- Dassel-Cokato Schools
- Annual Notifications
ANNUAL NOTIFICATIONS
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ANNUAL NOTICE OF RIGHTS PROTECTIONS AND PRIVACY OF EDUCATIONAL RIGHTS
Pursuant to the requirements of Independent School District No. 466 Dassel-Cokato School District Policy regarding educational data privacy, the following constitutes the school district’s annual notification to parents and students regarding data privacy practices of the school district. The school district has adopted a Data Privacy and Student Records Policy incorporating state and federal requirements as to data privacy rights. In summary, the policy provides:
A. Privacy Rights
Educational records which identify or could be used to identify a student other than directory information, may not be released to members of the public without the written permission of the student’s parents or guardians or the student if he or she is 18, attends a post-secondary institution, is married or has graduated. This general rule is subject to specific and limited exceptions which cannot be set out here due to limitations of space, but which are set out in district policy.
B. Directory Information
“Directory Information” includes a student’s parents’ names, student’s name, address, telephone number, date and place of birth, sex, major field of study, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, dates of attendance, grade levels completed, degrees and awards received, the most recent previous educational agency or institution attended by the student and other similar information. Directory information may be released to the public without prior parent or student consent unless the parent or eligible student has objected in writing to the release of one or more categories of such information. Directory information does not include identifying data that references religion, race, color, social position, or nationality. A parent of a student or an eligible student in the district may refuse to permit the release of any or all categories of directory information by contacting the building principal in which said student attends and completing the form “Objection to Release of Directory Information.” This objection must be given to the district within thirty (30) days of this publication notice.
C. Inspection of Records
Parents of a student or a student may request to inspect and review any of the student’s educational records except those which are, by state or federal law, made confidential. The school district will comply with the request immediately if possible and if not, within five days exclusive of weekends and holidays. In certain special circumstances, an additional five days may be required in order to comply. Copies of records may be obtained at the actual cost of reproduction.D. Challenge to Accuracy of Records
A parent or eligible student who believes that specific information in the student’s educational records is inaccurate, misleading, incomplete or violates the privacy or other rights of the student, may request that the school district amend or correct the record in question. If the superintendent, within a period of 30 days, declines to amend the record as requested, the parent or student who is 18 or older will be advised in writing of their right to request and obtain a hearing. If either the superintendent or, after hearing, the hearing officer appointed by the school district, determines that the record in question is inaccurate, misleading, incomplete or violates the privacy or other rights of the student, the record will be amended, the parents or student age 18 or older notified of the change, and an attempt will be made to notify past recipients of the data. If, as a result of the hearing, it is determined that the challenged record is not inaccurate, misleading, incomplete or in violation of the privacy or other rights of the student, the parent or student of age 18 or older will be notified of their rights to place a statement with the record commenting upon it and setting out any reason for disagreeing with the decision of the school district. Data in dispute will be disclosed only if the statement of disagreement is included with the disputed data. The decision of the superintendent or hearing officer is the final decision of the school district and may be appealed under the provision of the State Administrative Procedure Act, Minn. Statute C15, relating to contested cases.
E. Transfer of Records to Other Schools
Independent School District No. 466 forwards educational records of students to other schools and school districts in which a student seeks or intends to enroll upon request of that school or school district. A parent or student who is 18 years of age may request and receive a copy of the records which are transferred and may, pursuant to this policy, challenge the accuracy of the records. The district does not, however, notify parents or students of age 18 or older prior to such a transfer.
F. Data Collection Rights
A parent or eligible student when asked to supply private or confidential data, shall be informed of: (a) the purpose and intended use of the requested data; (b) whether he may refuse or is legally required to supply the requested data; (c) any known consequence arising from his supplying or refusing to supply the data and (d) the identity of the persons or entities authorized by state or federal law to receive the data.
G. Complaints for Non-Compliance
Parents and students of age 18 or older may submit written complaints of violation of rights accorded them by the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act to the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act Office, U.S. Department of Education, Washington, D.C. 20201. This review of the data privacy rights of students and parents in the educational records maintained by Independent School District 466 is intended only to be a summary of the provisions of school district policy and applicable state and federal law.Requests for copies of the policy and questions should be addressed to: Superintendent of Schools, Independent School District 466, 4852 Reardon Ave. SW, Suite 1700, Cokato, Minn. 55321.
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ASBESTOS NOTIFICATION
As a result of federal legislation (Asbestos Hazard Response Act - AHERA), each primary and secondary school in the nation is required to complete a stringent inspection for asbestos and to develop a plan of management for all asbestos-containing building materials. The Dassel-Cokato schools are in full compliance with this law. As a matter of policy, the Dassel-Cokato schools shall continue to maintain a safe ad healthful environment for our community's youth and employees.
In keeping with this legislation, all buildings owned by the school district were inspected by EPA accredited inspectors. Based on the inspection, the school prepared, and the state approved, a comprehensive management plan for handling the asbestos located within its buildings safely and responsibly. Federal law requires a periodic walk-through (called "surveillance") every six months of each area containing asbestos.
Also, the law requires all buildings to be re-inspected three years after a management plan is in effect. This will be accomplished under the contract by Musser Environmental Consulting.
Short-term workers (outside contractors - i.e. telephone repair workers, electricians, and exterminators) must be provided information regarding the location of asbestos in which they may come in contact. All short-term workers shall contact the lead maintenance person before commencing work to be given this information.
The Dassel-Cokato district office has a list of the location(s) type(s) of asbestos-containing materials found in our school buildings and a description and timetable for their proper management. A copy of the Asbestos Management Plan is available for review in the school office. Questions related to the plan should be directed to the superintendent of schools at (320) 286-4100.
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GENERAL NOTICE FOR PARENTS AND GUARDIANS
2021-2022 School Year Pesticide NoticeA Minnesota state law requires that schools inform parents and guardians if they apply certain pesticides on school property. State law also requires that you be 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.
The Dassel-Cokato School District does not apply pesticides on school property unless all other measures have failed to control the problem. In the event that insect control sprays and dusts need to be applied, it will only be done when students are absent from the area, and will be out of the area until any spray and any odor has dissipated.
If you would like to be notified prior to pesticide applications made on days other than those specified in the estimated schedule (excluding emergency applications), please complete and return the form below and mail it to: Mark Raymond, Dassel-Cokato Public Schools, 4852 Reardon Ave. SW, Suite 1700, Cokato, Minnesota, 55321. If you have any questions regarding this notice, please contact the district office at (320) 286-4100, extension 1000.
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HEALTH AND SAFETY MANAGEMENT PLANS
Dassel-Cokato School District has implemented several Health and Safety management plans to protect our students and employees. These programs include asbestos management, pesticide maintenance schedule, and indoor air quality monitoring. Each has a management plan that is available for review in the District Office.
Asbestos removal and repair is monitored in district buildings in a proactive manner. Asbestos work always occurs on breaks and during the summer when students are not present in the building.
Dassel-Cokato School District usually applies pesticides monthly and on an as-needed basis, although this is infrequent.
Applications are made during off hours and school breaks whenever possible. This district also applies broadleaf herbicide in the spring, summer, and fall. These applications are made during off hours when there are no people present. In addition, Dassel-Cokato School District has an Indoor Air Quality Management Plan that addresses any indoor air quality concerns that may be reported. Walkthroughs and inspections of the building are performed annually to prevent problems from occurring. If you have any questions about these three safety programs or have an indoor air quality concern, please contact Mark Raymond, Superintendent, 320-286-4100 ext. 1003.
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RIGHT TO KNOW INFORMATION & ACCOUNT CREATION AUTHORIZATION
Part I - Right to Know Information
By logging into this site, I am certifying I will only access information about myself or children of whom I am the legal parent, step-parent or guardian. I will not access information for another person or child to which I am restricted by any Court Order. I agree to notify the district if a child should be removed from my access list.
Part II - Account Creation Authorization
By entering this site, I am authorizing the release of my child(ren)'s information to me via a secure Internet connection. I accept full responsibility for the use of this account and the integrity of my account ID and password. I understand the school district has taken reasonable security measures to protect the integrity of my child's data and my access to such data.
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WEAPONS AND TRESPASSING
The school district continues to maintain a “Zero Tolerance” in regard to the possession, use or distribution of weapons by students. The full weight of the law and consequences will be followed if the “Zero Tolerance” policy is violated, including expulsion from school in addition to statutory penalties that may include significant fines and prison.
Weapons are not allowed on school property including buses, buildings, or athletic fields or on properties rented by the school district. A “weapon” means any object, device or instrument designed as a weapon or through its use is capable of threatening or producing bodily harm or which may be used to inflict self-injury including, but not limited to, any firearm, whether loaded or unloaded; airguns; pellet guns; BB guns; all knives; blades; clubs; brass knuckles; numchucks; throwing stars; explosives; fireworks; mace and other propellants; stunguns; ammunition; poisons; chains; arrows; and objects that have been modified to serve as a weapon.
No person shall possess, use or distribute any object, device or instrument having the appearance of a weapon. All such objects, devices or instruments shall be treated as a weapon including, but not limited to, weapons listed above which are broken or non-functional, look-alike guns; toy guns; and any object that is a facsimile of a real weapon.
TRESPASS ON SCHOOL PROPERTY. Individuals who get on school roofs with-out permission may be charged with a misdemeanor.