Annual Notices

2023-24 ANNUAL NOTICES CONTENTS

Administration of Medication
AHERA Annual Notice
Assistance for School Books, Supplies, and Fees
Computer Network & Internet Access
Criminal Organizations
Directory Information
Distribution of Materials That Are Not School Sponsored
Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
Indiana Driver’s License/Permit Restriction Policy
Indoor Air Quality Coordinator
Medicaid Reimbursement
Non-Custodial Parents
Non-Discrimination
Parent’s Right to Know
Pest Control
Possession of Weapons on School District Property
Protection of Pupil Rights
Residency and Educational Rights
Restraint and Seclusion of Students
School Bus Conduct and Safety Rules
School Immunizations
Student Publications & Productions
Testing
Transfer of Records
Visitors to Schools
Wayne Westside Community Values and Wayne Habits of Success
Wellness

ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATION

The purpose of medication administration in school is to help each student maintain an optimal state of health to enhance his/her educational efforts. Medications given during school hours should be only those necessary to allow the student to comfortably and capably perform in the school setting.

The parent/guardian must send in all medication with a signed permission form. (A permission form is available at your school.) The medication must be properly labeled. All medication will be kept in a secured location and should be presented to the school nurse or principal’s designee when brought into the building. It is the child’s responsibility to come to the specified location to receive the medication unless other arrangements are made.

The following guidelines are intended to provide assistance for a safe, effective program of medication administration for students while they are at school.

A program for administration of medication is developed and managed by a school nurse.

  • The school nurse will only administer the medication necessary to maintain the child in school.
  • Written instructions signed by parent/guardian and/or physician are obtained and retained on file.
  • Medication must be in the original container with a pharmacy label affixed. A pharmacy label can serve as a physician order.
  • Non-prescription medicine should be provided in the original container. Parents are responsible for refilling any prescription(s) or purchasing additional non-prescription medicine.
  • Administration of medication requiring an assessment of the student to determine dosage shall only be done by a qualified person. If it is necessary for medication to be administered by an unlicensed person, a physician’s written order will be required specifically allowing an unlicensed person to administer the medication.
  • If a school employee is not a licensed school nurse and is responsible for administering medication, training regarding the medication, side effects, dosage, and techniques necessary for the safe administration will be arranged by the school nurse for that employee. Documentation of the training will be kept on file. General guidelines will be available in the substitute nurse folder and a contact person will be noted.
  • A school may not require teachers or other employees to administer medication that requires skills beyond their qualifications (injectables, glucose testing).
  • All permission for long-term medication shall be renewed at least annually and any changes shall be documented by written authorization of a licensed prescriber.
  • A medication administration sheet shall be maintained by the school nurse for each student receiving medication at school. All persons administering medication shall document that the student received the medication, time, date, method by which the medication is administered, and signature.
  • If it is agreed between parent and school that a student would benefit from the responsibility of self-medication, a program shall be developed for that student. When developing a plan for self-administration of emergency medications, the safety of the other school children must be taken into consideration. The medication must be kept inaccessible to other students.
  • A student with a chronic disease or medical condition may possess and self-administer emergency medication if the following conditions are met: (1) the student’s parents have filed an authorization with the school nurse or principal’s designee to possess and self-administer the emergency medication; and (2) the physician states in writing that the student has an acute or chronic disease or medical condition for which emergency medication has been prescribed; student has been instructed in how to self-administer the emergency medication; the nature of the disease or medical condition requires emergency administration of medication. Please note the authorization and physician’s statement must be filed annually.
  • If, at the end of the school year, the medication has not been picked up, the medication will be disposed of and the school nurse will document the disposal.
  • Parents who do not comply with these regulations shall be required to come to school and administer the medication to their child.

AHERA ANNUAL NOTICE

In accordance with the US EPA’s AHERA Standard (ref: 40 CFR 763.80), all information concerning asbestos-containing materials in the schools of the MSD of Wayne Township is available for review and copying by all students, staff and guardians upon request during normal business hours. A copy of the plans for all buildings under the jurisdiction of this local education agency is available at the MSD of Wayne Township Education Center, which is located at 1220 S. High School Road, Indianapolis, IN 46241; telephone number 317-988-8611. Inquiries regarding any facet of the regulation or the management plans should be directed to the district business office at the above telephone number during normal business hours.

ASSISTANCE FOR SCHOOL BOOKS, SUPPLIES, AND FEES

Parents who meet the financial eligibility standards for free and reduced price meals under the National School Lunch and Breakfast Program and who make proper application to the school district are not required to pay the fees for school books, supplies, or other required class fees. The school corporation shall pay such fees after the determination of financial eligibility is made. Family applications must be completed listing all students attending school in the MSD of Wayne Township. The application and eligibility standards may be obtained through any of the schools or through the MSD of Wayne Township, 1220 South High School Road, Indianapolis, IN, 46241, telephone 317-988-8600.

COMPUTER NETWORK & INTERNET ACCESS

Internet access through the school district is a valuable learning resource for students. Students will be permitted to have access to the Internet and the school district’s computer network unless their parent/guardian files a written objection at the beginning of each school year. A form for refusing student access may be found here. All use of district network and technology must comply with the Responsible Use of Technology Policy (Policy A200).

Internet access through the school district is screened by filtering software to attempt to prevent student access to content that is inappropriate for students, but no filter can provide perfect protection from inappropriate content. Staff monitoring of student computer usage and parent assistance are necessary to allow a student to have the substantial educational value of Internet access, while limiting the dangers. Use of the district network constitutes consent to be monitored and students shall not have an expectation of privacy in their use of the district network or technology.

CRIMINAL ORGANIZATIONS

MSD of Wayne Township prohibits criminal organizations and criminal organization activity. Under IC 35-45-9-1, “Criminal Organization” means a formal or informal group with at least three members that:

  • Promotes, sponsors, assists in, or participates in; or
  • requires as a condition of membership or continued membership; or
  • has as one of its goals;

the commission of a felony or an act that would be a felony if committed by an adult or the offense of battery (IC 35-42-2-1).

For more details, see MSD Wayne’s Board Policy G450, Criminal Organization Activity.

DIRECTORY INFORMATION

Parents or eligible students (18 years of age or older) have 14 calendar days from the first student day of the school year to object in writing to the building principal to the release of the following directory information about the student without parental consent:

  • Name, address, parents’ names, home and work telephone numbers
  • Date and place of birth, hair and eye color, race, sex, height, weight, grade level
  • Major field of study; participation in school activities and sports
  • Dates of school attendance; honors and awards received
  • Other similar information: e.g., yearbook information
  • Print and electronic media including pictures and digital images of students involved in school activities
  • Student work displayed at the discretion of the teacher with no grade displayed
  • Motor vehicle description and license plate number
  • Unlawful activities on or near school property to the appropriate law enforcement agency or court officer
  • Recommended disciplinary action for school related offenses to the appropriate law enforcement agency or court officer

DISTRIBUTION OF MATERIALS THAT ARE NOT SCHOOL SPONSORED

Materials in any form that are not school sponsored shall not be distributed at school or at a school district activity at a time or in a manner that disrupts a curricular or extracurricular activity, restricts the passage of students, employees and visitors through school buildings or facilities, or causes litter or an unsafe condition in a school or facility. Materials advertising a commercial product or service may not be distributed at school or a school district activity without prior approval. Materials for not-for-profit community groups such as a church or scout troop also need prior approval. Once the content is approved, the principal will determine the manner and time of distribution.

FAMILY EDUCATION RIGHTS AND PRIVACY ACT (FERPA)

The maintenance of student records by the school is governed by FERPA, which affords parents and students over 18 years of age (“eligible students”) certain rights including:

  • The right to inspect and review their children’s records at reasonable times within 45 days of the day a school receives a request to access the records, and, in accordance with district policy, to purchase a copy of such records.
  • The right to request the amendment of the student’s record if it is inaccurate or misleading or is otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy rights.
  • The right to provide written consent before the school discloses personally identifiable information (PII) from the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.
  • The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education, Family Policy Compliance Office, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington DC 20202, concerning alleged failures by the district to comply with the requirements of FERPA.

Certain persons may examine student records without a parent’s consent. These include school officials, who have “legitimate educational interests.” A school official is a person employed by the school as an administrator, supervisor, instructor, or support staff member (including health or medical staff and law enforcement unit personnel) or a person serving on the school board. A school official also may include a volunteer or contractor outside of the school who performs an institutional service or function for which the school would otherwise use its own employees and who is under the direct control of the school with respect to the use and maintenance of PII from education records, such as a software or technology service provider, an attorney, auditor, medical consultant, or therapist; or a parent, student, or other volunteer assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks. A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility.

Federal law requires public school districts, upon request, to release the name, address and telephone number of high school students to military recruiters unless a parent expressly informs the school in writing by the end of the first week of the school year not to include this contact information (name, address or phone) in the lists that are released to military recruiters.

HARASSMENT, INTIMIDATION, AND BULLYING

Harassment, intimidation, and bullying may be a barrier to learning for students and optimum job performance for employees. Victims are encouraged, but are not required, to make it clear that the offending words or actions are unwelcome. Words or actions of this nature should be reported to an administrator by a victim and by any person who observes another person being victimized. Persons making a report will be protected from retaliation or penalty unless the person making the report knew it was false when reporting. For more information, see Student Code of Conduct “Grounds for Suspension and Expulsion”; Indiana Code 20-33-8; and Board Policy C350, Antibullying.

INDIANA DRIVER’S LICENSE/PERMIT RESTRICTION POLICY

  • Habitual truancy policy—The MSD of Wayne Township defines habitual truancy as a student’s willful refusal to attend school in defiance of parental authority and the school corporation’s attendance officer. If a student’s attendance record indicates a pattern of defiant absences, and if the student accumulates three (3) or more unexcused absences (involving two or more incidents) within one semester or six (6) or more absences (involving three or more incidents) within one school year, he/she will be considered a habitual truant and the school will inform the Bureau of Motor Vehicles and the student will not be issued a driver’s license or permit until he/she is eighteen (18) years of age or until the Board of Education determines in a periodic review (at least once per year) that the student’s record has improved to the degree required by Board policy. Each secondary school’s assistant principal has additional information available regarding the periodic review and Board policy.
  • Issuance of or invalidating a student’s operating license or learner’s permit—Indiana law prohibits the issuance or invalidates a student’s operator’s license or learner’s permit when he/she has been suspended or expelled from school. Any student receiving six (6) or more days of suspension in any one school year will not have his/her eligibility form for issuance of a license/permit approved by the principal. If a student under eighteen (18) years of age is expelled or suspended for 6 or more days, his/her principal shall notify the Bureau of Motor Vehicles to invalidate the student’s license or permit. Any student whose license/permit has been invalidated may appeal to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles pursuant to Indiana Code.

INDOOR AIR QUALITY COORDINATOR

MSD of Wayne Township’s Indoor Air Quality Coordinator contact information is below:

Todd Hendricks/MSD of Wayne Township Supervisor of Facilities and Grounds
7202 W. McCarty St., Indianapolis, IN 46241
todd.hendricks@wayne.k12.in.us
317-988-6371

MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENT

The MSD of Wayne Township may bill Indiana Medicaid for district services provided to eligible special education students in compliance with all applicable regulations. All public school districts are entitled to receive Medicaid reimbursement for providing specific special education services to eligible students. Medicaid reimbursement to a school district does not affect the student’s spend-down payment or the amount of medical services which the student currently receives or will receive in the future.

NON-CUSTODIAL PARENTS

Indiana and federal law, as well as school district policy, presumes that a student’s non-custodial parent has not lost his or her parental rights. These rights include the ability to access the student’s records, participate in parent-teacher conferences, and pick a student up from school at dismissal or for an appointment. If a custodial parent has a current court order that specifically limits a non-custodial parent’s participation in school activities or access to the student at school, the custodial parent should present the court order to the principal of the school the student attends, and supplement if modified by the court.

Preferences of a custodial parent not supported by a court order cannot be enforced. If a request for a court order is pending, the custodial parent should meet with the principal of the student’s school to explain any circumstances that may result in harm to the student.

NON-DISCRIMINATION

The MSD of Wayne Township is committed to making decisions based upon merit and achievement. The Board of Education does not discriminate on the basis of gender (including sexual stereotype non-conformity), race, age, ancestry, national origin, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or United States military service veteran status in any educational program or activity.

  • The commitment to not discriminate extends to employment and admission to any educational program or extracurricular activity.
  • A complaint on any of the above grounds may be filed by or on behalf of any student or employee.
  • The Discrimination Complaint Form may be obtained from the main office of each school corporation building. Help in completing this form is available from the Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources who can be contacted at 1220 South High School Road, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46241, or by calling 317-988-8600.
  • Additional information, clarification or complaints may be directed to the following school officials who have been given the responsibility for assuring compliance with federal and state laws governing non-discrimination in educational programming, activities and employment. Discrimination issues related to gender, race, age, employment, ancestry, national origin, religion, color, sexual orientation, gender identity, or United States military service veteran status, Title IX, Sexual Harassment or Gender Equity—Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources at 988-8600. Issues of Disability—Section 504—Deputy Human Resources Officer at 317-988-8600. Reports may be made at any time, by telephone, email, or mail to the above listed school officials.
  • If a parent, student, or teacher knows or suspects a learning disability, and/or a physical or mental disability, he/she has the responsibility to refer the student for an individual educational evaluation under Instructional Data Evaluation Analysis (IDEA) (for special education) or to determine eligibility under Section 504. To refer a student for an educational evaluation, contact a school counselor.

PARENT’S RIGHT TO KNOW

Upon a parent’s request, the MSD of Wayne Township will provide information regarding the professional qualifications of their student’s classroom teachers, including whether the student’s teacher (a) has met Indiana’s qualification and licensing criteria for the teacher’s grade levels and subject areas, (b) is teaching under emergency or other provisional qualification/licensing status, or (c) has been subject to discipline of the teacher’s license; and whether the student is provided services by paraprofessionals and, if so, their qualifications.

PEST CONTROL

The Indiana Pesticide Review Board regulates how school corporations may use pesticides on school grounds. The MSD of Wayne Township follows these guidelines and invites parents, guardians, and staff to join our Pesticide Notification Registry. By signing up for this registry, you will be notified, via email, at least 48 hours prior to a pesticide application at your child’s school, subject to certain exceptions. You will be invited to sign up for this notification each school year. For more details, see MSD Wayne’s Board Policy G200, Pest Control.

POSSESSION OF WEAPONS ON SCHOOL DISTRICT PROPERTY

It is a felony under Indiana law for a person other than a law enforcement officer to bring a firearm onto school district property. A permit to carry a firearm does not allow a person to bring a firearm onto school district property except when the person possesses the firearm in a motor vehicle or the firearm is locked out of sight in the person’s vehicle.

School district policy also generally forbids the possession of all weapons on school district property except by a law enforcement officer. Before coming onto school district property or to a school activity with any weapon, you are encouraged to check with the principal of the school to be visited before bringing the weapon to the school or activity. Students who bring deadly weapons onto school property will be expelled as required by state law.

PROTECTION OF PUPIL RIGHTS

Board of Education Policy C375 requires written permission of a parent/guardian prior to a student taking part in a survey, questionnaire, analysis, or evaluation which asks about personal or family matters. This policy also guarantees a parent/guardian the right to inspect instructional materials, which are to be used in connection with such a survey, questionnaire, analysis, or evaluation prior to the decision about permission. A parent/guardian wishing to inspect survey materials should contact the principal of their child’s school for an appointment. Board of Education Policy C375 establishes greater parental rights than the rights required by the federal Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA) (20 U.S.C. § 1232h; 34 CFR Part 98), and therefore complies with the requirements of that law.

RESIDENCY AND EDUCATIONAL RIGHTS

Students who are determined to be in a homeless living situation have the following rights:

  • Enrollment in the school they last attended or the school in whose attendance area they are currently staying even if they do not have all of the documents normally required at the time of enrollment;
  • Access to free meals and textbooks, Title I and other educational programs, and other comparable services including transportation where applicable;
  • To attend the same classes and activities that students in other living situations also participate in without fear of being separated or treated differently due to their housing situations.

Any questions about these rights can be directed to the Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Schools at 317-988-8600.

RESTRAINT AND SECLUSION OF STUDENTS

MSD of Wayne Township makes every effort to prevent the need to restrain or seclude students. However, the district also has in place a restraint and seclusion policy and plan explaining how a student may be safely restrained or placed in seclusion, as a last resort, when there is an imminent risk of serious physical harm to the student or others. For detailed information, see MSD of Wayne Township’s restraint and seclusion plan (Board of Education Policy C550-R).

SCHOOL BUS CONDUCT AND SAFETY RULES

These rules are designed to promote safety on the buses at all times, since the safety of all students is our top priority. In order to help ensure student safety, periodic videotaping may occur on the bus. School bus transportation is a privilege. If transportation privileges are denied, parents or guardians are responsible for getting the child to and from school. To promote a safe, orderly, efficient and enjoyable bus ride to and from school the rules listed below must be followed by all students.

  • At the bus stop
    • Be on time. Board only at your regularly assigned stop, unless special permission is received in advance.
    • Stay out of the street and away from the road.
    • Help protect surrounding property while waiting.
    • Wait to enter until the bus comes to a full stop, and the door has been opened by the driver. Take your turn and do not push when entering the bus.
  • On the bus
    • Always obey the driver promptly and respectfully.
    • Be seated promptly and stay in assigned seat.
    • Keep all books and materials on your lap or contained in a pack or bag.
    • Be courteous and use no profane language.
    • Speak in low tones.
    • Never push, shove, scuffle or engage in horseplay.
    • Keep all belongings including head, hair, hands and feet inside the bus and to yourself.
    • Never smoke or use any tobacco product.
    • Never fight.
    • Never throw objects inside or outside the bus.
    • Never eat or drink on the bus.
    • Treat bus seats and equipment with care and respect.
    • Keep the bus clean and orderly.
  • Leaving the bus
    • Leave the bus only at your regularly assigned stop, unless special permission is received in advance.
    • Wait to leave until the bus comes to a full stop, and the door has been opened by the driver. Take your turn and do not push when leaving the bus.
    • Once off, clear the area immediately. If crossing the street in front of the bus, wait for a signal from the bus driver, then walk quickly across the street.

SCHOOL IMMUNIZATIONS

Whenever a child enrolls in the Metropolitan School District of Wayne Township, the parents are required to furnish the school corporation with a written statement of the child’s immunizations no later than the first day of school, accompanied by the physician’s certificates or other documentation, unless such a written statement is already on file with the corporation. Minimum immunization requirements for school entry vary by grade level and a student’s age. Please check with your health care provider or school nurse for the latest Indiana State Department of Health requirements which can be found here.

The law does provide for exemption from immunization for those children who show a physician’s statement indicating the child cannot receive the immunizations because of health reasons and for those children whose parents present the school with a written statement objecting to the immunizations for religious reasons. The request for exemption must be filed annually.

STUDENT PUBLICATIONS & PRODUCTIONS

Publications such as a school newspaper or yearbook, and productions such as plays and musical productions are presented as a part of the school district’s curricular offerings, and are not an open or public forum for the unrestricted presentation of the views of a student or parent.

As curricular offerings, the content of these activities will be consistent with Wayne Westside Community Values (see the section with this title).

TESTING

Upon request, parents will be provided with information regarding student participation in assessments mandated by state and federal law, or by the MSD of Wayne Township. More information about Indiana’s testing requirements is available here.

TRANSFER OF RECORDS

The MSD of Wayne Township will forward educational records, including those related to special education placement, to an educational institution that is receiving, or has received, one of our students without the parent or eligible student signing a release request. If a parent, legal guardian, or eligible student objects to the automatic transfer of school records, the objection should be submitted in writing to the building principal prior to the student’s last day in the MSD of Wayne Township.

VISITORS TO SCHOOLS

Visitors are asked to abide by the following procedures:

  • Parents who need to speak with a teacher should call or email the teacher to set up an appointment. We know conversations with parents and teachers are most productive when both adults can devote their attention to the topic, and we want teachers to use every minute of the day to teach our students.
  • If parents need to speak with their child during the school day, school personnel will be happy to call the student to the office and find a private location for the parent and child to converse.
  • All visitors who need to enter into the school will need to have a government issued ID out and ready to be checked. The ID will be scanned and a badge will be printed for the visitor. When leaving school, the visitor will drop the badge back off at the office so he/she can be checked out. Scanning visitors in and out allows us to check the National Sex Offender Registry, and allows us to keep an accurate account of who is in our school at all times.
  • When visiting our schools for lunch, please remember that fast food and soft drinks are discouraged and not allowed in the cafeteria. There will be a separate seating arrangement for parents to enjoy lunch with their children. Due to space and student privacy needs, students may not invite friends with them when they eat with their family. At the conclusion of lunch, adults should return to the office to turn in their visitor badge and be checked out of the building. Adults should not attend recess with students or walk with them back to their classroom.

WAYNE WESTSIDE COMMUNITY VALUES AND WAYNE HABITS OF SUCCESS

Since 1983, the MSD of Wayne Township has participated in a values awareness program. Community organizations such as youth service agencies, athletic and recreational groups, PTO’s, businesses, churches, and the school district identified thirty core values. Adults and organizations in the community have the opportunity to demonstrate, communicate, and emphasize these core values so that all youth will develop appropriate values to make them more productive and successful citizens.

Our Wayne Westside Community Values Program has a counterpart called Wayne Habits of Success. These habits are persisting; taking responsible risks; remaining open to continuous learning; applying past knowledge to new situations; managing impulsivity; thinking interdependently; metacognition; thinking flexibly; thinking and communicating with clarity and precision; responding with wonderment and awe; listening with understanding and empathy; questioning and posing problems; finding humor; gathering data through all senses; creating, imagining, and innovating; and striving for accuracy.

WELLNESS

The MSD of Wayne Township promotes student wellness by supporting healthy choices, good nutrition, and physical activity as part of the total learning environment. For more details, see MSD Wayne’s Board Policy C575, Student Wellness Policy.

Download printable version of the Information Guide, Code of Conduct and Annual Notices here.