As a result of recent federal legislation (Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act – AHERA), each primary and secondary school in the nation is required to complete a stringent new inspection for asbestos and to develop a plan of management for all asbestos-containing building materials. ISD #514 has a goal to be in full compliance with this law and is following the spirit, as well as, the letter of the law. As a matter of policy, ISD #514 shall continue to maintain a safe and healthy environment for our community’s youth and employees.
In keeping with this legislation, all buildings (including portables and support buildings) owned or leased by the school district were inspected by EPA accredited inspectors and an independent laboratory analyzed samples. Based on the inspection, the district prepared and the state approved a comprehensive management plan for handling the asbestos located within its buildings safely and responsibly.
Furthermore, ISD #514 has completed its AHERA 3-year re-inspection requirements every three years. The districts buildings, where asbestos-containing materials were found, are under repair, removal and Operations and Maintenance.
This past year, ISD #514 conducted the following with respect to its asbestos containing building materials:
Federal law requires a periodic walk-through (called “surveillance”) every six months of each area containing asbestos. Also the law requires for all buildings to be re-inspected every three years after a management plan is in effect. This will be accomplished under contract by Advanced Health, Safety and Security.
Short-term workers (outside contractors) must be provided information regarding the location of asbestos in which they may come into contact. All short-term workers shall contact the lead maintenance person before commencing work to be given this information.
ISD #514 has a list of the location(s), type(s) of asbestos-containing materials found in that school building and a description and timetable for their proper management. A copy of the Asbestos Management Plan is available for review in the school office. Copies are available at 25 cents per page. Questions related to the plan should be directed to the district office, which will establish contact with our Account Manager under contract with Advanced Health, Safety and Security. To reach Advanced Health, Safety and Security to discuss the management of our asbestos materials or with any questions, call 605-430-8842.
Federal Laws
- Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 USC § 2000d, et. seq.; 34 C.F.R. Part 100)
- Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 USC § 2000e, et. seq.; P.L. 88-352)
- Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 Pregnancy Discrimination Act (within Title VII) (42 USC § 2000e(k)
- Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 USC §§ 1681-1688; 34 C.F.R. Part 106)
- Equal access to public school facilities (20 U.S. Code § 7905)
- Age Discrimination Act of 1975 (29 USC § 621; 42 USC § 6101; 29 C.F.R. Part 621)
- Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (42 USC § 701; 34 C.F.R. Part 104))
- American with Disabilities Act (42 USC § 12101, et. seq.)
- Denial of Equal Educational Opportunity Prohibited (20 USC § 1703)
- Fair Housing Act (42 USC § 3601, et. seq.)
- Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (42 USC § 6101 and 6102; 34 C.F.R. part 110)
- Prohibition against Discrimination Based on Blindness (20 USC § 1684)
State Laws
- Minnesota Human Rights Act (Minn. Stat. § 363A)
- Minnesota Statutes, section 121A.031, prohibits student bullying
- Minnesota Statutes, section 121A.03 – requires school districts to have a policy prohibiting sexual/racial/religion harassment and violence
- Minnesota Statutes, section 121A.04 – prohibits sex discrimination in athletic programs
- Minnesota Rules, part 3500.0550 – relating to Inclusive Educational Program Plan
- Minnesota Rules, Chapter 3535.0100-.0180; 3535.2300-.2800; 3535.3000-.3700 – relating to equality of education opportunity, school desegregation, and prohibition of discriminatory practices
If any links do not work, please visit the MN Dept of Education's webpage on Assurance of Compliance and Mandated Reporting.
NOTICE OF STUDENT EDUCATION RECORD PRIVACY
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords parents and students who are 18 years of age or older certain rights with respect to the student’s education records. These rights include:
- The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days after the day Ellsworth Public School receives a request for access.
- The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the parent or eligible student believes are inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy rights under FERPA.
- The right to provide written consent before the school discloses personally identifiable information from the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. One exception, which permits disclosure without consent, is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests.
- The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by Ellsworth Public School to comply with the requirements of FERPA.
NOTICE OF DIRECTORY INFORMATION
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) allows Ellsworth Public School to disclose personally identifiable information it has labeled as directory information without prior parental notification or consent, unless a parent has advised the district otherwise through an opt-out form. The primary purpose of directory information is to allow Ellsworth Public School to include information from your child’s education records in certain school publications. Examples include:
- The annual yearbook/graduation programs
- Honor roll or other recognition lists
- Sports activity sheets, such as for wrestling, showing weight and height of team members
- District print, broadcast or online publications such as social media, websites, and marketing materials for district use
- Media’s request of information such as the newspaper or online news stories
Directory information, which is information that is generally not considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if released, can also be disclosed to outside organizations without a parent’s prior written consent. Outside organizations include, but are not limited to, companies that manufacture class rings or publish yearbooks. In addition, two federal laws require local educational agencies (LEAs) receiving assistance under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to provide military recruiters, upon request, with the following information – names, addresses and telephone listings – unless parents have advised the LEA that they do not want their student’s information disclosed without their prior written consent.
Ellsworth Public School has designated the following information as directory information:
• Student’s name
• Age
• Gender
• Grade level
• Dates of attendance
• Participation in officially recognized activities
• Weight and height of members of athletic team
• Degrees, honors and awards received
• Any photograph, video or recording of a student’s likeness
The following form should be used to opt-out of directory information: Directory Information Opt-Out Form
I.S.D. #514 now has in place a program to monitor and improve indoor air quality at our school. The Ellsworth School District considers no objective more important than providing its employees, students, and visitors a healthy, safe environment. Because we believe that indoor air quality is essential to this objective we are sending this notification to inform parents, students and staff of our program to monitor and improve indoor air quality.
As part of the program implementation, an Indoor Air Quality Coordinator has been appointed. An annual walk-through will be performed by the Coordinator to evaluate school facilities for obvious water intrusion, ventilation failures, structural problems, overall cleanliness, and the status of the O & M program.
In that we have adopted the EPA’s Tools for Schools, the guidelines contained therein will be used to evaluate all classrooms, ventilation systems, and building maintenance issues.
The District’s response to parental concerns will be timely and direct. Parent’s questions are always welcome. If a concern would arise we ask the parent to contact John Willey, Indoor Air Quality Coordinator. The Coordinator will be able to assist in evaluating the child’s home or other out of school situation. Additional information is available to parents about school facility construction; maintenance, housekeeping practices, chemicals used, mold and HVAC related information, and other activities that may contribute to a child’s symptoms.
ISD #514 accepts the responsibility of monitoring indoor air quality and will/has conducted a survey of the mechanical ventilation rate of each occupied space in the District.
Ellsworth Public School is proud to be taking a leadership role in providing a safe, comfortable, and productive environment for our students and staff so that we achieve our core mission-educating students. Our school will continue to follow EPA guidance to improve our indoor air quality by preventing as many problems as possible.
If you would have any questions or concerns about this or any other health and safety program please contact us at 507-967-2242.
The MN Department of Education in partnership with the MN Department of Health, Safety and Human Services administers the MN Student Survey to students in grades 5, 8, 9, and 11 every three years. This survey is about various youth behaviors related to personal health, school safety, drug use and violence in the school. As part of Protection of Pupil Rights Amendments, all parents and students are provided notification of the survey distribution. Parents are allowed to review the survey and are given the opportunity to elect not to allow their child to participate in it.
The Parents Right to Know Act of 2000 requires schools to inform parents and guardians if they apply certain pesticides on school property. Specifically, this law requires schools that apply these pesticides to maintain an estimated schedule of pesticide applications and to make the schedule available to parents and guardians for review or copying at each school office. State law also requires that the public is told that the long-term health effects on children from the application of such pesticides, or the class of chemicals to which they belong, may not be fully understood. If you would like to be notified prior to unscheduled pesticide applications (excluding emergency applications), please contact the buildings and grounds manager.
The Pledge of Allegiance will be recited each day in Ellsworth Public School. Anyone who does not wish to participate in reciting the pledge of allegiance for any personal reason may elect not to do so. Students must respect another person's right to make that choice.
Students will be instructed in the proper etiquette toward, correct display of, and respect for the flag, and in patriotic exercises.
Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.31, subdivision 4a, requires the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) to publish a form for parents/guardians to complete if they refuse to have their student participate in state-required standardized assessments. It includes some basic information to help parents/guardians make informed decisions that benefit their child and their school and community. The form to meet this legislative requirement is available at the link below. When completed, it must be returned to your student’s district; your student’s district may require additional information.
Parent/Guardian Guide and Refusal for Student Participation in Statewide Testing Form
Big Lake Schools uses a variety of digital tools to support student learning. Technology vendors and software is utilized to support work as we help all students develop the skills necessary to succeed in an ever-changing world.
We have an inventory of our curriculum, testing, and assessment tools and an outline of the student data elements within each tool. This list is maintained and communicated annually to all families at the start of the school year.
Please reach out to jeremy.morgan@ellsworthschoolsmn.org for additional questions regarding specific digital tools used in classrooms
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