In accordance with the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act of 1987 (AHERA), a copy of the Mexico Academy & Central School District Asbestos Management Plan is available for review by appointment at the Mexico Academy & Central School District Business office during business hours.

Please contact the LEA Designee at 315-963-8400 ext. 5413 if you would like to set up an appointment or if you have any questions.

Dear Parent/Guardian/Students/School Staff:

New York State Law, Section 409-F, effective July 1, 2001, requires all public/ non-public elementary and secondary schools to implement an Integrated Pest Management Program/Plan (IPM), and requires that periodically throughout the school year, we provide written notification regarding potential use of pesticides, to all students, persons in parental relationship, faculty and staff.

The Mexico Central School District will develop and maintain a
“Prior Student Notification List” of all persons who have requested the written notification 48 hours prior to application of certain pesticides.
NOTE: The following pesticide applications are not subject to the prior notification process when:

• the school remains unoccupied for a continuous 72 hours following application
• anti-microbial products are used
• non-volatile, tamper resistant rodenticide bait stations are placed in areas inaccessible to children
• non-volatile, tamper resistant insecticidal bait stations are placed in areas inaccessible to children
• silica gels, sand, and other non-volatile ready to use pastes, foams or gels are placed in areas which are not accessible to children
• boric acid and disodium octaborate tetrahydrate is used
• EPA designated bio-pesticides are used EPA exempts the materials under 40CFR152.25 aerosol products with a directed spray, in containers of 18 fluid ounces or less, are used to protect individuals from an imminent threat from stinging/biting insects, including venomous spiders, bees, wasps and hornets.

If an emergency application becomes necessary to ward off an imminent threat to human health, and the exposed individuals have a relation to any persons listed on the 48-hour Prior Notification List, a good faith effort will be made to send written notification to those listed.

To request a 48-hour prior notification, please go to www.mexicocsd.org and complete the request form.

Mexico School District is excited to announce that all schools in the district have been approved to participate in the Community Eligibility Program through the New York State Education Department for the school year 2023-2024. What this means for our students is that any student that attends school in the Mexico District will receive one breakfast and one lunch daily for FREE during the entire 2023-2024 school year. We will continue to sell at extra charge ala carte items such as an extra entrée, chips, ice cream, milk, or juice, etc.

In order for this to continue we are asking all families to fill out a Household Income Eligibility Form which can be found in the calendar insert, on the school website or by contacting the MACS Food Service Dept at 315-963-8400 x 5071.

Our meals must meet tight Federal meal specific nutrient guidelines to ensure we are meeting children’s nutrition needs. All meals are nutritionally balanced and include a serving of fruit and/or vegetable, milk, protein, and grains/bread. To count as a NYS and Federal reimbursable meal every child must select a fruit or vegetable. Snacks and ala carte items can be purchased in each school. We accept cash, check (made out to Mexico School Lunch Fund) or credit card via MySchoolBucks.com. My School Bucks makes paying for extras easy, convenient, private, and secure. Enrollment is free and allows you to view the last 90 days of meal history and/or make payments. To use the optional online prepayment service, a fee of $2.75 is assessed by the processing company to cover bank fees each time. For more information on how to use this service, please visit https://www.myschoolbucks.com/. Our School Meal Program wishes you and your children a healthy and productive year.

NYS recommends students entering a new school district or entering grades: K, 2, 4, 7 and 10; to provide a dental health certificate.

The Superintendent may find it necessary to close the district schools or dismiss them early when hazardous weather conditions or other emergencies threaten the health and welfare of students and staff. Schools will not be closed merely to avoid inconvenience. While it may be prudent under certain circumstances to excuse all students from attending school, to delay the opening hour, or to dismiss students early, the Superintendent has the responsibility to see that the instructional program and other operational activity is continued to the extent possible. For this reason, if conditions affect only a single school, only that school may be closed.

In making this important decision many factors are considered, including current road conditions, weather forecasts, plowing schedules, other school closings and similar information. Always, the Superintendent’s final decision will be made with the best interest of students in mind. Buses are often safer vehicles in heavy snow than automobiles. It is sometimes safer for children to remain in school rather than be sent home early on slippery roads when the weather forecast predicts a break in the weather. When buses are picking students up during early dismissals, no automobile access to the loading area will be permitted. This is to help to safeguard all students and to permit buses to load students efficiently.

When it becomes necessary to close schools because of weather or other emergencies, announcements will be made over TV stations in the listening area, including: WSTM-3, WTVH-5, 9WSYR and Spectrum News 1. This same procedure is used if the closing is issued during the school day. Notices will also be posted on the district website and social media pages.

Students will return home by the normal procedure. Parents who are away from home during the day should make arrangements for someone to take care of their children when there are school closings. Announcements will be made as soon as a decision is made concerning school closing, delayed openings and early dismissal. In the event that it is necessary to close the school for all or part of any day, all activities involving students before and/or after school are also canceled.

UNUSED EMERGENCY CLOSING DAYS

In the event of unused emergency closing (snow days), the following schedule will be used in 2023-24:

If one unused snow day: There will be no school Friday, May 24, 2024.

If two unused snow days: There will be no school on Friday, May 24, 2024 and Tuesday, May 28, 2024.

If three or more unused snow days: The last week of school in June will be shortened. In that case parents and guardians would be notified of the modified schedule.

Additional Emergency Closing Days

In the event that all six emergency closing days are used, additional make-up school days for students and staff will be required.

1st additional day required: Monday, April 22, 2024

2nd additional day required: Tuesday, April 23, 2024

3rd additional day required: Wednesday, April 24, 2024

4th additional day required: Thursday, April 25, 2024

Please plan accordingly.

Students should never feel that it is not safe to come to school and participate in all school activities. They should never be prevented from concentrating on schoolwork because another student or a school staff member is teasing them, making fun of them, pushing them around, or threatening them in some way, because of race, color, weight, national origin (where a family comes from), ethnic group, religion, religious practices, disability, sexual orientation, gender, sex or for any other reason.

A student may not act toward another student in a way that reasonably makes that other student unable to concentrate on their school work,
because of the other student’s race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practiced, disability, sexual orientation, gender, or sex, or for any other reason. It is against school rules for any student or school staff member to do this by physical actions or by verbal statements, including electronic messages. This kind of conduct is prohibited on school property, on school buses, and at all school-sponsored events.

If you know of a situation that involves harassment or discrimination, please complete the complaint form found on the district website and contact the appropriate dignity act coordinator(s):

Mr. Christopher Soluri, Principal - 315-963-8400 x5319 (HS)

Mr. Patrick Dunham, Principal - 315-963-8400 x4200 (MS)

Mrs. Lisa Voegler, Principal - 315-963-8400 x2310 (ME)

Mrs. Jennifer Granholm, Principal - 315-963-8400 x3500 (NH)

Mr. Robert Briggs , Principal - 315-963-8400 x1018 (PE)

Mrs. Elizabeth DiCosimo, District Dignity Act Coordinator - 315-963-8400 x5413

A Registered Nurse is in each school building and offers a variety of services to students. Physical examinations are required for all students that are new to the Mexico School District, those participating in extra-curricular sports (grades 7-12), and all students in grades pre-K, K, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11. It is recommended that physical examinations be performed by your child’s health care provider. However, the school will provide examinations free of charge with written parental consent. Parents may request to be present during a school examination. Additional screening measures, including height, weight, body mass index, blood pressure, vision, hearing, and scoliosis are performed at various times throughout a child’s school attendance. New York State Education Law requires that BMI (body mass index) and weight status group be included as part of each student’s school health examination. Our district may be selected to report summary data (no names or information about individual students) to the New York State Department of Health. You may choose to have your child’s information excluded from this survey report; contact your school nurse for further information.

New York State Law requires immunization for school entrance/attendance. No student shall be enrolled in our schools without the required immunizations.

Requirements are satisfied by one of the following: proof of completed immunization provided by the child’s health care provider. Proof of the beginning of immunization by the child’s health care provider or health care provider’s statement that immunization would be harmful to the child’s health.

The school district will provide an interpreter for the hearing-impaired parent if a written request for the service has been submitted to and received by the building Principal within 10 days prior to the school initiated academic and/or disciplinary meeting, scheduled meeting or activity.

The school district will provide an interpreter for hearing impaired students participating in extracurricular activities if a written request for the service is submitted and received by the building principal within 10 days of the event. Forms are available at each school office.

Registration for children entering Kindergarten in September will be held in each elementary school during May. Children must be five years of age before December 1 of the year of registration. Parents may wait until the child is six years of age before entering their child in school, if the child has not reached his/her sixth birthday before Dec. 1. If there are extenuating circumstances, students born between Dec. 1 and Dec. 31 may be considered for kindergarten. Parents are reminded to bring a birth certificate (or other proof of child’s age), a certificate of immunization, completed medical physical form, custody papers (if applicable) and proof of residency. Registration is conducted at the District Office by the District Registrar. It includes a review of records. Each elementary building will schedule a screening appointment, which involves various classroom activities. State law requires that all children entering school be immunized against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, measles, rubella, mumps, hepatitis B and varicella. Parents should be advised that in accordance with the law, kindergarten children who do not have complete immunizations on record will not be picked up or allowed into school on the first day. They will not be allowed to return until a certificate of required immunization is presented to school officials.

New York State has a health insurance plan for children, called Child Health Plus. Depending on your family’s income, your child may be eligible to join either Children’s Medicaid or Child Health Plus. Information may be obtained at https://www.health.ny.gov/health_care/child_health_plus/ or 1-800-698-4543.

A written order from a health care provider is required by New York State Education Law to administer medication in schools. The written order needs to include the student’s name, name of the medication and the frequency and dosage prescribed.

This includes all over the counter medications, such as Tylenol, ibuprofen, and cough drops. A written permission from the parent is required to administer the medication as prescribed. A verbal or telephone request is not sufficient. An adult must deliver the medication to school in the original container. Medications are not to be sent on a school bus. In some cases, older students with a specific physician’s order, may be allowed to carry their own medications if they are determined to be self-directed (inhalers, Epi-pens).

Mexico Academy & Central School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs, activities, employment and admissions; and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:

Mrs. Jolean Bliss, School Business Executive - 315-963-8400 x5407

For the safety of our students, staff and visitors, the School District employs camera surveillance equipment for security purposes. Surveillance cameras will generally be utilized only in public areas where there is no reasonable expectation of privacy. Public areas may include school buses, building entrances, hallways, parking lots, front offices where students, employees, and parents come and go, gymnasiums during public activities, cafeterias and supply rooms.

District surveillance cameras will not be installed in private areas such as restrooms, locker rooms, changing areas, private offices or classrooms.

Mexico Academy and Central School District Opt-Out Policy for Publishing Student Photographs and Student Work on the Mexico Academy and Central School District Websites and in District-Related Publications

During the course of the year, your child’s name, work and/or image may be selected to highlight his or her accomplishments for publication on our website, on a teacher-created website linked to the district’s site or on other District media communications. The District believes that there is significant educational value in sharing these accomplishments. We feel it enhances communication between home and school, it extends learning opportunities beyond the classroom and creates a sense of pride for students.

Mexico Academy and Central School District Opt-Out Policy for Non-Instructional Internet Access

As part of the instructional process, internet access is available to students and teachers in the Mexico Academy & Central School District. Our primary goal in providing this service to teachers and students is to promote educational excellence in schools by facilitating research, resource sharing, innovation, and communication.

Mexico Academy and Central School District will take precautions to restrict access to controversial materials. However, on a global network it is impossible to control all materials and a user may discover controversial or objectionable information. The use of the Internet is a privilege, not a right, and inappropriate use may result in a forfeiture of those privileges and/or other disciplinary procedures. All users of the District’s internet services must abide by the District’s Acceptable Use Policy, located at www.mexicocsd.org under District, Instructional Technology Program, Technology Plan & AUP (please review).

The Mexico Academy & Central School District firmly believes that the valuable information and interaction available on this worldwide network far outweighs the possibility that users may procure material that is not consistent with the educational goals and philosophies of the District. Therefore, the Internet is a valuable resource and may be used by students during instructional time and during non-instructional time, such as study halls.

Opt-Out Option: Parent Written Request to Deny Internet Access During Non- Instructional Time. If a parent chooses not to allow their child to have access to the internet during non-instructional times, such request must be made in writing and sent to your child’s school annually. If you have questions concerning this policy, please contact the principal of the building your child attends.

A parent or eligible student may request that directory information not be released. Such a request must be made in writing. If you have questions concerning this policy, please contact the principal of the building your child attends. Under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) two federal laws now require school districts to provide military recruiters, upon request, with the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of students who are juniors or seniors unless parents have submitted a written request not to disclose their child’s information. Written requests must be submitted to the main office at your child’s school by September 29, 2023 (for 2023-24).

The District may disclose any and all educational records, including disciplinary records and records that were created as a result of a student receiving special education services under Part B of IDEA, to another school or postsecondary institution at which the student seeks or intends to enroll.

The school encourages the practice of safety and takes its responsibility seriously for the care of the student body. In addition to safety checks of school equipment, buses and buildings, regular fire drills, emergency bus exit drills and other emergency drills are held. All school activities are carefully supervised. Parents are urged to do their part by limited student driving, teaching bicycle safety, instructing children to crossroads only where safe to do so, and teaching respect for bus drivers who enforce rules to protect children. Home accidents are not treated in school except in case of emergency. Accidents at school, no matter how minor, should be reported immediately to the teacher in the class where they occur or to the school nurse.

The District carries a student accident insurance policy for school-related injuries through Pupil Benefits Plan, Inc. If your child is injured in a school sponsored activity, you have 45 days from the date of injury to seek medical treatment. You must first submit all medical bills to your own health insurance carrier. Once your own carrier has paid covered expenses, you may submit that balance to the District on a Pupil Benefits claim form. The school will fill out its section and, as the Parent/Guardian, you must complete the “Parent Section.” On the back of the claim form, attach a copy of the Explanation of Benefits or Rejection Notice from your insurance carrier and mail the claim form to Pupil Benefits Plan, Inc. to the address specified on the claim form. If you have no personal medical insurance, simply fill out the Pupil Benefits claim form and submit an itemized bill with it. Claim forms are available at the District Office. Please note: Pupil Benefits is a scheduled benefits program and may not cover all out of pocket expense. Claims must be submitted within one year of the accident.

This plain language summary is provided to communicate clearly the intent of MACS Board of education Policy #7110 (Comprehensive Student Attendance Policy) Highlights of the Policy are included for your information. The full text of this policy is available upon request or may be viewed on the District website: www.mexicocsd.org.

Objectives of the Policy:

• To increase school completion for all students and to improve student achievement
• To identify patterns in student attendance in order to design improvement efforts

EXCUSED AND UNEXCUSED STUDENT ABSENCES, TARDINESS, EARLY DEPARTURES AND LATE ARRIVALS

Excused Absences – Examples:

Personal illness, illness or death in family, impassable roads for school buses, religious observance, quarantine, required court visits, attendance at health-related appointments or hospitals, approved college visits, approved cooperative work programs, military obligations, out-of-school suspension with tutoring, other administratively-approved reasons.

Unexcused Student Absences – Examples:

Truancy, family vacation, hunting, babysitting, haircut, obtaining a learner’s permit, road test, oversleeping, out-of-school suspension without tutoring, other administratively-disapproved reasons.

Student Absence Notification by Parents

All absences are “unexcused” until a signed, written parental notification is received with a reason for the student’s absence. The notification must be received from parent/guardian within 10 school days of the absence.

Student Attendance/Course Credit

In any credit-bearing course, course credit will be lost if more than 10% of class is missed due to unexcused absence unless made up in a manner as prescribed by building procedures.

Properly excused absences, tardiness and early departure will not be counted as absence for purpose of determining course credit. School work missed due to absence for any reason must be made up in order to maximize student achievement. In Grades K-8, excessive absences, tardiness, early departures or late arrivals may be a factor in retention.

Disciplinary Consequences that May Be Imposed for Unexcused Student Absence

Grades 5-12: Detention, in-school suspension, and or denial of participation in extracurricular and interscholastic activities may be imposed in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct. 

For All Grades:

Parents/guardians will be notified by the District periodically – either by phone and/or letter – to discuss their child’s absences, tardiness, early departures or late arrivals, the importance of regular attendance and if applicable, intervention strategies.

DISTRICT RESPONSIBILITIES TO PROMOTE GOOD STUDENT ATTENDANCE

• Communicate intent of the Comprehensive Student Attendance Policy to all parents and students.
• Educate students and parents about how good school attendance can improve student success.
• Record attendance on a period-by-period basis and analyze individual student attendance patterns.
• Contact students and parents when attendance patterns interfere with student achievement.
• Develop effective intervention strategies to improve individual student attendance problems.
• Develop building procedures by which students can make up unexcused absences.
• Provide incentives and enforce disciplinary consequences to promote good student attendance.
• Analyze district and building attendance for evidence of patterns of absenteeism.
• Annually review this Policy in order to improve District responses to student attendance problems.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA, 20 USC §1232g requires school boards to establish policies on student records and directory information. In accordance with the law, Mexico Academy and Central School District’s School Board’s Student Records policy (7240) contains the following information you should be aware of:

• Parents and eligible students have the right to inspect and review a student’s educational records.
• A student’s parent or eligible student has the right to seek to correct parts of a student’s records that he or she believes to be inaccurate, misleading, or in violation of student rights.
• This right includes the right to a hearing to present evidence that the record should be changed if the district does not alter it according to the parent or eligible student’s request the right of any person to file a complaint with the Department of Education if the District violates the FERPA.

The District will limit the disclosure of personally identifiable information contained in student records except: (1) by the prior written consent of a student’s parents or an eligible student, (2) as directory information, or,
(3) under certain limited circumstances as permitted under FERPA.

The district’s student record policy designates the following personally identifiable information as directory information which may be disclosed, with administrative approval, without prior consent:

• 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 (i.e. 1st grade, 10th grade, etc.)
• The student’s extracurricular participation
• The student’s weight and height if a member of an athletic team
• The student’s photograph
• The school or school district the student attended before he or she enrolled in Mexico Academy & Central School District

MACS provides translation and interpreting services through an outside vendor should it be needed. Contact the district office with any questions and to receive further information about how to utilize these services.

Registered sex offenders are not permitted on school district property without prior written authorization from the Superintendent and/or their designee. If there is a justifiable need to be on school property, a request must be submitted in writing to the Superintendent, noting all specific reasons, dates, times and location. A list of sex offenders with authorization will be maintained at each school building in either the main office or attendance office and will be updated on a regular basis.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation as the safety of our students is our main priority.

The Mexico Central School District offers a Universal Pre-Kindergarten program to children who will be four years old by Dec. 1 of the year they enter Pre-K. Elementary Universal Pre-K is free of charge. Classes are located at Mexico Elementary, Palermo Elementary and New Haven Elementary. Beginning in the 2022-23 school year, the district transitioned from a half-day Pre-K option to all full day Pre-K offerings. Transportation is provided to the school within your attendance zone. Students are required to have a completed physical exam, lead test results, and mandated immunizations for entrance into the program. Registration for UPK will begin in March. Contact the District Registrar, Stacey Rohling (x5400) for further information.

The Mexico School District utilizes the Raptor screening system for all visitors requesting access to our school buildings. The Raptor system performs a background check, which includes the Sex Offender Registry. All visitors must present government issued identification and pass the Raptor screening process in order to be provided a visitor badge and be granted access to school buildings.

In order to ensure that no unauthorized persons enter buildings, all visitors to the schools during the school day will report to the school main entrance to receive authorization before visiting elsewhere in the building. Temporary ID stickers will be issued to temporary employees, contract staff, vendors, volunteers and visitors each time they need to enter a school building during school hours. The ID sticker is to be worn in a highly visible manner while in the building or while on school grounds. The sticker needs to be surrendered when reason for entry is complete or no later than the end of the school day.

Unauthorized persons will not be permitted in school buildings or on school grounds. School administrators and school employees are authorized to take appropriate action to prevent such individuals from entering building and from loitering on grounds.

Parents and other citizens who wish to volunteer or chaperone during the school year must also complete the MACS Volunteer Application Form and receive approval  by the Board of Education.