1.2 Overview of Notifications

1.2 Overview of Notifications

At the beginning of the school year, the District provides notification to parents/guardians/caregivers regarding various rights and responsibilities. These notice requirements are embedded throughout this Handbook and/or are listed below. Following state and federal regulations, SFUSD shares student and family data with some local, state & federal government agencies. See items #11, #18, #26, #28 and #29 below for information and links to details, including deadlines for families to opt out of this data sharing.

1. Rules on student discipline are included in chapter 6 of this Handbook  (CA Education Code 35291) including information on Tiered Behavioral Supports and Interventions. (Board Policy 5144 - Discipline and 5144.1 - Suspension and Expulsion/Due Process)
2. Students may be excused from regular class time to receive religious or moral instruction away from school property, provided that the parents/guardians/caregivers file with the school a written request for the students to receive such instruction. Students must attend at least the minimum school day, and absences for this purpose shall not exceed 4 days per month.  (CA Education Code 46014 and SFUSD Administrative Regulation 5113)
3. The definition of an excused absence is provided in chapter 4.1.4  of this Handbook.  (SFUSD Administrative Regulation 5113; CA Education Code 48205)
4. Students with a temporary disability (including those attending  general or special education programs) that makes school attendance impossible or inadvisable are eligible to receive individualized instruction from a home/hospital teacher for one hour each school day.    
5. Students with temporary disabilities who are in a hospital or other residential health facility shall be deemed to have complied with the residency requirements for school attendance in the school district in which the hospital is located, and may receive individualized instruction from a home/hospital teacher for one hour each school day.  (CA Education Code 48207). It is the parent/guardian’s responsibility to notify the school district regarding the student’s presence in a qualifying hospital.  (SFUSD Board Policy 48208, CA Education Code 48206.3)
6. This Handbook provides notice regarding the control of communicable diseases and immunization of students in  chapter 3.8.2. (CA Education Code 5141.31)
7. This Handbook provides notice regarding the administration of prescribed medication to a student in chapter 3.10.3. (CA Education Code 49423)
8. Parents/guardians/caregivers may file with the principal a written request for exemption of the student from physical examination; however, students will be excluded from school attendance when good reason exists that:
   1. the student is suffering from a contagious disease; or
   2. the unimmunized student is in danger of exposure to a communicable disease. (CA Education Code 49451)
9. This Handbook provides the required notice regarding sexual health education and the right to excuse your child from such instruction in chapter 4.4.2.  (CA Education Code 51938)
10. This Handbook provides a schedule of minimum days and staff development days in chapter 1.7.  (CA Education Code 48980(c))
11. Investing for future college or university education is of vital importance to your child’s success.  Parents should consider the appropriate investment options, which could include but not be limited to US savings bonds or Kindergarten to College (K2C) savings accounts. More information on K2C accounts is available in chapter 3.3.7.  (CA Education Code 48980(d))
12. This Handbook provides the SFUSD sexual harassment policy relating to students in chapter 7.3.4. (CA Education Code 48980(g))
13. The SFUSD Enrollment Guide provides a summary of existing attendance and programmatic options and residency requirements for school attendance.  (CA Education Code 48980(h))
14. This Handbook provides an explanation of the right to make up work after an excused absence in chapter 4.1.4.(CA Education Code 48980(j))
15. This Handbook provides notice of the availability of state funds to cover AP test costs in chapter 4.2.13.  (CA Education Code 48980(k))
16. This Handbook provides the University of California and California State University admission requirements and websites in chapter 4.6. (CA Education Code 51229)
17. This Handbook provides a brief description of career technical education (Career Academies) and an internet address for more information in chapter 4.5.1.  It also provides information about how students may meet with school counselors to help choose courses that will meet UC/CSU college admission requirements, or to enroll in career education.  (CA Education Code 51229)  
18. This Handbook provides notice regarding student records and privacy rights in chapter 3.4.1 (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act - FERPA).  Student “Directory Information” such as name, address and telephone number may be shared with identified organizations or agencies, unless the parent/guardian opts out.  More information and opt-out instructions can be found in chapter 3.4.2. 
19. Condom Availability Program: As part of a comprehensive effort to prevent  HIV infection (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), the cause of AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome), other STIs (Sexually Transmitted Infections) and pregnancy, students at all SFUSD middle and high schools will be able to obtain condoms at their school sites with support and consultation available from health care professionals as more fully described in chapter 3.9.9.
20. Summary of curriculum – A summary of the curriculum and academic standards is available upon request for review at each SFUSD school. (CA Education Code 49063 k)
21. English Language Education – State law requires that all students be taught English in English.  However, this requirement may be waived by parents with prior written informed consent, which shall be provided annually, under specified circumstances.  See your school principal for further information.  (CA Education Code 305, 310).
22. Non-Mandatory Programs for Parental/student Participation – Schools may not require a student or student’s family to participate in: a) any assessment, analysis, evaluation or monitoring of the quality or character of student home-life; b) parental screening or testing; c) non-academic home-based counseling program; d) parent training; or e) prescribed family educational service plan.  (CA Education Code 49091.18)
23. Sex Equity in Career Planning – Parents shall be notified in advance of career counseling and course selection commencing with course selection in Grade 7, to promote sex equity and allow parents to participate in counseling sessions and decisions.  (CA Education Code 221.5(d))
24. Right to Refrain from Harmful Use of Animals – Students may choose to refrain from participating in educational projects involving the harmful or destructive use of animals.  (CA Education Code 32255-32255.6)
25. The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA): The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) took full effect in 2018 to replace the No Child Left Behind Act in modifying the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA). 
26. Right to Opt Out of Release of Secondary Student's Contact Information to Military Recruiters.  A parent/guardian or a student 18 or older can opt out of having the student's contact information (name, address, telephone number) released to military recruiters by submitting a written request to the school principal.  More information can be found in chapter 3.4.2.
27. This Handbook provides notice regarding the Constitutional right to equal access to free public education, regardless of immigration status and regardless of the immigration status of the students' parents or guardians, and educational rights in the state of California, in chapter 3.3.10.
28.  Each pupil enrolled in grade 12 in a California public school shall be deemed to be a Cal Grant applicant unless opted out in writing.  SFUSD intends to submit each pupil’s grade point average to the California Student Aid Commission in October of the school year, to determine Cal Grant eligibility and make appropriate financial aid awards to students who will be attending college. More information and opt-out forms are available in chapter 3.3.8.
29. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act Application (CADAA) determines a pupil’s eligibility for financial aid to assist with a pupil’s attendance at a college or career school. California Education Code (CEC) § 51225.7 requires a local educational agency to confirm each 12th grade pupil’s completion and submission of a FAFSA or CADAA unless the pupil is determined to be exempt or an opt-out form is completed.  More information and opt-out forms are available in chapter 3.3.9.
30.  State law requires local agencies to inform parents or guardians of the dangers associated with using synthetic drugs not prescribed by a physician.  (CA Education Code 48985.5)Fentanyl and other synthetic opioids are the most common drugs involved in overdose deaths.  Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine.  Over 150 people die every day from overdoses related to synthetic opioids like fentanyl.  Illicit fentanyl can be added to other drugs to make them cheaper, more powerful, and more addictive. Illicit fentanyl has been found in many drugs, including heroin, methamphetamine, counterfeit pills, and cocaine. Fentanyl mixed with any drug increases the likelihood of a fatal overdose.  It is nearly impossible to tell if drugs have been laced with fentanyl without the use of fentanyl test strips (FTS) because fentanyl cannot be seen, smelled, or tasted.  For more information see:  https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CCDPHP/sapb/pages/fentanyl.aspx# 
31.  HPV Immunization/Cancer Prevention Act:  To parents/guardians/caregivers of pupils admitted to, or advancing to, the sixth grade:   It is California state public policy that students adhere to current immunization guidelines, as recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Academy of Family Physicians, regarding full human papillomavirus (HPV) immunization before admission or advancement to the eighth grade level.  HPV vaccination can prevent over 90 percent of cancers caused by HPV. HPV vaccines are very safe, and scientific research shows that the benefits of HPV vaccination far outweigh the potential risks.  (CA Health & Safety Code 120336(c)).  The HPV vaccine offers protection against most HPV related cancers and anogenital warts. Routine HPV vaccination is recommended for all children at age 11 or 12, and can begin as early as age 9. https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/HPV.aspx 
32.  California College Guidance Initiative Data Sharing (Education Code section 60900.5(d).)  The California College Guidance Initiative (CCGI) works with California school districts to make applying for college and student financial aid a more streamlined experience for students. The CCGI currently receives enrollment data for all public school students in grades 6-12 from the California Department of Education (CDE). CalPADS data will now: (1) Be shared with the CCGI, (2) Be used to provide pupils and families with direct access to online tools and resources, (3) Enable a pupil to transmit information shared with the CCGI to both of the following: (A) Postsecondary educational institutions for purposes of admissions and academic placement, (B) The Student Aid Commission for purposes of determining eligibility for, and increasing uptake of, student financial aid. For more information about the CCGI, visit their website at https://www.californiacolleges.edu/#/.
33.  Firearm Safety/Safe Storage Notice: The purpose of this notice is to inform and to remind parents and legal guardians of all students in SFUSD of their responsibilities for keeping firearms out of the hands of children as required by California law. There have been many news reports of children bringing firearms to school. In many instances, the child obtained the firearm(s) from his or her home. These incidents can be easily prevented by storing firearms in a safe and secure manner, including keeping them locked up when not in use and storing them separately from ammunition.
    • With very limited exceptions, California makes a person criminally liable for keeping any firearm, loaded or unloaded, within any premises that are under their custody and control where that person knows or reasonably should know that a child is likely to gain access to the firearm without the permission of the child’s parent or legal guardian, and the child obtains access to the firearm and thereby (1) causes death or injury to the child or any other person; (2) carries the firearm off the premises or to a public place, including to any preschool or school grades kindergarten through twelfth grade, or to any school-sponsored event, activity, or performance; or (3) unlawfully brandishes the firearm to others. (CA Penal Code Section 25100-25125, 25200-25220) 
      • Note: The criminal penalty may be significantly greater if someone dies or suffers great bodily injury as a result of the child gaining access to the firearm.
    • With very limited exceptions, California also makes it a crime for a person to negligently store or leave any firearm, loaded or unloaded, on their premises in a location where the person knows or reasonably should know that a child is likely to gain access to it without the permission of the child’s parent or legal guardian, unless reasonable action is taken to secure the firearm against access by the child, even where a minor never actually accesses the firearm. (CA Penal Code section 25100(c)).
    • In addition to potential fines and terms of imprisonment, as of January 1, 2020, a gun owner found criminally liable under these California laws faces prohibitions from possessing, controlling, owning, receiving, or purchasing a firearm for 10 years. (CA CA Civil Code Section 29805).
    • Finally, a parent or guardian may also be civilly liable for damages resulting from the discharge of a firearm by that person’s child or ward. (CA Civil Code 1714.3).
      • Note: Your county or city may have additional restrictions regarding the safe storage of firearms.
      • Thank you for helping to keep our children and schools safe. Remember that the easiest and safest way to comply with the law is to keep firearms in a locked container or secured with a locking device that renders the firearm inoperable.