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District Policy 501-16
District staff will attempt to identify homeless children and youth of school age within the district, encourage their enrollment and eliminate existing barriers to their receiving an appropriate education. The name and phone number of the designated coordinator for identification of homeless children and for tracking and monitoring programs and activities for these children will be specified annually in the district calendar and posted in each school building and on the district website.
A homeless child is defined as a child or youth between the ages of 5 and 21 who lacks a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence and includes a child or youth who is living on the street, in a car, tent, or abandoned building or some other form of shelter not designed as a permanent home; who is living in a community shelter facility; or who is living with non-nuclear family members or with friends, who may or may not have legal guardianship over the child or youth of school age.
To facilitate the enrollment of homeless children and youth, the following practices will be utilized for students who have been identified as homeless by the coordinator:
School Records
For students transferring out of the district, copies of records may be provided directly to the student or the student's parents. In addition, students transferring into the school district may provide cumulative records directly to the district. The school district will not require that such records be forwarded from another school district before the student may enroll. The school will then request the official records from the previous school.
Immunization Requirements
Homeless students will not be denied enrollment for lack of immunization records if
- they have a statement signed by a physician stating that immunization would be injurious to the student
- they provide an affidavit stating such immunization would conflict with their religious beliefs
- they are in the process of being immunized
- they have transferred from another school.
The district will make a reasonable effort to locate immunization records from the information provided or will arrange for the student to receive immunizations.
Waiver of Fees and Charges
Fees and charges which may present a barrier to the enrollment or transfer of a homeless child or youth may be waived at the discretion of the Superintendent or his or her designee.
Enrollment Requirements/Placement
Enrollment requirements which may constitute a barrier to the education of a homeless child or youth may be waived at the discretion of the Superintendent or his or her designee. If information regarding the grade level of the student is unavailable due to missing or incomplete records, the principal will assure that assessments and/or other reasonable means will be used to determine the appropriate grade placement for the child.
Residency
For the purpose of school attendance, a homeless child or youth’s residence is either (1) where the child is residing or (2) the child's school district of origin. A child's school district of origin is the school district where the child was last enrolled. The deciding factor is the welfare of the child. If possible, the child will not be required to change attendance centers every time the child changes residence unless the change results in the child no longer being classified as homeless.
Transportation
Policies or practices regarding transportation of students which might cause a barrier to the attendance of a homeless child or youth may be waived by the Superintendent or his or her designee.
Special Services
All services which are available to resident students are made available to homeless children or youths enrolled in the school district. Services include special education, talented and gifted programs, vocational education, English as a second language programs, health services and food and nutrition programs. |
