of the Armed Forces." The Superintendent is authorized to charge mailing fees for providing this information to a recruiting officer.

Whenever consent of the parent(s)/eligible student is required for the inspection and/or release of a student's health or education records or for the release of "directory information," either parent may provide such consent unless agreed to otherwise in writing by both parents or specifically stated by court order. If the student is under the guardianship of an institution, the Superintendent shall appoint a person who has no conflicting interest to provide such written consent.

The Board may disclose "directory information," on former students without student or parental consent, unless the parent or eligible student previously submitted a request that such information not be disclosed without their prior written consent.

The Board shall not permit the collection, disclosure, or use of personal information collected from students for the purpose of marketing or for selling that information (or otherwise providing that information to others for that purpose).

(Policy 8330 - STUDENT RECORDS)

USE OF MEDICATION

The Board of Education is not responsible for the diagnosis and treatment of student illness. With the exception of diabetes care covered under Policy 5336, the administration of prescribed medication and/or medically-prescribed treatments to a student during school hours will be permitted only when failure to do so would jeopardize the health of the student, the student would not be able to attend school if the medication or treatment were not made available during school hours, or if the child is disabled and requires medication to benefit from his/her educational program.

For purposes of this policy, "medication" shall include all medicines including those prescribed by a licensed health professional authorized to prescribe drugs and any non-prescribed (over-the-counter) drugs, preparations, and/or remedies. "Treatment" refers both to the manner in which a medication is administered and to health-care procedures which require special training, such as catheterization.

Before any medication (i.e., a drug) or treatment may be administered to any student during school hours, the Board shall require a written statement from a licensed health professional authorized to prescribe drugs ("prescriber") accompanied by the written authorization of the parent (see Form 5330 F1, Form 5330 F1a, and Form 5330 F1b).

These documents shall be kept in the office of the nurse, and made available to the persons designated by this policy as authorized to administer medication or treatment. A copy of the parent's written request and authorization and the prescriber's written statement must be given, by the next school day following the District's receipt of the documents, to the person authorized to administer drugs to the student for whom the authorization and statement have been received. No student is allowed to provide or sell any type of over-the-counter medication to another student. Violations of this rule will be considered violations of Policy 5530 - Drug Prevention and Policy 5500 - Student Conduct.

Only medication in its original container; labeled with the date, if a prescription; the student's name; and exact dosage will be administered. The Superintendent shall determine a location in each building where the medications to be administered under this policy shall be stored, which shall be a locked storage place, unless the medications require refrigeration in which case they shall be stored in a refrigerator in a place not commonly used by students, and unless the medication to be administered is diabetes medication, which must be kept in an easily accessible location pursuant to Policy 5336.

Parents may administer medication or treatment, with the exception of diabetes care covered under Policy 5336, but only in the presence of a designated school employee.

Additionally, students may administer medication or treatment to themselves, if authorized in writing by their parents and a licensed health professional authorized to prescribe drugs, but only in the presence of a designated school employee with the exception of students authorized to attend to their diabetes care and management pursuant to Policy 5336.

(Policy 5330 - USE OF MEDICATIONS)

VIDEO SURVEILLANCE AND ELECTRONIC MONITORING

The Board of Education authorizes the use of video surveillance and electronic monitoring equipment at various school sites throughout the District and on school buses. The video surveillance/electronic monitoring equipment shall be used to protect Board property and assets from theft and vandalism, through deterrence and video documentation. The system is not designed nor intended to protect individuals from being victims of violent or property crimes, nor to detect other potentially illegal and undesirable activities that may occur, although information may be used as evidence in such cases.

The monitoring of actions and behavior of individuals who come onto school property is a significant factor in maintaining order and discipline and protecting students, staff, visitors, and school and student property. Video surveillance/electronic monitoring systems serve to complement other means being employed in the District to promote and foster a safe and secure teaching and learning environment for students and staff. The Board recognizes that the use of a video surveillance/electronic monitoring system does not replace the need for the ongoing vigilance of the school staff assigned by the building director to monitor and supervise the school building. Rather, the video surveillance/electronic monitoring system serves as an appropriate and useful tool with which to augment or support the in-person supervision provided by staff. The building director is responsible for verifying that due diligence is observed in maintaining general campus security.

(Policy 7440.01 - VIDEO SURVEILLANCE AND ELECTRONIC MONITORING)