Student and Family Handbook

School attendance is extremely important to your success in school. 

Students are expected to arrive at school on time and be on time to class. The school hours are 8:00 A.M to 2:50P.M. Students may not enter the building until 7:45 a.m.

One of the most important factors for success in school is regular attendance. We ask that appointments are scheduled outside of the school day if at all possible. If it is absolutely necessary to leave school early, the parent must send a note in the morning and MUST call the office to sign the child in or out. Also, if a child is arriving to school late in the morning, the parent MUST call into the office to sign his/her child in.  A student who arrives late must report to the school office to receive a pass for admission to class. Due to Covid restrictions, parents should call from their car to inform the office their child is arriving late.

 Mehlville School District Attendance Policy

A doctor’s note is required in order for absences to be excused.

Parents of absent students must call the school before 9:00 A.M. on the day of the absence. Parents should call the Attendance Line at 467-7420 to leave a message.

Students may carry one backpack and keep it with them throughout their school day.

Definitions:

Bullying – In accordance with state law, bullying is defined as intimidation, unwanted aggressive behavior, or harassment that is repetitive or is substantially likely to be repeated and causes a reasonable student to fear for his or her physical safety or property; that substantially interferes with the educational performance, opportunities, or benefits of any student without exception; or that substantially disrupts the orderly operation of the school. Bullying includes, but is not limited to physical actions, including violence, gestures, theft, or property damage; oral, written, or electronic communication, including name-calling, put-downs, racial slurs, extortion, or threats; or threats of reprisal or retaliation for reporting such acts.

Cyberbullying – A form of bullying committed by transmission of a communication including, but not limited to, a message, text, sound, or image by means of an electronic device including, but not limited to, a telephone, wireless telephone or other wireless communication device, computer, or pager. The district has jurisdiction over cyberbullying that uses the district's technology resources or that originates on district property, at a district activity or on district transportation. Even when cyberbullying does not involve district property, activities or technology resources, the school will impose consequences and discipline for those who engage in cyberbullying if there is a sufficient nexus to the educational environment, the behavior materially and substantially disrupts the educational environment, the communication involves a threat as defined by law, or the school is otherwise allowed by law to address the behavior.

Riding the bus is a privilege. All school behavior rules apply to students as they ride the bus. Students must stay seated at all times with their feet in the seat area, not in the aisle. Students should keep hands and objects inside the bus at all times. Students are expected to follow the bus driver’s instructions. Students are to arrive at the bus stop a few minutes early since buses cannot wait for students who are late.

Bus Passes will not be allowed during the 2026-2027 school year.

Students are required to be in the cafeteria before the tardy bell rings. Students are expected to remain at their tables until dismissed by the cafeteria aides.

Students must stay in chosen seat for the entire semester:

• A student using a PIN number may only purchase items for himself or herself;
• Stay at the same table during the entire lunch period; and,
• Each table and the area around it must be clean before dismissal.

Cell phones should remain in student backpack or locker during the school day, and must be turned off from 8:00-2:50. Unless approved by a teacher or administrator, cell phones in sight or in use during the school day will be confiscated for the remainder of the school day.

Consequences for confiscated items are as follows:

1. First offense: Lunch detention

2. Subsequent Offenses: 1 hour detention.

Oakville Middle School students are bringing their personal cell phones at their own risk. Oakville Middle School will not be held responsible for any lost/stolen/broken items.  

If you must reach your child during the day, refrain from texting/calling your child’s cell phone. Please call the main office at 314-467-7400

Each student is assigned a Chromebook to use for the school year. Students will be held responsible for any intentional damage to the Chromebook. Chromebooks should go home each night and return fully charged and ready for school each day. Students should also bring their charger daily.

Go Guardian

Go Guardian is used by teachers and administrators to monitor student activity on district devices. Administrators are alerted when students are viewing inappropriate content. Misuse of district technology may result in restricted access and/or loss of device privileges.

Outside of School Hours

Students are expected to follow the district technology expectations when using their Chromebooks outside of school. Inappropriate behavior and searches can result in consequences at school. The Chromebook is property of the Mehlville School District and is linked to district Google Accounts. 

Participating in a club or activity after school is a privilege. Students need to be in good academic and behavioral standing in order to take part.

 All students who stay for after-school clubs, activities, or tutoring must report to the assigned room by 2:55 p.m. Only students participating in a school-sponsored activity may be in the building after school.

Counselors are available to talk with students about academic problems, social and personal concerns, and scheduling conflicts. Counselors also administer specialized testing, provide career information, lead group guidance sessions, and are available for teacher and parent consultation. Students who want to speak with a counselor can fill out the counseling survey found in their Google Classroom, and the counselors will get back to them. Responses will only be seen by Ms. Lehr and Mr. Santoro. 

Students will be able to decorate the inside of their lockers only. 

1-hour Detention is held after school on Mondays and Thursdays from 2:50 to 3:50 p.m. 2-Hour Detentions/Wednesday School from 2:50 to 4:50 p.m. Students need to be on time and stay for the entire time assigned. Students are to use the time for doing schoolwork or reading. Students will be assigned a Wednesday School if they fail to attend.
 

Oakville Middle School follows Mehlville School Board’s Discipline Policies. District Policy is designed to foster student responsibility, respect for others, and to provide an orderly school environment. Students in violation of policies may be given a consequence such as lunch detention, after-school detention, restriction of privileges, ISS, or OSS. To see the full list of the Mehlville School District’s Student Discipline Policies and Procedures, head to “Disciplinary Policies and Procedures."

A student’s attire and grooming should be neat, clean, and in good taste, so each student may share in promoting a positive, healthy, and safe learning environment. Dress and grooming may not disrupt the teaching/learning process or cause undue attention to an individual learner. Students who are not dressed appropriately will be asked to change, and parents may be called to bring a change of clothing to school. The following guidelines will help students to determine what is acceptable at Oakville Middle School.

• Footwear should be worn at all times. Bedroom slippers and house shoes are not permitted. Closed-toed shoes are required in lab environments.
• Clothing should be neat and clean, properly fitting, and of an appropriate length. For girls, skirts should be no shorter than fingertip length.  Shorts should have at least a 3” inseam. All pants for both girls and boys should be fastened properly at all times. Pants should be worn at the waistline – sagging pants are not allowed. Undergarments must not be visible.
• Clothing should be worn in such a manner that the entire torso is covered modestly. See-through and cut clothing is inappropriate.  Boys may not wear “muscle shirts.” Low-cut necklines, bare backs, and spaghetti straps are not permitted at school.
• Articles of clothing with insignia or slogans that are disruptive to the educational process are not permitted. This includes but is not limited to clothing and/or accessories that display alcohol, illegal drugs, suggestive messages, profanity, violence, and anything considered gang-related.
• Students will not be allowed to wear fabric headbands, sweatbands, or bandanas of any kind unless they are part of a school-sponsored activity. Sunglasses are not to be worn at school.
• Chained wallets and spiked accessories are prohibited.

Students found under the influence or possession of drugs or alcohol will face a 10-day+ OSS pending a SPAR(Suspension Pending Administrative Review). Details can be found in Mehlville School District's Discipline Handbook. Students could also face charges from the St. Louis County Police if drugs or alcohol are found on campus or if a student is under the influence.

A parent must send a note or call the office if a student needs to leave school before the end of the day, and you want your child ready and in the office. The parent needs to call the office 467-7400 or ring the bell to let us know they are here, and for us to send the student out of the building.

Earthquake drills help students learn how to react immediately and appropriately at the first indication of ground shaking. Drills show students where to seek shelter and how to protect their heads and bodies from falling objects. Students should remain calm and follow the teacher’s instructions.  Students will be asked to:

• Drop and cover;
• Turn away from the windows
• Stay under shelter until shaking stops.

During a Fire drill, the fire horn signals that all occupants must leave the building. Students are to walk single file out of the building to a designated place. The classroom teacher will take roll. Students will remain outside until a signal is given to enter the building. Students are to remain quiet throughout the drill so everyone can hear directions or special instructions.

Tornado drills will be held periodically during the school year. Each classroom has an assigned location away from outside windows where students will go during the drill. Students will kneel down facing the wall and cover their heads. Students should remain quiet so they can hear the instructions of the teachers.

The signal to begin an Intruder drill is a P.A. announcement that states, “Intruder Drill.” Students are to immediately go to a location in the classroom out of view of the door. The classroom light will be turned off, and students must remain silent until the all-clear announcement is made.

Energy drinks are not allowed at Oakville Middle School. Students may not consume energy drinks during the school day. Drinks that are brought onto school grounds will be confiscated and require parent pickup. 

When coming to Oakville Middle School, visitors must buzz in at the front door. Visitors will be asked for a driver's license, which will be scanned and a visitor's badge will be printed. This badge must be worn at all times while inside the building. Parents are not allowed to visit classrooms or hallways unannounced, which includes before or after school. 

Field trips are planned during the year to enhance student learning. All school rules apply while on a field trip. Students are expected to follow the instructions of the teachers and sponsors involved with the trip.

Firecrackers and other fireworks are illegal and dangerous. Possession or use of a firecracker or other incendiary device is cause for suspension and referral to the authorities.

Each classroom teacher or Team will inform students about the gum/food policy; however, gum is never permitted in the library, cafeteria, gym, band room or any of the computer labs.

Students are expected to walk to the right and avoid standing in groups. Students should be considerate of others in the halls and classrooms by walking and talking quietly.

Students are expected to turn in all homework on time. When a student is absent, it is the responsibility of the student to initiate a request for make-up work and establish mutually agreeable times for daily work and test make-up. In the case of an extended absence, it is recommended that a parent call the office before 8:00 a.m. to arrange for homework to be collected from teachers.

Students are permitted to use the Internet only when supervised by a teacher. Each student using the Internet must have a signed Acceptable Use Agreement on file, and student use must follow the Mehlville School District guidelines for Internet use.

Students will visit the library with their ELA class every two weeks. Students will also have the opportunity to visit the library before school, starting at 7:45. Students are responsible for the library materials that they check out.

Lockers will be issued to students by request at Open House. Students will be provided a locker and lock free of charge. Personal locks are not allowed on school lockers.

Students should place their names on all books and personal items. Items found in the building or on the grounds should be taken to the main office or in the “lost and found” box near the cafeteria stairwell. If you have lost an article, check in the office. Unclaimed items will be donated to a charitable organization at the end of first semester and at the end of the school year.

All medications must be administered in the health room. Students need to bring all medications to school in labeled pharmacy bottles. All medications are to be turned in to the health room at the beginning of the school day. Over-the-counter medications must be in the original bottle and sent with a doctor’s note in order to be given.

Students who feel ill during the school day should have the teacher call the nurse and then they will determine if you need to come to the health room or if the nurse needs to come to you. The nurse will meet you at the door to have your temperature taken and to evaluate your symptoms. Students are not to leave the building because of illness without authorization.

Students are not permitted in the faculty room, faculty restrooms, on the Wohlwend School Campus, or in the parking lot.

Students are to remain in their team area.  They are to use the staircase closest to their next class.

Students are not permitted to bring electronic devices to class. Please do not bring valuable items to school, such as jewelry, large sums of money, expensive articles of clothing, electronics, etc. Oakville Middle School is not responsible for lost or stolen articles.

Pets are not to be brought to school unless a teacher has granted permission for a class project. Parents are responsible for bringing the pet to school and should take the pet home immediately after the presentation. Pets are not permitted on school buses.

Students will not change clothes for P.E. Please dress accordingly on P.E. days. When participating in physical education, students need to wear elastic waist shorts, a t-shirt and tennis shoes. Sweat suits and warm-up suits are also permissible. Students are not permitted to wear muscle shirts, crop tops, t-strap tops, pajama pants, halter-tops, or jewelry. Remember to put a lock on the gym locker when storing possessions during class.

The sale of articles by a student during school hours is prohibited.  Articles sold without authorization from the principal will be confiscated.

Students are responsible for the proper care of all books, supplies and furniture supplied by the school. Students who disfigure property, break windows or cause any damage to school property or equipment will be required to pay for the damage or replace the item.

School furniture and building appointments are the property of the district and are provided for the convenience of students, and as such, are subject to periodic inspection without notice.

Students or student property may be searched based on reasonable suspicion of a violation of district rules, policy, or state law. Reasonable suspicion must be based on facts known to the administration, credible information provided, or reasonable inference drawn from such facts or information. Personal searches and searches of student property shall be limited in scope based on the original justification of the search. The privacy and dignity of students shall be respected. Searches shall be carried out in the presence of adult witnesses, and never in front of other students. Students shall not be required to undress, although they may be asked to empty pockets, or remove jackets, coats, shoes, and other articles of exterior clothing for examination if reasonable under the circumstances.

Sexual harassment is unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature. Unwanted sexual behavior such as touching, comments, sexual name-calling, spreading sexual rumors, jokes, pictures, overly personal conversation, cornering or blocking a student’s movement, pulling at clothes, and students “making out” on school premises, will not be permitted.  If a student feels he/she is being harassed, he/she should immediately tell a teacher, counselor, or principal.

Smoking/Vaping is not allowed in the Oakville Middle School building or on the campus.

The decision to cancel school because of inclement weather will be made by the superintendent.  The safety and welfare of the students will be the basis for making the decision to cancel school. Please check the district website for up-to-date information at www.mehlvilleschooldistrict.com.

Students are required to be in class before the class bell. Once a student receives 4 tardies in an individual class, he/she will be given one after-school detention. All students will reset to Zero tardies at the beginning of each term.

• 1st Tardy-Warning
• 2nd Tardy-Warning
• 3rd Tardy- Lunch Detention (assigned by the teacher and entered into Infinite Campus as an office referral)
• 4th and 5th Tardy- 1 hour Detention (teacher enters into SIS as an office referral)
• 6th+- 2-hour detention

All textbooks are furnished at no charge to students for the academic year. Students are responsible for all books issued to them and should make every effort to protect books. Students are required to pay for any lost or damaged books. Students are to make teachers aware of any damage that is not noted when the books are issued.

We take any and all threats seriously.  If a child makes a threat towards the school or anyone at Oakville Middle School, district protocol will be followed when administering consequences. The St. Louis County Police Department may also be involved based on the information gathered.

Students are not permitted to bring knives, guns, weapons, or weapon look-alikes to school or on the school bus. Students should report any sign of a dangerous item immediately to school personnel.

A student who moves or changes schools must officially withdraw from school. Forms for withdrawal are available in the office.

In order to promote a safe learning environment for all students, Mehlville School District prohibits all forms of bullying. The district also prohibits reprisal or retaliation against any person who reports an act of bullying among or against students. Policy JFCF outlines how the district defines bullying, identifies who investigates incidents of bullying and how to report bullying. Review Policy JFCF: Bullying on the district website.

The Mehlville School District strictly prohibits discrimination and harassment against employees, students or others on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, or sex including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity and other characteristics protected by law. The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: contact Brian Smith at 314-467-5154 or bsmith@msdr9.org.

On Oct. 22, 1986, President Ronald Reagan signed into law the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Act (AHERA, Public Law 99-519). The law required the EPA to develop regulations, which provide a comprehensive framework for addressing asbestos problems in public and private elementary and secondary schools to inspect for friable and non-friable asbestos, develop asbestos management plans that address asbestos hazards in school buildings, and implement response actions in a timely fashion.

The Mehlville School District had conducted a complete inspection of its facilities in October 2018, and a three-year re-inspection has been completed since the initial asbestos audit in 1988. In addition to the three-year re-inspection, (2) six month surveillance inspections take place each year and are included in the management plan. This management plan is available in the district’s Maintenance Building and in the offices of each school during normal business hours, without cost or restriction, for inspection by representatives of the EPA and the State, and the public, including teachers, other school personnel and their representatives, and parents.

Asbestos-containing material was removed from the following building(s) performed by licensed contractors using state of the art technology and methodology. An on-site manager, project designer, and a third-party air monitor were also used.

• Oakville High – Storage Tank Domestic Hot Water
• 3121 Old Baumgartner – Flooring and Insulation
• Trautwein Elementary – Boiler Flue Pipe
• Mehlville High School – Restroom Renovations
• Oakville High School – Restroom Renovations
• MOSAIC Elementary – Elevator Installation

The purpose of the federal and state regulations is to protect the health and well-being of all persons entering the buildings of this district for any reason.

The person in this district trained to oversee asbestos activities and ensure compliance is Mr. Mike Gegg, Director of Facilities. As required in the rule, Mr. Gegg is the single contact for the public to obtain information about asbestos-related activities in the district and can be reached at 314-467-7800.
 

It is essential that the district maintain a safe school environment and a climate that allows teachers to communicate effectively with all students in the class and allows all students in the class to learn. Discipline will be equitably applied and viewed as a learning opportunity with the ultimate goal of improving behavior, safety and the school climate. The district seeks to minimize the unnecessary exclusion of students from classrooms and school and encourages the superintendent and district staff to exclude students only when necessary to maintain a safe and appropriate learning environment.

The Board of Education has created a discipline code that addresses the consequences for students whose conduct is prejudicial to good order and discipline in the schools or impairs the morale or good conduct of other students.

The following policies and associated procedures encompass the district’s discipline code and can be accessed via the district website:

• Policy JG, Student Discipline
• Regulation JG-R1, Student Discipline 
• Policy JGA-2, Corporal Punishment
• Policy JGB, Detention and/or In-School Suspension of Students
• Policy JGD, Student Suspension and Expulsion
• Policy JGE, Discipline of Students with Disabilities 
• Policy JGF, Discipline Reporting and Records

Our district is required to inform you of information that you, according to the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 (Public Law 114-95), have the right to know. Upon your request, our district is required to provide to you in a timely manner, the following information:

• Whether your student’s teacher has met State qualification and licensing criteria for the grade levels and subject areas in which the teacher provides instruction.
• Whether your student’s teacher is teaching under emergency or other provisional status through which State qualification or licensing criteria have been waived.
• Whether your student’s teacher is teaching in the field of discipline of the certification of the teacher.
• Whether your child is provided services by paraprofessionals and, if so, their qualifications. In addition to the information that parents may request, a building receiving Title I.A. funds must provide to each individual parent:
  • Information on the level of achievement and academic growth of your student, if applicable and available, on each of the State academic assessments required under Title I.A.
  • Timely notice that your student has been assigned, or has been taught for 4 or more consecutive weeks by, a teacher who has not met applicable State certification or licensure requirements at the grade level and subject area in which the teacher has been assigned. 

1. What is a complaint?
For these purposes, a complaint is a written allegation that a local education agency (LEA) or the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (the Department) has violated a federal statute or regulation that applies to a program under ESSA.

2. Who may file a complaint?
Any individual or organization may file a complaint.

3. How can a complaint be filed?
Complaints can be filed with the LEA or with the Department.

4. How will a complaint filed with the LEA be investigated?
Complaints filed with the LEA are to be investigated and attempted to be resolved according to the locally developed and adopted procedures.

5. What happens if a complaint is not resolved at the local level (LEA)?
A complaint not resolved at the local level may be appealed to the Department.

6. How can a complaint be filed with the Department?
A complaint filed with the Department must be a written, signed statement that includes:

1. A statement that a requirement that applies to an ESSA program has been violated by the LEA or the Department, and
2. The facts on which the statement is based and the specific requirement allegedly violated.

7. How will a complaint filed with the Department be investigated?
The investigation and complaint resolution proceedings will be completed within a time limit of forty-five calendar days. That time limit can be extended by the agreement of all parties.

The following activities will occur in the investigation:

1. Record. A written record of the investigation will be kept.
2. Notification of LEA. The LEA will be notified of the complaint within five days of the complaint being filed.
3. Resolution at LEA. The LEA will then initiate its local complaint procedures in an effort to first resolve the complaint at the local level.
4. Report by LEA. Within thirty-five days of the complaint being filed, the LEA will submit a written summary of the LEA investigation and complaint resolution. This report is considered public record and may be made available to parents, teachers, and other members of the general public.
5. Verification. Within five days of receiving the written summary of a complaint resolution, the Department will verify the resolution of the complaint through an on-site visit, letter, or telephone call(s).
6. Appeal. The complainant or the LEA may appeal the decision of the Department to the U.S. Department of Education.

8. How are complaints related to equitable services to nonpublic school children handled differently?
In addition to the procedures listed in number 7 above, complaints related to equitable services will also be filed with the U.S. Department of Education, and they will receive all information related to the investigation and resolution of the complaint. Also, appeals to the United States Department of Education must be filed no longer than thirty days following the Department’s resolution of the complaint (or its failure to resolve the complaint).

9. How will appeals to the Department be investigated?
The Department will initiate an investigation within ten days, which will be concluded within thirty days from the day of the appeal. This investigation may be continued beyond the thirty day limit at the discretion of the Department. At the conclusion of the investigation, the Department will communicate the decision and reasons for the decision to the complainant and the LEA. Recommendations and details of the decision are to be implemented within fifteen days of the decision being delivered to the LEA.

10. What happens if a complaint is not resolved at the state level (the Department)?
The complainant or the LEA may appeal the decision of the Department to the United States Department of Education.
 

The protection of student rights has always been a top priority of the Mehlville School District. This document is distributed annually to all parents and students in order to comply with state and federal requirements to notify the parents/guardians and eligible students of their rights with respect to the student’s educational records. 

In general, a student’s educational record includes any information maintained by the school district, which contains information directly related to a student. A major exception would be a personal record kept by a staff member if it is kept in the sole possession of the maker of the record and is not accessible or revealed to any other person except a temporary substitute for the maker of the record. 

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords to parents/guardians (“parents”) of students, and to students themselves who are over 18 years of age (“eligible students”), certain rights with respect to the student’s education records maintained by Mehlville School District (“District”). 

These rights are outlined below: 

1. The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days of the day the District receives a written request for access. Parents or eligible students should submit to the school principal a written request that identifies, as precisely as possible, the record(s) they wish to inspect. School officials 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 or misleading. Parents or eligible students may ask the District to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate or misleading. They should write the principal or other appropriate official, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate or misleading. If the District decides not to amend the record as requested by the parent or eligible student, the District will notify the parent or eligible student of the decision and advise them of their right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. 

3. The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in 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 includes a person employed by the District as an administrator, supervisor, instructor, counselor or support staff member (including health or medical staff and law enforcement unit personnel); a person serving on the District’s School Board; a person or company with whom the District has contracted to perform a special task (such as an attorney, auditor, medical consultant or therapist); or a parent, student or other person serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or 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 responsibilities for the District. The Voluntary Interdistrict Choice Corporation (VICC) and its officers, employees and agents are also school officials with legitimate educational interests, because they act for and on behalf of the District with respect to transfer students and the transfer program, and because they seek to advance the interests of both. A transfer student’s attendance records and other educational records relevant to the student’s participation in the program or to the program itself may accordingly be disclosed to VICC without obtaining written consent from the parent/guardian or eligible student. Upon request, the District also discloses education records without consent to officials of a school district in which a student seeks or intends to enroll. 

4. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the District to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the Office that administers FERPA are: 

Family Policy Compliance Office 
U.S. Department of Education 
400 Maryland Avenue, S.W. 
Washington, D.C. 20202-4605 

5. Directory Information may be released by school officials. This includes print and electronic publications of the school district that, if disclosed, would not be considered as determined by the Mehlville School District as harmful or an invasion of privacy. This information may be released without prior written consent to parent and student organizations for marketing purposes, such as for “buzz” books produced in the fall, and to outside organizations including, but not limited to, companies that manufacture class rings or publish yearbooks in the spring. Other examples include play bills for drama productions; yearbooks; honor roll or other recognition lists; graduation programs; and sports activity sheets. Directory information is considered a public record, which must be released upon demand to any person who requests it, under the Missouri Sunshine Law. If a parent, guardian, or eligible student does not want the district to release the information listed below, they must notify the district in writing within 10 days of receiving this notification of the information they do not want released. 

General Directory Information - The following information the district maintains about a personally identifiable student may be disclosed by the district to the school community through, for example, district publications, or to any person without first obtaining written consent from a parent or eligible student: 

Student’s name; date and place of birth; parents’ names; grade level; enrollment status (e.g., full-time or part-time); student identification number; user identification or other unique personal identifier used by the student for the purposes of accessing or communicating in electronic systems as long as that information alone cannot be used to access protected educational records; participation in district-sponsored or district-recognized activities and sports; weight and height of members of athletic teams; dates of attendance; degrees, honors and awards received; artwork or course work displayed by the district; schools or school districts previously attended; and photographs, videotapes, digital images and recorded sound unless such records would be considered harmful or an invasion of privacy. 

Limited Directory Information - In addition to general directory information, the following information the district maintains about a personally identifiable student may be disclosed to: school officials with a legitimate educational interest; parent groups or booster clubs that are recognized by the Board and are created solely to work with the district, its staff, students and parents and to raise funds for district activities; parents of other students enrolled in the same school as the student whose information is released; students enrolled in the same school as the student whose information is released; governmental entities including, but not limited to, law enforcement, the juvenile office and the Children’s Division (CD) of the Department of Social Services: 

The student’s address, telephone number and e-mail address and the parents’ addresses, telephone numbers and e-mail addresses. 

In addition two federal laws require the District to provide military recruiters, upon request names, addresses and telephone listings - unless parents have advised us that they do not want their student’s information disclosed without their prior written consent. 

The Assistant Superintendent of Student Services has district-wide responsibility for student educational records and, as such, is the custodian of the records. Anyone having questions regarding school policy relating to student records is welcome to contact the District at 3120 Lemay Ferry Road, St. Louis, MO 63125; (314) 467-5000.

Students with disabilities have rights and safeguards under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Students who qualify as a person with a disability are protected from discrimination and are guaranteed a free, appropriate public education (FAPE) to ensure equal opportunity to access and derive meaningful benefit from public education, as compared to non-disabled peers.

Children under Mehlville School District’s jurisdiction, including students attending non-public schools, between the ages of 3 and 21 may be eligible for special education and related services. The Special School District of St. Louis County (SSD) provides special education and related services (e.g., physical and occupational therapy, speech and language services, social work services, psychological counseling) for students ages 5-21 qualifying as a person with a disability under the IDEA. Mehlville School District provides special education and related services (e.g., physical and occupational therapy, speech and language services, social work services, psychological counseling) for children ages 3-5 qualifying as a person with a disability under the IDEA. Mehlville School District implements the provisions of Section 504.

Mehlville School District and SSD share the responsibility of locating, evaluating, and identifying children with disabilities under the IDEA, regardless of the severity of the disability, including children attending private schools, children who live outside the district but are attending a private school within the district, highly mobile children (e.g., migrant, homeless), children who are wards of the state, and children who are suspected of having a disability and in need of special education even though they are advancing from grade to grade. Disabilities include Autism, Deaf/Blindness, Emotional Disturbance, Deaf/Hard of Hearing, Intellectual Disability, Multiple Disabilities, Orthopedic Impairment, Other Health Impairment, Specific Learning Disabilities, Speech and/or Language Impairments, Traumatic Brain Injury, Visual Impairment/Blindness, and Young Child with Developmental Delay. Parents/guardians may refer a child for an evaluation by contacting the school staff (e.g., principal, assistant principal, school counselor) and are entitled to written notification regarding proposed or refused evaluation and placement decisions.

All students with disabilities are served in the least restrictive environment (LRE) and attend Mehlville School District schools unless determined otherwise by the IEP or 504 team. The disabilities teams are charged with determining the necessary services, accommodations, modifications, related aids and adaptive equipment to ensure FAPE. The opportunity to participate in the Mehlville School District curriculum, extra-curricular activities, earn credits, and obtain a high school diploma is available to all students. 

Mehlville School District and SSD provide assurance of the provision of information and referral services necessary to assist the State Education Department in the implementation of early intervention services for infants and toddlers eligible for the Missouri First Steps Program.

Mehlville School District and SSD provide that personally identifiable information collected, used, or maintained by the districts for the purpose of identification, evaluation, placement or provision of FAPE under the IDEA and Section 504 may be inspected and reviewed by parents/guardians. Additionally, parents/guardians may request an amendment to the educational record if the parent/guardian believes the record is inaccurate, misleading, or violates the privacy or other rights of their child. Parents have the right to file complaints with the U.S. Department of Education or the MO Department of Elementary and Secondary Education concerning alleged failures by the district to meet the requirements of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). 

A Local Compliance Plan is in effect to ensure implementation of the state regulations for the IDEA. The plan contains the policies and procedures of Mehlville School District and SSD regarding storage, disclosure to third parties, retention and destruction of personally identifiable information and the agencys' assurances that services are provided in compliance with the General Education Provision Act.

The rights of students with disabilities are further explained in the State Plan for Special Education from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and various Mehlville School District Board Policies. 

To review the plan or obtain this notice in an alternate language, contact the Mehlville School District Student Services Department 314-467-5229 or SSD 314-989-8100. 

For more information about special education services for children ages 3-5, call 314-467-5300. 

For more information about special education services for those ages 5-21, contact your child's principal or call 314-989-8100.

If your family lives in any of the following situations:

• In a shelter
• In a motel or campground due to the lack of an alternative adequate accommodation
• In a car, park, abandoned building, or bus or train station
• Doubled up with other people due to loss of housing or economic hardship

Your school-age children may qualify for certain rights and protections under the federal McKinney-Vento Act.

Your eligible children have the right to:

• Receive a free, appropriate public education.
• Enroll in school immediately, even if lacking documents normally required for enrollment.
• Enroll in school and attend classes while the school gathers needed documents.
• Enroll in the local school; or continue attending their school of origin (the school they attended when permanently housed or the school in which they were last enrolled), if that is your preference.
• If the school district believes that the school you select is not in the best interest of your children, then the district must provide you with a written explanation of its position and inform you of your right to appeal its decision.
• Receive transportation to and from the school of origin, if you request this.
• Receive educational services comparable to those provided to other students, according to your children’s needs.

If you believe your children may be eligible, contact the local liaison to find out what services and supports may be available. There also may be supports available for your preschool-age children.

Local Liaison: Dr. Tiffany Schwaegel, Assistant Superintendent - Student Services, 314-467-5229, schwaegelt@msdr9.org.

All Mehlville School District policies can be viewed on the district website here.

The district will provide information about the state children's health insurance program, MO HealthNet for Kids (MHK), the state of Missouri’s children’s health insurance program, is available to families who do not have health insurance and meet eligibility requirements. Learn more about Mo Healthnet for Kids online.

Qualifying students may enroll in virtual courses offered in the Missouri Course Access Program (MOCAP) at district expense. Learn more about MOCAP and virtual learning.

Mehlville School Food and Nutrition Services provides breakfast and lunch for students and participates in the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program. 

Learn more about the availability of free and reduced-priced meals and apply.

All school districts participating in the National School Meals Program must have a written unpaid meal charge procedure. Mehlville School District’s unpaid meal policy can be found here.

The Mehlville School District student assessment plan under the curriculum section of the district website.

Missouri law requires that all school districts adopt a policy restricting students’ use of electronic personal communication devices during the school day (from arrival bell to dismissal bell). The Mehlville Board of Education has adopted Policy JFCD: Student Use of Personal Communication Devices to comply with this law.

At Mehlville School District, we support strong and respectful relationships, student and staff well-being and distraction-free opportunities to learn and grow. We expect students to keep their personal communication devices off and put away throughout the school day so they can fully engage in learning and social interactions.

A personal communication device is any portable electronic device used to initiate, receive, store or view communications, information, images or data electronically. This includes cell phones, smart watches, personal laptops, tablets, video game devices and portable media players.

Learn more about this policy.

Information about the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Trauma-Informed Schools Initiative is available online at dese.mo.gov/college-career-readiness/school-counseling/traumainformed.