• Family Educational Rights & Privacy (FERPA) Notice to Parents (see Board Policy 5500-E.1)

    This is to advise you of your rights with respect to student records pursuant to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).  FERPA is a federal law designed to protect the privacy of student records.  The law gives parents and students over 18 years of age (referred to in the law as “eligible students”) the following rights: 

    1. The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days of the day the district receives a request for access. 
       
    2. The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the parent or eligible student believes are inaccurate or misleading. 
       
    3. The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. 
       
    4. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the district to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The Office that administers FERPA is:

    Family Policy Compliance Office
    U.S. Department of Education
    600 Independence Avenue SW
    Washington, DC 20202-4605

    NOTIFICATION OF DIRECTORY INFORMATION DESIGNATIONS

    In addition to the rights outlined above, FERPA also gives the school district the option of designating certain categories of student information as “directory information.” Directory information may be disclosed without a parent's prior written consent, unless you have advised the District that you do not want this information disclosed.  Wappingers Central School District has designated the following information as "directory information":

    • student’s name
    • ID number (including user ID or other unique personal identifier used by a student for purposes of accessing or communicating in electronic systems, but only if the ID cannot be used to gain access to education records except when used in conjunction with one or more factors that authenticate the student’s identity)
    • address
    • telephone number
    • date and place of birth
    • major course of study
    • participation in school activities or sports
    • weight and height if a member of an athletic team
    • dates of attendance
    • degrees and awards received
    • most recent school attended
    • grade level
    • photograph
    • e-mail address
    • enrollment status

    In addition, two federal laws require local educational agencies (LEAs), such as Wappingers Central School District, to provide military recruiters, upon request, with student names, address, and telephone listings - unless parents have advised the LEA that they do not want their student's information disclosed without their prior written consent. 

    You may object to the release of any or all of this “directory information.” However, you must do so in writing within 14 business days of receiving this notice. If we do not receive a written objection, we will be authorized to release this information without your consent.  

    Parents have the right to have complaints about possible breaches of student data addressed. Complaints should be directed to the Assistant Superintendent for Compliance and Information Systems at the District Office located at 25 Corporate Park Drive, Hopewell Junction, Ny  12533 or by phone to 845-298-5000.  Complaints can also be directed to the New York State Education Department by writing to the Chief Privacy Officer, New York State Education Department, 89 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12234 or by email to CPO@mail.nysed.gov.