NOTICES
Federal Grant Program Legal Notices & Related Information
Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA)
Public Participation Meeting Notice
Great River Connections Academy (GRCA) 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 comment during our public hearing to be held at the GRCA offices located in Columbus, Ohio at 3650 Olentangy River Rd, Suite 430. Please contact Jennifer Geyer for dial-in information if you are unable to attend in person, but would like to attend via teleconference.
Visit the Ohio Department of Education’s website to view a notice to parents and guardians of Ohio students with disabilities regarding partial settlement of a class action lawsuit.
Ohio Law Regarding Primary Education Evaluation
Great River Connections Academy uses diagnostic screenings to determine student needs. In accordance with Ohio law, GRCA 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. 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 GRCA Students
Great River 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 GRCA'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 Jennifer Geyer at 614-368-1181 if you, or someone you know, has a concern about the development of a child from the ages of birth through age 21. GRCA 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 Great River Connections Academy will receive Child Find information. 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 the school has to be closed for an emergency, families will be notified via the Connexus® home page banner and WebMail.
GRCA Restraint and Seclusion Policy
Great River 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, GRCA has implemented a policy of techniques and strategies for nonviolent crisis intervention.
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
Great River 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.
Bullying Incidents
Number of verified bullying incidents from 1/10/24 - 5/24/24: 0 incidents.
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
The American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act requires each local education agency (LEA) that receives funding under the ARP Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund to develop and make publicly available on the LEA’s website a Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services Plan, hereinafter referred to as a Health and Safety Plan. In addition, LEAs must post their Use of Funds plan for ARP funds. If you have questions or comments, please contact Jason Swinehart, School Leader at 614-368-1288 or jaswinehart@grca.connectionsacademy.org.
Student Wellness Plan
This Plan will be reviewed and approved at the May 2024 Board Meeting.