Access to Student Records
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) gives students over 18 years of age and parents the right to review certain educational records. Pursuant to law, the following records are available for review:

• the guidance folder, which contains standardized test scores, biographical data and elementary progress reports;
• academic records for grades seven through 12;
• cumulative health records;
• attendance records;
• student disciplinary records reflecting superintendent’s hearings in which the student has been found guilty and letters and/or records of school suspension lasting five days or less;
• school medical records maintained at the school nurse’s office that contain the student’s medical history;
• pupil service records that include psychological reports maintained by school personnel.

These records are confidential and cannot be released without the prior written consent of the parent or guardian. The law does provide for limited exceptions to the prior consent requirement, e.g., certain school employees or state or federal officials have a legitimate purpose for needing access to information contained in the students’ records.

The Board of Education has established a policy for maintaining the confidentiality of student education records, and for providing access to such records for parental review. Copies of this policy are available in the district office. Applications for access to student records also are available in the district office. Please direct any questions about the right to review student records to the respective building principal.

Asbestos Management Plan
In accordance with the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) of 1987, Pulaski Academy and Central School District’s facilities have been inspected and response actions are planned to ensure a continued safe environment for our students and employees. The district conducts re-inspections every three years. The Center for Instruction, Technology & Innovation safety & risk management department was contracted to complete the 2016 triennial inspection of all facilities and update the asbestos management plan, which is available for your review in the district office.

Child Nutritional Program
Children need healthy meals to learn. Pulaski Academy and Central Schools offer healthy meals every school day. Your children may qualify for free meals or for reduced price meals. Reduced price is $0.25 for breakfast and $0.25 for lunch if you meet certain requirements. Additional information may be obtained by contacting the District Office at 315.298.5188 or by visiting the Cafeteria page of this website.

Code of Conduct
The Pulaski Academy & Central School District Board of Education is committed to providing a safe and orderly learning environment for students and staff. Responsible behavior by students, teachers, other Pulaski Academy & Central School District personnel, parents and other visitors is essential to achieving this goal.

Pulaski Academy & Central School District has a long-standing set of expectations for conduct on school property and at its functions. These expectations are based on the principles of civility, mutual respect, citizenship, character, tolerance, honesty, integrity, and the belief in the educational mission of the organization. The Board recognizes the need to clearly define these expectations for acceptable conduct on Pulaski Academy & Central School District property, identify the possible consequences of unacceptable behavior, and to see to it that discipline, when necessary, is administered promptly and fairly.

To this end, the Board of Education adopts the District Student Code of Conduct. Unless otherwise indicated, this code applies to all students, school personnel, parents and other visitors when on Pulaski Academy & Central School District property or attending a Pulaski Academy & Central School District function.

Disclosure of Secondary Student Information to the Military
Pursuant to the federal No Child Left Behind Act, the Pulaski Academy & Central School District upon request will disclose students’ names, addresses and telephone listings to military recruiters. Parents and students can request the district not release such information without prior written parental consent.

Health Information Privacy
Under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), some districts or schools may be a “covered entity.” If a district or school (or person within that school, i.e. the school nurse) is included in the “covered entity” category, then the district must provide notice of its privacy practices with regard to protected health information.

Homeless Family/Students Policy
All school districts have responsibilities to homeless students in the district. In order to serve these students, each district must appoint a liaison for homeless children that are currently residing within a district. The liaison must first identify these students and, to aid in doing so, post notifications regarding educational services and contact information at places where the parents of homeless students will see it. These locations can include, but are not limited to, homeless shelters, medical clinics, post offices and local Social Service offices. Michael Bateson, Office of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment, is the liaison for Pulaski Academy & Central School District.

Non-Discrimination/Title IX
It is the policy of the district not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin, political affiliation, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, military status or disability in its educational programs, activities or employment, in accordance with Title IX of the 1972 Educational Amendments and Section 504 of the Rehabilitative Act of 1973. Any parent who believes his or her child is disabled has the right to refer the child to the building principal for evaluation. No otherwise qualified individual with a disability solely on the basis of that disability, shall be denied benefits of, or be subject to, discrimination from any program or activity of the district. 
Any parent who believes his or her child has been denied the benefits of an appropriate education as a result of discrimination based on disability should contact the building principal or Superintendent of Schools. Moreover, any person who believes his or her rights have been violated should contact the Superintendent of Schools.

Parents' Bill of Rights for Data Privacy and Security
The purpose of the Parents’ Bill of Rights for Data Privacy and Security is to inform parents (which also includes legal guardians or persons in parental relation to a student, but generally not the parents of a student who is age eighteen or over) of the legal requirements regarding privacy, security and use of student data. In addition to the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), Education Law §2-d provides important new protections for student data, and new remedies for breaches of the responsibility to maintain the security and confidentiality of such data.

Pesticide Notice
Pulaski Academy & Central School District practices Integrated Pest Management to keep pests a safe distance away from students, staff and property, while limiting the use of pesticides.

New York State Education Law requires school districts to notify parents/guardians, faculty and staff about the potential use of pesticides periodically throughout the school year. Further, the state requires us to maintain a list of those who wish to receive 48-hour prior written notification of certain pesticide applications. The following pesticide applications are not subject to prior notification requirement:

• anti-microbial products;
• non-volatile rodenticides in tamper-resistant bait stations in areas inaccessible to children;
• non-volatile insecticidal baits in tamper-resistant bait stations in areas inaccessible to children;
• silica gels and other non-volatile, ready-to-use pastes, foams or gels in areas inaccessible to children;
• boric acid and disodium octaborate tetrahydrate;
• the application of EPA-designated bio-pesticides;
• the application of EPA-designated exempt materials under 40CFR152.25;
• the use of aerosol products with a directed spray in containers of 18 fluid ounces or less when used to protect individuals from an imminent threat from stinging and biting insects, including venomous spiders, bees, wasps and hornets.

In the event of an emergency application necessary to protect against an imminent threat to human health, a good faith effort will be made to supply written notification to those on the 48-hour prior notification list.

To receive 48-hour prior notification of pesticide applications scheduled to occur in a school, please contact Director of Facilities, 315.298.5103.

Student Directory Information
From time to time, student directory information (e.g., name, grade, photo, awards) depicting activities in the schools is released for use in district publications, on the district website or given to the media. Parents who object to the release of their child’s directory information and/or photograph should notify their child’s building principal in writing.

Student Privacy
The Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA) to the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords parents certain rights regarding district surveys, collection and use of information for marketing purposes, and certain physical exams. Parents may exercise their right to excuse their child from participating in any survey created by a third party (before it is distributed to students) and questionnaires intended to collect personal information from students for marketing purposes.

Teacher Qualification Requests
In accordance with the federal Every Student Succeeds Act, parents/guardians are entitled to information about the professional qualifications of their children’s classroom teachers. This includes whether the teacher has state certification for the classes being taught; the teacher’s bachelor’s degree major and any other certifications or degrees by field or discipline; and whether the child is provided services by instructional aides or similar paraprofessionals and, if so, their qualifications. To obtain this information, call the district office at 315.298.5188.