Public Notices

FHSD is accredited by the Missouri Department of Secondary and Elementary Education.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a comprehensive civil rights legislation that prohibits discrimination and guarantees that people with disabilities have the same opportunities as others to participate in the mainstream of American life - to enjoy employment opportunities, to purchase goods and services, and to benefit from state and local government services, programs, and activities.

ADA legislation is divided into five separate titles, with Title I relating to employment and  Title II directly relating to public schools. Title II provides guideline on general nondiscrimination, integration, effective communication, building accessibility, program accessibility, web accessibility, emergency preparedness, and more.

Francis Howell School District is dedicated to providing students, parents, and members of the community with disabilities with accessible access to programs, buildings, and communication outlets. At FHSD, the ADA Advisory Committee meets to self-evaluate the District and provide an action plan for any potential issues. The overall goal of the committee is to provide guidance on District activity and purchases and ensure that FHSD is accessible to all students, staff, and patrons.
 

Francis Howell School District will receive a one-time allocation of COVID-relief money from the American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ARP ESSER) funds. To receive funds allocated under the ARP, school districts must publish information on their website that addresses mitigation and prevention strategies, continuity of services during interruptions to in-person learning, and periodic review and revision of the District’s plan.

FHSD successfully offered both in-person and virtual learning for the entire 2020-21 school year, with about 12,000 students opting for in-person instruction in August 2020 and 4,500 opting for virtual instruction. (Virtual enrollment grew smaller as the year progressed, and we ended the 2020-21 school year with approximately 81% of students in physical classrooms). See the District’s original Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services Plan (SRCSP), also known as the Return to School Plan. Some of the health and safety protocols in place in the 2020-21 school year continued during the 2021-22 and 2022-23 school years. Current mitigation and prevention strategies are below:

2020-21 Return to School Plan
2021-22 Return to School Plan
2022-23 Return to School Plan
2023-24 Return to School Plan

CONTINUITY OF SERVICES
The District tended to students’ social, emotional, and mental health needs during the last three school years by teaching positive coping skills and referring students to the counseling or care teams as necessary. Technology resources such as the Canvas learning management system and Google Classroom were utilized to provide continuity of learning during quarantines. Many teachers provided links for quarantined students to participate in classroom instruction, and students were able to access lessons and assignments via their grade-level learning management system. We anticipate that these same supports and services will continue for the 2023-24 school year as appropriate. 

In-person instruction begins August 21, 2023, for Francis Howell School District students. Virtual learning options with third-party course vendors are available to students for the 2023-24 school year. The District will continue to monitor the spread of COVID-19 in the district and the community. Should in-person instruction ever be interrupted by a COVID-19 shutdown, students enrolled in virtual programming will continue with their platform. In-person students will shift to online instruction provided by FHSD teachers. FHSD provides a number of resources for students who are served through an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). Appropriate accommodations for students with disabilities with respect to health and safety policies in this document will be made as necessary or as mandated by the IEP. If in-person instruction is interrupted by a COVID-19 shutdown, students' individualized plans will be implemented.

FHSD will continue to tend to students' social, emotional and mental health needs during the 2023-24 school year by teaching positive coping skills and referring students to the counseling or care teams as necessary. FHSD staff are eligible to take advantage of free services provided by the District's employee assistance program. Resources include health and wellness resources, financial support, and crisis tools.

PERIODIC REVISION
The District will periodically review and revise, if necessary, its plan, no less than every six months. Revisions will be made in consideration of current pandemic conditions, FHSD COVID data and consultation with the St. Charles County Department of Public Health. The task forces convened in 2020 to work on re-opening plans will reconvene as necessary to consider revisions. The task forces included representatives from many stakeholder groups, including teachers, support staff, principals and District leaders.

PUBLIC INPUT
Guidance provided by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) states that return-to-school plans adopted as part of a public board meeting satisfy the ARP’s initial public input requirement. The Francis Howell School District successfully offered both in-person and virtual learning for the 2020-21 school year. The District’s original Return to School plan was adopted by the Board of Education on July 19, 2020 and posted on the District website. The most recent Return to School Plan for the 2023-24 school year was approved by the Board of Education on July 20, 2023. The District continues to hear from patrons at monthly Board meetings and other forums regarding COVID mitigation measures.

TRANSLATIONS
This page can be translated using the "Translate" button in the top left corner.

Student and Parent Handbooks can be found on each of our school websites.
Employee policies and regulations can be found on BoardDocs.

District and school accountability data, including the Annual School District Report Card, is available on the Missouri Department of Elementary & Secondary Education website.

Budget documents, including expenditures and revenues, are available on the Finance webpage. Additional financial information is available via the Department of Secondary and Elementary Education.

Notification of Rights under FERPA for Elementary and Secondary 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 of 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 or appropriate school official 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 or appropriate school official, 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.

Upon request, the school discloses education records without consent to officials of another school or school district in which a student seeks or intends to enroll, or is already enrolled if the disclosure is for purposes of the student’s enrollment or transfer.  [NOTE:  FERPA requires a school or school district to make a reasonable attempt to notify the parent or student of the records request unless it states in its annual notification that it intends to forward records on request or the disclosure is initiated by the parent or eligible student.]

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:

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

Directory Information

The Francis Howell School District has designated the following information contained in the educational records of its students as directory information for purposes of FERPA:  student’s name, student’s address, student’s phone number(s), parent(s)/guardian(s) e-mail, grade level, grade point average, dates of attendance, grade level, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, degrees and awards received, grade point average, most recent previous school attended, and photographs.

How to Opt Out

A parent or student refusing to have any or all of the designated directory information disclosed is required to complete FERPA Student Directory Information & Media Opt-Out Form and designate that you are refusing to disclose directory information.  Return the form to the principal of the school which the student attends. View the Spanish translation of the Opt-Out Form. Additional translations can be provided by contacting your child's school.

The Francis Howell School District participates in the Missouri Course Access and Virtual School Program (MOCAP). Because virtual instruction can be an effective education option for some students, there may be courses available either through a District-provided virtual option or through MOCAP.

Missouri House Bill 1552
With the passage of Missouri House Bill 1552, state law now mandates that under certain conditions, full-time virtual students must withdraw from Francis Howell and enroll in the district that hosts their virtual program. This only applies to a handful of “hosted” virtual programs. These “hosted” programs are listed below. Current FHSD students must complete the enrollment process for the district that hosts the virtual program and will then be withdrawn from the Francis Howell School District.

Hosted Virtual Programs 
Full time virtual enrollment requires withdrawing from FHSD and enrolling in the host district.

• At Home Virtual Program (Mehlville School District)

• LAUNCH (Springfield Public Schools)

• Missouri Connections Academy – “MOCAS” (Sturgeon R-V School District)

• Missouri Digital Academy – “MODA” (Laquey R5 School District)

• Missouri Virtual Academy – “MOVA” (Grandview R-II School District)

• Mizzou Academy (University of Missouri)

• R7 Online Academy (Lee’s Summit R-7 School District)

• SJSD Virtual Academy (St. Joseph School District)

The above list of DESE-approved host programs is routinely updated and can be found on the MOCAP website. Current FHSD students who are interested in being a full-time virtual student in one of the hosted programs listed above must withdraw from FHSD and enroll as a student in the identified district. New students who reside in FHSD and who wish to attend one of the above-listed programs as a full-time virtual student must first enroll as a student in FHSD to become established as a student in the State of Missouri. Thereafter, they must withdraw from Francis Howell and enroll in the Missouri district that hosts that virtual program.

Full-time virtual students who wish to maintain enrollment in the FHSD must choose courses from other vendors with whom FHSD has virtual partnerships, including EdOptions Academy, Edgenuity, Imagine Learning, Florida Virtual School, or Michigan Virtual. Alternatively, if a full-time virtual student takes courses from multiple virtual vendors, then the updated law mandates that they remain students in FHSD. Students interested in this option should contact their school counselor.

High School Credits
The District will accept all MOCAP course credits earned in grades 9-12. In awarding credit and assigning grades, the District will apply the same standards for credit award and grade assignments as are applied to courses completed in the District’s traditional curriculum. Students and their parent(s)/guardian(s) should meet with their school counselor if interested in MOCAP courses.

Enrollment Process
Students and families interested in taking virtual courses need to complete the FHSD MOCAP Application (Form 6190) and submit it to their school counselor.  The counselor will speak with families to make sure that virtual school is the best option for the student’s academic success.  The counselor will then assist the family in selecting appropriate virtual classes and will submit the application to the Director of Secondary Education for approval.  

Once a semester has begun, it is very difficult to facilitate a change in format between in-person and virtual instruction or vice versa. For this reason, students and families may request a change in format within the first ten (10) days of the semester.

Part-Time Virtual Students
Students who wish to take some, but not all of their courses in a virtual environment will remain enrolled in FHSD. They can take courses from any of the above-listed vendors or any DESE-approved and accredited vendor. Students interested in taking virtual courses should contact their school counselor.

Duration of Virtual Enrollment
The District will monitor student performance and engagement in their virtual classes. Students and families must be aware that most online course providers will remove students from their program for continued non-participation. It is critical that students remain consistently engaged and up-to-date. Students who fail virtual classes or who are removed by an online provider may be required to return to in-person instruction if the District determines that virtual instruction is not in the student’s academic best interest. For students who are successful in virtual instruction, virtual enrollment is assumed to continue through the end of the school year.  

The Francis Howell School District is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not tolerate sexual harrassment, discrimination or retaliation. For more information, review Board Policy 1300 and Regulation 1300 (Equal Opportunity) and Board Policy 1301 and Regulation 1301 (Prohibition Against Sexual Harrassment and Retaliation Under Title IX).

Title IX Training for FHSD Administrators

Use of Personal Information
The Francis Howell School District does not collect any personal information unless you voluntarily provide it by sending us e-mail, participating in a survey, or completing an online form. Personal information submitted will not be transferred to any non-affiliated third parties unless otherwise stated at the time of collection or as otherwise authorized by law. When a user submits personally identifiable information it is used only for the purpose stated at the time of collection, except that such information may be rquired to be disclosed as an open record of the Francis Howell School District pursuant to the Missouri Sunshine Law, §§ 610.010-610.225, RSMo.

Consent
Where consent for the use and disclosure of personal information is required, the District will seek consent from the appropriate person. In the case of a student’s personal information, the District will seek the consent from the eligible student and/or parent depending on the circumstances and in accordance with the Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act, 20 U.S.C. § 1232g, 34 CFR Part 99.

Cookies
A cookie is a small text file stored by your browser that allows the website to “remember” your preferences (such as calendar settings and site bookmarks) on the site from visit to visit, or to maintain your “logged in” status when visiting protected areas. Usage of a cookie is in no way linked to any personally identifiable information while on our site. Web browsers have settings allowing you to reject cookies, or selectively accept cookies, or delete cookies previously accepted. Please be aware that rejecting or deleting cookies from our website may make certain functions unavailable to you.

Log Files
Like most standard website servers, we use website statistic packages such as Google Analytics to analyze trends in how our website is accessed and utilized. Information monitored includes internet protocol (IP) addresses, geographic location of visitors (country, city), browser type, internet service provider (ISP), referring/exit pages, platform type, date/time stamp, time spent on pages, and keywords used to find our site via search engines. This information is anonymous and cannot be directly linked to individual users. We may use it to identify high-use or low-use areas of the site, pinpoint problem areas of the site, analyze broad demographic trends in our visitors, and make decisions about how to make it easier for people to find and navigate our website.

Links
This website may contain links to other sites. Please be aware that we are not responsible for the operation or privacy practices of such other sites. We encourage our users to be aware when they leave our site and to read the privacy statements of each and every Web site that collects personally identifiable information. This privacy statement applies solely to information collected by this website.

Security
This website takes every precaution to protect our users' personal information. Whenever users submit personal information (such as contact info or credit card info) via online forms, registration, or online purchase, upon submission that information is encrypted via the highest level of SSL (Secured Sockets Layer) available. Servers that store personally identifiable information are in a secure environment. Under no circumstances are credit card numbers permanently stored on our website servers.

Non-secured Communications
Posts to discussion forums, discussion boards, comments to blogs, and Alumni Class Notes are viewable by other users. When these areas are not in a password protected area, they may be viewable by the general public. Please be aware of this when posting personal information in these areas.

Missouri Law
The District protects its records in accordance with applicable laws, including but not limited to the Missouri Sunshine Law and any applicable U.S. Federal laws. Accordingly, all information provided through this website may be subject to public disclosure. To avoid potential privacy violations, please provide only the information requested.

User ID and Password Security
The maintenance and security of any and all User IDs and Passwords issued for access to this website shall be the sole responsibility of the individual or entity accessing the website. Such individual or entity shall be responsible for access to and use of its User ID and Password by its employees, agents or others, whether or not such access and/or use were authorized. In no event shall the District be liable for the use or misuse of any User ID and Password.

Viruses
Although unlikely, it is possible that data you download from our website may contract a virus and become corrupted before it reaches your computer. The District is not responsible for files that may become corrupted as the data travels through the Internet. 

Contact Information
If users have any questions or suggestions regarding our privacy policy, please contact us at communications@fhsdschools.org.

The state of Missouri operates a 24/7 school violence hotline, Courage2ReportMO. The goal is to make schools safer by helping school districts and law enforcement learn about school violence as soon as possible. Courage2ReportMO takes confidential reports involving any public or private school in Missouri with students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. 

To make an anonymous report, call 1-866-748-7047 (toll free)  or report online.

The rights of all citizens to access public information is an integral function of public school districts. The Francis Howell School District is committed to making our websites, documents, applications and services accessible to all.

Some users may not be able to see, hear or process information in particular formats, may have difficulty reading or understanding text, or may not be able to use a keyboard or a mouse. We have developed our content to ensure compatibility with common adaptive technologies by utilizing the State of Missouri’s Accessibility Standard, which is based on Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act (as amended) and Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0.

If information on a District or school web page, document or application is not accessible to you, please email communications@fhsdschools.org. Provide your contact information, the URL (i.e., link or web address) of the material and the problem you’ve experienced. We’ll respond with the information you are seeking as well as ensure the accessibility issue is corrected. We will continue to review and update our websites to ensure compliance with current and future standards. For more information, see Board Policy 1320 - Website Accessibility.

When students endure chronic stress or traumatic incidents, it can have both physiological and emotional consequences, often impairing their ability to function effectively in a school setting. The Francis Howell Trauma-Informed School Initiative is dedicated to establishing safe and nurturing educational environments where students can learn and reach their full potential. This initiative achieves this by recognizing the indicators of chronic stress and trauma and implementing effective response strategies. For further information, visit the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's website for more information about the Trauma-Informed School Initiative.