Student/Parent Resources

CCSS Implementation Plans

Publication of Common Core State Standards Alignment Documents

The Michigan State Board of Education adopted the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) as Michigan’s K-12 content standards for English Language Arts and Mathematics in June 2010.  Documents detailing the alignment of the CCSS with Michigan’s Grade Level Content Expectations (GLCE) and High School Content Expectations (HSCE) in English Language Arts and Mathematics are now available.

Michigan Dept. of Education

The new nationwide 988 three-digit dialing code will route callers to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, previously known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (NSPL). Michigan residents in crisis or distress can connect via phone, text, or chat with suicide prevention, mental health, and substance misuse support specialists using a nationwide, easier-to-dial phone number – 988. Calls to 988 are routed to Michigan 988 Centers. Like 911 and other national 3-digit phone numbers, 988 was created to be easier to remember and make crisis care easier to access. Starting in 2023, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is asking schools to begin the transition of shifting away from using the former NSPL number on the back of school identifications (IDs), replacing the 800 number with 988.  For questions or additional information, please email [email protected] or visit the website 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and Michigan Crisis & Access Line.

ASBESTOS    

Caro Community Schools is pleased to announce that all known asbestos in our schools is non-friable and has been contained.  In accordance with the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act, a management plan is on file with EPA Region V.  A copy of the plan may be viewed in Central Office.

MERCURY FREE!   

Caro Community Schools is pleased to announce that we are mercury free in our school buildings.  We have certified the removal of all known mercury in the buildings

NO SMOKING … It’s the Law             

In 1999, the State of Michigan passed a law that declared all Michigan schools to be part of a Drug Free Zone.  In effect, the law banned the use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs on school property or in school buildings at any time.  Since state law supersedes any district policy, we must declare the use of alcohol or tobacco products to be prohibited in school buildings and on school grounds 24 hour a day and 7 days a week.  Obviously, the district is dependent upon your voluntary compliance and appreciates your support in these matters.

“In compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, it is the policy of the Caro Community School District that no person shall, on the basis of religion, race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, marital status, height, weight, arrest record, and familial status be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination during any program, activity, or employment.   Inquiries regarding this policy should be directed to the Caro Community Schools Superintendent, 301 Hooper Street, Caro, Michigan 48723.  (989) 673-3166

FAMILY EDUCATIONAL RIGHTS AND PRIVACY ACT (FERPA)    

Parents and guardians of students under 18, along with students who are 18 years of age or older, have certain rights respecting educational records kept on the student by the Caro Community Schools.  These rights include:

· The right to examine the student record.  Requests for inspection are to be directed to the principal and an appointment made for the inspection.  Records may not be removed from the files.

· The rights to have the administration hear evidence that part of the record is inaccurate, misleading or violates a student’s privacy or other rights.

· The right to have the record changed if the administration agrees with the evidence or to insert an explanation if the administration disagrees.

· The right to have records which personally refer to the student kept confidential except by consent of parent/student or when being used by school personnel for school purposes.

· There is a right to obtain a copy of the board privacy policy.

· There is a right to file a protest, make an appeal to the board, and protest to the federal government.  The address is:  The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Office, Department of Health, Education, and Welfare   330 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20201

The Caro Community Schools is pleased to report that all of our teachers and educational paraprofessionals working directly under our teachers are highly qualified.  Parents and guardians are hereby notified of their rights to request verification of this highly qualified status, to be informed of the educational levels of the staff.

Parents and guardians of students under 18, along with students who are 18 years of age or older, have certain rights respecting educational records kept on the student by the Caro Community Schools.  These rights include information regarding the professional qualifications of the student’s classroom teachers, including, at a minimum, the following:

    (1) Whether the teacher has met State qualification and licensing criteria for the grade levels and subject areas in which the teacher provides instruction.

    (2) Whether the teacher is teaching under emergency or other provisional status through which State qualification or licensing criteria have been waived.

    (3) The baccalaureate degree major of the teacher and any other graduate certification or degree held by the teacher, and the field of discipline of the certification or degree.

    (4) Whether the child is provided services by paraprofessionals and, if so, their qualifications.

Inquiries regarding teacher or educational paraprofessional’s qualifications should be directed to the Caro Community Schools Superintendent’s Office, 301 Hooper Street, Caro, Michigan 48723.  (989) 673-3160, ext. 1002.

Annual Notification for Pest Program

During the course of each school year, school district personnel of Tuscola County are authorized to publish student names, photographs or video recordings, and information in conjunction with school activities.

The information published may include the following: height, weight, honors, grade, awards, date of graduation, parents or guardian names, address, date and place of birth, academic achievement, major fields of study, participation in school activities, and other similar information. Also, the armed services will ask for a mailing address which is within the PA of 1974 guidelines.

District personnel, in compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, may not release information on students if proper documentation prohibiting this action is filed by the parent, guardian, or eligible student.

Nondisclosure of the above-mentioned information is on an “all or nothing” basis, and parents, guardians, or eligible students may request, in writing, that all directory information is not to be disclosed. The request to “opt out” of such disclosure is to be made to the appropriate building principal during the first two weeks of school for the student. The request will be honored after the written request is received. Requests will also be honored if submitted during the school year.