Plans, Policies and Required Notifications

The Hammond Central School District is required to provide the following notifications to parents and families on an annual basis.

 

 

 

In accordance with New York education law, Hammond Central School District is required to publish a public notice of the filing of its annual fire inspection report within 20 days of filing it with the New York State Education Department (NYSED). It must be published at least once in the designated official newspaper of the district or a newspaper in general circulation for its postal area.

For more information on annual fire inspection notices, please contact the main office at (315) 324-5931.

The state’s teacher and principal evaluation law requires each classroom teacher and building principal to receive an annual professional performance review (APPR). The law requires districts to develop a plan for conducting these reviews, which must then be approved by the Commissioner of Education.

Find the Hammond CSD APPR Plan on the NY State Education Department website.

As required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Hammond Central School District maintains asbestos management plans for district buildings. The plans are on file in each principal’s office and collectively at the district office and are available for review during normal business hours. As required, periodic surveys are conducted every six months. Currently, there are no projects scheduled that will disturb asbestos-containing building material.

For more information about asbestos, please contact the main office at (315) 324-5931.

If you suspect a child is being abused or maltreated (neglected), report it by calling the toll-free 24-hour hotline operated by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services at (800) 342-3720. If you believe a child is in immediate danger, call 911 or your local police department.

Learn more about reporting abuse or mistreatment of children on the Office of Children and Family Services website.

Hammond Central School is committed to fostering a safe, structured environment that allows students to learn and staff to teach without interruption. Reaching this goal depends on the responsible actions of every member of our school community.

 

View our Code of Conduct, Attendance Policy and Student Handbook.

New York State Education Law gives parents and families the right to information about how school districts safeguard student and staff data.

The goal of the Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) is to provide students with a safe and supportive learning environment that is free from discrimination, intimidation, taunting, harassment and bullying.

As required by state law, Hammond Central School District maintains a districtwide safety plan, posted on its website. The plan outlines strategies to prevent or reduce the impact of violent incidents and emergencies, and coordinates response efforts with local and county agencies. It also details how the district will provide devices, internet access, special education services, and expectations for student learning across different remote modalities.

 

 

The Dominic Murray Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act was signed into law on July 1, 2022. It requires schools, students, and parents/guardians to be informed about sudden cardiac arrest risks, signs and symptoms.

The goal of the Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) Prevention Act is to promote safe interscholastic athletics and to prevent incidents of SCA in student-athletes. The law requires districts to provide information to parents/guardians of student-athletes prior to the student’s participation in any interscholastic athletics. The law also requires coaches to hold a valid certificate of completion of first aid training through a nationally recognized organization.

SCA is an emergency that happens when the heart suddenly stops working. SCA can cause death if not treated immediately. Immediate treatment is cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and use of an automatic external defibrillator (AED). SCA in students at risk can be triggered by athletic activities. All public schools must have a staff member trained in the use of CPR and AED in school and at all school athletic events.

The law also requires any student who has signs and symptoms of pending SCA to be removed from athletic activity until seen by a physician. The physician must provide written clearance to the school for the student to be able to return to athletics.

Additional Resources
Learn more about Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) in Youth on the NYS Department of Health website.

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), signed into law in 2015, reauthorized the long-standing Elementary and Secondary Education Act and reaffirmed the nation’s commitment to equal educational opportunity. Under ESSA, schools identified as needing additional support must notify their school board and families of this designation. Schools designated for Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI) are also required to survey parents, staff, and students annually and engage the school community in determining how certain improvement funds are used.

 

 

New York State Education Department has created a process for resolving complaints alleging that a local educational agency (LEA), grantee or NYSED has violated a law, rule, or regulation in the administration of any “covered Federal program” under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).

These procedures offer parents and other stakeholders a process to file complaints and allow for the timely resolution of such complaints. A complainant may include any of the following: parents, public agencies, and other individuals or organizations.

To learn more about ESSA complaint procedures, please visit the NYSED Website for ESSA-Funded Programs Complaint Procedures.

• Inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days after the day a request for access is received by the school. These requests should be submitted to 
  • If parents/guardians wish to inspect and review their student’s education records, contact:

• Provide written consent before the school discloses personally identifiable information from the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent as outlined below;
• File a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the district to comply with the requirements of FERPA.

 

As a requirement by Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) as amended by the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) of December 2015 regarding students in foster care, the district is required to designate a district Foster Care Point of Contact that will work collaboratively with the representatives from the local child welfare agency, as well as other state school districts.

 
The Hammond Central School District point of contact is Renee Breault. Renee can be contacted via email at [email protected], or by calling (315) 324-5931, ext. 26131.

 

Read about the education of a student in foster care.

 

 

The Freedom of Information Law requires districts to remind stakeholders they have access to records and procedures and inform them how to obtain that information. The law is based on the belief that a free society is maintained when the government is responsive and responsible to the public, and when the public is aware of governmental actions.

 

For access to Hammond Central School District records under the Freedom of Information Law, please contact:

 

 

Instructional Technology Plan
In compliance with Commissioner’s Regulation 100.12, Hammond Central School District maintains an Instructional Technology Plan designed to enhance achievement and engagement by integrating technology into teaching and learning. The plan aims to improve student learning experiences and ensure equitable access to technology-rich opportunities for both students and staff.

 

 

 

According to New York state law, school districts are required every five years to complete a round of lead testing of water outlets used for drinking and cooking, unless the state Commissioner of Health requires testing sooner.

The law requires school districts to sample all water outlets currently or potentially used for drinking or cooking purposes in buildings that may be occupied by students and to submit those samples to a state approved lab for analysis. The state established an action level of 5 micrograms of lead per liter, typically referred to as “parts per billion (ppb).”

If a sample from a water outlet exceeds this level, schools must take steps to prevent the use of the outlet for drinking or cooking purposes until it is remediated and follow-up testing confirms it is no longer above the action level.

Hammond Central School District Lead Testing Results

Non-Discrimination Policy/Equal Opportunity Policy

Title IX of the federal government’s education amendments of 1972 prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender, race, national origin, creed, age, or handicap as defined by law in education programs benefiting from federal assistance. Hammond Central School District complies with the Title IX provisions in its educational programs and activities.
Any parent, student or district employee who believes they have been discriminated against based upon race, color, gender, creed, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, military status or marital status should contact the district’s Title IX Compliance Officer:

New York’s Dignity for All Students Act prohibits discrimination based on race, color, gender, creed, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, military status or marital status and will not tolerate any form of unlawful discrimination or harassment.

View the district's non-discrimination/anti-harassment policy.
View the district's equal opportunity policy.
View the district's Title IX policy.

 

New York State Education Law requires schools to provide written notification to all parents/guardians and staff members regarding the potential use of pesticides periodically throughout the school year. The district maintains a list of all individuals who wish to receive 48-hour prior written notification of certain pesticide applications. In the event of an emergency application necessary to protect against an imminent threat to human health, a good faith effort will be made to supply written notification to those on the 48-hour prior notification list.

Some pesticide applications are not subject to notification requirements, including anti-microbial products, EPA-designated biopesticides and exempt materials, and when a school remains unoccupied for a continuous 72-hours following an application.

If you would like to obtain information about products being applied, including warnings that appear on the label of pesticides used, or would like to be placed on our notification list, please contact the main office at (315) 324-5931.

New York State Education Law gives parents/guardians the right to information about how Hammond Central School is safeguarding student and staff data. See also Data Privacy and Security, above.

Read the Bill of Rights for Data Privacy and Security on the State Education Department website.

Professional Learning Plan
The Hammond Central School District Professional Learning Plan is designed to enhance the quality of teaching and learning while reflecting our ongoing commitment to putting students first, upholding professionalism, integrating instructional technology, fostering respect for all, maintaining high expectations, meeting learning standards, and supporting shared decision-making.

Public Relations Use of Student Data/Photos

School district officials may occasionally share student information, such as names, photos, activities, awards, and future plans, in district publications, on the website or social media, and with the media for public relations.

Parents who object to releasing their child’s information or photo should notify their child's principal.

As required by the Smart Schools Bond Act (SSBA) Implementation Guidance, school districts must post a final Smart Schools Investment Plan on its website. This plan is designed for the district to participate in the Smart Schools Bond Act of 2014. The act authorized the state to finance $2 billion for educational technology and infrastructure to improve learning and opportunity for New York students.

 

Teacher Qualifications

Under the Every Student Succeeds Act, parents/guardians have the right to know the professional qualifications of their child’s classroom teachers, including:

• Whether a teacher has state certification for the grade levels and subjects he or she is teaching;
• The teacher’s baccalaureate degree major and any other certifications or degrees; and
• Whether their child receives services from paraprofessionals and, if so, their qualifications.

Wellness
The District Wellness Policy includes goals for nutrition promotion and education, physical activity and education, nutrition guidelines for foods sold and marketed in school, and opportunities for school community member involvement.