A Look Back   November 25--Blood Drive at West Auburn High School Thank you all the people who donated!  More than 75 people will benefit from blood donations collected November 25.  We look forward to seeing you at the next blood drive! October 24--AAEOP Workshop--Legal Issues in the School Setting On a day-to-day basis, many educational office professionals in the Auburn School District are faced with issues relating to custody, records, employee rights and responsibilities, and more.  Curtis Leonard (ASD attorney) developed a workshop based on specific issues brought up by AAEOP members.  If you missed this workshop, indeed you missed a good one!  An additional workshop is being planned for one of the spring waiver days.  Watch the website for announcements!  Some of the points Curtis covered included: VOLUNTEERS—A background check (good for two years) must be on file before the person volunteers.  Information will come from the district (Curtis Leonard’s office) if someone will not be permitted to volunteer or if there are stipulations on where they may/may not volunteer.          Volunteers must be under supervision at all times (unless they have had the fingerprinting done)—they cannot be alone with a student.  Under supervision means an employee is present (within visual and/or auditory distance).   If a volunteer will be alone with a student (or group of students, such as chaperones for field trips), an FBI fingerprint-check must also be done.    STUDENT INFORMATION/RECORDS—Do NOT give written or oral information about a student to anyone except the parent/legal guardian, student, or district staff unless authorized to do so by special or legal services department.  We have NO obligation to provide information and/or records by phone request.  When in doubt, verify what information can be provided by contacting the legal services department (253-939-4317). Verify who is requesting information—be sure that person is authorized to receive information.  If a no-contact order involving a non-custodial parent is on file, the non-custodial parent is likely still entitled to records; however, be sure to blank/black out the home address and phone number on anything being sent to the non-custodial party (and of course, you will be verifying the identity of the person).   Refrain from giving any information over the phone, don’t discuss confidential issues in a public setting, and use good judgment regarding disclosure when a student is in danger.   ·        Be aware of mandatory requirements (If you even think abuse is occurring, talk with your principal.  ALL district employees must report suspected abuse.) ·        There is no “protected information” (privileged information) between students and district staff (even counselors). . . all of these communications can be disclosed and may be required by a court. ·        Staff should share information given by a student where there is likely (or a reasonable likelihood) that a crime has been or will be committed. ·        One of the most difficult in terms of possible “fall out” from parents is—assist students by providing information for health care.  Strongly encourage the student to speak with his/her parent!   If a CPS report is being made, do NOT notify the family that a report is being made.  If an officer is removing a student, they are responsible for making contact with the parent/guardian.   Can social services meet with a student?  Yes.  Also, an advocate, attorney, public defender, police officer, and/or CPS case worker.  It is a good idea to ask the person speaking with the student to provide a business card to the student so they can let their parent/guardian know who to contact if there are questions.  A counselor or administrator may be present (however, it is not a requirement) if a student is meeting with an attorney, advocate, public defender, or social services worker.   Police may talk one-on-one with a student; however, it never hurts to ask if a member of the school staff may be present (we cannot demand/require an employee to be present, just ask and go from there).  It is the obligation of the officer to contact the parent/guardian (if it is a district officer interviewing the student, it is the responsibility of the building administrator or designee to contact the parent/guardian) regarding the questioning.    Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act—FERPA   Parents of students under the age of 18 have full access to student information/records unless a court order specifically states that parent may NOT have access.  The custodial parent may not decide whether or not the non-custodial parent receives educational information.    At the age of 18, FERPA rights transfer to the student.  The student may choose to self enroll.  (What is being done at West Auburn is great practice according to Curtis.)  Emancipated (age 16 or 17) students and married students have full access to, and control of, their own information/records.   Step parents have no legal right to records unless they are listed as a guardian.   To release records, have a written request from the students parent/legal guardian or:   ·        in-district school official ·        another school (educational institution)—diploma may be withheld and grades and/or credit may be withheld (blanked out) if the student has an outstanding fine ·        audit ·        financial aid ·        subpoena (send to Curtis) ·        officials in the event of a health/safety emergency ·        juvenile justice authorities Directory information (name, address, phone number, date of birth, place of birth, height, weight) can be released without consent; however, all families must have the annual option to sign a general opt-out form (prevents information about the student from being released. . . including yearbook) and/or a specific opt-out (the parent/guardian checks the box next to the agency/group they wish to exclude).  An opt-out request is good for only one school year.   ENROLLING—Keep in mind the district goal of enrolling students. . . get kids in school. . . by using best practice to eliminate enrollment barriers (you may need to find a way around some things and get the information later).  Verification of age (must be at least five, by cut-off date, to enroll in kindergarten) and geographical boundary (assigned school) are verified with a birth certificate (or other form of ID showing students date of birth) and something with address (rental receipt, home purchase agreement, utility bill, etc.).  So. . . we may require proof of residency (not of a homeless student) and age (ID) if it is not creating an enrollment obstacle/barrier.  Keep in mind the district goal of enrolling students.           The person who enrolls the student—parent/legal guardian is assumed to have legal custody if that is the person of record (the party who enrolled the student is presumed to be custodial if we allowed that person to register the student).  At the time of enrollment, we may accept the parent “on their word” and we are absolved of the responsibility of determining parentage/custody.   Figure if a student is attempting to enroll his/her self, they may meet the definition of homeless.   If someone other than the parent is enrolling a student, requesting a Temporary Parental Consent Agreement (allowing the enrolling adult permission to handle school matters. . . okay to suggest the parent include permission to make emergency medical and/or dental decisions if the parent cannot be reached) is advised.   Revoking a waiver is done at the district level; however, the building administrator(s) have a strong say.   A waiver may be denied if the transfer is “likely to create a risk to the health or safety of others” in the building.  Additionally, if a student has been suspended or expelled for more than ten days or has a history of disruptive or violent behavior.   WASHINGTON STATE HISTORY REQUIREMENT—For seniors coming from out-of-state, an administrator may waive this requirement (sometimes done if the student has passed the equivalent course/state history in another state).   CUSTODY—In all matters of custody the district is to remain neutral.  Avoid providing a parent/guardian with a “character” letter as the intent may be to use it in court.  Although not required, it is okay (get approval first) to verify how the student is doing in school, attendance record, etc. Only the custodial parent may remove the student, have access to the student at school, or give permission for someone else to do so.  (As a general rule, the non-custodial parent cannot pick-up/remove the student from school.  If that parent is listed on the enrollment/registration form, at this time, it is considered okay.  October 24, 2008)    Get written authorization (from the custodial parent) before releasing student to someone (having the emergency contact listed on the registration form is considered written authorization if the parent has signed the area below the emergency contact information).   The custodial parent has control of the emergency contact list (when in doubt, let legal services make the determination).   The non-custodial parent may NOT remove the student from school, nor may they have access to the student unless the custodial parent has granted such.  Thank you for your non-perishable donations for the Auburn Food Bank!  Congratulations to Sue Wade.  Sue's name was drawn (each person who contributed to the food-bank drive received an entry ticket) and she received a bowl filled with tea, coffee, and chocolates.   October 10 and 11, 2008--WAEOP Fall Training Summit in DuPont, Washington Hospitality co-chairs, Julie Nauman and Cris Cruickshank, extend a BIG thank you to AAEOP members for contributions that helped make the hospitality room one of the busiest stop-overs of the weekend!  Getting 15 hours of training in during a two-day period makes for an intense weekend.  The "grab-n-go" style of snacks kept everyone fueled during training sessions. WAEOP's Fall Training Summit was held at Pioneer Middle School (in DuPont).  Fall Training Summit developed from Fall Institute (a 15-hour training approved for half a point toward a 30-hour course in the Professional Standards Program).  The topic of the two-day training summit was "keys" to success.  Workshops included: Office Professionals--From Good to Great! Betty Foley had participants looking at the little ways we can go an extra mile to make the difference between good and great when delivering customer service.  She gave examples of how "making" or "breaking" someone's day, our day, or a business can be achieved in less than a minute. Keys to Wellness Dana Ballou spoke about fitness, healthy eating, ergonomics, and stress relievers for the busy educational office professional.  She offered tips for setting goals (pointing out that the adage of one journey beginning with a single step is realistic and makes the journey achievable), getting started, maintaining momentum, and being realistic. Unlocking Your Potential Round-table discussion incorporated various topics as participants were challenged to be all they can be.  Participants were not the only people "upping their game" during these discussions (facilitated by WAEOP board members).  Board members provided excellent information and gleaned ideas as well. Got Mail?  Let's Manage It! Outlook can save you time and help keep you on track.  Robin Mallory facilitated this workshop filled with tips on Outlook features and how you can make them do tricks! Keys to Digital Photography Even participants who did not bring a camera learned secrets to good digital photography.  Dana Ballou has experience teaching elementary-age students how to incorporate digital images in newsletters and effortlessly translated lessons for adult learners in this workshop. Keys to Stopping Internet Predators Tina Schuler's presentation caused participants to sit up and take notice!  Concerns about safety (of youths in particular) and whether personal information might be used by someone else in a destructive manner were addressed and several questions came up.  Lively discussion was difficult to wrap up at the conclusion of this session and members expressed eagerness to delve deeper into topics introduced by Tina. Attitude is Key Janet Calden encouraged interaction, reflection, and discussion as participants looked at way