Official Notices
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Official Notices| Superintendent
The Morris Area School District has a number of important official notices for residents and parents, including, but not limited to, asbestos notification, directory information, equal opportunity, indoor air quality, pesticide notification, student records, school closings and emergencies, and tobacco-free environment. These official notices can be found in Student-Parent Handbooks, Staff Handbooks, and here. If you wish to obtain additional information on any of these, please contact Natalie Ketterling in the Morris Area District Office. She can be reached by phone at 320-589-4840 or by e-mailing her at nketterl@morris.k12.mn.us.
Acceptable Use of Electronic Resources
Morris Area School District provides students and staff with access to the School District's electronic resources, including computers, networks, Internet, and servers. The purpose of these resources is for classroom activities, communication, and educational research. Users are expected to utilize electronic resources to further educational and personal goals consistent with the mission and policies of the School District. Students are provided Internet access that employs technology protection measures that block or filter unsuitable content. Parents may request alternative activities not requiring the use of the Internet by contacting the school principal. Use of the District's electronic resources is a privilege, not a right. Students and staff are provided with notification and an explanation of acceptable use policies and procedures. The District provides the following limitations and notifications:
- Use of the School District's electronic resources is at the user's own risk. The system is provided on an "as is, as available" basis.
- The School District will not be responsible for any damage users may suffer, including, but not limited to, loss, damage or unavailability of data stored on School District media devices or servers, or for delays or changes in or interruptions of service or misdeliveries or nondeliveries of information or materials, regardless of the cause.
- The District is not responsible for personal property used to access School District computers, networks, or online resources.
- The School District is not responsible for the accuracy or quality of any advice or information obtained through or stored on the School District system.
- The School District will not be responsible for financial obligations arising through authorized or unauthorized use of the School District's electronic resources/accounts.
- Users should expect only limited privacy in the contents of personal files and the District does not relinquish control over materials on the system or files on the system.
- The confidentiality of electronic communications cannot be guaranteed.
- The School District retains the right at any time to investigate or review the contents of files and e-mail files. In addition, School District employees should be aware that data and other materials in files maintained on the School District system may be subject to review, disclosure or discovery.
- The District may use technical means to limit electronic resources access and these limits do not provide a foolproof means for enforcing the provision of the Acceptable Electronic Use Policy.
- Goods and services can be purchased and can potentially result in unwanted financial obligations. Any financial obligation is the sole responsibility of the user or, in the case of a student, the student's parents.
- The collection, creation, reception, maintenance and dissemination of data via the electronic resources, including electronic communications, is governed by Public and Private Personnel Data, and policy on the Protection and Privacy of Pupil Records.
- Should the user violate the School District's Acceptable Use Policy, the user's access privileges may be revoked, school disciplinary action may be taken and/or appropriate legal action may be taken.
- All provisions of the Acceptable Use Policy are subordinate to local, state and federal laws.
Documents that are available and linked include:
- Internet Access Policy
- Internet Acceptable Use and Safety Policy
- Internet Parent-Student Permission Form
Asbestos Notification
The Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) requires a semi-annual asbestos survey at each school to monitor the overall condition of previously known or assumed asbestos containing material (ACM). Those identified ACM that are damaged or friable are abated and/or repaired in accordance with AHERA regulations. Morris Area School District uses licensed Minnesota Department of Health abatement and consulting services for the management of ACM. District policies and school specific management plans are available at each site. In addition, the Buildings and Grounds Department has information on all abatement projects throughout the district. This information is available without cost or restriction. For more information regarding asbestos, please contact Health and Safety Coordinator, Dave Stoffer, at 320-589-4840 or via email at dstoffer@morris.k12.mn.us.
Directory Information
By law, student names and other directory information are public information. Directory information includes name, address, gender, telephone listing, grade level, school, date and place of birth, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, dates of attendance, degrees and awards received, previous educational agency or institution attended by a student, and pictures or video images for school district-approved publications, newspapers, or website. Under the directory information statute, the district must furnish lists to community groups or other organizations upon request. However, parents can designate that they do want this to happen. Parents who wish to exclude their child's name from these lists should contact Morris Area School District, Natalie Ketterling, at 320-589-4840. The policy is available through a link at Protection and Privacy of Pupil Records Policy.
Equal Opportunity
Morris Area School District is committed to an inclusive educational program and school climate that affirms the value and supports the full development of individual students. This commitment is expressed through the District's mission and strategic priorities; the Equal Opportunity Policy; and through compliance with state and federal laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, marital status, public assistance status, family care leave status, veteran status, sexual orientation, or disability, including the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990. Equal opportunity includes:
- Curriculum and instructional resources that reflect the history, culture, and perspectives of our diverse society.
- Instruction that reflects understanding of, respect for, and sensitivity to student diversity and how this diversity may affect learning.
- Identification, evaluation, and appropriate education services for learners who have disabilities within the definition of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
- A school environment that is free of harassment and violence, and that supports each student's opportunity to develop positive self-esteem and experience a sense of belonging.
- A staff development program that supports and promotes the principles of diversity education and inclusion.
- A staff that increasingly reflects the diversity of the District's student population.
- Equitable opportunities to participate in athletic and other activities, and fairness in scheduling facilities and financial support.
- Discipline that is administered fairly.
- Access to employment and promotional opportunities.
For more information, or to inquire about compliance with equal opportunity policies and laws, please contact Scott Monson, Superintendent of Schools, at 320-589-4840 or smonson@morris.k12.mn.us.
Indoor Air Quality
We advocate that a healthy school environment is one in which the surroundings contribute to a conducive learning environment for students, productivity for teachers and staff, and a sense of comfort, health, and well-being for all school occupants. If you have any indoor air quality (IAQ) concerns or questions, please contact Health and Safety Coordinator, Dave Stoffer, at 320-589-4840 or via email at dstoffer@morris.k12.mn.us. In addition, the district may provide information about school facility construction, maintenance and housekeeping practices, and chemicals currently being used at our schools.
Pesticide Notification
The Janet B. Johnson Parents' Right-to-Know Act of 2000 (Minnesota Statute 121A.30) requires school districts to notify parents of dates that the District may apply pesticides in or around school property. Morris Area School District performs routine monitoring inside school buildings and only treats for pests if necessary. The District may perform internal applications during non-school (no students/no instructional staff) days. The dates for potential applications (excluding weekends) for the 10-11 school year include: October 21-22 (2010), November 25-26 (2010), December 23-31 (2010), January 17 (2011), February 21 (2011), March 25 (2011), March 28 (2011), April 22 (2011), April 25 (2011), and May 30 (2011). In an emergency, the District may at times need to perform an application during a late start date or during after school hours. The District will make every attempt to notify staff/students/public of such an event. In addition, the District may apply weed control and fertilizer to fields and grounds two separate times (fall and spring). For the 10-11 school year these dates include: October 21-22 (2010), April 22 (2011), and April 25 (2011).
School Closings and Emergencies
Sometimes, winter storms or other emergencies cause Morris Area Schools to close school for the day, delay the beginning of the school day, or close school early.
Timing: An announcement will be sent as early as 6:00 a.m. when school will be closed or start late. Early dismissal from school in session will be announced approximately thirty minutes to one hour before dismissal.
Instant Alert: We will notify parents through our Instant Alert messaging system. This will be our school district’s primary information resource for parents. Families will receive a phone message and potentially e-mail and text messages – if a family has updated their Instant Alert profile. Parents can double-check that the school district has their correct primary phone numbers and email addresses through Instant Alert. Parents who do not have a login for Instant Alert should send an email to nketterl@morris.k12.mn.us.
Radio & Television: As secondary information resources about school closings, we notify several local radio and television stations.Student Records
Information about students is collected and maintained in individual student records. Upon request, parents may have access to their child's records and have the content explained to them. Requests for such access may be made to the principal of the school that your student attends or has most recently attended. Student records will be disclosed to officials, staff, and other employees of the school district, and to non-employees performing functions on behalf of the school district only to the extent that information is needed for a legitimate educational interest. Student records also may be disclosed as provided in the district's Data Privacy Policy, or as required or allowed by state or federal law.
Tobacco-Free Environment
Morris Area School District is dedicated to providing a healthy, comfortable, and productive environment for students, staff, and citizens. We commit to:
The total elimination of tobacco use on school property and at school activities
Providing educational programs to help students resist tobacco use
Tobacco possession by students and all forms of tobacco use by students, staff, visitors, and tenants is prohibited in school buildings and vehicles, including buses, on school property, and at school or district-sponsored events or activities that are under district jurisdiction. All people on school district premises share in the responsibility of adhering to and enforcing this policy, which is designed to comply with state and federal statutes.
Wellness
The purpose of this policy is to assure a school environment that promotes and protects students’ health, well-being, and ability to learn by supporting healthy eating and physical activity and to promote and encourage students to adopt lifelong healthy behaviors.