ACADEMIC REPORTS AND CONSULTATIONS

Parents / caregivers are informed of their child’s progress via report cards and consultations. Students receive formal report cards at the end of each quarter. Homeroom teachers will ensure that a minimum of weekly reports are provided to parents / caregivers through SchoolSpeak.

Faculty and administrators at BLH believe that communication and collaboration among teachers and parents / caregivers is the foundation of effective Christian education. At the end of the first quarter, each teacher schedules a consultation with the child’s parents/caregivers, who are expected to meet with the teacher at that time. At the end of the second quarter, parents/caregivers or the teacher may request a consultation; however, parent/caregivers and/or teachers may request to meet at any time throughout the school year.

FERPA

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. (The law applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education.) FERPA gives parents/caregivers certain rights with respect to their children's education records.

• Parents / caregivers have the right to inspect and review the student's education records maintained by the school. Schools are not required to provide copies of records unless, for reasons such as great distance, it is impossible for parents or eligible students to review the records. Schools may charge a fee for copies.

• Parents / caregivers have the right to request that a school correct records which they believe to be inaccurate or misleading. If the school decides not to amend the record, the parent / caregivers or eligible student then has the right to a formal hearing. After the hearing, if the school still decides not to amend the record, the parent / caregivers or eligible student has the right to place a statement with the record setting forth his or her view about the contested information.

• Generally, schools must have written permission from the parent / caregivers or eligible student in order to release any information from a student's education record. However, FERPA allows schools to disclose those records, without consent, to the following parties or under these conditions :

• School officials with legitimate educational interest;

• Other schools to which a student is transferring;

• Specified officials for audit or evaluation purposes;

• Appropriate parties in connection with financial aid to a student;

• Organizations conducting certain studies for or on behalf of the school;

• Accrediting organizations;

• To comply with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena;

• Appropriate officials in cases of health and safety emergencies; and

• State and local authorities, within a juvenile justice system, pursuant to state law.

Schools may disclose, without consent, "directory" information such as a student's name, address, telephone number, date and place of birth, honors and awards, and dates of attendance. However, schools must tell parents / caregivers and eligible students about directory information and allow parents / caregivers and eligible students a reasonable amount of time to request that the school not disclose directory information about them. Schools must notify parents / caregivers and eligible students annually of their rights under FERPA (e.g. family handbook) at the discretion of the school.

https://www2.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/index.html

NEWSLETTERS and ANNOUNCEMENTS

BLH is committed to frequent communication between home and school. Parents / caregivers are asked to check daily for correspondence from the school office and from teachers. A daily update of announcements and calendar items is provided via a SchoolSpeak email. Occasionally, paper copies of announcements, especially those requiring a signature or payment, will be sent home with the children. Parents / caregivers can find weekly updates on the BLH Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/bloomingtonlutheran/

SOCIAL MEDIA, YEARBOOK, and WEBSITE CONFIDENTIALITY

BLH generates promotional materials, posts on social media, an annual yearbook, bulletin inserts, and other informational publications that include photos of children involved in school activities. However, parents / caregivers have the opportunity to opt out of inclusion in such materials by signing a form requesting that their child’s photo not be used. Typically, only first names are given if they are used at all. BLH is careful to act reasonably in preserving confidentiality and ensuring student safety.

DISCIPLINE, SUSPENSION, EXPULSION

Each student is responsible for his/her own behavior and in maintaining a Christian atmosphere within the school. As a Christ-centered school, we value learning, respect, and responsibility. Our general school rules are:

• Be prepared and ready to learn

• Keep hands, feet, and other objects to yourself

• Use appropriate language with no put-downs, insults, or swearing

• Be peacemakers

• Be respectful to others

• Listen and follow directions

• Take good care of our resources, property and materials

• Do what is right according to the teachings of Christ

Generally, minor misconduct or policy violations will result in lighter discipline. However, continued infractions, aggravating factors, or more severe behavior may result in more substantial discipline. Because each child and situation is unique, in determining the appropriate response to a disciplinary situation the school may consider the age of the student, the type of misconduct, the frequency of the student’s misconduct, and the severity of the problem. Various methods may be used to assist each student in becoming responsible for their own behavior and finding a solution to the problem. These may include the following.

• Time-out

• Warning note or call to parent/guardian

• After school detention

• Development of a student behavior plan

• Loss of school privileges

• Mediation

• In-School suspension

• Out of School suspension

• Expulsion

There are certain behaviors where, due to the severity of the action, more substantial and immediate consequences are necessary. This may include any of the general discipline actions, as well as immediate removal of the student from the classroom, immediate meeting with parents/guardians, in school or out of school suspension, and expulsion. The duration and conditions of a suspension will be determined by the principal. If necessary for the safety of other students or to avoid significant disruption to the school social or academic environment the student may be placed on a temporary out of school suspension pending appropriate resolution.

Examples of severe misconduct include (but are not limited to):

• Continued misconduct

• Violence

• Fighting/Bullying/Harassment

• Blatant disrespect for authority

• Use or possession of alcohol, drugs, or weapons on school property or at school events

• Abusive behavior (verbal or physical)

• Inappropriate language or actions

• Sexual misconduct

• Academic dishonesty

• Theft or vandalism

Students, employees, or volunteers who are aware of severe misconduct should report it to the principal as soon as possible.

CONCERNS

BLH recognizes that there will be times that parents/caregivers have concerns to discuss with the teachers and/or principal. The teachers, principal, and Board of BLH adhere to the philosophy that most concerns are best addressed through timely, honest, loving, Christian communication. It is often helpful when non-emergency concerns are communicated before or after regular school hours.

When conflict arises, Christians follow the course laid out in Scripture (Matt. 18:15).

1. Any questions or concerns are first directed to the person involved.

2. In the rare case that resolution does not occur, the matter is taken to the principal.

3. Then, if necessary, it can be taken to the pastor and finally to the Board of Education.

Parents/caregivers must be cautious to maintain confidentiality. Concerns should not be posted on social media. Please do not hold conversations in the presence of the child or other adults.

Matters concerning overall school policy or procedure should, of course, be brought to the attention of the principal who will bring the concern to the Board of Education.