State & Federal Parent Notifications

Triad CUSD#2 uses Google Workspace for Education and manage a Google Workspace for Education account for your child in grade 2- 12. Google Workspace for Education is a set of education productivity tools from Google including Gmail, Calendar, Docs, Classroom, and more used by tens of millions of students and teachers around the world. Occasionally, Additional Services (like YouTube, Maps, Earth, and Blogger) that are designed for consumer users and will be accessible for specific Google Workspace for Education accounts for educational purposes as allowed by a school’s administrator and domain administrator. At Triad CUSD#2, students will use their Google Workspace accounts to complete assignments, communicate with their teachers, sign into their Chromebooks, and learn 21st-century digital citizenship skills.

The Google Workspace for Education Privacy Notice provides answers to common questions about what Google can and can’t do with your child’s personal information, including: What personal information does Google collect? How does Google use this information? Will Google disclose my child’s personal information? Does Google use student personal information for users in K-12 schools to target advertising? Can my child share information with others using the G Suite for Education account? Please read the information carefully, let us know of any questions. Parents may request that a Google Workspace for Education account is not created for a student with the building administration.

The Triad Community Unit School District #2 is committed to preparing students for success in an AI-powered world by integrating AI education into the curriculum. Our mission is to provide a challenging education in a safe and positive environment that inspires lifelong learning. Embracing Artificial Intelligence (AI) integration aligns with our goal of enhancing critical thinking, analytical decision-making, and information gathering skills to foster academic success and personal growth among our students as 21st-century learners.

As we prepare for the upcoming academic year, our school district is focused on providing students with opportunities to engage with artificial intelligence (AI) tools in the classroom. It is important to acknowledge that certain AI tools may gather personal information from students, including their names and school email addresses. If you have any concerns about your child using a particular AI tool, please communicate directly with the building administrator.

We recognize the importance of safeguarding student data privacy and aim to empower parents to make informed decisions regarding the educational technologies their children are exposed to. Our district is dedicated to implementing strong data protection measures and following industry best practices when incorporating AI into the educational setting. By proactively engaging with parents and offering the option to opt-out if desired, we strive to strike a balance between leveraging the advantages of AI in education while prioritizing the privacy and well-being of our students.

Triad Community Schools does not discriminate in treatment, admission or access and participation in district programs and activities on the basis of sex, race, color, age, national origin, or disability. Inquiries concerning the implementation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (minorities), Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (sex equity), and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (handicapped) should be directed to Dr. Jason Henderson, Superintendent at (618) 667-8851.

Students with identified disabilities have the right to free and appropriate education. Any questions regarding the identification, assessment, and placement of students with disabilities should be directed to the Special Education Director at 667-8851 ext. 1213. Triad Community Schools offers the following programs: TLS (Training for Life Skills), Cross Categorical Program (EMH, LD, and BD), and Self-Contained Behavioral Disorders.

The 2009 special education rights guide, Educational Rights and Responsibilities: Understanding Special Education in Illinois, is now available. This document is a major rewrite of the 2001 A Parents' Guide: The Educational Rights of Students with Disabilities. The guide was collaboratively developed and reviewed by the Parent Task Force on Accessible special Education Materials, parent leaders, special education administrators, parent and advocacy organizations, and the Illinois State Board of Education.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) affords students certain rights with respect to their educational records. Those rights are listed here:

  1. The right to inspect and review the student's educational records within 45 days of the day the District receives a request for access. A parent/guardian or eligible student should submit to the Records Custodian, Principal, or other appropriate official, written requests that identify the record(s) they wish to inspect. The District official will make arrangements for access and notify the parent/guardian or eligible student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. If the records are not maintained by the District official to whom the request was submitted, that official shall advise the parent/guardian or eligible student of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed.

  2. The right to request the amendment of the student's education records that the parent/guardian or eligible student believes is inaccurate or misleading. A parent/guardian or eligible student may ask the District to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate or misleading. They should write the District official responsible for the record, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate or misleading. If the District decides not to amend the record as requested by the parent/guardian or eligible student, the District will notify the parent/guardian or eligible student of the decision and advise the parent/guardian or eligible student of their right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the parent/guardian or eligible student when notified of the right to a hearing.

  3. The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the parent/guardian or eligible student's educational record, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. One exception which permits disclosure without consent is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by the District in an administrative, supervisory, academic, or support staff position(including law enforcement unit personnel and health staff); a person or company with whom the District has contracted (such as an attorney, auditor, or collection agent); or a person serving on the Board of Education. 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 responsibilities. Upon request, the District discloses education records without consent to officials of another school in which a student seeks or intends to enroll. School officials may also disclose information from a student's education records in compliance with a lawfully issued subpoena or court order. Before complying with such a subpoena or court order, the school will make a reasonable effort to notify the student's parent. The school does not, however, need to notify the parent if the subpoena or court order has been issued for a law enforcement purpose and the court order or other issuing agency orders that the existence or contents of the subpoena not be disclosed.

  4. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the District to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the office that administers FERPA is:

    Family Policy Compliance Office
    U.S. Department of Education
    400 Maryland Avenue, S.W.
    Washington, D.C. 20202-4605

Directory information may be disclosed without prior notice or consent unless the parent/guardian or eligible student notifies the Records Custodian or other official in writing, before October of the current school year, that he does not want any or all of the directory information disclosed. Directory information includes the student's name, address, telephone listing, date and place of birth, major field of study, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, dates of attendance, degrees and awards received, and the most recent previous educational agency or institution attended.

(Electronic Network and Internet Authorization)

Each student and his or her parent(s)/guardian(s) must sign the District's Electronic Network and Internet Authorization form before being granted access. All use of the District's Electronic Network, including the Internet, shall be consistent with the District's goal of promoting educational excellence by facilitating resource sharing, innovation, and communication. The District's Authorization does not attempt to state all required or proscribed behavior by users. However, some specific examples are provided. The failure of any user to follow the terms of this Authorization will result in the denial, revocation, or suspension of the Network/Internet privilege, disciplinary action, and/or appropriate legal action.

Acceptable Use of the District’s Electronic Networks

Each student and his or her parent(s)/guardian(s) must sign the Authorization before being granted unsupervised access.  Each teacher must sign this Authorization as a condition for using the District’s Electronic Network.  School Board members and administrators are treated like teachers for purposes of this authorization.  Please read this document carefully before signing. 

All use of the District’s electronic networks shall be consistent with the District’s goal of promoting educational excellence by facilitating resource sharing, innovation, and communication. These procedures do not attempt to state all required or prohibited behavior by users. However, some specific examples are provided. The failure of any user to follow these procedures will result in the loss of privileges, disciplinary action, and/or legal action.

Terms and Conditions

The term electronic networks includes all of the District’s technology resources, including, but not limited to:

  1. The District’s local-area and wide-area networks, including wireless networks (Wi-Fi), District-provided Wi-Fi hotspots, and any District servers or other networking infrastructure; 

  2. Access to the Internet or other online resources via the District’s networking infrastructure or to any District-issued online account from any computer or device, regardless of location;

  3. District-owned and District-issued computers, laptops, tablets, phones, or similar devices.

Acceptable Use - Access to the District’s electronic networks must be: (a) for the purpose of education or research, and be consistent with the District’s educational objectives, or (b) for legitimate business use.

Privileges - Use of the District’s electronic networks is a privilege, not a right, and inappropriate use may result in a cancellation of those privileges, disciplinary action, and/or appropriate legal action. The system administrator or Building Principal will make all decisions regarding whether or not a user has violated these procedures and may deny, revoke, or suspend access at any time.  His or her decision is final.

Unacceptable Use - The user is responsible for his or her actions and activities involving the electronic networks.  Some examples of unacceptable uses are:

  1. Using the electronic networks for any illegal activity, including violation of copyright or other intellectual property rights or contracts, or transmitting any material in violation of any State or federal law;

  2. Using the electronic networks to engage in conduct prohibited by board policy;

  3. Unauthorized downloading of software or other files, regardless of whether it is copyrighted or scanned for malware;

  4. Unauthorized use of personal removable media devices (such as flash or thumb drives);

  5. Downloading of copyrighted material for other than personal use;

  6. Using the electronic networks for private financial or commercial gain;

  7. Wastefully using resources, such as file space;

  8. Hacking or attempting to hack or gain unauthorized access to files, accounts, resources, or entities by any means;

  9. Invading the privacy of individuals, including the unauthorized disclosure, dissemination, and use of information about anyone that is of a personal nature, such as a photograph or video;

  10. Using another user’s account or password;

  11. Disclosing any network or account password (including your own) to any other person, unless requested by the system administrator;

  12. Posting or sending material authored or created by another without his/her consent;

  13. Posting or sending anonymous messages;

  14. Creating or forwarding chain letters, spam, or other unsolicited messages;

  15. Using the electronic networks for commercial or private advertising;

  16. Accessing, sending, posting, publishing, or displaying any abusive, obscene, profane, sexual, threatening, harassing, illegal, or knowingly false material;

  17. Misrepresenting the user’s identity or the identity of others; and

  18. Using the electronic networks while access privileges are suspended or revoked.

Network Etiquette - The user is expected to abide by the generally accepted rules of network etiquette. These include, but are not limited to, the following:

  1. Be polite. Do not become abusive in messages to others.

  2. Use appropriate language. Do not swear, or use vulgarities or any other inappropriate language.

  3. Do not reveal personal information, including the addresses or telephone numbers, of students or colleagues.

  4. Recognize that the District’s electronic networks are not private. People who operate District technology have access to all email and other data. Messages or other evidence relating to or in support of illegal activities may be reported to the authorities.

  5. Do not use the networks in any way that would disrupt its use by other users.

  6. Consider all communications and information accessible via the electronic networks to be private property.

No Warranties - The District makes no warranties of any kind, whether expressed or implied, for the service it is providing. The District will not be responsible for any damages the user suffers. This includes loss of data resulting from delays, non-deliveries, missed-deliveries, or service interruptions caused by its negligence or the user’s errors or omissions. Use of any information obtained via the Internet is at the user’s own risk. The District specifically denies any responsibility for the accuracy or quality of information obtained through its services.

Indemnification - By using the District’s electronic networks, the user agrees to indemnify the District for any losses, costs, or damages, including reasonable attorney fees, incurred by the District relating to, or arising out of, any violation of these procedures.

Security - Network security is a high priority. If the user can identify or suspects a security problem on the network, the user must promptly notify the system administrator or Building Principal. Do not demonstrate the problem to other users. Keep user account(s) and password(s) confidential. Do not use another individual’s account without written permission from that individual. Attempts to log-on to the network as a system administrator will result in cancellation of user privileges. Any user identified as a security risk may be denied access to the networks.

Vandalism - Vandalism will result in cancellation of privileges and other disciplinary action. Vandalism is defined as any malicious attempt to harm or destroy data of another user, the Internet, or any other network. This includes, but is not limited to, the uploading or creation of malware, such as viruses and spyware.

Telephone Charges - The District assumes no responsibility for any unauthorized charges or fees, including telephone charges, texting or data use charges, long-distance charges, per-minute surcharges, and/or equipment or line costs.

Copyright Web Publishing Rules - Copyright law and District policy prohibit the re-publishing of text or graphics found on the Internet or on District websites or file servers/cloud storage without explicit written permission.

  1. For each re-publication (on a website or file server) of a graphic or a text file that was produced externally, there must be a notice at the bottom of the page crediting the original producer and noting how and when permission was granted. If possible, the notice should also include the web address of the original source.

  2. Students and staff engaged in producing web pages must provide library media specialists with email or hard copy permissions before the web pages are published. Printed evidence of the status of public domain documents must be provided.

  3. The absence of a copyright notice may not be interpreted as permission to copy the materials. Only the copyright owner may provide the permission. The manager of the website displaying the material may not be considered a source of permission.

  4. The fair use rules governing student reports in classrooms are less stringent and permit limited use of graphics and text.

  5. Student work may only be published if there is written permission from both the parent/guardian and student.

Use of Email - The District’s email system, and its constituent software, hardware, and data files, are owned and controlled by the District. The District provides email to aid students and staff members in fulfilling their duties and responsibilities, and as an education tool.

  1. The District reserves the right to access and disclose the contents of any account on its system, without prior notice or permission from the account’s user. Unauthorized access by any student or staff member to an email account is strictly prohibited.

  2. Each person should use the same degree of care in drafting an email message as would be put into a written memorandum or document. Nothing should be transmitted in an email message that would be inappropriate in a letter or memorandum.

  3. Electronic messages transmitted via the District’s Internet gateway carry with them an identification of the user’s Internet domain. This domain is a registered name and identifies the author as being with the District. Great care should be taken, therefore, in the composition of such messages and how such messages might reflect on the name and reputation of the District. Users will be held personally responsible for the content of any and all email messages transmitted to external recipients.

  4. Any message received from an unknown sender via the Internet, such as spam or potential phishing emails, should either be immediately deleted or forwarded to the system administrator. Downloading any file attached to any Internet-based message is prohibited unless the user is certain of that message’s authenticity and the nature of the file so transmitted.

  5. Use of the District’s email system constitutes consent to these regulations.

Internet Safety

Internet access is limited to only those acceptable uses as detailed in these procedures. Internet safety is supported if users will not engage in unacceptable uses, as detailed in these procedures, and otherwise follow these procedures.

Staff members shall supervise students while students are using District Internet access to ensure that the students abide by the Terms and Conditions for Internet access contained in these procedures.

Each District computer with Internet access has a filtering device that blocks entry to visual depictions that are: (1) obscene, (2) pornographic, or (3) harmful or inappropriate for students, as defined by the Children’s Internet Protection Act and as determined by the Superintendent or designee.

The system administrator and Building Principals shall monitor student Internet access.


Harassment of Students is Prohibited

The District will not tolerate harassing or intimidating conduct, whether verbal, physical or visual, that affects tangible benefits of education, that unreasonably interferes with a student's educational performance or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive educational environment. Examples of prohibited conduct include name-calling, using derogatory slurs or wearing or possessing items depicting or implying hatred or prejudice of one of the characteristics stated above.

The Superintendent shall use reasonable measures to inform staff members and students that the District will not tolerate harassment, such as by including this policy in the appropriate handbooks.

A person, including a District employee, agent or student engages in sexual harassment whenever he or she makes sexual advances, requests sexual favors and engages in other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual or sex-based nature, imposed on the basis of sex, that:

  1. Denies or limits the provision of educational aid, benefits, services or treatment; or that makes such conduct a condition of a student's academic status; or

  2. Has the purpose or effect of:

    1. Substantially interfering with a student's educational environment;

    2. Creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive educational environment;

    3. Depriving a student of educational aid, benefits services or treatment;

    4. Making submission to or rejection of such conduct the basis for academic decisions affecting a student.

The terms “intimidating,” “hostile” and “offensive” include conduct which has the effect of humiliation, embarrassment or discomfort. Examples of sexual harassment include touching, crude jokes or pictures, discussions of sexual experiences, teasing related to sexual characteristics and spreading rumors related to a person's alleged sexual activities.

Students, who believe they are victims of sexual harassment or have witnessed sexual harassment, are encouraged to discuss the matter with the Student Nondiscrimination Coordinator, Building Principal, Assistant Building Principal, Dean of Students or a Complaint Manager. Students may choose to report to a person of the student's same sex. Complaints will be kept confidential to the extent possible given the need to investigate. Students who make good faith complaints will not be disciplined.

An allegation that one student was sexually harassed by another student shall be referred to the Building Principal, Assistant Building Principal or Dean of Students for appropriate action.

Dr. Rodney Winslow, Associate Superintendent (618-667-8851 x1214) and Mrs. Renee Voegele, Director of Student Programs and Services (618-667-8851 x1206), serves as the Nondiscrimination Coordinators. Their business address is 203 E. Throp Street, Troy, IL 62294. The Complaint Managers as appointed by the Superintendent are found at the end of the Uniform Grievance Policy (Dr. Jay Simpson, Director of Human Resources & Personnel and Mrs. Linda Kowalski, Special Education Director).

Students, parents, guardians, employees or community members should notify any District Complaint Manager if they believe that the Board of Education, its employees or agents have violated their rights guaranteed by the State or federal Constitution, State or federal statute or Board policy, or have a complaint regarding:

  1. Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act;

  2. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972;

  3. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973;

  4. Sexual harassment (Illinois Human Rights Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972);

  5. The misuse of funds received for services to improve educational opportunities for educationally disadvantaged or deprived children; or

  6. Curriculum, instructional materials, programs.

The Complaint Manager will attempt to resolve complaints without resorting to this grievance procedure and, if a complaint is filed, to address the complaint promptly and equitably. The right of a person to prompt and equitable resolution of the complaint filed hereunder shall not be impaired by the person's pursuit of other remedies. Use of this grievance procedure is not a prerequisite to the pursuit of other remedies and use of this grievance procedure does not extend any filing deadline related to the pursuit of other remedies. This procedure does not supersede any negotiated grievance procedure.

  1. Filing a Complaint

    A person (hereinafter Complainant) who wishes to avail himself or herself of this grievance procedure may do so by filing a complaint with any District Complaint Manager. The Complainant shall not be required to file a complaint with a particular Complaint Manager and may request a Complaint Manager of the same sex. The Complaint Manager may request the Complainant to provide a written statement regarding the nature of the complaint or require a meeting with the parent(s)/guardian(s) of a student. The Complaint Manager shall assist the Complainant as needed.

  2. Investigation

    The Complaint Manager will investigate the complaint or appoint a qualified person to undertake the investigation on his or her behalf. If the Complainant is a student, the Complaint Manager will notify his or her parent(s)/guardian(s) that they may attend any investigatory meetings in which their child is involved. The complaint and identity of the Complainant will not be disclosed except (1) as required by law or this policy, or (2) as necessary to fully investigate the complaint, or (3) as authorized by the Complainant. The Complaint Manager shall file a written report of his or her findings with the Superintendent. If a complaint of sexual harassment contains allegations involving the Superintendent, the written report shall be filed with the Board of Education, which shall render a decision in accordance with Section 3 of this policy. The Superintendent will keep the Board informed of all complaints.

  3. Decision and Appeal

    After receipt of the Complaint Manager's report, the Superintendent shall render a written decision which shall be provided to the Complainant. If the Complainant is not satisfied with the decision, the Complainant may appeal it to the Board of Education by making a written request to the Complaint Manager. The Complaint Manager shall be responsible for promptly forwarding all materials relative to the complaint and appeal to the Board of Education. Thereafter, the Board of Education shall render a written decision which shall be provided to the Complainant. This grievance procedure shall not be construed to create an independent right to a Board of Education hearing.

Appointed Complaint Managers

Mrs. Linda Kowalski, 203 E. Throp Street, Troy, IL 62294 (618) 667-8851 ext. 1213

Dr. Jay Simpson, 203 E. Throp Street, Troy, IL 62294 (618) 667-8851 ext. 1203

The purpose of the IHSA organization is to provide leadership for the development, supervision and promotion of good sportsmanship in interscholastic competition and other activities in which its member schools choose to engage. Participation in such interscholastic activities offers eligible students experiences in an educational setting which provide enrichment to the educational experience. IHSA Eligibility Rules

This state program was authorized in 1975 legislation to provide textbooks free of charge to any public and nonpublic student enrolled in grades K-12. Illinois is not an "adoption state" and this program is not part of a funding program of that nature. Curriculum materials selections in Illinois are the decision of each school or local district. The state purchases the materials and then loans them to pupils. The program funding is only enough to provide supplemental dollars for materials and is not aimed at total funding for all instructional materials. To participate, schools must be registered with the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) as in compliance with the compulsory attendance laws and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. Student materials are requested by school staff from catalogs sent to schools by the various bonded publishers participating in the program. Legislation in 1996 specifically added instructional computer software to the textbook definition.

If a Triad student becomes homeless (i.e. lacks a regular, fixed, adequate nighttime place of abode or lives in a shelter), the student (which may include those in foster care or in the care of others) may be permitted to remain enrolled in Triad CUSD #2 while homeless or until the end of the school year in which the student obtains regular housing. Also, if the parents/guardians/caretakers of a homeless student enroll the child in the Triad CUSD #2, the student will be enrolled; however, the contact information of the parent/guardian must be provided to school personnel upon enrollment.

Parents should contact the Regional Office of Education, Madison County Administration Building, 157 N. Main Street, Suite 438, Edwardsville, Illinois, 62025 if they need any information regarding the rights of a homeless student. Parents may also contact the Triad District's Homeless Liaison, Renee Voegele, at Triad Central Office.

Parents are advised that steps are continually being taken to manage and/or remove the asbestos in our school buildings. Every six months a periodic inspection will occur throughout the building. This inspection will insure that every six months that all asbestos has been checked for any changes in condition and management plans are available for review.

Notifies parents of students not eligible for free transportation to and from a school of the conditions required for which they may be eligible for reimbursement of the cost of transporting their child.

School districts must maintain a registry of parents and guardians of students and employees who have registered to receive written or telephonic notification prior to the application of pesticides to school property.

Requires that the "chief school administrator" of every school building where 10 or more students, Pre-K through grade 5, may be occupying shall test for lead at each "source of potable water" and report the results. The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is mandated to administer these requirements and to provide guidance on risk management and mitigation of lead in water, and education about lead poisoning. In addition, P.A. 099-0922 requires community water supplies to compile a lead materials inventory and notify potentially affected customers of distribution system work that may elevate contaminates in the system.

On or before December 1 of each year, the school district makes publicly available the immunization data they are required to submit to the State Board of Education by November 15. Immunization data made publicly available must be identical to the data the school district or school has reported to the State Board of Education. [ View District and School Immunization Reports]

Triad CUSD #2 takes the privacy of our students and their associated data seriously. This page provides information how Triad continues to work diligently to be compliant with the Student Online Personal Protection Act (SOPPA). [ View District Student Data Privacy]

Erin’s Law: Age-Appropriate, Prevention-Oriented Child Sexual Abuse Education Program

Erin’s Law requires all public schools to implement an age-appropriate, prevention-oriented child sexual abuse educational program for students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. Specifically, the program requires schools districts towards the following: 

  • how to recognize child sexual abuse and tell a trusted adult

  • training for school personnel on child sexual abuse

  • educational information for parents and guardians on the warning signs of child sexual abuse

  • assistance, referrals, and resources available for those that may have knowledge of an abused or neglected child. 

The curriculum is delivered by licensed professionals and/or those that are adequately trained to deliver this type of curriculum. Parents/guardians of students in any of grades K through 8 will be provided with no less than five days’ written notice before commencing any class or course providing instruction in recognizing and avoiding sexual abuse, as well as the opportunity to object in writing. The Triad Board of Education has adopted a policy that addresses these issues and provides compliance with the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act (ANCRA), School Code, and Erin’s Law Training.  [View Triad Board of Education Policy 5:90]

Faith’s Law: Awareness and Prevention of Sexual Abuse and Grooming Behaviors Program

Child sexual abuse and grooming behaviors harm students, their parents/guardians, the District’s environment, its school communities, and the community at large, while diminishing a student’s ability to learn. The Board has a responsibility and obligation to increase awareness and knowledge of: 

(1) issues regarding child sexual abuse
(2) likely warning signs that a child may be a victim of sexual abuse
(3) grooming behaviors related to child sexual abuse and grooming
(4) how to report child sexual abuse
(5) appropriate relationships between District employees and students based upon State law
(6) how to prevent child sexual abuse.

The Triad Board of Education has adopted a policy that addresses these issues and provides compliance towards implementation of an Awareness and Prevention of Sexual Abuse and Grooming Behaviors Program.