Dear Lowville School Community, 

Welcome to the start of a new school year! We are excited to embark on a school year together that is full of opportunities for learning, growth, and connection. Whether you are returning to our school or joining us for the first time, we are thrilled to have you as part of our vibrant community. This year, we are committed to fostering an environment where every student feels valued, supported, and inspired to reach their full potential. 

Here in the district, we have been very busy preparing for the upcoming school year. This year marks the 218th year of school for Lowville Academy and Central School. During the summer months, our Buildings and Grounds department has been hard at work maintaining the buildings and grounds like any other year. In addition, we have had new sidewalks constructed and we have opened the track and field on Bostwick field to the public. This has been quite an accomplishment and we are all very appreciative of their hard work! During the summer months, our buildings are used for many, many community organizations and additional learning opportunities for students. But the work doesn’t end there. Our cafeteria and our transportation departments have all been in high gear preparing the building, creating healthy and delicious food menus, and making our buses safe for our students to return.   

Our teaching staff has been working hard to ready their rooms and plan for the year ahead. Teachers have been taking part in professional development opportunities and all of our new teachers have had time to collaborate with their colleagues. They are excited to start off this new year!

Thank you for your continued trust and partnership.

In Solidarity,

Rebecca Dunckel

Superintendent of Schools

 

 

Safety Procedures: Drop Off And Pick Up

The 218^th school year for Lowville Academy will open on Wednesday, September 3rd for all Pre-K through grade 12 students and staff.  Students should plan to arrive on the 3rd no later than 8:30 a.m.  Doors open for students beginning at 8:15 am. Dismissal will be at 3:10 p.m. with the buses departing at 3:20 p.m.  Parents and Caretakers are reminded to exercise extreme caution when dropping off or picking up children at school. The safety of our students is our most important priority.  In addition to heightened awareness, drivers will need to observe all school speed zones which exist on adjacent streets as well as in the school driveways and parking areas.  There will also be a crossing guard on North State Street to help students and other pedestrians safely cross in front of the school at the beginning and end of the school day.

 

Launch of NYS Distraction-Free Schools Initiative

 

As we welcome a new school year, I am excited to share important news regarding the launch of the Distraction-Free Schools Initiative, inspired by recent legislation in New York State aimed at supporting student focus, well-being, and success.

 

Beginning this fall, our district will fully implement practices aligned with the state's new requirements. This initiative is designed to reduce classroom distractions—particularly regarding personal electronic devices—creating a more engaged and productive learning environment for all students.

 

We understand that change prompts questions, and transparency is key to a successful transition. As such, we have developed several resources to help everyone understand how these changes will be implemented in our schools:

• District Policy: Outlines specific guidelines and expectations for students, staff, and families regarding the use of devices during the school day.
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): Answers to common queries, such as "Which devices are included?" and "How will emergencies be handled?"
• Procedures Guide: Step-by-step instructions on how our staff will ensure consistent enforcement while maintaining sensitivity to student needs.

 

All of these resources are available for your review on our school website under the Community tab. I encourage families to familiarize themselves with the materials and reach out with any questions or concerns.

 

Our commitment is to create an environment where every student can grow, engage deeply with their studies, and feel supported. Thank you for joining us in making our schools truly distraction-free and focused on learning.

 

 

 

Dignity for All Students Act

 

The New York State Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) seeks to ensure that schools have the tools and resources to provide all students an educational environment in which they can thrive.

 

The Lowville Academy and Central School District has consistently focused on character education and promoting positive choices to assist students as they grow into happy and productive citizens. The district’s existing anti-bullying and character education initiatives are included in the District’s DASA plan.

 

Our goal is to ensure that all students attending Lowville Academy are in a safe and supportive environment free from discrimination, intimidation, taunting, harassment, and bullying -- whether in the classroom, on school property, on a school bus and/or at a school function.

 

DASA Coordinators for Lowville Academy:

Brian Hanselman, High School:  315-376-9015

Scott Exford, Middle School:  315-376-9010

Andrea Hanselman, Elementary: 315-376-9005

 

 

Permission to Survey Students

 

In January 2002, the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA) was amended by the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 2001 (also known as the No Child Left Behind Act). The amendment added an additional category (religious practices, affiliations, or beliefs of the student or student's parents) to the existing categories that impact student surveys and made minor changes to the existing seven categories. If a survey contains one or more of the identified categories, schools and contractors must protect student privacy and give parents the right to inspect the survey. The eight categories are:

 

1. Political affiliations or beliefs of the student or the student’s parent;
2. Mental or psychological problems of the student or the student’s family;
3. Sex behavior or attitudes;
4. Illegal, anti-social, self-incriminating, or demeaning behavior;
5. Critical appraisals of other individuals with whom respondents have close family relationships;
6. Legally recognized privileged or analogous relationships, such as those of lawyers, physicians, and ministers;
7. Religious practices, affiliations, or beliefs of the student or student’s parent; or
8. Income (other than that required by law to determine eligibility for participation in a program or for receiving financial assistance under such program).

 

Parents or guardians have the right to inspect, upon request, a survey created by a third party before the survey is administered or distributed by the school to students.

Parents have the right to remove their child from participation in any survey containing one or more of the eight categories of information noted above.

 

 

 

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 includes a student’s name, major field of study, grade level, participation in school activities or sports, weight and height if a member of an athletic team, honors, degrees and awards received, school email address, photograph and video.

You may object to the release of any or all of the “directory information.”  However, you must do so in writing by October 18.  For your convenience, you may note your objections to the release of directory information on the form which is available on the Parent Resources section of the district website and return it to your child’s Building Principal. 

 

Notification of Rights Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act for Schools

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords parents and students who are 18 years of age or older ("eligible students") certain rights with respect to the student's education records.  These rights are:

1. The right to inspect and review the student's education records within 45 days after the day the school receives a request for access. 

Parents or eligible students who wish to inspect their child’s or their education records should submit to the school principal a written request that identifies the records they wish to inspect.  The school official will make arrangements for access and notify the parent or eligible student of the time and place where the records may be inspected.

 

2. The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the parent or eligible student believes are inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy rights under FERPA.

 

Parents or eligible students who wish to ask the School to amend their child’s or their education record should write the school principal, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it should be changed.  If the school decides not to amend the record as requested by the parent or eligible student, the school will notify the parent or eligible student of the decision and of their right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment.  Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the parent or eligible student when notified of the right to a hearing.

3. The right to provide written consent before the school discloses personally identifiable information (PII) from the student's education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.

 

One exception, which permits disclosure without consent, is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests.The criteria for determining who constitutes a school official and what constitutes a legitimate educational interest must be set forth in the school’s or school district’s annual notification for FERPA rights.A school official typically includes a person employed by the school or school district as an administrator, supervisor, instructor, or support staff member (including health or medical staff and law enforcement unit personnel) or a person serving on the school board.A school official also may include a volunteer,contractor, or consultant who, while not employed by the school, performs an institutional service or function for which the school would otherwise use its own employees and who is under the direct control of the school with respect to the use and maintenance of PII from education records, such as an attorney, auditor, medical consultant, or therapist; a parent or student volunteering to serve on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee; or a parent, student, or other volunteer assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks.A school official typically has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility.

4. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the School to comply with the requirements of FERPA.  The name and address of the Office that administers FERPA are:

   Student Privacy Policy Office

   U.S. Department of Education
   400 Maryland Avenue, SW
   Washington, DC  20202

 

District Wellness Policy

Every school district is required to have a wellness policy.  The Lowville Health & Wellness Committee regularly reviews district policy to ensure we comply with all state and federal regulations, as well as triennial assessments of our progress toward policy goals.  The Wellness policy and the most recent triennial assessment results can be accessed from the district website by clicking District > Forms and Publications > BOE Documents > Policies.  Here you will find Wellness Policy 5661 and Wellness Policy Triennial Assessment.  Community members interested in serving on the district’s Health & Wellness Committee should contact the District Wellness Coordinator, Michael Morgan at 315-376-9019 before October 31.

 

Homeless Students in the LACS District

Parents, students and community members are to be aware that all homeless students have the right and responsibility to attend school in the school district they live in or their school of origin.  Being homeless should not interfere with their right and responsibility to an education.  Homeless children must be provided transportation services, educational services and meals through school meal programs comparable to those offered to other children in the school they would attend.  For more information, please contact the Homeless Liaison, Dr. Todd Galarneau, at 315-376-9147 or tgalarneau@lowvilleacademy.org.

 

Annual Asbestos Notification

 

The Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) requires the development of a plan to manage asbestos-containing building materials (ACBM) present in school buildings.

As required, ACBMs are reassessed every six months (June and December annually) and a re-inspection is conducted every three years. 

      The Asbestos Management Plan is available for inspection at the District Office during normal business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.) or by contacting Mr. Elliot Mertz, Director of Facilities/Asbestos Designee at 315-376-9130.

 

Annual Pesticide Notification

 

New York State Education Law Section 409-H requires all public and nonpublic elementary and secondary schools to provide written notification to all persons in parental relation, faculty, and staff regarding the potential use of pesticides periodically throughout the school year.

The Lowville Academy and Central School District is required to maintain a list of persons in parental relation, faculty, and staff who wish to receive 48-hour prior written notification of certain pesticide applications.

The following pesticide applications ARE NOT subject to prior notification requirements:

• a school remains unoccupied for a continuous 72 hours following an application;
• anti-microbial products;
• nonvolatile rodenticides and insecticidal baits in tamper resistant bait stations in areas inaccessible to children;
• silica gels and other nonvolatile ready-to-use pastes, foams, or gels in areas inaccessible to children;
• boric acid and disodium octaboratetetrahydrate;
• the application of EPA designated biopesticides;
• the application of EPA designated exempt materials under 4OCFRl 52.25;
• the use of aerosol products with a directed spray in containers of 18 fluid ounces or less when used to protect individuals from an imminent threat from stinging and biting insects including venomous spiders, bees, wasps, and hornets.

 

In the event of an emergency application necessary to protect against an imminent threat to human health, a good faith effort will be made to supply written notification to those on the 48-hour prior notification list.

If you would like to receive 48-hour prior notification of pesticide applications that are scheduled to occur in your school during the 2025-26 school year, please complete the form on this page and return it to the Director of Facilities, Lowville Academy and Central School District pesticide representative, 7668 State Street, Lowville, NY   13367 or by fax to (315) 376-1933.  Please feel free to contact Mr. Elliot Mertz, Director of Facilities at (315) 376-9130 for further information on these requirements.