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Annual Notifications

AHERA Plan

AHERA is a federal law enacted in 1987 which requires all school districts to reinspect facilities for asbestos containing building materials. Recently our facilities have been reinspected. Presently all asbestos containing building materials are contained and are being maintained in accordance with current laws to ensure a continued safe environment for our students and employees. Activities include training of maintenance staff to prevent disturbance of asbestos and periodic re-inspection and surveillance activities by trained personnel. Details of such activities are described in the district’s AHERA Management Plan, which is available for your review in the district office on school days between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Attendance Policy (Policy 7110)

The Board of Education recognizes that regular school attendance is a major component of academic success. Through implementation of this policy, the Board expects to improve student attendance, reduce unexcused absences, tardiness, and early departures (referred to in this policy “ATEDs”), encourage full attendance by all students, maintain an adequate attendance recordkeeping system, identify patterns of student ATEDs and develop effective intervention strategies to improve school attendance.

LIST OF ACCEPTABLE EXCUSES

Listed below are the only excuses the State of New York’s Department of Education, recognizes as Excused Absences.

  • Personal illness
  • Illness or death in the family
  • Impassable roads due to
  • inclement weather
  • Religious observance
  • Quarantine
  • Required court appearances
  • Attendance at health clinics
  • Approved college visits
  • Approved cooperative work programs
  • Military obligations
  • All others absences are considered unexcused absences.

All ATEDs must be accounted for.  It is the parent’s responsibility to notify the school office within 24 hours of the ATED and to provide a written excuse within two school days of the student’s return to school.

Absence Procedures—if the student has to leave school during the day, email the MHS or Elementary attendance office or send a note with the student that morning. For K-5 students, the note should be given to the teacher. For Middle/High School students, the note should be given to the secretary. The parent of students in grades K-5 must come into the school to sign their student out.

Body Mass Index (BMI) Screening

Because NY State is interested in data about children’s health, schools are required to keep height and weight data and to calculate students’ Body Mass Index (BMI). BMI is a way of checking for underweight or overweight youngsters. Some schools will be surveyed by the state Department of Health each year and asked to share the number of their students in each of six possible BMI categories based on students’ age and sex. If BH-BL is surveyed by the state, we will only share group data (for instance, the number of second grade boys whose BMI is below the fifth percentile), not individual data. However, parents who wish their child’s data to be excluded from such group calculations may do so by contacting their school nurse.

Challenge to Student Records

Parents/guardians of a student under the age of eighteen (18), or a student who is eighteen (18) years of age or older or who is attending an institution of post-secondary education, shall have an opportunity for a hearing to challenge the content of the school records, to ensure that the records are not inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the privacy of students, and to provide an opportunity for the correction or deletion of any such inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise inappropriate data contained therein. 

Equal Employment Opportunity (Policy 6120)

The Avoca School District is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment in its programs and activities on the basis of legally protected class or category including, but not limited to: age; race; creed; religion; color; national origin; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; military status; sex; disability; predisposing genetic characteristics; familial status; marital status; status as a victim of domestic violence; and criminal arrest or conviction record.

Harassment and Discrimination are Prohibited at School 

The Dignity for All Students Act is a state law that went into effect July 1, 2012. The intent of the law is to provide all public school students with an environment free from discrimination, bullying, and harassment, as well as to foster civility in public schools. The Dignity Act also focuses on prevention of harassment, bullying and discriminatory behaviors through the promotion of educational measures meant to positively impact school culture and climate, including instruction in safe, responsible use of the Internet and electronic communications.

Students should understand that:

  • A student may not act toward another student in a way that reasonably might make that other student feel threatened or unsafe or that might reasonably make that other student unable to concentrate on school work for any reason including the other student’s race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practices, disability, sexual orientation, gender, or for any other reason. It is against school rules for any student or school staff member to do this by physical actions or by verbal statements, including electronic messages. This kind of conduct is prohibited on school property, on school buses, and at all school-sponsored events.
  • Changes to the law effective July 1, 2013, include specific information prohibiting harassment, discrimination and bullying, including cyber-bullying, and require school administrators to take action regarding conduct that may take place off school property when that behavior creates or would foreseeably create a risk of substantial disruption within the school environment, and/or where it is foreseeable that the conduct, threats, intimidation or abuse might reach school property. This is to serve as a reminder that we consider the safety of our students extremely important. 
  • Recent updates, effective July 28, 2023, assist public schools in cultivating an educational environment for all students that is safe and free from discrimination regardless of sex, gender identity, or expression. It also facilitates compliance with state and federal laws concerning bullying, harassment, discrimination, and student privacy, complementing existing NYSED resources relating to the implementation of the Dignity for All Students Act (the “Dignity Act”). 

Internet-Enabled Device Policy Enforcement Report

Beginning in 2026, school districts are required to provide a high-level overview of the total internet-enabled device policy violations and the unique number of students involved during the reporting period. To view a PDF of the report from the 2025-26 school year, follow this link. 

Military Recruiters’ Access (Policy 7242)

The School District shall comply with a request by a Military Recruiter for names, addresses, and telephone listings of eligible students. Eligible student under ESEA and the National Defense Authorization Act is defined as a secondary student who is seventeen (17) years of age or older or in the eleventh grade (or its equivalent) or higher. Under ESEA and the National Defense Authorization Act, parents must be notified that the School District by law routinely discloses students’ names, addresses, and telephone listings to Military Recruiters upon request, subject to a parent’s/eligible student’s request not to disclose such information with written parental verification of such request.

No Idling Law (for School Buses)

State education law now requires that all school districts ensure that every driver of a school bus or other school vehicle turn off the engine of the vehicle while waiting for passengers to load or off load. The law provides for certain exceptions when necessary for heating, mechanical or emergency circumstances. Click on the links below for more information about:

Pesticide Representative

If parents or staff members have questions concerning the school’s pest management policies and/or procedures, you can contact the pesticide representative for the Avoca Central School District,
Timothy Moon, 48 hour notification can be given, if requested, by contacting Mr. Moon at 566-3000, Ext. 1126.

Public Access to Student Records (Policy 7240)

The School District shall comply with the provisions of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA). Under its provisions, parents/guardians and noncustodial parent(s), whose rights are not limited by court order or formal agreement, of a student under eighteen (18), or a student who is eighteen (18) years of age or older or who is attending an institution of post-secondary education, have a right to inspect and review any and all education records maintained by the School District. 

Public Notification

Prior to the beginning of each school year or academic semester, the District shall issue an appropriate public announcement which advises students, parents, employees and the general public that career and technical education opportunities will be offered without regard to sex, sexual orientation, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, political affiliation, age, marital status, military status, disability or use of a service animal. Included in such announcement will be the name, address, and telephone number of the person designated to coordinate Title IX/Section 504/ADA activities.

Student Directory Information (Policy 7241)

The District shall publish an annual public notice informing parents or eligible students (i.e., a student eighteen (18) years of age or older or who is attending an institution of post-secondary education) of the District’s definition of directory information, the parent/eligible student’s right to refuse the release of student directory information and indication of the time period for their response. (Directory information is information contained in an education record of a student that would not generally be considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if disclosed.) Following such public notice and a reasonable response period, the District may release such information to an outside group without individual consent. 

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) defines student directory information as any of the items as indicated in the following list. The Avoca Central School District will release the following defined directory information: 

  • Name and parent name
  • Address
  • Telephone listing
  • Date and place of birth
  • Major field of study
  • Grade level
  • Participation in sports and activities
  • Weight and height
  • (for members of athletic teams)
  • Dates of attendance
  • Honors, degrees, and awards
  • Email address
  • Photograph
  • Name of educational institution
  • previously attended
  • Artwork and voice

Water Safety Information

Tips for Safe Swimming

  • Always swim with others, never enter the water alone. Keep an eye on each other.

  • Always supervise your children around water.

    • Stay within arm’s reach of a small child.

    • Lifeguards do not replace the need for close supervision by a caregiver.

  • If you or your child has a medical condition such as a seizure disorder or heart condition, look out for symptoms that could put them at risk.

  • Non-swimmers should avoid water greater than chest deep – even the “shallow end” of a pool is over chest deep for most young children.

  • Learn basic swimming and water safety skills.

  • If using life jackets remember, they do not take the place of continuous and close adult supervision.

    • Use of life jackets and other floatation devices when swimming can give a false sense of security and lead to entering water deeper than one’s comfort level or swimming ability.

    • If you use one for swimming, choose a life jacket that is U.S. Coast Guard-approved (I-III label) and properly fitted.

    • Air-filled swimming aids, such as water wings and floats, should not be used in place of approved life jackets.

  • Avoid drugs and alcohol while swimming. They slow reaction time and impair judgment.

  • Never dive into water less than 8-feet deep or of unknown depth or water conditions.

  • Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) with rescue breathing, first aid, and calling 911 can save a life and minimize injury.

  • Check the weather forecast if swimming outside – avoid inclement weather, wear sunscreen, and be aware of extreme heat or fatigue.

  • Keep water safety in mind when boating and always follow safe boating practices, including wearing a life jacket.

Swimming and Your Health

  • Avoid swimming in water that is cloudy or discolored.

  • Avoid swallowing water while swimming and consider keeping your head and face out of the water.

  • Wash your hands after swimming and playing in the sand, especially before eating.

  • Don’t pee or poop in the water.

  • Stay out of the water if you are sick with diarrhea.

    • If you have cryptosporidiosis (“Crypto”), wait two weeks after your diarrhea stops before going back in the water.

  • Stay out of the water if you have an open cut or wound.

  • Learn more about healthy swimming from the CDC.

Drowning Prevention

  • Drowning can occur anywhere there is water; from lakes and pools to bathtubs and buckets.

  • Drowning happens quickly and quietly. People often think that if someone is not calling for help that they are not drowning. Remember that when someone is drowning, they are trying to breathe, not speak. It may appear that the person is splashing or waving, but this may be an involuntary response to try to stay afloat. Progression from struggling to drowning can happen in as few as 20 seconds. Any delay in rescue can be fatal.

Who’s at risk?

Each year, hundreds of people in New York State drown or are hospitalized for severe injuries. New York State Department of Health studies show kids and teens have the greatest risk of drowning.

What are the most common causes?

Children

  • Lack of adult supervision around water, pools, bathtubs, and buckets of water. This is often at home – drowning can occur in as little as two inches of water.

  • Pools that do not have four-sided fencing that isolates a home swimming pool from the house.

  • Swimming alone or wandering into water.

  • Swimming in public areas where there are no lifeguards.

  • Not using approved life jackets while swimming and boating.

Everyone Else

  • For older children, teenagers, and adults, drowning occurs most often in natural bodies of water such as lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, and the ocean.

  • Drownings are often associated with boating and other water activities.

  • Almost everyone that drowns while boating is not wearing a life jacket or other personal flotation device.

  • Almost half of the people who drown are alone in the water at the time of the incident.

  • Of people over age 14, almost half of drownings are associated with alcohol or drug use.

  • Drowning is the most common cause of unintentional injury death for people with seizure disorders.