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Series I - INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM » IKAE PARENTAL RIGHTS

IKAE PARENTAL RIGHTS

Adoption Date: 6/11/2024

Section I: Instructional Program

 

                                                                    PARENTAL RIGHTS

 

The Board of Trustees of Uinta County School District Number One (the “District”) recognizes the right of parents to make decisions regarding the care and control of their children.  This policy strives to outline the rights of parents related to notification and records of their students, including those rights described in Wyoming Statute § 21-3-135. Parents and guardians will be notified annually of their right to file a complaint if they believe their rights as described in this policy have been violated.  The procedures for filing a complaint related to the rights in this policy are described under policy BEE-R, Rules of Practice Governing Hearings and Contested Cases Before the Board of Uinta County School District Number One. 

 

                                                                     I.  Definitions

 

As used in this policy the terms shall have the following definitions. 

 

Actual knowledge: means notice of a change (as defined in this policy) to any District employee.  A District employee shall be deemed to have actual knowledge if: a) a person reports a purported change in a student’s health or well-being to a District employee, and the purported change is verified by a District employee with authority to investigate or determine whether the change has occurred; or b) a District employee directly observes the purported change, and a reasonably observant person would notice the purported change.

 

As soon as practicable: Except in cases of suspected child abuse or neglect, “as soon as practicable” shall mean as soon as reasonably capable of being accomplished given the normal constraints involved with such an action and without undue delay.  Unless otherwise specified by this policy, “as soon as practicable” shall mean not more than forty-eight (48) hours or not more than two (2) business days after the purported change is verified or observed by a District employee, whichever is greater.  For any change in a student’s health or welfare where a District employee reasonably believes the change is the result of suspected abuse or neglect of the student which will result in a report to law enforcement or DFS, the phrase “as soon as practicable” shall mean after the District reports the suspected abuse to law enforcement or DFS as required by Wyoming Statute § 14-3-205, and after either law enforcement or DFS authorizes the District to notify the parents.

 

Change: a student’s change in educational, physical, mental, or emotional health or well-being is any change that meets one or more of the following criteria:

  1.     It poses a risk or threat to the student’s safety, health, or welfare, or to the safety, health, or welfare of others.
  2.     It is a mental health or medical condition that necessitates intervention or treatment at school or follow-up with a community mental health worker, therapist, or medical provider.
  3.     It requires a modification of the student’s educational program, services, or support, or the provision of additional or specialized services or supports, such as special education, counseling, health care, or social work.
  4.     It affects the student’s access, eligibility, participation, or performance in the District’s education program, or academic, extracurricular, or co-curricular activities, or in assessments or evaluations.
  5.     It involves a disciplinary action, sanction, or consequence for the student, such as detention, suspension (in-school and out-of-school), expulsion, or referral to law enforcement.
  6.     It results from a complaint, allegation, or investigation involving the student, such as bullying, harassment, discrimination, or violation of rights.

 

Business Day: shall mean any day other than Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday.

 

Gender Identity: shall mean an individual’s personal sense of their own gender.

 

Health Screening Tool: shall mean any diagnostic assessment that detects pre-clinical mental or physiological illness or disease.

 

Instruction: means the action, practice or profession of teaching and includes planned teaching addressing gender identity or sexual orientation. The following shall not be included in “instruction”:

  1. Responding to a question from a student during class regarding sexual orientation or gender identity as it relates to any topic of instruction; or
  2. Referring to the sexual orientation or gender identity of any public figure, historic person or group, or fictional character where the referral provides necessary context in relation to a topic of instruction.
  3. Student-generated schoolwork.
  4. Student-to-student speech.
  5. Classroom references to a person’s family.
  6. Library books.
  7. Extra-curricular, co-curricular or student clubs.
  8. Dual enrollment courses taken at or from a college.

 

Parent: includes parents, legal guardians, and legal custodians of students who are under eighteen (18) years old and who have not been emancipated.

 

Sexual Orientation: refers to an individual’s enduring pattern of emotional, romantic, and/or sexual attraction to others.

 

Well-Being Questionnaire: Means an instrument used to assess an individual’s overall well- being across various domains of life.  It typically consists of a series of questions designed to measure different aspects of well-being, such as physical health, mental health, social relationships, emotional well-being, and life satisfaction.  These questionnaires may use a variety of questions to gather information about an individual’s experiences, feelings, and perceptions related to their well-being.  Well-being questionnaires do not include informal building-created processes, or “quick checks” used to assess classroom or school climate.

 

                                                     II.  Discussions Related to Student Well-Being

 

            When issues of a student’s well-being arise, District personnel shall encourage the student to discuss the issues with their parents. As appropriate, District personnel may facilitate discussions of such issues with parents. In accordance with the Wyoming Statute § 21-3-135 (a)(iv) the District shall not adopt nor implement any formal or informal rule, policies, practices, or procedures that direct, encourage, or have the effect of encouraging, a student to withhold from a parent information about the student’s educational, physical, mental, or emotional health or well-being. 

III. Parental Notification of Changes in Student’s Health or Well-Being

Any District employee who has actual knowledge of a change in a student’s educational, physical, mental, or emotional health or well-being shall report the change to the school principal or designee.  The principal or designee shall determine who will notify the parent of the student. The District shall notify a student’s parent or guardian as soon as practicable if a District employee has actual notice of a change in the student’s educational, physical, mental, or emotional health or well-being.  The Building Administrator shall document the notification.

The Superintendent may adopt administrative regulations, procedures and criteria which further clarify or define whether a reported change constitutes a change in a student’s health under this policy. 

Notification may be made via phone, personal/face-to-face conversation, District messaging system, text, or email or other methods approved by the Superintendent or principal.

In accordance with Wyoming Statute § 21-3-135(a)(iii), the District shall not adopt or implement any formal or informal rules, policies, practices, or procedures that prohibit School District personnel from notifying a student’s parent about the student’s educational, physical, mental, or emotional health or well-being or a change in the student’s related services as authorized under statute.

            If a parent asks a District employee about the health or well-being of the parent’s child, the District employee shall not misrepresent or provide false information about the parent’s child.

Nothing in this policy shall be construed to delay, modify, or alter the obligation to report suspected abuse or neglect of a child to the Department of Family Services (DFS) or law enforcement pursuant to Wyoming Statute § 14-3-205.   If a District employee reasonably believes the change is the result of suspected abuse or neglect of the student which will result in a report to law enforcement or DFS, the phrase “as soon as practicable” shall mean after the District reports the suspected abuse to law enforcement or DFS as required by Wyoming Statute §14-3-205, and after either law enforcement or DFS authorizes the District to notify the parents.

                                        IV.  Parental Notification to Participate in Instruction

To ensure transparency and respect for parental rights when providing instruction on sensitive topics, the District will notify parents at least two (2) business days prior to any planned instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity. Notification methods may include course syllabi, letters, emails, or other announcements through official channels. Parents will receive an overview of the content covered in the training, course, or class including objectives, materials, and planned discussions related to sexual orientation or gender identity. The overview will emphasize the educational purpose and sensitivity of the topic.

 

District staff will obtain written or electronic parental consent at least one (1) business day prior to any courses, training, or classes that address sexual orientation or gender identity. 

Schools will provide alternative educational activities for students whose parents do not provide consent to the instruction of the subjects described in this section. These alternatives should align with the overall learning objectives of the instruction and ensure that students do not miss essential learning opportunities.

                                     V.  Parent Notification of Routine Health Care Services

In accordance with Wyoming Statute § 21-3-135(b), at the beginning of each school year, the District shall provide parents with notice of each routine health care service provided by the District, and the means for parents to withhold consent or decline any specific services. Consent to a routine health service does not waive the parent’s right to access the education or health care records, or to be notified of a change in the student’s educational, physical, mental, or emotional health or well-being. Routine health care services do not include the rendering of first aid or summoning of emergency responders in the case of sudden need.

                             VI. Student Well-Being Questionnaires and Health Screening Tools

In accordance with Wyoming Statue § 21-3-135(c), prior to administering any well-being questionnaire or health screening tool to students, the District shall make available a copy of the questionnaire or information on the health screening tool and obtain written, electronic, or verbal consent from the parent.  Health screening tools that do not require parental permission include those health assessments required by federal law including audiology, vision, scoliosis, and body mass index tests. If a parent does not want their child to participate in these required assessments, the parent must specifically notify their child’s school in writing prior to the health screening. 

 VII. Student Records

In accordance with Wyoming Statute § 21-3-135(a)(ii), the District shall not prohibit parents from accessing any of their student’s records created, maintained, or used by the District. Parents shall be provided access to their student’s education, behavior, health, and other records according to Policy JO.

 

Adopted:  June 11, 2024