Early Entrance Screening
Early Entrance Kindergarten Screening for the 2022-2023 school year will begin August 3, 2022.  In order to begin this evaluation processes, please contact Special Pupil Services at 216.587.6100, ext. 3600  by July 29.  Please leave a message with your name, your child's name and a daytime phone number.  Messages will be returned by and an appointment for the screening will be scheduled.  Evaluations will take place at Abraham Lincoln School, located at 6009 Dunham Road.

*Children who will be 5 years old after September 30, 2022 but no later than December 31, 2022 may qualify for early admission in the 2022-2023 kindergarten program in the public schools if they show a high degree of maturity in areas of social, cognitive, and motor development.  During this process, the child will be given a cognitive assessment and should the child's IQ score meet the Early Entrance criteria, then additional evaluations will be scheduled at that time.  After all evaluations have been completed, the parent/guardian along with a team of staff will consider all data and determine if the child meets the criteria for Early Entrance.

Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) Notice
The Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) established funds for which school districts may apply. IDEA Part B & Early Childhood Grant Applications are currently being completed by the Maple Heights City Schools for 2022-2023. The funds generated through these grant awards must be utilized in the education of children with disabilities. If you have any comments, questions, or would like additional information regarding these grant applications, you may submit them in writing to Meghan Shelby, Special Pupil Services Director, 5740 Lawn Avenue, Maple Heights, 44137.

Notice: Public Meeting - 516 (IDEA) Grant

There will be a public meeting on August 3, 2022, 10:00 a.m. in the Special Pupil Services Office. The public is invited to meet with Dr. Shelby, Director. Dr. Shelby will chair the meeting. Questions should be directed to her at (216) 587-6100, ext. 3600.

Child Find
In accordance with the Individual's with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA) of 2004, the Maple Heights City School District is participating in Child Find efforts to locate, evaluate, and identify all children from birth through 21 years of age with disabilities, regardless of their situations, who have significant, individual needs and require intensive interventions through special education and related services.

A disability, in this instance, means such conditions as autism, deaf/blindness, multiple disabilities, deafness/hearing impairment, orthopedic impairment, visual impairment/blindness, specific learning disabilities, preschoolers with a disability, emotional disturbance, cognitive disabilities, speech and language impairments, orthopedic and other health impairments or traumatic brain injury.

Although many school aged disabled children are identified and currently being served by the district, preschool children ages 3-5, with disabilities may be unidentified because parents may not be aware that programs and services are now available through the public school. Community members can help us with this important effort. If you know of a child in our district with a disability that is not presently attending school or receiving services from another agency, please contact the Maple Heights Special Pupil Services Department at (216) 587-6100 ext. 3600.

In addition and in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the American’s with Disabilities Act Amendment of 2008, the Maple Heights City School District is participating in Child Find efforts to locate, evaluate and identify all children who have a mental or physical impairment that substantially limits a major life activity who may because of disability, needs or is believed to need special education, related services or aids or accommodations/modifications. If a parent or guardian suspects that a child may be eligible under this federal definition, please contact the Maple Heights Special Pupil Services Department at (216) 587-6100 ext. 3600.

Notification of Rights Under FERPA
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords parents and students over 18 years of age ("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 of the day the District receives a request for access.  Parents or eligible students should submit to the principal a written request that identifies the record(s) they wish to inspect. The principal 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.  Parents or eligible students may ask the District to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate. They should write the Director of Pupil Services clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate. If the District decides not to amend the record as requested by the parent or eligible student, the District will notify the parent or eligible student of the decision and advise them 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 consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in 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 District officials with legitimate educational interests. A District official is a person employed by the District as an administrator, supervisor, instructor, or support staff member (including health or medical staff and law enforcement unit personnel); a person serving on the District Board; a person or company with whom the District has contracted to perform a special task (such as an attorney, auditor, medical consultant, or therapist); or a parent or student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another District official in performing his or her tasks.

A District official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility.  Upon request, the District discloses education records without consent to officials of another District in which a student seeks or intends to enroll.

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 name and address of the Office that administers FERPA are:

Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, DC  20202-5901

Student records shall be available only to students and their parents, eligible students, designated school officials, and designated school personnel, who have a legitimate educational interest in the information, or to other individuals or organizations as permitted by law.  Both parents shall have equal access to student records unless stipulated otherwise by court order or law. In the case of eligible students, parents may be allowed access to the records without the student's consent, provided the student is considered a dependent under section 152 of the Internal Revenue Code. Only "directory information" regarding a student shall be released to any person or party, other than the student or his/her parent, without the written consent of the parent, or, if the student is an eligible student, without the written consent of the student, except to those persons or parties stipulated by the Board's policy and administrative guidelines and/or those specified in the law.

Each year the District provides public notice to students and their parents of the District's intent to make available, upon request, certain information known as "directory information." The Board designates as student "directory information":

1.    student’s name
2.    student’s photograph
3.    student’s extracurricular participation
4.    student’s achievement awards or honors
5.    student’s weight and height, if a member of an athletic team

For information about parent and student rights to inspect, review and request amendments to educational records, or if parents/students believe their rights under Federal law have been violated, please contact Dr. Meghan Shelby, Director of Special Pupil Services, 5740 Lawn Avenue, Maple Heights, 44137 or at 216-587-6100, ext. 3600.

Individuals with Disabilities
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act mandates that every school district in the country develop a system to identify children with disabilities, birth through age 21, who live in their district.  Additionally, the Rules for the Education of Handicapped Children, adopted by the Ohio Board of Education, direct that school districts conduct an annual in-school effort to identify and provide services to children with disabilities.  Any child who you suspect has a disability should be referred to the child’s building principal. The principal will provide additional information about the differentiated referral system.

Americans With Disabilities Act (A.D.A.)
The Maple Heights Board of Education welcomes and encourages any and all comments from individuals interested in the Americans with Disabilities Act (A.D.A) The A.D.A. contains Title I-Employment, Title II-Public Services, and Title III-Public Accommodations. Please contact Dr. Meghan Shelby, Director of Special Pupil Services, 5740 Lawn Avenue, Maple Heights, 44137 or at 216-587-6100, ext. 3600.

Equal Educational Opportunities
All students of the District have equal educational opportunities.  Students have the right to be free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, citizenship status, religion, sex, economic status, marital status, pregnancy, age, disability or military status in all decisions affecting admissions; membership in school-sponsored organizations, clubs or activities; access to facilities; distribution of funds; academic evaluations or any other aspects of school-sponsored activities.  Any limitations with regard to participation in a school-sponsored activity are based on criteria reasonably related to that specific activity.

Input Sought on Federal Funds
The Maple Heights City School District receives notification of their entitlement of federal funds allocated in accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Public Law 92-142.  Utilization of these funds is designated to provide services and programs for disabled students.  Persons who wish to comment on how to utilize these designated funds are welcome and encouraged to contact our Office of Curriculum & Instruction at 5740 Lawn Avenue, or by phone at 216.587.6100, ext. 3402.

Section 504 Compliance Officer / ADA Compliance Officer
The Board of Education of the Maple Heights does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, or disability in its programs and activities.  Meghan Shelby, Director of Special Pupil Services has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies.  Dr. Shelby can be contacted as follows: Maple Heights, Special Pupil Services, 5740 Lawn Avenue, Maple Heights, 44137 or at 216-587-6100, ext. 3600. 

Provision of Aids & Services to Hearing Impaired individuals
The Maple Heights City Schools shall provide reasonable aids or services to allow individuals with hearing impairments to attend, participate in, and/or benefit from school-sponsored programs and activities.  Any individual needing such an aid or service shall notify Dr. Meghan Shelby, Special Pupil Services Director of such need, in writing, at 5740 Lawn Avenue, Maple Heights 44137, at least seven (7) days prior to the date of the program/activity at which the aid/service is needed.  Request should include the type of aid/service needed, and the reason for needing the aid/service.

Records Access and Confidentiality
Under the Federal Education and Privacy Act of 1996, parents or adult students (18 years or older) in the Maple Heights City Schools have the right to inspect and review official student records and related information upon written request to the principal of the building to which the student is assigned. An appointment for the review of the records will be made at a mutually convenient time as soon after the receipt of the written request as possible.  A parent or adult student who believes that information contained in the educational records of the student is inaccurate or misleading or violates the privacy or other rights of the student may request in writing that the records be amended.

A student’s records and related information shall not be released to any individual, group, organization or agency, except with the written consent of the student’s parents or an adult student himself/herself. Exception to this rule would be in regard to compliance with judicial order (subpoena) or other situations as defined by law and/or Board of Education Policy.

Public's Right to Know (Public Records Policy)
Board of Education Policy GAAB

Parents' Right to Know
Parents have the right to know about the teaching qualifications of their child's classroom teacher in a school receiving Title I funds.  The Federal No. Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act requires that any local school district receiving Title I funds must notify parents that they may ask about the professional qualifications of their child's classroom teacher. 
These qualifications include:

1.      Whether the teacher has met the Ohio teacher licensing criteria for the grade level and subject areas in which they teacher provides your child instruction.

2.      Whether the teacher is teaching under emergency or temporary status that waives state licensing requirements.

3.      The undergraduate degree major of the teacher and any other graduate degree or certification (such as National Board Certification) held by the teacher and the field of discipline of certification or degree.

4.      Whether your child is provided services by instructional paraprofessionals and, if so, their qualifications.

You may ask for the information by contracting the building principal at the school your child attends.  Be sure to give the following information with your request.  Child's full name, Parent/Guardian full name, Address, City, State, Zip Code, and the Teacher's Name.

The District’s Title IX Coordinator
The Board of Education of the Maple Heights does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its educational programs, activities, or employment policies as required by Title IX of the 1972 Education Amendments.  Ms. Tajuana Hunnicutt, Personnel Director, has been designated as the district’s Title IX Compliance Coordinator.  Inquires regarding compliance with Title IX may be directed to Ms. Hunnicutt at Maple Heights Board of Education, 5740 Lawn Avenue, Maple Heights, 44137 or at 216-587-6100,  ext. 3500. or email at tajuana.hunnicutt@mapleschools.com.   Any person may report sex discrimination in person, by mail, by telephone, by email, or by any other means that results in TIXC receiving the person's verbal or written report.

> Title IX Information/Overview
> Title IX Training

Anti-Harassment/Intimidation/Bullying Policy
Per Ohio Law, House Bill 276 requires all school districts to develop and adopt an anti-harassment/intimidation/bullying policy.  In addition to the adoption and implementation of this policy, district administrators are required to provide semiannual summary reports of reported acts of harassment, intimidation and bullying.  The Maple Heights City Schools' most recent report follows:

District Report: Bullying & Harassment
District Policy (+Regulation) FCJ: Bullying & Harassment

HOTLINE TO REPORT ACTS OF HARASSMENT, INTIMIDATION AND/OR BULLYING:  CALL / TEXT  844.723.3764

Report Fraud
Ohio Fraud Reporting System provides citizens and public employees with several ways to anonymously report allegations of fraud, abuse or misuse of taxpayer funds.  Individuals can:

1.      Anonymously call the Auditor of State's Fraud Hotline at 866-FRAUD-OH (866.372.8364).

2.      Complete an online complain form at: https://ohioauditor.gov/fraud.html

3.      Submit a written complaint via the U.S. mail to:  Ohio Auditor of State's Office, Special Investigations Union, 88 East Board Street, P.O. Box 1140, Columbus, OH  43215.

The Maple Heights City School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, age, gender, economic status, disability, or military status in its dealings with employees, students, the general public, individuals with whom it does business, applicants for employment, or in its educational programs and activities; and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups.

Maple Heights City Schools

PARENT RESTRAINT & SECLUSION INFORMATION

NOTE:  It is against District policy to use seclusion as a method of behavioral intervention. 

(ODE, 2021) Physical Restraint means the use of physical contact that immobilizes or reduces the ability of a student to move their arms, legs, body, or head freely. Such term does not include a physical escort, mechanical restraint, or chemical restraint. 

Physical restraint does not inlude brief, but necessary physical contact for the following or similar purposes: 

• to break up a fight; 
• to know a weapon away from a student’s possession; 
• to calm or comfort; 
• to assist a student in completing a task/response if the student does not resist the contact; 
• or to prevent an impulsive behavior that threatens the student’s immediate safety (e.g. running in front of a car). 

Physical restraint may be used only when there is an immediate risk of physical harm to the student or others and no other safe and effective intervention is possible. Only staff certified in CPI (Nonviolent Crisis Intervention) may physically restrain a child. 

The following procedures shall be implemented when a student has had a physical restraint. 

1. Building administrator must be notified immediately. 

2. Parents must be notified immediately after each incident and provided a copy of the documentation within 24 hours.

3. The Documentation of Use of Physical Restraint form must be completed after each incident and signed by the building administrator. 

4. A copy must be sent to the Special Pupil Services Department within two days of the incident. Copies also go in the student’s cummulative folder and to the building principal. 

5. If this is the third instance of restraint in this school year, a meeting must be held to determine if a Functional Behavioral Assessment needs to be created or reviewed.

Filing a Complaint

Any parent/guardian of a child enrolled in the school in the District may submit a written complaint to the Superintendent regarding an incident of restraint or seclusion. The Superintendent shall investigate each written complaint and respond in writing to the parent/guardian's complaint within 30 days of receipt of the complaint. 

Additional Complaint Options

Parents also have the option to  report concerns to other public agencies such as law enforcement, the county department of Child Protective Services (Job and Family Services), or the Office of Professional Conduct within the Ohio Department of Education. Additionally, a parent may file a complaint with the Department’s Office for Exceptional Children. If a parent needs support with this they can reach out to The Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities or Disability Rights Ohio. 

Infographic from The Ohio Department of Education

Restraint and Seclusion, Positive Behavior Interventions and Support (PBIS) in Ohio Schools