Immunization Requirements for Attendance
As of the fall of 2016, all students must meet immunization requirements to attend or they must have a proper exemption on file. Montana Law requires students attending school be vaccinated against varicella disease (chickenpox) and receive a booster of pertussis vaccine before entering 7th grade.
The following is a list of immunization requirements:
- DTaP/DTP – 4 vaccinations before entering kindergarten with at least one of these being given after the 4th birthday.
- Polio (IPV/OPV) – 3 vaccinations before entering kindergarten with at least one of these being given after the 4th birthday.
- MMR (Measles/Mumps/Rubella) – 2 vaccinations before entering kindergarten with the first shot being given after the first birthday.
- Varicella (chickenpox) – Students in kindergarten through 12th grade will need to have two doses of varicella vaccine or laboratory evidence of immunity/confirmation of disease. Diagnosis or verification of varicella/herpes zoster disease in past by health care provider.
- Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) – Will be required for students prior to attending 7th grade. Students currently in grades 8-12 who have not yet received their Tdap will require a single dose. There has been a booster shot required before entering 7th grade for years but the requirement did not include the pertussis portion of the vaccination. Your child may have received a booster before 7th grade, but unless it included the pertussis portion of the shot they will still need to receive an additional vaccination.
It is the parent/guardian’s responsibility to provide the school with proof of the required vaccinations. In order for your child to attend school, all vaccinations must be up to date.
If you have any questions please contact:
School Nurse Connie Johnson @777-5481, Ext: 333 or
Ravalli Co. Public Health Dept. @ 375-6670
Title I Notice
Parents may request and the district will provide the following information regarding the professional qualifications of the student’s classroom teachers: 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; the baccalaureate degree major of the teacher and other graduate certification or degree held by the teacher, and the field of discipline of the certificate or degree; and/or whether the child is provided services by paraprofessionals and, if so, their qualifications.
For more information on the Title programs, please contact Dr. Robert Moore.
Limited English Proficient (LEP) Students
The Stevensville Public School District has the responsibility under federal law to serve students who are limited English proficient and need English instructional services. The District will ensure opportunities are provided for parents to meet with building principals and teachers, provide information how parents can be involved in their child’s education, and how parents can help their child attain English proficiency and succeed in school. The District works hard to provide information to parents in a format and language that they can understand.
Each year, within 30 days of the start of the school year or the student’s enrollment if after the start, the District will notify parents of a student identified as limited English proficient of the reasons their child has so been identified, the child’s level of English proficiency and how it was assessed, the methods of instruction used in its programs and others, how its program will help their child, and when the child is expected to gain English proficiency.
The District will provide notice to parents of limited English proficient students when the child fails to make progress on annual achievement objectives within 30 days of learning of such status.
Parents seeking more information about the District’s identification of and programs for students with limited English proficiency should contact their building principal (K-3 – Jessica Shourd, 4-8 – Tracey Rogstad, 9-12 – Eric Larson).
Special Education & 504 Services
Stevensville Public Schools provide Special Education and 504 Services (resource room, self-contained speech therapy, home-bound and psychological services). By state and federal mandate, services will be provided for all handicapping conditions of students between the ages of 3 and 18, inclusive. If you have any questions, please contact Stevensville Primary Principal, Jessica Shourd, Middle School Principal, Tracey Rogstad, or High School Principal, Eric Larson.
COPPA Notice
The Stevensville School District uses web-based tools and applications for student instruction. In order for students to use these programs and services, certain personal identifying information — generally the student’s name and email address — must be provided to the website or application operator. The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) requires these websites to provide parental notification and obtain parental consent before collecting personal information from children under the age of 13. The law permits schools to consent to the collection of personal information for non-commercial purposes on behalf of all of its students, which eliminates the need for individual parental consent given directly to the web site or application operator. The District cannot consent on your behalf to websites or applications collection personal information regarding your child for commercial purposes. COPPA requires that a website or application seeking to collect personal information for a child under 13 years of age must obtain consent directly from the parent or guardian. Permission forms will be provided at the building level.
Equal Education/Title IX/Title II/Employment Opportunity Policy
As required by Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1971, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination Act, and the Boy Scouts Act, Stevensville School District #2 is committed to equal access and a program of equal opportunity for education employment, and participation in school activities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, marital status, age, handicap or national origin.
For more information regarding Section 504, contact middle school assistant principal Nate Fry. For more information or to file a Title IX complaint contact Title IX Coordinator, Eric Larson. For Title II and the Age Act complaints, contact District Superintendent, Dr. Robert Moore.
Allergens on School Campus
Stevensville Public Schools takes the health of all students very seriously. We ask that you be mindful of allergens such as nuts, and latex. We cannot control all allergens. However, we do not allow latex such as balloons, and gloves, etc., in the school or at school events due to student allergies.
McKinney-Vento Homeless Act
If your family lives in any of the following situations: 1) in a shelter, 2) in a motel or campground due to lack of alternative adequate accommodation, 3) in a car, park, abandoned building, bus or train station, or 4) double up with other people due to loss of housing or economic hardship, your school-age children may qualify for certain rights under the federal McKinney-Vento Act. Eligible children have the right to receive a free and appropriate public education regardless of their enrollment eligibility. For further information and eligibility please contact elementary principal Jessica Shourd, or your building principal.
Asbestos/AHERA Notice
In the past, asbestos was used extensively in building materials because of its insulating, sound absorbing, and fire retarding capabilities. Virtually any building constructed before the late 1970s contained some asbestos. Intact and undisturbed asbestos materials generally do not pose a health risk. Asbestos materials, however, can become hazardous when, due to damage or deterioration over time, they release fibers. If the fibers are inhaled, they can lead to health problems, since as cancer and asbestosis.
In 1986, Congress passed the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) which requires schools to be inspected to identify any asbestos containing building materials. Suspected asbestos-containing building materials were located, sampled (or assumed) and rated according to condition and potential hazard. Every three years, Stevensville Public School District has conducted a re-inspection to determine whether the condition of the known or assumed asbestos containing building materials (ACBM) has changed and to make recommendations on managing or removing the ACBM. At the last re-inspection conducted on November 19, 2019, all materials listed in the Management Plan as asbestos containing (or assumed to be asbestos-containing) were inspected and found to be in good condition.
The law further requires an asbestos management plan to be in place by July 1989. Stevensville Public School District developed a plan, as required, which has been continually updated. The plan has several ongoing requirements: publish a notification on management plan availability and the status of asbestos activities; educate and train its employees about asbestos and how to deal with it; notify short-term or temporary workers on the locations of the asbestos containing building materials; post warning labels in routine maintenance areas where asbestos was previously identified or assumed; follow set plans and procedures designed to minimize the disturbance of asbestos containing building materials; and survey the condition of these materials every six months to assure that they remain in good condition.
The following buildings contain no asbestos-containing building materials; therefore, no operations and maintenance programs or future inspections are required Middle School, Elementary Gymnasium, Bus Barn, Industrial Arts Building, and Agriculture Building. During the past year, asbestos containing building materials have been removed, encapsulated, or enclosed in the following buildings: High School and K-3 buildings. During the next year, we plan to conduct the following asbestos related activities at the following school buildings remodeling of K-3 and High School buildings and demolition of the Maintenance building to include removal of 1 style of vinyl sheet flooring, 6 styles of floor tile and associated mastics, window caulk.
It is the intention of Stevensville Public Schools to comply with all federal and state regulations controlling asbestos and to take whatever steps are necessary to ensure students and employees a healthy and safe environment in which to learn and work. You are welcome to review a copy of the asbestos management plan in school district administrative office or administrative office of the school during regular business hours. David Haacke, Maintenance Director is our designed asbestos program coordinator, and all inquiries regarding the asbestos plan and asbestos-related issues should be directed to him at (406) 777-5481.
School Wellness
The Stevensville School District is committed to providing school environments that promote and protect children’s health, well-being, and ability to learn, by supporting healthy eating and physical activity. Therefore, it is the policy of the Stevensville School District that:
The Stevensville School District will engage students, parents, teachers, food service professionals, health professionals, and other interested community members in developing, implementing, monitoring, and reviewing District-wide nutrition and physical activity policies and procedures.
All students in grades K-12 will have opportunities, support, and encouragement to be physically active on a regular basis.
The Stevensville School District will inform and update the public every 3 years, at a minimum, (including parents, students, and others in the community) about the content and implementation of the local wellness policies. The District will also measure periodically and make available to the public an assessment of the local wellness policy.
Notice of Non-Discrimination
The Stevensville School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:
Robert Moore, Superintendent
(Non-Discrimination Coordinator)
300 Park Avenue
Stevensville Montana
(406) 777-5481
Eric Larson
(Title IX Coordinator)
300 Park Avenue
Stevensville Montana
(406) 777-5481
Brian Gum
(Section 504 Coordinator)
300 Park Avenue
Stevensville Montana
(406) 777-5533
For further information on notice of nondiscrimination, visit http://wdcrobcolp01.ed.gov/CFAPPS/OCR/contactus.cfm for the address and phone number of the office that serves your area, or call 1-800-421-3481.
School District Website Access
The Stevensville School District website address is www.stevensvilleschools.org.
The Stevensville Public Schools website is designed to provide equal access information to all members of the Stevensville Community. Contact the Superintendent at 406-777-5481 regarding questions about the functionality of, or content on the website that is inaccessible. Information on filing a formal grievance with the District pursuant to the requirements of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act 1990 can be found by clicking the “Federal and Montana Legal Notices” link under “Quick Links.” Policy 1700 – Uniform Procedure can be found under the School Board Tab by selection “Board Policies.” This information may also be obtained by contacting the Superintendent at 406-777-5481.
This newsletter contains a large amount of information. This information can also be accessed on the Stevensville School District website at www.stevensvilleschools.org. All information will be available throughout the year and the webpage is updated with new information and announcements on a daily basis. If you cannot find information you are seeking on the website, please contact the District webmaster and he/she will direct you to the correct information or provide information at your request.
Notification of Rights Under the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA)
PPRA affords parents certain rights regarding our 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 (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 parents; 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 obtained from students for marketing or to sell or otherwise distribute the information to others.
Inspect, upon request and before administration or use –
Protected information surveys of students;
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.
Stevensville School District 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. The District will directly notify parents of these policies at least annually at the start of each school year and after any substantive changes. The District 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 his or her child out of participation of the specific activity or survey. [School District] will make this notification to parents at the beginning of the school year if the District 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 requirement:
Collection, disclosure, or use of personal information 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 with:
Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20202
Notification of Electronic Photograph Repository
The 2019 Montana Legislature passed Senate Bill 40 requiring the Montana Office of Public Instruction (OPI) to create and maintain an electronic directory photograph repository of all Montana students for the exclusive purpose of locating missing school-age children. The repository is expected to be available to law enforcement in 2020. It will use students’ current school photos that most schools take annually for school directories, ID cards, year books, etc.
Parents have the right to have their child’s photograph included in this repository by “opting-in.” If a parent chooses to have his/her child’s photograph included in the repository, the District will notify OPI.
Your child’s photograph will only be used by law enforcement for the express purpose of locating your child should he/she be reported to law enforcement as missing. No other use by OPI or law enforcement is permitted. Access by OPI staff will be strictly limited and controlled to staff or contractors creating and maintaining the repository.
Photos will be updated annually; you will be given an opportunity each year to opt-in to the repository. If you fail to opt-in in any year after previously permitting your child’s photograph to be included in the repository, the photo will be purged after two years.
Even if you have opted-in to the inclusion of your child’s photograph in the repository, you may opt-out at any time and your child’s photograph will be removed from the repository.
If you would like your child’s photograph included in the electronic photograph repository please contact your building principal.
Notice of Family Educational Rights and Privacy (FERPA)
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords parents and students who are 18 years of age or older (“eligible students”) certain rights with respect to the student’s education records. These rights are:
The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days after the day the Stevensville Public Schools receive a request for access.
Parents or eligible students who wish to inspect their child’s or their education records should submit to the school principal a written request that identifies the records they wish to inspect. The school official will make arrangements for access and notify the parent or eligible student of the time and place where the records may be inspected.
The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the parent or eligible student believes are inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy rights under FERPA.
Parents or eligible students who wish to ask the Stevensville Public Schools to amend their child’s or their education record should write the school principal clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it should be changed. If the school decides not to amend the record as requested by the parent or eligible student, the school will notify the parent or eligible student of the decision and of their right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the parent or eligible student when notified of the right to a hearing.
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.
One exception, which permits disclosure without consent, is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. The criteria for determining who constitutes a school official and what constitutes a legitimate educational interest must be set forth in the school’s or school district’s annual notification for FERPA rights. A school official typically includes a person employed by the school or school district 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, contractor, or consultant who, while not employed by the school, 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 an attorney, auditor, medical consultant, or therapist; a parent or student volunteering to serve on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee; or a parent, student, or other volunteer assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks. A school official typically has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility.
Upon request, the school discloses education records without consent to officials of another school or school district in which a student seeks or intends to enroll, or is already enrolled if the disclosure is for purposes of the student’s enrollment or transfer.
The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the [School] to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the Office that administers FERPA are:
Student Privacy Policy Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202
Listed below are disclosures that elementary and secondary schools may make without consent:
FERPA permits the disclosure of PII from students’ education records, without consent of the parent or eligible student, if the disclosure meets certain conditions found in 34 C.F.R. 99.31 of the FERPA regulations. Except for disclosures to school officials, disclosures related to some judicial orders or lawfully issued subpoenas, disclosures of directory information, and disclosures to the parent or eligible student, §99.32 of the FERPA regulations requires the school to record the disclosure. Parents and eligible students have a right to inspect and review the record of disclosures. A school may disclose PII from the education records of a student without obtaining prior written consent of the parents or the eligible student –
To other school officials, including teachers, within the educational agency or institution whom the school has determined to have legitimate educational interests. This includes contractors, consultants, volunteers, or other parties to whom the school has outsourced institutional services or functions, provided that the conditions listed in §99.31(a)(1)(i)(B)(1) – (a)(1)(i)(B)(2) are met. (§99.31(a)(1))
To officials of another school, school system, or institution of postsecondary education where the student seeks or intends to enroll, or where the student is already enrolled if the disclosure is for purposes related to the student’s enrollment or transfer, subject to the requirements of §99.34. (§99.31(a)(2))
To authorized representatives of the U. S. Comptroller General, the U. S. Attorney General, the U.S. Secretary of Education, or State and local educational authorities, such as the State educational agency in the parent or eligible student’s State (SEA). Disclosures under this provision may be made, subject to the requirements of §99.35, in connection with an audit or evaluation of Federal- or State-supported education programs, or for the enforcement of or compliance with Federal legal requirements that relate to those programs. These entities may make further disclosures of PII to outside entities that are designated by them as their authorized representatives to conduct any audit, evaluation, or enforcement or compliance activity on their behalf. (§§99.31(a)(3) and 99.35)
In connection with financial aid for which the student has applied or which the student has received, if the information is necessary to determine eligibility for the aid, determine the amount of the aid, determine the conditions of the aid, or enforce the terms and conditions of the aid. (§99.31(a)(4))
To State and local officials or authorities to whom information is specifically allowed to be reported or disclosed by a State statute that concerns the juvenile justice system and the system’s ability to effectively serve, prior to adjudication, the student whose records were released, subject to §99.38. (§99.31(a)(5))
To organizations conducting studies for, or on behalf of, the school, in order to: (a) develop, validate, or administer predictive tests; (b) administer student aid programs; or (c) improve instruction. (§99.31(a)(6))
To accrediting organizations to carry out their accrediting functions. (§99.31(a)(7))
To parents of an eligible student if the student is a dependent for IRS tax purposes. (§99.31(a)(8))
To comply with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena. (§99.31(a)(9))
To caseworkers or other Child Protective Services representatives when DPHHS/CPS is legally responsible for the care and protection of the student. 20 U.S.C. § 1232g(b)(1)(L).
To the Secretary of Agriculture or authorized representatives of the Food and Nutrition Service for purposes of conducting program monitoring, evaluations, and performance measurements of programs authorized under the National School Lunch Act or the Child Nutrition Act of 1966. (20 U.S.C. § 1232g(b)(1)(K))
To appropriate officials in connection with a health or safety emergency, subject to §99.36. (§99.31(a)(10)
Information the school has designated as “directory information” under §99.37. (§99.31(a)(11))
Notice of Release of Directory Information
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), a Federal law, requires that Stevensville School District, with certain exceptions, obtain your written consent prior to the disclosure of personally identifiable information from your child’s education records. However, Stevensville School District may disclose appropriately designated “directory information” without written consent, unless you have advised the District to the contrary in accordance with District procedures. The primary purpose of directory information is to allow the Stevensville School District to include this type of information from your child’s education records in certain school publications. Examples include:
A playbill, showing your student’s role in a drama production;
The annual yearbook; Honor roll or other recognition lists;
Student directories; Graduation programs; and Sports activity sheets, such as for wrestling, showing weight and height of team members.
Directory information, which is information that is generally not considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if released, can also be disclosed to outside organizations without a parent’s prior written consent. Outside organizations include, but are not limited to, companies that manufacture class rings or publish yearbooks. In addition, two federal laws require local educational agencies (LEAs) receiving assistance under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to provide military recruiters, upon request, with the following information – names, addresses and telephone listings – unless parents have advised the LEA that they do not want their student’s information disclosed without their prior written consent.
If you do not want the Stevensville School District to disclose directory information from your child’s education records without your prior written consent, you must notify the District in writing using Board Policy Form 3600F by September 13, 2021. The Stevensville School District has designated the following information as directory information: Student’s name, Address, Photograph, Date of birth, Dates of attendance, Grade level, Enrollment Status, Participation in officially recognized activities and sports, Weight and height of members of athletic teams, Degrees, Honors and awards received, Most recent educational agency or institution attended.
1These laws are: Section 9528 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (20 U.S.C. § 7908) and 10 U.S.C. § 503(c).
School Records
In compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, Stevensville Public School District #2 may grant access to or release information from student records without prior written consent to school officials with a legitimate educational interest in the information. A school official is a person employed by the District in an administrative, supervisory, academic, or support staff position (including, but not limited to administrators, teachers, counselors, paraprofessionals, coaches, and bus drivers), and the board of trustees. A school official has a legitimate educational interest in student education information when the official needs the information in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibilities for the district.
The District guarantees parents the right to inspect, review, and opportunity for hearing to challenge their child’s school records. Request for review should be submitted in writing to the building principal in which the student attends. Parents have the right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education.
It is the intent of Stevensville Public Schools to continue to release certain information on its pupils to the news media that is generally public information, such as athletic performances, honor roll, honor awards, student’s name, address, telephone listing, date and place of birth, major field of study, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, dates of attendance, awards received, photographs, grade level, enrollment status (e.g., undergraduate or graduate; full-time or part-time), degrees, most recent educational agency or institution attended, and other information generally found in the yearbook without the consent of parents. Any material not pertinent to a student’s file will be removed. The school will select and include only information, which can assist the student with academic, personal, social and vocational decisions.
Any parent(s)/guardian(s) or eligible student may prohibit the release of any or all of the above information by delivering written objection to the building principal within thirty (30) days of the date of this notice (Board Policy 3600F). Stevensville School Board policy #3600 dictates the guidelines for student records. A copy of the policy is available at the Superintendent’s office or at http://www.stevensvilleschools.org.