About

Use of Directory Information and Photos

Federal law permits a school district to identify certain information as directory information that may be released publicly without the permission of the parent. The Pioneer School District identifies directory information as: the student’s name, photograph, address, telephone number, date and place of birth, dates of attendance, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, dates of attendance, awards received and the most recent previous school attended. The actual residential addresses of participants in the state Address Confidentiality Program will not be available for release as directory information. Social Security numbers, student identification numbers (with authentication factors such as a secret password or personal identification number) or other personally identifiable information is not considered directory information.

Photos, videos, and information about students may be used in school and district newsletters, email, websites, social media sites or released to the news media, as there are many opportunities to recognize student accomplishments and activities throughout the year. Directory information or photos may be used for purposes such as publication of a student directory, school-related fund-raising (ASB, PTSA), parent organization mailing lists, school yearbook, newspapers, and publishing honor rolls. Information will not be released for commercial purposes.

Parents who do not want directory information or photographic images released must submit an OPT-OUT request in writing to their student’s school office ANNUALLY—by September 15 each year.

If the school does not receive a written request by September 15, it will assume that there is no objection to releasing such information.

The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction compiles the Washington State Report Card. You can view information on state, district, and school levels. Data compiled includes standardized testing scores, student-teacher ratios, kindergarten readiness, student demographics, and more.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) afford 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 district records custodian a written request that identifies the record(s) they wish to inspect. The records custodian will make arrangements for access and notify the parent or eligible student of the time and place where therecords may be inspected.

2. The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the parent or eligible student believes is inaccurate or misleading. Parents or eligible students may ask the district 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. Parents or eligible students have a right to inspect or review information including when the student is a dependent under IRS tax code, when the student has violated a law or the school rules regarding alcohol or substance abuse (and the student is under 21), and when the information is needed to protect the health or safety of the student or other individuals.

4. 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. Exceptions which permit disclosure without consent are: disclosure deemed by the district as necessary to protect the health or safety of the student or other individuals and 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, hearing officer, 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 district discloses educational records without consent to officials of another school district in which a student seeks or intends to enroll.

5. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the district to comply with the 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 Avenue S.W. Washington, D.C. 20202.

Follow the steps outlined in Pioneer School District school board policy 4220 and procedure 4220P.

If your complaint is not resolved after following the steps in policy 4220 and procedure 4220P, you may contact the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction and follow their complaint procedure.

Pioneer School District is committed to a safe and civil educational environment for all students, employees, parents/legal guardians, volunteers and community members that is free from harassment, intimidation or bullying. “Harassment, intimidation or bullying” means any intentionally written message (or image including those that are transmitted), verbal, or physical act, including but not limited to one shown to be motivated by race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation including gender expression or identity, mental or physical disability or other distinguishing characteristics when the act physically harms a student or damages the student’s property; has the effectof substantially interfering with a student’s education; is so severe, persistent or pervasive that it creates an intimidating or threatening educational environment; or has the effect of substantially disrupting the orderly operation of school.

If your child feels he/she has been harassed or bullied, the incident(s) should be reported immediately to a teacher, counselor, or principal. Read our full school Pioneer School District School Board policy 3207 and procedure 3207P for more information.

Pioneer School District’s Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying Compliance Officer is the Director of Student Support. Pioneer School District’s Title IX Compliance Officer is the Superintendent.

Both can be reached at (360) 426-9115 x 3.

Homelessness Defined

The McKinney-Vento Act defines homelessness as the following living situations:

• Residing in a shelter, vehicle, campground, on the street, in 24-hour restaurants, at bus stations or in a motel, etc.
• Displaced due to natural disaster (hurricane, flood, earthquake, etc.)
  Staying in an abandoned building, trailer or other inadequate accommodations
• Doubled up with friends or relatives due to inability to find affordable housing
• “Couch Surfing”
• “Bounced Around” from family member to family member
• An unaccompanied youth living on his/her own

Rights of Homeless Students and School/District Responsibilities:

• Homeless students have the right to register for and attend school, even if they do not have their full documentation such as immunization records, proof of residency, utility bill, birth certificate, special education records, etc.
• Registration must be immediate! Attendance will begin as soon as possible. As with all new students, secretaries/registrars may need time to contact the teacher(s) and make sure there is a desk and appropriate classroom materials. The school counselor will arrange assistance with school breakfast and lunch, as well as transportation (as determined by counselor and homeless liaison in cooperation with the parent/guardian).
• Homeless students have the right to stay in the same school, even if they move to another enrollment area or a new school district, if it is reasonable, feasible and in the best interest of the child. This helps children maintain stability. Research shows that students who change schools lose between 2-6 months of academic achievement with each move.
• Transportation must be provided by the school district in the form of school bus, city bus passes, or gas vouchers. Counselors will assist with transportation planning and implementation.
• Students are entitled to free breakfast and lunch without the need to fill out the forms. Counselors make this referral.
• The services above will continue until the end of the school year in which homelessness ends for that family.

We provide assistance with:

• Free food services
• Medical, dental and mental health referrals
• Appropriate support programs, if eligible, such as Highly Capable, Special Education,
  preschool, ELL
• School supplies and clothing
• Assistance obtaining records and documentation
• Academic support through the district’s federally funded Title I program
• Parent and guardian involvement in schools

Our counselors form the first line of support for homeless children within their respective schools.
District Homeless Liaison
Stephanie Terry, Director of Student Services | (360) 426-9115

Pioneer School District is an equal opportunity district in education programs, activities, services, and employment. Pioneer School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, including gender expression or identity, age, families with children, honorably discharged veteran or military status, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal. We provide equal access to the Boy Scouts of America and other designated youth groups. We also comply with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 402 of the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Act of 1974, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Older Worker Protection Act, and all other state, federal, and local equal opportunity laws.

If you have a physical or mental disability that causes you to need assistance to access school facilities, programs, or services, please notify the school principal. This district endeavors to maintain an atmosphere free from discrimination and harassment.

The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination:

• Civil Rights Coordinator: Jeff Davis, Superintendent
• Title IX and Compliance Officer: Amy Koster, Human Resources Director
  
• Section 504 Coordinator: Amy Dahlburg, Support Services Director

Our Civil Rights Coordinator, Title IX and Compliance Officer, and Section 504 Coordinator can all be reached at (360) 426-9115. Our mailing address is 112 E. Spencer Lake Rd, Shelton, WA. 98584

You can report discrimination and discriminatory harassment to any school staff member or to the district’s Civil Rights Coordinator, listed above. You also have the right to file a complaint.

Click here to see the full PDF.