File: KP
PARENTAL RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Each parent of a student enrolled in a public school has a duty to assist the school in
enforcing the standards of student conduct and compulsory school attendance in accordance with the
requirement of Virginia Code 22.1-279.3. The intent of this requirement is to provide students with
an education in an atmosphere free of disruption and threats to persons or property and to provide
opportunities for parental involvement regarding student attendance, behavior, and educational
progress.
When parents of a student are estranged, separated, or divorced, building personnel will
uphold the parental rights of both parents. Unless there is a court order to the contrary, both parents
have the right, upon request, to:
1.
view the child’s school records, in accordance with Board policy;
2.
receive school progress reports, the school calendar, and notices of major school
events;
3.
participate in any of the student’s school activities in which such participation is
supported or encouraged by the policies of the school division. School activities
include, but are not limited to, lunch breaks, special in-school programs, parentteacher conferences and other school meetings, extra-curricular activities, and field
trips;
4.
receive all notifications in accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities
Education Act;
5.
receive notice of the student’s extended absence according to Board policy, if both
parents have joint physical custody.
The custodial parent has the responsibility to:
1.
keep the school office informed as to the address of residence and how he or she may
be contacted at all times.
2.
provide the school office with the current address and phone number of the noncustodial parent, unless such address is unknown and the parent signs a statement to
that effect, or unless a court order restricts the educational or contact rights of the
parent, and
3.
provide a copy of any legal document which restricts the educational and/or contact
rights of the non-custodial parent.
(continued)
6/09 RCPS
ROCKINGHAM COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD
File: KP
(page 2)
The non-custodial parent has the responsibility to keep the school office apprised of changes
in his or her current phone number and address. Further, the non-custodial parent may make timely
requests to participate in parent-teacher conferences. At the request of a noncustodial parent, such
parent will be included as an emergency contact for their child unless a court order has been issued
to the contrary.
School personnel shall not release a student from school to any person who is not a custodial
parent unless: 1) the custodial parent has given specific written or oral communication to school
personnel or 2) a medical emergency has occurred at which time the student will be released to the
person(s) named on the current “emergency care form.”
Under no circumstances shall the noncustodial parent take the child from the school premises
without the permission of the custodial parent. When the custodial and non-custodial parents (or
parents with joint or shared custody) have different opinions as to how the child be dealt with by
school personnel, the views of the parent with the dominant physical custody shall control.
Adopted:
Legal Refs:
20 U.S.C. § 1232g
34 C.F.R. § 99.1 et seq.
Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended §§ 22.1-3, 22.1-4.3, 22.1-78, 22.1-79.3,
22.1-287 et seq.
Cross Refs:
6/09 RCPS
ECAB
JED
JO
KK
Trespass, Vandalism, Disturbance, and Assaults
Student Absences/Excuses/Dismissals
Student Records
School Visitors
ROCKINGHAM COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD