JCS, Inc.

ANNUAL NOTIFICATION

JCS, Inc. is required to annually notify pupils, parents, and guardians of their rights and responsibilities, pursuant to California Education Code (EC) 48980.

An acknowledgment of receipt of this notice must be signed by the parent or guardian and returned to the school as required by EC 48982.

JCS, Inc.

JCS-Cedar Cove

1221 Encinitas Blvd. Encinitas, CA 92024

JCS-LIVE

1704 Cape Horn Ave. Julian, CA 92036

JCS-Manzanita

5150 Jackson Dr. La Mesa, CA 91942

JCS-Mountain Oaks

539 Encinitas Dr. Encinitas 92024

JCS-Pine Hills

29141 Vallejo Ave. Temecula, CA 92592

JCS-Pine Valley

28876 Old Hwy 80 Pine Valley, CA 91962

760-765-5500

jcs-inc.org

Dear Students, Parents and Guardians,

State law requires JCS, Inc. to provide annual notification to students, parents and guardians of their rights and responsibilities pertaining to their child’s education. Please read this Annual Notification. The parent or guardian is required to acknowledge their receipt of this notice by signing and returning the signature page to their child’s school or JCS, Inc. The parent’s or guardian’s signature is an acknowledgment that they have been informed of their rights and does not indicate the parent’s or guardian’s consent for their child to participate or not participate in any particular program listed within the Annual Notification.

Some legislation requires additional notification to the parents or guardians during the school term prior to a specific activity. A separate letter will be sent to the parents or guardians prior to any of these specified activities or classes, and the student will be excused whenever the parents or guardians file with the principal of the school a statement in writing requesting that their child not participate. Other legislation grants certain rights that are to be spelled out in this Annual Notification.

JCS, Inc. and its Board recognize that parent or guardian involvement in their child’s education promotes student achievement and contributes greatly to the student’s success. This Annual Notification contains information on the various ways parental involvement is both permitted and encouraged by federal and state laws, as well as JCS, Inc.’s policies. JCS, Inc. commits to providing a quality education to all of its students in a safe and healthy environment. JCS, Inc. looks forward to a successful and positive school year, made possible by the dedicated efforts of its administrators, teachers, paraeducators, support staff, students, and parents and guardians.

Please read this Annual Notification carefully and return the signed forms to your student’s school or JCS, Inc. as soon as possible.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Cauzza

Executive Director

JCS, Inc.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Academic Program	7

Advanced Placement Exam Fees	7

Apprenticeship & Preapprenticeship Programs	7

California Healthy Youth Act	7

College Admission Requirements	9

Course Prospectus	11

Course Selection & Career Counseling	11

Dual Enrollment or IB Courses	11

Exemption from Harmful or Destructive Use of Animals	11

Exemption from Health Instruction	11

Homework Policy	12

Participation in Statewide Assessments	12

Screening for Reading Difficulties	12

Student Financial Aid for College	13

Transfer of Coursework & Credits	13

Mathematics Placement Policy	15

Participation in Assessments	15

School Accreditation	15

English Learner Program	15

Identification and Assessment	15

Language Acquisition Program	16

Equity & Access	17

Educational Equity: Immigration and Citizenship Status	17

Married, Pregnant, and Parenting Students	18

Nondiscrimination in Programs & Activities	19

Nondiscrimination in Child Nutrition Programs	20

Rights of Foster Youth	21

Rights of Students Experiencing Homelessness	21

Safe Place to Learn Act	22

Section 504	23

Sexual Harassment Policy	24

Special Education	26

Student Fees	29

Title IX: Sex Equity in Education Act	29

Sex Equity in Career Counseling and Course Selection	31

Uniform Complaint Procedures	31

Williams Complaint Policy and Procedures	33

Children of Military Families and Other Protected Pupils	34

Pupil Collection of Debt	35

Graduation Ceremonies and Activities	36

Health & Wellness	36

Access to Student Mental Health Services	36

Administration of Prescribed Medication	37

Consent to Physical Examination	38

HPV Immunization	38

Immunizations and Communicable Diseases	38

Medical and Hospital Services	40

Oral Health Assessment	40

School Meals	40

Type 1 Diabetes	41

Type 2 Diabetes	42

Water Consumption	44

Menstrual Equity for All Act	44

Parent & Family Engagement	45

Investing for Future Education	45

Parent and Family Engagement Policy	45

Professional Qualifications	45

Rights of Parents	46

School Accountability Report Card	46

Student Wellness Policy	47

Custody Issues	47

Surveys	47

School Visiting Procedures	47

Disruption in Public School or Meeting	48

Illegal Recording of Confidential Communication	48

Safety & Well-being	48

Asbestos Management Plan	48

Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting	48

Dangers of Synthetic Drugs	49

Employee Interactions with Students	49

Fingerprinting Program	50

Megan's Law/Sex Offenders	50

Open Campus	50

Pesticide Products	50

Safe Storage of Fire Arms	51

Tobacco-Free Campus	51

Unsafe School Choice	52

Comprehensive School Safety Plan	52

Walking or Riding a Bike to School	52

Sun Protective Clothing/Use of Sunscreen	52

Cyber Sexual Bullying	52

Dangerous Objects	52

Pupil Safety: Human Trafficking Prevention Resources	52

Pupil Suicide Prevention Policies	53

Bullying and Harassment Prevention Information	53

School Attendance	54

Absence Due to Confidential Medical Services	54

School Calendar	54

Students with Temporary Disabilities	54

School Start Time	55

Student Behavior	55

Assignments & Tests During Suspension	55

Discipline Rules	55

Grounds for Suspension and Expulsion	56

Involvement of Law Enforcement	58

Property Loss or Damage	58

Suspension from School	58

Reporting Threats	58

Liability of Parent or Guardian for Willful Pupil Misconduct	59

Duty Concerning Conduct of Pupils	59

Dress Code/Gang Apparel	59

Student Records	60

Access By Military Recruiters	60

Access to Student Records	60

Cal Grant Program	61

California College Guidance Initiative (CCGI)	61

Challenging Student Records	62

Directory Information	62

Duplication of Student Records	63

Maintenance of Student Records	63

Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment	64

Student Records for Marketing (Disclosure of Student Information)	65

Electronic Products or Services that Disseminate Advertising	65

Medical Record Sharing	65

Technology	66

Internet Safety and Acceptable Use of Technology	66

Use of JCS Technology	67

Use of Mobile Communication Devices	67

Electronic Signaling Device	67

Posting	68

Website	68

School Sites	68

Academic Program

Advanced Placement Exam Fees

Advanced placement (AP) courses provide rigorous academic coursework opportunities for high school students. The successful completion of AP courses and the subsequent AP examinations, which are conducted by the College Board and for which college credit is awarded, provide a cost-effective means for high school students to obtain college-level coursework experience.

Any economically disadvantaged student who is enrolled in an AP course may apply to the School Principal of High School Counsellor to cover the costs of AP examination fees.

Apprenticeship & Preapprenticeship Programs

Apprenticeships have the opportunity to offer students the chance for a steady and stable job in a number of growing fields. Many of these experiences lead to well-paying careers. Apprenticeship is a system of training in a trade or profession that combines both classroom study and on-the-job training. Registered preapprenticeship programs prepare individuals to enter and succeed in registered apprenticeship programs; they expand the participant’s career pathway opportunities with industry-based training coupled with classroom instruction.

Students may search by county and occupation and find out about a program’s requirements (e.g., minimum age, educational and physical requirements, testing, English proficiency) by visiting the website of the California Department of Industrial Relations, Division of Apprenticeship Standards.

California Healthy Youth Act

In accordance with the California Healthy Youth Act (CHYA), students enrolled in the JCS schools may receive integrated, comprehensive, medically accurate, and unbiased sexual health and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention education at least once in middle school and once in high school. CHYA is intended to ensure that students in grades 7-12 are provided with the knowledge and skills necessary to protect them from risks presented by HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, pregnancy, sexual harassment, sexual assault, sexual abuse, and human trafficking and to have healthy, positive, and safe relationships and behaviors. It also promotes students’ understanding of sexuality as a normal part of human development, and their development of healthy attitudes and behaviors concerning adolescent growth and development, menstrual health, body image, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, relationships, marriage, and family.

Students will be taught by JCS, Inc. personnel. If JCS, Inc. decides to arrange for an outside consultant to provide comprehensive sexual health education and/or HIV prevention education, JCS, Inc. will provide notice to parents no fewer than 14 days before the instruction is delivered by mail or another form of communication.

Notice to advise parents/guardians of their rights, as follows, will be given. If arrangements for this instruction are made after the beginning of the school year, notice will be provided by mail or another commonly used method of notification, no fewer than 14 days before the instruction is delivered.

Parents have the right to:

Inspect the written and audiovisual educational materials used in the comprehensive sexual health and HIV prevention education.

Request in writing that their child not receive comprehensive sexual health or HIV prevention education, or participate in research on student health behaviors and risks. When a parent does not permit their child to receive such education, the child may not be subject to disciplinary action, academic penalty, or other sanction.

Request a copy of EC 51930-51939, the California Healthy Youth Act.

Be informed whether comprehensive sexual health or HIV prevention education will be taught by district personnel or outside consultants. When the District chooses to use outside consultants or to hold an assembly with guest speakers to teach comprehensive sexual health or HIV prevention education, be informed of:

The date of the instruction

The name of the organization or affiliation of each guest speaker

The right to receive a copy of EC 51933, 51934, and 51938

Written and audiovisual educational materials used in comprehensive sexual health education and HIV prevention education are available for inspection.

Whether the comprehensive sexual health education or HIV prevention education will be taught by JCS personnel or by outside consultants, and may hold an assembly to deliver comprehensive sexual health education or HIV prevention education by guest speakers, but if it elects to provide comprehensive sexual health education or HIV prevention education in either of these manners, the notice shall include the date of the instruction, the name of the organization or affiliation of each guest speaker, and information stating the right of the parent or guardian to request a copy of . If arrangements for this instruction by consultants are made after the beginning of the school year, notice shall be made by mail or another commonly used method of notification, no fewer than 14 days before the instruction is delivered.

The parent has the right to request a copy of the California Healthy Youth Act Education Code section 51930, et. seq.

The parent or guardian has the right to excuse their child from comprehensive sexual health education and HIV prevention education, and that in order to excuse their child, they must state their request in writing to the school district.

JCS, Inc. may administer for pupils in grades 7 to 12 inclusive, anonymous, voluntary, and confidential research and evaluation tools to measure pupils’ health behaviors and risks, including tests, questionnaires, and surveys containing age-appropriate questions about the pupil’s attitudes concerning or practices relating to sex. A parent or guardian may excuse their child from the test, questionnaire, or survey by opting out of their student’s participation in the tests, questionnaires, or surveys. An opt-out form is provided within these notifications. Parents or guardians have a right review the test, questionnaire, or survey if they wish.

The excused pupil shall not be subject to disciplinary action, academic penalty, or other sanction if the pupil's parent or guardian declines to permit the pupil to receive comprehensive sexual health education or HIV prevention education or to participate in anonymous, voluntary, and confidential tests, questionnaires, or surveys on pupil health behaviors and risks.

While comprehensive sexual health education, HIV prevention education, or anonymous, voluntary, and confidential test, questionnaire, or survey on pupil health behaviors and risks is being administered, an alternative educational activity shall be made available to pupils whose parents or guardians have requested that they not receive the instruction or participate in the test, questionnaire, or survey.

California Proficiency Program

The California Proficiency Program (CPP), which replaced the California High School Proficiency Exam, utilizes the State Board of Education approved HiSET® subtests for language arts and mathematics to measure proficiency. Eligible students may take the CPP with paper-pencil or on a computer at a testing center, or at home, online, with live proctoring. (Note: Paper-pencil tests are only available at testing centers). Tests are offered in English and Spanish.

HiSET-Proficiency is the first test in the new CCP. To prepare for it, students can visit the HiSET Test Prep Resource webpage to access study prep materials. Also provided on the vendors’ webpages are a list of testing accommodations, test specifications, and testing locations.

Upon successfully passing the language arts and mathematics subtests, the student will earn a Certificate of Proficiency issued by the State Board of Education, which is the same legal equivalent to a California-issued high school diploma. The student may then choose to remain in high school or exit high school with parent permission to begin attending higher education or start their career. If the student exits high school, the student may also choose to take the remaining HiSET-Equivalency subtests in science and social studies to earn their California High School Equivalency Certificate, which opens more doors than the Certificate of Proficiency alone.

Students must meet both of the following criteria to be eligible to take a proficiency test:

The student must meet one of the following:

16 years of age or older; or

Enrolled in grade 10 for one school year or longer; or

Will complete one school year of enrollment in grade 10 at the end of the semester during which the next regular exam will be conducted.

The student must be currently subject to California’s compulsory education laws, which may be evidenced by one of the following:

Current enrollment in a California public high school; or

Current enrollment in a private school (registered by filing a private school affidavit with CDE, which includes students who are homeschooled); or

Current work permit issued by the Department of Industrial Relations Division to a student currently working in California, provided that the student is either receiving tutoring or enrolled in an independent study program to accommodate the student’s work schedule.

For more information, visit the CDE website at https://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/cp.asp.

College Admission Requirements

For students who wish to continue their education after high school, the State of California offers community colleges, California State Universities (CSU), and Universities of California (UC).

California community colleges are required to admit any California resident or nonresident possessing a high school diploma or the equivalent, or anyone over the age of 18 without a high school diploma or the equivalent who is capable of profiting from the instruction offered.

To qualify for admission into a UC/CSU school, a student must, at minimum, complete 15 college-preparatory courses (referred to as the “A-G” courses) with a letter grade of “C” or better. Students may also meet the A-G requirement by completing college courses or earning certain scores on various acceptable exams. Applicants must have graduated from high school and have received a high school diploma. Some schools have higher standards or additional admission criteria, such as a minimum grade point average (GPA). Students may also transfer to a CSU or UC after attending community college.

A school district offering any of grades 9 to 12, inclusive, shall provide to the parent or guardian of each minor pupil enrolled in any of those grades in the district with written notification that, to the extent possible, shall not exceed one page in length and that includes all of the following:

(1) A brief explanation of the college admission requirements.

(2) A list of the current University of California and California State University Web sites that help pupils and their families learn about college admission requirements and that list high school courses that have been certified by the University of California as satisfying the requirements for admission to the University of California and the California State University.

(3) A brief description of what career technical education is, as defined by the department.

(4) The Internet address for the portion of the Web site of the department where pupils can learn more about career technical education.

(5) Information about how pupils may meet with school counselors to help them choose courses at their school that will meet college admission requirements or enroll in career technical education courses, or both.

Information pertaining to college admission requirements, information about University of California and California State University websites, information about technical information and the availability of school counselors to help students in choosing appropriate high school courses can be found online on the JCS-Inc. Academic Counseling page.

CaliforniaColleges.edu is California’s official college and career planning platform. It is a one-stop shop for all the tools students need to set goals for life after high school and make plans to achieve them. The platform also serves as a crucial component of the state’s new Cradle-to-Career (C2C) Data System tools for students and parents. The following websites also provide additional information and resources:

hs-articulation.ucop.edu – allows search of high school courses that have been certified by the UC as satisfying the requirements for admission to the UC/CSU.

cccco.edu – offers links to all the community colleges in California.

assist.org – provides course transfer information for students planning to transfer from a California Community College to a CSU or UC.

calstate.edu – offers assistance to students and their families on the CSU system, including the ability to apply online, and links to all CSU campuses.

universityofcalifornia.edu – offers information regarding admissions, online application, and links to all UC campuses.

Students will have the opportunity to meet with their assigned school counselor to get help with choosing courses that will meet college admission requirements and/or enroll in career technical education (CTE) courses. A CTE program of study involves a multiyear sequence of courses that integrates core academic knowledge with technical and occupational knowledge to provide students with a pathway to postsecondary education and careers. For more information about CTE visit: www.cde.ca.gov/ci/ct.

JCS, Inc. does not currently allow a career technical education course to satisfy the visual/performing arts or world language graduation requirement. More information about high school graduation requirements and how each requirement satisfies or does not satisfy the subject matter requirements for admission to the California State University and the University of California, can be found online on the JCS-Inc. Academic Counseling page.

Course Prospectus

At least once every year, JCS Inc. compiles a prospectus (or course catalog) that provides the curriculum, including titles, descriptions, and instructional aims of every course offered by its schools. The prospectus shall be made available upon request by parent or guardian.

To review the prospectus or to obtain a copy of it, contact the school’s High School Counsellor. The school may charge for the prospectus an amount not to exceed the cost of duplication.

Course Selection & Career Counseling

A school counselor, teacher, instructor, administrator, or aide shall not offer vocational or school program guidance to a student or, in counseling a student, differentiate career, vocational, or higher education opportunities, on the basis of the student’s sex. Any school personnel acting in a career counseling or course selection capacity to a student shall explore with the student the possibility of careers, or courses leading to careers, that are nontraditional for that student’s sex. Parents of students in grades 7-12 are encouraged to participate in such counseling sessions and decisions. Contact your school’s High School Counsellor for details.

Dual Enrollment or IB Courses

Dual Enrollment partnerships are available for JCS students on an ongoing basis. Dual Enrollment opportunities and application instruction are promoted prior to the start of the semester by school principals and high school counsellors via ParentSquare message, email, and flyer. Contact your school’s High School Counsellor for details or if you have any questions.

The JCS schools do not offer IB Courses.

Exepmtion from Harmful or Destructive Use of Animals

Pupils may choose to refrain from participating in educational projects involving the harmful or destructive use of animals based on moral objections and may complete an alternative educational project acceptable to the teacher. In order to refrain from participation, a parent or guardian must submit a written note of the objections to participating in an educational project involving the harmful or destructive use of animals. An opt-out form is provided here.

When a student chooses to refrain from participation in an educational project involving the harmful or destructive use of animals, the teacher may work with the student to develop and agree upon an alternate project, if such project is possible, so that the student may still obtain the knowledge, information, or experience required for the course. The alternative project shall require a comparable time and effort invested by the student – it shall not be more difficult than the original education project as a means to penalize the student. Students choosing an alternative educational project shall pass all exams for the course in order to receive credit; however, if the test requires the harmful or destructive use of animals, the student may, similarly, request an alternative test. No student shall be discriminated against based upon their decision to exercise these rights.

Exemption from Health Instruction

The JCS schools are required to teach certain health-related topics. If any part of a school’s instruction in health conflicts with the religious training and beliefs, including personal and moral convictions of the student’s parent, the student’s parent may submit a written request to the principal or designee to excuse the student from that part of the instruction.

Homework Policy

Homework guidelines are program specific and they will be provided in the Parent Handbook for the enrolled JCS program.

Participation in Statewide Assessments

The California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) is a system that includes a number of assessments that are administered each spring to students in specified grade levels. These tests were created specifically to gauge each student’s performance and progress in English language arts, mathematics, and science. The assessments measure the skills called for by the standards, including the ability to write clearly, think critically and solve problems. CAASPP tests are given statewide and therefore provide an opportunity to measure the skills of all students against the same academic standards.

The CAASPP system consists of the following assessments:

The Smarter Balanced summative assessments for English language arts and mathematics in grades 3-8 and 11.

The California Science Tests (CAST) in grades 5, 8, and once in grades 10-12.

The California Alternate Assessments (CAA) in English language arts, mathematics, and science, administered to students with significant cognitive disabilities who are unable to take the Smarter Balanced summative assessments and the CAST.

Parents may annually submit to the school a written request to excuse their child from any or all parts of the CAASPP assessments for the school year, and such a request shall be granted by the school Principal. If a parent submits an exemption request after testing has begun, any test(s) completed before the request is submitted will be scored and the results reported to the parent and included in the student’s records.

Screening for Reading Difficulties

To ensure that all students learn to read by third grade, all students in kindergarten and grades 1 and 2 will be screened for risk of reading difficulties. Screenings are intended to be part of a comprehensive instructional strategy to inform instruction, measure progress, identify learning needs, and enable parents and staff to discuss learning in an informed way. Screening assessments will not be used for any high-stakes purpose (e.g., teacher or other school staff evaluation, accountability, student grade promotion or retention, identification for gifted or talented education, reclassification of English learners, or identification as an individual with exceptional needs). Rather, the screening results are to be used as a flag for potential risk of reading difficulties, not as a diagnosis of a disability – they are to be used as part of a broader process that further evaluates student needs and progress, identifies supports for classroom instruction, enables targeted individual intervention as needed, and allows the further diagnosis if concerns do not resolve.

If a student is identified as being at risk of having reading difficulties, the JCS School will provide the student with supports and services, appropriate to the specific challenges identified by the screening instrument and other pertinent information about the student. Supports and services may include evidence-based literacy instruction focused on the student’s specific needs, progress monitoring, early intervention in the regular general education program, one-on-one small group tutoring, and further evaluation or diagnostic assessment.

Within the JCS schools, students in kindergarten through grade 2 will be assessed after January of the school year. If a student enrolls after the testing window for the Reading Difficulties Screener has begun, the student will be assessed within 45 calendar days of enrollment. Parents who wish to opt their child out of the screening must provide written notice to the Teacher of Record or School Principal at least 15 calendar days prior to the start of the testing window.

Student Financial Aid for College

Filing financial aid applications is the first step toward college success and helps eligible students qualify for federal, state, and campus-based aid as well as some private scholarships. Under state law, schools are to ensure that students, prior to entering 12th grade, receive information on how to properly complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act application (CADAA) to help determine a student’s eligibility for financial aid. This information will be provided in a timely manner as financial aid is awarded in order of submission according to deadlines, on a first-come, first-served basis.

Specifically, the School will advise each 11th grade student to complete the grade 11 financial aid lessons on the CaliforniaColleges.edu platform that will include, but not necessarily be limited to, material related to all of the following:

The types of documentation and personal information that each student financial aid application requires, including, but not necessarily limited to, documents relating to income taxes, finances and income, college choices, academic status, and personal identification such as social security or taxpayer identification numbers

An explanation of definitions used for each application, such as “legal guardianship,” “household size,” “parent,” “dependent,” and taxable college grants and scholarships”

Eligibility requirements for student financial that may be applied for using the FAFSA or the California Dream Act Application

Application timelines and submission deadlines

The importance of submitting applications early, especially when student financial aid is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis

JCS schools will ensure that each student, at least once before the pupil enters grade 12, receives information on how to properly complete and submit either the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act application. The manner in which this information is provided shall be at the discretion of the governing board of the school district or charter school. Information on how to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act financial aid application can be found on the JCS, Inc. Academic Counseling page.

Students should only complete one of the applications based on their citizenship and residency status. All personal information, including immigration status, of students and their families will be protected according to state and federal privacy laws and regulations.

The parent or student, if 18 years of age or older, may opt out of the requirement by filling out and submitting an opt-out form. If JCS determines that a student is unable to comply with the requirement, JCS will exempt the parent or student and complete and submit an opt-out form on the student’s behalf. As such, a student who does not complete an application or submit an opt out form will not be penalized or punished, and it will not affect the student’s ability to graduate.

Transfer of Coursework & Credits

For the purpose of this notification, an “eligible student” is a student in foster care, student experiencing homelessness, current or former juvenile court school student, child of a military family, migrant student, or newcomer student.

Coursework and Credits

Eligible students transferring out of a school shall receive an official transcript which reflects full and partial credits and grades earned by the student, including:

A determination of the days of enrollment and/or seat time, if applicable, for all full and partial credits earned based on any measure of full or partial coursework being satisfactorily completed.

Separate listings for credits and grades earned at each school attended so it is clear where credits and grades were earned.

A complete record of the student’s seat time, including both period attendance and days of enrollment.

If the new school has knowledge that the transcript from the transferring school may not include certain credits or grades, the new school shall contact the prior school within two business days to request that the full or partial credits be issued. The prior school shall then issue appropriate credits and provide all academic and other records to the new school within two business days of the request.

Schools shall accept and issue full credit for any coursework that an eligible student has satisfactorily completed while attending another public school, a juvenile court school, a charter school, a school in a country other than the United States, or a nonpublic, nonsectarian school. Schools shall not require an eligible student to retake any course that the student has already satisfactorily completed or to retake the portion of a course that the student partially completed unless the school, in consultation with the student’s education rights holder, finds that the student is reasonably able to complete the requirements in time to graduate from high school. When partial credit is awarded in a particular course, the eligible student shall be enrolled in the same or equivalent course, if applicable, so that the student may continue and complete the entire course.

An eligible student shall not be prevented from retaking or taking a course to meet the eligibility requirements for admission to the California State University or the University of California systems.

Exemption from Board-adopted Coursework

In order to graduate from high school, all students must complete the graduation course requirements that are specified in EC 51225.3 (“statewide course requirements”), as well as any other course requirements adopted by the Board (“Board-adopted coursework”). An eligible student who transfers into a JCS School or between schools any time after completing the second year of high school, or newcomer student who is in the third or fourth year of high school shall be exempted from any Board-adopted coursework that are in addition to statewide course requirements, unless it has been determined that the student is reasonably able to complete the additional requirements in time to graduate by the end of the fourth year of high school. If not exempted, the student shall be reevaluated for eligibility the following academic year based on the student’s course completion status at that time.

Eligible students shall receive notification of the availability of the exemption and whether they qualify for it. If an eligible student was not properly notified of an exemption, declined the exemption, or was not previously exempted, the student or educational rights holder may request the exemption and the student shall be exempt. Any such student who at one time qualified for the exemption may request the exemption even if the student is no longer eligible.

An eligible student also has the right to remain for a fifth year to complete either the statewide course requirements or the District’s graduation requirements.

Any complaint that JCS school has not complied with requirements, as specified in EC 51225.1 and 51225.2, may be filed in accordance with JCS Inc.’s Uniform Complaint Procedures.

Additionally, for a student with a disability, eligibility for an exemption from Board-adopted coursework requires that the student’s IEP provides all of the following:

The student’s IEP team has deemed the student eligible to take the state alternate assessment as described in EC 60640(k).

The student is required to complete state standards aligned coursework to meet the statewide course requirements specified in EC 51225.3.

Mathematics Placement Policy

JCS, Inc. utilizes a fair, objective and transparent mathematics placement policy that takes multiple objective academic measures of pupil performance into consideration, annually examines aggregate pupil placement data to ensure pupil qualification for progressing through mathematics courses and offers clear and timely recourse for any pupil or parent or guardian who questions the placement. More information about JCS, Inc.’s mathematics placement policy can be found here.

Participation in Assessments

Parents may request, and JCS, Inc. will provide the parents on request (and in a timely manner), information regarding any State or school district policy regarding student participation in any assessments mandated by ESSA Section 1111(b)(2) and by the State or JCS, Inc., which shall include a policy, procedure, or parental right to opt the child out of such assessment, where applicable.

School Accreditation

JCS, Inc. will notify each parent or guardian of a pupil in a school that has lost its accreditation status and the potential consequences of the school's loss of status, in writing or by posting the information on the school district's or school's internet website, or by any combination of these methods.

A school district that has within its jurisdiction a school that has elected to be accredited by WASC or any other chartered accrediting agency shall require that school to publish all results of any inspection of the school by the accrediting agency not later than 60 days after the results are made available to the school. Publication shall be either by notifying each parent or guardian in writing or by posting the information on the school district’s Internet Web site or the school’s Internet Web site, or by any combination of these methods, as determined by the school district.

English Learner Program

Identification and Assessment

Upon initial enrollment in school, each student’s primary language shall be determined through the use of a home language survey. Any student who is identified as having a primary language other than English as determined by the home language survey, and who has not previously been identified as an English learner by a California public school or for whom there is no record of results from an administration of an English language proficiency test, shall be assessed for English proficiency using the Initial English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC). For students who are identified as having a primary language other than English while enrolled in transitional kindergarten, the Initial ELPAC shall be administered to those students in kindergarten. The parents of such students shall be notified in writing prior to the administration of the ELPAC.

Administration of the Initial ELPAC, including the use of variations and accommodations in test administration when authorized, shall be conducted in accordance with test publisher instructions and 5 CCR 11518.5-11518.37. Any student with a disability shall take the assessment with the supports and accommodations delineated in the student’s IEP or Section 504 plan. If the student is unable to participate in the assessment or a portion of the assessment even with appropriate accommodations, an alternative assessment for English language proficiency shall be administered.

Each year after a student is identified as an English learner and until the student is redesignated as English proficient, the Summative ELPAC shall be administered to the student during a four-month period after January 1 as determined by the CDE.

The following are CDE’s parent guides:

Understanding the ELPAC – https://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/ca/documents/elpacpgtu.pdf

Understanding the Alternate ELPAC – https://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/ep/documents/altelpacpgtu.pdf

Language Acquisition Program

Language acquisition programs are educational programs designed to ensure English acquisition as rapidly and as effectively as possible, and that provide instruction to students on the state-adopted academic content standards, including the English language development (ELD) standards. The JCS schools offers research-based language acquisition programs that lead to grade level proficiency and academic achievement in both English and another language, including structured English Immersion.

Parent Request of Establishment of a Language Acquisition Program

Parents of enrolled students, and those enrolled for attendance in the next school year, may submit a request that JCS Inc. establish a specific language acquisition program. The school shall make a written record of each request, including any request submitted verbally, that includes the date of the request, the names of the parent and student making the request, a general description of the request, and the student’s grade level on the date of the request. As needed, the school shall assist the parent in clarifying the request. All requests shall be maintained for at least three years from the date of the request.

For additional questions regarding language acquisition programs and how to request for the establishment of a program, please contact Assessment and Accountability Coordinator Hillary Gaddis at hgaddis@jcs-inc.org.

Timelines and Implementation Process

The timeline begins when the threshold number of requests for the same or substantially similar type of language acquisition program is reached (30 or more students enrolled in a school, or 20 or more students in the same grade level). Within 10 school days of reaching the threshold, JCS will provide written notification of the requests for a language acquisition program to parents of students attending the school, the school’s teachers and administrators, and the JCS Inc. English learner advisory committees and parent advisory committee. Within 60 calendar days of reaching the threshold, a study will be conducted to determine if the language acquisition program can be implemented and written notice of the determination will be provided to parents of students attending the school and the school’s teachers and administrators. Each school will follow the process set forth above, even when JCS provides the requested language acquisition program at another JCS school at the time the threshold of parent requests is met.

Sufficient Resources

To effectively implement a language acquisition program, the JCS school will allocate enough resources to support the success of the program in attaining its articulated goals. Sufficient resources include, but are not limited to, certificated teachers with the appropriate authorizations, necessary instructional resources, pertinent professional development for the proposed program, and opportunities for parent and community engagement to support the proposed program goals.

Equity & Access

Educational Equity: Immigration and Citizenship Status

All students have the right to a free public education regardless of their immigration status or religious beliefs. Consistent with state and federal laws and the requirements of the California Office of the Attorney General, the Sample School District:

Prohibits unlawful discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and bullying in the District’s programs and activities on the basis of a student’s actual or perceived nationality, ethnicity, or immigration or citizenship status.

Resolves and investigates allegations of unlawful discrimination, including discriminatory harassment, intimidation, and bullying in accordance with its Uniform Complaint Procedures.

Prohibits the collection of information or documents regarding the citizenship or immigration status of students or their family members unless required by state or federal law to administer a state or federally supported education program.

Ensures resources and data collected by the District shall not be used, directly or by others, to compile a list, registry, or database of individuals based on national origin, immigration status, religion, or other category of individual characteristics protected against unlawful discrimination.

Reports to the Governing Board in a timely manner any requests to gain information or access to a school site by an officer or employee of a law enforcement agency for immigration enforcement purposes.

Only contacts child protective services if district personnel are unable to arrange for the timely care of the student by the person(s) designated in the emergency contact information maintained by the school or identified on a caregiver’s authorization affidavit.

The following “know your rights” information regarding immigration-enforcement actions is provided by the California Attorney General.

Know Your Educational Rights

Your child has the right to a free public education

All children in the United States have a Constitutional right to equal access to free public education, regardless of immigration status and regardless of the immigration status of the students’ parents or guardians.

In California:

All children have the right to a free public education.

All children ages 6 to 18 years must be enrolled in school.

All students and staff have the right to attend safe, secure, and peaceful schools.

All students have a right to be in a public school learning environment free from discrimination, harassment, bullying, violence, and intimidation.

All students have equal opportunity to participate in any program or activity offered by the school, and cannot be discriminated against based on their race, nationality, gender, religion, or immigration status, among other characteristics.

Information required for school enrollment

When enrolling a child, schools must accept a variety of documents from the student’s parent or guardian to demonstrate proof of child’s age or residency.

You never have to provide information about citizenship/immigration status to have your child enrolled in school. Also, you never have to provide a Social Security number to have your child enrolled in school.

Confidentiality of personal information

Federal and state laws protect student education records and personal information. These laws generally require that schools get written consent from parents or guardians before releasing student information, unless the release of information is for educational purposes, is already public, or is in response to a court order or subpoena.

Some schools collect and provide publicly basic student “directory information.” If they do, then each year, your child’s school district must provide parents or guardians with written notice of the school’s directory information policy, and let you know of your option to refuse release of your child’s information in the directory.

Family safety plans if you are detained or deported

You have the option to provide your child’s school with emergency contact information, including the information of secondary contacts, to identify a trusted adult guardian who can care for your child in the event you are detained or deported.

You have the option to complete a Caregiver’s Authorization Affidavit or a Petition for Appointment of Temporary Guardian of the Person, which may give a trusted adult the authority to make educational and medical decisions for your child.

Right to file a complaint

Your child has the right to report a hate crime or file a complaint to the school district if your child is discriminated against, harassed, intimidated, or bullied on the basis of their actual or perceived nationality, ethnicity, or immigration status.

For more information on resources for responding to immigration enforcement activities at California schools, or to file a complaint, please contact: Bureau of Children’s Justice, California Attorney General’s Office, P.O. Box 944255, Sacramento, CA 94244-2550, (800) 952-5225, BCJ@doj.ca.gov, https://oag.ca.gov/bcj/complaint.

Married, Pregnant, and Parenting Students

The responsibilities related to marriage, pregnancy, or parenting and related responsibilities may disrupt a student’s education, placing them at higher risk of dropping out of school. The JCS Schools support married, pregnant, and parenting students to continue their education by providing them with the opportunity to succeed academically while protecting their health and the health of their children in the following ways:

JCS shall not adopt any rule concerning a student’s actual or potential parental, family, or marital status that treats students differently on the basis of sex.

JCSt shall not exclude or deny any student from an educational program or activity, including any class or extracurricular activity, solely on the basis of the student’s pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, or related recovery; the District shall treat pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, or related recovery in the same manner and under the same policies as any other temporary disabling condition.

JCS may require a pregnant or parenting student to obtain the certification of a physician or nurse practitioner that the student is physically and emotionally able to participate, or continue to participate, in the regular education program or activity.

Pregnant and parenting students shall not be required to participate in a pregnant minor program or alternative education program; students who voluntarily participate in an alternative education program shall be given educational programs, activities, and courses equal to those they would have been in if participating in the regular education program.

JCS shall provide reasonable accommodations to a lactating student on the school campus to express breast milk, breast-feed an infant child, or address other needs related to breast-feeding. The student shall not be penalized academically and shall be provided with the opportunity to make up any work missed as a result of the student’s use of the reasonable accommodations during the school day. Reasonable accommodations include, but are not limited to:

Access to a private and secure room, other than a restroom, to express breast milk or breast-feed an infant child.

Permission to bring onto a school campus a breast pump and any other equipment used to express breast milk.

Access to a power source for a breast pump or any other equipment used to express breast milk.

Access to a place to store expressed breast milk safely.

A reasonable amount of time to accommodate the student’s need to express breast milk or breastfeed an infant child.

A pregnant or parenting student shall be excused from school when the absence is due to the illness or medical appointment of the student’s child, including absences to care for a sick child, for which the school shall not require a note from a doctor.

During the school year in which the birth of the student’s infant takes place, a pregnant or parenting student is entitled to eight weeks of parental leave, which the student may take before childbirth if there is a medical necessity and after childbirth to care for and bond with the infant. If deemed medically necessary by the student’s physician, parental leave may be extended beyond eight weeks. Specific to parental leave:

No student shall be required to take all or part of parental leave.

JCS’s Supervisor of Attendance shall ensure that absences from school, as a result of parental leave, are excused until the student is able to return to the regular school program or an alternative education program.

Upon return to school after taking parental leave, a pregnant or parenting student is entitled to opportunities to make up work missed during the leave, including, but not limited to, makeup work plans and reenrollment in courses.

The pregnant or parenting student may return to the school and the course of study in which the student was enrolled before taking parental leave. A student who chooses not to return to the school in which the student was enrolled before taking the leave is entitled to alternative education options offered by the JCS Schools.

When necessary to complete the JCS-established high school graduation requirements, a pregnant or parenting student may remain enrolled in school for a fifth year of instruction, unless it has been determined that the student is reasonably able to complete the requirements in time to graduate by the end of the fourth year of high school.

Any complaint alleging discrimination on the basis of pregnancy or marital or parental status, JCS noncompliance with the requirements related to parental leave, or JCS noncompliance with the requirement to provide reasonable accommodations for lactating students shall be addressed through the Uniform Complaint Procedures.

See a list of Frequently Asked Questions here.

Nondiscrimination in Programs & Activities

JCS is committed to providing equal opportunity for all individuals in its programs and activities. District programs, activities, and practices shall be free from unlawful discrimination, including discrimination against an individual or group based on race, color, ancestry, nationality, national origin, immigration status, ethnic group identification, ethnicity, age, religion, political affiliations, marital status, pregnancy, parental status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, or genetic information; a perception of one or more of such characteristics; or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics.

All individuals shall be treated equitably in the receipt of JCS services. JCS assures that lack of English language skills shall not be a barrier to admission or participation in school programs. When 15 percent or more of a school’s students speak a single primary language other than English, all notices, reports, statements, or records sent to parents by the school shall be translated into that other language; parents may respond in English or the primary language.

JCS programs and facilities, viewed in their entirety, shall be in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and any implementing standards and/or regulations. The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that the JCS provides appropriate auxiliary aids and services when necessary to afford individuals with disabilities equal opportunity to participate in or enjoy the benefits of a service, program, or activity. These aids and services may include, but are not limited to, qualified interpreters or readers, assistive listening devices, assistive technologies or other modifications to increase accessibility to JCS web sites, notetakers, written materials, taped text, and Braille or large-print materials. Individuals with disabilities shall notify the Superintendent or principal if they have a disability that requires special assistance or services. Reasonable notification should be given prior to a school-sponsored function, program, or meeting.

All allegations of unlawful discrimination in JCS programs and activities shall be investigated and resolved through the Uniform Complaint Procedures.

Nondiscrimination in Child Nutrition Programs

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Rights of Foster Youth

A foster child means any of the following:

A child who has been removed from their home pursuant to WIC 309.

A child who is the subject of a petition filed under WIC 300 or 602, whether or not the child has been removed from their home.

A dependent child of the court of an Indian tribe, consortium of tribes, or tribal organization who is the subject of a petition filed in the tribal court pursuant to the tribal court’s jurisdiction in accordance with the tribe’s law.

A child who is the subject of a voluntary placement agreement, as defined in WIC 11400(p).

The following is a brief summary of a foster youth’s rights:

Right to attend either the “school of origin” or the current school of residence. The school of origin can be the school attended when the student first entered foster care, the school most recently attended, or any school the foster youth attended in the last 15 months. If any dispute arises regarding the request of a foster youth to remain in the school of origin, the foster youth has the right to remain in the school of origin pending resolution of the dispute.

Right to immediate enrollment even if the foster youth is unable to produce records normally required for enrollment (e.g., proof of residency, birth certificate, immunization, transcript), does not have clothing normally required by the school (e.g., school uniforms), or has outstanding fees, fines, textbooks, or other monies due to the school last attended.

Right to have the foster youth’s educational rights holder, attorney, and county social worker notified when the foster youth is undergoing any expulsion or other disciplinary proceeding, including a manifestation determination review for a foster youth who is a student with a disability, prior to a change in the foster youth’s placement.

Right of the foster youth not to have grades lowered for any absence from school that is due to a verified court appearance or related court-ordered activity, or to a decision by a court or placement agency to change the student’s placement, in which case, the grades must be calculated as of the date the student left school.

Right to have full and partial credits earned to be issued and accepted.

Right to priority access to an intersession program. If the foster youth moves during the intersession period, the foster youth’s educational rights holder shall determine which intercession program to attend.

Right to file a complaint through the Uniform Complaint Procedures if there is an allegation that JCS-Inc. has not complied with requirements regarding the education of foster youth.

To review the standardized notice of foster youth rights, visit https://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/pf/fy/fyedrights.asp. For assistance, contact the JCS foster youth liaison:

Foster Youth Educational Liaison

Claire Roush

croush@jcs-inc.org

858-945-3247

Rights of Students Experiencing Homelessness

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act for Homeless Children and Youth entitles all school-aged

Children experiencing homlessness to the same free and appropriate public education that is provided to non-homeless students. A student experiencing homelessness is defined as a child who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence and includes children and youth who: are sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason; may be living in motels, hotels, trailer parkers, or shelters; have a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings; are living in cars, parks, public spaces abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings; or are migratory children who qualify as homeless because of similar living circumstances. To ensure that each school identifies all students experiencing homelessness and unaccompanied youths enrolled at the school, a housing questionnaire is administered at least once a year. The questionnaire can be made available in the primary language of the student’s parent or unaccompanied youth upon request.

The following is a brief summary of the rights of students experiencing homelessness:

Right to attend either the “school of origin” or the current school of residence, and not be required to attend a separate school for homeless children or youth. The school of origin can be the school attended when the student had permanent housing, the school most recently attended, or any school the student attended in the last 15 months. Transportation may be provided.

Right to immediate enrollment even if the student is unable to produce records normally required for enrollment (e.g., proof of residency, birth certificate, immunization, transcript), does not have clothing normally required by the school (e.g., school uniforms), or has outstanding fees, fines, textbooks, or other monies due to the school last attended.

Right to automatically qualify for child nutrition programs.

Right to have full and partial credits earned to be issued and accepted.

Right to not be stigmatized by school personnel.

Right to file a complaint through the Uniform Complaint Procedures if there is an allegation that JCS-Inc. has not complied with requirements regarding the education of students experiencing homelessness.

Unaccompanied youth who meet the definition of homeless youth are also eligible for rights and services under the McKinney-Vento Act. An unaccompanied youth is defined as a minor who is not in the physical custody of a parent.

The JCS homeless youth liaison is Claire Roush and she can be reached at croush@jcs-inc.org/858-945-3247. Notice of the educational rights of students experiencing homelessness and resources available to persons experiencing homelessness are posted on the JCS websites.

Safe Place to Learn Act

JCS is committed to providing a welcoming, safe, and supportive school environment that allows all students equal access to and opportunities in the school’s academic, extracurricular, and other educational support programs, services, and activities. As such, it prohibits unlawful discrimination, including discriminatory harassment, intimidation, and bullying, targeted at any student by anyone, based on the student’s actual or perceived race, color, ancestry, nationality, national origin, immigration status, ethnic group identification, ethnicity, age, religion, marital status, pregnancy, parental status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, or genetic information; or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics. This policy applies to all acts constituting discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and bullying related to school activity or school attendance occurring within a district school, and to acts which occur off campus or outside of school-related or school-sponsored activities but which may have an impact or create a hostile environment at school.

JCS also prohibits any form of retaliation against any individual who reports or participates in the reporting of unlawful discrimination, files or participates in the filing of a complaint, or investigates or participates in the investigation of a complaint or report alleging unlawful discrimination. Retaliation complaints are investigated and resolved in the same manner as a discrimination complaint.

Students who feel that they have been subjected to unlawful discrimination described above, or who observe any such incident, are strongly encouraged to immediately contact the UCP compliance officer, principal, or any other staff member. In addition, students and parents may request to meet with the UCP compliance officer to determine how best to accommodate or resolve concerns that may arise from the JCS’s implementation of its nondiscrimination policies. To the extent possible, JCS will address any individual student’s interests and concerns in private.

Regardless of whether a complainant complies with the writing, timeline, and/or other formal filing requirements, all complaints alleging unlawful discrimination, including discriminatory harassment, intimidation, or bullying, will be investigated and prompt action taken to stop the discrimination, prevent recurrence, and address any continuing effect on students.

For a list of statewide resources, including community-based organizations, that provide support to youth, and their families, who have been subjected to school-based discrimination, harassment, intimidation, or bullying, please visit the following CDE webpage: https://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/ss/se/bullyingprev.asp.

Section 504

Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (42 USC 12101, et seq.) prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability. Section 504 requires school districts to identify and evaluate children with disabilities in order to provide them a free, appropriate public education. Individuals with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, including seeing, hearing, walking, breathing, working, performing manual tasks, learning, eating, sleeping, standing, lifting, bending, reading, concentrating, thinking, speaking, are eligible to receive services and aids designed to meet their needs as adequately as the needs of non-disabled students are met.

Name and contact information of JCS, Inc.’s designated individual for implementing Section 504:
504 Coordinator
Kristy Matthews
kmattews@jcs-inc.org

Screening and evaluation procedures used by JCS, Inc. when there is a reason to believe a student has a disability under Section 504:

Notification to the 504 Coordinator by the parent, teacher or Student Study Team (SST) will be used to establish screening.

Medical and school records may be reviewed to determine eligibility.

A student has the right to a written accommodation plan if the student qualifies for services under Section 504.

A student has the right to be educated with non-disabled students to the maximum extent appropriate based on the student’s needs.

A copy of the parents or guardians legal safeguard can be obtained here. For more information please contact Kristy Matthews (kmatthews@jcs-inc.org).

Sexual Harassment Policy

The JCS Governing Board is committed to maintaining a safe school environment that is free from harassment and discrimination. Sexual harassment of students at school or at school-sponsored or school-related activities is prohibited. Retaliatory behavior or action against any person who reports, files a complaint, or testifies about, or otherwise supports a complainant in alleging sexual harassment is also prohibited. Any student who engages in sexual harassment or sexual violence at school or at a school-sponsored or school-related activity will be subject to disciplinary action. For students in grades 4 through 12, disciplinary action may include suspension and/or expulsion, provided that in imposing such discipline the entire circumstances of the incident(s) will be taken into account. Any employee found to have engaged in sexual harassment or sexual violence toward any student will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal, in accordance with law and the applicable collective bargaining agreement.

The following individual has been designated as the JCS’s Title IX Coordinator:

Title IX Coordinator

Director of Operations

Claire Roush

croush@jcs-inc.org

858-945-3247

The Title IX Coordinator is responsible for coordinating the JCS’s efforts to comply with Title IX sexual harassment complaint procedures, as well as to oversee, investigate, and/or resolve sexual harassment complaints processed under the Uniform Complaint Procedures.

Instructional Program

As a preventative measure, students will receive age-appropriate instruction and information on sexual harassment, including:

What acts and behavior constitute sexual harassment, including the fact that sexual harassment could occur between people of the same sex and could involve sexual violence.

A clear message that students do not have to endure sexual harassment under any circumstance.

Encouragement to report observed instances of sexual harassment even when the victim of the harassment has not complained.

A clear message that student safety is the school’s primary concern, and that any separate rule violation involving an alleged victim or any other person reporting a sexual harassment incident will be addressed separately and will not affect the manner in which the sexual harassment complaint will be received, investigated, or resolved.

A clear message that, regardless of a complainant’s noncompliance with the writing, timeline, or other formal filing requirements, every sexual harassment allegation that involves a student, whether as the complainant, respondent, or victim of the harassment, will be investigated and action will be taken to respond to harassment, prevent recurrence, and address any continuing effect on students.

Information about the school’s procedure for investigating complaints and the person(s) to whom a report of sexual harassment should be made.

Information about the rights of students and parents to file a civil or criminal complaint, as applicable, including the right to file a civil or criminal complaint while the JCS investigation of a sexual harassment complaint continues.

A clear message that, when needed, JCS will implement supportive measures to ensure a safe school environment for a student who is the complainant or victim of sexual harassment and/or other students during an investigation.

Defining Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment includes, but is not limited to, unwelcome sexual advances, unwanted requests for sexual favors or other unwanted verbal, visual or physical conduct of a sexual nature made against another person of the same or opposite sex, in the educational setting, under any of the following conditions:

Submission to the conduct is explicitly or implicitly made a term or condition of a student’s academic status or progress.

Submission to or rejection of the conduct by a student is used as the basis for academic decisions affecting the student.

The conduct 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.

Submission to or rejection of the conduct by the student is used as the basis for any decision affecting the student regarding benefits and services, honors, programs, or activities available at or through any school program or activity.

Any prohibited conduct that occurs off campus or outside of school-related or school-sponsored programs or activities will be regarded as sexual harassment in violation of JCS policy if it has a continuing effect on or creates a hostile school environment for the complainant or victim of the conduct.

For purposes of applying the complaint procedures specified in Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, sexual harassment is defined as any of the following forms of conduct that occurs in an education program or activity in which a JCS school exercises substantial control over the context and respondent:

A JCS employee conditioning the provision of a JCS aid, benefit, or service on the student’s participation in unwelcome sexual conduct.

Unwelcome conduct determined by a reasonable person to be so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a student equal access to JCS’s education program or activity.

Sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, or stalking as defined in 20 USC 1092 or 34 USC 12291.

Examples of Sexual Harassment

Examples of types of conduct which are prohibited and which may constitute sexual harassment under state and/or federal law, in accordance with the definitions above, include, but are not limited to:

Unwelcome leering, sexual flirtations, or propositions

Unwelcome sexual slurs, epithets, threats, verbal abuse, derogatory comments, or sexually degrading descriptions

Graphic verbal comments about an individual’s body or overly personal conversation

Sexual jokes, derogatory posters, notes, stories, cartoons, drawings, pictures, obscene gestures, or computer-generated images of a sexual nature

Spreading sexual rumors

Teasing or sexual remarks about students enrolled in a predominantly single-sex class

Massaging, grabbing, fondling, stroking, or brushing the body

Touching an individual’s body or clothes in a sexual way

Impeding or blocking movements or any physical interference with school activities when directed at an individual on the basis of sex

Displaying sexually suggestive objects

Sexual assault, sexual battery, or sexual coercion

Electronic communications containing comments, words, or images described above

Reporting and Investigating Allegations of Sexual Harassment

Students who feel that they are being or have been sexually harassed on school grounds or at a school-sponsored or school-related activity by another student, an employee, or a third party or who have experienced off-campus sexual harassment that has a continuing effect on campus are strongly encouraged to report the incident to their teacher, the principal, JCS’s Title IX Coordinator, or any other available school employee. Any employee who receives a report or observes an incident of sexual harassment must notify the Title IX Coordinator within one school day. The report must be made whether the alleged victim files a formal complaint or requests confidentiality.

Once notified, the Title IX Coordinator will determine whether the complaint or allegation is to be addressed through AR 5145.71 – Title IX Sexual Harassment Complaint Procedures or BP/AR 1323.3 – Uniform Complaint Procedures. Because a complaint or allegation that is dismissed or denied under the Title IX complaint procedure may still be subject to consideration under state law, the Title IX Coordinator will ensure that any implementation of AR 5145.71 concurrently meets the requirements of BP/AR 1312.3. The Title IX Coordinator will offer supportive measures to the complainant and respondent, as deemed appropriate under the circumstances. If, upon the conclusion of an investigation, sexual harassment is determined to have occurred, the Title IX Coordinator, or designee in consultation with the Coordinator, will take prompt action to stop the sexual harassment, prevent recurrence, implement remedies, and address any continuing effects.

Records of all reported cases of sexual harassment are maintained in accordance with law and JCS policies and regulations to enable JCS to monitor, address and prevent repetitive harassing behavior in its schools.

To review the full text of JCS’s board policy and administrative regulation on sexual harassment, click here. A copy of the written policy on sexual harassment is included in school and JCS publications and posted in the main administrative offices and other areas where rules, regulations, procedures, and standards of conduct are provided. Additionally, each school site serving students in grades 9 through 12 has the written policy posted in each bathroom and locker room.] A copy of the policy, as it pertains to students, is provided as part of any orientation program conducted for new and continuing students. Staff members also receive a copy of the policy at the beginning of the school year or at the time of hire.

Special Education

Child Find System - IDEA

Federal and state law require that a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment be offered to qualified pupils with disabilities ages 3 through 21 years, including pupils that are migrant or homeless or wards of the state and children with disabilities attending private schools. Any parent suspecting a child has exceptional needs due to a disability may request an assessment for eligibility for special education services.

JCS, Inc. must implement an ongoing system to locate, identify and evaluate all children birth to 21 residing within its jurisdiction who have disabilities and need early intervention under Part C or special education under Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act. JCS, Inc. must identify all children with disabilities, regardless of the severity of their disabilities, including children who are:

1. Highly mobile, such as migrant and homeless children;

2. Wards of the State;

3. Suspected of having a disability even though they advance from grade to grade; or 4. Home schooled.

JCS, Inc. child find efforts must include:

1. Communication to Parents/Guardians. Inform parents and guardians about the availability of special education and related services and provide them with information about initiating a referral for a special education evaluation, including information about early intervention under Part C and special education under Part B.

2. Staff awareness. Ensure that staff members are knowledgeable about the characteristics of children with disabilities and in need of special education, and the referral process for all children, including infants or preschool children, suspected of having disabilities.

Complaints

Parents or guardians have a right to file a written complaint with the school if they believe the school is in violation of federal or state law governing the identification or placement of special education students, or similar issues. State regulations require the party filing the complaint to forward a copy of the complaint to JCS, Inc. at the same time the party files the complaint with the California Department of Education. Procedures are available from your student's school principal.

Due Process Hearings

The State Executive Director is required to develop a model form to assist parents and guardians in filing requests for due process. Please visit www.dgs.ca.gov/oah/SpecialEducation.aspx for the model form for parents that wish to initiate due process hearings relating to special education rights.

Inspection of Records

Upon request, parents or guardians of children with exceptional needs may examine and receive copies of the student’s records within five business days after a request is made and prior to any Individualized Education Program meeting, hearing or resolutions session regarding their child.

Nonpublic, Nonsectarian Schools or Agencies

NPSs/NPAs Training: The NPA or NSP is required to document the training of staff who will have contact or interaction with students during the school day in the use of evidence-based practices and interventions specific to the unique behavioral needs of the NPS’/NPA’s student population. The training must be provided within 30 days of enrollment for new staff, and annually to all staff who have contact with students during the school day. The training shall be selected and conducted by the NPS/NPA and must satisfy the following conditions:

Be conducted by persons licensed or certified in fields related to the evidence-based practices and interventions being taught

Be taught in a manner consistent with the development and implementation of individualized education programs; and

Be consistent with the requirements of Education Code relating to pupil restraint and seclusion

The content of the training shall include, but is not limited to, all the following:

Positive behavioral intervention and supports, including collection, analysis, and use of data to inform, plan and implement behavioral supports;

How to understand and address challenging behaviors, including evidence-based strategies for preventing those behaviors; and

Evidence-based interventions for reducing and replacing the challenging behaviors, including de-escalation techniques.

The LEA contracting with the NPS/NPA shall annually verify compliance with these training requirements and the NPS/NPA shall annually report to the California Department of Education (“CDE”) this verification. Written records of the annual training shall be maintained and provided upon request.

NPS/NPA Administrator Credential/License: The NPS/NPA is required to document (in the application for certification with CDE) that the administrator of the NPS/NPA holds or is in the process of obtaining one of the following:

An administrative credential granted by an accredited postsecondary education institution and two years of experience with students with disabilities;

A pupil personal services credential and authorizes school counseling or psychology;

A license as a clinical social worker issued by the Board of Behavioral Sciences;

A license in psychology regulated by the Board of Psychology;

A master’s degree issued by an accredited postsecondary institution in education, special education, psychology, counseling, behavioral analysis, social work, behavioral science, or rehabilitation;

A credential authorizing special education instruction and at least two years of experience teaching in special education before becoming an administrator;

A license as a marriage and family therapist certified by the Board of Behavioral Sciences

A license as an educational psychologist issued by the Board of Behavioral Sciences; or

A license as a professional clinical counselor issued by the Board of Behavioral Sciences

NPS/NPA Notification of Law Enforcement Involvement: An NPS/NPA is required to notify CDE and the LEA of any student involved incident at the NPS/NPA in which law enforcement was contacted. This notification shall be provided in writing no later than one business day after the incident occurred.

NPS/NPAs Qualified Individual to Implement a Behavioral Intervention Plan (“BIP”): A NPS serving students with significant behavioral needs or who have a BIP must have an individual onsite during school hours who is qualified and responsible for the design, planning and implementation of behavioral interventions to be certified by CDE.

Requirements for School Districts: For an NPS/NPA seeking initial certification, the school district is required to verify that the plan and timeline for the new training requirements are included in the master contract. For NPSs/NPAs not in existence as of January 1 immediately preceding a school year, the contracting school district must verify that the new training requirements are complied with 30 days following the commencement of the school year. The school district is required to submit verification to the Executive Director at that time.

A school district that enters into a master contract with an NPS/NPA school shall conduct, at minimum, the following:

An onsite visit to the NPS/NPA before placement of a pupil if the school district does not have any pupils enrolled at the school at the time of placement.

At least one onsite monitoring visit during each school year to the NPS/NPA at which the school district has a pupil attending and with which it maintains a master contract. The monitoring visit shall include, but is not limited to:

A review of services provided to the pupil through the individual service agreement between the school district and NPS/NPA;

A review of progress the pupil is making toward the goals set forth in the pupil’s Individualized Education Program;

A review of progress the pupil is making toward the goals set forth in the pupil’s BIP if the pupil has a BIP;

An observation of the pupil during instruction; and

A walkthrough of the facility

The school district shall report the findings resulting from the monitoring visit to CDE within 60 days of the onsite visit. On or before June 30, 2020, CDE, shall, with input from special education local plan area administrators, create and publish criteria for reporting this information to the department.

Student Fees

JCS, Inc. maintains a policy concerning the provision of a free education to pupils and for filing a complaint of non-compliance pursuant to the Uniform Complaint Procedures with the principal of the school alleged to be in non-compliance. More information is available here.

Students shall not be required to pay a fee, deposit, or other charge for participation in an educational activity which constitutes an integral fundamental part of JCS’s educational program, including curricular and extracurricular activities. JCS shall ensure that books, materials, equipment, supplies, and other resources necessary for student participation intJCS’s educational program are made available to students at no cost.

As necessary, the Governing Board may approve and impose fees, deposits and other charges which are specifically authorized by law. In determining whether waivers or exceptions should be granted, the Board shall consider relevant data, including the socioeconomic conditions of students’ families and their ability to pay.

JCS, its schools and programs may solicit voluntary donations or participate in fundraising activities. However, no course credit or privileges related to educational activities shall be offered or awarded to a student in exchange for voluntary donations or participation in fundraising activities by or on behalf of the student. JCS also shall not remove or threaten to remove from a student any course credit or privileges related to educational activities, or otherwise discriminate against the student, due to a lack of voluntary donations or participation in fundraising activities by or on behalf of the student.

Any complaints of unlawful imposition of fees, deposits, or other charges will be investigated and resolved through the Uniform Complaint Procedures. If, upon investigation, JCS finds merit in the complaint, the Superintendent or designee will recommend, and the Board will adopt, an appropriate remedy to be provided to all affected students and parents in accordance with 5 CCR 4600.

Title IX: Sex Equity in Education Act

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is one of several federal and state anti-discrimination laws that ensure equality in educational programs and activities that receive federal funding. Specifically, Title IX protects students, employees, applicants for admission and employment, and other persons from all forms of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment. California law further provides that all students (as well as other persons) are protected – regardless of their sex, gender, gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, race, or national origin – in all aspects of JCSt’s educational programs and activities. It also provides that students may not be discriminated against based on their parental, family, or marital status, and pregnant and parenting students may not be excluded from participating in any educational program, including extracurricular activities, for which they qualify. The essence of Title IX is to ensure that students (as well as other persons) are not excluded, separated, denied benefits to, or otherwise treated differently on the basis of sex unless expressly authorized to do so under state or federal law in areas including, but not limited to: recruitment, admissions, and counseling; financial assistance; athletics; sex-based harassment; treatment of pregnant and parenting students; discipline; single-sex education; and employment.

Under Title IX, students have the right to:

Fair and equitable treatment that is free from discrimination based on sex.

Be provided with an equitable opportunity to participate in all academic extracurricular activities, including athletics.

Inquire of the school’s athletic director as to the athletic opportunities offered by the school.

Apply for athletic scholarships.

Receive equitable treatment and benefits in the provision of all the following: equipment and supplies; scheduling of games and practices; transportation and daily allowances; access to tutoring; coaching; locker rooms; practice and competitive facilities; medical and training facilities and services; and publicity.

Access to a gender equity coordinator to answer questions regarding gender equity laws.

Contact the California Department of Education (CDE) and the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) to access information on gender equity laws.

File a confidential discrimination complaint with the United States Office of Civil Rights (OCR) or CDE if there is belief that discrimination, or unequal treatment, on the basis of sex has occurred.

Pursue civil remedies as a result of discrimination.

Be protected against retaliation for filing a discrimination complaint.

JCS has designated the following personnel to address questions and complaints regarding its nondiscrimination policies specific to Title IX:

Title IX Coordinator

Director of Operations

Claire Roush

croush@jcs-inc.org

858-945-3247

Any complaint alleging noncompliance with Title IX will be investigated and resolved through the Uniform Complaint Procedures. Additional resources can be found at:

United States Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights

Lyndon Baines Johnson Department of Education Building

400 Maryland Avenue, SW

Washington, DC 20202-1100

Telephone: (800) 421-3481

Fax: (202) 453-6012

TDD: (800) 877-8339

Email: OCR@ed.gov

OCR Complaint Form: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/complaintintro.html

California Department of Education

Office of Equal Opportunity

1430 N Street, Room 4206

Sacramento, CA 95814

Telephone: (916) 445-9174

Fax: (916) 324-9818

Email: oeoinfo@cde.ca.gov

Complaint Procedures: https://www.cde.ca.gov/re/di/eo/complaint.asp

California Interscholastic Federation

4658 Duckhorn Drive

Sacramento, CA 95834

Telephone: (916) 239-4477

Fax: (916) 239-4478

Website on Equity: https://www.cifstate.org/governance/equity/index

Sex Equity in Career Counseling and Course Selection

Commencing in Grade 7, school personnel shall assist pupils with course selection or career counseling, affirmatively exploring the possibility of careers, or courses leading to careers based on the interest and ability of the pupil and not on the pupil’s gender. Parents or legal guardians are notified so that they may participate in such counseling sessions and decisions.

Uniform Complaint Procedures

JCS, Inc. has adopted a Uniform Complaint Procedure. JCS, Inc. shall follow uniform complaint procedures when addressing complaints regarding the following programs and activities:

Accommodations for Pregnant and Parenting Pupils

Adult Education

After School Education and Safety

Agricultural Career Technical Education

Career Technical and Technical Education and Career Technical and Technical Training Programs

Child Care and Development Programs

Compensatory Education

Consolidated Categorical Aid Programs

Course Periods without Educational Content

Discrimination, harassment, intimidation, or bullying against any protected group as identified under EC 200 and 220 and GC 11135, including any actual or perceived characteristic as set forth in PC 422.55, or on the basis of a person’s association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics, in any program or activity conducted by an educational institution, as defined in EC 210.3, that is funded directly by, or that receives or benefits from, any state financial assistance

Educational and graduation requirements for pupils in foster care, pupils who are homeless, pupils from military families, pupils formerly in Juvenile Court now enrolled in a school district, pupils who are migratory, and newcomer pupils

Every Student Succeeds Act

Instructional Materials and Curriculum: Diversity

Local Control and Accountability Plans (LCAP)

Migrant Education

Physical Education Instructional Minutes

Reasonable Accommodations to a Lactating Pupil

Regional Occupational Centers and Programs

School Plans for Student Achievement

School site Councils

State Preschool

State Preschool Health and Safety Issues in LEAs Exempt from Licensing

Student Fees

And any other state or federal educational program the State Superintendent of Public Instruction (SSPI) or designee deems appropriate.

Information regarding the Uniform Complaint Procedure, including the individual responsible for processing a Uniform Complaint can be found on the Compliance page.

Filing a UCP Complaint

A UCP complaint, except for a UCP complaint alleging unlawful discrimination, harassment, intimidation, or bullying, shall be filed no later than one year from the date the alleged violation occurred. For complaints relating to the LCAP, the date of the alleged violation is the date when the reviewing authority approves the LCAP or annual update that was adopted by JCS-Inc.

A student enrolled in any public school shall not be required to pay a student fee for participation in an educational activity. A student fee complaint may be filed with the principal or the Superintendent or designee.

A student fee or LCAP complaint may be filed anonymously, that is, without an identifying signature, if the complainant provides evidence or information leading to evidence to support an allegation of noncompliance.

A complaint alleging unlawful discrimination, harassment, intimidation, or bullying shall be initiated no later than six months from the date that the alleged unlawful discrimination occurred, or six months from the date that the complainant first obtained knowledge of the facts of the alleged unlawful discrimination. The time for filing may be extended for up to 90 days by the Superintendent or designee for good cause upon written request by the complainant setting forth the reasons for the extension.

Copies of the UCP process are available free of charge. To obtain a copy of the complaint form and review additional UCP-related information, go to https://www.jcs-inc.org/compliance/.

Compliance Officer

Complaints within the scope of the UCP are to be filed with the person responsible for processing complaints:

Jennifer Cauzza, Superintendent

P.O. Box 2470

Julian, CA 92036

jcauzza@jcs-inc.org

The compliance officer is knowledgeable about the laws and programs that they are assigned to investigate.

Notification

JCS-Inc.’s UCP policy and regulations are posted in all schools and offices, including staff lounges and student government meeting rooms. Written notification of the JCS-Inc. UCP is provided annually to students and their parents, employees, JCS and school advisory committee members, appropriate private school officials, and other interested parties.

JCS also posts the standardized notice of the educational rights of foster youth, homeless students, former juvenile court students now enrolled in a JCS school, children of military families, migrant students, and newcomer students, as specified in EC 48853, 48853.5, 49069.5, 51225.1, and 51225.2, and the complaint process on its website.

JCS-Inc. has a notice posted to identify appropriate subjects of state preschool health and safety issues in each California state preschool program classroom in each school notifying parents, guardians, students, and teachers of (1) the health and safety requirements under Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations that apply to California state preschool programs pursuant to HSC 1596.7925, and (2) the location at which to obtain a form to file a complaint.

Appeal

A complainant may appeal the JCS investigation report to the CDE by filing a written appeal within 30 calendar days after receiving the JCS decision. The appeal must be accompanied by a copy of the originally filed complaint and a copy of the investigation report for that complaint. A complainant may also pursue civil law remedies, including, but not limited to, injunctions, restraining orders, or other remedies or orders that may be available under state or federal discrimination, harassment, intimidation or bullying laws, if applicable.

Parents are encouraged to review civil law remedies available under state or federal discrimination, harassment, intimidation or bullying laws, if applicable, and of the appeal pursuant to Education Code section 262.3.

Williams Complaint Policy and Procedures

JCS, Inc. has adopted a uniform complaint process to help identify and resolve deficiencies related to instructional materials, emergency or urgent facilities conditions that pose a threat to the health and safety of pupils or staff and teacher vacancy or mis-assignment. Notice of the complaint process and the location at which to obtain a complaint form is posted in all classrooms.

There should be sufficient textbooks and instructional materials that are in good and usable condition. That means each student, including an English learner, must have a textbook and/or instructional materials to use in class and to take home.

School facilities must be clean, safe, and maintained in good repair so as not to pose an emergency or urgent threat to the health or safety of students or staff.

There should be no teacher vacancies or misassignments. There should be a teacher assigned to each class and not a series of substitutes or other temporary teachers. The teacher should have the proper credential to teach the class, including the certification required to teach English learners, if present.

Misassignment means the placement of a certificated employee in a teaching or services position for which the employee does not hold a legally recognized certificate or credential or the placement of a certificated employee in a teaching or services position that the employee is not otherwise authorized by statute to hold.

Teacher vacancy means a position to which a single designated certificated employee has not been assigned at the beginning of the year for an entire year or, if the position is for a one-semester course, a position to which a single designated certificated employee has not been assigned at the beginning of a semester for an entire semester.

A complaint alleging that any of the above conditions is not being met shall be addressed through the JCS-Inc. Williams uniform complaint procedures as required by law. Although complainants do not need to use the JCS-Inc. complaint form to file a complaint, the complaint form may be obtained at https://www.jcs-inc.org/compliance/. Because a complaint may be filed anonymously, the complaint form shall allow the complainant to indicate whether a response is requested – only a complainant who identifies themselves is entitled to a response. A complaint shall be filed with the principal or designee.

Children of Military Families and Other Protected Pupils

A pupil who is a “child of a military family” is defined as school-aged child or children, enrolled in kindergarten through twelfth grade, in the household of an active-duty member. “Active duty” means full-time status in the active uniformed service of the United States, including member of the National Guard and Reserve on active-duty orders pursuant to 10 U.S.C. sections 1209 and 1211.

Children of military families who transfer between schools any time after the completion of the pupil’s second year of high school shall be exempt from all coursework and other graduation requirements adopted by the governing board of the local educational agency that are in addition to the statewide coursework requirements, unless the local educational agency makes a finding that the child of a military family is reasonably able to complete the local educational agency’s graduation requirements in time to graduate from high school by the end of the pupil’s fourth year of high school.

Within 30 days of the child of a military family’s transfer into a school, the local educational agency should determine whether the child of a military family is reasonably able to complete the local educational agency’s graduation requirements within the pupil’s fifth year of high school. If the pupil is reasonably able to complete the local educational agency’s graduation requirements within a fifth year of high school, the local educational agency shall do all of the following:

Inform the pupil of his or her option to remain in school for a fifth year to complete the local educational agency’s graduation requirements.

Inform the pupil, and the educational rights holder, about how remaining in school for a fifth year to complete the local educational agency’s graduation requirements will affect the pupil’s ability to gain admission to a postsecondary educational institution.

Provide information to the pupil about transfer opportunities available through the California Community Colleges.

Permit the pupil to stay in school for a fifth year to complete the local educational agency’s graduation requirements upon agreement with the pupil, if the pupil is 18 years of age or older, or, if the pupil is under 18 years of age, upon agreement with the educational rights holder.

Within 30 calendar days of the date that a pupil who is a child of a military family who may qualify for the exemption from local graduation requirements transfers into a school, the school district shall notify the pupil and the pupil’s parent or guardian of the availability of the exemption and whether the pupil qualifies for an exemption.

If the District fails to provide timely notice, the pupil shall be eligible for the exemption from local graduation requirements, even if that notification occurs after the pupil no longer meets the definition of “a child of a military family.”

If a child of a military family is exempt from local graduation requirements pursuant to this section and completes the statewide coursework requirements before the end of his or her fourth year of high school and that pupil would otherwise be entitled to remain in attendance at the school, a school or local educational agency shall not require or request that the pupil graduate before the end of his or her fourth year of high school, nor shall the child of a military family be required to accept the exemption or be denied enrollment in courses for which they are otherwise eligible.

If a child of a military family is not exempt from local graduation requirements or has previously declined the exemption pursuant to this section, a local educational agency shall exempt the pupil at any time if an exemption is requested by the pupil and the pupil qualifies for the exemption. The exemption shall apply after the pupil no longer meets the definition of “a child of a military family” while the pupil is enrolled in school or if the pupil transfers to another school or school district.

A school district shall not require, and a parent or guardian shall not request a child of a military family to transfer schools solely to qualify the pupil for an exemption under this section.

The local educational agency shall accept coursework satisfactorily completed by a pupil who is a child of a military family while attending another public school (including schools operated by the United States Department of Defense), a juvenile court school, or a nonpublic, nonsectarian school or agency even if the pupil did not complete the entire course and issue that pupil full or partial credit for the coursework completed.

The local educational agency may not require a child of a military family to retake a course if the pupil has satisfactorily completed the entire course in a public school, a juvenile court school, or a nonpublic, nonsectarian school or agency. If the pupil did not complete the entire course, the local educational agency may not require the pupil to retake the portion of the course the pupil completed unless the local educational agency in consultation with the educational rights holder, finds that the pupil is reasonably able to complete the requirements in time to graduate from high school. When partial credit is awarded in a particular course, the child of a military family shall be enrolled in the same or equivalent course, if applicable, so that the pupil may continue and complete the entire course. The pupil shall not be prevented from taking or retaking a course to meet eligibility requirements for admission to the California State University or University of California.

A complaint of noncompliance with the requirements of this section may be filed with the local educational agency under the Uniform Complaint Procedures set forth in Chapter 5.1 (commencing with Section 4600) of Division 1 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations.

A complainant not satisfied with the decision of a local educational agency may appeal the decision to the CDE and shall receive a written decision regarding the appeal within 60 days of the CDE's receipt of the appeal.

If a local educational agency finds merit in a complaint, or the Executive Director finds merit in an appeal, the local educational agency shall provide a remedy to the affected pupil.

The above protections shall also apply to pupils in foster care, pupils who are homeless, former juvenile court school pupils, migratory children, and pupils participating in a newcomer program, as defined in Education Code section 51225.2(a).

Pupil Collection of Debt

A pupil or former pupil, unless emancipated at the time the debt is incurred, shall not owe, or be billed for a debt owed to an LEA.

An LEA cannot take negative action against a pupil or former pupil for a debt owed, including, but not limited to, all of the following:

Denying full credit for any assignments for a class;

Denying full and equal participation in classroom activity;

Denying access to on-campus educational facilities, including, but not limited to, the library;

Denying or withholding grades or transcripts;

Denying or withholding a diploma;

Limiting or barring participation in an extracurricular activity, club, or sport; and

Limiting or excluding from participation in an educational activity, field trip, or school ceremony.

Graduation Ceremonies and Activities

Students shall be permitted to wear tribal regalia or recognized objects of religious or cultural significance during graduation ceremonies as an adornment to the customary ceremonial attire, as long as the adornment does not cause a substantial disruption of, or material interference with, the graduation ceremony. (Education Code 35183.1)

Health & Wellness

Access to Student Mental Health Services

A child’s mental health is essential to their social and cognitive development, and to learning healthy social skills and how to cope when there are problems. Mentally healthy children have a positive quality of life and can function well at home, in school, and in their communities. Mental health problems that are not recognized and treated in childhood can lead to severe consequences, including exhibiting serious behavior problems, at higher risk of dropping out of school, and increased risk of engaging in substance abuse, criminal behavior, and other risk-taking behaviors. As such, JCS is committed to promoting the well-being of its students by ensuring that, at least twice a year, students and parents are each provided with information on how to initiate access to available student mental health services at school and/or in the community.

JCS, Inc. shall notify pupils and parents or guardians of pupils no less than twice during the school year on how to initiate access to available pupil mental health services on campus or in the community, or both.

To notify parents or guardians, a school shall use at least two of the following methods:

Distribute the information in a letter (electronic or hardcopy)

Include the information in the annual parent notification

Post the information on the school's Internet Web site or page

To notify pupils, a school shall use at least two of the following methods:

Distribute the information in a document or school publication

Include the information in pupil orientation materials or in a pupil handbook at the beginning of the year

Post the information on the school’s Internet Web site or page

If a school decides to notify parents through distributing the information in a letter and posting the information on the school’s Internet Web site or page, then it need not also include the information in the annual parent notification.

Administration of Prescribed Medication

The parent or legal guardian of any pupil taking medication on a regular basis must inform the school of the medication being taken, the current dosage, and the name of the supervising physician. With the consent of the parent or legal guardian, the academy coordinator or designee may communicate with the physician and may counsel with the school personnel regarding the possible effects of the medication on the pupil.

Self-Administration of Medication

Any student who must take prescribed medication at school and who desires assistance of school personnel must submit a written statement of instructions from the physician or physician assistant and a parental request for assistance in administering the medications.

Any student may carry and self-administer prescription auto-injectable epinephrine only if the student submits a written statement of instructions from the physician or physician assistant and written parental consent authorizing the self-administration of medication, providing a release for the school nurse or other personnel to consult with the child's health care provider as questions arise, and releasing the district and personnel from civil liability if the child suffers any adverse reaction as a result of the self-administration of medication.

LEAs must accept a written statement provided by a physician or surgeon permitting a student to self-administer asthma medication. The written statement shall detail the following:

The name, method, amount, and time schedules by which the medication is to be taken

A confirmation that the student can self-administer inhaled asthma medication

A written statement from the parent, foster parent, or guardian consenting to the self-administration

A release for the school nurse or other designated school personnel to consult with the healthcare provider of the student regarding any questions that may arise about the medication

A release from civil liability for the school district and school personnel if the student suffers an adverse reaction by taking the medication

The statement from the student’s physician or surgeon may be one who is contracted with a prepaid health plan operating in Mexico, provided the statement is in both English and Spanish. A school nurse or other designated school personnel will not be subject to professional review, liable in a civil action or subject to criminal prosecution for acts or omissions relating to the student self-administering the medication in accordance with physician’s written statement. Furthermore, a school district will not be subject to civil liabilities if the student suffers an adverse reaction self-administering the asthma medication in accordance with the written statement from the physician.

The parent or legal guardian of any pupil on a continuing medication regimen for a non-episodic condition shall inform the school of the medication being taken, the current dosage, and the name of the supervising physician. With the consent of the parent or legal guardian of the pupil, the school nurse may communicate with the physician and may counsel with the school personnel regarding the possible effects of the drug on the child's physical, intellectual, and social behavior, as well as possible behavioral signs and symptoms of adverse side effects, omission, or overdose.

Consent to Physical Examination

Periodic health examinations of students, including the vision, hearing and scoliosis screening, may lead to early detection and treatment of conditions that impact learning. These examinations may also help determine whether the student may qualify for services or accommodations pursuant to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act or Section 504. However, a parent may annually file with the principal a written statement withholding consent to the physical examination of their child. An opt-out form can be found here. Any such student shall be exempt from any physical examination but shall be subject to exclusion from attendance when contagious or infectious disease is reasonably suspected.

School children are examined for vision, hearing, and curvature of the spine at selected grade levels. The school will share approximate dates during the school year when any non-emergency, physical examination or screening is scheduled that is 1) required as a condition of attendance; 2) administered by the school; and 3) is not necessary to protect the immediate health and safety of the pupil or other pupils.

Whenever there is good reason to believe the child is suffering from a recognized contagious or infectious disease, the child will be excluded from school attendance and is not be permitted to return until the school authorities are satisfied that any contagious or infectious disease does not exist. The notifications should include approximate dates during the school year when any non-emergency, physical examination or screening is scheduled, or expected to be scheduled, that is 1) required as a condition of attendance; 2) administered by the school; and 3) is not necessary to protect the immediate health and safety of the pupil or other pupils.

Education Code section 49455 requires a pupil’s vision to be appraised by the school nurse or other authorized person during kindergarten or upon first enrollment or entry in a California school district of a pupil at an elementary school, and in grades 2, 5, and 8, unless a pupil’s first entry or enrollment occurs in grade 4 or 7.

HPV Immunization

Students are advised to adhere to current immunization guidelines, as recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Academy of Family Physicians, regarding full human papillomavirus (HPV) immunization before admission or advancement to the 8th grade of any private or public school. HPV vaccination can prevent over 90 percent of cancers caused by HPV. HPV vaccines are very safe, and scientific research shows that the benefits of HPV vaccination far outweigh the potential risks.

Immunizations and Communicable Diseases

To protect the health of all students and staff and to curtail the spread of infectious diseases, students must be immunized against certain communicable diseases. The parent’s guide to “Required Immunizations for School Entry” from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) website can be accessed by clicking here.

Students are not required to have immunizations if they attend a home-based private school or an independent study program and do not receive classroom-based instruction. However, parents must continue to provide immunizations records for these students to their schools. The immunization requirements do not prohibit students from accessing special education and related services required by their individualized education programs.

Medical exemptions may only be submitted using the standardized form developed by CDPH. To request such an exemption, parents are to first register for a California Immunization Registry – Medical Exemption (CAIR-ME) account at https://cair.cdph.ca.gov/exemptions/home to obtain a medical exemption request number before going to their child’s doctor.

If an enrolled student who was previously believed to be in compliance with immunization requirements is subsequently discovered to not be in compliance with requirements for unconditional or conditional admission, the student’s parent will receive notice that evidence of proper immunization or an appropriate exemption must be provided within 10 school days. A student not fully immunized may be temporarily excluded from a school or other institution when that child has been exposed to a specified disease and whose documentary proof of immunization status does not show proof of immunization against a communicable disease.

JCS will cooperate with state and local public health officials in measures necessary for the prevention and control of communicable diseases in school age children. JCS may use any funds, property, or personnel and may permit an authorized health care provider to administer an immunizing agent to any student whose parents have consented in writing. When feasible, the California Immunization Registry – a secure, confidential, statewide computerized immunization information system for California residents – may be accessed to track immunization records, reduce missed opportunities, and help fully immunize students of all ages.

Requirement of Physicians and Surgeons to Provide Notice to Parents

If a parent or guardian requests a licensed physician and surgeon to submit a medical exemption for the parent’s or guardian’s child, the physician and surgeon shall inform the parent or guardian of the requirements set forth above. If the parent or guardian consents, the physician and surgeon shall examine the child and submit a completed medical exemption certification from to the State Department of Public Health.

Requirement by Schools to Submit Annual Reports on Immunization Status to the State

The governing board of a school district must file a written report on the immunization status of new students to the school with the State Department of Public Health and the local health department at times and on forms prescribed by the State Department of Public Health. These reports are required to be filed on at least an annual basis.

State’s Review of Medical Exemptions

Requires the State Department of Public Health to annually review immunization reports from schools to identify schools with an overall immunization rate of less than 95%, physicians and surgeons who submitted 5 or more medical exemption forms in one calendar year, and schools and institutions that do not report immunization rates to the department. A clinically trained department staff member who is a physician and surgeon or registered nurse is required to review all medical exemption forms submitted meeting those conditions. Medical exemptions issued prior to January 1, 2020, will not be revoked unless the exemption was issued by a physician or surgeon that has been subject to disciplinary action by the Medical Board of California or the Osteopathic Medical Board of California.

Appeal Rights

A parent or guardian may appeal a medical exemption denial or revocation to the Secretary of California Health and Human Services. The appeal is to be conducted by an independent expert review panel of licensed physicians and surgeons, who are required to evaluate appeals consistent with specified guidelines and to submit its decision to the Secretary. The Secretary is required to adopt the determination of the independent expert review panel and promptly issue a written decision to the child’s parent or guardian. This final decision is not subject to further administrative review. The student who is appealing a medical exemption revocation may continue school attendance without being required to commence the immunization schedule required for conditional admittance, so long as the appeal is filed within 30 calendar days of the revocation.

Medical and Hospital Services

JCS, Inc. does not provide medical or hospital services through non-profit membership corporations or insurance policies for pupil injuries arising out of school-related activities. JCS, Inc. will notify each parent or guardian of each pupil participating in athletic activities that such medical or hospital services are not provided.

Oral Health Assessment

Even though they fall out, baby teeth are very important. Children need healthy baby teeth to eat, talk, smile, and feel good about themselves. Children with cavities may have pain, difficulty eating, stop smiling, and have problems paying attention and learning at school. To help children stay healthy, parents are advised of the following:

Children need to be taken to the dentist. Dental check-ups can help keep a child’s mouth healthy and pain free.

Healthy foods, like fresh fruits and vegetables, should be chosen for the entire family.

Teeth need to be brushed at least twice a day with toothpaste that contains fluoride.

Candy and sweet drinks like punch, juice, or soda should be limited. Sweet drinks and candy contain a lot of sugar, which causes cavities and leaves less room for a child to have healthy foods and drinks. Sweet drinks and candy can also cause weight problems, which may lead to other diseases, such as diabetes. Give a child healthy choices like water, milk, and fruit instead.

Having a healthy mouth helps children do well in school. So, to make sure children are ready for school, state law requires children to have an oral health assessment or dental check-up in their first year in public school – whether in transitional kindergarten, kindergarten, or first grade. The assessment must be performed by a licensed dentist or other licensed or registered dental health professional no earlier than 12 months before the date of a child’s initial enrollment in school and no later than May 31 of the school year. The dentist will complete the Oral Health Assessment form, which then must be submitted to the school as proof that the assessment has been done. The school shall maintain the privacy of all students’ health information. A student’s identity shall not be associated with any report produced as a result of this requirement.

A parent who is unable to obtain the oral health assessment must complete a Waiver of Oral Health Assessment Requirement form and submit that to the school. You can find the Oral Health Assessment and Waiver form here.

To help find a dentist, call the Medi-Cal Telephone Service Center at 1-800-322-6384 or visit Medi-Cal Dental (https://dental.dhcs.ca.gov/) to find a dentist that accepts Medi-Cal. To enroll a child in Medi-Cal, parents can apply by mail, go in person to the local Social Services office, or online at:

Apply for Medi-Cal (https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/medi-cal/pages/applyformedi-cal.aspx).

School Meals

Adequate nutrition is essential to the development, health and well-being, and learning of all students. A free, nutritionally adequate breakfast and lunch is provided each school day to any student who requests a meal regardless of the student’s free or reduced-price meal eligibility. Meal program details are provided at the pupil’s school site. Please contact your school principal for more information.

Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes in children is an autoimmune disease that can be fatal if untreated, and the guidance provided in this information sheet is intended to raise awareness about this disease.

Description

Type 1 diabetes usually develops in children and young adults but can occur at any age

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cases of type 1 diabetes in youth increased nationally from 187,000 in 2018 to 244,000 in 2019, representing an increase of 25 per 10,000 youths to 35 per 10,000 youths, respectively.

The peak age of diagnosis of type 1 diabetes is 13-14 years, but diagnosis can also occur much earlier or later in life.

Type 1 diabetes affects insulin production

As a normal function, the body turns the carbohydrates in food into glucose (blood sugar), the basic fuel for the body’s cells.

The pancreas makes insulin, a hormone that moves glucose from the blood into the cells.

In type 1 diabetes, the body’s pancreas stops making insulin, and blood glucose levels rise.

Over time, glucose can reach dangerously high levels in the blood, which is called hyperglycemia.

Untreated hyperglycemia can result in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), which is a life-threatening complication of diabetes.

Risk Factors Associated with Type 1 Diabetes

It is recommended that students displaying warning signs associated with type 1 diabetes, which are described below, should be screened (tested) for the disease by their health care provider.

Researchers do not completely understand why some people develop type 1 diabetes and others do not; however, having a family history of type 1 diabetes can increase the likelihood of developing type 1 diabetes. Other factors may play a role in developing type 1 diabetes, including environmental triggers such as viruses. Type 1 diabetes is not caused by diet or lifestyle choices.

Warning Signs and Symptoms Associated with Type 1 Diabetes and Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)

Warning signs and symptoms of type 1 diabetes in children develop quickly, in a few weeks or months, and can be severe. If your child displays the warning signs below, contact your child’s primary health care provider or pediatrician for a consultation to determine if screening your child for type 1 diabetes is appropriate:

Increased thirst

Increased urination, including bed-wetting after toilet training

Increased hunger, even after eating

Unexplained weight loss

Feeling very tired

Blurred vision

Very dry skin

Slow healing of sores or cuts

Moodiness, restlessness, irritability, or behavior changes

DKA is a complication of untreated type 1 diabetes. DKA is a medical emergency. Symptoms include:

Fruity breath

Dry/flushed skin

Nausea

Vomiting

Stomach pains

Trouble breathing

Confusion

Types of Diabetes Screening Tests That Are Available

Glycated hemoglobin (A1C) test. A blood test measures the average blood sugar level over two to three months. An A1C level of 6.5 percent or higher on two separate tests indicates diabetes.

Random (non-fasting) blood sugar test. A blood sample is taken any time without fasting. A random blood sugar level of 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) or higher suggests diabetes.

Fasting blood sugar test. A blood sample is taken after an overnight fast. A level of 126 mg/dL or higher on two separate tests indicates diabetes.

Oral glucose tolerance test. A test measuring the fasting blood sugar level after an overnight fast with periodic testing for the next several hours after drinking a sugary liquid. A reading of more than 200 mg/dL after two hours indicates diabetes.

Type 1 Diabetes Treatments

There are no known ways to prevent type 1 diabetes. Once type 1 diabetes develops, medication is the only treatment. If a child is diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, their health care provider will be able to help develop a treatment plan. The child’s health care provider may refer the child to an endocrinologist, a doctor specializing in the endocrine system and its disorders, such as diabetes.

Contact the school nurse, school administrator, or health care provider if there are any questions.

References

KidsHealth

Mayo Clinic

National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health’s MedLine

Type 2 Diabetes

The California Department of Education developed this type 2 diabetes information in collaboration with the California Department of Public Health, American Diabetes Association, California School Nurses Organization, and Children’s Hospital of Orange County.

Description

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes in adults.

Until a few years ago, type 2 diabetes was rare in children, but it is becoming more common, especially for overweight teens.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in three American children born after 2000 will develop type 2 diabetes in his or her lifetime.

Type 2 diabetes affects the way the body is able to use sugar (glucose) for energy.

The body turns the carbohydrates in food into glucose, the basic fuel for the body’s cells.

The pancreas makes insulin, a hormone that moves glucose from the blood to the cells.

In type 2 diabetes, the body’s cells resist the effects of insulin, and blood glucose levels rise.

Over time, glucose reaches dangerously high levels in the blood, which is called hyperglycemia.

Hyperglycemia can lead to health problems like heart disease, blindness, and kidney failure.

Risk Factors Associated with Type 2 Diabetes

It is recommended that students displaying or possibly experiencing the risk factors and warning signs associated with type 2 diabetes be screened (tested) for the disease.

Researchers do not completely understand why some people develop type 2 diabetes and others do not; however, the following risk factors are associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes in children:

Being overweight. The single greatest risk factor for type 2 diabetes in children is excess weight. In the U.S., almost one out of every five children is overweight. The chances are more than double that an overweight child will develop diabetes.

Family history of diabetes. Many affected children and youth have at least one parent with diabetes or have a significant family history of the disease.

Inactivity. Being inactive further reduces the body's ability to respond to insulin.

Specific racial/ethnic groups. Native Americans, African Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, or Asian/Pacific Islanders are more prone than other ethnic groups to develop type 2 diabetes.

Puberty. Young people in puberty are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than younger children, probably because of normal rises in hormone levels that can cause insulin resistance during this stage of rapid growth and physical development.

Warning Signs and Symptoms Associated with Type 2 Diabetes

Warning signs and symptoms of type 2 diabetes in children develop slowly, and initially there may be no symptoms. However, not everyone with insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes develops these warning signs, and not everyone who has these symptoms necessarily has type 2 diabetes.

Increased hunger, even after eating

Unexplained weight loss

Increased thirst, dry mouth, and frequent urination

Feeling very tired

Blurred vision

Slow healing of sores or cuts

Dark velvety or ridged patches of skin, especially on the back of the neck or under the arms

Irregular periods, no periods, and/or excess facial and body hair growth in girls

High blood pressure or abnormal blood fats levels

Type 2 Diabetes Prevention Methods and Treatments

Healthy lifestyle choices can help prevent and treat type 2 diabetes. Even with a family history of diabetes, eating healthy foods in the correct amounts and exercising regularly can help children achieve or maintain a normal weight and normal blood glucose levels.

Eat healthy foods. Make wise food choices. Eat foods low in fat and calories.

Get more physical activity. Increase physical activity to at least 60 minutes every day.

Take medication. If diet and exercise are not enough to control the disease, it may be necessary to treat type 2 diabetes with medication.

The first step in treating type 2 diabetes is to visit a doctor. A doctor can determine if a child is overweight based on the child's age, weight, and height. A doctor can also request tests of a child's blood glucose to see if the child has diabetes or pre-diabetes (a condition which may lead to type 2 diabetes).

Types of Diabetes Screening Tests That Are Available

Glycated hemoglobin (A1C) test. A blood test measures the average blood sugar level over two to three months. An A1C level of 6.5 percent or higher on two separate tests indicates diabetes.

Random (non-fasting) blood sugar test. A blood sample is taken at a random time. A random blood sugar level of 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) or higher suggests diabetes. This test must be confirmed with a fasting blood glucose test.

Fasting blood sugar test. A blood sample is taken after an overnight fast. A fasting blood sugar level less than 100 mg/dL is normal. A level of 100 to 125 mg/dL is considered pre-diabetes. A level of 126 mg/dL or higher on two separate tests indicates diabetes.

Oral glucose tolerance test. A test measuring the fasting blood sugar level after an overnight fast with periodic testing for the next several hours after drinking a sugary liquid. A reading of more than 200 mg/dL after two hours indicates diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes in children is a preventable/treatable disease and this guidance is intended to raise awareness about this disease. Contact the school nurse, school administrator, or health care provider if there are any questions.

References

American Diabetes Association Clinical Journal

Helping Children with Diabetes Succeed: A Guide for School Personnel

KidsHealth

Mayo Clinic

National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health’s MedLine

Water Consumption

Students have the right and are encouraged to bring a reusable bottle to fill and refill water to consume while at school. Drinking water plays an important role in maintaining a child’s overall health in the following ways:

Supports muscles, joints, and tissues

Improves digestive system

Keeps growing bodies hydrated

Positively impacts cognitive performance, particularly short-term memory

Improves visual attention and fine motor skills

Can prevent excess weight gain when substituting sugary drinks

For site-specific rules including (1) the locations of water bottle filling stations and/or water fountains; (2) the locations where water bottles may be prohibited, such as libraries, computer labs, science labs, or other places where it is deemed dangerous to have drinking water; and (3) the types of water bottles that may be carried, contact the school principal and/or refer to the Parent Handbook for the school program.

Menstrual Equity for All Act

On or before the start of the 2022-2023 school year, a public school, including a school operated by a school district, county office of education, or charter school, maintaining any combination of classes from grades 6 to 12, inclusive, shall stock the school’s restrooms at all times with an adequate supply of menstrual products, available and accessible, free of cost, in all women’s restrooms and all-gender restrooms, and in at least one men’s restroom. (b) A public school described in subdivision (a) shall not charge for any menstrual products provided to pupils. (c) A public school described in subdivision (a) shall post a notice regarding the requirements of this section in a prominent and conspicuous location in every restroom required to stock menstrual products, available and accessible, free of cost, pursuant to this section. This notice shall include the text of this section and contact information, including an email address and telephone number, for a designated individual responsible for maintaining the requisite supply of menstrual products. (d) For purposes of this section, “menstrual products” means menstrual pads and tampons for use in connection with the menstrual cycle.

Parent & Family Engagement

Investing for Future Education

JCS, Inc. encourages the investment by parents or guardians for higher education for their children and of considering appropriate investment options, including, but not limited to, United States savings bonds.

Receiving a college or university education can lead to many benefits: increased earning potential, increased career opportunities, financial security, better problem-solving skills, and improved health and well-being. To ensure that students can afford going to college and not be weighed down by student loan debt, parents are highly encouraged to start saving for college as soon as they can – even when children are infants. As with any investment, the earlier money is saved, the more time it has to grow. Investment options include, but are not limited to, a 529 college savings plan, an individual retirement account (IRA or Roth IRA), Uniform Gift to Minors Act (UGMA) or Uniform Transfer to Minors Act (UTMA), trusts, or United States savings bonds. Students can also contribute by applying for scholarships and grants, taking Advanced Placement (AP) classes, working a full-time job in the summer or a part-time job during the school year, and opening a savings account.

Parent and Family Engagement Policy

The school has a board-adopted Parent and Family Engagement Policy which was last reviewed in February 2023 and can be publically accessed here:5045.1 Title I Part A Parent and Family Engagement Program Policy

Professional Qualifications

Parents of students who attend a school receiving Title I funds may request information regarding the professional qualifications of their students’ classroom teachers, including, at a minimum, the following:

Whether the teacher has met State qualification and licensing criteria for the grade levels and subject areas in which the teacher provides instruction.

Whether the teacher is teaching under emergency or other provisional status through which State qualification or licensing criteria have been waived.

Whether the teacher is teaching in the field of discipline of the certification of the teacher.

Whether the child is provided services by paraprofessionals and, if so, their qualifications.

A school that receives Title I funds will also provide to each individual parent information on the level of achievement and academic growth of their child, if applicable and available, on each of the required State academic assessments, and timely notice that their child has been assigned, or has been taught for four or more consecutive weeks by, a teacher who does not meet applicable State certification or licensure requirements at the grade level and subject area in which the teacher has been assigned.

Rights of Parents

Parents have the right and should have the opportunity, as mutually supportive and respectful partners in the education of their children, to be informed by the school, and to participate in the education of their children, as follows:

Within a reasonable period of time after making the request, to observe their child’s classroom(s).

Within a reasonable time of their request, to meet with their child’s teacher(s) and the principal.

To volunteer their time and resources for the improvement of school facilities and school programs under the supervision of JCS employees, including, but not limited to, providing assistance in the classroom with the approval, and under the direct supervision, of the teacher.

To be notified on a timely basis if their child is absent from school without permission.

To receive the results of their child’s performance on standardized tests and statewide tests and information on the performance of their child’s school on standardized statewide tests, including the state test for English language proficiency for English learners.

To request a particular school for their child, and to receive a response from the school.

To have a school environment for their child that is safe and supportive of learning.

To examine the curriculum materials of their child’s class(es).

To be informed of their child’s progress in school and of the appropriate school personnel whom they should contact if problems arise with their child.

To have access to the school records of their child.

To receive information concerning the academic performance standards, proficiencies, or skills their child is expected to accomplish.

To be informed in advance about school rules, including disciplinary rules and procedures, attendance policies, dress codes, and procedures for visiting the school.

To receive information about any psychological testing the school does involving their child and to deny permission to give the test.

To participate as a member of a parent advisory committee, schoolsite council, or site-based management leadership team.

To question anything in their child’s record that the parent feels is inaccurate or misleading or is an invasion of privacy and to receive a response from the school.

To be notified, as early in the school year as practicable, if their child is identified as being at risk of retention and of their right to consult with school personnel responsible for a decision to promote or retain their child and to appeal a decision to retain or promote their child.

A parent’s lack of English fluency does not prevent a parent from exercising such rights. JCS will take all reasonable steps to ensure that all parents who speak a language other than English are properly notified in English and in their home language, pursuant to EC 48985, of the rights and opportunities available to them. Please note that JCS is not authorized to allow a parent’s participation in the education of their child if it conflicts with a valid restraining order, protective order, or order for custody or visitation issued by a court of competent jurisdiction.

School Accountability Report Card

By February 1 of each year, all public schools in California are required to update and publish a school accountability report card (SARC) with the intent to provide the public with important information about each public school and to communicate a school’s progress in achieving its goals. The primary purpose is to provide parents with data and information to make meaningful comparisons between public schools, enabling them to make informed decisions on which school to enroll their children. The content of the SARC includes demographic data, school safety and climate for learning information, academic data, school completion rates, class sizes, teacher and staff information, curriculum and instruction descriptions, postsecondary preparation information, and fiscal and expenditure data. an updated copy of the School Accountability Report Card for each JCS, Inc. operated school can be found on JCS, Inc.’s website at jcs-inc.org under "Resources" for each school. A hard copy will also be provided upon request to any student’s parent or guardian.

Student Wellness Policy

Recognizing the link between student health and learning, the District has an established student wellness policy for all its schools to provide a comprehensive program that promotes healthy eating and physical activity for students. The District shall coordinate and align its efforts to support student wellness through health education, physical education and activity, health services, nutrition services, psychological and counseling services, and healthy school environment. Parents, students, food service employees, physical education teachers, school health professionals, Board members, school administrators, and members of the public are encouraged to participate in the development, implementation, and periodic review and update of the policy.

The JCS, Inc. Health and Wellness Policy is available here.

Custody Issues

Schools are not a forum to settle custody disputes and the school has no legal jurisdiction to refuse a biological parent access to his or her child and the child’s school records unless a signed restraining order or proper divorce papers specifically setting forth limitations are on file at the school office. Custody disputes must be handled by the courts.

Surveys

JCS, Inc. will notify parents or guardians of the need for their written permission before any test, questionnaire, survey, or examination containing any questions about their child’s personal beliefs or practices (or the pupil’s family’s beliefs or practices) in sex, family life, morality, and religion, may be administered to any pupil in kindergarten, or grades 1-12, inclusive.

Notification will include specific or approximate dates of when any survey containing sensitive, personal information is to be administered and provide an opportunity for parents to opt pupils out of participating in the survey. Upon request, parents or guardians will be given the opportunity to inspect any third-party survey.

Per EC 51514, any LEA which administers a voluntary survey that currently includes questions pertaining to sexual orientation and gender identity shall not remove those questions from subsequent administrations of the survey.

School Visiting Procedures

JCS, Inc. policy concerning visiting procedures may be here. Penal Code section 627.6: requires schools to post at every entrance a notice of visitor registration requirements, registration hours, registration location, and penalties for the violation of the registration requirements.

Disruption in Public School or Meeting

Any person who willfully disturbs any public school or public school meeting is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500).

Illegal Recording of Confidential Communication

It is unlawful to intentionally eavesdrop or record the confidential communication between two or more parties without the consent of all parties to the confidential communication. The eavesdropping or recording of a confidential communication includes by means of any electronic amplifying or recording device whether the communication is carried on among the parties in the presence of one another or by means of a telegraph, telephone, or other device, except a radio. Such an act is punishable by a fine not exceeding two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500), or imprisonment in the county jail not exceeding one year, or in the state prison, or by both that fine and imprisonment. Additionally, pursuant to Education Code section 51512, the use by any person, including a student, of any electronic listening or recording device in any classroom without prior consent of the teacher and the principal is prohibited. Any person, other than the student, willfully in violation shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. Any pupil in violation is subject to JCS, Inc.’s disciplinary procedures.

Safety & Well-being

Asbestos Management Plan

Parents have the right to inspect a complete, updated copy of a management plan for asbestos-containing material in school buildings. The asbestos management plan can be made available for inspection, without cost or restriction, in the network office and school offices during normal business hours. JCS may charge a reasonable cost to make copies of the management plan. For further information, contact JCS Director of Operation Claire Roush at croush@jcs-inc.org.

Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting

All employees of JCS are considered mandated reporters, required by law to report cases of child abuse and neglect to the appropriate law enforcement agency when they have a reasonable suspicion that a child has been a victim of child abuse and/or neglect. Reasonable suspicion means that it is objectively reasonable for a person to entertain a suspicion, based upon facts that could cause a reasonable person in a like position, drawing when appropriate on their training and experience, to suspect child abuse or neglect; it does not require certainty that the child abuse and/or neglect has occurred. The fact that a child is homeless or an unaccompanied minor is not, in and of itself, a sufficient basis for reporting child abuse or neglect.

All complaints must be filed through a formal report, over the telephone, in person, or in writing, with an appropriate local law enforcement agency (i.e., Police or Sheriff’s Department, County Probation Department, or County Welfare Department/County Child Protective Services). Both the name of the person filing the complaint and the report itself are confidential and cannot be disclosed except to authorized agencies.

Parents of students also have a right to file a complaint against a school employee or other person that they suspect has engaged in abuse of a child at a school site. Complaints may be filed with the local law enforcement agency; parents may also notify JCS of an incident by contacting the school principal.

For more information on child abuse and child abuse reporting, visit the California Department of Education web site: http://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/ss/ap/

Dangers of Synthetic Drugs

Fentanyl is a major contributor to drug overdoses in California, including among youth. Fentanyl is an extremely potent and dangerous synthetic opioid, like heroin and morphine, and is laboratory engineered to be about 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. This means even small amounts can lead to a fatal overdose. Fentanyl is powerful and difficult to detect. People who make or sell drugs sometimes add small amounts of fentanyl – in ways that are not noticeable to the user – to other substances because of its extreme potency, making the drugs cheaper, more powerful, more addictive, and more dangerous.

The U.S. Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration has directly connected social media drug sales to overdose deaths. Drug traffickers have turned smartphones into a one-stop shop to market, sell, buy, and deliver deadly, fake prescription pills and other dangerous drugs. These deadly drugs can be purchased and delivered to anyone’s home just like any other good or service. Drug traffickers advertise on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. These advertisements are in disappearing, 24-hour stories and in posts, which are promptly posted and removed. Posts and stories are often accompanied by known code words and emojis that are used to market and sell illicit and deadly drugs on social media. These code words and emojis are designed to evade detection by law enforcement and by the preset algorithms used by social media platforms. Social media drug trafficking impacts all age groups, but adolescents and young adults are particularly susceptible given their high rates of social media usage.

Fentanyl misuse may result in an intense, short-term high; temporary feelings of euphoria; slowed respiration and reduced blood pressure, nausea, fainting; seizures or death. Methamphetamine misuse may result in agitation, increased heart rate and blood pressure, increased respiration and body temperature, anxiety, and paranoia. High doses can cause convulsions, cardiovascular collapse, stroke, or death. Overdose may result in stupor, changes in papillary size, cold and clammy skin, cyanosis, coma, and respiratory failure leading to death. The presence of a triad of symptoms such as coma, pinpoint pupils, and respiratory depression are strongly suggestive of opioid poisoning.

With a fentanyl-poisoned drug supply, avoiding drug use is the surest way to prevent an overdose. The only safe medications are ones that come from licensed and accredited medical professionals. For more information, review the Facts About Fentanyl on the California Department of Public Health website.

Employee Interactions with Students

Employees, including independent contractors and volunteers, of JCS are expected to maintain the highest ethical standards, exhibit professional behavior, follow district policies and regulations, abide by state and federal laws, and exercise good judgment when interacting with students both within and outside the educational setting. To ensure employees fulfill their obligation to ensure the safety of all students and contribute to a positive school climate, employees shall not engage in unlawful or inappropriate interactions with students and must avoid boundary-blurring behaviors that undermine trust in the adult-student relationship.

An LEA that maintains a section on employee interactions with pupils in its employee code of conduct shall (1) provide a written copy of the section on employee interactions with pupils in its code of conduct to the parent or guardian of each enrolled pupil at the beginning of each school year and (2) post the section on employee interactions with pupils in its code of conduct, or provide a link to it, on each of its schools’ Internet Web sites, or, if a school of a local educational agency does not have its own Internet Web site, on the local educational agency’s Internet Web site, in a manner that is accessible to the public without a password.

LEAs may satisfy the requirement to provide a written copy of the section on employee interactions with pupils in its code of conduct to the parent or guardian of each enrolled pupil by including the section on employee interactions with pupils in its code of conduct in the notice required pursuant to EC 48980.

This information may also be accessed here, in our Sexual Harassment - School Personnel and Student Policy.

Per Education Code Section 44050, JCS is required to address employee interactions with students in their code of conduct and provide a written copy of these sections, taken from the JCS Employee Handbook, to the parents/guardians of enrolled students at the beginning of each school year. The JCS, Inc. Employee Handbook Section 702 Student Relations Policy is provided here for public availability. It addresses acceptable and unacceptable behavior between staff and students, reporting, and violation investigations.

Any reports of employee misconduct shall be promptly investigated. Any employee who is found to have engaged in inappropriate conduct in violation of law or Board policy shall be subject to disciplinary action and, in the case of a certificated employee, may be subject to a report to the Commission on Teacher Credentialing. Immediate intervention shall be implemented when necessary to protect student safety or the integrity of the investigation.

Fingerprinting Program

JCS, Inc. does not offer a voluntary fingerprinting program. Fingerprinting requires written parental consent as well as payment by the parent or guardian of any applicable fees. The fee shall be calculated to reimburse the district only for actual costs associated with the program.

Megan's Law/Sex Offenders

Information about registered sex offenders in California and how to protect their families can be found at http://meganslaw.ca.gov/.

Open Campus

The Governing Board of the JCS, pursuant to EC 44808.5, has decided to permit the students enrolled at any of its high school programs to leave the school grounds during the lunch period. Instructions on how to exercise the open campus privilege will be provided through the school. EC 48808.5 further states, “Neither the school district nor any officer or employee thereof shall be liable for the conduct or safety of any student during such time as the student has left the school grounds pursuant to this section.” The principal or designee may revoke the privilege for individual students for disciplinary reasons.

Pesticide Products

Persons wishing to be notified in advance of individual pesticide applications may complete this form and submit it to your school's principal. Additional information on pesticides is made available by the Department of Pesticide Regulation at www.cdpr.ca.gov.

If a pesticide product not included in the annual notification is subsequently intended for use at the school site, the school designee shall, consistent with this subdivision and at least 72 hours before application, provide written notification of its intended use.

Safe Storage of Fire Arms

There have been many news reports of children bringing firearms to school. In many instances, the child obtained the firearm(s) from home. These incidents can be easily prevented by storing firearms in a safe and secure manner, including keeping them locked up when not in use and storing them separately from ammunition.

Parents are responsible for keeping firearms out of the hands of children and should review this notice and evaluate their own personal practices to assure that every member in the family is in compliance with California law.

With very limited exceptions, California makes a person criminally liable for keeping any firearm, loaded or unloaded, within any premises that are under their custody and control where that person knows or reasonably should know that a child is likely to gain access to the firearm without the permission of the child’s parent, and the child obtains access to the firearm and thereby (1) causes death or injury to the child or any other person; (2) carries the firearm off the premises or to a public place, including to any preschool or school grades kindergarten through twelfth grade, or to any school-sponsored event, activity, or performance; or (3) unlawfully brandishes the firearm to others. (Note: The criminal penalty may be significantly greater if someone dies or suffers great bodily injury as a result of the child gaining access to the firearm.)

With very limited exceptions, California also makes it a crime for a person to negligently store or leave any firearm, loaded or unloaded, on their premises in a location where the person knows or reasonably should know that a child is likely to gain access to it without the permission of the child’s parent, unless reasonable action is taken to secure the firearm against access by the child, even where a minor never actually accesses the firearm.

In addition to potential fines and terms of imprisonment, as of January 1, 2020, a gun owner found criminally liable under these California laws faces prohibitions from possessing, controlling, owning, receiving, or purchasing a firearm for 10 years.

A parent may also be civilly liable for damages resulting from the discharge of a firearm by that person’s child or ward.

The county or city where the parent resides may have additional restrictions regarding the safe storage of firearms.

The easiest and safest way to comply with the law is to keep firearms in a locked container or secured with a locking device that renders the firearm inoperable.

JCS, Inc. will notify all K-12 parents of the storage of safe firm arms. See Firearms Safety Memorandum. For grades 6-12, School officials will also notify law enforcement of homicidal threats or perceived threats. Law enforcement must then conduct an immediate investigation and threat assessment, as defined in SB 906.

Tobacco-Free Campus

JCS, Inc. receives Tobacco Use Prevention funding to adopt and enforce a tobacco-free campus policy. Information about the policy and enforcement procedures may be found in the JCS, Inc. Suspension and Expulsion Administrative Regulations. Health and Safety Code section 104495 prohibits smoking and use of any tobacco-related products and disposal of any tobacco-related waste within 25 feet of a school playground. The prohibition does not apply to a public sidewalk located within 25 feet of a playground.

Unsafe School Choice

Students shall be allowed to attend a safe school. JCS, Inc. shall notify parents or guardians of pupils in elementary and/or secondary schools considered to be "persistently dangerous" pursuant to California Department of Education guidelines and of available options for attendance at a safe school. “Any firearms violations” is an event which must be considered in determining whether a school site is at risk of being classified as persistently dangerous.

Comprehensive School Safety Plan

Each school is required to develop a school safety plan, which includes a comprehensive disaster preparedness plan. Copies of the school safety plan are available to read at each academy office during normal business hours.

Walking or Riding a Bike to School

JCS, Inc. requests that parents or guardians of children who walk or ride their bike to school plan a safe route to school with their children. The route shall not involve shortcuts through private property and all students are expected to exhibit good behavior. Furthermore, a student under 18 years of age may be fined for not wearing a properly fitted and fastened helmet, and the parent or legal guardian of a minor who violates this section shall be jointly and severally liable with the minor for the fine.

Sun Protective Clothing/Use of Sunscreen

JCS, Inc. allows for outdoor use of sun-protective clothing and the use of sunscreen by students during the day.

Cyber Sexual Bullying

JCS, Inc. may suspend or expel students who engage in cyber sexual bullying consistent with the JCS, Inc.’s disciplinary procedures described above. The California Department of Education has developed information regarding cyber sexual bullying available here, and available on the California Healthy Kids Resource Center Website and other sources.

Dangerous Objects

JCS, Inc. prohibits dangerous objects on campus, such as laser pointers and B.B. guns, unless possession is for valid instructional or other school related purposes.

Pupil Safety: Human Trafficking Prevention Resources

The governing board of JCS, Inc. will work with their schools that maintain any grades 6 to 12, inclusive, to identify the most appropriate methods of informing parents and guardians of pupils in those grades of human trafficking prevention resources and to implement the identified methods in those schools by January 1, 2020.

JCS, Inc. recognizes that human trafficking is becoming an increasing risk for children, particularly as traffickers reach more children on online. JCS, Inc. has implemented many procedures to ensure our students have safe and secure access to the internet, and internet safety is woven throughout learning. Parents/guardians can become more aware of human trafficking and find help through these resources:

National Human Trafficking Resource Center

Polaris Human Trafficking - National hotline provides services and support to survivors of human trafficking

Be the Jam - Stop Human Trafficking

San Diego Youth Services - Warning Signs of Sex Trafficking

CSEC Resource Guide - Local resources for commercially sexually exploited children (CSEC) and human trafficking survivors

CSEC Fact Sheet - Created by the Innocence Lost Working Group

PROTECT - Prevention Organized to Educate Children on Trafficking

USD CSEC Executive Summary - Research describing CSEC patterns in San Diego

Pupil Suicide Prevention Policies

Before the beginning of the 2020-21 school year, the governing board or body of a local educational agency that serves pupils in kindergarten and grades 1 to 6 shall adopt a policy on pupil suicide prevention for the above grade levels. The age-appropriate policy shall be developed in consultation with school and community stakeholders, the county mental health plan, school-employed mental health professionals, and suicide prevention experts. The policy shall also, at minimum, address procedures relating to suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention.

The policy should address needs of high-risk student groups. The definition of high-risk groups includes (but not be limited to):

Students bereaved by suicide

Students with disabilities, mental health disorders, or substance abuse disorders

Homeless youth or in out-of-home settings, such as foster care.

LGBTQ students

Bullying and Harassment Prevention Information

Commencing with the 2020-21 academic year, each county office of education, school district, and charter school – or LEA (“local education agency”) for the purpose of this section – shall ensure that all of the following information is readily accessible in a prominent location on the local educational agency’s existing website in a manner that is easily accessible to parents or guardians and pupils:

The LEA’s policy on pupil suicide prevention in grades 7 to 12

The LEA’s policy on pupil suicide prevention in kindergarten and grades 1 to 6, including reference to the age appropriateness of that policy

The definition of discrimination and harassment based on sex, and the rights derived from the Sex Equity in Education Act

The Title IX information and training materials included on a LEA’s internet website

A link to the Title IX information included on the department’s internet website

The LEA’s written policy on sexual harassment, as it pertains to pupils

The LEA’s policy, if it exists, on preventing and responding to hate violence

The LEA’s anti-discrimination, anti-harassment, anti-intimidation, and anti-bullying policies

The LEA’s anti-cyberbullying procedures

A section on social media bullying that includes all of the following references to possible forums for social media bullying:

Internet websites with free registration and ease of registration

Internet websites offering peer-to-peer instant messaging

Internet websites offering comment forums or sections

Internet websites offering image or video posting platforms

A link to statewide resources, including community-based organizations, compiled by the department

Any additional information the LEA deems important for preventing bullying and harassment

School Attendance

Absence Due to Confidential Medical Services

Students in grades 7-12 may be excused from school for the purpose of obtaining confidential medical services without the consent of the student’s parent. When excusing students for confidential medical services or verifying such appointments, staff will not ask the purpose of the appointments but may contact a medical office to confirm the time of the appointment. In accordance with a November 2004 opinion issued by the California Attorney General, staff may not notify a parent when a student leaves school to obtain confidential medical services.

School Calendar

To assist parents with planning for their student’s childcare needs, medical appointments, and other activities, the school calendar includes minimum days and student-free staff development days. Please refer to the school calendar provided in this document; the calendar is also posted on JCS’s website at https://www.jcs-inc.org/. If any additional minimum days or student-free staff development days are scheduled during the school year, parents of all students affected by the change shall be notified as soon as possible, but no later than one month before the scheduled minimum or student-free day.

Students with Temporary Disabilities

Temporary disability means a physical, mental, or emotional disability incurred while a student is enrolled in a regular or an alternative education program, and after which the student can reasonably be expected to return without special intervention. Temporary disability is not a disability for which a student is identified as an individual with exceptional needs.

Every effort shall be made for students to continue with the courses that are necessary for the student to maintain their academic status, but in some cases, this will not be possible due to various constraints. High school students who are not able to complete courses in progress at the time they are receiving individualized instruction may need to complete the course in either summer school or through some other venue. In some cases, a student’s high school graduation may be delayed due to the restrictions of this program. District staff may not be able to replicate certain highly specialized courses or a given course in the individualized instruction setting. For example, Honors or Advanced Placement classes, world languages, PE, laboratory sciences, higher-level mathematics classes, and some electives cannot be replicated.

JCS may continue to enroll a student with a temporary disability who is receiving individual instruction in a qualifying hospital to facilitate the timely reentry of the student in their prior school after the hospitalization has ended, or to provide a partial week of instruction at school or at home to a student who is no longer confined to the hospital setting. The total days of instruction may not exceed the maximum of five days in the combined setting, and attendance may not be duplicated. The supervisor of attendance will ensure that absences from the regular school program are excused until the student is able to return to that program.

School Start Time

Commencing July 1, 2022, the school day for middle and high schools must begin no earlier than 8:00 a.m. and 8:30 a.m., respectively. The State Department of Education will advise school districts and charter schools of the posting of information on its website related to research on the impact of sleep deprivation on adolescents and the benefits of a later school start time. This start time requirement will not apply to rural school districts.

Student Behavior

Assignments & Tests During Suspension

The teacher of any class from which a student is suspended may require the suspended student to complete any assignments and tests missed during the suspension. However, a teacher must provide a student that has been suspended from school for two or more days the homework that the student would otherwise have been assigned if the student or the student’s parent or other person holding educational rights makes a request to the teacher. Whenever a homework assignment that is requested and turned into the teacher either upon the student’s return to school from suspension or by the deadline prescribed by the teacher, whichever is later, is not graded before the end of the academic term, that assignment cannot be included in the calculation of the student’s overall grade in class.

Discipline Rules

JCS is committed to providing a safe, supportive, and positive school environment which is conducive to student learning and achievement and desires to prepare students for responsible citizenship by fostering self-discipline and personal responsibility. The District believes that high expectations for student behavior, use of effective school and classroom management strategies, provision of appropriate intervention and support, and parent involvement can minimize the need for disciplinary measures that exclude students from instruction as a means for correcting student misbehavior.

Each school site and each classroom teacher has established behavior expectations for their students that are consistent with Board policy and applicable state and federal laws. Staff shall enforce disciplinary rules fairly, consistently, and in accordance with the District’s nondiscrimination policies. Students shall be held to a strict account for their conduct on the way to and from school, in the classroom and other school buildings, on school grounds, at school-sponsored activities, and on the school bus. Students shall conform to school regulations; obey promptly all directions of teachers and others in authority; be diligent in study; be kind, courteous, and respectful to all students and staff; and refrain entirely from the use of profane and vulgar language.

At all times, the safety of students and staff and the maintenance of an orderly school environment shall be priorities in determining appropriate discipline. To the extent possible, staff shall use disciplinary strategies that keep students in school and participating in the instructional program. Disciplinary measures that may result in loss of instructional time or cause students to be disengaged from school, such as detention, suspension, and expulsion, shall be imposed only when required or permitted by law or when other means of correction have been documented to have failed.

Grounds for Suspension and Expulsion

A student at any grade level may be suspended from school or recommended for expulsion for committing any of the following acts that are related to a school activity or school attendance: (EC 48900, 48900.7)

Caused, attempted to cause, or threatened to cause physical injury to another person.

Willfully used force or violence upon another person, except in self-defense.

Possessed, sold, or otherwise furnished any firearm, knife, explosive, or other dangerous object.

Unlawfully possessed, used, sold, otherwise furnished, or was under the influence of any controlled substance, alcoholic beverage, or intoxicant of any kind.

Unlawfully offered, arranged, or negotiated to sell any controlled substance, alcoholic beverage, or intoxicant of any kind, and then sold, delivered, or otherwise furnished to any person another liquid, substance, or material and represented same as such controlled substance, alcoholic beverage, or intoxicant.

Committed or attempted to commit robbery or extortion.

Caused or attempted to cause damage to school property or private property.

Stole or attempted to steal school property or private property.

Possessed or used tobacco, or products containing tobacco or nicotine products.

Committed an obscene act or engaged in habitual profanity or vulgarity.

Unlawfully possessed, offered, arranged, or negotiated to sell any drug paraphernalia.

Knowingly received stolen school property or private property.

Possessed an imitation firearm. Imitation firearm means a replica of a firearm that is so substantially similar in physical properties to an existing firearm as to lead a reasonable person to conclude that the replica is a firearm.

Committed or attempted to commit a sexual assault or committed a sexual battery.

Harassed, threatened, or intimidated a student who is a complaining witness or witness in a school disciplinary proceeding for the purpose of preventing that student from being a witness and/or retaliating against that student for being a witness.

Unlawfully offered, arranged to sell, negotiated to sell, or sold the prescription drug Soma.

Engaged in, or attempted to engage in, hazing. Hazing means a method of initiation or pre-initiation into a student organization or body, whether or not the organization or body is officially recognized by an educational institution, which is likely to cause serious bodily injury or personal degradation or disgrace resulting in physical or mental harm to a former, current, or prospective student.

Engaged in an act of bullying. Bullying means any severe or pervasive physical or verbal act or conduct, including communications made in writing or by means of an electronic act, directed toward one or more students that has or can reasonably be predicted to have the effect of placing a reasonable student in fear of harm to the student’s person or property; cause the student to experience a substantially detrimental effect on the student’s physical or mental health; or cause the student to experience substantial interferences with the student’s academic performance or ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities, or privileges provided by the school. Bullying also includes an act of cyber sexual bullying by a student through the dissemination of, or the solicitation or incitement to disseminate, a photograph or other visual recording that depicts a nude, semi-nude, or sexually explicit photograph or other visual recording of an identifiable minor, when such dissemination is to another student or to school personnel by means of an electronic act and has or can be reasonably predicted to have one or more of the effects of bullying described above. Cyber sexual bullying does not include a depiction, portrayal, or image that has any serious literary, artistic, educational, political, or scientific value or that involves athletic events or school-sanctioned activities.

Aided or abetted the infliction or attempted infliction of physical injury on another person.

Made terrorist threats against school officials and/or school property. A terrorist threat includes any written or oral statement by a person who willfully threatens to commit a crime which will result in death or great bodily injury to another person or property damage in excess of $1,000, with the specific intent that the statement is to be taken as a threat, even if there is no intent of actually carrying it out.

Additional grounds for suspension and expulsion for students in grades 4 through 12 include: (EC 48900.2, 48900.3, 48900.4)

Committed sexual harassment. Sexual harassment means conduct which, when considered from the perspective of a reasonable person of the same gender as the victim, is sufficiently severe or pervasive as to have a negative impact upon the victim’s academic performance or to create an intimidating, hostile, or offensive educational environment.

Caused, attempted to cause, threatened to cause, or participated in an act of hate violence. Hate violence includes injuring or intimidating a victim, interfering with the exercise of a victim’s civil rights, or damaging a victim’s property because of the victim’s race, ethnicity, religion, nationality, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation; a perception of the presence of any of those characteristics in the victim; or the victim’s association with a person or group with one or more of those actual or perceived characteristics.

Intentionally engaged in harassment, threats, or intimidation against district personnel or students that is sufficiently severe or pervasive to have the actual and reasonably expected effect of materially disrupting classwork, creating substantial disorder, and invading the rights of school personnel or students by creating an intimidating or hostile educational environment.

Recommendation to Expel

As required law, a student found to have committed any of the following acts at school or at a school activity off school grounds shall be immediately suspended and recommended for expulsion: (EC 48915(c))

Possessing, selling, or otherwise furnishing a firearm.

Brandishing a knife at another person.

Unlawfully selling a controlled substance.

Committing or attempting to commit a sexual assault or committing a sexual battery.

Possessing an explosive.

For all other acts committed at school or at a school activity off school grounds, a student may be recommended for expulsion based on a finding of one or both of the following: (EC 48915(b) and (e))

Other means of correction are not feasible or have repeatedly failed to bring about proper conduct.

Due to the nature of the act, the presence of the student causes a continuing danger to the physical safety of the student or others.

Other Means of Correction

JCS, Inc. may document the other means of correction used and place that documentation in the pupil’s record. Other means of correction may include but is not limited to: a conference between school personnel, the pupil’s parent or guardian and the pupil; referrals to the school counselor, psychologist, social worker, child welfare attendance personnel, or other school support service personnel for case management and counseling; study teams, guidance teams or other intervention-related teams that assess behavior and develop and implement behavior plans; referral for psycho-social or psycho-educational assessment; participation in a restorative justice program; and after-school programs that address specific behavioral issues.

Involvment of Law Enforcement

Whenever any school employee is attacked, assaulted, or physically threatened by a student, the incident must be promptly reported to the appropriate law enforcement authorities. Additionally, the principal or designee must notify the appropriate law enforcement authorities, within specified timelines, of any acts committed by students occurring on school grounds that involve:

Assault with a deadly weapon or instrument

Sexual battery or sexual assault

Controlled substances, alcoholic beverages, or intoxicants

Firearms or explosives

Any dirk, dagger, ice pick, knife having a blade longer than 2½ inches, folding knife with a blade that locks into place, razor with an unguarded blade, taser, or stun gun (as defined in PC 244.5(a)), any instrument that expels a metallic projectile, such as a BB or a pellet, through the force of air pressure, CO2 pressure, or spring action, or any spot marker gun

Whenever the principal or designee reports a criminal act committed by a student with exceptional needs, the principal or designee will ensure that copies of the student’s special education and disciplinary records are provided to law enforcement authorities for consideration.

Property Loss or Damage

When JCS property is damaged due to the willful misconduct of a student, the school shall seek reimbursement of damages, within the limitations specified in law, from the student’s parent or from any other responsible individual.

JCS may collect debt owed by a student or former student as a result of vandalism or to cover the replacement cost of school books, supplies, or property loaned to a student that the student willfully fails to return or that is willfully cut, defaced, or otherwise injured. If the student’s parent is unable to pay for the damages or to return the property, a program of voluntary work for the student shall be offered in lieu of the payment of monetary damages. Until the student’s parents have paid for the damages, or the voluntary work has been completed, JCS may withhold the student’s grades, diploma, and/or transcript. Before withholding a student’s grades, diploma, and/or transcripts, the student’s parents shall be informed of the student’s alleged misconduct in writing. In addition, appropriate disciplinary procedures may be initiated against the student.

Suspension from School

Information on the JCS Suspension and Expulsion Policy can be found here.

Reporting Threats

Any employee or other school official whose duties bring them in contact on a regular basis with students in any of grades 6-12, as part of a middle or high school, who is alerted to or observes any threat or perceived threat of a homicidal act shall immediately report the threat or perceived threat to law enforcement.

Threat or perceived threat means any writing or action of a student that creates a reasonable suspicion that the student is preparing to commit a homicidal act related to school or a school activity. This may include possession, use, or depictions of firearms, ammunition, shootings, or targets in association with infliction of physical harm, destruction, or death in a social media post, journal, class note, or other media associated with the student. It may also include a warning by a parent, student, or other individual.

Liability of Parent or Guardian for Willful Pupil Misconduct

The parent or guardian of any minor may be held financially liable for the pupil’s willful misconduct which results in injury or death to any pupil or person employed or volunteering for JCS, Inc. or injury to real or personal property belonging to JCS, Inc. or a JCS, Inc. employee. The parent or guardian of a minor shall be liable to JCS, Inc. for all property belonging to JCS, Inc. loaned to the minor and not returned upon demand of an employee of JCS, Inc. authorized to make the demand. JCS, Inc. shall notify the parent or guardian of the pupil in writing of the pupil’s alleged misconduct before withholding the pupil’s grades, diploma, or transcript pursuant to this Section.

Duty Concerning Conduct of Pupils

All students participating in JCS, Inc. programs or activities will comply with JCS, Inc. policies, rules, and regulations, pursue their studies, and obey the valid authority of JCS, Inc. staff. Any student who feels another participant is disrupting the student’s learning environment is strongly encouraged to report that misconduct to a JCS, Inc. staff member. The JCS, Inc. staff member will, in turn, report to the designated JCS, Inc. staff member in charge of handling student complaints. JCS, Inc. staff expects all students enrolled in JCS, Inc. programs or activities to conduct themselves in a manner that enriches the educational environment and does not disrupt the learning process. JCS, Inc. believes all students enrolled in JCS, Inc. programs or activities should experience a positive learning environment. All students participating in JCS, Inc. programs or activities are expected to cooperate by respecting the rights of other participants, which includes the right to a learning environment free from disruptions. Student conduct includes conduct on school grounds, going to and from school and during recess and lunch periods.

Every teacher has a duty to hold pupils accountable for their conduct on the way to and from school, and on the playground, or during recess. A teacher, vice principal, principal or any other certificated employee of a school district, shall not be subject to criminal prosecution or criminal penalties for the exercise, during the performance of his duties, of the same degree or physical control over a pupil that a parent would be legally privileged to exercise but which in no event shall exceed the amount of physical control reasonably necessary to maintain order, protect property, or protect the health and safety of pupils, or to maintain proper and appropriate conditions conducive to learning.

Dress Code/Gang Apparel

Students are expected to come to school appropriately dressed. Students failing to dress appropriately will be asked to change. The dress code can be found in each school's Parent Handbook, linked to their respective websites.

Student Records

Access By Military Recruiters

Federal law requires that JCS provides military recruiters access to secondary school students’ names, addresses and telephone listings upon request by the military recruiters. A student or parent may request that this information not be released to military recruiters without prior written consent. Such requests must be submitted in writing to the JCS School Principal.

Access to Student Records

Access means personal inspection and review, request and receipt, and oral description or communication of any record. A log is maintained in each student’s record which lists all persons, agencies, or organizations that have requested or received information from the records and the legitimate educational interest of the requester. The log is only accessible to the parent, a student who is 16 years of age or older or who has completed the 10th grade, the custodian of records, and certain state and federal officials.

School officials and employees with legitimate educational interests may access student records without parental consent as long as access to such records is required to fulfill their duties and responsibilities, whether routine in nature or as a result of special circumstances (e.g., working with the student, compiling and analyzing student data, connecting a student to education programs or services). School officials and employees also include contractors, consultants, volunteers, or other parties to whom the District has outsourced its functions and who perform services for which the District would otherwise use employees. Upon request from officials of another school, school system, or postsecondary institution in which a student seeks or intends to enroll or is already enrolled, the District is authorized to disclose educational records without parental consent as long as the disclosure is for purposes related to the student’s enrollment or transfer.

A student’s citizenship status, immigration status, place of birth, or any other information indicating national origin will not be released without parental consent or a court order.

Parents have the right to:

Inspect and review the student’s educational record maintained by the school

Request that a school correct records which they believe to be inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy rights (see notification on “Challenging Student Records”)

Consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s records, except to the extent that state and federal laws authorize disclosure without consent, and request a copy of the records that were disclosed

File a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning an alleged failure by the District to comply with the provisions of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) by completing the FERPA Complaint Form and then either emailing the completed form to FERPA.Complaints@ed.gov, or mailing the completed form to: U.S. Department of Education, Student Privacy Policy Office, 400 Maryland Ave., SW, Washington, D.C. 20202-8520

When a student turns 18 years of age, all rights regarding student records are transferred from the parent to the student. If the adult student is still claimed by the parent as a dependent for tax purposes, the parent may still access the student’s records. Although noncustodial parents are not afforded the rights described above, they have the right to access their student’s education records unless that right of access has been limited through a court order.

When prior written consent from a parent is required by law, the parent must provide a written, signed, and dated consent before the District discloses the student record. Such consent may be given through electronic means in those cases where it can be authenticated. The parent must specify the records that may be disclosed, state the purpose of the disclosure, and identify the party or class of parties to whom the disclosure may be made. Upon request by the parent, JCS will provide the parent with a copy of the records disclosed. The written request to access or disclose a student’s records must be submitted in written form to the school Principal, who will, in turn, have five business days from the day of receipt of the request to fulfill the request during regular school hours. Qualified certificated personnel are available to interpret records when requested. Reasonable measures will be taken to prevent the alteration, damage, or loss of records during inspection.

Cal Grant Program

A Cal Grant is a California-specific financial aid allocation that does not have to be paid back. To qualify, a student must meet the eligibility and financial requirements as well as any minimum grade point average (GPA) requirements. Cal Grants can be used at any University of California, California State University or California Community College. Some independent and career colleges or technical schools in California also take Cal Grants.

Cal Grant applicants must apply using the FAFSA or CA Dream Act application by the deadline and meet all eligibility, financial, and minimum GPA requirements of either program. To assist students with the application, all students in grade 12 are automatically considered a Cal Grant applicant and each grade 12 student’s GPA will be submitted by the October 1 deadline to the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) electronically by JCS. Upon implementation of transcript-informed accounts for students in grades 9-12 on the CaliforniaColleges.edu platform, any GPA data required for eligibility for financial aid programs will be submitted through the California College Guidance Initiative.

A student, or the parent of a student under 18 years of age, may complete a form to indicate that they do not wish for the school to electronically send CSAC the student’s GPA. Until a student turns 18 years of age, only the parent may opt out the student. Once a student turns 18 years of age, only the student may opt themselves out, and can opt in if the parent had previously decided to opt out the student. Notification regarding CSAC and the opportunity to opt out of being automatically deemed a Cal Grant applicant will be provided to all students and their parents by January 1 of the students’ 11th grade year. If the opt out form is not received by March 1 of the student’s 11th grade year, the student’s GPA will be submitted to CSAC beginning September of the student’s 12th grade year.

California College Guidance Initiative (CCGI)

The California College Guidance Initiative (CCGI) works to smooth the path to college for California students and unify the efforts of the institutions that serve them. Combining data-driven tools and infrastructure with capacity building and student-focused curricula, CCGI helps close the gaps between systems and ensure that all California students, especially those who have been underrepresented in higher education, can move seamlessly from K-12 to college and career. CCGI manages CaliforniaColleges.edu, which is the state’s official college and career planning platform and is free to all California students in grades 6-12 and their families.

To facilitate this, data for all students enrolled in grades 6-12 public schools will:

Be shared with the CCGI.

Be used to provide students and families with direct access to online tools and resources.

Enable a student to transmit information shared with the CCGI to both of the following:

Postsecondary educational institutions for purposes of admissions and academic placement.

The Student Aid Commission for purposes of determining eligibility for, and increasing uptake of, student financial aid.

Challenging Student Records

Following an inspection and review of student records, the parent may challenge the content of the records and/or ask for records to be expunged. The parent may submit to the principal a written request to correct or remove from the student’s records any information concerning the student which they allege to be any of the following: inaccurate, an unsubstantiated personal conclusion or inference, a conclusion or inference outside the observer’s area of competence, not based on the personal observation of a named person with the time and place of the observation noted, misleading, or in violation of the privacy or other rights of the student.

Within 30 calendar days, the Superintendent or designee will meet with the parent and the certificated employee who recorded the information, if any, and if the person is still employed with JCS, and sustain or deny the allegations. If the allegations are sustained, the Superintendent or designee will order the correction, removal, or destruction of the information. If the Superintendent or designee denies the allegations, the parent may appeal the decision to the Governing Board within 30 calendar days. The Board will determine whether or not to sustain or deny the allegations. If the Board sustains the allegations, it will order the Superintendent to immediately correct, remove, or destroy the information from the written records of the student.

If the final decision of the Board is unfavorable to the parents, or if the parent accepts an unfavorable decision by the Superintendent, the parent has the right to submit a written statement of objections to the information. This statement becomes a part of the student’s school record until such time as the information objected is removed.

Both the Superintendent and the Board have the option of appointing a hearing panel in accordance with EC 49070-49071 to assist in the decision-making.

If the challenge involves a student’s grade, the teacher who gave the grade will be given an opportunity to state, orally and/or in writing, the reasons for which the grade was given. To the extent practicable, the teacher will be included in all discussions related to any grade change. In the absence of clerical or mechanical error, fraud, bad faith, or incompetency, a student’s grade as determined by the teacher is final.

Directory Information

“Directory Information” includes one or more of the following items: student’s name, address, telephone number, email address, date of birth, major field of study, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight, and height of members of athletic teams, dates of attendance, degrees and awards received, and the most recent public or private school attended by the student. JCS, Inc. has determined that the following individuals, officials, or organizations may receive directory information:

Certain school publications

Outside organizations including, but not limited to, companies that manufacture class rings or publish yearbooks

Military recruiters

Post-secondary educational institutions

Outside governmental agencies

No information may be released to a private profit-making entity other than employers, prospective employers, and representatives of the news media, including, but not limited to, newspapers, magazines, and radio and television stations. Directory information may be disclosed without prior consent from the parent or legal guardian unless the parent or legal guardian submits a written notice to the school to deny access to his/her pupil’s directory information. However, directory information related to homeless and unaccompanied youth will not be released without the express written consent for its release by the eligible pupil, his/her parent, or guardian.

JCS, Inc. may disclose appropriately designated "directory information" as specified herein without written consent unless advised to the contrary in accordance with procedures.

Parents/guardians must notify JCS, Inc. in writing every year if they do not want JCS, Inc. to disclose directory information from their child's education records without prior written consent. The directory release form can be found here.

Also, in accordance with Section 49073.2, the LEA shall not include the directory information or the personal information of a pupil or of a parent or guardian of a pupil in the minutes of a meeting of its governing body, except as required by judicial order or federal law, if a pupil who is 18 years of age or older or a parent or guardian of a pupil has provided a written request to the secretary or clerk of the governing body to exclude his or her personal information or the name of his or her minor child from the minutes of a meeting of the governing body.

Personal information includes a person's address, telephone number, date of birth, and email address.

Duplication of Student Records

Copies of student records are available to parents at no cost. Former students may receive up to two transcripts or up to two verifications of their records at no cost.

Maintenance of Student Records

A cumulative record must be maintained on the history of a student’s development and educational progress. Student records are any items of information, whether recorded by handwriting, print, tapes, film, microfilm or other means, gathered within or outside the Sample School District that are directly related to an identifiable student and maintained for the purpose of second-party review. Active records are maintained at the student’s school; inactive records are maintained at the JCS Central Office.

Per state and federal law, JCS maintains the following mandatory permanent records indefinitely: student’s legal name, date and place of birth, method of verifying birth date, sex, enter and leave date each school year, subjects taken, marks or number of credits toward graduation, verification of or exemption from required immunization, date of high school graduation or equivalent, and parent’s name and address (including the student’s address if different, and the annual verification of residency for both the student and the parent). The District also keeps the following mandatory interim records until three years after the student leaves or graduates, or their usefulness has ceased: log identifying persons or agencies who have requested or received information from the student record, health information, information on participation in special education programs, language training records, progress slips/notices, parental authorizations/restrictions/waivers, rejoinders to challenged records, results of standardized tests administered within the past three years, expulsion orders, and independent study evaluation and findings. Permitted records, which are records that JCS has determined important to maintain, may include, but are not limited to, objective counselor and teacher ratings, standardized test results older than three years, routine discipline data, verified reports of relevant behavior patterns, disciplinary notices, and attendance records.

JCS will not collect or solicit social security numbers or the last four digits of social security numbers of students or parents, except as required by state or federal law or as required to establish eligibility for a federal benefit program. Additionally, JCS will not collect information or documents regarding the citizenship or immigration status of students or their family members, unless required by state or federal law or as required to administer a state or federally supported educational program.

On an annual basis, records that are not designated as mandatory permanent records are reviewed to determine the records that still need to be retained and those that are appropriate for destruction. Records are destroyed in a way that assures that such records will not be available to possible public inspection in the process of destruction.

The Director of Operations has been designated as the custodian of records at the District level, and at each school site, the principal serves as the custodian of records for students enrolled at their school. The custodian of records is responsible for implementing the policies and procedures related to student records; in particular, they must protect the student and the student’s family from invasion of privacy by ensuring only authorized persons may access student records.

Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment

The Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA) affords parents of elementary and secondary students certain rights regarding the conduct of surveys, collection and use of information for marketing purposes, and certain physical exams. These include, but are not limited to, the right to:

Consent before students are required to submit to a survey that concerns one or more of the following protected areas (“protected information survey”) if the survey is funded in whole or in part by a program of the U.S. Department of Education (ED)–

Political affiliations or beliefs of the student or student’s parent;

Mental or psychological problems of the student or student’s family;

Sex behavior or attitudes;

Illegal, anti-social, self-incriminating, or demeaning behavior;

Critical appraisals of others with whom respondents have close family relationships;

Legally recognized privileged relationships, such as with lawyers, doctors, or ministers;

Religious practices, affiliations, or beliefs of the student or student’s parent; or

Income, other than as required by law to determine program eligibility.

Receive notice and an opportunity to opt a student out of –

Any other protected information survey, regardless of funding;

Any non-emergency, invasive physical exam or screening required as a condition of attendance, administered by the school or its agent, and not necessary to protect the immediate health and safety of a student, except for hearing, vision, or scoliosis screenings, or any physical exam or screening permitted or required under State law; and

Activities involving collection, disclosure, or use of personal information collected from students for marketing or to sell or otherwise distribute the information to others. (This does not apply to the collection, disclosure, or use of personal information collected from students for the exclusive purpose of developing, evaluating, or providing educational products or services for, or to, students or educational institutions.)

Inspect, upon request and before administration or use –

Protected information surveys of students and surveys created by a third party;

Instruments used to collect personal information from students for any of the above marketing, sales, or other distribution purposes; and

Instructional material used as part of the educational curriculum.

These rights transfer from the parents to a student who is 18 years old or an emancipated minor under State law.

JCS has developed and adopted policies, in consultation with parents, regarding these rights, as well as arrangements to protect student privacy in the administration of protected information surveys and the collection, disclosure, or use of personal information for marketing, sales, or other distribution purposes. JCS will directly notify parents of these policies at least annually at the start of each school year and after any substantive changes. JCS will also directly notify, such as through U.S. Mail or email, parents of students who are scheduled to participate in the specific activities or surveys noted below and will provide an opportunity for the parent to opt their child out of participation of the specific activity or survey. JCS will make this notification to parents at the beginning of the school year if JCS has identified the specific or approximate dates of the activities or surveys at that time. For surveys and activities scheduled after the school year starts, parents will be provided reasonable notification of the planned activities and surveys listed below and be provided an opportunity to opt their child out of such activities and surveys. Parents will also be provided an opportunity to review any pertinent surveys. Following is a list of the specific activities and surveys covered under this direct notification requirement:

Collection, disclosure, or use of personal information collected from students for marketing, sales, or other distribution.

Administration of any protected information survey not funded in whole or in part by ED.

Any non-emergency, invasive physical examination or screening as described above.

Parents who believe their rights have been violated may file a complaint by completing the PPRA Complaint Form and then either emailing the completed form to PPRA.Complaints@ed.gov or mailing it to: Student Privacy Policy Office, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20202-8520.

Student Records for Marketing (Disclosure of Student Information)

JCS, Inc. makes student directory information available in accordance with state and federal laws. This means that each student’s name, birthday, address, telephone number, major course of study, participation in school activities, dates of attendance, awards, and the previous school attendance may be released to agencies such as the local PTA or Parent Club, or the military services. If you do not wish this information released, please sign and return this form for this purpose to the school or county office program.

Electronic Products or Services that Disseminate Advertising

If JCS, Inc. enters into a contract for electronic products or services that requires the dissemination of advertising to students, the district, among other requirements specified in EC 35182.5(c)(3), must provide written notice to the parents or guardians of the students that the advertising will be used in the classroom or other learning centers.

Medical Record Sharing

Medical information may be shared with local health departments and the State Department of Public Health or immunization registry. Any information shared shall be treated as confidential medical information. The student or parent or guardian has the right to examine any immunization-related information shared in this manner and to correct any errors in it; and the student or parent or guardian may refuse to allow this information to be shared in the manner described, or to receive immunization reminder notifications at any time, or both. More information regarding the immunization registry with which the information may be shared may be found online at http://www.sdiz.org/cair-sdir/index.html.

Technology

Internet Safety and Acceptable Use of Technology

JCS, Inc. prides itself on the safety of our students. Please read the following letter from our Executive Director on Internet Safety.

An emerging national concern is the inappropriate use of the Internet by students. Across the nation, schools continue to see an increase in negative student behavior as a result of messages written using electronic technology, posted to popular social networking websites. Many sites contain instant messaging components that allow students to chat with other students and to post statements that ordinarily would not be said in a face-to-face conversation. The popularity of these websites has grown.

Unfortunately, some students use the sites to participate in online bullying or to threaten harm to other students. The “cyber bullies” use the anonymity of the Web to hurt others without witnessing the consequences. Students who are bullied online sometimes do not report these occurrences for fear that they will be barred from using the Internet.

Outside of schools, there have been instances of adults, who are child predators and con artists, posing as youths and gaining access to student chat rooms. In some cases, these contacts have led to tragedy. Some unsuspecting students post enough personal information that predators are able to locate students’ home or school addresses, thereby becoming easy targets for predators.

JCS shall ensure that all school computers with Internet access have a technology protection measure that protects against access to visual depictions that are obscene, child pornography, or harmful to minors and that the operation of such measures is enforced. To reinforce these measures, rules and procedures are designed to restrict students’ access to harmful or inappropriate matter on the Internet and to ensure that students do not engage in unauthorized or unlawful online activities.

Parents should be aware of what their children are writing on the Internet and what others are posting in reply. These websites are public domain, and anything posted there can be seen by anyone who has Internet access. Although most of what is written is not immoral, offensive, or illegal, some of it is. Parents may choose to investigate a site by personally logging onto the site. The services are free, and users may register and join the site by using an email address. Once registered, parents can search by name and email address to see if their child is registered. Search results may be narrowed by entering the name of the city. Parents will then be able to view the kinds of personal information, messages, diaries, and photographs that students post on the site.

Parents should be aware that most social media platforms are required to disclose all cyberbullying reporting procedures in the social media platform’s terms of service. They must also have a mechanism within its internet-based service to allow an individual, whether or not that individual has a profile on the internet-based service, to report cyberbullying or any content that violates the existing terms of service.

Parents are encouraged to discuss with their children the potential danger of the Internet and establish rules and guidelines to ensure their safety while on the Internet. For additional Internet safety tips and advice, visit any of the following websites:

Common Sense Media – https://www.commonsensemedia.org

Connect Safely – https://www.connectsafely.org/

National Center for Missing & Exploited Children – https://www.netsmartz.org/

Net Cetera – https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/feature-0002-parents

Web Wise Kids – http://www.webwisekids.org

JCS will continue to provide Internet security within its schools. It is important that parents also monitor Internet use at home.

Use of JCS Technology

The charter school's acceptable use of technology on school campuses and access by pupils to the Internet and on-line sites via a personal device or JCS-issued device is available at www.jcs-inc.org under our policies, which is viewable here. JCS, Inc. also requires all students to review and complete the Acceptable Technology Use Agreement.

Use of Mobile Communication Devices

The use of smartphones and other mobile communication devices on campus may be beneficial to student learning and well-being, but could be disruptive of the instructional program in some circumstances. In fact, there is growing evidence that unrestricted use of smartphones by students during the school day interferes with the educational mission of the schools, lowers student performance, promotes cyberbullying, and contributes to an increase in teenage anxiety, depression, and suicide.

Although students cannot be prohibited from possessing or using a mobile communication device under any of the circumstances listed below, the District has adopted a policy in restricting the possession and use of smartphones at school and while under the supervision of school personnel.

In the case of an emergency, or in response to a perceived threat of danger

When a teacher or administrator grants permission to the student to possess or use a mobile communication device, subject to any reasonable limitation imposed by that teacher or administrator

When a licensed physician or surgeon determines that the possession or use is necessary for the student’s health and well-being

When the possession or use is required by the student’s individualized education program or Section 504 plan

Additionally, smartphones and other mobile communication devices shall not be used in any manner which infringes on the privacy rights of any other person. When used in an unauthorized manner, the device may be confiscated and/or searched according to law and policy, and the student may be subject to discipline. A student may also be subject to discipline for use of a mobile communication device off school grounds if it poses a threat or danger to the safety of students, staff, or school property or substantially disrupts school activities.

JCS is not responsible for the loss, theft, or damage of a student’s mobile communication device which is brought onto school grounds or to a school activity.

Electronic Signaling Device

JCS, Inc. may notify parents of the policy regulating the rights of pupils to possess or use electronic signaling devices (e.g., cell phones and pagers) on school campuses during the school day or at school activities.

Posting

Website

The following information and applicable forms can be found on the JCS, Inc. website (www.jcs-inc.org) and/or each JCS school's website:

Anti-cyberbullying procedures

Bullying (Link to CDE resources)

Comprehensive School Safety Plan

Discrimination and Harassment based on sex: definition

Discrimination, harassment, intimidation, bullying policy

Employee interaction with students

Foster Youth Educational Rights

Hate Violence Policy

Homeless liaison(s) contact information

Homelessness Information (educational rights and resources)

Mental health posters

Neurodiversity resources

Restraint and Seclusion Data

School Accountability Report Card (SARC)

Sexual Harassment Policy

Title IX Policy and Complaint Procedures

Social Media Bullying

Suicide Prevention

Synthetic Drugs

USDA Nondiscrimination Statement (Content from USDA)

Enrollment/Disenrollment Notice

Board meeting recordings

Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP)

Mathematics Placement Policy (grades 9-12 only)

Suicide Prevention Policies

Uniform Complaint Policy and Procedures

School Sites

The following information or item is posted at the school site.

AED use instructions (if applicable)

All-gender restroom signage (by July 1, 2026)

Child Abuse or Neglect Report (from CDE)

Discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and bullying policy

Epinephrine auto-injectors (written materials)

Homeless poster (from CDE)

Menstrual Products Availability (grades 3-12 ONLY)

Mental Health Poster (grades 6-12 ONLY, from CDE)

Missing Children’s Bulletin (from Attorney General’s website)

Sexual Harassment Policy

Sexual Harassment Poster (grades 9-12 ONLY)

“Tobacco use is prohibited” sign

Visitor Registration Requirements and School Hours

Williams Complaint