Annual Notice to Parents/Guardians

In compliance with state and federal law, the Hempfield School District will provide to each protected handicapped student, without discrimination or cost to the student or family, those related aids, services, or accommodations, which are needed to provide equal opportunity to participate in, and obtain the benefits of, the school programming to the maximum extent appropriate to the student’s abilities. In order to qualify as a protected handicapped student, the child must be of school age with a physical or mental impairment, which substantially limits or prohibits participation in, or access to, an aspect of the school program.

These services and protections for “protected handicapped students” are distinct from those applicable to all eligible or exceptional students enrolled (or seeking enrollment) in special education programs.

For further information on the evaluation procedures and provision of services to protected handicapped students contact the Director of Special Education, 717-898-5563.

Asbestos Management Plan

In accordance with the EPA’s Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) of 1987 (40 CFR Part 763, Subpart E of the Code of Federal Regulations), school districts are required to give annual notification stating that the Asbestos Management Plan for each building is available for public review.  

This rule requires local education agencies (LEAs) to identify friable and non-friable asbestos containing material (ACM) in public and private elementary and secondary schools by visually inspecting school buildings for such materials, sampling such materials if they are not assumed to be ACM, and having samples analyzed by appropriate techniques referred to in this rule.  

In keeping with this legislation, Hempfield School District is being inspected by EPA accredited inspectors and a comprehensive management plan is being updated for handling asbestos containing building material in a safe and responsible manner. Six-month periodic asbestos surveillances as well as three-year re-inspections will be performed in accordance with AHERA. 

A copy of the asbestos management plan is currently kept in the Facilities/Operations and Maintenance Department. These records are available for review during the normal school business hours.

Integrated Pest Management Notification

The Hempfield School District uses an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach for managing insects, rodents and weeds. Our IPM approach focuses on making the school buildings and grounds an unfavorable habitat for these pests by removing food and water sources and eliminating their hiding and breeding places. We accomplish this through routine cleaning and maintenance and monitoring the school building and grounds to detect any pests or weeds that are present. The pest monitoring team consists of our building custodial, office, and teaching staff. Pest sightings are reported to the facilities department, which evaluates the problem and determines the appropriate pest management techniques to address the problem. The techniques can include increased sanitation, modifying storage practices, sealing entry points, physically removing the pest, etc. 

From time-to-time, it may be necessary to use chemicals to manage a pest problem. Chemicals will only be used when necessary, and will not be routinely applied. When chemicals are used, the district will use the least toxic product possible. Applications will be made only when unauthorized persons do not have access to the area(s) being treated. Notices will be posted in these areas 72 hours prior to application and for two days following the application.

Parents/Guardians of students who have sensitivities to chemicals may request to receive prior notification of specific pesticide applications made at the school. To receive notification, you must be placed on the school’s notification registry. If you would like to be placed on this registry, please contact facilities@hempfieldsd.org to receive a “Request for Notification Before Non-Exempt Pesticide Application.” Exemptions to this notification include disinfectants and antimicrobial products; self-containerized baits placed in areas not accessible to students, and gel-type baits placed in cracks, crevices or voids.

Automated Calling System

Hempfield School District uses an automated calling system for informing parents/guardians of emergency situations, unexpected early dismissals, student absences, and certain health-related information. This system uses the primary phone number for each student as listed in PowerSchool, followed by each student’s emergency contact numbers. If you do not wish to be notified of emergencies or student absences, please contact the Technology Department at 717-898-5596. If a parent/guardian needs to update their phone number for these communications, please contact the child’s school office.

Child Find Notice

In compliance with state and federal laws, notice is given by Hempfield School District that it conducts ongoing identification activities as part of its school program. The purpose of these activities is to identify those students who may be in need of special education and related services. All information gathered about a child is subject to the confidentiality provisions contained in federal and state law. Hempfield School District has policies and procedures that govern the collection, maintenance, destruction, and disclosure to third parties of this information.

Discrimination and Harassment 

The Hempfield School District, an equal opportunity employer, will not discriminate in employment, educational programs, or activities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, ancestry, or physical handicap. Inquiries should be directed to Dr. Tab Musser, Title IX Coordinator, Hempfield School District, 200 Church Street, Landisville, PA 17538. Harassment of students and staff will not be tolerated.

Gifted Education

The Hempfield School District provides gifted education services to school-age students identified as gifted who require these services to reach their potential. In compliance with state and federal law (Chapter 16), notice is hereby given by the Hempfield School District that it conducts ongoing identification activities as a part of its school program for the purpose of identifying students who may be in need of gifted education services. If your child is identified by the school district as possibly in need of such services, you will be notified of applicable procedures.

If you believe that your school-age child may be in need of gifted education services, you may request a screening and evaluation at any time, whether or not your child is enrolled in the school district’s public school program. Requests for evaluation and screening can be made at the individual school or contact the Special Education Office, 717-898-5563.

McKinney-Vento Education of Homeless Children and Youth Assistance Act

The McKinney-Vento Education of Homeless Children and Youth Assistance Act is a federal law that ensures immediate enrollment and educational stability for homeless children and youth. If you would like more information on the how students qualify under this law, please contact the Student Services office, 717-459-9009.

FERPA and Educational Records Notice

Under the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), Hempfield School District may release directory information, student names, addresses and telephone listings, and photos when requested. Additionally, under the federal Every Student Succeeds Act and the National Defense Authorization Act, the District must release directory information, student names, addresses, and telephone listings to military recruiters for recruiting purposes and college scholarships offered by the military upon request. If parents/guardians do not wish this directory information to be released, they must notify the building principal in writing regarding their wishes.  Your written notice must identify the specific types of directory information that you do not want the district to disclose without consent.

Board Policy 216, Education Records, covers how and what information the District can share.  Section 4 of this policy allows the District to disclose personally identifiable information concerning a student to an educational agency or institution at which the student seeks to enroll, intends to enroll, or is enrolled, or from which the student receives services, when that agency or institution requests such records, as long as the disclosure is for purposes related to the student’s enrollment or transfer.  Additionally, this section allows school officials with a legitimate educational interest to have access to personally identifiable information without parent or student consent.  In Section 1 of this policy, the District designates those persons who have a “legitimate educational interest” that would allow such access to education records.

Section 3 of Policy 216 describes how a parent or a student who has attained the age of 18 can request that records be amended.  This section also describes in detail the right of the parent or eligible student to request a hearing to challenge a decision by the District not to amend records that the parent or student believes are inaccurate, misleading, or in violation of the student’s right to privacy.

Student Policies and Handbooks

Hempfield School District policies and handbooks can be found on our website using the following quick links. The Responsible Use Policy is found under School Board Policy 815.

District Policies: hempfieldsd.org/policy

Student Handbooks: www.hempfieldsd.org/handbooks

Extracurricular Activities: hempfieldsd.org/activities

Photography Notice 

Photographs and videos of students may be used for classroom projects, the district website or social media channels, in our print publications, and for other school-related purposes. If you do not wish your child to be photographed, please submit written notice to your child’s school. Parents/Guardians will be notified in advance of individual student interviews that are coordinated by the district for external media organizations or any other situations where an outside organization may be taking photographs of specific students. Public events such as athletics and concerts are not covered by this policy. Photos posted on our websites and social media accounts will not contain student names, unless such student is being identified as the recipient of an award or honored for an achievement.

Testing for Lead in Drinking Water

Under Act 39 of 2018, schools may, but are not required to, test for lead levels annually in the drinking water of any facility where children attend school.

REQUIREMENTS FOR SCHOOLS CHOOSING NOT TO TEST DRINKING WATER
If a school chooses not to test for lead levels, then the school must discuss lead issues in school facilities at a public meeting once a year. This meeting may be a stand-alone meeting or part of an existing public meeting (such as a school board meeting).

SCHOOLS WITH ELEVATED LEAD LEVELS
If a school tests for lead levels in their drinking water and finds lead levels in excess of the EPA’s current action level of 15 ppb, the school must immediately implement a plan to ensure that no child or adult is exposed to lead contaminated drinking water and provide alternate sources of drinking water. Resources on testing for lead and remedies for elevated lead levels are outlined below.

As required by Act 39 of 2018, beginning in the 2018-19 school year and every year thereafter, elevated lead levels must be reported to the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) and will be posted on PDE’s website. Questions can be sent to the PDE Office for Safe Schools at RA-EDSAFESCHOOLSREP@pa.gov.