Parent and Student Handbook

Greater Albany Public Schools protects the personal rights of students. Some important student rights are outlined on the following pages. For a comprehensive list of student rights, refer to the districtʼs Board Policies and Administrative Regulations. 

Racial harassment through written or spoken words or symbols is prohibited within the school environment, whether it is on school property or off-campus during remote learning on the internet directed at students or staff. Prohibited symbols include the swastika, the Confederate flag, and the noose.

School age students who live within the district attendance area between the ages of 5-19 are entitled to attend school without paying tuition. This provision includes students who do not have a fixed place of residence or are not under the supervision of a parent...

The district will keep and maintain a permanent record on each student. The record will include the studentʼs legal name, date and place of birth, parentsʼ (or guardiansʼ) names, date of enrollment, courses and grades, credits earned, attendance, and date of withdrawal from school. Student records will be kept at the school that the student attends and, if applicable, at the Special Programs Office.

Students may belong to curriculum-related groups at school. The activities of these groups directly relate to the body of courses offered by that school. These groups are considered school-sponsored and must be approved by the school administration. They must have a school approved advisor.

Individual notification to student and parents or guardians regarding the availability of alternative education programs will be given semiannually or when new programs become available under the following situations, as appropriate:

Students may be restricted from attending or participating in school activities or events beyond those provided as part of a free and appropriate public education until fees and restitution are paid. 

Students have the right to due process of law with respect to suspension, expulsion, and decisions that the student believes injure his/her/their rights. For more information, see “Student Discipline” in this handbook. (Policy JF/JFA)

Students shall receive equal educational opportunity and treatment. Students shall not be subjected to unlawful discrimination, insult, intimidation, or harassment on the basis of age, race, religion, color, national origin, disability, marital status, gender, sexual orientation or sexual identity.

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), a federal law enacted in December 2015, replaced the No Child Left Behind Act of 2002. This law places a strong emphasis on ensuring equity among students by protecting the rights of disadvantaged and high-need students.

Students have a general right to freedom of expression and inquiry within the school system. (Policy IB) Generally, students and student organizations are free to examine and discuss questions of interest to them and to express opinions publicly and privately within the school system, provided...

Students who are homeless, doubled-up, or living in unstable housing situations due to economic hardship, loss of housing, or similar reasons, are eligible for rights and services under the McKinney-Vento Act. These rights include: the right to immediately enroll, attend and participate fully in...

Students shall be permitted to hold meetings or demonstrations on school property. These are defined as small groups of people gathering for a common cause or interest.
Students shall be permitted to hold assemblies on school property.

Students may be required to have immunizations and may be excluded from school to protect others from communicable diseases, as allowed in state law and county rules. (Policy JHCB)

The district shall protect the confidentiality of each studentʼs health conditions and record to the extent possible.

Students have the right to privacy, which includes privacy with respect to their records. (Policy JF/JFA)
The school district considers it generally appropriate to release certain information about students.

Students ages kindergarten through 21 living in the district that have been evaluated by qualified personnel and found eligible for services for students with disabilities shall be provided a free and appropriate public education.

Senate Bill 819 significantly changed how schools implement “abbreviated school day programs.” Abbreviated school day programs allow children with disabilities to attend school for fewer hours than other students.

Students have the responsibility to attend school regularly and comply with the attendance policies of the school. Compliance includes completion of assigned makeup lessons within a reasonable period of time.

Compulsory attendance from age 6 to age 18 or graduation is established by state law...

The Greater Albany School District is committed to providing a safe learning environment. We encourage students, families, and staff members to act with respect, self-discipline, honesty, kindness, courage, justice, personal responsibility and social responsibility.

Students shall comply with the districtʼs written rules, pursue the prescribed course of study, submit to the lawful authority of district staff, and conduct themselves in an orderly manner. These guidelines apply to students at school during the school day and during school sponsored activities.

Transportation to and from school will be provided for elementary students (grades K-5) living more than one mile from the school they attend and for secondary students (grades 6-12) living more than one and one-half miles from the school they attend. (Policy EEA)

Campuses are closed from the time the student arrives until classes are dismissed at the end of the school day. No student is to leave during this time, with the following exceptions:

1. A specified need verified by a parent and approved by an administrator.
2. A parent and school approved...

Students may not use, possess, sell, distribute or be under the influence of controlled substances including alcohol. This directive applies while students are on district premises, at district-sponsored activities or otherwise under the jurisdiction of the district.

Responsibility for a studentʼs dress and grooming rests primarily with the students and their parents. The district expects student dress and grooming to meet standards that are not a disruption or interference with the classroom learning environment, and are not intimidations or threats to the...

The district provides an electronic communication system for the purpose of the advancement and promotion of teaching and learning. The system shall be used to provide statewide, national and global communications opportunities for staff and students.

The district may utilize electronic devices in public areas on school grounds and buses to monitor behavior and to create a safer and more secure school environment. Evidence of violation may be used in disciplinary hearings. (Policy ECAC)

In July 2016, Oregon passed a new law that puts educators in the role of providing oversight and protection of students and their personal information within the educational context. The intent of the Oregon Student Information Protection Act (OSIPA) is to prevent targeted advertising and the...

No student will be denied a complete “reimbursable” breakfast or lunch. Charging of a la carte items may not be permitted. Charges and past due balances from previous charges remain on the account until paid and may be turned over to collections.

All students may receive a nutritious breakfast and lunch meal each school day at no cost, regardless of income. Free meals must include the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) requirements for a fully reimbursable meal.

Schools are expected to make regular reports of student academic and social progress to parents. At the beginning of the grading period, students will be informed of the basis of the grades and the methods to be used in determining them. (Policy IKA)

Full days lost due to inclement weather or other factors may be made up as determined by the School Board in consultation with the employee associations. 

Hazing, harassment (including harassment through electronic means), intimidation, bullying, cyberbullying and menacing by students, staff or third parties are strictly prohibited. Students who violate this policy will be subject to discipline, up to and including expulsion.

Students will normally progress from grade to grade annually. Exceptions will be made only after prior notification and explanation to the studentʼs parents, but the final decision will rest with school authorities. (Policy IKE)

From time to time, schools are asked by community organizations to distribute information electronically or occasionally in paper form describing programs that may be of interest to students and their families.

The Greater Albany Public School District is committed to the prompt resolution of concerns with families, students, and other members of the public. People who have concerns with the district or a school should first attempt to resolve problems in an informal, timely manner with the staff...

Students participating in school activity programs will be expected to adhere to the code of conduct outlined in the schoolʼs parent and student handbook.

District officials may search a studentʼs person and property, including property assigned by the district for the studentʼs use. Such searches may be conducted at any time on district property or when the student is under the jurisdiction of the district at school-sponsored activities.

The school district strives to provide a safe environment for all students during recess and other school activities. The school district does not carry no-fault premises liability insurance for injuries...

Textbooks, library books, and chromebooks are loaned to students by their schools. In the event that items are overdue, lost, or damaged, the student or parent may be required to pay fines, replacement costs, and/or processing fees. The school-approved option for replacing materials is a used...

Student threats of harm to self or others, threatening behavior or acts of violence - including threats to severely damage school property - will not be tolerated on district properties or at activities under the jurisdiction of the school district. Students are responsible for informing a...

Any student who willfully damages or defaces school property will be disciplined. Students and their parents will be held responsible for loss or damage of district property. (Policy ECAB)

Students may not possess or use tobacco products or inhalant delivery systems in any form on district premises, while under the jurisdiction of the district, or while attending district sponsored activities. (Policy JFCG)  

To ensure the safety of students and staff, preserve the educational environment, protect district property, and prevent disruptive activity, district officials must know if any person who is not a member of the staff or student body is inside the building or on the facility grounds.

Students shall not bring, possess, conceal or use a weapon on or at district property, or activities under the jurisdiction of the district. (Policy JFCJ)

Hold may be called when there is a need for students and staff to remain in their classrooms or stay out of access areas. The public address for Hold is: “Hold in your classroom or area” and is repeated twice each time the public address is performed.

In the event of an emergency, the school district and school staff will do everything to safeguard students and staff. To accomplish this, the district has adopted the Standard Response Protocol developed by the “I Love You Guys” Foundation.

Lockdown is called when there is a threat or hazard inside of the school building. Examples might include a dangerous animal within the school building or intruders.

Secure is called when there is a threat or hazard outside of the school building, whether itʼs due to violence or criminal activity in the immediate neighborhood or a dangerous animal on the playground. Secure uses the security of the physical facility to act as protection.

Evacuate may be called when there is a need to move students and other building occupants from one location to another for safety reasons.
The public address for Evacuate is: “Evacuate! To announced location” and is repeated twice each time the public address is performed.

Discipline in the district is based upon a philosophy designed to produce behavioral changes that will enable students to develop the self-discipline necessary to function successfully in their educational and social environments.

Shelter is called when the need for personal protection is necessary in such instances as tornado, earthquake or airborne irritants. The public addresses for shelter might be “Shelter for Earthquake! Drop, Cover and Hold” and is repeated twice each time the public address is performed.

A student whose conduct or condition is seriously detrimental to the schoolʼs best interests may be suspended. The district shall consider the age of the student and the studentʼs past pattern of behavior prior to imposing the suspension or expulsion. (Policy JG)

When a student being served by an individualized education program (IEP) engages in conduct that could warrant suspension of more than 10 days or expulsion for a non-disabled student, the studentʼs parents will be notified of the circumstances of the misbehavior and the time and location of the...

Corporal punishment is strictly prohibited in the district, and physical force shall not be used to discipline or punish a student.
Corporal punishment is defined as the willful infliction or willfully causing the infliction of physical pain.

A principal or designee, after reviewing available information, may recommend to the superintendent or designee that a student shall be expelled. Expulsion of a student shall not extend beyond one calendar year unless a firearm is involved.

Albany Community Pool 
Albany Public Schools Foundation (APSF) 
Alternative Learning     
Business Office    
Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment 
FACT 
Health Services
Human Resources 
Nutrition Services  
Physical Plant  
Special Programs
Superintendent
Transportation
Welcome Center

Ryan Mattingly, Brad Wilson, Kris McLaughlin, Stephanie Lunceford, Sean Taylor, Superintendent Andy Gardner, Assistant Superintendent Bruce Schmidt