Section 10 — Parent and Student Rights
Overview
Participation in extracurricular activities is a privilege that enriches student life and supports personal growth. All school-sponsored activities — before school, during school, and after school — are subject to the same rules and expectations as the regular school day.
Each school's supplemental handbook provides a complete listing of extracurricular offerings. Parents may review that list and decline permission for their child to participate in any specific club or organization.
General Participation Requirements (Grades 6–12)
To participate in extracurricular activities — including clubs, pageants, and field trips — middle and high school students must meet all three requirements at the end of each nine-week grading period:
OverviewFederal and state law give parents and students important rights regarding education records, privacy, non-discrimination, and the ability to raise concerns. This section explains those rights in plain language and provides the official policy language required by law. Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)Plain-English Summary: FERPA is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. Parents and eligible students (students 18 or older) have the right to review records, request corrections, and control most disclosures. Each year, ECS is required to notify you of these rights. If you believe your rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education. Official Policy Language Each year the Emanuel County Board of Education is required to notify parents and eligible students of their rights under FERPA. Those rights are as follows: Right to Inspect Records Parents and eligible students have the right to review and inspect the student's education records within 45 days of submitting a written request to the school principal or other appropriate school official. The school will arrange access and notify the parent or eligible student of the time and place for inspection. Right to Control Disclosures You have the right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information from education records, except where FERPA permits disclosure without consent. ECS limits disclosure to:
One permitted exception is disclosure to school officials with a legitimate educational interest — administrators, supervisors, instructors, support staff, health or law enforcement personnel, board members, contractors performing a school task, or parents or students serving on official committees. A school official has a legitimate educational interest when they need to review a record to fulfill a professional responsibility. Records are also disclosed without consent to officials of another district when a student seeks to enroll there. Right to Request Amendments If you believe a record is inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of your rights, you may request an amendment by writing to the school principal, clearly identifying the part of the record to be changed and explaining why it is inaccurate. If the school declines to make the change, you will be notified and advised of your right to a hearing. Right to File a Complaint You have the right to file a complaint with: Family Policy Compliance Office
Right to Obtain a Copy of the FERPA Policy A copy of ECS's written FERPA compliance policy is available in person or by mail from: Emanuel County Board of Education Directory InformationPlain-English Summary: "Directory information" is basic student information that ECS may release publicly without your consent — unless you opt out in writing within 30 days of the start of each school year. Federal law also requires schools to provide military recruiters with student names, addresses, and phone numbers unless you specifically opt out of that as well. Official Policy Language ECS has designated the following student information as directory information under FERPA:
Directory information may be disclosed by ECS at its discretion without consent. However, parents and eligible students have the right to refuse the designation of any or all of this information as directory information. To opt out, written notification must be filed with the school principal within 30 days of the start of each school year. Forms are available in the principal's office. If no refusal is filed, ECS assumes that neither the parent nor the eligible student objects to the release of directory information. Note on Military Recruiters: Federal law requires ECS to provide military recruiters with student names, addresses, and phone numbers upon request — unless the parent has specifically opted out of this disclosure. Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA)Plain-English Summary: PPRA gives parents and eligible students rights around school surveys, the collection of personal information, and certain physical exams. In short — you have the right to know about, review, and in many cases opt out of surveys, data collection activities, and non-emergency physical exams that touch on sensitive topics. ECS will notify you annually about activities covered by PPRA and give you the chance to opt out. Official Policy Language PPRA affords parents and eligible students (students 18 or older, or emancipated minors) the following rights: 1. Right to Consent before students are required to complete a federally funded survey covering any of these protected topics:
2. Right to Opt Out of:
3. Right to Inspect, upon request and before administration or use:
ECS will notify parents and eligible students at least annually at the start of each school year — and after any substantive changes — about policies related to these rights. Annual notification will also include the specific or approximate dates of the following activities and an opportunity to opt out:
To file a PPRA complaint: Family Policy Compliance Office Non-Discrimination PolicyPlain-English Summary: ECS does not discriminate against any student or employee on the basis of age, disability, race, national origin, color, or sex/gender — in academics, athletics, or any school program or activity. If you have a concern about discrimination, contact the appropriate district coordinator listed below. Official Policy Language The Emanuel County Board of Education does not discriminate on the basis of age, disability, race, ethnic origin, color, or sex/gender in its educational programs and activities, athletic programs, or employment practices, as required by:
Non-Discrimination Contacts:
Prohibition of HarassmentPlain-English Summary: ECS prohibits all forms of harassment based on race, color, sex, or disability. This applies to students, staff, and anyone participating in school activities. If you or your child experience harassment, you have the right to report it — and ECS is required to investigate and respond.
Official Policy Language It is the policy of the Emanuel County Board of Education to maintain a learning environment free from harassment based on race, color, sex, or disability. All such harassment is prohibited. It is a violation of this policy for any student, teacher, administrator, or school system employee to harass students through conduct or communication of a sexual nature or based on race, color, or disability. It is also a violation for any school personnel to tolerate such harassment by students, staff, or third parties participating in school activities, including sporting events and extracurricular activities. ECS will investigate all complaints of harassment — formal or informal, verbal or written — and will promptly discipline any student, teacher, administrator, or other school personnel found to have violated this policy, and/or take other appropriate action to end the harassment. Title IX — Sex Discrimination and Sexual HarassmentPlain-English Summary: Title IX prohibits sex-based discrimination and sexual harassment at school. If you believe your child has experienced either, you have the right to file a complaint. You can start informally by speaking with a principal or the Title IX Coordinator, or you can file a formal complaint. ECS must investigate and respond in writing. If you disagree with the outcome, you can appeal to the Superintendent. Retaliation for filing a complaint is strictly prohibited. How to Report You may report sex discrimination or sexual harassment to:
Submit a formal complaint online at: https://forms.gle/U9UEg7FeMj92w4U77 Or contact an administrator at your child's school directly. Complaints must generally be filed within one year of the incident.
The Three-Step Process:
Retaliation is prohibited. No one may be retaliated against for filing a complaint, participating in an investigation, or opposing discriminatory practices. Parent and Guardian Right-to-KnowPlain-English Summary: You have the right to request information about your child's teacher's professional qualifications — including their degree, certification, and whether they are teaching under a provisional license. You may also ask about any paraprofessionals working with your child. Submit requests in writing to the school principal. Official Policy Language Parents and guardians of any ECS student may request information regarding the professional qualifications of their child's classroom teacher, including:
Parents may also request information about paraprofessionals working with the student, including their qualifications. Requests must be submitted in writing to the principal of the student's school, delivered by regular mail or in person to the principal or any assistant principal. Complaints and GrievancesPlain-English Summary: If you believe ECS has violated a federal education law, you have the right to file a formal complaint. Start at the school level. If unresolved, you can appeal to the Georgia Department of Education. General concerns and grievances should be handled as close to their origin as possible — starting with the teacher, then the principal, then Central Office. Grievances vs. Complaints
Federal Program Complaints Complaints alleging a violation of a federal statute or regulation may be filed for the following programs:
How to File a Federal Program Complaint Complaints must be filed within one year of the alleged violation (unless the violation is systemic or ongoing). Submit a written, signed complaint to the Director of Federal Programs that includes:
Timeline:
Appeals may be sent to: Georgia Department of Education The complaint procedure and form are available on the ECS district website, in each school office, and at the district office. The Federal Programs Director is responsible for distributing complaint procedures. |