Plans, Policies, & Required Notifications

Advanced Coursework Opportunities
New York State Education Law requires school districts to inform students and parents/guardians of advanced coursework available to them. This includes AP, Advanced, and college credit offerings.

View more information about advanced coursework at Heuvelton Central School.

Allergies and Snacks in School
Throughout the school year, there are many times to celebrate special occasions. The district health and wellness committee encourages healthy food options while celebrating special events. When sending in snacks, please consider healthier snack options such as cheese and crackers, or fruit and vegetables.

Food allergies may limit snack options. View policy 7521 concerning students with life-threatening health conditions and/or anaphylaxis. 

American Rescue Plan (ARP) Funding
Heuvelton CSD received federal finding from the American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ARP ESSER) Fund, authorized under the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act of 2021.

View ARP funding information and documents.

Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR)
The state's teacher and principal evaluation law requires each classroom teacher and building principal to receive an annual professional performance review (APPR). The law requires districts to develop a plan for conducting these reviews, which must then be approved by the Commissioner of Education.

Find the Heuvelton Central School District APPR Plan on the NYS Education Department Website.

Obtaining Teacher/Principal APPR Scores
All parents/guardians have the right to obtain the APPR quality ratings and composite effectiveness scores for their child's current teacher(s) and principal(s) once they are available.

To initiate an APPR quality ratings and composite effectiveness scores request, please contact your child's principal.

Asbestos Reporting
As required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Heuvelton Central School maintains asbestos management plans for district buildings. The plans are on file in each principal's office and collectively at the district office and are available for review during normal business hours. As required, periodic surveys are conducted every six months. Currently, there are no projects scheduled that will disturb asbestos-containing building material.

For more information about asbestos, please contact the district office at (315) 344-2414.

Attendance
Attendance is a critical factor for student success in schools. Consistent school attendance, improved academic performance, and school completion have a positive correlation and will contribute to our efforts to assure that all of our students reach the higher standards established by the Board of Regents. School attendance is both a right and responsibility in New York State. Parents are responsible and legally obligated to ensure that their children attend school during the ages of compulsory attendance.

View the Heuvelton Central School District attendance policy information.

Report a Child's Absence, Tardiness, or Early Departure 
In accordance with the district code of conduct, when a student arrives after morning announcements or leaves school prior to dismissal, they must be signed in/out by an approved adult in the attendance office or main office. Positive identification of every adult must be established prior to student release. Students leaving early will be called down to the main office to meet parents/guardians.

View the Heuvelton Central School District Code of Conduct.

Body Mass Index (BMI) Screening
New York State requires school districts to track each student’s Body Mass Index (BMI) and weight status category as part of school health examinations for students in grades 2, 4, 7 and 10. Each year, the New York State Department of Health will survey selected schools for the number of pupils in each of six possible weight status categories. If the district is surveyed by the state, the district will share summary group data only. Individual names and information will not be shared.

If parents/guardians wish to exclude their child’s BMI data from group calculation, they must contact the nurse’s office with a written request no later than January. 

Bullying & Dignity for All Students
The goal of the Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) is to provide students with a safe and supportive learning environment that is free from discrimination, intimidation, taunting, harassment and bullying. Heuvelton Central School District takes incidents of harassment and bullying seriously and encourages the reporting of incidents.

For more information, view the Dignity for All Students & Report an Incident page.

Access the See Something Anonymous Reporting App.

Cell Phones & Internet-Enabled Devices in School
Beginning in the 2025-26 school year, New York state requires school districts and BOCES to prohibit student use of internet-enabled devices during the school day on school grounds.

Students must store their Internet-enabled devices in designated on-site storage areas during the school day. On-site storage areas may include, but are not limited to, student lockers, designated storage bins in classrooms, or secure storage areas in the school's main office. The designated on-site storage areas must be easily accessible to students and provide adequate security to ensure the safekeeping of the student's devices during the school day. 

Reaching a Child in School
There are several ways to deliver a message to your child in school.
• Parents/guardians are welcome to call the main office at (315) 344-2414 to pass a message along to their child.
• Parents/guardians are welcome to drop off a written note at the school's main office, which can then be delivered to the student by school staff.

View the Heuvelton Central School District Cell Phone Policy.

Child Abuse Hotline
If you suspect a child is being abused or maltreated (neglected), report it by calling the toll-free 24-hour hotline operated by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services at (800) 342-3720. If you believe a child is in immediate danger, call 911 or your local police department.

Learn more about reporting abuse or mistreatment of children on the Office of Children and Family Services website.

Code of Conduct, Attendance Policy & Student Handbook
The  Heuvelton Central School District Board of Education is dedicated to maintaining a safe and orderly environment where students can learn and staff can teach without disruption. Achieving this goal requires responsible behavior from students, staff, parents, and visitors, all guided by our core values of respect, civility, character, honesty, tolerance, integrity, and good citizenship.

View the Code of Conduct and Policy 7110: Comprehensive Student Attendance.

Concussion
New York State requires athletic programs to provide information about concussions and sub-concussive blows, and the injuries that might occur as a result of such blows, to the parents/guardians of all children participating in athletic programs.

View concussion information on the NYSPHSAA website.

Continuity of Operations
View the Heuvelton Central School Districtwide Safety Plan
View the Heuvelton Central School Remote Learning Plan

Data Privacy and Security
The district is committed to ensuring student privacy in accordance with local, state and federal regulations and district policies. The New York State law gives parents and guardians the right to information about how the Heuvelton Central School District safeguards student and staff data. 

View the NYS Education Department’s Education Law §2-d Bill of Rights for Data Privacy and Security
View NY Ed Law 2D and Part 121 of NYSED Commissioner of Education’s Regulations
Learn more about the software vendors we work with. View our Ed Law 2D District Approved Sites.

If at any time the district learns that student or staff data has been compromised, parents and guardians will be notified, and the data breach will be reported to the State Education Department.

Parents who have concerns or complaints about data privacy or security may file a complaint with the district contacting the Heuvelton Central School District Data Privacy Officer, Andrew Bigelow at (315) 344-2414, or via mail to Heuvelton Central School District, 87 Washington Street, Heuvelton, New York 13654.

Dignity for All Students Act (DASA)
The goal of the Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) is to provide students with a safe and supportive learning environment that is free from discrimination, intimidation, taunting, harassment, and bullying. 

Learn more about DASA and report an incident on the Dignity for All Students & Report an Incident page.

Distraction-Free Schools Annual Report
New York State requires school districts to share an annual Distraction-Free Schools Report summarizing local efforts to maintain safe, focused, and supportive learning environments. This report outlines district policies, practices, and data related to classroom safety, student conduct, and distraction-reduction measures implemented throughout the school year. 

View the 2025-26 Distraction-Free Schools Annual Report.

Districtwide School Safety Plan
As required by state education law, Heuvelton CSD maintains a districtwide safety plan and must post this plan on its website. This plan is designed to prevent or minimize the effects of violent incidents and emergencies and to facilitate the coordination of schools and school districts with local and county resources in the event of such incidents or emergencies.

View the Heuvelton Central School Districtwide Safety Plan.

Dominic Murray Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act
The Dominic Murray Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act requires all schools to include information relating to students exhibiting signs or symptoms of increased risk of sudden cardiac arrest in permission forms, consent forms or similar documents that are required for participation in interscholastic athletics.

Learn more about sudden cardiac arrest on the Athletics page.

Education Law § 3201‑b Annual Notification
New York State requires school districts to annually inform families about the protections established under Education Law § 3201‑b, which ensures that all students have equal access to a free public education regardless of actual or perceived citizenship or immigration status. The law outlines clear privacy safeguards, limits on school interactions with immigration authorities, and procedures districts must follow when responding to requests for student custody or situations in which a parent or guardian becomes unavailable due to immigration enforcement actions. The information below is provided to ensure transparency and support families in understanding their rights and the district’s responsibilities under state law.

View the Parent Notice of Rights under Education Law § 3201‑b
 
Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
Schools that need extra support under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) must let their school board and families know about this designation. If a school is identified for Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI), it must also survey parents, staff, and students each year and involve the school community in deciding how some improvement funds are used.

ESSA Compliance Documents

Academic Intervention Services / Response To Intervention (AIS/RTI) Plan
The Heuvelton Central School District AIS/RTI Plan 2025–2027 outlines the district’s framework for identifying, supporting, and monitoring students at academic or behavioral risk through a multi-tiered system of interventions and services aligned with New York State requirements.

View the AIS/RTI Plan

Parent & Family Engagement Policy
This policy describes how families are included in planning, reviewing, and improving Title I programs; how we communicate academic expectations; and how we provide opportunities for families to be active participants in their child’s education. It also explains the ways we support family engagement at both the district and school levels, including access to information, learning resources, and regular two‑way communication.

Families are encouraged to review the policy each year and share feedback to help strengthen our partnership. The policy is updated annually with input from parents, caregivers, educators, and community members.

See: Title I Family Engagement Policy
 
Student Academic Achievement School-Parent Compact
This document outlines the Heuvelton Central School District’s 2026-27 School-Parent Compact, which defines the shared responsibilities of schools, parents, and students for supporting academic achievement.

View the School – Parent Compact 

Parent’s Right to Know
As per the new Title I legislation, ESSA (Every Student Succeeds Act) previously titled NCLB (No Child Left Behind), you may request information regarding the professional qualifications of your child’s classroom teacher(s) and paraprofessionals staff.

You may request the following information:
• Whether the teacher has met state qualification and licensing criteria for the grade levels and subject areas in which the teacher provided 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 any other graduate certification or degree; and
• Whether the child is provided services by paraprofessionals and, if so, their qualification.

If you would like further information about Parent’s Right to Know as part of the Every Student Succeeds Act, please contact the District office at (315) 344-2414.
 
ESSA Complaint Procedures
New York State Education Department has created a process for resolving complaints alleging that a local educational agency (LEA), grantee or NYSED has violated a law, rule, or regulation in the administration of any “covered Federal program” under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).

These procedures offer parents and other stakeholders a process to file complaints and allow for the timely resolution of such complaints. A complainant may include any of the following: parents, public agencies, and other individuals or organizations.

To learn more about ESSA complaint procedures, please visit the NYSED website for ESSA-Funded Programs Complaint Procedures.
 
Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
The federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) provides parents/guardians and students who are 18 years of age or older (known as “eligible students“) with certain rights with respect to the student’s education records. Parents/guardians and eligible students have the right to:

• Inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days after the day a request for access is received by the school. These requests should be submitted to the School Counselor; If parents/guardians wish to inspect and review their student’s education records, contact: School Counselor, (315) 344-2414.
• Request the amendment of the student’s education records that the parent/guardian or eligible student believes are inaccurate, misleading or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy rights;
• Provide written consent before the school discloses personally identifiable information from the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent as outlined below;
• File a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the district to comply with the requirements of FERPA.

The name and address of the office that administers FERPA is:
Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue SW
Washington, DC 20202
 
Facilities Use
Community use of the district building is encouraged by the Board of Education, in accordance with Policy 3280: Use of School Facilities, Materials, and Equipment.  

Request use of school facilities using this electronic form.
 
Fire Inspection Notice
In accordance with New York education law, Heuvelton Central School District is required to publish a public notice of the filing of its annual fire inspection report within 20 days of filing it with the New York State Education Department (NYSED). It must be published at least once in the designated official newspaper of the district or a newspaper in general circulation for its postal area.

For more information on annual fire inspection notices, please contact the District Clerk at (315) 344-2414.
 
Foster Care Point of Contact
As a requirement by Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) as amended by the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) of December 2015 regarding students in foster care, the district is required to designate a district Foster Care Point of Contact that will work collaboratively with the representatives from the local child welfare agency, as well as other state school districts.

The District’s Foster Care Point of Contact is Julia Morse.

Local department of social services (LDSSs) and local school districts (local educational agencies – LEA) will biennially prepare a local transportation agreement for students in foster care that will outline local transportation procedures.

Free and Reduced-Price Meals Application
Heuvelton Central School District offers free or reduced-price school meals through the National School Lunch Program. The federally assisted program allows eligible students to receive free or reduced-price school meals and requires a formal application process.

Children from households that meet federal income guidelines are eligible for free or reduced-price meals.

Download a Free and Reduced-Price Meal Application.

Return the completed Free and Reduced-Price Meal Application to the District Office:
Heuvelton Central School District, 87 Washington Street, Heuvelton, NY 13654
Phone: (315) 344-2414

Freedom of Information Law (FOIL)
The Freedom of Information Law requires districts to remind stakeholders they have access to records and procedures and inform them how to obtain that information. The law is based on the belief that a free society is maintained when the government is responsive and responsible to the public, and when the public is aware of governmental actions.

For access to Heuvelton Central School District records under New York State’s Freedom of Information Law, please contact the District Clerk, 87 Washington Street,  Heuvelton, NY 13654.
Phone: (315) 344-2414

Grade Promotion and Placement
The Heuvelton Central School District operates under the philosophy that all children can learn with appropriate instructional modifications geared to meet the student’s individual needs. Promotion and retention are based on careful evaluation of the student’s academic, physical, and social-emotional growth. Parents will be integral members of the decision-making team.

Decisions about student promotion and placement are at the discretion of the building principal. These decisions are guided by recommendations of teachers and staff members, past academic performance and parent/guardian input. Past academic performance refers to a variety of indicators of student achievement and growth. The district’s promotion and placement policy (7210: Student Evaluation, Promotion, and Placement) was adopted by the Board of Education following a review by the district administration, and is available on the district website.

Guidance & Counseling Plan
New York State Education Law requires the school districts to develop districtwide and building-level comprehensive developmental school counseling guidance plans.

Please contact your child’s school Guidance & Counseling Department with questions regarding the Guidance Plan.

Hand Sanitizer Use
The Heuvelton Central School District will be making alcohol-based hand sanitizers available in its school buildings. If parents/guardians wish to opt their child out of using it, they should send a written notice to the school. Written notice should be sent to the School Nurse's Office.

Immunizations
The New York State Legislature amended the State’s laws governing immunizations for school children. Effective immediately, a school is no longer permitted to exempt students from immunization requirements for students on the basis of religion. If a student lacks the required immunizations and is not medically exempt from immunization, the new law requires that the student be excluded from school until the required immunizations are initiated. If a parent or person in parental relation can demonstrate that his or her child has received at least the first dose in each required immunization series, and has appointments scheduled to complete the immunization series, then the child may attend school during the immunization process. New York State has outlined the immunization requirements for school entrance/attendance. The schedule is located online. Please contact the school nurse’s office with questions.