Hello to All in the Northwest Community!

Last spring our school board discussed and approved new state mandated policies that provided a stronger relationship between the school district and our parents. We completely support these policies as we know a child will learn at higher rates with a positive relationship between our school district and our parents.

Over the next few weeks, I will provide more and more details on our Parents Rights Policy as it contains quite a bit of information. We want to ensure that everyone throughout the school community maintains a strong understanding of this new policy.

Below is a summary of the now policy:

Key Points to Remember/ HB 8 & SB 29

The following is a summary of HB 8 & SB 29 that Northwest will follow throughout the school year. More and more information will be forthcoming so everyone understands these policies.

1. Curriculum & Instructional Supplements*
   1. HB 8 focuses on content related to sexuality.
   2. Our new policies (submitted and approved early in the summer) are compliant with HB 8 and SB 29 in terms of both content and data privacy.
2. Sexual Content Guidelines
   1. K–3: Instruction or material on sexual concepts or gender ideology is prohibited.
   2. Grades 4–12: Parents have the right to review any such material and may opt their children out.
   3. Instruction on abstinence, sexually transmitted infections, abuse prevention, and incidental discussion is allowed (appropriate in health education).
   4. Libraries/classroom libraries are exempt unless materials are actively used in instruction.
3. Wellness & Counseling Services
   1. Counselors and wellness staff must notify parents before providing services, except in emergencies, minor first aid, or for 504/IEP needs.
4. Parental Involvement
   1. Staff must not discourage parental involvement or encourage students to withhold health-related information from their parents.
5. Parent Rights
   1. Parents may review curriculum containing sexual content and all technology contracts.
6. Student Data Access
   1. Parents must be notified if student data is accessed for reasons including: subpoena/warrant, stolen device, safety concerns, child abuse, discipline, bullying, or threat assessment.
   2. Notification will come from the principal’s office, but staff are responsible for immediately informing their principal if they access student data for these reasons.

The good news, as I have mentioned several times to various groups, is that we already follow many of the specifics from the items listed above. As of now, these are all points of emphasis that we must adhere to moving forward. We look forward to a continued strengthening our the relationship between our parents and Northwest Local Schools.

As always, if you have questions on any part of this policy, call me at 330-573-9024. We will continue to submit more information to our families throughout the next several weeks. 

Respectfully,

Shawn Braman