HPS Student and Parent Handbook 2019-2020

SECTION VI: ESPECIALLY FOR PARENTS
Surveys and Activities
Students will not be required to participate without parental
consent in any survey, analysis, or evaluation – funded in whole or
in part by the U.S. Department of Education – that concerns:
1. Political affiliations or beliefs of the student or the student’s
parent(s).
2. Mental or psychological problems of the student or the
student’s family.
3. Sexual behavior or attitudes.
4. Illegal, antisocial, self-incriminating or demeaning behavior.
5. Critical appraisals of individuals with whom the student has a
close family relationship.
6. Relationships privileged under law, such as relationships with
lawyers, physicians and ministers.
7. Religious practices, affiliations, or beliefs of the student or
parents.
8. Income, except when the information is required by law and
will be used to determine the student’s eligibility to
participate in a special program or to receive financial
assistance under such a program.
Parents will be able to inspect the survey or other instrument and
any instructional materials used in connection with such a survey,
analysis or evaluation.
“Opting Out” of Surveys and Activities
Parents have a right to receive notice of and deny permission for
their child’s participation in:
1. Any survey concerning the private information listed above,
regardless of funding.
2. School activities involving the collection, disclosure, or use of
personal information gathered from your child for the
purpose of marketing or selling that information.
3. Any non-emergency, invasive physical examination or
screening required as a condition of attendance,
administered and scheduled by the school in advance and not
necessary to protect the immediate health and safety of the
student. Exceptions are hearing, vision, or scoliosis
screenings, or any physical exam or screening permitted or
required under state law.
Notification of Teacher Qualification
The School will provide parents with the qualifications of each
teacher employed by the School. Parents may also request, and
the School will provide in a timely manner, information regarding
the professional qualifications of their student’s classroom
teachers. Information provided in response to a parent request
will include, at a minimum:
1. Whether the teacher has met state qualification and licensing
criteria for the grade levels and subject areas in which the
teacher provides instruction;
2. Whether the teacher is teaching under emergency or other
provisional status through which state qualification or
licensing criteria have been waived;
3. Is teaching in the field of discipline of the certification of the
teacher; and
4. Whether the child is provided services by paraprofessionals
and, if so, their qualifications.
Additionally, the School will provide timely notice that a student
has been assigned, or has been taught for four or more
consecutive weeks by, a teacher who does not meet applicable
state certification or licensure requirements at the grade level and
subject area in which the teacher has been assigned.
Communication
Communication between parents and school staff is a key
component of student success. Parents are responsible for
notifying the school of any change of address, telephone number,
or e-mail address. Parents may contact school staff by using
several methods, including:
Calling a teacher’s extension during school hours (8:00 a.m.–4:30
p.m.). Teacher phone extensions are available at the front desk. If
the teacher is conducting class, please leave a voice message. The
teacher will respond as soon as possible.
Sending an email to teachers. Teacher e-mail addresses are
available at the front desk.
Checking a student’s progress and conduct on-line by viewing the
school website and logging into your child’s database account.
Checking the weekly mail envelope, and signing and returning
included documents and having your student timely return them
to their homeroom teacher.
Checking the “Letters and Messages to Parents” board in the front
office.
Checking the school marquee in front of the school, if available.
Classroom Visit or Observation
To meet with school personnel, please make an appointment
ahead of time by contacting the staff member directly. Visits to
individual classrooms during instructional time are permitted only
with approval of the principal and teacher, and such visits are not
73 | Revised in July 2019