Communications

If you are not receiving emails from NAPLS please check the following:

1. Check your spam folder. Sometimes, an email provider will automatically send @napls.us emails to your junk/spam folder. You can add "news@napls.us" to your contact to help your provider realize that the email is not spam. 

2. Make sure the email you have listed in your PowerSchool parent portal account is accurate and updated. Our system pulls directly from PowerSchool so it is essential that you update your information.

3. Have you opted out of receiving emails? You can call us at 614-413-7115 to remove the block on your ParentSquare account.

4. Did you turn off receiving email notifications in your delivery preferences in your ParentSquare account?

If none of these suggestions resolves the issue, please reach out to us so we can troubleshoot further.

Beth Steel
Communications Coordinator
614-413-7115
steel.2@napls.us

Patrick Gallaway Director of Communications E-mail: gallaway.1@napls.us Phone: 614-413-7112 Patrick Gallaway has devoted much of his career to public service. He has helped lead the communications efforts for a variety of state agencies and non-profit organizations prior to leading the communications efforts here at New Albany – Plain Local Schools beginning in July of 2012. Gallaway oversees a communication operation including media relations, website, internal communications, community outreach and social media. Prior to his time in New Albany, Gallaway served as the media relations director for the Ohio Department of Education and as the director of communications for former Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner. He has worked in fundraising and development for Stonewall Columbus, a non-profit agency, in a public involvement role at the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, in student affairs at The University of Akron and in donor services at the American Red Cross. Gallaway serves as the President of the Ohio School Public Relations Association (OHSPRA), a state-wide organization with over 200 school PR professionals from across the state. OHSPRA is a state chapter of the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA). Gallaway served as the mid-east Vice-President for NSPRA 2019-2021.   Gallaway is a graduate of The University of Akron (Go Zips), earning both a master's degree in higher education administration and a bachelor's degree in communications-public relations.

Beth Steel Communications Coordinator E-mail: steel.2@napls.us Phone: 614-413-7115

 

Please contact us if you have specific questions or concerns about the accessibility of any particular web page on www. napls.us. You may reach us at 614-413-7115 or at news@napls.us. If you do encounter an accessiblity issue, please be sure to specify the web page in your email. We will make all reasonable efforts to make that page accessible for you.

Accessibility

Book: Policy Manual
Section: 7000 Property
Title: WEB ACCESSIBILITY, CONTENT, APPS, AND SERVICES
Code:po7540.02
Status: Active
Adopted: March 1, 2001
Last Revised: June 24, 2019

7540.02 - WEB ACCESSIBILITY, CONTENT, APPS, AND SERVICES

A. Creating Content for Web Pages/Sites, Apps and Services

The Board of Education authorizes staff members and students to create content, apps and services (see Bylaw 0100 Definitions) that will be hosted by the Board on its servers or District-affiliated servers and/or published on the Internet.

The content, apps, and services must comply with State and Federal law (e.g., copyright laws, Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA)), and reflect the professional image/brand of the District, its employees, and students.  Content, apps, and services must be consistent with the Board's Statement of Purpose and staff-created content, apps, and services are subject to prior review and approval of the Superintendent before being published on the Internet and/or used with students.

Student-created content, apps, and services are subject to Policy 5722 - School-Sponsored Student Publications and Productions. 

The creation of content, apps, and services by students must be done under the supervision of a professional staff member.
 

B. Purpose of Content of District Web Pages/Sites, Apps, and Services

The purpose of content, apps, and services hosted by the Board on its servers or District-affiliated servers is to educate, inform, and communicate. The following criteria shall be used to guide the development of such content, apps, and services:

1. Educate
   Content should be suitable for and usable by students and teachers to support the curriculum and the Board's Objectives as listed in the Board's Statement of Purpose.
    
2. Inform
   Content may inform the community about the school, teachers, students, or departments, including information about curriculum, events, class projects, student activities, and departmental policies.
    
3. Communicate
   Content may communicate information about the plans, policies and operations of the District to members of the public and other persons who may be affected by District matters. 

The information contained on the Board's website(s) should reflect and support the Board's Statement of Purpose.

When the content includes a photograph or personally identifiable information relating to a student, the Board will abide by the provisions of Policy 8330 - Student Records.

All links included on the Board's website(s) or web services and apps must also meet the above criteria and comply with State and Federal law (e.g. copyright laws, CIPA, Section 504, ADA, and COPPA). Nothing in this paragraph shall prevent the District from linking the Board's website(s) to 1) recognized news/media outlets (e.g., local newspapers' web sites, local television stations' web sites) or 2) to websites, services and/or apps that are developed and hosted by outside commercial vendors pursuant to a contract with the Board. The Board recognizes that such third-party web sites may not contain age-appropriate advertisements that are consistent with the requirements of Policy 9700.01, AG 9700B, and State and Federal law.

Under no circumstances is District-created content, apps, and services, to be used for commercial purposes, advertising, political lobbying or to provide financial gains for any individual. Included in this prohibition is the fact no content contained on the District's web site may: (1) include statements or other items that support or oppose a candidate for public office, the investigation, prosecution or recall of a public official, or passage of a tax levy or bond issue; (2) link to a web site of another organization if the other web site includes such a message; or (3) communicate information that supports or opposes any labor organization or any action by, on behalf of, or against any labor organization.

Under no circumstances is staff member-created content, apps, and services, including personal web pages/sites, to be used to post student progress reports, grades, class assignments, or any other similar class-related material. Employees are required to use the Board-specified website, apps, or service (e.g., PowerSchool) for the purpose of conveying information to students and/or parents.

Staff members are prohibited from requiring students to go to the staff member's personal web pages/sites (including, but not limited to, their Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest pages) to check grades, obtain class assignments and/or class-related materials, and/or to turn in assignments.

If a staff member creates content, apps, and services related to his/her class, it must be hosted on the Board's server or a District-affiliated server.

Unless the content, apps, and services contains student personally identifiable information, Board websites, apps, and services that are created by students and/or staff members that are posted on the Internet should not be password protected or otherwise contain restricted access features, whereby only employees, student(s), or other limited groups of people can access the site. Community members, parents, employees, staff, students, and other web site users will generally be given full access to the Board's website(s), apps, and services.

Web content, apps, and services should reflect an understanding that both internal and external audiences will be viewing the information.

School web pages/sites, apps, and services must be located on Board-owned or District-affiliated servers.

The Superintendent shall prepare administrative guidelines defining the rules and standards applicable to the use of the Board's web site and the creation of content, apps, and services by staff.

The Board retains all proprietary rights related to the design of content, apps, and services that are hosted on Board-owned or District-affiliated servers, absent written agreement to the contrary.

Students who want their classwork to be displayed on the Board's web site must have written parent permission and expressly license its display without cost to the Board.

Prior written parental permission is necessary for a student to be identified by name on the Board's web site.

C. Website Accessibility

The District is committed to providing persons with disabilities an opportunity equal to that of persons without disabilities to participate in the District’s programs, benefits, and services, including those delivered through electronic and information technology, except where doing so would impose an undue burden or create a fundamental alteration.  The District is further committed to ensuring persons with disabilities are able to acquire the same information, engage in the same interactions, and enjoy the same benefits and services within the same timeframe as persons without a disability, with substantially equivalent ease of use; that they are not excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or otherwise subjected to discrimination in any District programs, services, and activities delivered online, as required by Section 504 and Title II of the ADA and their implementing regulations; and that they receive effective communication of the District’s programs, services, and activities delivered online.

The District adopts this policy to fulfill this commitment and affirm its intention to comply with the requirements of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. 794, 34 C.F.R. Part 104, Title II of the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990, 42 U.S.C. 12131, and 28 C.F.R. Part 35 in all respects.

1. Third-Party Content
   
   Links included on the Board’s website(s), services, and apps that pertain to its programs, benefits, and/or services must also meet the above criteria and comply with State and Federal law (e.g. copyright laws, CIPA, Section 504, ADA, and COPPA).  While the District strives to provide access through its website to online content provided or developed by third parties (including vendors, video-sharing websites, and other sources of online content) that is in an accessible format, that is not always feasible.  The District's administrators and staff, however, are aware of this requirement with respect to the selection of online content provided to students. The District's web accessibility coordinator or his/her designees will vet online content available on its website that is related to the District’s programs, benefits, and/or services for compliance with this criteria for all new content placed on the District's website after adoption of this policy.
   
   Nothing in the preceding paragraph, however, shall prevent the District from including links on the Board’s website(s) to:
   
   a. recognized news/media outlets (e.g., local newspapers' websites, local television stations' websites); or"
   b. websites, services, and/or apps that are developed and hosted by outside vendors or organizations that are not part of the District’s program, benefits, or services.

The Board recognizes that such third party websites may not contain age-appropriate advertisements that are consistent with the requirements of Policy 9700.01, AG 9700B, and State and Federal law.

2. Regular Audits
   
   The District, under the direction of the Superintendent or his/her designees, will, at regular intervals, audit the District's online content and measure this content against the technical standards adopted above.
   
   This audit will occur no less than once every two (2) years.
   
   If problems are identified through the audit, such problems will be documented, evaluated, and, if necessary, remediated within a reasonable period of time.
    
3. Reporting Concerns or Possible Violations
   
   If any student, prospective student, employee, guest, or visitor believes that the District has violated the technical standards in its online content, s/he may contact the Director of Communications with any accessibility concerns.  S/He may also file a formal complaint utilizing the procedures set out in Board Policy 2260 and Policy 2260.01 relating to Section 504 and Title II.

D. Instructional Use of Apps and Services

The Board authorizes the use of apps and services to supplement and enhance learning opportunities for students either in the classroom or for extended learning outside the classroom. 

A teacher who elects to supplement and enhance student learning through the use of app and/or services is responsible for verifying/certifying to the Director of Technology that the app and/or service has a FERPA‑compliant privacy policy, and it complies with all requirements of the COPPA and CIPA and Section 504 and the ADA.

E. Training

The District will provide periodic training for its employees who are responsible for creating or distributing information with online content so that these employees are aware of this Policy and understand their roles and responsibilities with respect to web design, documents and multimedia content.

Such training shall be facilitated by an individual with sufficient knowledge, skill and experience to understand and employ the technical standards set forth in Board policies and administrative guideline(s).

F. One-Way Communication Using District Content, Apps, and Services

The District is authorized to use web pages/sites, apps and services to promote school activities and inform stakeholders and the general public about District news and operations.

Such communications constitute public records that will be archived.

When the Board or Superintendent designates communications distributed via District web pages/sites, apps and services to be one-way communication, public comments are not solicited or desired, and the website, app or service is to be considered a nonpublic forum.

If the District uses a apps and web service that does not allow the District to block or deactivate public comments (e.g., Facebook, which does not allow comments to be turned off, or Twitter, which does not permit users to disable private messages or mentions/replies), the District’s use of that apps and web service will be subject to Policy 7544 - Use of Social Media, unless the District is able to automatically withhold all public comments.

If unsolicited public comments can be automatically withheld, the District will retain the comments in accordance with its adopted record retention schedule (see AP 8310A – Requests for Public Records and AG 8310E - Record Retention and Disposal), but it will not review or consider those comments.

Revised and Readopted 12/04
Revised and Readopted 7/09
Revised 4/24/17

© Neola 2019

Legal
R.C. 9.03
O.A.G. Opinion No. 2002-01

Calamity Days may be called for a number of reasons. Most often, it is due to hazardous road conditions due to inclement weather. However, non-weather events may also be a reason for the district to schedule a calamity day. Some examples include: a water main break, power outage, or health-related factors.  A calamity day may be district-wide or school building specific, depending on the reason. 

The decision to close schools is made by the Superintendent. The district will send automated calls, emails and text messages to parents/guardians to alert families of school closings, delays or other emergency situations based upon your communication preferences registered in PowerSchool. In addition, the district will post an alert on our website and send a push notification through our mobile APP. TV stations will also carry announcements about school closing beginning in the early morning, or during the school day should an emergency arise once classes have commenced. 

A full-day calamity day will cancel AM and PM Eagle’s Nest.  A delayed start to the school day will cancel AM Eagle’s Nest, AM Kindergarten and AM Preschool classes.  All-day Preschool and all-day Kindergarten students will be delayed by the time period announced, like all other students in Grades 1-12.

Please plan ahead and make an emergency/calamity event childcare plan with other family members and neighbors as necessary to support your child(ren).

In 2014, the State of Ohio changed its calamity day policy, requiring schools to be in session for a set number of hours, instead of a set number of days. Historically, the state permitted public school districts to use up to five excused calamity days per year to account for closings due to inclement weather, utility service disruption, or other emergency issues that might compromise the safety of students or staff. Despite the change in state law, the district, in agreement with its associations on the importance of student instructional time, will continue the policy of making up any school days over five that are canceled due to inclement weather or emergencies.

The New Albany - Plain Local School District is committed to employing digital communications systems such as the District website and e-mail to foster a strong, communicative relationship with the Learning Community. The following information details the terms of use of our website, e-mail, and other digital communication systems, as well as information that we collect about you and how that information is used by the District.

Terms of Use

The District website exists to better inform the Learning Community of information regarding the New Albany - Plain Local School District. As a user of this site you are responsible for conducting yourself in a manner that is respectful of the rights of others in the Learning Community and complies with local, state, and federal laws. Misuse of the district's digital communication systems, including e-mail, will not be tolerated and may result in the District taking action to prevent an individual or entity's use of those systems in the future. Such actions may include, but are not limited to, referral to the appropriate law enforcement agencies.

Collection of Anonymous Information

Certain anonymous usage information is collected on all visitors to the District website. The District's web server automatically logs the date and time of all requests for information online as well as what IP address requested the information. Additionally if you were referred to our website by a web link or a search engine the referring page will be logged as well. Searches for items on the District's website are also logged. This anonymous usage information is used by the District to improve the quality of our website; and no attempt is made by the district to identify individuals through this information. This anonymous usage information may be made available to third parties such as law enforcement to assist in a criminal investigation.

Collection of Personally Identifiable Information

Certain portions of the District website are only available to registered users who have provided the district with basic information such as their name and e-mail address. Persons affiliated with the district, namely staff, students, and parents, have access to enhanced online services and information once they have completed a registration process that verifies their identity and provides them with a username and password to access protected information and services. The District collects personally identifiable information in order to verify your identity and so we may contact you via e-mail. We do not share or sell personally identifiable information with any third party except in cases where we are required by law such as in response to a court order or subpoena.

Security

When a visitor logs into our site for a registered user session, information including the visitor’s username and password, are encrypted with Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) technology.

Links

District web pages may contain links to sites that are not administered by NAPLS, one of its schools, departments or programs. NAPLS is not responsible for the content of the linked sites and pages. 

"The New Albany – Plain Local School District makes every effort to verify that all links are operational and all information is accurate, appropriate and of high quality. The District expects that these standards are met. The viability of links that are not created through our District cannot be guaranteed."

"Links to external websites are included if they add information that may aid the user, and are included only as a public service. Every effort is made to verify that the links are educational in nature, and related to the District's educational mission, but the Internet is dynamic and volatile, and web pages can change suddenly and rapidly. It is not unusual to find information or images that are objectionable. Inclusion of a link does not constitute endorsement by the District of that site, or of any third-party sites to which it may be linked. The user is advised that once you leave the District's website(s), even through links included on these pages, you may encounter inappropriate, illegal or inaccurate material. The District is not responsible for the external content, or for any fees associated with the use of an outside site. Proceed at your own risk."

"The links in this area will let you leave the District's website(s). The linked sites are not under the control of the District and the District is not responsible for the contents of any linked sites, or any links contained in a linked site, or any changes or updates to such sites. The District is providing these links to you only as a convenience and the inclusion of any link does not imply endorsement of the site by the District."

Copyright

 "The District has registered its domain name(s) for the purpose of exclusive Internet identification. The District asserts copyright, trademark and/or other intellectual property rights in its domain name, district identification, district logo, and all content on the District's website(s). All rights are reserved. Outside parties, including parents, patrons, or outside organizations may not use District and/or school domain names in connection with the publication of web content. Under no circumstances shall any party use District and/or school domain names to promote political issues, causes or candidates."

Information contained within the District’s website is considered the property of New Albany-Plain Local Schools. Violation of copyright protections will not be tolerated. Likewise, if you believe any content on the NAPLS site is in violation of copyright laws, please email the district's communications department at communications@napls.us.

Content and Timeliness

The information provided on the Website is provided as a service to the Learning Community and guests. Every attempt is made to keep the District's website as up to date and accurate as possible. However, information on the website may become outdated or incorrect. In such cases, the District shall not be held liable for any losses suffered as a result of reliance on information posted on the Website.

General Disclaimer: "Information provided on the website carries no express or implied warranties as to accuracy, timeliness, or appropriateness for a particular purpose; in addition, the Board disclaims owner responsibility for content errors, omissions or infringing material, and disclaims owner liability for damages associated with user reliance on information provided at the site."

Events: "Visitors rely on information on the website at their own risk. Times and dates are subject to change and spectators or audiences are strongly encouraged to contact the school for the most recent schedule."

Non-Discrimination Statement

The New Albany-Plain Local Schools (NAPLS) is an equal educational opportunity and equal employment opportunity employer. NAPLS does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation and transgender identity), disability, age, military status, ancestry, genetic information (collectively, "protected classes") or any other legally protected category in its programs and activities, including employment opportunities.

FERPA Disclaimer

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99) is a Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. The law applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education. FERPA requires that the Board of Education designate “Student Directory Information." The NAPLS Board of Education has defined directory information as a student's name, address, and telephone number. School-sponsored publications may include date and place of birth, major field of study, participation in officially-recognized activities and sports, height and weight, if a member of an athletic team, dates of attendance, date of graduation, or awards received.

We want to inform you of a new law passed by the Ohio Legislature as part of the recently approved State Budget Bill (HB 96). Beginning this school year, students are prohibited from using personal communication devices (PCDs)—including cell phones, smartwatches, and other personal devices not issued by New Albany-Plain Local Schools—during the instructional school day, including class transitions and lunch/recess.

This law, enacted by the Ohio General Assembly, requires all public schools in Ohio to adopt policies that eliminate the use of personal electronic devices during instructional time. The goal of this legislation is to minimize distractions, enhance academic engagement, and support student well-being. In response, the NAPLS Board of Education has adopted Policy 5136: Personal Communication Devices.

Read More... and check out the Frequently Asked Questions here.