NOTICES
Federal Grant Program Legal Notices & Related Information
Student Wellness and Success Funds
Ohio Connections Academy will be using the Student Wellness and Success Funds for the following during the 2023-24 school year:
- Compensation for 2 licensed Social Workers
- Compensation for additional licensed school counselors
- Training for teachers regarding trauma informed training, diversity and SEL
- Compensation and resources for programming for students and parents
Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA)
Public Participation Meeting Notice
Ohio Connections Academy receives federal funding through the Special Education - IDEA (Part B) grant to assist with the education of handicapped children, ages 3 through 21. Community members who would like to have input into the planning of the use of the federal IDEA funds are welcome to provide comments during our public hearing to be held on October 18, 2023 at 4:00pm. This will be a virtual public hearing. If interested, please contact Rekha Manakkal and/or Erin Fatafehi for dial-in information.
Ohio Law Regarding Primary Education Evaluation
Ohio Connections Academy uses diagnostic screenings to determine student needs. In accordance with Ohio law, Ohio Connections Academy recommends that students enrolling in Kindergarten or first grade for the first time receive screenings to detect developmental disorders. Each student participating in the diagnostic screening must have their vision, hearing, speech, communication, and health or medical problems reviewed by their primary care physician before November 2, 2020. Caretakers may choose to opt out of the screening by submitting a written statement. Failure to have the screening will not bar the student from enrollment. Please contact the school counselor if you need assistance finding a provider.
Teacher Credentials and Performance
Federal guidelines give you the right to know about your child’s teachers’ credentials and school performance. We are happy to provide this information to you. At any time, you may ask the following: whether your child’s teacher meets state qualifications and certification requirements for the grade level and subject he or she is teaching; whether your child’s teacher received an emergency or conditional certificate through which state qualifications were waived; and what degrees your child’s teacher holds, including graduate certificates, and major(s) or area(s) of concentration.
Assessment and Testing Information for Parents of Ohio Connections Academy Students
Ohio Connections Academy chooses a series of consecutive school days to administer state testing to students. These testing dates fall within periods of time designated by the Ohio Department of Education and are updated yearly. Enrolled families may find Ohio Connections Academy's chosen testing dates in the school handbook and calendar located in Connexus®. To learn more about the current Ohio Department of Education testing windows, visit the Ohio Department of Education website.
Child Find Notification
Please contact Rekha Manakkal at 216-307-5891 if you, or someone you know, has a concern about the development of a child from the ages of birth through age 21. Ohio Connections Academy Child Find Policy Procedure is in accordance with federal law, the District assumes responsibility for the location, identification and evaluation of all children birth through 21 who reside within the district and who require special education and related services. This includes students who are: advancing from grade to grade; enrolled by their parents in private elementary or private secondary schools, including religious schools, located in our District (regardless of the severity of their disability); wards of the state and children who are highly mobile, such as migrant and homeless children; and home schooled.
Families enrolled at Ohio Connections Academy will receive Child Find information within the school newsletter. Families can visit the Ohio Department of Education website for contact information specific to their county of residence.
Emergency School Closure Safety Plan
The Ohio Revised Code requires all schools to notify parents that the school has a safety plan in place and how parents will be notified in case of an emergency. The law does not exempt e-schools even though we do not have students in a traditional school environment. Please note that we have a safety plan for our office staff, and in the event that there is an emergency, families will be notified via the Connexus ® homepage banner, WebMail, and text message.
Restraint and Seclusion Policy
Ohio Connections Academy believes that the school environment should be one that ensures the care, safety, and welfare of all students and staff members. To maintain a safe environment, Ohio Connections Academy has implemented a policy of techniques and strategies for nonviolent crisis intervention. View or download Ohio Connections Academy's Restraint and Seclusion Policy and Procedures to learn more.
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
Ohio Connections Academy complies with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974. View our FERPA Notification and Policy to learn more about Connections Academy's commitment to protecting student rights.
Ohio Connections Academy Annual Report
Each year the school compiles statistics and information about the school to share publicly. View the most recent report.
Bullying Prevention
Bullying and Other Forms of Prohibited Behavior Connections Academy is committed to providing a safe, positive, productive, and nurturing educational environment for all its students, and encourages the promotion of positive interpersonal relations among members of the school community. Harassment, intimidation, bullying, cyber-bullying, and/or hazing toward any member of the school community, whether by or toward any student, staff, Learning Coach, Caretaker, or other third party, is strictly prohibited and will not be tolerated.
Bullying Incidents
Number of Verified Bullying Incidents from 8/9/2023-1/9/2024: 0
Ohio Department of Education Report Card
Visit the Ohio Department of Education website to view the current report card for Ohio Connections Academy.
Missing Children Program
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) offers a variety of programs and preventative measures that parents can use to help protect their children. Visit the NCMEC website to learn about safety, prevention, and what to do if your child is missing. You can also visit the Ohio AMBER Alert Advisory Committee website to learn about the Amber Alert emergency alert program.
Continuity of Services Plan and Use of ARP Funds
View Ohio Connections Academy's Continuity of Services Plan
Food and Allergy
The Ohio Connections Academy Board will have a hearing on the Food and Peanut allergy policy on April 23,2022.