• Ashby Schools has a stringent inspection and management program for all asbestos-containing building materials. As a matter of policy, the district will maintain a safe and healthful environment for our community’s youth and employees. All buildings owned and leased by the district have been inspected by an EPA-accredited inspector for asbestos content. Any known materials were removed under our asbestos operation and maintenance program safely and responsibly.

Federal Laws

State Laws

NOTICE OF STUDENT EDUCATION RECORD PRIVACY

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords parents and students who are 18 years of age or older certain rights with respect to the student’s education records. These rights include:

• The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days after the day Ashby Schools receives a request for access.
• The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the parent or eligible student believes are inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy rights under FERPA.
• The right to 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. One exception, which permits disclosure without consent, is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests.
• The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by Ashby Schools to comply with the requirements of FERPA.

NOTICE OF DIRECTORY INFORMATION

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) allows Big Lake Schools to disclose personally identifiable information it has labeled as directory information without prior parental notification or consent, unless a parent has advised the district otherwise through an opt-out form. The primary purpose of directory information is to allow Ashby Schools to include information from your child’s education records in certain school publications. Examples include:

• The annual yearbook/graduation programs
• Honor roll or other recognition lists
• Sports activity sheets, such as for wrestling, showing weight and height of team members
• District print, broadcast or online publications such as social media, websites, and marketing materials for district use
• Media’s request of information

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 the following information – names, addresses and telephone listings – unless parents have advised the LEA that they do not want their student’s information disclosed without their prior written consent.

Ashby Schools has designated the following information as directory information:

• Student’s name
• Student’s address
• Age
• Gender
• Grade level
• Dates of attendance
• Participation in official school activities
• Weight and height of athletic team members
• Degrees, honors and awards received
• Any photograph, video or recording of a student’s likeness

The following form should be used to opt-out of directory information: Directory Information Opt-Out Form

Ashby Schools adopted an Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) management plan that will be used by the district to identify any air quality issues and implement a plan for improvement. The plan contains maintenance procedures, building surveys, policies and procedures for handling indoor air quality concerns. If you have any questions or concerns about indoor air quality in any of our district buildings, please contact the building and grounds manager. 

The MN Department of Education in partnership with the MN Department of Health, Safety and Human Services administers the MN Student Survey to students in grades 5, 8, 9, and 11 every three years. This survey is about various youth behaviors related to personal health, school safety, drug use and violence in the school. As part of Protection of Pupil Rights Amendments, all parents and students are provided notification of the survey distribution. Parents are allowed to review the survey and are given the opportunity to elect not to allow their child to participate in it.

The Parents Right to Know Act of 2000 requires schools to inform parents and guardians if they apply certain pesticides on school property. Specifically, this law requires schools that apply these pesticides to maintain an estimated schedule of pesticide applications and to make the schedule available to parents and guardians for review or copying at each school office. State law also requires that the public is told that the long-term health effects on children from the application of such pesticides, or the class of chemicals to which they belong, may not be fully understood. If you would like to be notified prior to unscheduled pesticide applications (excluding emergency applications), please contact the buildings and grounds manager.

• The Pledge of Allegiance will be recited at least once a week in Ashby Schools. Anyone who does not wish to participate in reciting the pledge of allegiance for any personal reason may elect not to do so. Students must respect another person's right to make that choice.

  Students will be instructed in the proper etiquette toward, correct display of, and respect for the flag, and in patriotic exercises.

  Full policy 531

Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.31, subdivision 4a, requires the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) to publish a form for parents/guardians to complete if they refuse to have their student participate in state-required standardized assessments. It includes some basic information to help parents/guardians make informed decisions that benefit their child and their school and community. The form to meet this legislative requirement is available at the link below. When completed, it must be returned to your student’s district; your student’s district may require additional information.

Parent/Guardian Guide and Refusal for Student Participation in Statewide Testing Form

Ashby Schools use a variety of digital tools to support student learning. Technology vendors and software are utilized to support work as we help all students develop the skills necessary to succeed in an ever-changing world.

We have an inventory of our curriculum, testing, and assessment tools posted at Technology Digital Tools and includes an outline of the student data elements within each tool. This list is maintained and communicated annually to all families at the start of the school year.

Please reach out to it@ashbyps.org for additional questions regarding specific digital tools used by students.