GCSD Privacy Policy
Galena City School District (GCSD) is the parent district of Sidney C. Huntington School, Galena Interior Learning Academy, IDEA Homeschool, and iGrad Alaska. GCSD is devoted to protecting your privacy. Whether you opt in through a GCSD school or program’s website, online form, survey, or other means of electronic communication, we will never collect personal information without your explicit permission. If/when you choose to provide contact information such as your name, e-mail address, phone number, address, or other voluntary comments or feedback, GCSD will not share, re-distribute, nor release any personal data to a third party.
GCSD is committed to keeping personal information private and will only use your information as necessary to fulfill as the purpose designates—or as specifically requested. Additionally, GCSD shall follow Alaska state laws and/or District school board policies referenced below for all enrolled families:
1. As required by NCLB §1061(c)(2)(A): The student privacy policies developed by a district shall provide for reasonable notice of the adoption or continued use of such policies directly to the parents of students enrolled in schools served by that district. At a minimum, the district shall: a. Provide such notice at least annually, at the beginning of the school year, and within a reasonable period of time after any substantive change in such policies; and b. Offer an opportunity for the parent to opt the student out of the activity.
2. As required by NCLB §1061(c)(2): All districts shall provide reasonable notice of such existing policies to parents and guardians of students, e.g. “The School Board has adopted and continues to use policies regarding student privacy, parental access to information, and administration of certain physical examinations to minors. (Copies of those policies are available on request.)” Revised 3/2017 GALENA CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT Adopted 12/13/1995
This annual notice complies with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act and is based upon the model FERPA notification developed by the federal Family Policy Compliance Office. Language has been added to the federal notice to comply with the following state laws: AS 14.43.930 requiring annual notice to parents regarding disclosure of student names for purposes of University of Alaska scholarship eligibility; 4 AAC 43.010 requiring disclosure of a student’s eligibility for the Alaska Performance Scholarship Program; and AS 14.30.745 requiring annual notice to parents of disclosure of student information for purposes of Alaska Military Youth Academy eligibility. NOTIFICATION OF RIGHTS UNDER FERPA FOR ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords parents and students over 18 years of age (“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 of the day the School receives a request for access. Parents or eligible students should submit to the School principal [or appropriate school official] a written request that identifies the record(s) 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. GALENA CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD POLICY MANUAL 335 Parents or eligible students who wish to ask the School to amend a record should write the School principal [or appropriate 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 advise them 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 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. A school official is a person employed by the school 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 or contractor outside of the school who performs an institutional service or function for which the school would otherwise use its own employees or who is under the direct control of the school with respect to the use and maintenance of personally identifiable information 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 has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility. Other exceptions for disclosure without consent are detailed in FERPA and Board Policy and Administrative Regulation 5125.
4. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the school or district to comply with the requirements of FERPA. A complaint can be filed with: Family Policy Compliance Office U.S. Department of Education 400 Maryland Avenue, SW Washington, DC 20202-8520 In addition, you are entitled to notice of the following disclosures of student records:GALENA CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD POLICY MANUAL 336
1. Upon request, the district discloses education records without consent to officials of another school district or institution of post-secondary education where the student seeks or intends to enroll, or is already enrolled, if the disclosure is for purposes of the student’s enrollment or transfer.
2. By September 15 of each year, the district will provide to the University of Alaska a list of names and addresses of students in the graduating class who meet scholarship eligibility requirements for each scholarship program. Release of a student’s name to the University of Alaska will not be made if the parent or eligible student objects. An objection should be made in writing to the school principal.
3. By July 15 of each year, the district will transmit to the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development information on each graduating student’s eligibility for the Alaska Performance Scholarship Program. This is a required disclosure that occurs without consent and without the opportunity to object.
4. By January 15 and July 15 of each year, the district will provide to the Alaska Military Youth Academy, operated by the Department of Military and Veterans’ Affairs, a report containing the name, address, and dates of attendance of prior students ages 15 through 18 who appear no longer enrolled in any educational institution and who have not received a diploma or GED. Release of a student’s information to the Alaska Military Youth Academy will not be made if the parent or eligible student objects. An objection should be made in writing to the school principal. Revised 3/2015 GALENA CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT Adopted 12/13/1995
Texting Terms & Conditions
Galena City School District (GCSD) is the parent district of Sidney C. Huntington schools, Galena Interior Learning Academy, IDEA Homeschool and iGrad Alaska.
TEXT Messaging Terms of Use
By “Opting In” to or using a “Text Message Service” (as defined below) from GCSD, you accept these Terms & Conditions.
Text Message Service Privacy Policy
Here at GCSD we respect your right to privacy. We will only use the information you provide through this service to transmit mobile messages and respond to you. This includes, but isn’t limited to, sharing information with platform providers, phone companies, and other vendors who assist us in the delivery of mobile messages. Mobile information will not be shared with third parties/affiliates for marketing/promotional purposes. All the above categories exclude text messaging originator opt-in data and consent; this information will not be shared with any third parties. Nonetheless, we reserve the right to disclose any information as necessary to satisfy any law, regulation or governmental request, to avoid liability, or to protect our rights or property. This Text Message Service Privacy Policy applies to your use of the Text Message Service and isn’t intended to modify our general Privacy Policy, which may govern the relationship between you and us in other contexts.
Opt-in Instructions
To opt in you can submit a request online via a microsoft fill in form by clicking here, with the understanding you are wanting to opt-in and recieve the “Type of Messages” explained below. Additional methods of sign-up are to contact your teacher or contact our technical support team here: tech.support@gcsdk12.org to make an opt-in request. Families have been given the opportunity to opt-in during the school enrollment process and can also request to opt in at any time via email to: tech.support@gcsdk12.org . “Opting In,” “Opt In,” and “Opt-In” refer to requesting, joining, agreeing to, enrolling in, signing up for, acknowledging, responding to, or otherwise consenting to receive one or more text messages. For Help after recieving your introductory text, please reply with “HELP” to any message once received, doing so will generate instructions and information on how you can contact our support team, alternativly you can make a ticket via email to tech.support@gcsdk12.org. You may also reply STOP to terminate the Texting Services or subscriptions at any time. Please see Disclamiers below for additional information regarding message data and consent.
Type of Messages
GCSD staff will send regular communication regarding school activities, event signup opportunities, or upcoming important updates and deadlines upon signup/opt-in via your notification preferences. We will not use it for any other purpose. This choice to receive this content was requested during enrollment and/or part of a field rep opt-in event or requested directly via email. Content will always be private, individualized and pertaining only to school-related correspondence. This information is relayed on a person-to-person (Example: teacher-to-parent) basis and messages will only be sent in relationship to your enrollment or affiliation with the district. If you are wanting to opt-in, please contact your teacher or contact our technical support team here: tech.support@gcsdk12.org to make an opt-in request.
Example School Important Update Message:
Message from GCSD Principal “NAME of principal” Dear “PARENT NAME”, School will be closed today, xx/xx/xxxx due to weather. School will be open tomorrow xx/xx/xxxx – Thank you!
Frequency of Text Messages
This Text Messaging Service is for conversational person-to-person communication between you and our staff. Text messages may be sent as frequently as once or twice per month via your notification preferences. We may send you an initial message providing details about the service, and an additional text message for confirmation of notification preferences changes (if adjusted). Messages will be delivered to your mobile phone based on your notification preferences. Fluctuations in frequency will be dependent upon response(s) initiated by the parent/user. Additionally, the number of text messages you receive will vary depending on how you use our services, and whether you take steps to generate additional messages from us (such as by sending a HELP request) or requesting additional updates from our staff. Wireless Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages. You may terminate the Texting Services or subscriptions at any time by texting STOP.
Opt-Out Information
If you no longer want to receive text messages, you may reply to any text message with STOP. As a person-to-person communication service, opt-out requests are specific to each conversation between you and one of our staff and their associated phone number. After unsubscribing, we may send you confirmation of your opt-out via text message confirming your choice. If you wish resume conversations reply START.
Additional Support
Reply HELP if utilizing the messaging service and you need support or for help with texting or delivery issues, alternativly please reach out to the Galena City School District Office of Technology here: tech.support@gcsdk12.org to create a support ticket for your issue.
Disclaimers
–Consenting to Text Messaging Notice
By consenting to receive text messages from us, you agreed to these Text Messaging Terms and Conditions, as well as our privacy policy & texting terms and conditions, incorporated herein by reference.
-Message & Data Rate Notice – Costs of Text Messages
All message and data rates may apply and are the responsibility of the user. We do not charge you for the messages you send and receive via this text message service, but depending on your plan with your wireless or other applicable provider, you may be charged by your carrier or other applicable provider.
–Marketing Notice
No opt-in Mobile information will be shared with third parties and or any affiliates for the purpose of marketing or promotional services.
-E-Sign Disclosure
By agreeing to receive text messages, you also consent to the use of an electronic record to document your agreement. You may withdraw your consent to the use of the electronic record by replying STOP.
-Data Retention
We keep messaging data only as needed (e.g., until you unsubscribe) or as legally required. We retain this information only as long as needed for the purposes described or as required by law. For example, Text Message Service data is kept for the duration of your opt-in, and you may request deletion.
–Data Security
We use standard measures (e.g., encryption) to protect your data but cannot guarantee absolute security. We’ll notify you of significant breaches as required by law.
–Changes to these terms
We may update these SMS Terms of Use to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. Updates will be posted here and we’ll notify you via text or email where required.
CONTACT US
For help, questions or concerns about our SMS program, contact us at tech.support@gcsdk12.org