Hilton Central School District Annual Notifications

Access to Student Records & Directory Information

Student Directory Information HCSD Policy 7242

Military Recruiters' Access to Secondary School Students and Information on Students HCSD Policy 7580

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act [FERPA]  A parent, guardian, or student over the age of 18 has access to the school records according to federal law, Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 [FERPA].  Any records maintained by a school district as part of the official record are available for review by the parent or the student after age 18. The law also controls sharing of pupil records with third party individuals or agencies.  The District may release directory information [student name/address/phone; date/place of birth; grade level; participation in officially-recognized sports; height and weight of athletic team members; dates of attendance; major field of study, degree, honors and awards received; school related photographs; agency/school previously attended] about a student without student or parental consent in certain circumstances.  Directory information is information about the student which would generally not be considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if disclosed.  At the discretion of the District, directory information may be disclosed in the case of sports or performing arts programs, news releases or in connection with educational or extra-curricular activities or events.  Release of directory information is not permitted if such information is to be used for solicitation, fundraising, political or commercial purposes.  The district publishes this annual notice in the District Calendar which is mailed to all residents of the district.  If a parent, guardian or eligible student does not wish to have some or all of the directory information described above released without prior consent, he or she must in writing, contact the Hilton Central School District, Census Office, 225 West Ave., Hilton, NY 14468 or the school’s principal.  Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act [FERPA] affords parents and students over 18 certain rights with respect to the students educational records. For further information from the US. Dept. of Education: US Dept. of Education FERPA  

Student Privacy The Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment [PPRA] governs the administration to students of a survey, analysis or evaluation that concerns protected areas: political affiliations or beliefs of the student or the student’s parent/guardian; mental or psychological problems of the student or the student’s family; sexual behavior or attitudes; illegal, anti-social, self-incriminating, or demeaning behavior; critical appraisals of other individuals with whom respondents have close family relationships; legally-recognized privileged relationships such as those of lawyers, physicians, ministers; religious practices, affiliations, or beliefs of the student or student’s parent/guardian; income other than that required by law to determine eligibility for participation in a program or for receiving financial assistance under such program. PPRA also concerns marketing surveys and other areas of student privacy, parental access to information, and the administration of certain physical examinations to minors. The requirements of PPRA do not apply to a survey administered to a student in accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The rights provided to parents/guardians under PPRA transfer from the parent/guardian to the student when the student turns 18 years old or is an emancipated minor under applicable State law. If a parent/guardian would like to opt-out of any of the above, they must contact the Hilton Central School District, Office of Student Services, 225 West Ave., Hilton, NY 14468 at 585-392-1000 ext. 6055.

Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity  The Hilton Central School District is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. The school district is in compliance with all federal and New York State laws governing Equal Opportunity prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status and disability.  Human Resources Office, 225 West Ave., Hilton, NY 14468.  

Anti-Harassment Policy  Policy 3150 Anti-Harassment in the School District  

Asbestos Compliance Report Available  The District maintains a current Management Plan for each school building as well as the 2002 AHERA re-inspection of the District completed by BOCES Health/Safety personnel which are available for inspection upon request to the Buildings & Grounds Office at 585-392-1000 ext. 7065.  

Board of Education Audit Committee  Meeting Agendas and Minutes  

Annual Budget Notice  Annual Budget Notice includes Overall Budget Notice, statement of assumptions made in projecting contingency budget and STAR exemption notice.  

Code of Conduct  The Safe School Against Violence in Education [SAVE] and Section 100.2[1] of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education require that each school district adopt a written policy on school conduct and discipline "designed to promote responsible student behavior."  Each year a public hearing is held in June after which the Hilton Board of Education re-authorizes a  K-12 Code of Conduct.  Code of Conduct  PDF - Download Adobe Reader

Early Dismissal . . . Have a Plan in Place and Be Sure to Communicate this to your Children  In the event of an early dismissal of students during the school day due to loss of power, loss of water, or other emergency situation, there are procedures in place to transport students home. This information will be communicated as soon as possible to both TV and radio media.    A message is placed on the District Main Telephone Number, 585-392-1000. Each year parents indicate a course of action to be taken on the Emergency Closing Data Card which is completed for all K-6 students, and updated every year for grades 7-12. This will assist you and the schools in making appropriate plans for each child. Please take this opportunity to talk to your child. Make sure your child knows where to go in your neighborhood if the parent or caregiver is not at home.   Emergency School Closing Procedure The Hilton Central School District will contact the local media when bad weather or any other emergency situation forces the closing of district schools, the information will be communicated as soon as possible to both TV and radio media including R NEWS CH 9; WROC TV-8; WHEC TV-10;WHAM TV-13; FOX News; WHAM 1180-AM; etc. A message is also placed on the District¹s Main Telephone Number, 585-392-1000, as soon as possible. The decision to close school in weather-related situations will normally be made no later than 6:30 a.m. in most cases, prior to the school buses being sent on the road. Most TV and radio stations carry school closing information. When schools are closed for weather-related conditions, all other activities including interscholastic sports; YMCA Child Care; sports practice, athletic events; Aquatic Center, student activities; Community Education; and community-related classes and activities may be cancelled. Cancellation information is included on the 585-392-1000 message for the day as well as the District Web Site: www.hilton.k12.ny.us  

Emergency Preparedness Planning  Written information about basic emergency response actions are communicated through schools in accordance with the N.Y.S. Commissioner of Education Regulation 155.13 Emergency Planning.  Each school annually conducts sheltering or evacuation drills with notices in advance to parents and students.   Fire Safety  Copies of the annual New York State Education Dept. Fire Safety Inspections of each building by the Hilton and No. Greece Fire Marshalls are shared with the fire district officials with all deficiencies cited in the inspection reports corrected.  State-issued Certificates of Occupancy are on display in the main offices of each building as well as in District Offices, 225 West Ave., Hilton, NY 14468. Superintendent's Office:  585-392-1000 ext. 7043.  

Freedom of Information Law [ FOIL]  When an agency receives a request, the Freedom of Information Law requires that it has five business days to grant or deny access in whole or in part, or if more time is needed, to acknowledge the receipt of the request in writing. The acknowledgement must include an approximate date that indicates when an agency will grant or deny the request. The date must be reasonable under the circumstances of the request, and in most instances, it cannot exceed twenty additional business days. If more than twenty additional business days is needed, the agency must provide an explanation and a date certain within which it will grant or deny the request in whole or in part. That date, too, must be reasonable in consideration of the facts (i.e., the volume or complexity of the request, the need to search for records, or the obligation to review records to determine rights of access).  FOIL requests are directed to the Superintendent's Office at 585-392-1000 ext. 7043.   For information: http://www.dos.state.ny.us/coog/foil.html

Health Information Portability and Accountability Act [ HIPAA] -  HIPAA does affect the nature of the exchange of information from the student’s health care provider TO the school. Previous informal exchanges between health providers and school health staff are no longer permitted; explicit written authorization is required from the parent or guardian in order for information to flow to the school. For example, immunization records require such authorization.  

Highly-Qualified Teachers - In accordance with the federal No Child Left Behind Act, parents have the right to request information about professional qualifications of their children's current classroom teachers: whether the teacher has met NYS qualifications and licensing criteria for the grade level and subject area he/she teaches; whether the teacher in teaching under emergency or other provisional status under which State qualifications or licensing criteria have been waived; the teacher's college major - whether the teacher has any advanced degrees and if so the subject of those degrees.

Homeless Children McKinney-Vento Act   Youth who do not have a fixed, adequate and regular nighttime residence; who have lost housing due to economic hardship and now live doubled-up with family or friends; who live in a shelter, motel, vehicle, campground or temporary trailer; who live on the street; or who live in another type of temporary housing, may be eligible to receive help through the McKinney-Vento Act.  For further information: Learning Support Services - 585-392-1000 ext. 6054.

Internet Acceptable Use  Acceptable Use Policy/Internet Policy # 8272 Instruction  The Hilton Central School District provides access to the Internet. Students are encouraged to utilize these resources to promote the exchange of information to further education and research.  The District provides Internet filtering as part of the District Computer Services; however, no filtering technology can guarantee that staff and students will be prevented from accessing all inappropriate locations.  The users shall understand that communications on the District Computer Services are often public in nature.  These services are monitored routinely by the School District, Internet providers, and/or law enforcement agencies.  The District's Acceptable Use Policy and accompanying Regulations will be disseminated to parents and students in order to provide notice of the school's requirements, expectations, and student's obligations when accessing the Internet.  "Passive Consent" [Opt-out]: Student access to the District's computer system will automatically be provided unless the parent has submitted written notification to the District that such access not be permitted.  A written request to deny or rescind student use of District computers must be mailed to the Office of Instruction, 225 West Ave., Hilton, NY 14468.  For further information: 585-392-1000 ext. 6058.

Child Nutritional Programs The Hilton Central School District participates in the National School Lunch Program [NSLP], a federally-assisted meal program providing nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to children each school day. Further information and applications for the “Free/Reduced Price Meals Program” are online at www.hilton.k12.ny.us Applications are returned to Hilton Food Service, 400 East Avenue, Hilton, NY 14468.  Notice to Local Apple Growers  HCSD Food Service purchases apples for use in the Child Nutrition program from local growers. Interested growers may contact Food Service Director at 585-392-1000 ext. 2152.  

New York State Education Department Annual Academic Testing  NYSED School Report Cards  

Parental Rights regarding Military Recruiters' Access to Information on HS Students   In compliance with Federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 and the National Defense Authorization Act, the District is permitted to disclose students' names, addresses and telephone listings to military recruiters.  This disclosure is subject to a parent's written request NOT to disclose such information.  If a parent wishes to opt out of the District’s releasing directory information to military recruiters, or to any other third-party, they must give written notice within 30 days after publication of this notice to the Hilton Central School District, Census Office, 225 West Ave., Hilton, NY 14468 AND Hilton Hilton High School Registrar, 400 East Ave., Hilton, NY 14468.

Pesticide Neighbor Notification  In accordance with New York State Education Dept. Law, public schools must provide written notification 48 hrs. in advance of application if required.  The District has implemented integrated pest management several years ago and pesticides are only applied upon express authorization of the District. To request a 48-hour notification of any use of pesticides, please call 585-392-1000 ext. 7065/7066. Pesticide Notification Letter

Selective Service Registration - all males beginning at age 18 are required to register. Selective Service System

School Safety  Hilton Central School District's Security Department and youth assistants monitor the safety of the school campus everyday.  The issue of safety and security of students has taken on new dimensions in the post-Columbine and post September 11 school environment. New York State Education Department and the N.Y.S. Legislature have renewed efforts to strengthen safety and emergency planning on the part of all school districts in the state as well as increase penalties for crimes such as calling in a bomb threat to a school.  Visit the web page: School Safety - includes NYS registry of sex offenders NYS Level Three Sex Offender Registry  

Special Education  Education Law Sect. 4401 defines "students with a disability" as a person between ages three and 21 who has not received a high school diploma and who, because of mental, physical or emotional reasons can receive appropriate educational opportunities only from a special education program. For information about special education including birth to age three, please call Hilton Dept. of Learning Support Services at 585-392-1000 ext. 6054. SPECIAL EDUCATION BOCES FIVE-YEAR PLAN 2004-2009  PDF - Download Adobe Reader

Student Physicals Required  New York State Law requires physical examinations be completed in grades K, 2, 4, 7 and 10 as well as new entrants to the school.  Please print out this form for your pediatrician HEALTH APPRAISAL FORM  

Use of Surveillance Cameras in School District  Policy 5634 regulates the use of video surveillance cameras in school buildings, on school grounds and on school buses in locations approved by the superintendent but not in bathrooms, locker rooms or changing rooms.  All recordings are sole property of the District.