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School Privacy Policy

School Privacy Policy

School Privacy Policy

Effective Date: 03/01/2025
Last Updated: 03/01/2025

  1. Introduction
    The Eastern North Carolina School for the Deaf (ENCSD) is committed to protecting the privacy and security of students, staff, and school community information. This policy outlines our procedures for collecting, storing, using, and sharing educational records and personal data in compliance with:
    • Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99)
    • Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) (20 U.S.C. § 1400 et seq.; 34 CFR Part 300)
    • Fair Information Practice Principles (FIPPs)
    • North Carolina State Privacy Laws
    • Other applicable federal and state regulations
       
  2. Definitions
    • Personally Identifiable Information (PII): Any data that can be used to identify a student, staff member, or parent, including but not limited to names, addresses, student IDs, birth dates, and educational records.
    • Education Records: Any records maintained by ENCSD that relate directly to a student, including academic records, Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), disciplinary records, and medical records covered under IDEA.
    • Directory Information: Information that may be disclosed without consent, such as student name, grade level, and participation in activities—unless a parent/guardian opts out.
    • Legitimate Educational Interest: A school official's need to access student records to fulfill their professional responsibilities.
       
  3. Collection and Use of Student Information
    ENCSD collects student data for the sole purpose of providing quality educational services and ensuring student success. Data collection is limited to what is necessary to support teaching, learning, safety, and compliance with state and federal laws.
     
    1. Types of Information Collected:
      • Student identification and demographic information
      • Academic records, including grades and assessments
      • Special education and IEP documentation (for eligible students)
      • Attendance and disciplinary records
      • Health and emergency contact information
      • Communication logs with families and staff
         
    2. How We Use This Information:
      • To support instructional and special education services
      • To track academic progress and attendance
      • To ensure student safety and well-being
      • To comply with federal, state, and local reporting requirements
      • To communicate with parents, guardians, and authorized school personnel
         

  4. Privacy and Security of Student Records
    ENCSD protects all education records and student PII through secure storage, restricted access, and encryption measures where applicable.

    1. Access to Student Records
      Student records are only accessible to:
      • Parents/guardians (for minors) or eligible students (18+ years old)
      • School officials with a legitimate educational interest
      • State and federal agencies when required by law
      • Other parties with explicit parental consent

    Unauthorized access, discussion, or disclosure of student information is strictly prohibited and may result in disciplinary action.

    1. Safeguarding Confidentiality
      ENCSD follows best practices for safeguarding student and staff data, including:
      • Secure storage of paper records (locked cabinets, restricted access)
      • Digital encryption for electronic student records
      • Two-factor authentication for accessing sensitive data
      • Annual privacy training for all staff handling student data
         
  5. Student Rights Under FERPA & IDEA
    Under FERPA (34 CFR § 99.10-99.12) and IDEA (34 CFR § 300.613), students and parents have the following rights:
     
    1. Right to Access Records
      Parents and eligible students may inspect, review, and request copies of their education records. ENCSD will respond to requests within 45 days.
       
    2. Right to Request Amendments
      If parents or students believe a record is inaccurate, they may submit a written request for correction. ENCSD will review the request and notify the requester of any changes.

    3. Right to Control Disclosure
      Schools must obtain written consent before disclosing a student's PII, except in cases where FERPA permits disclosure, such as:

      • To school officials with a legitimate educational interest
      • To other schools where a student is transferring/enrolling
      • To state or federal education authorities for audits and program evaluations
      • To comply with court orders or subpoenas
      • To protect health or safety in emergencies

      Upon request, ENCSD may disclose student records to another school where a student seeks to enroll, with reasonable efforts to notify parents unless prior notification is included in the annual FERPA notice.

    4. Right to Opt-Out of Directory Information
      Parents may opt out of having their child's directory information shared by submitting a written request to ENCSD's administration.
       
    5. Right to File a Complaint
      Parents and students may file complaints regarding FERPA violations with:
      Family Policy Compliance Office
      U.S. Department of Education
      400 Maryland Avenue, SW
      Washington, DC 20202-5920
       

  6. Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA)
    Under PPRA, parents and eligible students have rights regarding:

    • Surveys containing sensitive topics (e.g., political beliefs, psychological issues, religious affiliations, income, etc.)
    • Opt-out rights for non-emergency physical exams or screenings.
    • Reviewing instructional materials and data collection instruments used for student surveys.

    Complaints related to PPRA violations may be filed with the Family Policy Compliance Office at the U.S. Department of Education.
     

  7. Student Directory Information & Opt-Out Rights
    ENCSD may release directory information without parental consent, unless a parent/guardian opts out. This includes:

    • Student name, grade level, dates of attendance
    • Participation in school activities and sports
    • Awards, diplomas, and certifications earned
    • Student photographs in school-approved publications

    Parents may submit a written request to the school principal to restrict the release of directory information. Under federal law, ENCSD must also release student names, addresses, and phone numbers to military recruiters and institutions of higher learning, unless an opt-out request is submitted.
     

  8. Sharing and Disclosure of Student Information
    ENCSD does not sell, trade, or misuse student information. However, information may be shared in strictly regulated situations, including:
     
    1. Permitted Disclosures Without Consent (Under FERPA & IDEA)
      • To school officials with a legitimate educational interest
      • To other schools where a student is transferring/enrolling
      • To state or federal education authorities for audits and program evaluations
      • To comply with court orders or subpoenas
      • To protect health or safety in emergencies
         
    2. Third-Party Data Use
      ENCSD only partners with approved educational service providers (e.g., learning platforms, testing services) that comply with FERPA, IDEA, and FIPPs. All contracts require:
      • Data encryption and security measures
      • Limited use of student data for educational purposes only
      • No unauthorized data sharing or selling
         

  9. Staff Responsibilities & Training
    All ENCSD employees are responsible for safeguarding student privacy. Staff must:

    • Follow FERPA and IDEA confidentiality rules
    • Use secure communication methods (e.g., no discussing student info in public areas)
    • Report any suspected data breaches to administration immediately

    Staff members receive annual privacy training to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal laws.
     

  10. Parental Involvement & Communication
    ENCSD values transparency and parental involvement. Parents are encouraged to:

    • Review their child's records regularly
    • Ask questions about how student data is used
    • Opt-out of directory information sharing if desired

    For any concerns, parents may contact ENCSD's Superintendent's Office at:
    [Insert Email]
    [Insert Phone Number]
     

  11. Reporting Privacy Concerns or Violations
    If you believe student privacy has been violated, you may report concerns to:

    • ENCSD Administration
    • North Carolina Department of Public Instruction
    • U.S. Department of Education - Family Policy Compliance Office (FERPA Complaints)

    ENCSD takes all privacy concerns seriously and will investigate any potential violations promptly.
     

  12. Updates to This Policy
    ENCSD reserves the right to update this Privacy Policy in response to changes in law, best practices, or school operations. Updates will be communicated via email and the school website.

Website Privacy Policy

Website Privacy Policy

Website Privacy Policy

Effective Date: 03/01/2025
Last Updated: 03/01/2025

This privacy statement was created to demonstrate our firm commitment to our visitors' privacy. The following discloses our information gathering and dissemination practices for the ENCSD website.

  • Information Collected and Stored Automatically
    When you visit our website to browse, read pages, or download information, we automatically collect and store the following information:

    • Internet domain and IP address from which you access our site
    • Type of browser and operating system used to access our site
    • Date and time you access our site
    • Pages you visit
    • If you came to our site from another website, the address of that site
    • The search engine and search words/phrases used to locate our site (if applicable)

    We use this information to help us make our site more useful to visitors and to learn about the number of visitors to our site and the types of technology our visitors use.

  • Personal and Demographic Information
    In general, you can visit the ENCSD website without providing any personal information. Subscriptions to our email publications require your email address. Other information requested during the subscribing process is optional and is used to learn more about the visitors using our email news service to better serve them.
     
  • Cookies
    This site uses cookies on a limited basis to help us provide fresh, individual content to our visitors. ENCSD does not track information collected by cookies during a visit to our website.
     
  • External Website Links
    Pages on this site provide links to other sites that are not maintained by ENCSD. These links are intended as additional resources for our users. ENCSD is not responsible for the content of any off-site pages or any other sites linked from this site. As a result, this agency cannot guarantee the accuracy, completeness, usefulness, or adequacy of any resources, information, products, or processes contained in any website linked directly or indirectly to our site. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of non-ENCSD websites. Links to external sites do not constitute endorsement.
     
  • Web Site Security
    For website security purposes and to ensure that this service remains available to all users, this computer system employs software programs to monitor network traffic to identify unauthorized attempts to upload or change information or otherwise cause damage. These attempts to cause damage could be subject to legal action.
     
  • Compliance with FERPA and Educational Privacy Laws
    ENCSD complies with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and all applicable federal, state, and local educational privacy laws. This includes, but is not limited to, ensuring the confidentiality of student education records, providing parents and eligible students the right to review and request amendments to records, and limiting disclosures of personally identifiable information without appropriate consent. For more details on FERPA compliance, please review the "Notification of Rights under FERPA" section.
     
  • Contact Information
    For any questions regarding this privacy policy, please contact ENCSD administration.

CIPA Policy

CIPA

Internet Safety and Ethical Use
Policy 09-095

(Aligned to the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) [Pub. L. No 106-554 and 47 USC 254(h)])

Effective Date: 04/01/2025
Last Updated: 04/01/2025

Purpose

The Eastern North Carolina School for the Deaf (ENCSD) is committed to providing a safe, respectful, and secure online environment for all students. This policy establishes guidelines for internet safety, ethical digital behavior, and measures to prevent and respond to cyberbullying and harassment in compliance with federal and state laws, including NC DPI guidelines for the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA).

  1. Definitions
    • Cyberbullying: The use of electronic communication to harass, intimidate, or harm an individual.
    • Inappropriate Material: Content that is obscene, depicts child pornography, or is harmful to minors as defined by the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA).
    • Unauthorized Access: Any attempt to access restricted data, systems, or networks without permission.
    • Deepfakes: Digitally altered media, including images, audio, and videos, that manipulate reality in a misleading or deceptive manner, often using artificial intelligence.
  2. Policy Requirements
    1. Internet Safety Measures
      ENCSD shall:
      1. Prevent access to or transmission of inappropriate material via Internet, email, or other electronic communications in compliance with CIPA.
      2. Prohibit unauthorized access, hacking, and other unlawful online activity.
      3. Prohibit the unauthorized disclosure or use of minors' personal identification information in compliance with FERPA.
      4. Implement technology protection measures to block inappropriate material, including content deemed obscene, child pornography, or harmful to minors.
      5. Provide supervision and monitoring of student Internet use by ENCSD staff.
      6. Conduct public notice and at least one public hearing before adopting or making significant changes to this policy, per CIPA requirements.
      7. Store this policy in both digital and physical formats for easy access by stakeholders.
      8. Implement guidelines to educate students and staff on the dangers of deepfake technology, ensuring awareness of manipulated media and how to verify authenticity.
      9. Align monitoring and filtering systems with SL 2024-27's (NC House Bill 591) expanded definitions and requirements for student online protection.
    2. Internet Safety Education
      1. ENCSD shall provide age-appropriate internet safety training, including:
      2. Safe internet practices
      3. Cyberbullying awareness and response
      4. Responsible use of social networking sites and chat rooms
      5. Compliance with CIPA's E-rate requirements
      6. Education on online privacy and safe interactions
      7. Awareness of deepfakes, misinformation, and media literacy to help students critically evaluate online content
      8. Ensuring students understand new risks and regulations related to online threats and data security
  3. Policy Requirements
    1. Internet Safety Measures
      ENCSD shall:
      1. Prevent access to or transmission of inappropriate material via Internet, email, or other electronic communications in compliance with CIPA.
      2. Prohibit unauthorized access, hacking, and other unlawful online activity.
      3. Prohibit the unauthorized disclosure or use of minors' personal identification information in compliance with FERPA.
      4. Implement technology protection measures to block inappropriate material, including content deemed obscene, child pornography, or harmful to minors.
      5. Provide supervision and monitoring of student Internet use by ENCSD staff.
      6. Conduct public notice and at least one public hearing before adopting or making significant changes to this policy, per CIPA requirements.
      7. Store this policy in both digital and physical formats for easy access by stakeholders.
      8. Implement guidelines to educate students and staff on the dangers of deepfake technology, ensuring awareness of manipulated media and how to verify authenticity.
      9. Align monitoring and filtering systems with SL 2024-27's (NC House Bill 591) expanded definitions and requirements for student online protection.
    2. Internet Safety Education ENCSD shall provide age-appropriate internet safety training, including:
      • Safe internet practice
      • Cyberbullying awareness and response
      • Responsible use of social networking sites and chat rooms
      • Compliance with CIPA's E-rate requirements
      • Education on online privacy and safe interactions
      • Awareness of deepfakes, misinformation, and media literacy to help students critically evaluate online content
      • Ensuring students understand new risks and regulations related to online threats and data security
  4. Bullying and Harassment Prevention

    1. Definition
      Bullying and harassment involve repeated verbal, written, electronic, or physical behavior that:

      • Causes fear of harm to a student or employee.
      • Creates a hostile environment that interferes with a student's education.

      Bullying may be motivated by characteristics such as race, gender, disability, or socioeconomic status.

    2. Prohibited Conduct
      The following behaviors are prohibited:
      • Threats, intimidation, and abusive language
      • Spreading false rumors
      • Cyberbullying via text, social media, or email
      • Use of deepfake technology to spread false or misleading information about students or staff
      • Physical aggression (e.g., hitting, shoving, spitting)
  5. Reporting and Investigation
    1. Any student who experiences cyberbullying or harassment should report the incident to a teacher, counselor, or administrator. Anonymous reporting is available.
    2. Employees who witness violations must report them immediately.
    3. All reports shall be investigated within 24 hours by school administration.
    4. Disciplinary actions will follow the ENCSD Code of Conduct and may include counseling, parental notification, and suspension.
    5. Retaliation against individuals who report bullying is strictly prohibited.
  6. Compliance and Review
    1. All ENCSD employees, students, and volunteers shall receive annual training on Internet safety and cyberbullying prevention.
    2. ENCSD shall conduct annual policy reviews to ensure compliance with evolving state and federal laws, including NC DPI guidelines.
    3. ENCSD shall maintain documentation of compliance with CIPA, including records of public notices, hearings, and technology protection measures.
    4. The LAN Manager or designated representatives shall be responsible for implementing and managing technology protection measures.
    5. This policy shall be incorporated into employee training materials, student codes of conduct, and school handbooks.
  7. Contact Information
    For questions regarding this policy, please contact the ENCSD Administration Office.

Approval & Adoption: This policy is adopted in accordance with federal and state regulations and will be enforced across ENCSD.

Statutory References:

  • Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act
  • Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) [Pub. L. No. 106-554 and 47 USC 254(h)]
  • Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
  • G.S. 115C-407.5
  • North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NC DPI) CIPA Compliance Guidelines
  • SL 2024-27 (NC House Bill 591)