Ohio House Bill 8, the Parents' Bill of Rights, is a state law affecting how schools communicate with parents and guardians. The Sidney City Schools Board of Education has adopted Board Policy to comply with this law.
This law affirms your fundamental right to make decisions about your child’s upbringing, education, and care, and it establishes specific requirements for parental notification, access to information, and consent for certain services.
The Ohio General Assembly recognizes parental rights as a fundamental right to make decisions about your child’s education, health, and well-being. At Sidney City Schools, we are dedicated to fostering a partnership with parents or guardians by providing clear communication, access to information, and opportunities for involvement. Our policy includes the following provisions:
- Instructional Content Standards
- No instruction involving sexuality content will be provided to students in grades K-3.
- For students in grades 4-12, any sexuality content will be both age and developmentally appropriate, tailored to the individual student’s needs.
- Parents or guardians will have the opportunity to review instructional materials related to sexuality content in advance and may opt their child out of such instruction. Students opting out will participate in an alternative assignment.
- Notification of Changes in Student Services
- We will promptly notify parents or guardians of significant changes in services or monitoring related to a student’s academic, mental, emotional, or physical health or well-being, or changes impacting a safe and supportive learning environment.
- Notifications will reinforce your right to make decisions for your child and ensure access to your child’s education and health records maintained by the district.
- Transparency and Communication
- District personnel are prohibited from encouraging students to withhold information from parents or guardians about their mental, emotional, or physical health or well-being.
- We will not discourage or prohibit parental notification or involvement in decisions affecting your child’s health or well-being.
- Health Care Services
- Parental authorization is required before providing any physical, mental, or behavioral health care services to a student.
- At the start of each school year, we will provide an annual notice allowing parents to choose whether to authorize these services for their child.
- Exceptions apply in emergencies, for first aid, minor unanticipated health care services, or services outlined in a student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Section 504 plan.
- Addressing Parental Concerns
- Parents or guardians may file a written concern with their child’s building principal regarding topics covered in this policy.
- We will resolve concerns within 30 days and offer an appeal process: first to the Superintendent or designee, and then to the Board of Education if needed.
- Parents or guardians are always welcome to contact a Board member directly about district operations.
Exceptions to the Policy
Our policy complies with legal exceptions outlined in RC 3313.473(F), including:
- No disclosure is required if it conflicts with a court order, criminal investigation, or specific state and federal laws (e.g., HIPAA, FERPA, or Ohio’s child abuse reporting laws).
- Mandatory reporting of child abuse or neglect remains in effect.
- Career and academic counseling between teachers and students during the school day is unaffected.
Access to Emergency Medical Authorization
Each year before October 1, we provide parents with Ohio’s emergency medical authorization form (RC 3313.712) to ensure we have up-to-date information in case of emergencies. Sidney City Schools utilizes PowerSchool to enable parents to update emergency medical authorization forms at anytime during the school year and from year-to-year.
District Resources
The District is committed to supporting the academic, social, emotional, and physical needs of your child. To that end, the district offers a comprehensive system of school-based support services delivered by a coordinated team of professionals, including the school counselor, school nurse, mental health specialists, and other specialized staff. If you are concerned about your child’s academic, social, emotional, and physical needs, please contact your child’s building principal, counselor, or school nurse.
Opt Out
To facilitate parental involvement and decision-making, you have the option to withhold consent or decline any service offered by Sidney City Schools. If you consent, it does not waive your right to access your child’s educational or health records or to be notified about a change in your child’s services or monitoring as required by law. Note: This notice/consent does not apply to emergency situations, first aid, other unanticipated minor health care services, or health care services provided pursuant to a student’s IEP or 504 Plan.
Opting out is done through PowerSchool Forms.
Policy Availability
This Parents’ Bill of Rights policy will be prominently posted on our website and made publicly available. We are working diligently to ensure all administrative processes align with these requirements.
At Sidney City Schools, we are committed to supporting your child’s success while honoring your rights as a parent or guardian. Together, we can create a safe, supportive, and inclusive learning environment for every student.
