Brighton Central School District

The Board of Education of the Brighton Central School District recognizes that information about students which is considered essential in accomplishing the educational objectives of our schools and in promoting the welfare of our students will be collected and maintained under the supervision of the professional staff. The District will comply with the provisions of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), the “Individuals with Disabilities Education Act” and relevant state law and regulations regarding the maintenance, inspection, amendment, release, destruction and confidentiality of student records. All procedures regarding student records will be designed to provide access for educational purposes while protecting individual rights and preserving the confidential nature of the records.

Under the provisions of FERPA, “parents/guardians and noncustodial parent(s), whose rights are not limited by court order or formal agreement, of a student under eighteen (18), or a student who is eighteen (18) years of age or older or who is attending an institution of post-secondary education, have a right to inspect and review any and all education records maintained by the School District.

Education Records
The term “education records” is defined as all records, files, documents and other materials containing information directly related to a student; and maintained by the education agency or institution, or by a person acting for such agency or institution (34 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Section 99.3). This includes all records regardless of medium, including, but not limited to, handwriting, videotape or audiotape, electronic or computer files, film, print, microfilm, and microfiche.

In addition, for students who attend a public school district, all records pertaining to services provided under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) are considered “education records” under FERPA. As such, they are subject to the confidentiality provisions of both Acts.

Personal notes made by teachers or other staff, on the other hand, are not considered education records if they are:
a) Kept in the sole possession of the maker;
b) Not accessible or revealed to any other person except a temporary substitute; and
c) Use only as a memory aid.

Additionally FERPA does not prohibit a school official from disclosing information about a student if the information is obtained through the school official’s personal knowledge or observation and not from the student’s education records. Records created and maintained by a law enforcement unit for law enforcement purposes are also excluded.

Access to Student Records
The Board directs that administrative regulations and procedures be formulated to comply with the provisions of federal law relating to the availability of student records. The purpose of such regulations and procedures shall be to make available to the parents/guardians of students and noncustodial parent(s) whose rights are not limited by court order or formal agreement, or students who are eighteen (18) years of age or older or who are attending an institution of post-secondary education, student records, and files on students, and to ensure the confidentiality of such records with respect to third parties.

Under FERPA, unless otherwise exempted in accordance with law and regulation, the District may release Personally Identifiable Information (PII) contained in student records only if it has received a “signed and dated written consent” from a parent/guardian or eligible student. Signed and dated written consent may include a record and signature in electronic form provided that such signature:
a) Identifies and authenticates a particular person as the source of the electronic consent; and
b) Indicates such person’s approval of the information contained in the electronic consent.

Confidentiality: Student - Related Information
Inherent in the educational process is the use by the District of complete and accurate “student related information” This includes information, whether or not expressed in writing or some other tangible form, which is related to a student. The Board of Education recognizes that the proper use and disclosure of student-related information is essential to promote the District’s educational objectives and the welfare of its students.

While there are numerous individuals and entities involved in the educational process, only certain of those individuals and entities have an educational interest in student-related information and a need to know such information in order to discharge their responsibilities towards the students. The Board of Education encourages disclosure to and use by such individuals, subject in all cases to federal and state law and Board policy limiting such disclosure and use.

Release of Information to Another Educational Institution
The District may disclose any and all educational records, including disciplinary records and records that were created as a result of a student receiving special education services under Part B of IDEA, to another school or postsecondary institution at which the student seeks or intends to enroll or after the student has enrolled or transferred, so long as the disclosure is for purposes related to the student’s enrollment or transfer. Parental consent is not required for transferring education records, the annual FERPA notification indicates that such disclosures have been made.

In the absence of information about disclosures in the annual FERPA notification, school officials must make a reasonable attempt to notify the parent about the disclosure, unless the parent initiated the disclosure. Additionally, upon request, the school must provide a copy of the information disclosed and an opportunity for a hearing.

Exceptions
Without the consent of a parent or eligible student, a district may release a student’s information or records when it is:
a) Directory Information and Limited Directory Information
“Directory information” is information contained in an education record of a student that would not generally be considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if disclosed. “Limited Directory Information Disclosure” means the District reserves the right to limit disclosure of designated directory information to specific parties and/or for specific purposes.

The District reserves the right to limit disclosure of directory information for school purposes. The District hereby restricts disclosure of student information to outside entities when the District determines such disclosure could result in danger to the health and safety of students. For purposes of implementing this limited directory information exception, the District shall limit disclosure of designated directory information to those entities and for the purposes set forth in its directory information public notice to parents of students in attendance.

b) To School Officials who have a Legitimate Educational Interest
To other school officials, including teachers, within the educational agency or institution whom the school has determined to have legitimate educational interests. An educational interest includes the behavior of a student and disciplinary action taken against such student for conduct that posed a significant risk to the safety or well-being of the student, other students or other members of the school community. A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his/her professional responsibility.

c) To Another Educational Institution
The District may disclose any and all educational records, including disciplinary records and records that were created as a result of a student receiving special education services under Part B of IDEA, to another school or postsecondary institution at which the student seeks or intends to enroll, or after the student has enrolled or transferred, so long as the disclosure is for purposes related to the student’s enrollment or transfer. Parental consent is not required for transferring education records if the school’s annual FERPA notification indicates that such disclosures may be made. In the absence of information about disclosures in the annual FERPA notification, school officials must make a reasonable attempt to notify the parent about the disclosure, unless the parent initiated the disclosure. Additionally, upon request, schools must provide a copy of the information disclosed and an opportunity for a hearing.

d) Health and Safety Emergency Reasons
School districts must balance the need to protect students’ personally identifiable information with the need to address issues of school safety and emergency preparedness. Under FERPA, if an educational agency or institution determines that there is an articulable and significant threat to the health or safety of a student or other individuals, it may disclose information from education records, without consent, to any person whose knowledge of the information is necessary to protect the health and safety of the student or other individuals during the period of the health or safety emergency. School districts may release information from records to  appropriate parties including, but not limited to, parents, law enforcement officials and medical personnel. A school district’s determination that there is an articulable and significant threat to the health or safety of a student or other individuals shall be based upon a totality of the circumstances, including the information available, at the time the determination is made. The school district must record the articulable and significant threat that formed the basis for the disclosure and maintain this record for as long as the student’s education records are maintained.

e) To Juvenile Justice Systems
Information may be disclosed to state and local officials or authorities to whom information is specifically allowed to be reported or disclosed by a state statute that concerns the juvenile justice system and the system’s ability to effectively serve, prior to adjudication, the student whose records were released. In such cases the official or authority must certify in writing that the information will not be disclosed to any other party except as provided under law without prior written consent.

f) To Foster Care Agencies
A district may release records to an agency caseworker or other representative of a State or local child welfare agency, who has the right to access a student’s case plan, when the agency or organization is legally responsible, for the care and protection of the student. This does not give a child welfare agency the right to look into any nonfoster care student’s records, without parental consent, when there has been a mere allegation of abuse or neglect, absent an order or subpoena (see next section).

g) Pursuant to a Subpoena or Court Order
When a district receives a subpoena or court order for the release of records the District must make a reasonable effort to notify the parent/guardian or eligible student of the order or subpoena in advance of compliance. This allows the parent/guardian or eligible student to seek protective action against the subpoena or order before the release of the records.

Districts may disclose a student’s records without first notifying parents/guardians or eligible students if the disclosure is:
1. Based on a subpoena in which the court orders, for good cause shown, not to reveal to any person the existence or contents of the subpoena or any information furnished pursuant to the subpoena;
2. Pursuant to a judicial order in cases where the parents are a party to a court proceeding involving child abuse or neglect or dependency matters, and the order is issued in the context of that proceeding; or
3. Made to a court (with or without an order or subpoena) when a District is involved in a legal action against a parent or student and the records are relevant to the matter.

h) For Financial Aid Purposes
Pertinent information may be released in connection with the determination of eligibility, amount, conditions and enforcement of terms of a student’s financial aid.

i) To Accrediting Organizations
Disclosure of a student’s records may be made to an organization in which that student seeks accreditation, in order to carry out their accrediting function.

j) To Parents of a Dependent Student
Even when a student turns eighteen (18) years of age or older a District may disclose education records to that student’s parents, without the student’s consent, if the student is claimed as a dependent for federal income tax purposes by either parent.

k) For Audit/Evaluation Purposes
The audit or evaluation exception allows for the disclosure of PII from education records without consent to authorized representatives of the Comptroller General of the U.S., the Attorney General, the Secretary of Education, federal, state or local educational authorities (“FERPA permitted” entities). Under this exception, PII form education records must be used to audit or evaluate a Federal or State supported education program, or to enforce or comply with Federal legal requirements that relate to those education programs (audit, evaluation, or enforcement or compliance activity).

The District may, from time to time, disclose PII from education records without consent to authorized representatives of the entities listed above. The District may also, from time to time, designate its own authorized representative who may access PII without consent in connection with an audit or evaluation of an education program within the District. As an example, the District might designate a university as its authorized representative in order to disclose, without consent, PII from education records on its former students to the university. The university could then disclose, without consent, transcript data on those former students attending the university to allow the District to evaluate how effectively the District prepared its students for success in postsecondary education.

l) For Conducting Studies
This exception allows for the disclosure of PII from education records without consent to organizations conducting studies for, or on behalf of, schools, school districts or postsecondary institutions. Studies can be for the purpose of developing, validating, or administering predictive tests; administering student aid programs; or improving instruction.

The District may, from time to time, disclose PII from education records without consent to organizations conducting studies for the District, in accordance with its obligations under FERPA.

In addition, other entities outside of the District may, from time to time, disclose PII from education records that the District has previously shared with that entity, to organizations conducting studies on behalf of the District. For example, the State Education Department (NYSED) may disclose PII from education records provided by the District without consent to an organization for the purpose of conducting a study that compares program outcomes across school districts to further assess the effectiveness of such programs with the goal of providing the best instruction.

Required Agreements for the Studies or Audit/Evaluation Exceptions (see items K and L)
To the extent required by law, the District shall enter into a written agreement with organizations conducting studies for the District, or, with its designated authorized representatives in connection with audits or evaluations of education programs within the District. In the event the District discloses PII from education records to its own designated authorized representative in connection with an audit or evaluation of an educational program within the District, it shall use reasonable methods to ensure to the greatest extent practicable that its designated authorized representative complies with FERPA and its regulations.

State Exception for Student Teacher Videotaped Instruction
Although not specifically listed in the enumerated exceptions to FERPA, New York State Regulations specify that schools are required to allow student teachers to videotape themselves providing instruction in a classroom to meet the instruction component for teaching certification. The video must remain confidential and is not subject to viewing or disclosure to an individual or entity other than the student teacher applicant and personnel engaged in the determination of that student teacher’s certification.

Challenge to Student Records
Parents/guardians of a student under the age of eighteen (18), or a student who is eighteen (18) years of age or older or who is attending an institution of post-secondary education, shall have an opportunity for a hearing to challenge the content of the school records, to ensure that the records are not inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the privacy or other rights of students, and to provide an opportunity for the correction or deletion of any such inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise inappropriate data contained therein.

Release of Information to the Noncustodial Parent
The District may presume that the noncustodial parent has the authority to request information concerning his/her child and release such information upon request. If the custodial parent wishes to limit the noncustodial parent’s access to the records, it would be his/her responsibility to obtain and present to the school a legally binding instrument that prevents the release of said information.

New York State Education law Section 2-d requires that the State Education Department make publicly available on the department's website an inventory and understandable description of the student, teacher and principal data elements collected with an explanation and/or legal or regulatory authority outlining the reasons such data elements are collected and the intended uses and disclosure of the data. 

An inventory of software that contains personally identifiable information (PII) and accompanying contracts is available at Brighton Central School District Software Inventory List

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) requires that each year, Brighton School District workers and building occupants receive notification of asbestos removal or abatement activities such as a response action or inspection (EPA 40 CFR § 763 Subpart E).

This communication serves to inform all parents, legal guardians, teachers, administrators and all other employees that the six-month periodic surveillance of asbestos at all buildings as required by AHERA was performed in August of 2025. The three-year reinspection, also required by law, was performed in February of 2025 by a fully accredited NYS Asbestos Inspector from the Genesee Valley Educational Partnership Health, Safety, Risk Management Office. All asbestos-containing materials that remain are in good condition and are located primarily in inaccessible areas. Updated asbestos management plans for each school building are available for review in the Buildings and Grounds Office and the main office of each building.

Each building will continue to have a six-month periodic surveillance and a three-year reinspection as required by AHERA. All abatement projects have been and will continue to be performed by New York State and EPA approved asbestos abatement contractors. Any questions regarding asbestos removal projects or any asbestos related issues should be addressed to Mr. John Novelli, Director of Buildings and Grounds/LEA Designated Person, at (585) 242-5200 ext. 4600.

Determination of Excused and Unexcused Absences, Tardiness and Early Departures

Based upon the Brighton Central School District’s education and community needs, values and priorities, the School District has determined that absences, tardiness and early departures will be considered excused or unexcused according to the following standards:

a) Excused Absence: An excused absence is an absence, tardiness or early departure due to personal illness, illness or death in the family, religious observance, quarantine, required court appearances, attendance at health clinics, approved college visits, approved cooperative work programs, road tests, military obligations or other such reasons as may be approved by the Board of Education.

b) Unexcused Absence: An unexcused absence is an absence, tardiness or early departure which does not fall into the above categories (e.g., family vacation, babysitting, haircut, obtaining learner’s permit, road test, oversleeping) or any absence for which a reason is not provided. A written excuse, signed by a parent or person in parental relation should be presented by the student when returning to school following each absence.

Student Attendance/Course Credit
The District believes that classroom participation may be related to and affect a student’s performance and grasp of the subject matter and, as such, may be properly reflected in a student’s final grade. For purposes of this policy, classroom participation means that a student is in class and prepared to work.

Students are expected to attend all scheduled classes. Consistent with the importance of classroom participation, unexcused student absences, tardiness, and early departures may affect a student’s grade, including credit for classroom participation, for the marking period.

Students who are absent from class due to their participation in a school sponsored activity are to arrange with their teachers to make up any work missed in a timely manner as determined by the student’s teacher. Attendance at school sponsored events where instruction is substantially equivalent to the instruction which was missed shall be counted as the equivalent of regular attendance in class.

At the middle school/senior high school level, any student with more than 36 absences in a course may not receive credit for the course. However, students with properly excused absences, tardiness, and early departures for which the student has performed any assigned make-up work, assignments, and/or tests will not be counted as an absence for the purpose of determining the student’s eligibility for course credit. District procedures will specify how student tardiness and early departures will be calculated and factored into the District’s minimum attendance standard.

However, the District may not deny course credit to a student who has exceeded the allowable number of absences but taken all tests, completed missed class work, and secured a passing grade.

For summer school and courses meeting 1/2 year or 1/4 year, the same policy will apply and a calculation of the absences will be prorated accordingly.

Transfer students and students re-enrolling after having dropped out will be expected to attend a prorated minimum number of the scheduled class meetings during their time of enrollment.

Students will be considered in attendance if the student is:

a) Physically present in the classroom or working under the direction of the classroom teacher during the class scheduled
meeting time; or

b) Working under an approved independent study program; or

c) Receiving approved alternative instruction.

Students who are absent from class due to their participation in a school-sponsored activity must arrange with their teachers to make up any work missed in a timely manner as determined by the student’s teacher. Attendance at school-sponsored events where instruction is substantially equivalent to the instruction which was missed will be counted as the equivalent of regular attendance in class.

Upon returning to school following a properly excused absence, tardiness or early departure, it shall be the responsibility of the student to consult with his/her teacher(s) regarding arrangements to make up missed work, assignments and/or tests in accordance with the time schedule specified by the teacher.

Disciplinary Consequences
Unexcused absences, tardiness and early departures will result in disciplinary sanctions as described in the Brighton Central School District’s Code of Conduct. Negative consequences will not be imposed, however, where the absence, tardiness, or early departure is related to homelessness. Consequences may include, but are not limited to, placement in an alternative educational setting, detention and denial of participation in interscholastic and extracurricular activities. Parents/persons in parental relation will be notified by designated District personnel at periodic intervals to discuss their child’s absences, tardiness or early departures and the importance of class attendance and appropriate interventions. Individual buildings/grade levels will address procedures to implement the notification process to the parent/person in parental relation.

The New York State Office of Child and Family Services operates a toll-free telephone number to receive reports of child abuse or neglect or you can go to its website. Phone: (800) 342-3720. NYSOCFS website

All members of the school community have the responsibility to maintain a safe and orderly school environment conducive to learning and respectful to all people and property. The Brighton Code of Conduct partners with the District and Building Safety Health and Wellness Committees to foster student academic and behavioral success. The District has developed and implemented a long-standing set of expectations for conduct on school property and at school functions. These expectations are based on the principles of integrity, respect, responsibility, kindness, and self-control. Responsible behavior by students, teachers, other district personnel, parents, and other visitors is essential to achieving this goal. The Board recognizes the need to clearly define these expectations for acceptable conduct on school property, to identify the possible consequences of unacceptable conduct, and to ensure that when discipline is necessary it is administered promptly and fairly. While the Code of Conduct is a comprehensive document meant to apply to all students, the expectations we have of our students and the issues we face with them will necessarily differ somewhat based upon their age and grade level. For this reason, Council Rock Primary School, French Road Elementary School and Twelve Corners Middle School have developed age-appropriate expectations for their students as well as specific building disciplinary action plans. These documents are incorporated into the Code of Conduct and are also available at the building level. Disciplinary information relevant to Brighton High School is contained in that building’s Parent-Student Handbook. All students will be provided guidance about the Code of Conduct and receive a summary copy at the beginning of the school year. Copies of the entire Code are available for review by students, parents and other community members at each building, in the Superintendent’s office, and posted on the District’s website, www.bcsd.org. The Code of Conduct covers how incidents can be reported and the process the District follows after a report is made.

EDUCATION LAW §2-D BILL OF RIGHTS FOR DATA PRIVACY AND SECURITY

Parents (includes legal guardians or persons in parental relationships) and Eligible Students (student 18 years and older) can expect the following:

1. A student’s personally identifiable information (PII) cannot be sold or released for any commercial purpose. PII, as defined by Education Law § 2-d and FERPA, includes direct identifiers such as a student’s name or identification number, parent’s name, or address; and indirect identifiers such as a student’s date of birth, which when linked to or combined with other information can be used to distinguish or trace a student’s identity. Please see FERPA’s regulations at 34 CFR 99.3 for a more complete definition.

2. The right to inspect and review the complete contents of the student’s education record stored or maintained by an educational agency. This right may not apply to parents of an Eligible Student.

3. State and federal laws such as Education Law § 2-d; the Commissioner of Education’s Regulations at 8 NYCRR Part 121, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act ("FERPA") at 12 U.S.C. 1232g (34 CFR Part 99); Children's Online Privacy Protection Act ("COPPA") at 15 U.S.C. 6501-6502 (16 CFR Part 312); Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment ("PPRA") at 20 U.S.C. 1232h (34 CFR Part 98); the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (“IDEA”) at 20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq. (34 CFR Part 300); protect the confidentiality of a student’s identifiable information.

4. Safeguards associated with industry standards and best practices including but not limited to encryption, firewalls and password protection must be in place when student PII is stored or transferred.

5. A complete list of all student data elements collected by NYSED is available at http://www.nysed.gov/ data-privacy-security/student-data-inventory and by writing to: Chief Privacy Officer, New York State Education Department, 89 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12234.

6. The right to have complaints about possible breaches and unauthorized disclosures of PII addressed. Complaints may be submitted to NYSED at http://www.nysed.gov/data-privacy-security/reportimproper-disclosure, by mail to: Chief Privacy Officer, New York State Education Department, 89 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12234; by email to privacy@nysed.gov; or by telephone at 518-474- 0937.

7. To be notified in accordance with applicable laws and regulations if a breach or unauthorized release of PII occurs.

8. Educational agency workers that handle PII will receive training on applicable state and federal laws, policies, and safeguards associated with industry standards and best practices that protect PII.

9. Educational agency contracts with vendors that receive PII will address statutory and regulatory data privacy and security requirements.

10. Parents have the right to have complaints about possible breaches of student data addressed. Complaints should be directed to Eric Jordan, Eric_Jordan@bcsd.org Director of Technology, Brighton Central School District, 2035 Monroe Avenue, Rochester, NY 14618.

Dignity For All Student Act

The District seeks to create an environment free of harassment, bullying, and discrimination; to foster civility in its schools; and to prevent conduct that is inconsistent with its educational mission. The District, therefore, prohibits all forms of harassment and bullying of students by employees or other students on school property and at school functions. The District further prohibits discrimination against students, including, but not limited to, discriminatory acts based on a person's actual or perceived race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability, sexual orientation, gender, or sex by school employees or other students on school property and at school functions that take place at locations off school property. In addition, other acts of harassment, bullying, or discrimination that can reasonably be expected to materially and substantially disrupt the education process may be subject to discipline or other corrective action.

Dignity Act Coordinator

In each of its schools, the District will designate at least one employee holding licenses or certifications as required by the Commissioner to serve as the Dignity Act Coordinator (DAC). Each DAC will be thoroughly trained to handle human relations in the areas of race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability, sexual orientation, gender (including gender identity or expression), and sex. Training will also be provided for DACs that addresses: the social patterns of harassment, bullying, and discrimination, including, but not limited to, those acts based on a person's actual or perceived race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability, sexual orientation, gender, and sex; the identification and mitigation of harassment, bullying, and discrimination; and strategies for effectively addressing problems of exclusion, bias, and aggression in educational settings. All DAC appointments will be approved by the Board.

The District will widely disseminate the name, designated school, and contact information of each DAC to all school personnel, students, and parents or persons in parental relation by:

a) Listing it in the Code of Conduct, with updates posted on the District's website; and

b) Including it in the Code of Conduct's plain-language summary provided to all parents or persons in parental relation to students before the beginning of each school year; and

c) Providing it to parents or persons in parental relation in at least one District or school mailing or other method of distribution, including, but not limited to, electronic communication or sending information home with each student. If the information changes, parents and persons in parental relation will be notified in at least one subsequent District or school mailing, or other method of distribution, as soon as practicable thereafter; and

d) Posting it in highly visible areas of school buildings; and

e) Making it available at the District and school-level administrative offices.

If a DAC vacates his or her position, the District will immediately designate an interim DAC, pending approval from the Board within 30 days. In the event a DAC is unable to perform his or her duties for an extended period of time, the District will immediately designate an interim DAC, pending the return of the previous individual to the position.

Training and Awareness

Each year, all employees will be provided with training to promote a supportive school environment that is free from harassment, bullying, and discrimination, and to discourage and respond to incidents of harassment, bullying, and discrimination. This training may be provided in conjunction with existing professional development, will be conducted consistent with guidelines approved by the Board, and will:

a) Raise awareness and sensitivity to potential acts of harassment, bullying, and discrimination;

b) Address social patterns of harassment, bullying, and discrimination and the effects on students;

c) Inform employees on the identification and mitigation of harassment, bullying, and discrimination;

d) Enable employees to prevent and respond to incidents of harassment, bullying, and discrimination;

e) Make school employees aware of the effects of harassment, bullying, cyberbullying, and discrimination on students;

f) Provide strategies for effectively addressing problems of exclusion, bias, and aggression;

g) Include safe and supportive school climate concepts in curriculum and classroom management; and

h) Ensure the effective implementation of school policy on conduct and discipline.

Rules against harassment, bullying, and discrimination will be included in the Code of Conduct, publicized District-wide, and disseminated to all staff and parents or persons in parental relation. Any amendments to the Code of Conduct will be disseminated as soon as practicable following their adoption. The District will provide new employees with a complete copy of the current Code of Conduct upon beginning their employment, and distribute an age-appropriate summary to all students at a school assembly at the beginning of each school year.

Reports and Investigations of Harassment, Bullying, or Discrimination

The District encourages and expects students who have been subjected to harassment, bullying, or discrimination; parents or persons in parental relation whose children have been subjected to this behavior; other students who observe or are told of this behavior; and all District staff who become aware of this behavior to timely report it to the principal, Superintendent, DAC, or designee.

The principal, Superintendent, DAC, or designee will lead or supervise a timely and thorough investigation of all reports of harassment, bullying, and discrimination. The DAC or other individual conducting the investigation may seek the assistance of the District's Civil Rights Compliance Officer in investigating, responding to, and remedying complaints.

In the event an investigation verifies that harassment, bullying, or discrimination occurred, the District will take prompt action reasonably calculated to end it, to eliminate any hostile environment, to create a more positive school culture and climate, to prevent recurrence of the behavior, and to ensure the safety of the student or students against whom the harassment, bullying, or discrimination was directed.

The Superintendent, principal, DAC, or designee will notify the appropriate local law enforcement agency when there is a reasonable belief that an incident of harassment, bullying, or discrimination constitutes criminal conduct.

The District will timely collect information related to incidents involving harassment, bullying, and discrimination; provide required internal reports; and complete and submit any required report to the State Education Department in the manner and within the timeframe specified by the Commissioner.

Prohibition of Retaliatory Behavior (Whistle-Blower Protection)

Any person who has reasonable cause to suspect that a student has been subjected to harassment, bullying, or discrimination by an employee or student on school grounds or at a school function, and who acts reasonably and in good faith in reporting it to school officials, the Commissioner of Education, or law enforcement authorities, or who otherwise initiates, testifies, participates, or assists in any formal or informal proceedings, will have immunity from any civil liability that may arise from making that report, or from initiating, testifying, participating, or assisting in those proceedings. The District also prohibits any retaliatory behavior directed against any complainant, victim, witness, or any other individual who participated in the reporting or investigation of an incident of alleged harassment, bullying, or discrimination.

Publication of District Policy

At least once during each school year, all school employees, students, and parents or persons in parental relation will be provided with a written or electronic copy of this policy, or a plain-language summary of it. The policy or summary will include information relating to how students, parents or persons in parental relation, and school employees may report harassment, bullying, or discrimination. Additionally, the District will strive to maintain a current version of this policy on its website at all times.

Application

Nothing in this policy or its implementing regulations should be interpreted to preclude or limit any right or cause of action provided under any local, state, or federal ordinance, law, or regulation, including, but not limited to, any remedies or rights available under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Law of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, or the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

Reporting Process

While the circumstances may vary from case to case, all complaints should be investigated promptly and resolved as quickly as possible.

• Incident complaints should go directly to the student’s building administrator.
  • Complaints may be made in writing, in person, over the phone, or anonymously using the Safe Schools Helpline at 1-800-418-6423 ext. 359.  The Discrimination and Harassment Complaint Form 3420F may also be completed.
  • In an employee other than an administrator (teacher, counselor, staff member) receives or witnesses the initial complaint, the employee will notify a building administrator by phone or in person within twenty-four hours.
• Building administrative team will review complaint, determine if any immediate steps need to be taken (police, CPS involvement, separation of students, etc.) and assign a lead administrator to investigate the complaint and determine context, intent, and harm caused.
• Administrators will do the following:
  • Begin a fact-finding investigation by interviewing complainant(s), interviewing alleged harassers/bullies, and interviewing possible witnesses.
  • Collect and review any related documents including cameras, social media posts, videos, etc.
• Administration will document all findings of the investigation and the basis for those findings, along with appropriate corrective actions taken.
  • See list of possible corrective actions/disciplinary penalties and consequences that may be levied by the district if appropriate and warranted based on the investigation.
• Administrators will notify the parent/guardian and their student, depending on the student’s age and circumstances of the complaint, of the outcome of the investigation.
  • Due to student confidentiality issues, education law, and the Family Education Right to Privacy Act (FERPA), specific disciplinary actions taken may not be shared with the complainant and/or complainant’s family.

For more information, see the District’s Code of Conduct.

The release of student directory information is not to be confused with the release of names, addresses and telephone listings of eligible students to Military Recruiters and Institutions of Higher Education in accordance with federal laws (See Policy #7243 Military Recruiters and Institutions of Higher Education). In compliance with the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) of 2015, the School District will comply with the request by a military recruiter or an institution of higher education for this information unless a parent or eligible student has “opted out” of providing such information.

Parents of children attending Brighton Central Schools are reminded that the following procedures will be followed when bad weather or emergencies make it necessary for classes to be canceled or dismissed early.

1. School closings will be announced on local radio and TV stations by 6 a.m. except in extraordinary circumstances. They will also be communicated through the District website, eNews, and an automated phone call and text message. The calendar includes inclement weather (snow) or emergency days. If in-person instruction is not able to be provided on any additional days, the District will provide a school day remotely on a schedule to be provided by each building. In the event of an early closing, all families should have an emergency plan with an alternative place for children to go if parents are not at home.

2. If schools are open and individual parents determine that weather conditions are too severe to send their own children, the parents should contact each child’s school, inform the secretary, and write a note to that effect when the child returns to school.

3. Early dismissals due to bad weather are kept to a minimum. Radio and TV stations will be informed of early dismissals. Parents are requested not to call or drive to school so that phone lines and driveways can be kept clear.

4. Parents should develop a plan for their children in the event a parent is not home at the time of early dismissal. Parents should provide their children’s teachers with written information on any special circumstances at home that the teacher should know in case of early dismissal: working parents, child care arrangements, etc. Children should also be instructed in these arrangements by the parent.

5. No Brighton school bus transportation will be provided for any student for any purpose when schools are closed for the day.

6. Community Education and Preschool classes are considered canceled when schools are closed.

7. Athletic cancellations are noted on www.sectionvny.org.

8. On days when there is a delayed start of the school day, there will be no before-school activities at French Road Elementary School (i.e. intramurals, music, tutoring).

Brighton High School allows any High School Equivalency Diploma (HSE), Career Development and Occupational Studies (CDOS), and Skills and Achievement Commencement Credential (SACC) student to walk the stage at graduations and be able to attend senior activities.

In accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), the District limits the disclosure of directory information (to individuals other than those with legitimate educational interest) to specific parties, for specific purposes, as set forth below and in its annual notification to parents/eligible students. Eligible student means a student who is eighteen (18) years of age or older or who is attending an institution of postsecondary education.

Directory information is information contained in an education record of a student that would not generally be considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if disclosed. The District defines “directory information” to include only the following: name, participation in officially recognized school activities and sports, dates of attendance, photograph, and honors and awards received.
 

Prior to disclosing directory information, the District will annually provide written notice to parents of students in attendance and eligible
students in attendance of:
(a) the types of information the District releases as directory information;
(b) the limited purposes for which directory information is typically released;
(c) the parents’/eligible students’ rights to refuse to let the District designate any or all of those types of information as directory information (“opt out”); and
(d) the period of time within which parents/eligible students have to notify the District in writing that they do not want any or all of those types of information designated as directory information. Following such public notice and a reasonableresponse period, the District may release directory information for the limited reasons set forth below and in its annual written notice without prior written consent.

Parents and eligible students may not, by opting out of disclosure of directory information, prevent a school from requiring a student to wear or present a student identification card or a badge that displays information defined as “directory information.” If a parent of a student under the age of eighteen (18) or an eligible student does not wish to have some or all of the directory information described above released without proper consent, the School Principal’s Office must be notified in writing within thirty (30) days after publication of the annual notice to parents published in the Parent Information Guide, which is posted on the district website or in accordance with the terms provided in the fall newsletter sent by the district.
 

Limited Directory Information Disclosure
The District’s annual written notice to parents of students in attendance and eligible students will explain that the District’s disclosure of directory information will be limited to specific parties and specific purposes only.

The primary purpose for disclosing directory information without obtaining individual consent at the time of each disclosure is to allow the District to include information from education records in certain school publications, such as the yearbook, honor roll and other recognition lists, graduation programs, sports activity sheets, and playbills showing students’ roles in drama productions in a timely
manner and without the necessity for requesting consent in situations in which it is expected that there would be no significant concern about invasion of privacy or any danger or harm from the disclosure. Unless the parent/eligible student opts out, the District will make the disclosure without obtaining consent. The District may also disclose directory information to outside organizations/parties without a parent’s/eligible student’s prior written consent but only for school-related activities or purposes. Examples of such outside organizations include, but are not limited to, companies that manufacture class rings or publish yearbooks.

The District shall not disclose directory information in any situation when a risk to student safety, risk of identity theft, or other harm to student(s) is reasonably perceived.

Mandated Physical Examinations

New York State law requires parents or guardians to furnish a certificate of physical examination within 14 days of entrance for all new students, and for students in grades kindergarten, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11, and for those students participating in sports, requiring special education services, or seeking work permits. The 14 days may be extended where the student is transferring from out of state or from another county and can show a good faith effort to get the necessary evidence or where the parent, guardian or any other person in parental relationship can demonstrate that a child has received the first age appropriate dose in each immunization series within the 14 days and that they have age appropriate scheduled appointments for follow-up doses to complete the immunization services. Children must receive all first doses, or overdue follow-up doses if they already received prior doses in a series, within 14 days of school and must provide evidence of age appropriate appointments for the next follow-up doses, in accordance with the Center for Disease Control’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) schedule, within 30 days of the first day of attendance. All required vaccine schedules must be completed in accordance with the ACIP schedule. Here is a link for the routine
immunization and catch up schedules: CDC Vaccine Schedule.

The Board of Education recommends that all examinations be done by the child’s own physician, physician’s assistant, or nurse practitioner for optimal continuity of care and establishment of a medical home to oversee and manage any medical or psychological issues. If you require, but cannot afford health insurance to secure private health care for your child, please contact the school nurse for confidential assistance in applying for Medicaid or Child Health Plus via the New York State Health Insurance Marketplace (https://nystateofhealth.ny.gov/). The school nurse can also help in finding a physician.

A physical exam is valid for twelve months through the last day of the month in which the exam was conducted and is valid for an entire school year for new entrants and mandated exams as well as the entire sport season for interscholastic sports even if the exam expires during those time frames. Students wishing to participate in interscholastic sports must have proof of their updated health exam and tetanus vaccine in their school’s health office ideally two weeks before the sport begins so the clearance process has time to take place. The child’s private physician may fax completed health certificates to the Brighton High School Health Office at 242-7529 or the Twelve Corners Middle School Health Office at 242-7367. 

In the rare event that a certificate of private examination is not provided, a physical examination may be conducted in the school if a parent/guardian or a child schedule an appointment with prior written parental informed consent. These exams, like those done in a private medical office, are a complete head to toe physical screening of all body systems including breasts, genitals, and femoral pulses in the groin, conducted by our licensed professional clinical staff. A parent has the right to attend these examinations and/or to review history questions that may be asked of his/her child. Please make prior arrangements with the school nurse. Parents/Guardians should tell their children if they intend to have an examination conducted in school, as these are intimate examinations.

Immunizations

Every student entering preschool or grades K-12 must present proof of immunization or proof of immunity by serology (blood test) if applicable. Please note that for immunizations with mandated ages, the nurse may not accept an immunization as valid if it is more than four days outside the mandated age. Please note that positive serology laboratory reports submitted by your physician, nurse practitioner or physician’s assistant are acceptable as alternatives for the following vaccines only: MMR, Varicella, Hepatitis B, and the three serotypes of Polio. Lab reports for all other diseases are not acceptable. Equivocal results are not acceptable.

The district also encourages all students who have been living outside the United States for longer than six weeks and are entering from the Near, Middle, or Far East, Eastern Europe, Mexico, Central or South America, and Africa to show proof of tuberculosis testing and appropriate follow up care if positive. This ideally should be coordinated by the student’s primary care physician or a referral to the Monroe County TB clinic, which the nurses can help facilitate in situations where there is a high risk travel history.

Immunization requirements are complex and the district strongly encourages you to discuss with your private physician, nurse practitioner, or physician’s assistant your child’s complete immunization status, regardless of age or grade. Parents are encouraged to check the New York State Department of Health website for updates on immunization requirements for school entrance at https://www.health.ny.gov/publications/2370.pdf.

Students entering preschool or grades K-12 must present proof of immunization or proof of immunity by serology if applicable of the following:

A signed certification of immunization or a signed statement from a physician, nurse practitioner, or physician’s assistant*, or a New York State immunization registry record, or a signed out-of-state immunization registry, or laboratory reports showing unequivocal immunity to the three serotypes of Polio, Varicella, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Hepatitis B, or immunization records forwarded from previous school, all showing that a child has completed or has a return appointment and is in process of completing the following series of vaccines in accordance with the Center for Disease Control’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) schedule, as appropriate for age and grade:
1. Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, and
2. Polio, and
3. Measles, Mumps, Rubella, and
4. Hepatitis B, and
5. Varicella, and
6. Meningococcal conjugate vaccine, or
7. for preschool add Haemophilus Influenza Type B (Hib) and Pneumococcal (PCV)

unless a New York State licensed physician provides a signed statement certifying that immunization may be detrimental to the child’s health, containing sufficient information to identify a medical contraindication to a specific immunization and specifying the length of time the immunization is medically contraindicated. The medical exemption must be reissued annually. The principal or person in charge of the school may require additional information supporting the exemption. The requirement for that immunization is waived until such immunization is no longer detrimental to the student’s health.

Except for this exemption, the District may not permit a student lacking evidence of immunization to remain in school for more than fourteen (14) days, or more than thirty (30) days for an out-of-state or out-of-country transferee who can show a good faith effort to get the necessary certification or other evidence of immunization.

The administration will notify the local health authority of the name and address of the excluded students and provide the parent or person in parental relation a statement of his or her duty regarding immunization as well as a consent form prescribed by the Commissioner of Health. The school will cooperate with the local health authorities to provide a time and place for the immunization of these students.

For homeless students, the enrolling school must immediately refer the parent or guardian of the student to the District’s homeless liaison, who must assist them in obtaining the necessary immunizations, or immunization or medical records. *The treating physician, nurse practitioner, or physician’s assistant may not be a family member.

The district’s health services shall provide parent/guardian notification of student illness, injury, or need of emergency health services in a timely and expeditious fashion by phone call, e-mail, and/or written notification as appropriate. Appropriate health alerts are also provided on the district’s website which parents should review on a periodic basis. In accordance with §910 of the Education Law, the parent/guardian of each child shall have the right to determine the form or manner of treatment or remedial care to be prescribed or applied as long as such care is in accordance with the professional standards for the practice of medicine as determined by the New York State Board of Regents under Article 131 of the Education Law. Therefore, the parent should advise the school nurse of their wishes at the start of the school year. However, during an emergency, the district nurse will respond as needed for the safety of the student.

The Board of Education supports a safe medication delivery system for any child in need of medicines during the school day. Accordingly, all prescription and non-prescription medicines require physician and parent written permission and delivery of the medication by the parent in the original container to the school nurse who will store and oversee the administration of a medicine to a child. A photograph of the child is affixed to all prescription medicine bottles for added precautions. The Board also encourages that whenever possible parents discuss with their health care provider alternatives to having medicines administered during the school day when doing so may interfere with instructional time. The school nurse will count controlled substances when parents/guardians drop them off and will monitor them on a decreasing count. The nurse will notify parents/guardians of any discrepancies.

The Board of Education requests that all parents work with their children of all ages to ensure they are educated to know the name and appearance of their medicine, the amount they are to get at what times, and the reason they are taking the medicine. The Board also asks parents to make sure their children realize that if they are asked to take a medicine that is not familiar to them or at a dose that is incorrect, that it is important to tell the adult “NO”, to explain to the adult there appears to be a mistake, and to
say they need to call their parent to clarify their concern before they accept an unfamiliar medicine from anyone.

Upon written parental consent and with a private provider’s attestation that a child is responsible to do so, some children may carry and self-administer life-saving medicines. All self-carried, life-saving medicines must have a duplicate supply stored in the health office in the event the child’s supply is misplaced, lost, or not readily available in an emergency. Children may not carry or self-administer controlled substances or substances abused for recreational purposes.

In the event of a field trip and the need to administer medication, the district encourages a parent or designee to attend the trip with their child to safely administer the medication to his/her child. Nurse-directed students require a nurse or a parent designate present on field trips if medication is required. Supervised student does not require an RN but can profit from trained unlicensed medical staff to assist the student at the request of the student when the student needs help, such as verifying math calculations or numbers entered into insulin devices, or performing BG testing, or pouring liquids, etc. Independent student has a physician attestation on file stating that the student is able to carry and self-administer the medication. Arrangements for medication delivery on field trips will be made according to these definitions.

In the event of need for medicine during athletic events, prior arrangements based on the above definitions are essential. A staff member who is a friend of the family may serve as the designee in a parent’s absence with prior arrangements. Nurses are not available after school for athletics. No one may give medication to a child without your prior written approval. Contact the school nurse for questions. For significant life-threatening medical conditions parents may wish to alert their local Emergency Medical Services responders of the matter to ensure prompt response in the event of a call. All children or adolescents with a bona fide life-threatening condition should wear a medical alert bracelet when they leave their home.

The Brighton Central School District does not discriminate on the basis of an individual’s actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, religious practice, national origin, ethnic group, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation (the term “sexual orientation” means heterosexuality, homosexuality, bisexuality, or asexuality), political affiliation, age, marital status, military status, veteran status, disability, domestic violence victim status, arrest or conviction record, genetic information or any other basis prohibited by New York state and/or federal non-discrimination laws in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. In addition, students are also afforded protection based on weight.

The Brighton Central School District recognizes that pests can pose a significant risk to health and property and is sensitive to the fact that there are risks associated with the use of chemical pesticides. For this reason, the District has implemented an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program for all buildings and grounds. The District’s goal is to provide an environment conducive to the learning process while protecting the health and safety of the school community.

The Pesticide Neighbor Notification Law, effective July 1, 2001, requires that schools provide all staff, parents or guardians of students with annual written notification that pesticide applications may take place during the upcoming school year. If your child attends a building owned and maintained by the District, you are entitled to receive this information.

You may request prior notification of individual pesticide applications that may take place in the building where your child attends classes or in which you work. If you request this information, you will be notified at least 48 hours prior to a pesticide application. If a situation exists that does not allow the District to provide 48 hour prior notification, the District in good faith, will still make an effort to notify those on the advance notice list prior to the application. If a district building is to be unoccupied for 72 hours following a pesticide application, prior notice is not required. 

If you would like to be notified each time there is a pesticide application, please contact Buildings and Grounds at 242-5200 ext. 4550.

The New York State Education Department requires certain screening exams on certain ages or grades of children as listed below. The New York State Department of Health (DOH) also requires that private health care providers report and that the school district collects information on children’s Body Mass Index (BMI) and Weight Status Category (WSC). A parent/guardian may fulfill these legal obligations by having his/her child’s private physician conduct the screening exams privately. If a parent/guardian does not wish to have screenings conducted in school, the parent/guardian needs to notify the school nurse not to do the examinations as long as you present the private certificates prior to the school screening dates. Where a student or the parent or person in parental relation to such student objects on the grounds that such examinations, health history and/or screenings conflict with their genuine and sincere religious beliefs, a written and signed statement from the student or the student’s parent or person in parental relation that such person holds such beliefs shall be submitted to the principal or the principal’s designee in which case the principal or principal’s designee may require supporting documents.

If a parent/guardian has not provided a private certificate or notified the nurse of your plan to have the screenings done privately by the time the nurse conducts the school screenings, the district will follow NYS Education Department mandates and will conduct the screening as scheduled. Parents/guardians need to communicate regularly with their child’s school nurse to avoid confusion. If any concerns are found, parents/guardians will be notified in writing and it is their responsibility to ensure appropriate medical follow up occurs.

The following screening evaluations are conducted by the school nurse who will advise parents/guardians of any concerns:

1. Distance visual acuity for all new entrants and for children in grades Kindergarten, 1, 2, 3, 5 and 11 or at any other time deemed essential.
2. Near visual acuity for all new entrants and for children in grades Kindergarten, 1, 2, 3 and 5 or at any other time deemed essential.
3. Color perception for all new entrants within six months of entrance.
4. Hearing acuity for all new entrants and for those in grades kindergarten, 1, 3, 5, 7, 11, and at any other time deemed essential.
5. Scoliosis (curvature of the spine) for female students in grades 5 and 7, and male students in grade 9.

Free and Reduced Meal Program:

• Applications and instructions can be found in the main office of all district schools, school cafeterias, the District Office or the Food Service website.
• Applications can be submitted at any time during the school year.
• Once an application has been processed, an eligibility letter will be mailed to the household

Why should you fill out an application?

Even though meals are at no cost this year or your child chooses to bring their own lunch, filling out the form is very important! It ensures that your school gets all the funding and benefits available to support teachers and students. Also, even if your child does not eat school lunch, students who qualify for free lunch also can receive other benefits like:

• Access to future EBT benefits if they become available
• Discounts for your family on utilities and internet service
• Reduced fees for SAT and ACT tests and college applications
• Reduced fees for AP exams
• Scholarships for the EMCC Program

How does filling out the Multipurpose Family Income Form help my school?

• Schools may become eligible for money to fund afterschool programs
• Schools get more money in their budgets to support students

As a parent of a student in the Brighton Central School District, you have the right to know the professional qualifications of the classroom teacher(s) who instruct your child. Federal law allows you to ask certain information about your child’s classroom teacher(s), and requires us to give you this information in a timely manner if you ask for it. Specifically, you have the right to ask for the following information about each of your child’s classroom teacher(s):

1. Whether the NYS Education Department has licensed or qualified the teacher for the grades and subjects he or she teaches.
2. Whether the NYS Education Department has decided that the teacher can teach in a classroom without being licensed or qualified under state regulation because of special circumstances.
3. The teacher’s college major and whether the teacher has any advanced degrees and, if so, the subject of the degree.
4. Whether any paraprofessionals provide service to your child and, if they do, their qualifications.

If you would like to receive this information, please contact your school’s main office.