MOUNTAIN EMPIRE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
CAMPO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
PARENT HANDBOOK

This handbook contains some basic information about the school district
and explains your rights and responsibilities as a parent. It also contains
information we are required by state or federal law to provide to all parents
or guardians, including requirements for the high school diploma. Please read and
review this regularly during the year. If you have questions about any
of this information, your school principal is the best person to call.

Handbook Contents
Click on your subject of interest.

Attendance

      School attendance is required by law. The Education Code of the State of California requires
 every child six through 18 years of age to attend school every day and on time.

     You are responsible for your child’s school attendance. You must let the school know if your  
 child is not in school and give a specific reason for the absence. Acceptable reasons for
 excused absences include, but are not limited to, illness or quarantine, doctors’ appointments,
 and attendance at family funeral services. Attendance at religious retreats shall not exceed four
 (4) hours per school semester. Absences due to activities such as baby sitting,
 accompanying parents on errands, and attending concerts or sporting events are unexcused.

     Absences from school for five or more days may be excused if a parent requests a contract
 for independent study and the child completes a school contract. After any absence, students
 must report to the appropriate school office to obtain readmission before returning to class.

     No pupil shall have his/her grade reduced/lose credit for any excused absence, for
 missed assignments or tests that can reasonably be provided or satisfactorily completed within
 a reasonable time. A pupil absent from school for an excused absence shall be allowed to
 complete all assignments and tests missed during the absence that can be reasonably
 provided. Upon satisfactory completion of the assignment or test, within a reasonable period
 of time, the pupil shall be given full credit. The tests and assignments shall be reasonably
 equivalent to, but not necessarily identical to, the tests and assignments that the pupil missed
 during the absence (Education Code Section 48205).

     If an attendance problem arises and cannot be resolved by school staff, the school may
 refer the student and family to the School Attendance Review Board (SARB). If SARB
 cannot resolve the attendance problem, it has the authority to refer cases to Juvenile Court.

Absences (Excused)

 A.  Notwithstanding Section 48200, a pupil shall be excused from school when the absence is
 due to:

a.       his or her illness

b.      due to quarantine under the direction of a county or city health officer

c.     for the purpose of having medical, dental, optometric, or chiropractic services
rendered

d.     for the purpose of attending the funeral services of a member of his or her
immediate family, so long as the absence is not more than one day if the service
is conducted in California and not more than three days if the service is
conducted outside California

e.       for the purpose of jury duty in the manner provided for by law

f.       due to the illness or medical appointment during school hours of a child of whom
the pupil is the custodial parent

g.       for justifiable personal reasons, including, but not limited to, an appearance in
court, attendance at a funeral service, observance of a holiday or ceremony of his
or her religion, attendance at religious retreats, or attendance at an employ-
ment conference, when the pupil’s absence has been requested in writing by the
parent or guardian and approved by the principal or a designated
representative pursuant to uniform standards established by the governing board.

  B. A pupil absent from school under this section shall be allowed to complete all assignments
and tests missed during the absence that can be reasonably provided and, upon
satisfactory completion within a reasonable period of time, shall be given full credit
therefore. The teacher of any class from which a pupil is absent shall determine the tests
and assignments be reasonably equivalent to, but not necessarily identical to, the tests
and assignments that the pupil missed during the absence.

 C. For purposes of this section, attendance at religious retreats shall not exceed four hours
per semester.

 D. Absences pursuant to this section are deemed to be absences in computing average
daily attendance and shall not generate state apportionment payments.

 “Immediate family,” as used in this section, has the same meaning as that set forth in
 Education Code Section 45194, except that references therein to “employee” shall be
 deemed to be references to “pupil.”

Complaints (Discrimination)

Filing of an unlawful discrimination complaint will include a timeline that does not exceed
six months.

• Investigations of discrimination complaints will be conducted in a manner that protects
the confidentiality of the parties and the facts.

• The investigations shall include:

— Opportunity for the complainant to present relevant information.

— Option for both parties to discuss the complaint.

—  A written report that includes findings and disposition sent to the complainant within
sixty days from receipt of the complaint.

• The written report shall contain the findings of the disposition, any corrective action
(if necessary), the rationale for the disposition, and a notice of the right to appeal to
the California Department of Education.

 State regulations provide for state review and appeal of a district decision. The appeal must
 be filed with the State Superintendent of Public Instruction within fifteen days of receipt of
 the  decision. Under certain circumstances, the state may withhold funds from the school district.
 In addition, civil law remedies are available, including, but not limited to, injunctions,
 restraining orders, and other remedies.

Complaints (Program)

All complaints should first be directed to the school principal. Any individual or organization
 may file a complaint with the district if they believe a federal or state law or regulation has
 been violated in the following programs:

• Adult Basic Education;

• Child Nutrition

• Child Care and Development Programs

• Consolidated Categorical Aid Programs

• Migrant Education

• Section 504

• Special Education

• Vocational Education

• Unlawful Discrimination (students or staff)

Complaints should be filed on the “Uniform Complaint Form,” available at the
 superintendent’s office. The complaint will be forwarded to the program coordinator for
 resolution. There is no time limit for program complaints.

   Complaints should be filed with the superintendent’s office. State regulations provide for
 state review and appeal of a district decision. The state may directly intervene in the
 complaint  under certain circumstances. The complainant may appeal a decision to the
 State  Superintendent of Public Instruction. Under certain circumstances, the state may withhold
 funds from the school district. In addition, federal and state law may offer civil law
 remedies including, but not limited to, injunctions, restraining orders, and other remedies.

Communicable Diseases

   We are required to cooperate with the San Diego County Department of Health Services
 to prevent and control communicable diseases in school-age children. Whenever there is
 good reason to believe the student has a contagious or infectious disease, the parent will
 be contacted and the student sent home. The student may return to school when well
 and/or released by a physician.

   The superintendent determines appropriate educational placement of children with
 chronic infectious disease after consultation with the child’s physician, parents, public
 health department, school physician consultant, and school officials.

Concerns and Complaints

   Parents are encouraged to contact the child’s teacher first.  If that contact does not bring the
 issue to resolution, contact the principal. If a satisfactory resolution is not then reached, parents
 are encouraged to call the office of the superintendent at 473-9022.

Disabilities (Temporary)

The district has a program to provide individualized instruction to students who are
 temporarily disabled and who must remain at home or in a hospital or other residential
 health facility. If the hospital or health facility is located outside the school district in which
 the student’s parent or guardian resides, the student will be considered to have complied
 with the residency requirements for the school district in which the hospital or facility is located.

   The parents or guardians of a student in a hospital or health facility outside their resident
 school district must notify the school district in which the student is temporarily residing.
 That district must provide individualized instruction for the student.

Discipline and Student Behavior – California Education Code

Safe and secure schools are essential in providing a learning environment in which all students
 can become literate, thinking, and contributing members of a multicultural society. A
 safe environment is essential to staff and students and to support good attitudes toward
 teaching and learning.

The school district and board policies regarding discipline and student behavior include
 uniform graduated sanctions that outline penalties including suspension, loss of athletic
 and extracurricular activity eligibility, or expulsion (*) where indicated for any of the
 following violations:

• Defiance of authority or deliberate classroom disruption

• Assault: verbal or physical threat or action against another person, including
school employees/staff members

• Fighting

• Extortion or robbery*

   • Alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs: using, possessing, furnishing or selling any dangerous
     or prohibited substance or paraphernalia. Furnishing* or selling* of any prohibited substance,
     or possession of an amount of a controlled/prohibited substance determined to be for
     more than   personal use,* other than tobacco, may result in expulsion on the first offense.

• Theft: stealing the property of another person or of the school or knowingly receiving
stolen property.

• Vandalism: deliberate destruction of or damaging the property of another person or of
the school.

• Weapons*: possession of any item, including firearms, knives, and other dangerous
objects, which could cause injury to any person or possession of an imitation firearm or
replica gun will result in arrest and the student being removed to juvenile hall.

• Harassment or intimidation of students or staff members.

• Sexual harassment, committing or attempting to commit a sexual assault, or committing
sexual battery.*

• Hate violence: causing, attempting to cause, threatening to cause, or participating in an
act of hate violence.

• Intimidation: intentionally engaging in harassment, threats, or intimidation that creates
an intimidating or hostile educational environment.

• Terroristic threats: any statement, written or oral, by a person who willfully threatens to
commit a crime which will result in death, great bodily injury to another person, or
property damage in excess of $1,000, even if there is no intent of carrying the threat out.

             *  May result in expulsion on first offense.

The governing board of each school district shall adopt a policy authorizing teachers to
 provide that the parent or guardian of a pupil who has been suspended by a teacher pursuant to
 (l) or (k) of Section 48900, attend a portion of a school day in his or her child’s or
 ward’s classroom. The policy shall take into account reasonable factors that may
 prevent compliance with a notice to attend. The attendance of the parent or guardian
 shall be limited to the class from which the pupil was suspended [Education Code,
 Section 48900.1 (a)].

English Learner Program Options

   Parents of English learners have the right to ask that their child be provided bilingual instruction.
 If a child is eligible for bilingual instruction and the school of residence does not offer the
 program, parents may enroll their child in another district school that offers the program.

Family Life

Family Life education is provided by trained classroom teachers in grades 5 and  6.
 These classes include age-appropriate information on puberty, healthy relationships,
 sexually transmitted diseases, decision-making, and practice in refusal skills.

   Parents are notified before sex education instruction begins at their child’s school and they
 are invited to attend a parent meeting to review instructional materials. Materials are available
 for preview. After reviewing the materials, if parents do not want their child to participate in
 the lessons for any reason (including conflicts with religious beliefs), they must notify the school
 in writing.

Family School Partnership Act

Labor Code Section 230.8

   This change in the Labor Code Section 230.8, was enacted to support parents to become
 more involved in school activities. The following key provisions of the law have been taken
 from a pamphlet developed by the California Department of Education, “The Family-School
 Partnership Act.”

   School administrators should be prepared to explain the law to parents and to
 provide documentation of participation for parents to submit to the parent’s employer
 whenever requested.

Key Provisions of the Law

 • Parents, guardians, and grandparents who have custody of a child may take up to 40 hours
 off each year to participate in their child’s public or private school (kindergarten through grade
 12) or day care activities — but no more than eight hours in any given calendar month.

 • The time must be spent to participate in activities for the school where the employee’s
 children attend.

 • Employees who wish to take this time off must give their employers reasonable notice.

 • If both parents of a child are employed by the same employer at the same worksite, the
 request for time off applies only to the parent who first gives notice to the employer. The
 other parent may take a planned absence simultaneously only if the employer grants the request.

 • Employers who have 25 or more employees at the same location are covered by this law;
 smaller businesses are not.

 • Employees must use existing vacation, personal leave, compensatory time, or time off
 without pay for the planned absence.

 • Employers may request, and the employee must then provide, documentation from the school
 as proof that he or she participated in the school activities on a specific date and at a
 particular time.

 • Employees cannot be discriminated against because they have taken time off to participate in
 their child’s school or day care facility activities. The law provides for civil penalties
 and compensation to parents if this occurs.

 • In the event that all permanent, full-time employees are given vacation during the same period
 of time in a calendar year, the employees may not utilize that vacation benefit at any other time
 for the purposes of the planned absence authorized by this law.

Immunization Requirements

State law requires that all students under age 18, grades prekindergarten through 12,
 be immunized against certain diseases unless they are exempt for medical reasons or because
 of personal beliefs.

At the time of registration the school is required to have proof that your child has received
 all currently due immunizations.

Immunizations required for school attendance are:

Polio - four doses (any combination IPV or OPV); three doses are acceptable if the last
 dose was given after the fourth birthday.

DTP/DTaP - (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis before age 7) five doses; four doses meet
 the requirement if last dose given after age four.

Hib - (haemophilus influenza type b) is required of children under the age of four years,
 six months.

TD - (tetanus, diphtheria age seven and up) — four doses, but three doses meet requirement
 for age 7 - 17 if at least one dose was given after the second birthday.

MMR - (measles, mumps, rubella) one dose given after the first birthday for children
 entering kindergarten prior to August 1, 1997. Two doses for all kindergarten entries and for
 first graders who did not attend kindergarten in California and/or did not receive their
 second MMR. A second dose of MMR is required for students entering grade 7. The
 American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a second dose of MMR for all children.

Hepatitis B - three doses for kindergarten entry and for first graders who did not
 attend kindergarten in California and/or receive their Hepatitis B series. Hepatitis B immunization
 is required for students entering grade 7.

Chicken pox - starting in 2001, children must be immunized against chicken pox before
 entering elementary school (Health & Safety Code Section 120335) or have a documented
 history of the disease.

   Please check with your pediatrician, family physician, or medical clinic to make sure your child
 is fully immunized.

   Your child may be excluded from school if these requirements are not met. Information
 on obtaining a permanent medical exemption or personal beliefs exemption for your student
 is available from the school nurse. School nurses may, with parental permission, immunize students.

Interdistrict Permits

   Formal agreements between San Diego county school districts and Mountain Empire
 Unified School District allows for the transfer of one or more students between districts.
 An Interdistrict Attendance Permit may be approved into or out of the district for specific
 reasons only. Information regarding the specific reasons may be obtained from the principal
 at (619) 478-5583. Interdistrict Attendance Permits must be renewed annually even if the
 student is attending the same school.

Intervention Programs

Students who are below grade level in reading and/or mathematics will be expected
 to participate in challenging support and intervention programs that will help them improve
 their skills and catch up to grade level.

 These programs include:

• After-school classes with certificated teachers.

• Summer School for all students performing below grade level.

Lunch and Breakfast Program

   Breakfast and lunch are served in every school.  Cash from sales and funds from federal and
 state government subsidies pay for the program.   The cost of meals is $1.50.

Many students from low-income families receive meals free or at a reduced rate
 (40 cents) through the National School Lunch Program. Campo Elementary School will
 send parents information about applying for free or reduced-price school meals.

Medications

Any pupil who is required to take, during the regular school day, medication prescribed
 by a physician may be assisted by the school nurse or other designated school staff if the
 school district receives a written statement from the physician with the name of the
 medication, method of administration, dosage to be given, and times of administration; and a
 written statement from the parent or guardian indicating their desire that the school district assist
 the pupil as indicated in the physician’s statement. Forms for this purpose are available at
 your child’s school.

Minimum Days/Staff Development Days
   Schools may have regularly scheduled minimum days for staff training and parent-
 teacher conferences.  These are afternoons dedicated to staff training, parent conferencing,
 lesson planning, curriculum review and collaboration.  The instructional day ends at 1:15 PM
 on these days.  Child care is available through the After School Program.

Nondiscrimination in Employment

   The Mountain Empire Unified School District is an equal opportunity employer and complies
 with all applicable federal and state laws requiring nondiscrimination in employment in addition
 to district policies. The board has adopted a nondiscrimination program that encourages
 active recruitment and retention of minorities, women, and persons with disabilities.

Parents’ Rights

   Family Involvement: In a democracy parents and guardians are encouraged and welcomed
 to become involved in the formal education of their children enrolled in public schools. This
 early and consistent parental involvement helps children to do well academically. When
 this involvement is combined with a partnership between home and school, the student, the
 school, and the community benefit.

Parents and guardians of enrolled students have the right to be included in the educational
 process and to have access to the system on behalf of their children. These rights are outlined
 in Education Code Section 51101 as follows:

Classroom Observing: Parents have the right to visit their child’s classroom to
 observe activities. The time and date of the visitation must be arranged in advance with the school.

Teacher Conferencing: Parents have the right to request a conference with their
 child’s teacher(s) or the principal. Parents should contact the school to schedule a date and
 time convenient to all participants.

Volunteering: Parents have the right to volunteer their time and resources for the improvement
 of school facilities and programs. Parents should contact the school to determine the terms
 and conditions of this service.

Student Attendance: Parents have the right to be notified in a timely manner if their child
 is absent from school without permission.

Student Testing: Parents have the right to be notified of their child’s performance
 on standardized and statewide tests and the school’s ranking on these tests. (Under other state
 law, parents may request that their child not participate in the statewide tests.)

School Selection: Parents have the right to request that their child be enrolled in any school in
 the district. The district is not compelled to grant the request.

Safe School Environment: Parents have the right and are entitled to the assurance of a safe
 and supportive learning environment for their child.

Curriculum Materials: Parents have the right to examine the curriculum materials of the class
 or classes in which their child is enrolled.

Student Academic Progress: Parents have the right to be informed of their child’s
 academic progress in school and of the persons to contact if they wish more information
 or assistance with their child.

Student Records: Parents have the right to access their child’s records and to question
 anything they feel is inaccurate or misleading or an invasion of privacy. Parents have the right to
 a timely response from the school district about their questions.

Standards: Parents have the right to receive information regarding the academic standards
 their child is expected to meet.

School Rules: Parents have the right to receive written notification of school rules,
 attendance policies, dress codes, and procedures for school visitations.

Psychological Testing: Parents have the right to receive information on all psychological
  testing recommended for their child.

Councils and Committees: Parents have the right to participate as members of a
 parent advisory committee, school-site council, or site-based management leadership team
 in accordance with established rules and regulations for membership. Parents also have the right
 to attend at least two meetings per year scheduled by the school to get information on school
 issues and activities.

Policy Development: Parents and guardians have the right and should be given the
 opportunity to work in a mutually supportive and respectful partnership with the school to help
 their child succeed. The governing board of each school district shall adopt a jointly created
 policy that outlines how parents and guardians, school staff, and students may share
 the responsibility for the intellectual, physical, emotional, social development, and well-being of
 their students.

This policy shall include, but is not limited to:

1. How parents/guardians and the school will help students to achieve academic and
other standards.

2. How the school will provide high-quality curriculum and instruction in a supportive
learning environment to all students enrolled.

3. What parents and guardians can do to support their child’s learning environment, including
but not limited to:

• Monitoring school attendance

• Monitoring homework completion

• Encouraging participation in extracurricular activities

• Monitoring and regulating television viewing

• Planning and participating in activities at home supportive of classroom activities

• Volunteering at school

• Participating in decision-making processes at school

Education Code Section 51101(c) states: “This section may not be construed as to
 authorize a school to inform a parent or guardian... or to permit participation by a parent
 or guardian in the education of a child, if it conflicts with a valid restraining order, protective
 order, or order for custody or visitation issued by a court of competent jurisdiction.”

Pediculosis Policy (Head Lice)

     The problem of head lice and nits (pediculosis) is ongoing and can be difficult to control at
 home and at school. Even though lice and nits are not a major threat to health, they are a
 frustrating nuisance and are easily spread. The school district has established a strict policy
 of controlling head lice.

When a student is identified as having head lice, the student will be excluded immediately.
 Return to school is permitted when the hair has been treated with a pediculicide (lice shampoo)
 and there are no live lice or nits in the hair. Reinfestation and/or recurrent infestation will result
 in exclusion until the student is free of live lice and nits. The School Attendance Review Board
 may intervene in case of noncompliance or chronic infestations.

   If the student participates in the district’s transportation program, bus service will be resumed
 only after the school nurse notifies Transportation Services that the student is free of lice

Pesticide Use

   The school district designee shall annually provide to all staff and parents or guardians of
 pupils enrolled at a school site a written notification of the name of all pesticide products
 expected to be applied at the school facility during the upcoming year. The notification shall
 identify the active ingredient or ingredients in each pesticide product. The notice shall also
 contain the Internet address used to access information on pesticides and pesticide use
 reduction developed by the Department of Pesticide Regulation pursuant to Section 13184 of
 the Food and Agricultural Code and may contain other information deemed necessary by
 the school district designee.

   A pesticide product not included in the annual notification is subsequently intended for use at
 the school site, the school district designee shall, consistent with this subdivision and at least
 72 hours prior to application, provide written notification of its intended use. (From California
 Codes, Education Code, Section 17612)

   Section 17612 shall not apply to any agency signatory to a cooperative agreement with the
 State Department of Health Services pursuant to Section 116180 of the Health and Safety
 Code. (From California Codes, Education Code, Section 17613)

Physical Examination

A state law called the Child Health and Disability Prevention Program mandates that every
 child have a physical examination before entering first grade. Parents or guardians are required
 to present a report of examination or a waiver statement to the school within 91 days of entry
 to first grade. The school nurse will assist families in making plans to meet this requirement or
 have the examination conducted at school. Students will not be permitted to attend school
 without the exam or having a waiver on file.

A parent/guardian may file a written, signed statement with the school principal stating that
 the parent/guardian will not consent to a physical examination of the child. However, in the
 event there is a good reason to believe the child is suffering from a recognized
 contagious/infectious disease, the pupil will be excluded from school until school authorities
 are satisfied that the child has no contagious/infectious disease.

Retention

Students who are significantly below grade level in reading and/or mathematics at the end of:

• Grade 2 will be retained. Students will also be expected to participate in after-school classes
and summer school.

• Grade 6 will be retained and placed in a sixth grade class at the junior high school with
reduced class size for the following school year.

Rules and Regulations of Campo Elementary School

The principal establishes school rules and regulations that conform to the district discipline
 policy to ensure a school atmosphere free from distraction and disruption. The principal
 must communicate to parents, staff members, and students’ details of the district discipline
 policy and the school rules and regulations. The principal is responsible for assuring that the
 discipline policy and the school rules and regulations are enforced consistently, fairly, and
 promptly with due regard for the rights of the individuals.

Pupils are required to conform to school regulations, obey all directions, be diligent in study
 and respectful to teachers and others in authority, and refrain from the use of profane and
 vulgar language.

Pupils are held to strict account for their conduct on the way to and from school,
 on the playgrounds, and during recess.

Parents should review the discipline policy and school rules and regulations with students
 and understand the standards of conduct required of students. Parents must cooperate with
 school officials in carrying out disciplinary actions when they become necessary.

In addition to State Education Code Regulations:

·        Students will be respectful to one another and to adults at all times.

·      Running indoors, by or on play equipment or on paved areas is not permitted.  Running is allowed only on the grass field.

·        Students may not be inside the buildings or in classrooms without adult supervision.  That includes before school, recess and lunch periods.

·        Toys are not permitted in school, including electronic games, stuffed animals, trading cards, etc., without the express permission of the classroom teacher.

·        Trading, selling, buying or loaning of personal and school property is prohibited.

·        Students will be dismissed from classrooms only after all trash is picked up from the floors.

·        Do all work to the best of your ability and ask when things are unclear, ask for assistance from another student, the classroom assistant or your teacher.

·        Soccer, football and other similar sports that are contact or have the potential to be contact sports, are prohibited.

·        Snack and drinks are to be consumed in the cafeteria or at the lunch tables.

·         Take personal pride in your school.  Do not litter.

Possible consequences may include but not be limited to any combination of:

Recess detention.

Benching

Standards

Detain after school

Suspension  (including in-school suspension)

Expulsion

School Accountability Report Card
   All California public schools are required to provide information about themselves to
 the community through an annual School Accountability Report Card (SARC). This is available
 on the district website www.meusd.k12.ca.us .

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
    Mountain Empire Unified School District acknowledges its responsibility under Section
 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to identify, review evaluative data, and provide
 reasonable accommodations to students with disabilities. The Section 504 coordinator at
 Campo Elementary School can provide additional information and assistance.

Sexual Harassment Policy (Student)

   Mountain Empire Unified School District is committed to making the schools free from
 sexual harassment and prohibits harassment made by someone from or in the educational
 setting. Sexual harassment can be such actions as unwelcome sexual advances; requests for
 sexual favors; verbal, visual, or physical conduct of a sexual nature made by someone from
 or in the educational setting.

The district prohibits conduct that has the purpose or effect of having a negative impact on
 the student’s academic performance, or of creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive
 educational environment.

The district further prohibits sexual harassment in which a student’s grades, benefits,
 services, honors, program, or activities are dependent on submission to such conduct.

Students should report any sexual harassment to their school principal or teacher. Students
 who violate the policy shall be disciplined appropriately. This includes suspension or
 possible expulsion (grades 4-12). Employees who violate the policy shall be disciplined
 according to personnel procedures.

To File a Complaint: Parents or students who want to file a complaint may do so through
 the principal or superintendent of schools.

Special Education

   Campo Elementary School is committed to providing children and young adults with disabilities
 a free and appropriate public education consistent with federal and state laws. Both federal
 and state policies mandate timelines for referral, assessment, identification, placement,
 and provision of special education, including services, to all students with exceptional needs.

Parents of children between the ages of birth and 22 years who have, or may have a
 disability adversely affecting their education, may contact their children’s teacher, principal,
 or resource specialist and request a referral for an assessment. To assist in determining eligibility
 for special education, an assessment of the child is necessary. Upon request for an assessment,
 the parents will receive a plan describing the tests that will be administered to assess the child in
 all areas of suspected disability. In addition, parents will be informed of their rights in writing.
 Upon receipt of the signed plan by the district, the assessments will commence.

   To determine whether the student qualifies for special education, an Individualized
 Education Program (IEP) team reviews all assessment reports and information provided by
 parents and professionals. Parents are critical members of the child’s IEP team. If the child
 is determined to qualify for special education by the IEP team, an IEP is written for him or her.
 An IEP cannot be implemented until the child’s parent(s) consent to it. If the IEP team and
 parents cannot agree on an IEP for the child, either the parents or district may file for mediation
 or request an administrative hearing.

   Individuals who want to file a complaint may do so by first contacting the principal and/or
 Director of Special Education (619) 473-8869.  All complainants are protected from
 retaliation and their identity will remain confidential as appropriate. Complaints may be
 filed directly with the California Department of Education’s Special Education Division,
 515 L. Street, Suite 270, Sacramento, CA 95814. To file for a mediation or due process
 hearing, parents can contact McGeorge School of Law, Special Education Hearing Office,
 3200 Fifth Avenue, Sacramento, CA 95817.

Student Information (Release of)

   UNLESS PARENTS REQUEST OTHERWISE, directory-type information will be released
 to organizations indicated below. Parents who prefer that this type of information not be
 released need to notify the school office within two weeks after receiving this publication.

Student Records

The following records are kept for each pupil:

·         Enrollment information including birth, residence data, and family background

·         Attendance and health records

·        Cumulative record of test scores, grades, subjects and courses taken, disciplinary notations,
if appropriate

·        Records required for special education programs

·        Teacher observations regarding student progress and educational program participation

   Parents or guardians may review these records with school personnel during the regular
 school day by calling the school office for an appointment. Any concern regarding the accuracy
 or appropriateness of any records should be discussed with the principal. The records listed
 above will be forwarded to any other school in which the child enrolls without any further action
 on the part of the parents.

Student Records (Access to)

Except for directory-type information described under “Release of Student Information,”
 access to information in a student’s records without the consent of a parent can include but is
 not limited to:

• School and district personnel with legitimate educational interests (legitimate educational
interest is one in which the assigned duties and responsibilities of an employee require that
the employee have access to pupil records)

• A school to which a student is transferring

• Specified federal and state educational administrators

• Prospective grantors of student financial aid

 Most requests for student information by individuals or organizations will not be honored without
 a written statement signed by a parent/guardian authorizing release. Parents or students over
 18 years of age may obtain copies of student records for a fee of 10 cents per page.

Parents have the right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education
 concerning alleged failures of the school district to comply with the Family Rights and Privacy
 Act. The address of that office is: Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Department of
 Education, 600 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, D.C. 20202-4605.

Student Records (Retention of)

   The school principal is responsible for the custody of student records. Records are
 reviewed periodically by school staff and material no longer required is destroyed in
 accordance with state law.

Student Nondiscrimination (Notice of)

Mountain Empire Unified School District is committed to equal opportunity for all individuals
 in education. District programs and activities shall be free from discrimination based on sex,
 race, color, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any
 other unlawful consideration. The district shall promote programs that ensure that
 discriminatory practices are eliminated in all district activities.

Any student who engages in discrimination against another student or anyone from the district
 may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including expulsion. Any employee who permits
 or engages in discrimination may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including dismissal.

Any student or parent who feels that discrimination has occurred should immediately contact
 a teacher or the principal for resolution at the site.  If not resolved, contact the
 superintendent’s office at (619) 473-9022.

Supplies

    Though not required, parents are asked to provide basic learning supplies for their child. 
 These may include:  pencils; tissues; crayons; colored markers; school-type
 scissors; glue sticks; and organizers.  Each classroom has a specific list.

Technology
   Campo Elementary School policy recognizes the evolving impact of technology
 on education and supports the appropriate use of the district’s wide area network (WAN)
 and the Internet as tools for instruction, research, communication, and data collection. Schools
 will provide a copy of “Network Use Guidelines” to the parent/guardian of each student.
 Students and parents/guardians must sign the “Student Network Responsibility Contract”
 before the student is provided access to the Internet or any district network.

CAMPO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Network Use Guidelines
 

Please read the following carefully. This will give you information about the privileges and responsibilities of using the Internet and district networks as part of your student’s educational experience.

Students will have access to:

a. Electronic mail (e-mail) communication with people all over the world;

b. Information and news from a variety of sources and research institutions;

c. Public domain and shareware software of all types;

d. Discussion groups on a wide variety of topics;

e. Many university libraries, the Library of Congress, and more!

I. Responsibilities. Mountain Empire Unified School District has taken reasonable precautions
to restrict access to “harmful matter” and to materials that do not support
approved educational objectives. However, on a public network it is impossible to
control all materials. “Harmful matter” means matter that, taken as a whole by the
average person applying contemporary statewide standards, describes in a
patently offensive way material which lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or
scientific value for minors (Penal Code, section 3 13).

The teacher/staff will choose resources on the Internet that are appropriate for
classroom instruction and/or research for the needs, maturity, and ability of their
students. Mountain Empire Unified School District takes no responsibility for the accuracy
or quality of information from Internet sources. Use of any information obtained through
the Internet is at the user’s risk.

II. Acceptable Use. The purpose of schools having access to the Internet is to support
research and education in and among academic institutions by providing access to
unique resources and the opportunity for collaborative work. The use of the internet must
be in support of education and research and consistent with the educational objectives
of Mountain Empire Unified School District. Use of another organization’s networks
or computing resources must comply with rules appropriate for that network.

III. Prohibited Use. Transmission of any material in violation of any federal or state law
is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, the distribution of:

a. Any information which violates or infringes upon the rights of any other person;

b. Any defamatory, inappropriate, abusive, obscene, profane, sexually oriented,
threatening, racially offensive, or illegal material;

c. Advertisements, solicitations, commercial ventures, or political lobbying;

d. Any information which encourages the use of controlled substances or the use of the
system for the purpose of inciting crime; and

e. Any material which violates copyright

Any vandalism, unauthorized access, “hacking,” or tampering with hardware of
software, including introducing “viruses” or pirated software, is strictly prohibited
(Penal Code, Section 502).

Warning: Inappropriate use may result in the cancellation of network privileges.