Annual Notices

CIVIL RIGHTS NOTIFICATION

OCR VOC/ED GUIDELINES – Civil Rights Comprehensive Notification for Paola USD 368

In compliance with the Executive Order 11246; Title II of the Education Amendments of 1976; Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; as amended by the Equal Employment Opportunity Act of 1972; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; and all other Federal, State, School rules, laws, regulations, and policies, the Paola Unified School District 368 shall not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, national origin or handicap in the education programs or activities which it operates.
It is the intent of Paola USD 368, Paola, Kansas, to comply with both the letter and spirit of the law in making certain discrimination does not exist in its policies, regulations, and operations. Grievance procedures for Title IX and Section 504 have been established for students, their parents, and employees who feel discrimination has been shown by the local education agency.

Specific complaints of alleged discrimination under Title IX (sex) and Section 504 (handicap) should be referred to:

TITLE IX COORDINATOR:  Matt Meek , Superintendent of Schools, 1115 E. 303rd St., Paola, KS, 66071 - 913 294-8000.
SECTION 504:  Matt Meek, Superintendent of Schools, 1115 E. 303rd St., Paola, KS, 66071 - 913 294-8000.

Title VI, Title IX, and Section 504 complaints can also be filed with the Regional Office for Civil Rights – US Department of Education, Region VII, Office for Civil Rights, One Petticoat Lane, 1010 Walnut St., Suite 320, KCMO 64106; Telephone: 816-268-0550; Fax: 816-268-0599; TTY: 877-521-2172; Email: OCR.KansasCity!ed.gov.

Matt Meek, USD #368 Superintendent, matt_meek@usd368.org. 

Link to Complaint Policy KN.

Matt Meek, Superintendent, USD 368

GOLDEN AGE PASSES

Paola USD 368 will present a Golden Age Activity Pass to residents who live in USD 368’s boundary area and are 65 years of age or older.  For more information, call Paola High School at 913-294-8010.

DRUG/SMOKE-FREE SCHOOLS & WORKPLACE

The use of tobacco in any form is not allowed on USD 368 property, in USD 368 owned/leased/rented vehicles, in contracted school buses or at USD 368 activities at any time, by anyone.
A student shall not knowingly possess, sell, use, transmit, or be under the influence of any narcotic drug, hallucinogenic drug, amphetamine, barbiturate, marijuana, any controlled substance, or alcoholic beverage of any kind:
• On school grounds before, during, or after school;
• On school grounds at any other time when the school is being used;
• Off school grounds during a school function.
Use of a drug authorized by a medical prescription from a registered physician shall not be considered a violation of this rule.  Violation of any provision of this may result in suspension or expulsion.  Use of a drug dog has been authorized by the Board of Education as a part of the drug-free program.

IMMUNIZATIONS/PHYSICALS

Kindergarten students & students entering USD 368 for the first time must have a current immunization record.  All kindergarten students must present a signed physical exam form at the time of enrollment.  Physicals are also required for students involved in sports and for those students new to the district that are 8 years of age or younger.

Immunization Requirements

Physical Assessment Form

For more information, call the Superintendent’s Office at 913-294-8000, or stop by 1115 E. 303rd St., Paola.

FERPA STATEMENT OF RIGHTS

USD 368 respectively informs parents and students that the Family Privacy Act of 1974 applies to our student body.  Student Directory information will be considered public and may be released by USD 368 including, but not limited to, colleges and the military.  A written notice should be filed within 14 days of the publication of this notice in the local newspaper at the Superintendent of Schools’ Office, 1115 E. 303rd St., or the appropriate attendance building if the parent or student wishes to withhold the following Student Directory information:
• The student’s name, address, phone number, date of birth;
• The names of the student’s parents;
• The student’s class designation/grade level;
• The student’s participation in officially recognized activities and sports;
• The weight and height of members of athletic teams;
• The student’s work, degrees, honors, and awards received;
• The student’s photograph;
• Schools/dates of attendance;
• High School student district email address.
Parents and eligible students have the following rights under the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act and this policy;
• The right to inspect and review the student’s education record;
• The right to exercise a limited control over other people’s access to the student’s education record;
• The right to seek to correct the student’s education record in a hearing, if necessary;
• The right to report violations of the FERPA to the United States Department of Education;
• The right to be informed about FERPA rights

HUMAN SEXUALITY & AIDS EDUCATION

Human Sexuality & AIDS Education is required instruction.  Parents or guardians (or students eighteen years of age or older) who do not want their student involved in all, or some, of the classes may obtain an opt-out request form from the principal.  Opt-out requests shall be required annually and are valid for the school year in which they are submitted.

HOMELESS

If your family is homeless, the children have certain rights or protections under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act.

Paola USD 368

Student Acceptable Technology Use Policy (K-12)

(BOE approved 7-26-10)

Paola USD 368 is pleased to offer all students access to district technology to enhance the educational program.  Technology will encompass all electronic media provided by the district.  Access to technology enables students to become better prepared for their future.

Access to resources around the world makes materials available that may not be considered of educational value.  Paola USD 368 realizes it is impossible to control all materials that a student user may discover either accidentally or deliberately.  The benefits to students far outweigh the possibility that users may find material that is not consistent with educational goals of Paola USD 368.

Students must have no expectation of privacy when using district technology.  All information, browser logs, Web pages, and e-mail created by students shall be considered district property, and shall be subject to unannounced monitoring by district administrators or their designees.  The district retains the right to discipline any student, up to and including expulsion, for violations of this policy.  Violation of the District’s Acceptable Use Policy could result in the loss of technology access, as well as other disciplinary or legal actions.  Student users are subject to all local, state, and federal laws.

This Policy is to ensure that the use of district technology is consistent with the district’s stated mission, goals, and objectives.  These terms are provided so students are aware of their responsibilities.   Access is a privilege provided to the students of Paola USD 368—not a right.

Student users are:
• Not to access district blocked web sites
• Not to use district technologies for anything other than prescribed course related academic purposes.
• Expected to act in a responsible, ethical, legal, and polite manner while using district technology.
• Reminded that school policies against sexual harassment and other forms of discriminatory harassment apply equally to communication on school computer systems and other uses of technology.
• Not permitted to provide, transmit, receive, submit, or publish any defamatory, inaccurate, abusive, obscene, profane, sexually oriented, threatening, offensive, or illegal material.
• Not permitted to use any computer resource for commercial purposes, product advertising, political lobbying, or political campaigning.
• Not permitted to tamper physically or electronically with any district technology.
• Expected to know and respect all copyright and intellectual property laws that protect the rights of software owners, artists, and authors.
• Are to log on using only their assigned user name and password.  Using another user’s name or password and/or accessing another user’s folders, is not permitted.
• Expected to understand that any computer application, information, Internet browser logs, or e-mail messages in district computer systems are subject to monitoring by the administration.  The district retains the right to duplicate any information in the system or on any hard drive.
• Not permitted to install or download any software programs on any computer system.
• To understand using any information obtained via the Internet is at the student user’s risk.  The District specifically denies any responsibility for the accuracy or quality of information obtained through its services.
• Not to access the Internet without an approved educational purpose and adult supervision.

Student E-mail
Students may be provided an e-mail account for USD 368 educational purposes only.

Using Student’s Work, Pictures and Names on the Web and in Other District Media
• All Web pages created on the district’s computer system will be subject to treatment as district-sponsored publications and require administrator or teacher designee approval.  Accordingly, the district reserves the right to exercise editorial control over such publications.  All Web pages must be linked to the district Web page and are to be monitored by sponsoring staff and kept reasonably current.
• With administrative approval, student’s pictures, names and works may be used on district web sites and in other district media for promotion and recognition of programs and students.  Student’s home addresses and phone numbers are not to be published on web sites.
• Parents wishing to restrict the use of their student’s name, picture or works are to outline the restrictions below.

Parental Consent & Release Form Print and Broadcast Media, District Website

SCHOOL ACCIDENT INSURANCE

USD #368 does not cover students with life or health insurance.  If your child is injured on school grounds or during a school function or activity, USD #368 is not liable and the student’s family is responsible for handling all related claims and expenses. Accident insurance is available to all students in USD #368.  It is mandatory that every athlete be insured against injury while participating in our athletic program.  A signed statement from the parent indicating that the student has accident or hospitalization insurance with another insurance agency will release that individual from purchasing athletic insurance through the school.  We strongly urge that you consider the program we have to offer this year as in many instances accident or hospitalization policies will not cover all medical expenses as a result of injury.
USD #368 has contracted our current year's athletic programs through Student Assurance Services, Inc.  The policy will provide primary blanket medical insurance.  The plan will be supplemental to any other valid insurance plan and full benefits will be provided for medical eligible expenses unpaid by other insurance sources.   Contact the Athletic Director at Paola High School for offered coverage and premium costs.

2024-2025 Student Insurance Brochure & Enrollment Form

Click here to Enroll & Purchase Student Insurance online