Military Connected Youth

The Delaware Department of Education has requested that all Delaware public schools identify students who are enrolled in their school that are considered “military connected youth”. This is necessary to ensure school officials are aware of their military connection should they require any special services or supports. “Military Connected Youth" means any student having an immediate family member, including a parent, stepparent, sibling or any other person residing in the same household, who is on active duty, serving in the reserve component, or recently retired from a branch of the United States Armed Forces (United States Army, United States Air Force, United States Marine Corps, United States Navy, National Guard, United States Coast Guard, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration or the United States Public Health Service). If this applies to you, please complete this form and return it to the school office.

Military-Connected Youth Information Form (English)

Military-Connected Youth Information Form (Spanish)

To all service men and women, please accept the heartfelt thanks from your NCS Patriot community. We are here to support you and your family as you serve our country.

Code of Conduct

Newark Charter School has developed a Student Code of Conduct that was approved by the School Council and the Board of Directors. It specifically outlines school rules and regulations, specific consequences for infractions, attendance policies and uniform guidelines. Each family with students in grades K-12 will receive an electronic copy of the Student Code of Conduct. It is also available online on the Newark Charter School website. Please review the Code of Conduct.

In addition, each student and parent will be required to sign the agreement form located in the front of the document. Included in the Code are the procedures that must be followed according to a Delaware law called House Bill 322 (HB 322). Under HB 322, certain code offenses will result in serious consequences that include bringing legal charges against a student. Some of these offenses are assault, threatening or offensively touching a staff member, and possession of a weapon or dangerous instrument. It is important for you to know the requirements of the law. For more information, visit the Attorney General's website.

Notification to Division of Family Service (DFS)

According of State of Delaware regulations, when an employee of Newark Charter School knows or in good faith suspects child abuse or neglect, he or she is required to make a report to DFS. Failure to do so is a crime. Theentire staff of Newark Charter School annually completes the required training provided by the State of Delaware.

School Security

Newark Charter School has been fully compliant with the Comprehensive School Safety Omnibus Safety Act since its inception. To be compliant, Newark Charter School:

• Has a School Safety Plan that aligns with the Delaware Department of Homeland Security requirements;

• The school’s Safety Plan, including rally points, building plans and other campus-specific information is maintained on a secure server (Emergency Response Information Portal) that can be accessed by first responders;

• Conducts monthly drills including but not limited to: fire drills, heightened security drills, bus evacuation drills, etc.;

• Conducts at least two intruder/lockdown drills each school year;

• Conducts at least two tabletop exercises (walk-through of Emergency Action Plans) each school year.

Tobacco Policy

In an effort to adhere to Delaware Code (11 DE Reg. 1463) and to improve the health of students and school personnel, Newark Charter School has adopted the following policy regarding the use or distribution of tobacco:

Possession or use of tobacco and tobacco-related products is not permitted in the school buildings, on school grounds, in leased or owned vehicles, even when they are not used for student purposes, and at all school-affiliated functions.

In addition to the staff and students of Newark Charter School this policy applies to:

• All buildings, property or vehicles leased, owned or operated by Newark Charter School.

• School bus operators under contract shall be considered staff for the purpose of this policy.

• Any private building or other property including automobiles or other vehicles used for Newark Charter School activities when students and staff are present.

• Any non-educational groups utilizing and renting school buildings or other educational assets.

• Any individual or a volunteer who supervises students off school grounds

This policy will be communicated to the students, school staff, parents, guardians or relative caregivers, families, visitors and the community at large by:

• Posted on the Newark Charter School Website

• Published in the Bi-Weekly Bulletin (once a year)

• Published in the Student Code of Conduct

• Published in the Newark Charter School Staff Handbook

• Listed as a condition of service to all volunteers, visitors, renters, and other contracted employees. Individuals interested in seeking assistance in overcoming the physical and social issues associated with nicotine addiction are encouraged to contact the Delaware Quit line by visiting https://dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dph/dpc/quitline.html or calling 1-866- 409-1858. Newark Charter School will not be used to advertise tobacco-related products.

Asbestos Notification

In accordance with Environmental Protection Agency regulations, schools are required to report to parents and teachers whether their buildings contain any asbestos. Newark Charter School does not have any asbestos-bearing materials.

Each of the companies that provided construction materials for our school has submitted a letter stating that no asbestos-bearing materials have been used in the construction of this building. A complete file containing asbestos-related regulations is available by contacting the Head of School, Mr. Golder.

Parent's Right to Review and Teacher and Paraprofessional Qualifications

Parents of a student at Newark Charter School, have the right to know the professional qualifications of the classroom teachers who instruct your child. Federal law allows you to ask for certain information about your child's classroom teachers and requires us to give you this information in a timely manner if you ask for it. Specifically, you have the right to ask for the following information about each of your child's classroom teachers.

• If the teacher has met all Delaware licensing and certification requirements for the grades and subjects he or she teaches.

• If the teacher is teaching under an emergency or other provisional certificate because of special circumstances.

• The teacher's undergraduate major, any advanced degrees and if so, the subject of the degrees, and

• If any paraprofessional provides services to your child and, if they do, their qualifications.

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If you would like to review and verify an educator’s credentials, the Dept. of Education provides public access link here or contact your building level principal.

Community Notification Regarding Sex Offenders

Law enforcement is responsible for notifying the community of sex offenders in the area. This information is available on the State of Delaware website

By law, all adults or juveniles who are convicted or adjudicated of specific sex offenses are registered. Please note that not all sex offenders are child predators or pose a threat to children. School districts and charter schools must keep notifications of registered sex offenders received from the police in a binder in each school.

Schools must follow guidelines for distribution of the notifications they receive. The guidelines will be available on the Internet (https://education.delaware.gov/). The included notification may assist you in protecting your family. It is best that only parents and guardians share this information in an age-appropriate manner with their child or children so that the child will understand appropriate actions for their safety. Parents should use this information in an age-appropriate way that helps children with personal safety but does not overwhelm the child. Prevent Child Abuse Delaware, a non-profit agency, has developed a list of safety tips to assist parents in helping their child feel safe:

• Review safety rules for your home.

• Tell your child not to answer the door when you are not home and establish a plan for answering the telephone.

• Make a list with your child of three safe grown-ups he/she can talk to if afraid or in trouble and you are not there.

• Talk with your child about what places are safe to visit in your community.

• Review with your child the four private places, which are the mouth, the breasts, the genitalia, and buttocks. Explain that no one should touch these places unless they are helping to keep the child healthy (exam by a doctor) or clean (bathing).

• Encourage your child to tell you if someone talks to or touches him/her in a way that makes them feel bad or that he/she does not like.

• Encourage open discussion with your child about his/her willingness to talk to grown-ups in your family about the things that bother him/her.

• Determine if your child knows that the grown-ups in your family will listen to him/her. Ask yourself honestly if this is true. Do you and other adults in your family really listen to the children in your care?

• Tell your child that it is not the child's fault if someone tries to bother him/her or touch him/her in a way they do not like.

• Let your child know how special you think they are, encourage him/her to think of themselves as a person worthy of respect, who also respects others.

• Treat and talk with your child in a way that conveys your respect.

If you would like further information on how to keep your child safe, you can speak with the school guidance counselor at 302-369-2001 or contact Prevent Child Abuse Delaware at 302-254-4611.

Consolidated Grant

Newark Charter School is in the process of applying for federal money in several areas to support our staff and students. Through this grant, we will be able to fund our reading specialist positions (Title I& Title II), fund special education teacher positions (IDEA), and support career and technology pathways (Perkins Grant and Title IV). Any questions or input regarding the use of these federal funds should be directed to our Head of

School, Mr. Golder.

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act

The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) sets out the requirements for educational institutions to notify parents and students of their rights for the protection of privacy under section 444 of the General Education Provisions Act.

Parents or eligible students have the right to: Inspect and review the student's education records; Seek amendment of the student's education records that the parent or eligible student believes to be inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student's privacy rights; Consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student's education records, except to the extent that the Act and §99.31 authorize disclosure without consent; and File with the Department a complaint under §§99.63 and 99.64 concerning alleged failures by the educational agency or institution to comply with the requirements of the Act and this part. Please contact the office if you require an appointment to review your student’s records.