Recognizing that parents are the natural custodians and primary educators of their children, the District is committed to providing the highest possible level of transparency to parents. For the purposes of this policy, “parent” includes legal guardians.
The District shall not withhold or conceal material information relating to a minor student’s mental, emotional, or physical health from the student’s parents. This includes, but is not limited to, information regarding:
- Injuries or illnesses affecting a student at school;
- Bullying incidents involving a student;
- Employee misconduct involving a student;
- Changes in a student’s gender identification at school;
- Suicidal thoughts or suicide attempts by a student.
No District employee shall be penalized for sharing such information with a student’s parent.
Except as appropriate in emergency situations, District staff shall not engage in mental or physical health interventions for a minor student without prior parental consent. If District staff engage in any emergency mental or physical health intervention for a student at school, the student’s parents shall be informed as soon as possible. Any non-emergency health intervention shall follow a student’s Individualized Health Plan, per Policy JLC/GBGB, which shall be developed with the input and consent of a student’s parent.
Nothing in this Policy affects the obligations of District staff as mandated reporters under Massachusetts law. In cases where staff have reasonable cause to believe that disclosing information to a parent would lead to abuse or neglect of a student, as defined by Policy JLDBD, such information may be temporarily withheld and the staff member must follow the reporting procedure outlined in Policy JLDBD. If the District chooses not to file a report with the Department of Social Services, or if such a report is filed but not substantiated, District staff shall immediately cease withholding any material information from the student’s parent.
LEGAL REF: Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, 20 U.S.C. § 1232g
M.G.L. c. 71, §§ 34D, 34E
603 CMR 23.00
M.G.L. c. 119, § 51A
CROSS REF: JRA, JRA-R, Student Records
JLC/GBGB, Health and Safety Services and Requirements
JLDBD, Child Abuse and Neglect
Download PDF