From Superintendent Locke: Distance Learning Confidentiality

Notice to and Consent by Parent(s) or Guardians(s) for Distance Learning Participation and
Information Regarding Student Confidentiality
March 30, 2020

Dear Families,
First and foremost, we hope this email finds you, your family and loved ones safe, healthy and in good spirits. As the remote educational opportunities currently being provided due to the COVID-19 pandemic develop, it’s important to remember that we all must respect the privacy of our students.

Through NPS’s remote educational opportunities, students may be receiving group lessons through video or teleconferencing. As a result, parents and guardians may see, hear, or be exposed to confidential and personally identifiable information about students other than their own child. In effort to maintain student privacy, we ask that all families and students agree and implement the following:

1. To whatever extent possible, make arrangements that students participate in video or teleconferencing lessons in a private space where, other than a parent/guardian, no other individual has access to or is present during the period of instruction. Encourage student use of headphones or earbuds if possible.
2. Parents and guardians who may be present during video instruction should distance themselves from the lesson to avoid unnecessary access to confidential or personally identifiable information regarding other students (and their families).
3. Parents and guardians should not disclose any information concerning other students or their families that may have been incidentally discovered during any such observations of a class or instruction.
4. Any such recording, release or disclosure of confidential information concerning other students or their families, and any disruption to the delivery of instruction to any student may result in the suspension of virtual/remote learning privileges.
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Continuing to protect student confidentially during this unprecedented pandemic is important. Implementing the procedures outlined above will support student confidentiality and promote the success of the remote educational opportunities currently being provided. Through participation in our remote learning program, parents and guardians are agreeing to the terms listed above.

If parents or guardians object to their child’s participation in any online virtual learning opportunities, please contact Christopher Montini, Assistant Superintendent, or Nicole Reichardt, Director of Special Services, by email.

If you are in disagreement, the virtual learning program will not be provided to your child and we will determine a different means by which to address your child’s educational needs. Please address any specific questions about our district’s remote learning plan with your school principal.

Now more than ever, we are thankful for the Naugatuck Public School and greater community, the strong relationships between our schools and families, and our amazing students (whom we miss very much.)

In partnership,
Naugatuck Public Schools

Distance Learning Confidentiality Letter