Posting #65 – How to Get Permission to Attend your Child’s School Events, by Ann

By:  Ann
Date:  04/16/2009

I'm so sorry that you have to deal with the school system's unprofessionalism in this matter. I'm a teacher and my husband used to be a teacher but is now a registered sex offender

You need to keep bugging the school board and superintendent with letters, phones calls, etc.  You need to do the following in a professional, "kill them with kindness" kind of mentality because if you lose your emotions and see you as a harassment they can officially deem you as a nuisance to the school for even letting one curse word slip.  Virginia is the only state that has a law that allows parents/students from "harassing" them.  Of course you know from the injustice of our laws and politics they could easily manipulate the situation to make it seem as if you are doing this. So be very careful and be Kind, kind, kind...but persistent.

Virginia State law says that this info about sex offenders be made available to every parents in their school system (either via paper or by website) I copy/pasted the info for you below.  Also, our lawyer said that you can get a court order to allow you to attend, pick up any of your kids school activities.  He said the court will almost always grant the request if the superintendent and school board are not in disagreement so get them on your side before heading to the courtroom..  Also, he said it is necessary to have the POs consent.  If you are not granted the order you must wait 6 months to appeal. 

Also, in the writing of you letters you need to use "teacher speak" and educational lingo to make your children's need the center of your concern not your disgust with the system and the former situation.. I know this is hard. Your children deserve to have their father present in their educational lives. From a psychological perspective they actually suffer from his absence even if he is willing and supportive of them from a distance. 

In fact, if your trust your school's guidance counselor I would start sharing your concerns with them asap! Remember you must keep your children at the center of this NOT your husband.

Your family is in my prayers
Ann

SEX OFFENDER REGISTRY NOTIFICATION
              The _______________School Division recognizes the danger sex offenders pose to student safety.  Therefore, to protect students while they travel to and from school, attend school or are at school-related activities, each school in the ______________School Division shall request electronic notification of the registration or re-registration of any sex offender in the same or contiguous zip codes as the school.   Such requests and notifications shall be made according to the procedure established by the Virginia Department of State Police (State Police). 
             Annual Notification

            At the beginning of each school year, the ____________ School Division shall notify parents and employees of this policy.  The school board will also annually notify the parent of each student enrolled in the school division of the availability of information in the Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry and the location of the Internet website (http://sex-offender.vsp.state.va.us/cool-ICE/).

            Dissemination of Sex Offender Registry Information

            Sex offender registry information should be provided to employees who are most likely to observe unauthorized persons on or near school property including but not limited to: 

• School bus drivers
• Employees responsible for visitor registration
• Employees responsible for bus duty
• Security staff
• Coaches
• Playground supervisors, and
• Maintenance personnel.

 When registry information is disseminated, it shall include a notice that such information should not be shared with others and may only be used for the purposes discussed below.  Employees who share registry information with others may be disciplined.

            The _____________School Division recognizes that it is the responsibility of local law enforcement to notify the community of potential public danger.  Therefore, the division will not disseminate registry information to parents. 
           
            Use of Sex Offender Registry Information

            Registry Information shall only be used for the purposes of the administration of law-enforcement, screening current or prospective school division employees or volunteers and for the protection of school division students and employees.  Registry information shall not be used to intimidate or harass others.      
  
1.  Registered Sex Offender Sighted.  If a notified employee sees a registered sex
offender on or near school property, around any school division student, or attending any school division activity, the Superintendent or his designee shall be notified immediately.  The Superintendent or his designee may, in his or her discretion, notify local law-enforcement.

2.  School Volunteers and Student Teachers.  Each staff member shall submit to the Principal the name and address of each volunteer the staff member proposes to use as soon as the person is identified.  The Principal shall screen each student teacher and volunteer's name and address against the registry information.  If a match is found, the Principal shall notify the Superintendent, who shall confirm the match.  If the match is confirmed, the Superintendent shall inform the individual, in writing, that he or she may not serve as a volunteer or student teacher.  The notice shall provide the reason with reference to this policy, and, if applicable, Policy KNA.  The Superintendent shall provide a copy of the notice to the Principal and staff member.

3.  Contractors' Employees.  In addition to ensuring that the certification requirements of Policy DJF Purchasing Procedures are met, the Superintendent shall include the following language in all Division contracts that may involve an employee of the contractor having any contact with a student:

                        The contractor shall not send any employee or agent who is a registered sex
                        offender to any school building or school property.  Monthly, the contractor
                        shall check the registry to determine if any employee is registered.

4.  School Division Employees.  Each time sex offender registry information is received, the principal shall review it to determine if a school division employee is registered.  If a match is found, the Superintendent shall confirm or disprove the match with local law enforcement..  If the match is confirmed, the Superintendent shall notify the School Board.  The School Board will take the appropriate action to comply with state law which may include termination of employment.

5.  Applicants for Employment.  Before hiring any person, the Superintendent shall determine whether the prospective employee is a registered sex offender.  If the prospective employee is a registered sex offender, he or she shall not be hired by the division.

6. Students and Parents of Students.

When the school division learns that a parent of an enrolled student is a registered sex offender, the parent will be notified in writing that he or she is barred from being present at school or at school functions without the express written approval of the student's principal.  Such approval must be obtained in advance of the proposed visit.  When a parent who is a registered sex offender is permitted at school or at school functions he or she will be monitored to ensure that he or she does not come into contact with any children other than his or her own children.

Adults who have been convicted of a sexually violent offense, as defined in Va. Code § 9.1-902, may be present at school during school hours or during school-related or school-sponsored activities only as provided in Policy KNA Violent Sex Offenders on School Property. 

Other sex offender registrants who are the parents or guardians of a student, may be permitted to participate in appropriate parent or guardian activities, under appropriate supervision, unless prohibited by court order. 

Students who are registered sex offenders may not be precluded from attending school.

7.  Precautions to Protect Students.  When the Superintendent determines it is necessary, because of the presence of a registered sex offender, alternative arrangements may be made for bus and walking routes to and from school, recess and physical education periods, or any other activity in order to protect division students.

            Requests for Registry Information

            Anyone requesting registry information from the school division shall be referred to the   State Police.

 VIOLENT SEX OFFENDERS ON SCHOOL PROPERTY
              No adult who has been convicted of a sexually violent offense, as defined in Va. Code § 9.1-902, may enter or be present, during school hours or during school-related or school-sponsored activities, at any school, unless  

• he is a lawfully registered and qualified voter, and is coming upon such property solely for purposes of casting his vote;
• he is a student enrolled at the school; or
• he has obtained a court order allowing him to enter and be present upon such property, and is in compliance with terms and conditions of the order..

 Persons who have been convicted of other sexual offenses may be permitted to be present at school in certain circumstances in accordance with Policy KN Sex Offender Registry Notification.