The Board of Education, unless informed otherwise, assumes that there are no restrictions regarding the non-custodial parent's right to be kept informed of the student's school progress and activities. If restrictions are made relative to these rights, the custodial parent will be required to submit a copy of the court order to the Superintendent, which curtails these specific rights. 

Unless there are specific court-imposed restrictions, such as a final divorce decree which includes specific denial of visitation rights or a restraining order denying such rights, the non-custodial parent, upon written request and in accordance with Board of Education records policies 5124 and 5125 (a-c) may view the student's educational, medical or similar records maintained in such student's cumulative record, receive school progress reports, visit the child briefly at school and have an opportunity to confer with the student's teacher(s). 

In addition, upon written request to the child's school principal, the school will subsequently and routinely mail to the parent making the request copies of all school information which is normally sent home with the child. This will include mailings of copies of report cards and class and school newsletters during the school year in which the request is made. Non-custodial parents and parents with shared custody not normally receiving materials from the school may annually request this service. 

Any legal documents which restrict the rights of the non-custodial parent must be provided by the custodial parent. Unless otherwise indicated by a verified note from the parent or by a legal document provided by a parent, only the custodial parent has the right to remove the student from school property. If school personnel anticipate a possible student abduction, law enforcement personnel are to be notified immediately, and the student will remain on school property pending the arrival of law enforcement officials. 

(cf. 5113.2 - Attendance and Excuses) 
(cf. 5118 - Nonresident students) 
(cf. 5124 - Reporting to Parents) 
(cf. 5125/5125.1 - Student Records/Confidentiality) 
(cf. 5145.8 - Emancipation of Minors) 
(cf. 5142.2 - Student Dismissal Precautions) 

Legal Reference:

Connecticut General Statutes 

10-15b Access of parent or guardian to student's records

46b-56 Access of records of minor children by non-custodial parent 

Federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 

Department of Education 34 C.F.R. Part 99 (May 9, 1980 45FR 30802) regs. implementing 

FERPA enacted as part of 438 of General Education Provisions Act (20 U.S.C. 1232g) - parent and student privacy and other rights with respect to educational records. 

Policy adopted: July 12, 2004

Hamden Public Schools     Hamden, Connecticut