Transparency

The Title I Schools for the 2017-2018 school year are: Edison, Elliott, Graham, Hamilton, Hicks, Hoover, Roosevelt-McGrath, Schweitzer, Taft-Galloway, Walker-Winter and Wildwood Elementary Schools; Adams and Marshall Upper Elementary Schools; Franklin and Stevenson Middle Schools. 

As a parent and/or guardian of a student enrolled in a Title I School, you have the right to know the professional qualifications of your child’s classroom teacher. Federal law allows you to ask for certain information about your child’s classroom teacher(s) and requires school districts to give you this information promptly when requested.

Specifically, you have the right to ask for the following information about your child’s classroom teachers:

• Whether the Michigan Department of Education has licensed or qualified the teacher for the grades and subjects, he/she teaches.
• Whether the Michigan Department of Education has decided that the teacher can teach in a classroom without being licensed or qualified under state regulations because of special circumstances.
• The teacher’s college major, whether the teacher has any advanced degrees, and if so, the subject of the degrees.
• Whether any teacher’s aides or similar paraprofessionals provide services to a parent and/or guardian’s child, and if they do, their qualifications.

If you would like any of this information, please contact the Wayne-Westland Community Schools Human Resources Department at 734-419- 2032.

This is to certify that Wayne-Westland Community Schools has designed and implemented the necessary policies and administrative guidelines to comply with the requirements of Public Law 101 (Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act as amended in 1989). The District's program shall:

• A. emphasize the prevention of drug use;
• B. provide standards of conduct that are applicable to all staff and which clearly prohibit, at a minimum, the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol on school premises or as a part of any school activity;
• C. include a clear statement that disciplinary sanctions, up to and including termination and referral for prosecution, will be imposed on staff members who violate the school standards of conduct and a description of those sanctions;
• D. ensure that all staff members have been provided information about drug and alcohol counseling, rehabilitation, and re-entry programs available to them and how to make contact with an appropriate program;
• E. ensure that all staff members have been given a copy of the standards of conduct regarding the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol by students and have been notified of the requirement
• that compliance with the standards of conduct is mandatory.

A biennial review of the School District's program will be conducted to determine its effectiveness, to implement changes as needed, and to enforce disciplinary sanctions.

The District shall continue an effort to maintain drug-free schools through compliance with the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act.

Each year the Superintendent shall provide public notice to students and their parents of its intent to make available, upon request, certain information known as "directory information." The Board designates as student "directory information":

A student's name, address, date and place of birth, major field of study, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, height and weight, if a member of an athletic team; dates of attendance, date of graduation, awards received, scholarships, telephone numbers only for inclusion in school or PTO directories, or any other information which would not be considered harmful or an invasion of privacy, if disclosed.

Parents and eligible students may refuse to allow the District to disclose any or all of such "directory information" upon written notification to the District within ten (10) days after receipt of the District's public notice.

The Board shall, in accordance with State and Federal law, provide at least the same access to the high school campus and to student directory information (names, addresses, and telephone listings of secondary students) of the students enrolled in the high school as is provided to other entities offering educational or employment opportunities to official recruiting representatives of all of the following for the purpose of informing students of educational and career opportunities available in the armed forces of the United States and the service academies of the armed forces of the United States. "Armed forces of the United States" means the armed forces of the United States and their reserve components and the United States Coast Guard.

If a student or the parent or legal guardian of a student submits a signed, written request to the Board that indicates that the student or the parent or legal guardian does not want the student’s directory information to be accessible to official recruiting representatives, then the officials of the school shall not allow that access to the student’s directory information. The Board shall ensure that students and parents and guardians are notified of the provisions of the opportunity to deny release of directory information.

Public notice shall be given regarding the right to refuse disclosure of any or all "directory information" including to the armed forces of the United States and the service academies of the armed forces of the United States.

A fee, not to exceed the actual costs incurred by the high school, for copying and mailing student directory information under this section, may be charged an official recruiting representative.

Directory information received under armed services authorization request shall be used only to provide information to students concerning educational and career opportunities available in the armed forces of the United States or the service academies of the armed forces of the United States. An official recruiting representative who receives student directory information under this section shall not release that information to a person who is not involved in recruiting students for the armed forces of the United States or the service academies of the armed forces of the United States.

Annually the Board will notify male students age eighteen (18) or older that they are required to register for the selective service.

Requests to the District records officer shall be presented on a standardized form developed by the armed forces of the United States requesting access to a high school campus and a time for the access. Requests should bear the signature of the ranking recruiting officer of the armed service making the request.

Whenever consent of the parent(s)/eligible student is required for the inspection and/or release of a student's education records or for the release of "directory information," either parent may provide such consent unless stipulated otherwise by court order. If the student is under the guardianship of an institution, the Superintendent shall appoint a person who has no conflicting interest to provide such written consent.

The Board may disclose "directory information" on former students without student or parental consent unless the parent or eligible student previously submitted a request that such information not be disclosed without their prior written consent.

The Board shall not permit the collection, disclosure, or use of personal information collected from students for marketing or for selling that information (or otherwise providing that information to others for that purpose.)

The Board may establish online access for the parents or the eligible student to the student’s confidential academic and attendance record. To authorize such access, the parents or the eligible student must sign a release (see Form 8330 F10). This release shall remind the parents or eligible student that the account and confidential information about the student is only as secure as they keep their account information. Neither the District nor its employees will be held responsible for any breach of this policy by the parent/eligible student or any unauthorized party.

The Superintendent shall prepare administrative guidelines to ensure that students and parents are adequately informed each year regarding their rights to:

• A. inspect and review the student's education records;
• B. request amendments if the record is inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student's rights;
• C. consent to disclosures of personally-identifiable information contained in the student's education records, except to unauthorized disclosures allowed by the law;
• D. challenge the Board’s noncompliance with a parent’s request to amend the records through a hearing;
• E. file a complaint with the United States Department of Education;
• F. obtain a copy of the Board’s policy and administrative guidelines on student records.

The Superintendent shall also develop procedural guidelines for:

• A. the proper storage and retention of records including a list of the type and location of records;
• B. informing Board employees of the Federal and State laws concerning student records.

The Board authorizes the use of the microfilm process or electromagnetic processes of reproduction for the recording, filing, maintaining, and preserving of records.

No liability shall attach to any member, officer, or employee of this District specifically as a consequence of permitting access or furnishing student records by this policy and regulations.

The primary consideration in any emergency situation must be the safety of the students and staff. At certain times, therefore, it may be necessary to ask the staff to perform "beyond the call of duty" to provide for the welfare of our students. In the event of an actual emergency situation, all school personnel, instructional and non-instructional, will be required to remain in the building until they are dismissed by the principal.

• A. When an emergency occurs, the principal shall consult with the Superintendent whether or not to evacuate the school. An announcement will then be made to inform staff and students of the emergency procedures that will be followed.
• B. If a decision is made to send students home or to another location, attempts will be made to notify parents by telephone and/or by radio or TV and the public-address system will be used to inform all teachers and students.

Any person who believes that s/he has been discriminated against or denied equal opportunity or access to programs or services may file a complaint, which shall be referred to as a grievance, with the District’s Civil Rights Coordinator:

Executive Director, Student and Legal Affairs
Wayne-Westland Community Schools
36745 Marquette
Westland, MI 48185
Telephone: 734-419-2083

The individual may also, at any time, contact the:

U.S. Department of Education Office of Civil Rights
600 Superior Avenue, Room 750
Cleveland, OH 44114-2611

School authorities have the responsibility of safeguarding the safety and well-being of the students in their care. In the discharge of that responsibility, in all situations in which the student is under the jurisdiction of the board, the school authorities may search the person or property (lockers and vehicles) of a student, with or without the student’s consent, whenever they have individualized, reasonable suspicion that the search is required to discover evidence of a violation of law or school rules.

Pursuant to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and its implementing regulations ("Section 504"), no otherwise qualified individual with a disability shall, solely by reason of his/her disability, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance. The Board of Education does not discriminate in admission or access to, participation in, or treatment, or employment in, its programs or activities. The Graphics Technician/web is the District’s Section 504 Compliance Officer. The Compliance Officer can be reached at 36745 Marquette, Westland, MI 48185; 734-419-2009.

The Board of Education provides notice to all students, the public and its employees of the potential use of video surveillance and electronic monitoring to protect District property, promote security and protect the health, welfare, and safety of students, staff and visitors. The Superintendent shall develop and supervise a program for the security of the District's students, staff, visitors, school buildings, school grounds, and school equipment in compliance with statute and rules of the State. The Superintendent may authorize the use of video/electronic surveillance systems in monitoring activity on school property.

If the National Weather Service issues a severe weather alert notice, the following procedures will be executed:

A. A TORNADO WATCH is a forecast for the possibility of one (1) or more tornadoes across a large geographic area. A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH is a forecast for the possibility of severe thunderstorms, including large hail and damaging winds, across a large geographic area. Severe thunderstorms can and do occasionally produce tornadoes. When a tornado or severe thunderstorm watch is issued, the District will continue normal activities but move recess and physical education activities indoors. Each building and department shall designate someone to be responsible for continuously monitoring weather conditions and the local media while students are in the building or on the premises. School will not be dismissed early and dismissal time will be at the regular time even if the watch is still in effect. If a tornado watch is issued before the start of school, the superintendent or his designee shall determine if a delay or cancellation is appropriate.

B. If the National Weather Service issues a TORNADO WARNING (which means that a tornado has either been sighted or considered to be imminent in the warned area), students will remain in school, along with staff in pre-designated shelter areas, until the warning has been canceled. If the National Weather Service issues a TORNADO WARNING before the start of school, school will be canceled or delayed as appropriate.

C. If the National Weather Service issues a SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING (which means that severe weather has been observed or is considered imminent in the warned areas), students will remain in school with staff. If conditions become sufficiently severe as to create a concern for safety, building principals may direct students and staff to pre-designated tornado shelter areas until the warning has been cancelled.

D. Parents are requested not to come to school for their children during tornado or severe thunderstorm watches or warning, as this may lead to confusion and emotional hysteria. A student can only be released to his/her parent or legal guardian in person.

E. Tornado drills, to this effect, will be part of our drill procedures in all buildings.

F. Plans for any and all emergencies have been prepared by school officials, and the safest place is usually the school building during severe weather.

G. If a tornado watch or warning is issued prior to any after-school activity involving students, the activity shall be cancelled immediately and, in the event of a tornado warning, all people on the premises will be directed to take shelter in pre-designated shelter areas.

H. If a severe thunderstorm warning is issued prior to or during any outdoor after school activity involving students, the activity shall be cancelled immediately. Indoor activities shall continue as scheduled.

I. Athletics follows MHSAA guidelines:

1. When lightning is observed or thunder is heard, the contest is suspended; contestants shall not return to the playing field until lightning has been absent from the local sky and thunder has not been heard for thirty (30) minutes.
2. If there is a tornado watch or warning at an MHSAA tournament site at least three (3) hours prior to the event, participating school local policy prevails. If one (1) team of dual competition cannot be present by their policy, no contest is held. If multiple team competition, sixty percent (60%) of teams must be present. If local district policy closes competition, all teams must be called.
3. If there is a tornado watch or warning at an MHSAA tournament site less than three (3) hours before an event and teams are enroute, no decision shall be made until both teams in bracket have arrived or contact has been made. Local policy always prevails.
4. If a tornado watch or warning is issued during contest, play is suspended and play resumed if time permits at point of suspension. Local policy always prevails.
5. See MHSAA guidelines for further guidelines

J. EMERGENCY DISMISSALS can occur due to mechanical and/or power failure and other inclement weather. Those dismissals will be handled as follows: Walking students and those with their own transportation will be dismissed first. Bus students will remain with teachers and be dismissed as soon as their bus arrives, according to regular dismissal schedule. (Secondary first, then elementary students.)

K. If school is closed due to any form of inclement weather, student activities may be cancelled. Announcements to the effect that the activity has been cancelled will occur over local radio stations. NO ANNOUNCEMENT will indicate that the activity will be held.

L. Principals will designate someone to be on ramp duty to inform the office of the bus numbers as they arrive, when dismissing students from school.

M. WAYNE COUNTY REGIONAL EDUCATIONAL SERVICE AGENCY (RESA) procedure regarding the closure of SPECIAL EDUCATION training facilities, due to winter weather conditions: School districts transporting students within their district boundaries shall transport special education students to R.E.S.A. administered special education programs.* If school districts are not transporting students within district boundaries due to severe weather conditions, they shall not transport students to R.E.S.A. - sponsored special education programs.

R.E.S.A. special education programs will be closed when ALL transporting districts are not in session due to winter weather conditions.

USDA’s “All Foods Sold in Schools” Standards recently published practical, science-based nutrition standards for snack foods and beverages sold to children at school during the school day. The standards, required by the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, will allow schools to offer healthier snack foods to children, while limiting junk food. Students across the country are now offered healthier school lunches with more fruits, vegetables and whole grains. The Smart Snacks in School standards will build on those healthy advancements and ensure that students are only offered tasty and nutritious foods during the school day.

The following is an overview of the Healthy Snacks standards and what it means to Wayne Westland’s students:

Nutrition Standards for Foods:

• Any foods sold in schools must be a “whole grain-rich” product; or
• Have as the first ingredient a fruit, vegetable, a dairy product, or a protein food; or
• Be a combination food that contains at least ¼ cup of fruit and/or vegetable; or
• Contains 10% of the Daily Value (DV) of one of the nutrients of public health concern in the 2010 Dietary Guidelines of Americans (calcium, potassium, vitamin D, or dietary fiber).
• Foods must also meet several nutrient requirements: calorie limits; snack items; less than 200 calories and entrée items less than 350 calories
• Fat limits: total fat: less than 35% of calories; saturated fat: less than 10% of calories; trans fat: zero grams
• Sugar limit: less than 35% of weight from total sugars in foods

Students will still be able to enjoy snack foods; the snacks will just be reformulated to meet the new guidelines.  For instance, cookies will still be offered; they will be whole grain and reduced fat.  Chips, popcorn and other snacks will be baked and in serving sizes that meet the nutrient requirements.  Fries will still be available at the high school level; they will be baked instead of fried, and the portion size will be in line with the caloric limits. All schools may sell plain water, low fat and flavored fat-free milk and 100% fruit or vegetable juices.   Flavored waters will be available at the high schools. These new guidelines apply to all foods sold to students during the school day; this includes school stores, culinary restaurants, fundraisers, etc.

For the breakfast program: students will be offered 1 cup of fruit or vegetable. They must take a ½ cup of fruit /vegetable with their meal.

Do you have questions or concerns?  Please feel free to call the Food Service Office at (734) 419 -2118.

Public Act 198 of 1971, the Mandatory Special Education Act, establishes the right of persons with a disability, from birth through the age of 25, to equal opportunity within the public schools. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 also entitles eligible students to accommodations in their educational programs. This means that children with a disability can benefit from Special Education Services or 504 accommodations. It is important that help be obtained at the earliest opportunity. In the State of Michigan, this help is free to parents and is available through your public schools. A team of educational specialists will evaluate your child to determine the type and degree of disability and the best kind of program placement. This evaluation often includes medical specialists. Special Education Services are available for children with the following impairments:

• Autistic Impairment
• Cognitive Impairment
• Deaf/Blind
• Visual Impairment; Hearing Impairment
• Developmental Delay; Early Childhood
• Emotional Impairment 
• Physical Impairment; Health Impairment
• Severe Multiple Impairment
• Specific Learning Disability 
• Speech & Language Impairment
• Traumatic Brain Injury 

Special Education Services at (734) 419-2068 and ask for the Director of Special Education, or contact your child’s school principal to discuss your child’s educational needs.

PPRA affords parents and students who are 18 or emancipated minors (“eligible students”) certain rights regarding the conduct of surveys, collection and use of information for marketing purposes and certain physical exams. These  

include 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–(1) Political affiliations or beliefs of the student or student’s parent; (2) Mental or psychological problems of the student or student’s family; (3) Sexual behavior or attitudes; (4) Illegal, anti-social, self-incriminating, or demeaning behavior; (5) Critical appraisals of others with whom respondents have close family relationships; (6) Legally recognized privileged relationships, such as with lawyers, doctors, or ministers; (7) Religious practices, affiliations, or beliefs of the student or parents; or (8) Income, other than as required by law to determine program eligibility. 

Receive notice and an opportunity to opt a student out of–(1) Any other protected information survey, regardless of funding; (2) 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 (3) Activities involving collection, disclosure, or use of personal information obtained from students for marketing or to sell or otherwise distribute the information to others. 

Inspect, upon request and before administration or use–(1) Protected information surveys of students; (2) Instruments used to collect personal information from students for any of the above marketing, sales, or other distribution purposes; and (3) Instructional material used as part of the educational curriculum. Parents/eligible students who believe their rights have been violated may file a complaint with:

Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue
SW Washington, D.C. 20202-4605. 

Grievance Procedure

Any student who believes he or she has been subjected to prohibited discrimination or harassment is required to report the allegation to his or her principal or assistant principal. Alternatively, if the student believes his or her principal or assistant principal has engaged in prohibited discrimination or harassment, he or she is required to report the allegation to a trusted counselor or teacher. Any district employee who receives an allegation of prohibited discrimination or harassment from a student is required to immediately report the allegation to the district’s Executive Director of Student and Legal Affairs. 

The district’s Executive Director of Student and Legal Affairs, or his or her designee, upon receiving a report of prohibited discrimination or harassment, is required to promptly conduct and complete an investigation. The nature of the investigation will depend on the allegation. However, the investigation will typically include: obtaining a complete written statement of the student’s allegation; obtaining any evidence supporting the allegation, such as witness interviews, documents or other physical evidence; interviewing the alleged perpetrator; and, obtaining any evidence supporting the alleged perpetrator’s response to the allegation. 

The district’s Executive Director of Student and Legal Affairs, or his or her designee, after completing the investigation, will conclude whether the student was subjected to prohibited discrimination or harassment. The district’s Executive Director of Student and Legal Affairs may also conclude that, based on the evidence, he or she is unable to reach such a conclusion. If prohibited discrimination or harassment has occurred, the district’s Executive Director of Student and Legal Affairs, in consultation with the district’s Superintendent, will take the remedial action he or she deems reasonable and appropriate to prevent the recurrence of prohibited discrimination or harassment and, if appropriate, impose sanctions against the perpetrator. When prohibited discrimination or harassment has not occurred, or the district’s Executive Director of Student and Legal Affairs is unable to reach a conclusion based on the evidence, he or she, in consultation with the district’s Superintendent, may take reasonable steps to address the complaining student’s legitimate concerns. The district’s Executive Director of Student and Legal Affairs will promptly communicate his or her conclusions to the student and the alleged perpetrator and will, also, communicate this policy’s prohibition against retaliation. Contact Information: Stanley Szczotka, Ph.D., Executive Director of Student and Legal Affairs, Wayne-Westland Community Schools, 36745 Marquette, Westland, Michigan 48185 • 734-419-2083. 

The Board of Education respects the privacy rights of parents and their children. No student shall be required as a part of the school program or the District's curriculum, without prior written consent of the student, (if an adult or an emancipated minor) or, if an unemancipated minor, his/her parents, to submit to or participate in any survey, analysis, or evaluation that reveals information concerning:

• Political affiliations or beliefs of the student or his/her parents;
• Mental or psychological problems of the student or his/her family;
• Sex behavior or attitudes;
• Illegal, anti-social, self-incriminating or demeaning behavior;
• Critical appraisals of other individuals with whom respondents have close family relationships;
• Legally-recognized privileged and analogous relationships, such as those of lawyers, physicians, and ministers;
• Religious practices, affiliations, or beliefs of the student or his/her parents; or
• Income (other than that required by law to determine eligibility for participation in a program or for receiving financial assistance under such a program).

The Superintendent shall ensure that procedures are established whereby parents may inspect any materials used in conjunction with any such survey, analysis, or evaluation. Further, parents have the right to inspect, upon request, a survey or evaluation created by a third party before the survey/evaluation is administered or distributed by the school to the student. The parent will have access to the survey/evaluation within a reasonable period of time after the request is received by the building principal.

To ensure the right of parents, the Board directs building and program administrators to:

• A. Notify parents in writing of any surveys, analyses, or evaluations, which may reveal any of the information, as identified in A-H above, in a timely manner, and which allows interested parties to request an opportunity to inspect the survey, analysis, or evaluation; and the administrator to arrange for inspection prior to initiating the activity with students.
• B. Allow the parent the option of excluding their student from the activity.
• C. Report collected data in a summarized fashion which does not permit one to make a connection between the data and individual students or small groups of students.
• D. Treat information as identified in A-H above as any other confidential information in accordance with Policy 8350.

Additionally, parents have the right to inspect, upon request, any instructional material used as part of the educational curriculum of the student. The parent will have access to the instructional material within a reasonable period of time after the request is received by the building principal. The term instructional material means instructional content that is provided to a student, regardless of its format, including printed and representational materials, audio-visual materials, and materials in electronic or digital formats (such as materials accessible through the Internet). The term does not include academic tests or assessments.

The Board will not allow the collection, disclosure, or use of personal information collected from students for the purpose of marketing or for selling that information (or otherwise providing that information to others for that purpose).

The Superintendent is directed to provide notice directly to parents of students enrolled in the District of the substantive content of this policy at least annually at the beginning of the school year, and within a reasonable period of time after any substantive change in this policy. In addition, the Superintendent is directed to notify parents of students in the District, at least annually at the beginning of the school year, of the specific or approximate dates during the school year when the administration of any survey by a third party that contains one or more of the items described in A through H above are scheduled or expected to be scheduled if, in fact, either or both activities are to be scheduled.

For purposes of this policy, the term "parent" includes a legal guardian or other person standing in loco parentis (such as a grandparent or stepparent with whom the child lives, or a person who is legally responsible for the welfare of the child).

State law establishes a "Weapon-Free School Zone" that extends 1,000 feet from the boundary of any school property. The term "weapon" means any object which, in the manner in which it is used, is intended to be used, or is represented, is capable of inflicting serious bodily harm or property damage, as well as endangering the health and safety of persons. Weapons include, but are not limited to, firearms, guns of any type, including air, spring, and gas-powered guns,

(whether loaded or unloaded), knives, razors, clubs, electric weapons, metallic knuckles, martial arts weapons, ammunition, and explosives.

Updated August 2017