Gates Chili High School

The Gates Chili Central School District complies with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and provides access to parents/guardians of students under the age of 18 to their student’s school records. A student 18 or older has access to their own school records. Parents/guardians and eligible students wishing to gain access to student records need to contact the appropriate school for further information.

Approved vendors, along with their privacy policies, are maintained on the ClassLink Public Portal.

Gates Chili Central School District is required to maintain a list of asbestos management plans, current or planned asbestos inspections, response actions and post-response actions in accordance to the Asbestos Hazardous Emergency Response Act (AHERA). A copy of the GCCSD AHERA Management Plan is available for review in the administration building.

A record of attendance is maintained for each student registered in the district. Parents/guardians are asked to ensure regular attendance for their child(ren) as excessive absences can interfere with the educational progress of the student. The Gates Chili Central School District recognizes the importance of vacations to families and provides several recesses throughout the school year to accommodate this need. However, when students are absent from school due to extended family vacations, important instructional time is lost and may be difficult to make up. Therefore, the district discourages vacations which would cause students to be absent from school.

If it becomes necessary for a student to be absent from school due to illness or for other reasons, it is the parent/guardian’s responsibility to report the absence via phone during the first hour that school is in session. Students are required to provide documentation regarding their absence on the day they return to school. The note or email should be signed or sent by a parent/guardian and should include the date and reason for the absence. Students who have been absent from school due to illness should not participate in school-related activities on the day(s) of illness.

Absences, tardy arrivals and early departures will be categorized in one of two ways:

• Excused: an absence, tardy arrival or early departure due to personal illness, illness or death in the family, impassable roads due to inclement weather, religious observance, quarantine, required court appearances, attendance at health clinics, approved college visits, approved cooperative work programs, military obligations or other such reasons as may be approved by the board of education
• Unexcused: an absence, tardy arrival or early departure that does not fall into the above categories (e.g., family vacation, hunting, babysitting, haircut, obtaining learner’s permit, road test, oversleeping)

Any absence for which an excuse is not submitted within five (5) school days after the student returns will be considered unexcused. Upon returning to school following a properly-excused absence, tardy arrival or early departure, it is the responsibility of the student to consult with their teacher(s) regarding arrangements to make up missed work, assignments and/or tests in accordance with the time schedule specified by the teacher. A student is truant if they were absent from the school building and/or scheduled instruction without permission of their parent/guardian. Truancy will not be tolerated and truant students will be subject to disciplinary measures.

Section 409-l of the New York Education Law, which became effective January 17, 2017, requires every public school in New York State (including charter schools) to post in English and in Spanish the toll-free telephone number operated by the New York State Office of Child and Family Services ("OCFS") to receive reports of child abuse or neglect, and directions for accessing the OCFS website.  That telephone number is 1-800-342-3720.

La Sección 409-l de la Ley de Educación de Nueva York, que entró en vigor el 17 de enero de 2017, obliga a todas las escuelas públicas del Estado de Nueva York (incluidas las escuelas autónomas) a publicar en inglés y en español el número de teléfono gratuito de Nueva York Oficina Estatal de Servicios para Niños y Familias ("OCFS") para recibir reportes de abuso o negligencia infantil, e instrucciones para acceder al sitio web de OCFS. Ese número de teléfono es 1-800-342-3720.

The Gates Chili Central School District Board of Education is committed to providing a safe and orderly school environment where students may receive, and district personnel may deliver, quality educational services without disruption or interference. Responsible behavior by students, teachers, other district personnel, parents and other visitors is essential to achieving this goal. The Board of Education has clearly defined these expectations for acceptable conduct on school property in the BOE-adopted Code of Conduct and Character. The district’s complete Code of Conduct and Character is available for review at each building’s main office, as well as the Code of Conduct and Support section of the district website.

New York State’s Dignity for All Students Act (The Dignity Act) seeks to provide the state’s public elementary and secondary school students with a safe and supportive environment free from discrimination, intimidation, taunting, harassment and bullying on school property, a school bus and/or at a school function. In addition, the Dignity Act prohibits harassment, bullying and/or discrimination that occurs off school property where such acts create or would foreseeably create a risk of substantial disruption within the school environment, where it is foreseeable that such acts might reach school property. This also includes cyberbullying, which is defined as harassment or bullying which occurs through any form of electronic communication.

The Dignity Act protects against all forms of harassment, particularly those based on a student’s actual or perceived race; color; weight; national origin; ethnic group; religion or religious practice; mental or physical ability; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; or sex. Additionally, the district creates the foundation for a positive school culture through classroom curriculum on diversity, sensitivity, civility and citizenship, and professional development on culturally-responsive teaching. In accordance with the Dignity Act, the district will take necessary steps to address matters related to harassment, bullying and/or discrimination of students.

If you have questions/concerns related to suspected harassment, bullying and/or discrimination of students or if you wish to make a report, please visit the DASA section of the district website.

The district will comply with requests from military recruiters and institutions of higher education for access to the name, address and telephone listing of each secondary school student, except for any student whose parent/guardian (or the student, if they are at least 18 years of age) has submitted a written request to opt out of this disclosure. To opt out of information disclosure to the military or higher education institutions, submit a written opt-out request to the Gates Chili High School Main Office, 1 Spartan Way, Rochester, NY 14624.

In the event of inclement weather or an emergency, the district website at www.gateschili.org will show emergency school closing information. A mass notification call will be sent to families. For more details or ensure you receive these calls, update your contact information here.

The annual fire safety inspection report is available at the Operations Center. Please contact Anna Lamb, Director of Construction and Safety Compliance at (585) 247-5050 ext. 13100.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) requires that each year, Gates Chili Central School District workers and building occupants receive notification of asbestos removal or abatement activities such as a response action or inspection (EPA 40 CFR § 763 Subpart E).

This communication serves to inform all parents, legal guardians, teachers, administrators and all other employees that the six-month periodic surveillance of asbestos at all buildings as required by AHERA was performed in August 2019. The three-year reinspection, also required by law, was performed in July of 2016 by a fully accredited Asbestos Inspector from the Genesee Valley Educational Partnership Health, Safety, Risk Management Office. All asbestos-containing materials that remain are in good condition and are located in primarily in inaccessible areas. The next three-year reinspection will be due in July of 2022. Updated asbestos management plans for each school building are available for review in the Facilities Department Office and the main office of each building.

Each building will continue to have a six-month periodic surveillance and a three-year reinspection as required by AHERA. All abatement projects have been and will continue to be performed by New York State and EPA approved asbestos abatement contractors. Any questions regarding asbestos removal should be directed to Anna Lamb, Director of Construction and Safety Compliance.

Child Find is a continuous process of public awareness activities, screening and evaluation designed to locate, identify, and refer children with disabilities and their families who are in need of Preschool or School-Age Special Education Services through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). These Child Find provisions extend to all resident and non-resident students attending schools within the District’s geographic boundaries. If you believe that your student may be a child with a disability, please contact Jason deJong, Assistant Superintendent for Student Support Services, at (585) 247-5050.

Updating your student's medical records, scheduling grade level physicals, and making sure that your student has received their immunizations is important to ensure the health and safety of the Gates Chili learning environment. New York State Law requires all students to present proof of immunizations before being allowed to attend school. This year, New York State made changes to its immunization requirements. The district requires that proof of immunizations be presented before the first day of school. Students who do not provide proper proof of immunization will not be permitted to continue to attend school. Contact your student's physician immediately to ensure that your child receives the required immunizations prior to the start of school. An up-to-date copy of those immunizations must be presented to your student's school health office.

If a student should become ill during the school day, a school nurse is available in the health office of each building and can administer first aid treatment. If necessary, the nurse will notify the parent of person designated to be contacted in case of an emergency. The district's medical director is also available districtwide to provide health related support.

The school nurse is responsible for administering any internal medications to students. A written request from the parent or guardian is necessary before the nurse can administer the medication; a written order from the attending physician must also be on file in the school’s health office. The medication must then be delivered directly to the nurse by the parent, in the original prescription bottle, locked in a secure place in the health office, and administered only in the health office. 

The Gates Chili Central School District does not discriminate on the basis of an individual's actual or perceived race, color, religion, creed, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, age, marital status, partnership status, disability, predisposing genetic characteristics, sexual orientation, gender (sex), military status, veteran status, domestic violence victim status or political affiliation, and additionally does not discriminate against students on the basis of weight, gender identity, gender expression, and religious practices or any other basis prohibited by New York State and/or federal non-discrimination laws in employment or its programs and activities. The district provides equal access to community and youth organizations. Inquiries regarding the district's non-discrimination policies should be directed to:

Civil Rights Compliance Officers:

Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources and Labor Relations (primary)
Coordinator of Recruitment, Hiring and Retention (secondary)

Gates Chili Central School District
1 Spartan Way
Rochester, New York 14624

585-247-5050

civilrightscompliance@gateschili.org

The Gates Chili Central School District is committed to ensuring student privacy and recognizes that parents, legal guardians, and persons with a parental relationship to a student are entitled to certain rights with regard to their child’s personally identifiable information, as defined by Education Law 2-d. To this end, the District is providing the following Parent’s Bill of Rights for Data Privacy and Security:

1. A student’s personally identifiable information cannot be sold or released for any commercial purposes. The term “student” refers to any person attending or seeking to enroll in an educational agency, and the term “personally identifiable information” (“PII”) uses the definition provided in FERPA. Under FERPA, personally identifiable information or PII includes, but is not limited to:
   1. The student’s name;
   2. The name of the student’s parent/guardian or other family members;
   3. The address of the student or student’s family;
   4. A personal identifier, such as the student’s social security number, student number, or biometric record;
   5. Other indirect identifiers, such as the student’s date of birth, place of birth, and mother’s maiden name;
   6. Other information that, alone or in combination, is linked or linkable to a specific student that would allow a reasonable person in the school community, who does not have personal knowledge of the relevant circumstances, to identify the student with reasonable certainty; or
   7. Information requested by a person who the educational agency or institution reasonably believes knows the identity of the student to whom the education record relates;
2. Parents have the right to inspect and review the complete contents of their child’s education record;
3. State and federal laws protect the confidentiality of personally identifiable information, and safeguards associated with industry standards and best practices, including but not limited to, encryption, firewalls, and password protection, must be in place when data is stored or transferred;
4. A complete list of all student data elements collected by the State is available for public review at http://www.p12.nysed.gov/irs/sirs/documentation/NYSEDstudentData.xlsx or by writing to the Office of Information & Reporting Services, New York State Education Department, Room 863 EBA, 89 Washington Avenue, Albany, New York 12234;
5. Parents have the right to have complaints about possible breaches of student data addressed. Complaints should be directed in writing, to:
   1. Chief Privacy Officer
      New York State Education Department
      Room 863 EBA
      89 Washington Avenue
      Albany, New York 12234
      
      Or
       
   2. Gates Chili Central School District Data Protection Officer
      Jeffrey McKinney, Director of Technology
      Gates Chili Central School District
      1 Spartan Way
      Rochester, NY 14624

The Gates Chili Central School District is required to maintain a list of persons in parental relation, faculty, staff and community members who wish to receive 48-hour written notification prior to certain pesticide applications. If you would like to receive notification of pesticide applications that are scheduled to occur, please send your request to Anna Lamb, Director of Construction and Safety Compliance.

Physical examinations are state-mandated in kindergarten, grades 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11 and for eligibility to participate in interscholastic sports. A health certificate signed by a duly licensed New York State physician must be provided to the Health Office for new entrants to the district or for any student entering in any of the above grades. Health appraisals need to be presented within 30 days of entry. They are valid for 12 months, through the last day of the month in which the physical was completed. It is recommended that students have their annual physical with their primary medical doctor since that person knows the student’s health and medical history the best. Physical examinations are also available at school free of charge, if necessary. Examinations are conducted by the school physician/nurse practitioner on selected days during the school year.

The New York State Education Department requires certain screening exams at certain ages or grades of students as listed to the right. The New York State Department of Health also requires that your private health care provider reports and the school district collects information on your student’s Body Mass Index (BMI) and Weight Status Category (WSC). You may fulfill these legal obligations by having your personal physician conduct the screening exams privately and then notifying the school nurse not to do the examinations. You will then present your student’s private certificates to the school prior to screening dates. The administration may grant a religious exemption for screening exams of families with a sincerely held religious belief. Please contact the nurse for information about how to apply for a religious exemption. If you have not provided a certificate or notified the nurse of your plan to have the screenings done privately by the time the nurse conducts the school screenings, the district will follow NYS Education Department mandates and will conduct the screening as scheduled. Please communicate regularly with your school nurse to avoid confusion.

The following screening evaluations are conducted by the school nurse who will advise you of any concerns:

1. Distance visual acuity and near visual acuity for all new entrants and for students in kindergarten, grades 1, 3, 5, 7 and 11 and at any other time deemed appropriate.
2. Color perception for all new entrants within six months of entrance.
3. Hearing acuity for all new entrants and for those in kindergarten, grades 1, 3, 5, 7 and 11 and at any other time deemed essential.
4. Scoliosis screening (curvature of the spine) for girls in grades 5 and 7 and for boys in grade 9.

The Gates Chili Central School District believes one of the most important ways to help students perform better in their classrooms is to provide them with the nutrition necessary for the healthy growth of their minds and bodies. A well-nourished student will generally have better attendance, be more attentive and have more energy to take on the day’s activities.

The School Nutrition Program provides tasty, nutritious and reasonably priced breakfasts and lunches to both students and staff. Gates Chili CSD participates in the Federal Child Nutrition Program. We encourage families to complete the Income Eligibility Form available on the district website or in district’s school nutrition office at Gates Chili Middle School, 2 Spartan Way, Rochester, NY 14624. Applications are accepted throughout the school year. Please submit forms as soon as possible for processing.

In accordance with the federal law, the district is required to provide parents/guardians,, upon request, with specific information about the professional qualifications of their children’s classroom teachers and teaching assistants. If a parent/guardian wishes to file such a request, they may do so by contacting the building principal.

The Gates Chili Central School District is committed to ensuring student privacy and recognizes that parents/ guardians are entitled to certain rights with regard to their student’s personally identifiable-information (PII), in accordance with Education Law 2-d and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

• Data Privacy: As part of its commitment to maintaining the privacy and security of student data under Ed Law 2-d, the district will take steps to minimize its collection, processing, and transmission of PII. Information pertaining to this policy is published on the district website in the Parent’s Bill of Rights for Data Privacy and Security. For questions about data privacy or Ed Law 2-d, click here or contact the District Data Protection Officer, Jeffrey McKinney, Director of Technology.
• Directory Information, Photographs and Video: FERPA generally requires that the district obtain written consent prior to disclosing PII to persons other than those with a legitimate educational interest. The district may, however, disclose directory information for limited purposes without written consent. Directory information is information that would not generally be considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if disclosed. The district defines directory information to include only the following: name, dates of attendance, photograph/image, grade level, participation in officially-recognized activities and awards/ honors received. If you do not want the district to disclose this type of information, you must notify the district in writing. Opt-out requests can be sent via email to communications@gateschili.org or by mail to Iva Petrosino, Executive Director of Communications and Community Engagement,1 Spartan Way, Rochester, NY 14624. Please include the student’s full name, school and grade level in the opt-out request. This opt-out request will remain in effect for one school year.

Please note: if your student performs in a school play, in a sporting event or a concert open to the school community and or the public, the district has no control over photographs or videos taken by the media, other parents or community members in attendance.