Public Notices

Requirements for Student Immunizations

Due to an immunization rule change from the Michigan Department of Community Health, waivers exempting children from receiving immunizations can no longer be obtained from a school or childcare. Non-Medical waivers based on religious or philosophical beliefs must first be certified at the Oakland County Health Division. Parents/guardians of children who are unable to receive vaccinations due to medical reasons should consult their healthcare provider for a medical waiver form.

For more information, go to  www.oakgov.com/health or contact Nurse On Call (NOC) at 1-800-848-5533. You will need to provide up-to-date immunization records required by law for all students.       

Junior Kindergarten and Kindergarten enrollees must also show proof of vision screening.

Disclosure of Personal Information

If you do not want the following information available to the public, notify your building principal before October 1st. In accordance with FERPA (20USC 1232[g]) the Board of Education of SLCS has designated the following as “directory information:”

•  The student’s name

•  The names of the student’s parents

•  The student’s address

•  The student’s date of birth

•  The student’s class designation

•  The student’s achievement awards or honors (not scholastic grades)

•  The student’s extracurricular participation

•  The student’s weight and height, if a member of an athletic team

•  The student’s photograph

•  The name of the school district the student attended before enrolling

While all other information concerning students of the District remains confidential and will be released only in accordance with the School District’s Student Record Policy, “directory information” will be released to a requesting party unless a parent or an eligible student advises the school district that such information should not be released regarding that particular student, by contacting the student’s building principal.

High school students and their parents/guardians may prevent disclosure of a student’s name, address, and telephone number to military recruiting representatives (who can only use that data to provide information to students concerning educational and career opportunities available in the U.S. Armed Forces or service academies) by submitting a signed written request to that effect to the school principal.

Contingency Plans

Occasionally, school systems have to send students home early due to weather conditions, power outages, boiler failure, and so on. Although we try to avoid sending students home early, there have been times in the past and there will, no doubt, be times in the future when this action is necessary.

Please discuss this possibility with your children, and devise a plan for them to follow. Your plan might involve going straight home and calling a parent at work. It might involve going to the neighbor’s home if the neighbor agrees. It might involve a high school child staying at home with the younger children.

Whatever plan is decided upon, make sure your child(ren) know it and follow it, for their safety and your peace of mind.  Whenever possible, students at the elementary level will not be released unless contact has been made with a parent,  guardian, or other individual listed on their emergency card.

Please continue to keep emergency contact information up to date for all students regardless of their ages.

District Policies & Procedures

The South Lyon Board of Education developed specific District policies regarding student and staff behavior. Policies and/or procedures cover virtually all areas of behavior including smoking, drugs, dress, weapons, sexual harassment, and use of the Internet. Each building’s Parent/Student Handbook also provides a compilation of information that every parent and student should know. Copies of building handbooks, The Student Code of Conduct, and District policies are available at each school building or at www. slcs.us.

Notification of Rights Under the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA)

PPRA affords parents certain rights regarding our conduct of surveys, collection and use of information for marketing purposes, and certain physical exams. These include the right to:

• Consent before students are required to submit to a survey that concerns one or more of the following protected areas (“protected information survey”) if the survey is funded in whole or in part by a program of the U.S. Department of Education (ED)–

1. Political affiliations or beliefs of the student or student’s parent;

2. Mental or psychological problems of the student or student’s family;

3. Sex behavior or attitudes;

4. Illegal, anti-social, self-incriminating, or demeaning behavior;

5. Critical appraisals of others with whom respondents have close family relationships;

6. Legally recognized privileged relationships, such as with lawyers, doctors, or ministers;

7. Religious practices, affiliations, or beliefs of the student or parents; or

8. Income, other than as required by law to determine program eligibility.

• Receive notice and an opportunity to opt a student out of –

1. Any other protected information survey, regarding the loss of funding;

2. Any non-emergency, invasive physical exam or screening required as a condition of attendance, administered by the school or its agent, and not necessary to protect the immediate health and  safety of a student, except for hearing, vision, or scoliosis screenings, or any physical exam or screening permitted or required under State law; and

3. Activities involving collection, disclosure, or use of personal information obtained from students for marketing or to sell or otherwise distribute the information to others.

•Inspect, upon request and before administration or use –

1. Protected information surveys of students;

2. Instruments used to collect personal information from students for any of the above marketing, sales, or other distribution purposes; and

3. Instructional material used as part of the educational curriculum.

These rights transfer from the parents to a student who is 18 years old or an emancipated minor under State law. South Lyon Community Schools will directly notify, such as through U.S. Mail or e-mail, parents of students who are scheduled to participate in the specific activities or surveys noted below and will provide an opportunity for parents to opt their child out of participation in the specific activity or survey.

South Lyon Community Schools will make this notification to parents at the beginning of the school year if the District has identified the specific or approximate dates of the activities or surveys at that time. For surveys and activities scheduled after the school year starts, parents will be provided reasonable notification of the planned activities and surveys listed below and be provided an opportunity to opt their child out of such activities and surveys. Parents will also be provided with an opportunity to review any pertinent surveys. Following is a list of the specific activities and surveys covered under this requirement:

• Collection, disclosure, or use of personal information for marketing, sales, or other distribution.
• Administration of any protected information survey not funded in whole or in part by ED.
• Any non-emergency, invasive physical examination or screening as described above.

Parents who believe their rights have been violated during the school year may file a complaint with:

Project FIND Special Education/ Section 504 Notice

The School District is required, by law, to locate, identify, and evaluate all children with disabilities, including children with disabilities attending private schools located within the School District, as well as homeless children. The process of locating, identifying, and evaluating children with disabilities is known as child find.

 Child find extends both to children who may be eligible for special education under the federal  Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and those who may be eligible under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504).

 If you believe your child may qualify under either the IDEA or Section 504, please contact the District’s Director of Special Education.

Title IX Policy

It is the policy of South Lyon Community Schools to comply with all of the guidelines for Title IX as adopted by the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare.  Please see our website for more information https://www.slcs.us/title_ix/index.php 

The District does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its educational programs, curricular and extra-curricular activities. The District has established a Title IX grievance process. Questions regarding that grievance process should be directed to the Title IX coordinator, Assistant Superintendent of Administrative Services, Brian Toth at totht@slcs.us or 248-573-8135.

Annual Advisory to Parents/ Guardians - Pest Management

As part of South Lyon Community School’s pest management program, pesticides are occasionally applied. In accordance with the Department of Agriculture Regulation #637, parents have the right to be informed prior to any pesticide application made during the days school is in session. If you need prior notification, the following information should be provided to the District:

· parent/guardian name

· student name

· school student attends

· parent/guardian/student address

· day and evening contact phone numbers

Please indicate whether you wish to be notified of a scheduled pesticide treatment inside of the school building, a scheduled pesticide treatment on the outside grounds of the school, or both. All currently scheduled pesticide treatments can be viewed on the District website at www.slcs.us.

Requests for notification must be made in writing on the forms provided by each school. Questions regarding pesticide spraying may be directed to the Manager of District Facilities and Grounds at 248.573.8920 or email bullingerc@slcs.us.

South Lyon Community School District Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) 2015-2016 Notification

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires that each year District workers and building occupants receive notification about asbestos activities such as response actions and inspections. The purpose of this correspondence is to meet those requirements and familiarize you with the asbestos-related activities that have been conducted in South Lyon Community Schools during the past year.

Management Plans - The existing Management Plans are located in the Main Office of each building and are available for review. A copy of each Management Plan is also located at the Griswold Operations Center, 22727 Griswold Rd., South Lyon, MI 48178.

Periodic Surveillance - The AHERA regulation requires surveillance of the condition of asbestos-containing materials every six months. This monitoring is being conducted as required by the asbestos standard. Re-Inspection (the AHERA regulation requires a three-year re-inspection) of the condition of asbestos-containing materials in all school buildings. All monitoring is being conducted by the State of Michigan accredited asbestos inspectors, and results are located in the management plans.

Section 504 Notice of Nondiscrimination

Applicants for admission and employment, students, parents, employees, sources of referral of applicants for admission and employment, and all unions or professional organizations holding collective bargaining or professional agreements with the South Lyon Community School District are hereby notified that this District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, height, weight, marital status, genetic information, or any other legally protected characteristic, in its programs and activities, including employment opportunities. Any person having inquires concerning the South Lyon Community School District’s compliance with the regulations implementing Title VI, Title IX, The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), or Section 504 is directed to contact the Assistant Superintendent for Administrative Services, 345 South Warren, South Lyon, Michigan 48178, 248-573-8130, who has been designated by the South Lyon Community School District to coordinate the District’s efforts to comply with the regulations implementing Title VI, Title IX, the ADA, and Section 504.

Nondiscrimination Policy

No person, including students, members of the community, and/or otherwise qualified job applicants and employees, may be denied admission to any school in the South Lyon Community School District (SLCS), be denied the benefits of, or be discriminated against in any curricular, extracurricular, or other SLCS program or activity based on the person’s gender, religion, race, color, national origin or ancestry, age, disability, marital status, or any other legally protected characteristic. The Board of Education has adopted discrimination and harassment policies which prohibit all forms of illegal harassment and discrimination within SLCS. A person who believes s/he has been the victim of discrimination or harassment, including sexual harassment, may seek resolution of his/her complaint through the procedures that have been established by SLCS. A person wishing to pursue a complaint may also contact SLCS’s Civil Rights Compliance Officer/Title IX Coordinator, Ms. Susan Toth (Director of Special Education and Title IX Coordinator) at 248-573-8130 or toths@slcs.us.

Stormwater Management

Learn more about Stormwater Management

     South Lyon Community Schools is committed to the environment and strives to be a good steward of the land within its jurisdiction and to use appropriate Best Management Practices to contribute to the improvement of water quality within the Huron River Watershed and the Rouge River Watershed where the district is located.
     South Lyon Community Schools encourages all students, faculty, staff, parents, and visitors to get involved through opportunities provided by the local watershed groups including Huron River Watershed Council, Friends of the Rouge, and the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG).

Why worry about stormwater?
     Many people may not realize that stormwater collected in drains located on the curbs of their streets does not flow to their local water treatment plant. Rather, this water remains untreated and is discharged directly into the waterways. During this journey to the waterways, stormwater collects and carries a broad range of pollutants. Stormwater is a non-point source of pollution thus making it extremely difficult to address and the single greatest threat to our water quality and watershed health. Non-point source pollution comes from many diffuse runoff sources such as rainfall, snowmelt, flowing over and through the ground, picking up pollutants as it goes. Some of these pollutants occur naturally, such as nutrients from sediments, manure, or pet wastes. Other pollutants such as fertilizers, automotive grease, and oil occur from our interaction with the environment. Stormwater acts as a carrier of non-point source pollution and is therefore considered a major cause of water quality problems both in Michigan and nationwide.

Public Notice of Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP)
     To this end, the school district has developed and has implemented a “Stormwater Management Program Plan (SWMP)” to reduce the discharge of pollutants from their MS4 to the Maximum Extent Practicable and protect water quality in accordance with the appropriate water quality requirements of Michigan Act 451, Public Acts of 1994, Part 31, and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act and the district National Pollutant Discharge Elimination Permit (NPDES).
     A copy of the Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP) is available for review on the district’s website at http://www.slcs.us/departments/griswold_operations_center/stormwater_management.php. Any questions or comments regarding the Stormwater Management Plan should be directed to Mr. Chris Bullinger at (248) 573-8920. 

Search and Seizure

The Board also authorizes the use of canines, trained in detecting the presence of drugs or devices.  Canines are used to determine the presence of drugs in locker areas and other places where such substances may be concealed.  Canine detection is usually conducted in collaboration with law enforcement authorities or other certified organizations and is not used to search individual students without legally sufficient suspicion, a warrant or parental permission has been obtained.

School authorities are authorized to take reasonable steps to safeguard the safety and well-being of the students by, among other things, implementing the School District’s Student Code of Conduct.  Within the discharge of their responsibilities, School District personnel may search students, student property, and school property in the manner permitted by law.

Solving school-related problems

If you have a concern involving the schools, it can be resolved effectively if you contact the right person. If the concern involves any aspect of school life such as a teacher, student conduct, course, or textbook concerns, contact the school’s principal. He or she can refer you to the person who can assist.

If the issue remains unresolved at that level, then you may contact the Administration Building to share your concern. Following the chain of command can resolve the issue efficiently and effectively. Ninety-nine percent of all problems are the result of a misunderstanding.

McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act

The School District, in accordance with the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, will ensure that homeless children and youth in transition have access to a free and appropriate public education, including preschool, and be given a full opportunity to participate in state and District-wide assessments and accountability systems.  A student may be considered eligible for services if he/she is presently living:

In temporary shared housing, a shelter, or transitional living program;

In a hotel/motel, campground, or similar situation due to lack of alternatives;

At a bus station, park, car, or abandoned building; or

The Board of Education has designated Jean Hanka as the School District’s Coordinator under the Homeless Assistance Act.  For questions or assistance, please contact Jean Hanka at hankaj@slcs.us or 248-573-8132 or visit the CITA Department at 345 South Warren Street, South Lyon MI 48178 during regular business hours 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Drug-Free Environment/Protection

The Board of Education recognizes that the misuse of drugs is a serious problem with legal, physical, and social implications for the entire school community.  In accordance with the federal and state law, the Board establishes a “Drug-Free School Zone” that extends 1000 feet from the boundary of any school property.  The Board prohibits the use, possession, concealment, delivery, or distribution of any drug or any drug-related paraphernalia, including alcohol and marijuana, at any time on School District property, with the Drug-Free Zone or at any School District-related event.  Further, the Superintendent, or his/her designee, will take the necessary steps to ensure that an individual eighteen (18) years of age or older who knowingly delivers or distributes controlled substances so designated and prohibited by Michigan statute within the Drug-Free School Zone to another person is prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Personal Curriculum

The Personal Curriculum (PC) is a Michigan Department of Education (MDE) endorsed the process, permitting modification of specific credit requirements and/or content expectations based on the individual learning needs of a student.  It is designed to serve students who want to accelerate or go beyond the Michigan Merit Curriculum (MMC) requirements and students who need to individualize learning requirements to meet the MMC requirements.  For more information from MDE about personal curriculums, please click here.  To the extent required by law, the School District will grant all requests for personal curriculums.

Programs for English Language Learner Students

Parents of limited English proficient (LEP) students participating in a language instruction program will be notified, no later than 30 days after the beginning of the school year, of the following:

Placement and reason why their child was identified as LEP;

The student’s academic achievement level and level of English proficiency (including method of measurement);

The methods used for language instruction;

How the language program will meet the student’s instructional needs;

How the program will help the child to learn English and meet the academic standards required for promotion or graduation;

The exit requirements for the language program; and

An explanation of parental rights, including the parent’s right to enroll or remove a child from the language instruction program.

Title l Funds: Parent Involvement

In accordance with the law, the Board of Education has adopted a parent involvement policy (also known as a parental and family engagement policy).  The School District is committed to establishing and maintaining positive relationships with families and the community.  To that end, the School District will provide a variety of opportunities for families and other members of the community to become involved in children’s education.

Parents may request information regarding the professional qualifications of the student's classroom teachers in writing submitted to Brian Toth, Assistant Superintendent for Administrative Services, 345 South Warren, South Lyon, MI 48178. The request may include:

Whether the teacher has met Michigan qualification and licensing criteria for the grade levels and subject areas in which s/he provides instruction;

Whether the teacher is teaching under emergency or other provisional status through which State qualification or licensing criteria have been waived;

The teacher’s baccalaureate degree(s), major, any other graduate certification or degree(s) held, and the field of discipline of the certification or degree; and

Whether the student is provided services by a paraprofessional and if so, the paraprofessional’s qualifications.


Procedural Safeguards Notice

Medicaid Annual Notification Regarding Parental Consent