Dear McDowell County School Parent/Guardian: 

Welcome back to another school year with McDowell County Schools. There are several items that we would like to draw your attention to. Please read each section carefully.

1.     Free and Reduced Lunch Form. We ask that everyone please complete and return, to your child’s school, the Free & Reduced Lunch form. Even if you do not qualify or are not interested in receiving free or reduced lunch for your child(ren) completing this form will assist McDowell County Schools in applying/qualifying for the maximum amount of federal funds possible. Federal funds are lost each year because this form is not completed by everyone. You only have to fill out one per family.

2.      Access to Electronic Resources/Acceptable Use Policy. We have a new Access to Electronic Resources Acceptable Use Policy (#6603) and a new Computer Related Discipline Policy (#5201). These policies reflect our belief that technology and technology literacy are fundamental to an excellent 21st Century education. Note: A new “opt-out” form replaces the previously required Access to Electronic Resources/Acceptable Use Policy Signed Agreement from past years and is available on our district Web site (via our “parent” menu) or at your child’s school. Only if you wish to DENY your child access to one or more of the following electronic resources do you need to complete and return the Parental Request to Deny Access to Electronic Resources form to a school principal:

a.     Gaggle™ Student-Safe E-Mail Account Login. All students in grades 5-12 will be assigned Gaggle™ e-mail accounts. These e-mail accounts will be filter protected (for obscene or threatening language and obscene images) and monitored by staff for appropriate use. The Computer Related Discipline Policy will be followed in the event of inappropriate use of student e-mail accounts. We encourage ALL parents to consistently monitor their child’s online communication. All parents should know their child’s password(s).  We also encourage parents to e-mail teachers using our standard firstname (dot) lastname (at) mcdowell (dot) k12 (dot) nc (dot) us format. (for example: jane.smith@mcdowell.k12.nc.us)

b.      Web Portal Login. All students/parents will have the ability to login to their school and/or teacher’s website(s) to join class pages, view a personal calendar and store files in an electronic locker. Gaggle™ access is also available via the student Web portal login. The following features will vary by teacher: homework calendar, homework drop box, online quizzes, announcements, tasks, links, document library, etc. We encourage ALL students and parents to take advantage of this electronic resource.

c.      Internet Access. All students will have access to the Internet via their network/computer login. This provides students with the ability to do research as well as use Internet based resources like UnitedStreaming™, Atomic Learning™, World Book Online™, Newspaper Archive™, NCWiseOwl, etc. McDowell County Schools filters Internet access in compliance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act. We also encourage ALL parents to use parental software tools that block inappropriate sites and help you monitor your child’s online activity. These tools are available through Internet service providers and as part of some web browsers. I recommend Kids.GetNetWise.org/tools, NetSmartz.org and iSafe.org.

d.      Network/Computer Login.  All students will have a unique user account that allows them to use computers on the McDowell County Schools network. This is their key to accessing all electronic resources at school.

3.     FERPA/PPRA. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act and the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment notifications have been updated according to federal guidelines to make parents aware of their rights regarding student information. The FERPA notification also outlines what McDowell County Schools considers directory information. The Parental Request to Withhold Release of Directory Information form, available online or at your child’s school, can be used to alert principals to withhold directory information as needed, otherwise directory information may be publicized or released as deemed safe, reasonable, and appropriate.

4.     Medication Administration Request Form: If your child requires any kind of medication throughout the school day Medication Administration Request Form must be completed and signed by your child’s physician, completed and signed by parent/guardian, and returned to the school nurse along with the medication to be administered. No medicine can be administered at anytime without this form being properly completed.

This folder contains the Acceptable Use Policy, the discipline policy and the form to request to deny access to electronic resources.

Notification of Rights Under the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA) and The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) provides parents and students over 18 years of age ("eligible students") certain rights with respect to the student's education records.

This folder contains inportant documents and forms in Spanish.

This folder contains the elementary K-2 and 3-6 Student Accountability Agreements.

Elementary School Student Handbook

This form needs to be completed by a physician any time your child needs to be given medicine at school.

This form should be completed ONLY if you wish to withhold the release of directory information for your child. Directory information is information that is generally considered NOT harmful or an invasion of privacy if released. If this form is completed your child's photograph cannot be included in the school year book.