ANTP: Student Services and Fees - English - Page 7
STUDENT SERVICES and FEES
- Student Meal Program
The District’s Nutrition Services Department offers healthy meals every school day because children need healthy meals to learn.
The Arcadia Unified School District participates in the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program. Commencing in SY 2022–23, Education Code(EC) 49501.5 requires public school districts, county offices of education, and charter schools serving students in grades TK–12 to provide two meals free of charge (breakfast and lunch) during each school day to students requesting a meal, regardless of their free or reduced-price meal eligibility. Charter Schools and Districts will still require eligible parents to submit an application in order to remain in compliance for accounting purposes only.
All students will receive nutritious meals free of charge every school day. The meal programs we participate in are supported by federal and state reimbursements that are based on household income and eligibility. We are able to serve free meals because households continue to submit meal applications. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated. You or your children do not have to be U.S. citizens to qualify for free meals. If there are more household members than the number of lines on the application, attach a second application. For a simple and secure method to apply, use our online application at https://family.titank12.com/ . You will also help the district qualify for other additional funding opportunities when you apply. If you are in need of a paper application, please contact our office at (626) 821-8322. [EC 49510 et seq.]
A new meal application needs to be submitted EACH SCHOOL YEAR beginning July 1st.
Nutrition Services Flyer: English ~ Chinese ~ Spanish
[EC 49510-49520, 49558, 49557.5, 42 USC 1761(a)]
- Mental Health Services
The district provides fulltime school counselors on all school campuses. Counselors are available to assist students and families with initiating access to mental health services. The District partners with local mental health providers and utilizes CareSolace to ensure access to high-quality care, regardless of income level. You may also directly access the CareSolace Referral System by clicking HERE
Student suicide rates are of concern to all members of the school community. One child, ages 12 and older, dies by suicide every five days in California. Local Districts were required by California law to provide suicide prevention education, according to age-appropriate and sensitive local policies, for grades 7 to 12. Legislators have determined that training in mental health and coordination around improved services is extended to our elementary students. A shared goal by all staff educators is to keep a safe place to learn, free from harm to any of our students. [EC 215, 49428]
AUSD will notify parents/guardians at least twice per year. Once through the Annual Notification process and once through the school’s notification process.
- Drug, Alcohol, and Tobacco Prevention Programs
The unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession, or use of illicit drugs, alcohol, or any form of tobacco product on District premises or as a part of any District activity is strictly prohibited. “Tobacco product” is defined as (i) any product made or derived from tobacco or nicotine that is intended for human consumption, regardless of how consumed; (ii) an electronic device that delivers nicotine or other vaporized liquids to the person inhaling from the device (commonly known as “e-cigarettes”); or (iii) any component, part or accessory of a tobacco product. Except for members of the military, possession of tobacco by those under 21 is illegal and can lead to a $75 fine or 30 hours of community service. It is illegal to possess synthetic marijuana. The District has adopted no smoking policies.
The District has adopted a policy that prohibits the use of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) such as e-cigarettes, hookah pens, cigarillos, and other vapor-emitting devices, with or without nicotine content, that mimic the use of tobacco products on all district property and in district vehicles at all times. ENDS are often made to look like cigarettes, cigars and pipes, but can also be made to look like everyday items such as pens, asthma inhalers and beverage containers. These devices are not limited to vaporizing nicotine; they can be used to vaporize other drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, and heroin.
Students using, in possession of, or offering, arranging or negotiating to sell ENDS can be subject to disciplinary action, particularly because ENDS are considered drug paraphernalia, as defined by 11014.5 of the Health and Safety Code. Section 308 of the Penal Code also states that every person under 18 years of age who purchases, receives, or possesses any tobacco, cigarette, or cigarette papers, or any other preparation of tobacco, or any other instrument or paraphernalia that is designed for the smoking of tobacco, tobacco products, or any controlled substance shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine of seventy-five dollars ($75) or 30 hours of community service work. [EC 48900, 48901; HSC 11357.5, 11375.5; BPC 22950.5(c); PC 308; BP 3513.3]
- Homeless, Foster, and Juvenile Court Youth
Foster, homeless, and juvenile court youth have special rights related to graduation and partial high school credits. They also have the right to an adult to help make educational decisions. More information can be found at the California Foster Youth Education Task Force, www.cde.ca.gov/ls/pf/fy/fosteryouthedrights.asp. Foster and homeless youth also have special rights associated with college, and certain considerations in school discipline. In addition to parental notification requirements for an involuntary transfer to a continuation school, suspension, or expulsion, to the foster child's attorney and social worker, and, for the child's tribal social worker, if applicable, and county social worker. The attorney and social worker have the same rights as parents during these processes, such as requests for meetings and the ability to inspect all documents. Please contact Jim Anderson, Coordinator Child Welfare and Attendance (626) 821-8300 x6502 or [email protected] for more information on services and policies related to homeless, foster, and juvenile court youth. The District Uniform Complaint Procedure may be used to file a complaint. [EC 48204, 48853, 48853.5, 48645.3, 48645.5, 51215.1, 51225.1 51225.2; 56055, 47605, 47605.6, 48432.5, 48911, 48911.1, 48915.5, 48918.1 and 42 USC 11432]
Education of Homeless Youth: Right to Apply for Financial Aid - Students experiencing homelessness have a right to apply for financial aid to seek education beyond high school. Every district and charter school must appoint a homeless liaison to assist students and families. Please contact: Jim Anderson, Coordinator Child Welfare and Attendance (626) 821-8300 x6502 or [email protected] for more information of services and policies related to homeless education rights. [EC 69432.7, 69519, 69731, 69956, 70032, 78220, and 88931]
A juvenile court school student has the right to a diploma issued by the school district of residence if he or she completed the graduation requirements while being detained. The school district of residence shall issue to the pupil a diploma from the school the pupil last attended before detention or in the alternative, the county superintendent of schools may issue the diploma. Please contact the County Office of Education with any questions regarding graduation requirements if your child is placed in a court school as a ward of the court.
- Services to Disabled Pupils
If you have reason to believe your child (ages 0 through 21 years) has a disability requiring special services or accommodations, tell or write the school. Your child will be evaluated to determine whether he/she is eligible for free special or modified instruction or services.
The District wants to locate, identify and assess all children with disabilities whether homeless, wards of the state, enrolled in public or private schools. The District has policies guiding procedures for identification and referral. Students identified with special needs will receive a Free Appropriate Public Education in the least restrictive environment. [EC 48853, 56020 et seq., 56040, 56301; 5 CCR 4622; 20 USC 1412, (10)(A)(ii), 1412(a)(6)(A); 34 CFR 300.121]
Child Find System - Under state law, each public school system is responsible to find children with disabilities in its area. Each public school system is responsible for ensuring that each child with disabilities is served appropriately, at no expense to the parent in the least restrictive environment. [EC 56301; 20USC1401(3); 1412(a)(3); 34CFR300.111(c)(d)]
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a federal law which prohibits discrimination against persons with a disability. The School District provides a free and appropriate public education to all pupils regardless of the nature or severity of their disability. The District has a responsibility to identify, evaluate, and if eligible, provide pupils with disabilities the same opportunity to benefit from education programs, services, or activities as provided to their non-disabled peers. To qualify for Section 504 protections, the pupil must have a mental or physical impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activity.[ 29 CEEUU 794, 34 CFR 104.32]
Special Education – Use of Assistive Technology: Upon exiting the school district, students may continue to use the assistive technology devices provided by the school as determined by the IEP team offer for a maximum of two months until an replacement or comparable device is obtained. [EC 56040.3]
- Transportation Fees
The Board of Education has adopted a requirement that parents pay bus fees to cover a portion of cost for the Transportation program. Parents or guardians will be notified at the beginning of each school year of the fee amounts and payment procedures.
- Advanced Placement Exam Fees
State funding is available to qualified low-income students to assist in paying all or part of Advanced Placement exams. [EC 48980(j), 52240]
- Pupil Fees
While there are limited exceptions, families and students should not have to pay fees for most items related to public education. There are four types of fees identified in Education Code:
Pupil Fees: No fees or deposits can be required or collected for items including, but not limited to, materials, supplies, equipment, uniforms (i.e. band, cheerleading, basketball), lockers, locks, books, class apparatus, musical instruments.
Educational Activity Fees: No fees can be required or collected for student participation in an event or activity, either curricular or extracurricular that is an essential part of a student’s education or for transportation to those events. There can be no fees required for registering or participating in regular or extra classes.
Voluntary Donations: While voluntary donations may be suggested for activities, no student may be denied participation based on the family’s ability to make a donation.
Exceptions – When fees may be required: By law, there are exceptions to the prohibition against charging of fees or deposits. These exceptions include, but are not limited to, transportation to non-essential activities, non-essential events where attendance is optional (such as a school dance), food served to students, damage to district provided materials such as textbooks, cost of community service classes, and fingerprinting. Money may also be collected for material used for projects that a student will be taking home, such as, material used in a career class like woodshop or sewing. The Uniform Complaint Procedure can be used regarding pupil fee compliance. A complaint may be filed with the school principal, and may be filed anonymously. [EC 17551, 17552, 19911, 32030-32033, 32220-32224, 32390, 35330, 35331, 35335, 38084, 38118, 38120, 39807.5, 48052, 48053, 48904, 49010-49013, 49063, 49065, 49066, 48980(f), 51815, 52373, 52612, 52615, 52920-52922, 60070; 5 CCR 4610, 4630]