Notifications

Federal code, state code, and Virginia School Boards Association policy set certain requirements for school divisions regarding annual notifications, public hearings, and postings. Manassas Park City Schools has addressed each of the requirements below.

Parents or guardians who would prefer to receive a printed copy of any of the "Required Notifications" below may contact the school division's central office at 703-330-8850 or visit the MPCS Central Office at 100 Park Central Plaza, Suite 300, Manassas Park, VA 20111.

Acceptable Computer System Use Agreement

Each student and his or her parent (as well as each employee) must sign the division's acceptable computer use agreement before using the division's computer system. View School Board Policy IIBEA, Computer Acceptable/Responsible Use and IIBEA-R; Computer Acceptable/Responsible Use Regulations , which includes policy regulation and responsible use acceptance agreements and procedures.

Annual Measurable Objectives (AMOs)

The division must include information on its report card regarding the performance of various subgroups against Annual Measurable Objectives (AMOs). View the division's school quality profile through the Virginia Department of Education School Quality Profile website.

Availability of School Division Policies and Regulations

Each division must make an annual announcement advising the public that current copies of all division policies and regulations are available on the division's website. The announcement also should state that printed copies of school division policies and regulations are available to citizens who do not have online access. Copies of the division's policies are available online through our website on our School Board Policy page . Those requesting paper copies may contact the school division's central office at 703-330-8850 or visit the MPCS Central Office at 100 Park Central Plaza, Suite 300, Manassas Park, VA

Budget

Upon approval of the school division's budget by the appropriating body every year, the school board must publish the approved annual budget, in line item form, including the estimated required local match, on the division's website. The document must also be made available in hard copy as needed for citizens for inspection. The school division's adopted budget, along with associated documents and presentations, can be accessed on the MPCS Financial Services webpage.

Child Nutrition Programs

Each division which participates in the Free and Reduced Price Meals and Free Milk in Schools program must notify parents and the public about their programs. Refer to School Board Policy EFB, Free and Reduced-Price Meal Program .

The public notification must be made at the beginning of each school year. It must contain the same information given to parents and must be provided to the informational media, the local unemployment office and to any major employers contemplating large layoffs in the area from which the school draws its attendance.

The public announcement must contain a copy of the letter or notice sent to parents. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's document entitled Eligibility Manual for School Meals contains an explanation of the required notices. The document also contains a chart describing to whom, and under what conditions, information regarding free and reduced eligibility status may be disclosed.

In addition, schools must post a report of the most recent food safety inspection in a publicly visible location. A copy of the inspection report must be provided to members of the public upon request.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) directs divisions which participate in the National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program to have a written and clearly communicated system to address meal charges in place. The USDA directs the division's system regarding unpaid meal charges to be delivered to all households at the start of the school year and to households that transfer into the school division during the school year.

Information about free/reduced lunch applications are posted on the web, given to media, and distributed to parents in August. The application is available online and on paper. Our policy about school meals and snacks (JHCH) establishes that students with an unpaid balance will be allowed to make lunch choices from the posted school menu. For additional information, see MPCS Food Services.

Code of Student Conduct, Compulsory Attendance Law, Parental Responsibility and Involvement

Each division must supply parents of each enrolled student a notice of the requirements regarding parental responsibility and involvement, a copy of the division's standards of student conduct, and a copy of the compulsory school attendance law and the enforcement procedures and policies adopted by the school board.
View these polices and regulations:
JFC-Student Conduct

 JFC-R- Student Code of Conduct
MPCS Student Code of Conduct
JEA-Compulsory Attendance
JED-R-Student Absences/Excuses/Dismissals

JEG-Exclusions and Exemptions from School Attendance

Cost per Pupil

The superintendent must prepare and distribute notification of the estimated average per pupil cost for public education in the division for the upcoming school year. The notice also must include actual per pupil state and local education expenditures for the previous school year. Refer to School Board Policy DIA, Reporting Per Pupil Costs.

Counseling

Parents must be notified regarding the academic and career guidance and personal/social counseling progra ms that are available to their children, including procedures by which parents may limit their child's participation in such programs. View our counseling program information online by grade level. Refer to School Board Policy IJ, Guidance and Counseling Program.

Credits Required for Graduation

Each division must notify the parents of rising juniors and seniors of the number of credits and subject area requirements necessary for graduation pursuant to the standards for accreditation. The counseling office at Manassas Park High School addresses this requirement on an individual student basis. Refer to School Board Policy IKF, Standards of Learning Tests and Graduation Requirements.

Further, the division must notify parents of students with disabilities who have an IEP and who fail to meet the requirements for graduation of the student's right to a free and appropriate education to age 21. The division also must notify parents of students who fail to meet the requirements for graduation and who have not reached 20 years of age on or before August 1 of the school year of the right to a free public education. Refer to School Board Policy IAA, Notification of Learning Objectives .

Dual Enrollment, Advanced Placement Classes, and Special Programs

Students and their parents must be notified of the availability of dual enrollment, advanced placement classes, the International Baccalaureate program, and Academic Year Governor's School Programs. The division publishes this information annually in the Manassas Park High School course catalog.

Eating Disorders Awareness Information

Every school board must annually provide information to parents of students in grades 5-12 regarding eating disorders. The information must be consistent with guidelines developed by the Virginia Department of Education. More information is available at VDOE Eating Disorders Awareness in the Public School Settings. View the Information Sheet for parents developed by the school health department.

Emergency Procedures

Manassas Park City Schools conducts ongoing training and drills for emergencies throughout the school year. General information can be viewed on theSchool Safety webpage. Refer to School Board Policy EB, School Crisis, Emergency Management, and Medical Response Plan.

English Learners

School divisions receiving federal funds to provide a language instruction educational program must, not later than 30 days after the beginning of the school year, inform the parents of English learners of the following:

  • the reasons for the identification of their child as an English learner and in need of placement in a language instruction educational program
  • the child's level of English proficiency, how such level was assessed, and the status of the child's academic achievement
  • the methods of instruction used in the program in which their child is, or will be participating, and the methods of instruction used in other available programs, including how such programs differ in content, instructional goals, and the use of English and a native language in instruction
  • how the program in which their child is, or will be participating, will meet the educational strengths and needs of their child
  • how such program will specifically help their child learn English and meet age-appropriate academic achievement standards for grade promotion and graduation
  • the specific exit requirements for the program, including the expected rate of transition from such program into classrooms that are not tailored for English learners and the expected rate of graduation from high school (including four-year adjusted cohort graduation rates and extended-year adjusted cohort graduation ra­­tes for such program) if federal funds are used for children in high schools
  • in the case of a child with a disability, how such program meets the objectives of the individualized education program of the child
  • information pertaining to parental rights that includes written guidance detailing
    • the parents' right to have their child immediately removed from such program upon their request
    • the options that parents have to decline to enroll their child in such program or to choose another program or method of instruction
    • information pertaining to parental rights that includes written guidance assisting parents in selecting among various programs and methods of instruction, if more than one program or method is offered by the division

For those children who have not been identified as English learners prior to the beginning of the school year, the division must give the notifications listed above to parents within the first two weeks of the child being placed in a language instruction educational program.

In addition, parents of English learners will be notified regarding parental involvement opportunities in the same manner as notice is given regarding other Title I programs.

For more information, parents may refer to the School Board policy English Learners; IGBF and the English Leaners Program webpage.

Fees

The school division's policy regarding student fees and the fee schedule must be provided to parents annually. View School Board Policy JN, Student Fees, Fines, and Charges, which includes fees for all schools.

FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act)

Divisions must provide parents and adult students annual notice of their rights to inspect and review education records, amend education records, consent to disclosure of personally identifiable information in education records, and file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education. Refer to School Board Policy JO, Student Records, and School Board Policy JO-R, Student Records; Regulations which includes the school division's FERPA policy.

Gifted Education Plan

Each division is required to make its comprehensive plan for the education of gifted students accessible through the division's website. The division must also ensure printed copies are available to citizens who do not have online access. View more information at MPCS Gifted Education.

Graduation Requirements

At the beginning of each school year, every school must provide to students in all grade levels a notice of all requirements for Board of Education-approved Diplomas. View the graduation requirements (minimum credit and course requirements) approved by the Virginia Department of Education: Advanced Studies Diploma | Standard Diploma | Modified Standard Diploma .

View the school division's graduation requirements in School Board Policy IKF, The Virginia Assessment Program and Graduation Requirements . The division also publishes graduation requirements annually in the high school program of studies.

Guidance from the Virginia Department of Education must be provided to parents of students with disabilities regarding the Applied Studies diploma and its limitations at a student's annual EP meeting corresponding the grades three through 12 when curriculum or statewide assessment decisions are being made that impact the type of diploma from which the student can qualify.

High School Credit-Bearing Courses Taken in Middle School

For any high school credit-bearing course taken in middle school, parents may request that grades be omitted from the student's transcript and the student not earn high school credit for the course in accordance with policies adopted by the school board. Notice of this provision is provided to parents with the final middle school report card. Refer to School Board Policy JOA Student Transcripts.

Homeless Students

Each division must give public notice of the educational rights of homeless children and youths. Refer to School Board Policy JECA, Admission of Homeless Children.

Internet Privacy

Every school division that has an Internet website must make its Internet privacy policy statement conspicuously available on its website. At a minimum, the statement must address

  • what information, including personally identifiable information, will be collected, if any;
  • whether any information will be automatically collected simply be accessing the web site, and if so, what information;
  • whether the web site automatically places a computer file, commonly referred to as a cookie, on the user's computer, and if so, for what purpose; and
  • how the collected information is being used or will be used.
  • The MPCS statement of web privacy is posted at the bottom of every page of our site.

Learning Objectives

Every school must provide to parents the learning objectives to be achieved at their child's grade level. Refer to School Board Policy IAA, Notification of Learning Objectives. In high school, this requirement is met by providing students with a syllabus for each of their courses. Parents also may find it helpful to view course descriptions detailed within the MPHS Course Catalog.

National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)

In accordance with federal code, Manassas Park City Schools will inform parents of children selected to participate in any NAEP assessment that their child may be excused from participation for any reason, is not required to finish any authorized assessment, and is not required to answer any test question. Further, parents will be informed of their right of access to assessment data.

Nondiscrimination

Divisions must notify students, parents and others including, in some instances, unions or professional organizations that have contracts with the school board, that they do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, and age. More detailed information, including contact information for our Compliance Officers and procedures, can be found in School Board Policy JFHA (students), GBA (for personnel) Prohibition Against Harassment and Retaliation (for students). The nondiscrimination notice and compliance offer information is printed on the nondiscrimination notice at the bottom of every page of our web site, on many of the division's publications, and in required offices.

Pursuant to the Title IX regulations that became effective on August 14, 2020, schools are required to notify applicants for admission and employment, parents or legal guardians, and all unions or professional organizations holding collective bargaining or professional agreements with the school board of the name or title, office address, email address, and telephone number of the division's Title IX Coordinator. 34 C.F. R.

Students and employees must be notified of the name, office address and phone number of the division's Compliance Officer(s) under Section 504 (34 C.F.R. 104.8), the Americans with Disabilities Act (28 C.F.R. § 35.107) and the Age Discrimination Act (34 C.F.R. § 110.25). See also VSBA Policy JFHA/GBA Prohibition of Harassment and Retaliation.

In addition to the requirements of federal law discussed above, Virginia law requires employers to post in conspicuous locations, and include in employee handbooks, information concerning an employee's rights to reasonable accommodations for disabilities. The Division of Human Rights is required to develop and publish the required notice by November 1, 2021. The information must also be directly provided to new employees at the beginning of their employment and to any employee within 10 days of the employee giving notice to the employer that the employee has a disability.

Online Courses and Programs

Divisions must post information regarding online courses and programs available through the division on their website. MPCS posts information about virtual learning opportunities as part of the program of studies.  For more information regarding online courses and program, please refer to MPCS School Board Policy IGBGA – Online Courses and Virtual Learning. 

Parental and Family Engagement

Divisions and schools that receive Title I funds must distribute their parental involvement policy to parents of students in Title I programs. Refer to School Board Policy IGBC, Parent and Family Engagement.

Postsecondary Education and Employment Data

Postsecondary Education and Employment data is published annually by the State Council of Higher Education in Virginia. Students have the opportunity to obtain a nationally recognized career readiness certificate at a local public high school, comprehensive community college, or workforce center. The VDOE's Career & Technical Education (CTE) site provides additional CTE resources.

PPRA (Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment)

The PPRA requires divisions to provide notice of their policy controlling the administration of surveys on certain sensitive topics, including political or religious beliefs and behavior involving sex or illegal conduct. View School

Board Policy JOB, Administration of Surveys and Questionnaires.

In addition, divisions must also directly notify parents, at least annually at the beginning of the school year, of the specific or approximate dates during the school year when the following activities will occur:

  • activities involving the collection, disclosure or use of personal information collected from students for the purpose of marketing or selling that information
  • the administration of any survey concerning sensitive information
  • any nonemergency, invasive physical examination or screening.

Promotion, Retention and Remediation Policies

Every school must provide to parents a copy of the division's promotion, retention and remediation policies. View School Board policies IKEB, Acceleration and IGBE, Remedial and Summer Instruction Program.

Prosecution of Juveniles as Adults

School boards must provide information developed by the office of the Virginia Attorney General to students regarding laws governing the prosecution of juveniles as adults for the commission of certain crimes. Open the Laws Regarding the Prosecution of Juveniles as Adults , as developed by the Office of the Attorney General. Refer to School Board Policy JFCL, Notification Regarding Prosecution of Juveniles as Adults.

Release of Student Records to Armed Forces Recruiters and Educational Institutions

Divisions must notify parents that they will release the names, addresses and telephone numbers of secondary students to all recruiters or institutions of higher education that request them unless the parents specifically request that this information not be released. VSBA Policy JO Student Records; 20 U.S.C. § 7908(a).

Report Cards

Divisions that receive Title I funds must prepare and distribute to parents an annual district report card showing specified information. The Virginia Department of Education now posts this information on its website. Report cards for schools, school divisions and the state provide information about student achievement, accountability ratings, attendance, program completion, school safety, teacher quality, and other topics. Reports may be viewed on the Manassas Park Division Report Card webpage . Refer to School Board Policy CMA, Quality Profiles.

Sensory Disabilities

The Department of Education shall annually prepare and distribute to local school boards packets of information describing the educational and other services available through the Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind, the Virginia Department for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing, and the Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired to students who are identified as hearing impaired or visually impaired. Local school boards shall annually post this information on the school division's Web site and inform the parents of those students who are identified as hearing impaired or visually impaired of its availability. School boards shall ensure that packets of such information are available in an accessible format for review by parents who do not have Internet access. VDOE Resources & Information:

School Bus Rider Safety Rules

A copy of bus rider safety rules shall be sent to parents at the beginning of the school year. The information shall include a request that parents or their designee accompany their young children to and from the bus stop. View the bus safety rules on the Department of Transportation webpage.

Services for Students Identified as Hearing Impaired or Visually Impaired

Each school board shall annually post information distributed by the Department of Education describing educational and other services available through the Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind, the Virginia Department for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing, and the Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired to the parents of those students who are identified as hearing impaired or visually impaired.

- VDOE Resources: Visual Impairment

- VDOE Resources: Deaf & Hard of Hearing

Scoliosis

Each year, the state requires that school divisions notify all parents of students in grades 5-10 about a physical condition known as scoliosis. This condition affects about two or three percent of all adolescents and causes a curvature in the spine. What is Scoliosis? Fact Sheet

Sex Offender Registry

Every school board must notify parents of the board's policy regarding sex offenders. View School Board Policy KN, Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry Notification. The Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry can be accessed online through the Virginia State Police website.

Special Education

Each division must conduct a public awareness campaign (also known as a child find program) to inform the community about special education programs and services. View School Board Policy IGBA, Programs for Students with Disabilities .

Standards of Learning (SOLs)

Every school must provide to parents the Standards of Learning applicable to their child's grade or course requirements and the approximate date and potential impact of the child's next SOL testing. Test administration varies by school and is available on the district website calendar. Refer to School Board Policy IKF, The Virginia Assessment Program and Graduation Requirements. State expectations for student learning and achievement can be accessed through the Virginia Department of Education website for the following subject areas: English, Mathematics, Science, History & Social Science, Family Life, Economics & Personal Finance, Fine Arts, World Language, Digital Learning Integration, Health, Physical Education, and Driver Education.

Student Achievement

Schools that receive Title I funds must provide each parent information on the achievement level of their child on each of the state academic assessments. Manassas Park City Schools handles such notifications on an individual student basis.

Student Fees, Fines, and Charges- Students- JN

Student Records- JO

Teacher Qualifications

Divisions that receive Title I funds must notify the parents of each student attending any school receiving Title I funds that the parents may request information regarding the professional qualifications of their child's classroom teachers. Further, schools receiving Title I funds must give timely notice to parents if their child has been assigned or has been taught for four or more consecutive weeks by a teacher who is not highly qualified, as defined by federal law. Manassas Park City Schools handles all such notifications on an individual student basis, when applicable. Information regarding the professional qualifications of the division's teachers may be obtained through the Manassas Park Human Resources Department.

Testing Transparency and Parent Opt Out

At the beginning of each school year, school divisions that receive Title I funds must notify the parents of each student attending any school receiving Title I funds that the parents may request, and the division will provide (in a timely manner), information regarding any state or division policy regarding student participation in any assessments mandated by 20 U.S.C. § 6311(b)(2) and by the state or division, which must include a policy, procedure or parental right to opt the child out of such assessment, where applicable. 20 U.S.C. §6312(e)(2)(A).

In addition, divisions that receive Title I funds must make widely available through public means (including by posting in a clear and easily accessible manner on the division's website and, where practicable, on the website of each school in the division, for each grade, information on each assessment required by the state to comply with 20 U.S.C. §6311, other assessments required by the state, and where such information is available and feasible to report, specified information regarding assessments required division wide by the division. 20 U.S.C. § 6312(e)(2)(B).

Tobacco and Nicotine Vapor Products

Every school division must annually provide educational information to parents of students in grades K though 12 regarding the health dangers of tobacco and nicotine vapor products. The information must be consistent with guidelines developed by the Department of Education. Va. Code § 22.1-273.3.

Voluntary Retirement Savings Programs (403(b) Plans)

Divisions that have 403(b) retirement plans must notify employees about the plan. View School Board Policy GBR, Voluntary Retirement Savings Program . To learn more about retirement benefits for Manassas Park employees, please contact Human Resources at 703-330-8550 or visit the Human Resources Benefits web page .

Youth Health Risk Behavior Survey

The school board must notify parents of each student enrolled in a middle or high school selected for participation in the survey of student health risk behaviors that their child may be randomly selected to participate in the survey unless the parent denies consent for the student's participation in writing prior to administration of the survey. The school division will provide such notice at least 30 days prior to administration of the survey. Refer to .

Required Public Hearings

Budget

Before the School Board approves its budget for submission to the city governing body, the board must hold at least one public hearing to hear the views of the citizens. Public notice of the hearing will be given at least 10 days in advance posted on the school's website event calendar. For more information view the MPCS Financial Services website.

Required Postings

Alternatives to Animal Dissection

School boards must provide notice that they provide alternatives to animal dissection. Manassas Park City Schools provides such notice in relevant science course syllabi. Additionally, teachers bring attention to alternatives at relevant times during the school year.

Bill of Rights

In accordance with Virginia School Boards Association Policy IEC, the Bill of Rights of the Constitution of the United States is posted in a conspicuous place in each Manassas Park City school.

Child Abuse Reporting

A notice must be posted in each school regarding suspicion of child abuse or neglect and subsequent reporting. View the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) poster, A Guide for School Employees to Recognize and Report Child Abuse , which includes the VDSS toll-free child abuse and neglect hotline. Refer to School Board Policy GAE, Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting.

Comprehensive Plan

Each school board must present a report to the public by November 1 of each odd-numbered year on the extent to which the objectives of the division's comprehensive ("strategic") plan have been met during the previous two school years. For more information about our Strategic Planning process, visit the MPCS Strategic Plan website.

Fair Labor Standards Act

All employers covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act, including school divisions, must post Employee Rights Under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Each employer of 50 or more employees shall post on the premises of the workplace a notice regarding Employee Rights and Responsibilities Under the Family and Medical Leave Act.

Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA)

Employers are required to post a notice approved by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) regarding GINA, which protects employees from discrimination on the basis of genetic information. View the Equal Opportunity poster published by the EEOC .

Minimum Wage

Each employer must post, in conspicuous places on the premises of the workplace, a notice prepared or approved by the Secretary of Labor regarding the federal minimum wage law. View the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) Minimum Wage poster published by the U.S. Department of Labor.

National Motto

In accordance with Virginia School Boards Association Policy IEB , the statement "In God We Trust," the National Motto enacted by Congress in 1956, is posted in a conspicuous place in each Manassas Park City school.

Online Courses and Programs

Divisions must post information regarding online courses and programs available through the division on their websites. The information should include the types of online courses and programs available, when the division will pay course fees and other costs for nonresident students, and the granting of high school credit. Please view more information on the MPCS School Policy IGBGA; Online Courses and Virtual Programs

USERRA (Uniformed Service Employment and Reemployment Rights Act)

Employers are required to provide employees with notice of their rights, benefits and obligations under USERRA. View Your Rights Under USERRA: The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act.

Pregnancy, Childbirth and Related Medical Conditions

School Boards must post in a conspicuous location and include in any employee handbook information concerning an employee's rights to reasonable accommodation for known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. Such information must also be directly provided to new employees and to any employee within 10 days of such employee's giving notice to the employer that she is pregnant. Va. Code § 2.2-3909.

Virginia Unemployment Compensation Act

All employers in Virginia, including school divisions, must post all notices related to unemployment insurance furnished by the Virginia Unemployment Commission. View the Virginia Employment Commission Notice to Workers concerning unemployment insurance .

Workers' Compensation

School divisions must post, at a location frequented by employees, notice of compliance with the provisions of the Virginia Worker's Compensation Act. View the Workers' Compensation Notice published by the Virginia Workers' Compensation Commission.

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