The Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA), 20 U.S.C. § 1232h, requires Charlotte Secondary School to notify you and obtain consent or allow you to opt your child out of participating in certain school activities. These activities include a student survey, analysis, or evaluation that concerns one or more of the following eight areas (“protected information surveys”):
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Political affiliations or beliefs of the student or student’s parent;
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Mental or psychological problems of the student or student’s family;
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Sex behavior or attitudes;
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Illegal, anti-social, self-incriminating, or demeaning behavior;
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Critical appraisals of others with whom respondents have close family relationships;
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Legally recognized privileged relationships, such as with lawyers, doctors, or ministers;
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Religious practices, affiliations, or beliefs of the student or the student’s parent; or
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Income, other than as required by law to determine program eligibility.
This parental notification requirement and opt-out opportunity also apply to the collection, disclosure or use of personal information collected from students for marketing purposes (“marketing surveys”). Please note that parents are not required by PPRA to be notified about the collection, disclosure, or use of personal information collected from students for the exclusive purpose of developing, evaluating, or providing educational products or services for, or to, students or educational institutions. Additionally, the notice requirement applies to the conduct of certain physical exams and screenings. This includes any non-emergency, invasive physical exam or screening required as a condition of attendance, administered by the school or its agent, and not necessary to protect the immediate health and safety of a student. This does not include hearing, vision, or scoliosis screenings, or any physical exam or screening permitted or required by State law.
Following is a schedule of activities requiring parental notice and consent or opt-out for the upcoming school year. This includes the lessons on Reproductive Health for middle and ninth grade students (opt-out form), as well as out Student run Voter Drive. This list is not exhaustive and, for surveys and activities scheduled after the school year starts, the Charlotte Secondary School will provide parents, within a reasonable period of time prior to the administration of the surveys and activities, notification of the surveys and activities, an opportunity to opt their child out, as well as an opportunity to review the surveys. (Please note that this notice and consent/opt-out transfers from parents to any student who is 18 years old or an emancipated minor under State law.)
An immunization exemption is a legal exception that allows individuals to avoid vaccinations that are typically required by schools, workplaces, or other institutions.
Only two types of exemptions are valid to waive immunizations:
● Religious belief: A written statement with the child’s name, the date and signed by the parent with a statement of a bona de religious belief is required.
● Medical:North Carolina requires the physician to complete a Medical Exemption Statement Form (DHHS 3987) for an immunization exemption to vaccinations. This form is accepted by schools for special conditions. If only a temporary waiver for an immunization is needed, the physician must provide a signed medical note that includes the reason for the waiver and the length of time/duration required.
