Policy of non-discrimination: "The District does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its educational programs or activities as required pursuant to Title IX. This requirement not to discriminate in educational programs or activities extends to admission and employment."

PARENTS’ RIGHT TO KNOW

Parents may requests information regarding the professional qualifications of a student’s classroom teachers, including:

• Whether the teacher has met State qualifications 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 any other graduate certification or degree held by the teacher, and the field of discipline of the certification or degree.

• Whether the child is provided services by paraprofessionals and, if so, their qualifications.

• Information on the level of achievement of the parent’s child in each of the State academic assessments as required under this part.

PARENTS OF CHILDREN WHO ARE ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS

 We encourage parents of children who are English Language Learners to contact Angela Tanner at (843)-386-2358 Ext. 2 with any concerns or ideas about their children or the schools in which they attend. We offer services that can assist you and your child.

 

PARENT AND FAMILY ENGAGEMENT POLICY

Florence County School District Five seeks the participation, input, and advice of all Title One Parents with respect to the joint development of the LEA plan and the process of school review and improvement. The coordinator of the Title One project provides oversight, technical assistance, and support to assist schools in their role of developing effective parent and family engagement. A focus is to build the schools and parent’s capacity for strong involvement. The coordinator will also oversee and integrate parent and family engagement in other programs such as Head Start and First Steps.

In an effort to determine the effectiveness of this policy, as to increase parent and family engagement and to overcome the barriers to participation as noted in the law, the coordinator of the Title One project will meet with the School Improvement Council and parents at the Parent Open House. All parents will be invited by sending letters of invitation as well as sending messages to parents’ phones and email addresses. Teachers will also be invited. The meeting will be held on a day and time determined to be the most convenient for the majority of parents. A detailed explanation of the Title One program and its activities will be presented at the meeting. Parents will be given information concerning the school’s progress at the meeting. Information concerning dates of parent teacher conferences will also be shared. Parents having questions concerning the school or their child’s progress are welcome at the school. Parents wishing to meet with teachers or visit classrooms are asked to contact the principal of the school at 843-386 2955. The school parent compact will be reviewed at the meeting to see if changes are needed.

Comments and concerns will be solicited, and findings will be used to design strategies for school improvement and, if necessary, a review of our LEA and school parent and family engagement issues.

 

Please contact Angela Tanner at (843)-386-2358 Ext. 2 to answer any questions you may have concerning the qualifications of your child’s teacher.

 

The McKinney-Vento Act protects the rights of children and youths in homeless situations to attend and succeed in school, including preschool.  The McKinney-Vento Act applies to all children and youths who do not have a fixed, regular, and adequate residence, including those who are staying with friends or relatives because they have lost their housing; are awaiting foster care placement; or are living in emergency or transitional shelters, campgrounds, cars, public places, abandoned buildings or bus or train stations. 

Children in these situations have a right to:

1) attend school

2) enroll in school without immunizations, school records, proof of residency or birth certificates and other 

    documents

3) be provided with transportation to and from the school

4) be free from harassment and isolation

5) have any disagreements with the school settled quickly. 

In those cases where a parent/guardian of a homeless child has a dispute with the school district about enrollment, Florence County School District Five has adopted the following dispute resolution procedures.

1. School officials and parents of homeless children will do everything possible to resolve the complaint on the school level (Principal, Guidance Counselor, and parent/or unaccompanied youth).

2. When the dispute requires intervention by a third party, the school will recommend the following dispute resolution procedure:

a. Disputes or complaints of noncompliance will be filed with the District Homeless coordinator (Beth Snowden (843) 386-2358).  School district officials will investigate and meet with involved parties to achieve a satisfactory resolution.

b. If the dispute or complaint of noncompliance cannot be settled at the school with the assistance of the district office, the South Carolina Department of Education may be consulted for technical assistance or advice.

c. If the dispute or complaint of noncompliance cannot be settled at the school district level, it will be referred to the Florence Five School District Board of Trustees for review and action.

d. If the dispute or complaint of noncompliance cannot be settled by the school board, the family/unaccompanied youth has the right to contact the South Carolina Department of Education (SDE, 803 734-3215 – Brenda Myers State coordinator.)

e. If the SDE cannot successfully negotiate a settlement, the matter could be referred to the United  States Office of Civil Rights or the appropriate court of jurisdiction.  Dispute resolution shall not delay the admittance of a homeless child or youth into school.  The child or youth should be immediately enrolled into the parent’s or guardian’s school of choice while the dispute is being settled.

Please contact Angela Tanner at the Florence 5 District Office (843) 386-2358 Ext. 2 if you have any questions.