and HIV/AIDS prevention education and research on pupil health behaviors and risks planned for the coming year. The notice shall include all of the following: Advise the parent or guardian that written and audiovisual educational materials used in comprehensive sexual health education and HIV/AIDS prevention education are available for inspection. Advise the parent or guardian whether the comprehensive sexual health education or HIV/AIDS prevention education will be taught by school district personnel or by outside consultants. Information explaining the parent’s or guardian’s right to request a copy of Chapter 5.6 of the Education Code (commencing with Section 51930 et seq.). Advise the parent or guardian that the parent or guardian may request in writing that his or her child not receive comprehensive sexual health education or HIV/AIDS prevention education. Anonymous, voluntary and confidential research and evaluation tools to measure pupils’ health behaviors and risks, including tests, questionnaires, and surveys containing questions about the pupils’ attitudes concerning or practices relating to sex may be administered to pupils in grades 7-12. Parents or guardians shall be notified in writing and given the opportunity to review such tests, questionnaires and surveys. A parent or guardian has the right to excuse his or her child from all or part of the above. A pupil shall not be subject to disciplinary action, academic penalty, or other sanction if the parent/guardian does not permit the pupil to receive the instruction. While the instruction is being delivered, an alternative educational activity shall be made available to those pupils whose parent/guardian have requested that they not receive the instruction. Please note: The upper grade Family Life and/or HIV/AIDS prevention education is taught by nurses and/or personnel employed by the Tulare County Office of Education. PHYSICAL EXAMINATION AND SCOLIOSIS SCREENING State law requires that the parent/guardian of a pupil entering the first grade must submit to the school written proof that his/her child had a physical examination with the time period of eighteen months prior to entry and ninety days after entry to the first grade. The school district is required to screen every seventh grade girl and eighth grade boy for scoliosis (curvature of the spine). The school district nurses (via the of Education) will screen all fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students. The parent/guardian has the right to submit to the school a written request that the pupil not participate in this screening program.
If you have reason to believe that your student has a disability which requires special services or accommodations, please bring this to the attention of your student’s teacher or the school office. Your student will then be evaluated to determine whether he/she is eligible for special instruction or services. BAND Students in grades four through eight are encouraged to participate in the band program. Students participating in band will be required to attend all after school performances which include parades and concerts. Also, the criteria or eligibility for year end band trips is based on the same requirements as those established for the eighth grade graduation trip. INDEPENDENT STUDY An Independent Study Program is available upon request for fourth through eighth grade students who will be missing school for a length of time. Students will be required to complete the same quantity and quality of work as students remaining in the classroom. See the Superintendent/Principal for further information. All Independent Study contracts must be prepared in advance by the Superintendent/Principal and teacher. SCHOOL ACTIVITIES CALENDAR The school calendar is sent home at the beginning of each school year. An updated monthly Calendar of Events is also distributed to each student via the newsletter. Three minimum days are again scheduled for the school days before Christmas/Winter break, Easter/Spring break, and summer vacation, while a pupil free professional staff development day is scheduled to be held on Monday, October 7th. More information will be forthcoming on upcoming activities such as Back To School Night, the Halloween Carnival, the Christmas program, Scicon, the eighth grade trip, etc. SCICON believes in an “outdoor” educational experience. Each year sixth graders will spend a week at Scicon while the fifth grade class will visit for one day. The district budgets for the expense but asks that each sixth grader pay ten dollars to offset the total costs. ELIGIBILITY ISSUES believes that active participation in extracurricular events helps to promote a healthy and well-rounded education. Opportunities are offered for this purpose and students are encouraged to be involved in these activities. The eligibility criteria sets a high standard of expectancy and is not meant to demean or disqualify a student. The purpose is to elevate and reward those who have worked hard to earn additional privileges and recognition.