Handbook

The education and safety of students is the top priority of the administration, faculty, and staff at Newport Grammar School. Each child is encouraged and challenged to reach goals that are aligned with the Tennessee State Standards. Our faculty and staff attempt to incorporate a variety of teaching techniques to ensure diverse learning styles are met, and parents/guardians are encouraged to become actively engaged in their child’s education. Newport Grammar continuously strives to be the school that best fits the needs of the students, parents/guardians, and community.

Newport Grammar School believes that communication between parents/guardians and teachers is essential to a student’s academic success. To consistently monitor each child’s progress, report cards are sent home four times per year, and parent-teacher conferences are scheduled twice a year. Additionally, individual grade levels provide interim reports, and parents/guardians can monitor their child’s progress through the online grading portal, Aspen at any time. The school website (www.newportgrammar.org) provides information about homework, a calendar of events, school policies, and various other items of interest. Parents may request meetings with teachers or administrators by calling the Main Office and arranging an appointment. Our school also utilizes the Class Dojo system for parent communication. Parents/guardians should also always feel free to contact school staff to express concerns and make suggestions.

School hours for students are from 8:05am-3:05pm and for teachers are from 8:00am-3:15pm. In the morning, the building opens to students at 7:30am. Teachers will monitor students in the Main and Primary Cafeterias from 7:30-7:55am and in the Auditorium from 7:30-8:00am. In the afternoon, teachers, administrators, and the school resource officer will monitor students from 3:05-3:30pm. The campus will be closed to students after 3:30pm unless they are attending an after-school program. Parents/guardians will be contacted if their children remain at school unsupervised after 3:30pm, including those students who remain on the campus for late basketball practice.

Students in grades 3-8 arriving before 8:00am and not wishing to eat breakfast enter the building at the doors to the left of the Bell and take a seat in the Auditorium. Students in grades K-2 arriving before 7:55am and not wishing to eat breakfast enter the building at the glass doors and take a seat in the Primary Cafeteria. Students arriving before 7:55am and wishing to eat breakfast enter the building at the gym doors and remain in the Main Cafeteria. If students in grades 3-8 have siblings in grades K-2 and wish to stay with them until the morning bell rings, they will report to the Main Cafeteria (even if not eating breakfast).

Students will remain seated until their grade level has been dismissed by the monitoring teacher. Students participating in Band will be dismissed when the band director arrives. Students arriving before 7:30am or remaining after 3:30pm are required to go to Day Care for supervision, and parents/guardians will be charged for this service. Since students must be screened prior to being admitted to Day Care, parents/guardians who are occasionally late in picking up their children will need to meet with the Day Care Director (423-625-0323) to complete required forms.

Students who walk to and from school must have a permission form on file in the Main Office, and they must leave the campus immediately upon dismissal at 3:05pm. Students who walk to and from school and abuse this freedom by being disruptive or remaining on campus after dismissal may have this privilege revoked.

Regular attendance and punctuality are essential for success in school. Students must be present for at least half of the school day (3.5 hours; 8:05-11:35am) to be considered in attendance. Student doctor and dentist appointments should be scheduled around school hours (8:05am-3:05pm). Students who accrue 20 excused or unexcused absences in an academic year shall be subject to retention.

Excused Absences

Parents should inform the school of a child’s absence by calling the school or emailing/messaging the homeroom teacher by 10:00 A.M. on the day of the absence. In addition, all absences must be explained in writing and signed by a parent/guardian. This note should be presented to the student’s teacher when the student returns to homeroom.

The morning of their return, students will report to homeroom then to the Excuse Room where they will turn in their excuse and speak with the nurse.
When students fail to bring in an excuse from an absence, parents will be notified by letter or call from the school. They will be asked to bring in the note that day.
All work missed due to an absences may be made up in a timely manner.

Students participating in school-sponsored activities whether on-or off-campus will not be counted absent; in order to qualify as a school-sponsored activity, it must be school-planned, school-directed, and teacher-supervised.
When students accumulate five unexcused absences, parents/guardians and/or students will be petitioned to truancy board.

Acceptable reasons for excused absences are as follows:

Appointments (in the student’s name) with a doctor, dentist, psychiatrist, or other medical professional including date(s) of the visit on an official note.
Appointment with court, attorney, truancy, or other judicial representative.
Death in the immediate family (limited to parent/guardian, step-parent, brother, sister, grandparent, aunt, uncle, or family member residing in student’s household).
Extreme weather conditions.
Religious observances.
Single-day absence for students whose parent / guardian is leaving for active military duty or returning from active military duty (new assignment—not a change in assignment).
Special circumstances as determined by the Principal, which create a personal hardship or emergency situation for the student.

Parental Notes

Students are allowed three (3) days of excused absences by a parental note during the first semester (grading periods 1 and 2) and three (3) days of absences to be excused by parental note for the second semester (grading periods 3 and 4).

Parental Note absences above the limit of 3 days per semester will be unexcused. Additionally, all absences that do not fall within the excusable or parental note categories, or absences which are not verified with a note will be unexcused.

Parental note absences shall include:

Personal illness.
Serious illness of immediate family member (limited to parent/guardian, step-parent, brother, sister, grandparent, aunt, uncle, or family member residing in student’s household).
Family emergencies.
Special circumstances as determined by the Principal.

Unexcused Absences

Any absence that does not meet the criteria of an excused absence shall be considered unexcused.

Students who accrue twenty (20) excused or unexcused absences in an academic year shall be subject to retention.

Make-Up Work

Work missed during an absence, whether excused or unexcused, may be made up within a time frame established by the grade-level team.

Truancy

Students who have five or more unexcused absences are considered truant. Once a student reaches five unexcused absences, they will be put on an attendance plan by the Attendance Supervisor.

Chronic Absenteeism

A student who misses 10% or more of the school days that they are enrolled will be considered chronically absent. It does not matter if the days are excused or unexcused. NGS has a team that will work with families whose students are approaching or exceeding this threshold.

Students are counted tardy after 8:05 AM and are counted as early dismissal any time before 3:05 PM. All students arriving tardy to school should sign in with receptionist in the Primary Building. Upon signing in or out, parent will receive a slip showing if student is excused or unexecused. This status can be adjusted once acceptable documentation is provided.

Early dismissal requires a note to the office from the parent/guardian on the morning of the dismissal. To insure safety, parents/guardians must come to the Primary Building to sign children out of school. Other family members, neighbors, etc. do not have the legal right to check children out of school without filed written permission from the parent/guardian.

Tardies – Sign In

Students signing in after the 8:05am bell must be accompanied by a parent/guardian or an adult aged 18+. All students arriving after the 8:05am bell should sign in with the receptionist located in the lobby of the Primary Building. Upon signing in, the student will receive a slip showing whether the tardy is excused or unexcused.

Early Dismissals – Sign Out

On the morning of the early dismissal, the student must provide a note from his or her parent/guardian to the office. All students must be signed out with the receptionist located in the lobby of the Primary Building by an adult 18+ who is listed on the child’s Permission to Dismiss form. Upon signing out, the student will receive a slip showing whether the early dismissal is excused or unexcused.

Should a student obtain five (5) unexcused tardies in a grading period, he/she will be required to serve one hour of community service. If a student obtains more than ten (10) unexcused tardies in a semester, the student's parents will be required to meet with the attendance committee to review the tardy issue.

Students who accrue twenty (20) excused or unexcused absences in an academic year shall be subject to retention.

The School Board approved grading scale is as follows (“+” and “-” may also be used):

A = 100-93; B = 92-85; C = 84-75; D = 74-70; F = 69-0

Report cards are issued the Friday following the last day of the nine-week grading period. Students’ work and/or interim progress reports are also sent home during each nine-week grading period. Parents may be requested to examine and sign these interim reports and/or papers. In special classes such as art, music, physical education, and technology, a student will not receive a grade if one-third of the classes in a grading period are missed unless adequate make-up work is completed. Only students in grades 4-8 will receive a grade for spacial area classes. Report cards will be held by the school when a student has any negative balances (cafeteria, school pictures, etc.) or outstanding fees (library, lost textbook, etc.) until those issues have been resolved.

To be promoted, students should maintain a minimum cumulative grade of “D” for the year and must not fail two major academic subjects (math, language arts, science, and social studies). A student will be subject to retention if: 1) the number of absences exceeds 20 in a school year unless served by a school-approved home bound program, 2) two or more major academic subjects are failed, or 3) less than 75% of the basic skills are mastered. A student may be retained at the request of the parent/guardian, provided the decision is based on academic reasons or social maturity. Conditional or social placement shall be considered only in rare situations. A committee made up of teachers, counselors, administrators, and/or an M-team reviews all retentions and placements.

Parents/guardians and students residing outside of the city may enroll at Newport Grammar if space is available; tuition will be charged for those students, and parents/guardians will be notified of rates at the time of enrollment. The tuition amount shall be established by the Board and subject to frequent review. Parents/guardians must present proof of legal residency in the form of a phone bill, utility bill, or rental statement. (Driver's Licenses will not be an acceptable form of proof). Legal residence shall be the residence of the child's legal guardian.

The first half of the tuition amount must be paid before a student can be enrolled. The second half must be paid before the second semester begins. Other payment schedules may be approved at the discretion of the Director. Students in grade 8 are required to pay their full tuition by the first Thursday in December. If the tuition is not paid in full by that date, the director may dismiss them from NGS. Students in grades K-7 whose parents/guardians fail to pay tuition may be dismissed from school. In the event tuition for a student in grade K-7 has not been paid in full by the end of the academic year, all delinquent tuition plus full tuition for the next year must be paid before the student can be readmitted.

In the case of joint legal custody of a student with one parent living inside the city and the other outside, half of the tuition amount will be charged. If one parent, designated as the student’s primary residence, lives within the city and provides the school with the parenting plan order, tuition will not be required. Students residing in areas newly annexed by the City Council shall be eligible to attend Newport Grammar School at the beginning of the school year following annexation and not at the time of annexation. When a student’s primary residence is relocated from the city to the county, the office should be notified immediately. Students who move outside the city limits during the school year will be required to pay tuition charges beginning on the first day the student resides outside the city limits. Falsification of residence shall result in expulsion of the student.

City property tax payers who live outside the corporate boundary shall receive a tax credit. The tax credit shall be in direct proportion to the percentage of city property tax revenue allowed to the school system. Tuition shall NOT be considered a “fee” when waivers are considered. Parents/guardians who reside outside of the city and pay city property taxes should present proof of property ownership at the time of initial registration. (Pre-registration for kindergarten shall be considered initial registration under the terms of this policy.)

The Newport City School System provides pre-school and school-age child care programs to provide educational, safe and enriching experiences at a reasonable cost. The pre-school program enrolls 3-, 4-, and 5-year-old children. The curriculum follows the We Care format. Pre-school hours are from 7:30-11:30am with extended hours for day care from 11:30am-6:00pm.

School-age child care benefits working parents and provides a flexible program to accommodate children from different age groups and fulfill special needs. Children are provided a variety of interesting activities and are allowed to do homework. Child care is available on weekdays from 7:30-8:00am and 1:30pm-6:00pm throughout the school year. A summer day care program is also available. Call (423) 625-0323 for further information.

The Newport City School Board expects all school staff, students, and parents to assume the responsibility for appropriate behaviors in the school.

Each student has the right to:

Have the opportunity for a free education in an appropriate environment conducive to learning.
Be secure in his/her person, papers, and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures.
Expect that the school will be a safe place.
Not be discriminated against on the basis of sex, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, or disabilities.
Be fully informed of school rules and regulations.

Each student has the responsibility to:

Know and adhere to reasonable rules and regulations established and approved by the Newport City School Board.
Respect the human dignity and worth of every other individual.
Refrain from libel, slanderous remarks, and obscenity in verbal and written expression.
Study and maintain the best possible level of academic achievement.
Be punctual and present in the regular school program.
Dress and groom in a manner that meets reasonable standards of health, cleanliness, modesty, and safety.
Maintain and/or improve the school environment, preserve school and private property, and exercise care while using school facilities.
Refrain from behavior that would lead to physical or emotional harm or that disrupts the educational process.
Respect the authority of school administrators, teachers, and other authorized personnel in maintaining discipline in the school and at school-sponsored activities.
Obey the law and school rules as to the possession or the use of alcohol, illegal drugs, and other unauthorized substance or materials.
Possess on school grounds only those materials, which are acceptable under the law and accept the consequences for articles stored in one’s locker.

To maintain an atmosphere conducive to learning, student clothing and hair should be neat, clean, modest, and respectable and not a disruptive influence within the school environment. Unless special circumstances have been discussed and approved by the administration, the following guidelines should be followed:

Pants must be worn at the natural waistline and should not be excessively long or loose fitting; shorts and skirts should be at or below the knee.
Low, revealing necklines are not permitted; midriff and lower back areas must be covered.
Undergarments must not be visible (even through clothing) and no clothes made of see-through or mesh materials are permitted; all clothing with holes above the knee that reveals skin is not allowed.
No article of clothing including jewelry and accessories with offensive, vulgar, or violent language or logos will be permitted.
No caps, hats, visors, or other headgear will be worn unless a special day permitting those items has been approved by the administration; exceptions may be granted to individuals due to cultural requirements or special needs.
Hair will not be permanently/temporarily dyed in unnatural colors or styled in a provocative or offensive manner.
No body piercings, other than the ears, shall be visible, and all permanent/temporary tattoos must be covered.
Pre-K-Grade 2: No backless shoes are permitted, and athletic (flat) shoes must be worn to participate in physical education activities.
Grade 3-8: Shirts/tops must have sleeves and should not be excessively large or loose fitting.
Leggings are permitted with tops that reach the student’s fingertips while standing with arms straight to the side. Leggings may not be made of see-through material.

Consequences for violation of the student dress code will be:

1st Offense

Parent/guardian will be called to bring the student a change of clothes. Student will receive two hours of detention.

2nd Offense

Parent/guardian will be called to bring the student a change of clothes. Student will receive four hours of detention.

3rd Offense

Parent/guardian will be called to bring the student a change of clothes. Student will receive one day of in-school suspension.

Additional Offenses

Administrators will determine appropriate consequences on a case-by-case basis for continued violations of the dress code.

Newport Grammar understands that there are times when parents/guardians need to communicate with their child via telephone, so the following usage guidelines were established by a committee of teachers.

Students shall not use cell phones or have them visible during the school hours of 7:30am and when the student exits the building. If a situation arises that requires student use of a phone, school personnel are on duty and available during the school day to offer assistance. The following disciplinary measures will be administered if a student is caught violating the cell phone policy.

1st Offense

Cell phone will be confiscated and turned into the main office, which is where the student's parent/guardian must come to retrieve it. The student will receive two hours of detention. Both parent/guardian and student will read and sign a form notifying them of the disciplinary measures for a second violation.

2nd Offense

Cell phone will be confiscated and turned into the main office, which is where the student's parent/guardian must come to retrieve it. Student will receive four hours of detention. Both parent/guardian and student will read and sign a form notifying them of the disciplinary measures for a third violation.

3rd Offense

Cell phone will be confiscated and held in the main office until both parent/guardian and student meet with the Principal to explain why policy violations continue to occur. Student will receive one day of In-School Suspension.

4th Offense

Cell phone will be confiscated and held in the main office until both parent/guardian and student meet with the Principal to explain why policy violations continue to occur. Student will receive three days of In-School Suspension.

Personal electronic devices such as CD players, digital music players, cameras, electronic games, and other such equipment may be stored in lockers, backpacks, purses, etc.; however, the use of these devices during school hours is strictly forbidden. Use or improper storage of a personal electronic device will result in its confiscation until it can be released to the student’s parent/guardian. Student violations of this policy are subject to the same disciplinary actions as described in the cell phone policy. Please note that Newport Grammar is not responsible for lost, stolen, or misplaced items.

Students should also refrain from bringing the following personal items to school (unless written permission has been given by an administrator or teacher):

Chewing Gum
Trading Cards (sports or games)
Skateboards
Other unnecessary valuables or equipment

Failure to abide by these guidelines will result in confiscation of the prohibited personal items. Parents/guardians will be contacted to recover the item(s) and discuss consequences.

Newport Grammar School offers art, guidance, library, music, physical education, and technology to students in grades K-8. Students in grades 4-8 will receive a grade on their report cards in art, music, physical education, and technology.

Guidance

Two guidance counselors serve students in grades K-8, and they schedule sessions with each homeroom periodically. Guidance counselors are also available for individual conferences with students, parents/guardians, or teachers. In addition, counselors oversee the volunteer program, coordinate honors programs, and provide character education classes.

Library

A certified librarian oversees the school media center, which contains over 10,000 volumes for use by students and teachers. Each student attends the library with his/her homeroom class. Library skills are taught at age-appropriate levels. Additionally, students have access to the library from 8:00-8:05am and 3:05-3:15pm each day.

Physical Education

Physical education is required by the Tennessee Department of Education. If a student does not participate for two days, he/she must have a written excuse from a parent/guardian or the school nurse. A student who does not participate for one week must bring a written doctor’s excuse at the beginning of the sixth day of class. On the days a student is unable to participate in physical education, an alternative assignment will be required for the student to complete during class. Students must wear clean tennis shoes to participate (no street shoes are allowed on the gym floor).

Rock climbing is one of the fastest growing activities today; it develops coordination, strength, flexibility, and cardiovascular fitness. Important life skills like problem-solving, goal-setting, perseverance, inner confidence, and patience are also learned. The school incorporates an on-site climbing wall as part of the physical education program. Students are informed of safety rules prior to participation, and an adult instructor supervises the children at all times. The wall measures 10 feet at its highest point and is approximately 12 feet long. Participants traverse (climb horizontally) across the wall with their feet reaching no higher than three-and-a-half feet from the ground. Students and parents/guardians must sign a Climbing Wall Permission form before their child may participate in this activity.

Teams in boys/girls basketball (grades 6-8), girls volleyball (grades 5-8), boys/girls golf (grades 6-8), and boys/girls ski/snowboard (grades K-8) represent Newport Grammar School in athletic competition. Students in grades 6-8 may also try out for one of the cheerleading squads that support our teams. Students earning two F’s during a nine-week grading period will be ineligible to participate in basketball, volleyball, golf, ski/snowboard, or cheerleading. Any student turning fifteen on or before September 1st of the current school year will not be eligible to participate in NGS athletics.

School Mascot

Warriors

School Colors

Royal Blue and Gold/Yellow

Athletes must be present on the day of the game to participate unless the student has an excused absence and receives permission to play from the Principal. If a student comes in late or leaves early, permission to play must also be obtained from the Principal. Missing school or coming in late on the day after a game may lead to a one or more game suspension as determined by the Principal.

Students should exercise good manners, patiently wait in line, walk to assigned tables, remain seated, and talk quietly. Students may not bring canned or bottled drinks to the cafeteria, and no food in fast-food wrappers is allowed. Students are expected to tidy up their eating area before leaving and must return trays and silverware to the proper location.

Students are allowed to charge up to $7.50 and will be given notice when their account has reached minus that amount. At that time, the system will freeze their account. The student must then report to the Principal’s office before coming to the cafeteria again to make arrangements for payment of their lunch for that day and to call their parents asking them to pay their charges and to deposit money into their account. If charges remain unpaid, report cards, including end of year grades, will be held until charges are paid.

Breakfast and lunch are served in the school’s main cafeteria. Breakfast is served from 7:30-7:55am. Students may pay for lunches daily or deposit money into their computerized accounts. Students are encouraged to use the account system and to make deposits on Mondays between 7:30-8:00am. Breakfast will not be served on delayed opening days.

Students will receive an application for free and reduced price meals at the beginning of each school year, and those individuals falling within the guidelines accompanying the application may apply to receive this benefit. All information regarding these applications is confidential.

The goal of health services is to promote wellness and prevent disease as students who are healthy and physically fit learn more effectively. Newport Grammar’s health services are coordinated by an on-site registered nurse. The nurse has RNC, CSN, ACLS, and PALS certification. The nurse is also a certified instructor in First Aid and CPR. A clinic is located within the school for students needing sickbay or first-aid. Students who require medication while at school are required to bring that medication in its original prescription bottle to the nurse for dispensation. Students who require further medical treatment have the opportunity to be seen by a Nurse Practitioner in our on-site Cherokee Medical Facility.

Coordinated School Health

The Newport Grammar School Office of Coordinated School Health, administration, and teachers want to assist you in planning parties, packing snacks, and preparing meals for your child while they are at school. Guidelines concerning Coordinated School Health have been in the works since 1999 and pertinent legislation since 2000. In addition to the Coordinated School Health program, a "School Health Index” was developed for schools across the state to follow. The primary mission of this index is to improve student health outcomes, as well as support the connection between good health practices, academic achievement, and lifetime wellness.

In response to the growing problem of obesity among U.S. children, in 2006, the federal government mandated the establishment of school wellness policies and mandated 90 minutes per week of physical activity for K-12 students. This prompted school administrators across the country to spearhead the creation and adoption of wellness policies with broad implications in the school, including the cafeteria, classroom, and playground. In concordance, Newport Grammar School developed standards using the state issued school health index as a guide.

Under Module 4 Nutrition Services, the school health index requests that low-fat and skim milk are available, low-fat or reduced-fat food options are served, and healthy food and beverage choices are provided. As a result, the school board, administration, teachers, and staff implemented a wellness policy to address these requests. Soda and snack vending machines have been eliminated as well as high-fat and high-sugar food choices during snack times and parties.

Safe Schools

Newport Grammar has implemented an aggressive program to improve security. A full-time SRO (School Resource Officer) heads the DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) Program and patrols the campus. In addition, all faculty and staff wear identification badges, and visitors must sign-in and wear badges. The school is also protected 24 hours a day by surveillance cameras, and all doors remain locked during the school day.

A Crisis Management Team is in place to deal with critical situations that may affect our school/community. In the event that an evacuation of the building is necessary, staging areas have been designated at two nearby churches and the Newport Community Center. Parents should tune to local radio stations for information. SchoolReach (automated phone system) will also send out a message pertaining to the crisis. Fire and safety drills are held regularly.

Any form of sexual harassment will not be tolerated. Sexual harassment is defined as “conduct, advances, gestures, or words of a sexual nature that interfere with a student’s learning environment, or imply that submission to or rejection of such conduct will affect a student’s grades or opportunity to participate in a school activity.” Such behavior should be reported to the principal who will conduct a thorough and confidential investigation. The principal will provide information concerning complaint procedures. If a satisfactory resolution is not reached, the student may appeal the matter to the Director of Schools and/or the School Board.

Zero Tolerance must be a serious expression of intent to harm or assault by a "reasonable person" who should have foreseen that actions were harmful. Age, surrounding circumstances, teacher input, severity of the act, and intent of the action will be considered. Students shall not make verbal threats, nor shall they commit battery (assault), bully, or commit any violent or sexual act against other students or school staff. Students may not possess or handle drugs, nor shall they possess, handle, use, or attempt to use any dangerous weapon in school buildings or on school grounds at any time, on any school-sponsored trip, or at any school event. Students must not use any instruments such as pencils, scissors, razors, or compasses in such a way as to threaten or actually cause harm.

Such acts may result in assignment to alternative school or suspension by the administration. Parents and law officials will be notified as required by the legal system. If a student is found to be guilty after an investigation, appropriate action, such as a one-year expulsion, may be taken. A student who brings a firearm to school will be referred to the juvenile delinquency system.

To: Parents and Staff
RE: Annual asbestos management plan notice
From: Sandra W. Burchette, Director of Schools

This is to inform you of the Newport City Schools asbestos management plan. It has been determined by the Federal Environmental Protection Agency and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation that asbestos is a potential health hazard, and precautions should be taken to avoid disturbing any asbestos containing materials.

As required, our building was initially inspected for asbestos on 5-3-17. The AHERA law requires that a visual surveillance of asbestos areas be completed every six months, and a reinspection conducted every three years. Any evidence of disturbance or change in condition will be documented in the Management Plan as required.

The Inspection/Management Plan is available for public view in the Director’s Office. Should you wish to review the plan, please call to make an appointment during regular school hours.

Any concerns related to asbestos containing materials should be directed to Darryl Ownby, 301 College Street, Newport Tennessee. 423-625-0686.

Regards,

Sandra W. Burchette
Director of Schools

The PPRA affords parents and students who are 18 or emancipated minors (“eligible students”) certain rights regarding or conduct of surveys, collection and use of information for marketing purposes, and certain physical exams. These include the right to the following:

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.
Sexual 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.
Income, other than as required by law to determine program eligibility.

Receive notice and an opportunity to opt a student out of:

Any 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, except for hearing, vision, or scoliosis screening, or any physical exam or screening permitted or required by State Law.
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.
Instructional material used as part of the educational curriculum.

The Newport City School System has developed and adopted policies regarding these rights, as well as, arrangements to protect student privacy in the administration of sales, or other distribution purposes. The Newport City School System will directly notify parents and eligible students of these policies at least annually at the start of each school year and after any substantive changes. The Newport City School System will also directly notify parents and eligible students as least annually at the start of each school year of the specific or approximate dates of the following activities and provide an opportunity to opt a student out of participating in the following:

Collection, disclosure, or use of personal information for marketing, sales, or other distributions.
Administration of any protected information survey not funded in whole or part by the U.S. Department of Education.
Any non-emergency, invasive physical examination or screening as described above.

Parents/guardians or eligible students who believe their rights have been violated may file a complaint with:

Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education

400 Maryland Avenue NW
Washington, DC

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords parents and students over 18 years of age (“eligible students”) certain rights with respect to the student’s educational records. They are:

The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days of the District receiving a request for access. Parents/guardians or eligible students should submit to the school principal (or appropriate school official) a written request that identifies the record(s) they wish to inspect. The principal will make arrangements for access and notify the parent/guardian 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 is inaccurate or misleading. Parents or eligible students may ask Newport Grammar School to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate or misleading. They should write the school principal, clearly identifying the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate or misleading.

If the District decides not the amend the record as requested by the parent or eligible student, the District will notify the parent or eligible student of the decision and advise them 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 consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in 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. A school official is a person employed by the District as an administrator, supervisor, instructor, or support staff member (including health or medical staff and law enforcement unit personnel); a person serving on a School Board; a person or company with whom the District has contacted to perform a special task (such as an attorney, auditor, medical consultant, or therapist); or a parent or student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks.

A school official has a legitimate educational interest in the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility. Upon request, the District discloses educational records without consent to officials or another school district with a student seeks or intends to enroll. (Note: FERPA requires a school district to make a reasonable attempt to notify the student of the records request unless it states in its annual notification that it intends to forward records on request.)
The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the District to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The Office that administers FERPA is:

Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
600 Independence Avenue SW
Washington, DC 20202-4605

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), a federal law, requires that Newport City Schools, with exceptions, obtain a parent’s/guardian’s written consent prior to the disclosure of personally identifiable information from your child’s educational records. However, Newport City Schools, with exceptions, may disclose appropriately designated “directory information” without written consent, unless you have advised the System to the contrary in accordance with System procedures. The primary purpose of directory information is to allow the Newport City School system to include this type of information from your child’s education records in certain publications. Examples include the following:

A playbill, showing the student’s role in a drama production.
The annual yearbook.
Honor roll or other recognition lists.
Graduation programs.
Sports activity sheets, such as showing weight and height of team members for particular sports.

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 three directory information categories—names, addresses, and telephone listings—unless parents have advised LEA that they do not want their child’s information disclosed without their prior written consent.*

If you do not wish for Newport City Schools to disclose directory information from your child’s education records without your prior written consent, you must notify the District in writing. Newport City Schools has designated the following information as directory information: student’s name, address, telephone listing, electronic mail address, photograph, date of birth, place of birth, major field of study, dates of attendance, grade level, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, degrees, honors, and awards received, and the most recent educational agency or institution attended.

* These laws are: Section 9528 of the ESEA (20 U.S. C. 7908) as amended by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (P.L. 107-110), the education bill, and 10 U.S.C. 503, as amended by section 544, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2002 (P. L. 107-107), the legislation that provided funding for the Nation’s armed forces.

Newport Grammar School requests that parents/guardians provide permission to release their students’ names and/or photographs to local/state/national/international media (television, newspaper, radio, etc.) for the purpose of positive recognition. Examples of positive recognition include but are not limited to achieving honor roll status, joining clubs or organizations, receiving special awards, participating in community service, and attending special events. Failure to give the school permission to release a student’s name would prevent his/her inclusion in broadcasts or articles in any form of media.

The principal, assistant principal or teacher may use corporal punishment in a reasonable manner against any student for good cause in order to maintain discipline and order within the public schools in accordance with guidelines outline in school board policy 6.314.

If parents or guardians object to the use of corporal punishment methods upon their children or wards, such objections shall be made in advance, in writing, to the principal at the beginning of each school year. A student whose parent or guardian shall have objected to the use of corporal punishment methods by principals or teachers may be suspended by the principal.

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