Overview
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The Big Spring School District has a K-12 enrollment of approximately 2500 students housed in five buildings. The district is comprised of a senior high (9-12), a middle school (6-8), and three elementary schools (K-5). Students are provided with numerous support services that include elementary and secondary counseling programs, psychological services, health services, special education, student assistance services, and peer counseling and tutoring.
The Big Spring School District's educational program not only addresses the present needs of our students but also the challenges of the 21st century. A comprehensive and solid foundation in basic education, supplemented with knowledge and skills acquired through research and practical experience, will prepare our youth for the numerous technological and societal changes of the times.
For additional information regarding the Big Spring School District, please call (717) 776-2000.
Notice of Non-Discrimination
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1. The Big Spring School District, as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972 and its corresponding regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its education programs and activities.
2. All questions regarding Title IX may be referred to the District’s Title IX Coordinator or to the United States Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights.
3. The District’s Title IX Coordinator is the Assistant Superintendent. They may be contacted at:
45 Mt. Rock Road
Newville, PA 17241
717-776-2000 x24094. Furthermore, the District recognizes its obligations under Section 504 and Title II to not treat qualified students with disabilities differently than similarly situated, non-disabled students with respect to the provision of District aids, benefits, or services. In addition, the District recognizes its obligation to apply the requirements of Title IX to qualified students with disabilities in the same manner in which it is applied to similarly situated, non-disabled students.
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The Big Spring School District is an equal opportunity education institution and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, and disability in its activities, programs, or employment practices as required by Title VI, Title IX, and Section 504.
For information regarding civil rights or grievance procedures, or for information regarding services, activities, and facilities that are accessible to and usable by handicapped persons, contact the Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Title IX and Section 504 Coordinator, 45 Mt. Rock Road, Newville, PA 17241, at (717) 776-2000.
Big Spring School District Complaint Form
Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
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Parents, guardians and adult students have the right to inspect and review their education records, correct their educational records, amend their education records, consent to disclosure of personally identifiable information in their education records, and to file a complaint with the federal Department of Education concerning alleged failure by the school district to comply with the requirements of FERPA.
The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act, a federal law, affords parents and students over 18 years of age (“eligible students”) the right to:
Inspect and review the student’s education records with 45 days of the day the school receives a request for
Parents or eligible students should submit to the school principal a written request that identifies the record(s) they wish to inspect. The principal will make arrangements for access and notify the parent or eligible student of the time and place where the records may be inspected.
Request the amendment of the student’s education records that the parent or eligible student believes are inaccurate or
Parents or eligible students may ask the school to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate or misleading. They should write the school principal, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate or misleading. If the school decides not to amend the record as requested by the parent or eligible student, the school will notify the parent or eligible student of the decision and advise them of their right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the parent or eligible student when notified of the right to a hearing.
Consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without
One exception, which permits disclosure without consent, is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a per- son employed by the school as an administrator, supervisor, instructor, or support staff member (including health or medical staff); a person serving on the School Board; a person or company with whom the school has contracted to perform a special task (such as an attorney, auditor, medical consultant, or therapist); the designated law enforcement or a parent or student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks.
A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility.
Upon request, the school discloses education records without consent to officials of another public or private school in which a student seeks or intends to enroll.
As permitted by FERPA, BSSD may disclose without consent “directory information” - such as a student’s name, address, telephone number, date and place of birth, honors and awards and dates of attendance. Any parent, guardian or adult student who does not want the school district to release his/her directory information must inform the building principal in writing. The restriction will take place ten school days after the receipt of the request.
File a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the school to comply with the requirements of The name and address of the office that administers FERPA are:
Family Policy
Compliance Office US Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202-4605FERPA AND DIVORCED PARENTS
Parents have a responsibility to share with the school any court order that affects the custody or education of their child. Unless expressly prohibited by a court order, both divorced parents have the right to:
- Inspect and review the educational records of their
- Attend meetings regarding the education of their child and participate in the decision-making
Extra Curricular Activities
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The Big Spring School District offers students a wide variety of extracurricular activities. In addition to over 20 academic, cultural, and community organizations, including band and choir for grades 4-12, the district offers a competitive athletic program.
Middle school interscholastic athletics include cheerleading, field hockey, volleyball, wrestling, and boys and girls basketball. The high school JV and varsity sports include baseball, boys and girls basketball, field hockey, cheerleading, football, softball, soccer, swimming & diving, track, cross country, volleyball, and wrestling. Big Spring is a member of the Mid-Penn Conference.
Big Spring Staff
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The district staff consists of approximately 225 professional and 130 support service personnel. The administrative staff consists of the district superintendent, an assistant superintendent, a director of curriculum and instruction, a director of educational technology, a special education director, and a business manager. The high school has a principal and two assistant principals. The middle school has a principal and assistant principal. The three elementary schools each have a principal. Approximately 61% of the professional staff have earned a master's degree or higher. The school district encourages the staff to develop professionally by providing support for conference/workshop attendance, curriculum development projects, and tuition reimbursement for graduate study.