Central Montcalm 2025-2026 Annual Notices

Critical Health Education

In compliance with State law and with its desire to maintain effective communication with parents and the community, the Board has made arrangements for the programs and instructional materials to be available for review by any parent or interested member of the community. If you wish to review any or all of the programs, please contact the principal of your child’s school. Your child is required to participate in these courses, but the law allows you the right to have your child excused from participating in course topics, which include instruction in sex education, reproductive health, family planning, and AIDS education. The Board’s policy is to honor parents’ written requests that their child be excused from certain topics in critical health education segments. 

Bullying and Behavior Policy

Use the link below to view the current board adopted polices concerning bullying.

Current Board Polices on Bullying

Important Notice about Student Information

Parents have the right to inspect and review educational records relating to their child. Notify the building principals with requests. The school district will routinely print and distribute student information such as student name, address, telephone number, date and place of birth, parent or lawful guardian’s name, phone number, address and email address, photographic, video, or electronic images of students, dates of attendance, honors, degrees, and awards received, grade placement, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, most recent school attended, or information generally found in yearbooks. Any parent or lawful guardian who does not want their child’s name and information published or released should inform the appropriate school principal in writing. If no objection is received, the information will be classified as directory information until the beginning of the next school year. . Any parent or lawful guardian who does not want their child’s name and information published or released should inform the appropriate school principal in writing. Two federal laws and one Michigan law require Central Montcalm Public Schools to provide military recruiters, upon request, the names, addresses and telephone numbers of high school students. This information can only be used to provide information to students concerning educational and career opportunities available in the U.S. Armed forces or service academies. A parent/guardian or 18-year old students may exercise the option to withhold consent for the release of this information to military recruiters by submitting a signed written request to that effect to the high school principal. The Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA) requires Central Montcalm Public Schools to obtain consent or allow you to opt your child out of participating in certain school activities, including a student survey, analysis, or evaluation in an applicable program. This opt-out right also applies to the collection, disclosure, or use of student information for marketing purposes and to certain physical exams and screenings. The opt-out option request must be submitted in writing. For a schedule of activities requiring parent/guardian notice and consent or opt-out for the upcoming school year, or to exercise the opt-out option, contact the appropriate building principal, in writing.

Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA)

 The District’s Technology Department uses a firewall filter to maintain the integrity of our student’s computer usage while they are at school, as well as when they are off campus. Each year, District policy is reviewed for content and adopted at the Board of Education. The District has policy in place to maintain technology protection and Internet safety, in accordance with the CIPA guidelines. 

Advisory to Parents

 Asbestos Program Notification - The district has completed the asbestos inspection and management plan as required by the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act. The management plan has been approved by the State of Michigan. Copies of the plan are available for your review in each school office, transportation and the Superintendent’s office. If you have any questions regarding asbestos in the district, please contact the central office at 989-831-2001. 

Integrated Pest Management System - You have the right to be informed prior to any application of an insecticide, fungicide or herbicide made to the school grounds or buildings. Please contact your Principal or the Superintendent’s office at 989-831-2001.

Homelessness: Today’s Definition Is More Different Than Ever Before

Today, there are more homeless families than ever before. Under the federal law, No Child Left Behind, the McKinney Vento Act spells out the definition of being homeless in much broader terms. School districts all across the country are charged with the task of identifying, assisting, and reporting families and/or students in homeless situations. The McKinney Vento Act defines homeless families as those families or student that meet one of the following criteria: Any family or youth without a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence is considered “homeless” under the law. The Central Montcalm Schools has identified Jane Trimper as the Homeless Liaison for the district. The ways in which school homeless liaisons can assist homeless families and youth include: ♦ Assisting with immediate enrollment in their school; ♦ Assisting with appropriate services such as transportation, preschool, special education, bilingual services, vocational education, Title I and similar services; ♦ Make referrals to health care services, dental services, or other care providers; ♦ Publicly post the education rights of homeless children and youth in places such as schools and family shelters; ♦ Assist unaccompanied youth with enrollment, transportation and disagreements with schools; ♦ Assist student with getting immunizations and immunization records; ♦ Making sure that disagreements between students and schools are always resolved; ♦ Assisting student with eligibility for free breakfast and lunches. 

Contact Charity Stephens  at 989-831-2016 or [email protected] 

Michigan Personal Curriculum

A personal curriculum is an option a student or family can explore as a way to modify certain Michigan Merit Curriculum (MMC) graduation requirements. It is intended to meet individual learning needs, allow students to earn a high school diploma, and provide preparation for life after high school. State statute allows personal curriculum modifications in order to: Go beyond the academic credit requirements by adding more math, science, English language arts, or world language credits; or by completing a department approved formal career and technical education (CTE) program. • Modify the Algebra II content • Modify if necessary, the course requirements of a student with an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). • Modify course requirements for a student who transfers from out of state or from a nonpublic school and is unable to meet the MMC requirements. Visit the Michigan Department of Education Website – Personal Curriculum.