Staff » Annual Notification of Rights

Annual Notification of Rights

Annual Notification of Rights 2025-26

State and federal regulations, along with the Minnesota Department of Education, require school districts to share the following annual notices.

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Environmental Notices

Indoor Air Quality Notification

Kaleidoscope Charter School (KCS) #4118 has adopted an Indoor Air Quality Management Plan. This plan will be used by the School to identify and implement the School’s commitment to the best indoor air quality for the student, parents, and staff.  The plan contains maintenance procedures, building surveys, IAQ policies, and procedures for handling indoor air quality concerns and complaints. If you would like to view the Indoor Air Quality Management Plan or if you have any questions or concerns regarding indoor air quality at the school building, please contact Brad Sellner, Executive Director at the school office 763-428-1890.


Testing for Lead in Drinking Water Notification

MN Schools are required to test all drinking water sources in their facilities for the presence of lead. In 2024, Kaleidoscope Charter School’s (KCS) water sources were tested for lead in drinking water.  The results of these tests are kept on file at the KCS Office and on the school’s website.  If you would like to review the results of these tests, please contact Brad Sellner,  Executive Director, at the school office 763-428-1890.

 

Pesticide Notification

Minnesota state law requires that schools inform parents and guardians if they apply certain pesticides on school property. State law also requires that you be told that the long-term health effects on children from the application of such pesticides or the class of chemicals to which they belong may not be fully understood. Kaleidoscope Charter School does not apply pesticides on school property unless all other measures have failed to control the problem. In the event that insect control sprays and dusts need to be applied, it will only be done when students are absent from the area, and will be out of the area until any spray and any odor has dissipated. If you would like to be notified prior to a chemical application, please contact Brad Sellner, Executive Director, at the school office 763-428-1890.


Radon Notification

Radon is a colorless, odorless, radioactive gas that occurs naturally in soil, rocks, underground water supplies, and in the ambient air.  According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other scientific organizations, naturally-occurring radon gas has been associated with an increased risk of developing lung cancer.  The chance of developing lung cancer from radon exposure is dependent on several factors, including individual susceptibility and, perhaps more importantly, the dose and duration of exposure.  The EPA and other major national and international scientific organizations have concluded that radon is a human carcinogen and a serious environmental health problem.  Radon gas typically moves up through the ground into the air in buildings through subsurface wall and/or floor cracks, floor drains, and construction joints and pipes.  The water supply may also be a source of radon exposure.

 

The EPA and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) advise schools to test for radon after any renovation to the building or HVAC system, or periodically, such as every 5 years and to reduce levels to below 4 picoCuries per Liter (pCi/L).  If you have any questions or concerns regarding radon at the school building, please contact Brad Sellner, Executive Director at the school office 763-428-1890.

 

Asbestos Notification

Until the late 1970's, asbestos was commonly used in commercial and residential building materials, such as floor tile and thermal system insulations.  KCS School was constructed in 2008 and 2015, asbestos containing building materials were not specified during construction or known to be present in the building.  

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KCS School Policies

School Districts are also required to provide mandatory notifications in the areas of Health, Safety, Nutrition, Nondiscrimination, and Student Privacy.  These policies include the following:  

» 102 Equal Education Opportunity

» 401 Equal Employment Opportunity

» 402 Staff Disability Nondiscrimination

» 404 Background Checks

» 413 Harassment and Violence

» 419 Tobacco Free Environment

» 503 Student Attendance

» 505 Distribution of Nonschool-Sponsored Materials

» 506 Student Disciple

» 514 Bullying Prohibition

» 515 Protection and Privacy of Pupil Records

» 520 Student Surveys

» 521 Student Disability Nondiscrimination

» 522 Title IX Sex Nondiscrimination Policy

» 524 Internet Acceptable Use and Safety

» 526 Hazing Prohibition

» 527 Student Use and Parking of Motor Vehicles; Patrols, Inspections and Searches

» 529 Notification to Staff Re. Violent Students

» 534 Student Meals

» 609 Religion

» 612.1 Parent and Family Engagement Policy

» 624 Online Instruction

» 709 Student Transportation Safety

» 722 Public Data and Data Subject Requests.

To view each of these policies, please visit our website at https://www.kcsmn.org/apps/pages/policies

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School Board Meetings

Regular School Board meetings are typically held on the fourth Thursday of each month. The meetings are open to the public. The meetings are held at the KCS School Building (7525 Kalland Ave NE, Otsego, MN, 55301).  Board Meetings begin at 5:30 p.m.  The public has the opportunity to speak to the board at Regular School Board Meetings.

 

Special meetings, if necessary, and work sessions may be scheduled and take place at the KCS School Building (7525 Kalland Ave NE, Otsego, MN, 55301), beginning at 5:30 p.m.  Special meetings and work sessions are open to the public. The general purpose of work sessions, if needed, is for Board members to be brought up-to-date on strategic plan, budget or other district issues that may come for a vote before the Board at a Regular Meeting.

Meeting dates, times, and locations can be found at: https://www.kcsmn.org/apps/pages/meetings-agendas-minutes

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Health Services Information

The goal of the health services department is to create and sustain a school environment that promotes and supports student achievement, health, and well-being.  Research shows that healthy students are better learners.  To accomplish this, Health Services staff, as part of the school team:

  • Promotes student wellness
  • Monitors immunization status of students
  • Manages health plans for students with health conditions
  • Provides first aid and emergency care
  • Administers medication as ordered by a physician
  • Maintains health service records
  • Implements screening programs
  • Encourages healthy behaviors
  • Encourages self-care
  • Surveillance of communicable diseases

The model of Health Services at KCS uses a combination of a Licensed School Nurse and a Health Clerk.

For more information, contacts, and forms, please visit:  https://www.kcsmn.org/apps/pages/health-office

 
Allergy Alert
Based on studies in the United States approximately 1 out of 125 children have a peanut allergy. Allergies to peanuts, shellfish, and eggs, along with other allergies have increased in the last decade. Therefore, it seems that it is likely that we will have students with food allergies in our school system.  A table will be set aside for students with peanut and other food allergies as needed.  Our goal is to keep all students safe! Classroom teachers are aware of student allergies and notify any visitors of those allergies. Please contact Nickey Inglis, Health Clerk, at the school office 763-428-1890.

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School Delays, Closing, Early Dismissals

There may be times when adverse weather or an emergency will result in school delays, closings, or early dismissals.


Weather: In cases of extreme weather, school delays or closures are normally announced by 5:45 a.m.

On days schools are closed, all after-school and evening activities and Comet Kids (school aged care) are canceled. 


Emergencies: These are managed on an individual basis, typically in coordination with local public agencies. In all cases, including those when students are relocated, families are urged to follow the instructions provided by the school district and/or emergency agencies.


Since Kaleidoscope Charter School students are transported on the same buses as students in ISD 728 (Elk River-Otsego-Rogers- Zimmerman), our school will not be open if ISD 728 middle and high schools are closed and will have a delayed opening and/or early dismissal if ISD 728 middle and high schools are delayed or have early release due to inclement weather or other emergency affecting transportation to Kaleidoscope Charter School. In addition, Kaleidoscope may close when the ISD 728 schools stay open.


Kaleidoscope Charter School’s closing will be announced through multiple means, including an automated text message, an email, on Facebook, and on our website at www.kcsmn.org.


For more information and communication methods, please visit: https://www.kcsmn.org/apps/pages/emergency-closings


When school is closed due to inclement weather, KCS may choose to either have a traditional snow day or an e-Learning Day.  Please review our e-Learning Day plan HERE.

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Non-discrimination Statement

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. To read KCS’s Policies on; Equal Opportunity (Policy 102), Disability Nondiscrimination (Policy 402), Student Disability Nondiscrimination (Policy 521), and Student Sex Nondiscrimination (Policy 522) see KCS School Board at https://www.kcsmn.org/apps/pages/policies: And Non-discrimination statement and overview at: https://www.kcsmn.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=2446361&type=d&pREC_ID=2537324

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Release of Student Information

By law, specified student data identified below is classified as Directory Information, meaning that if requested in writing, the school district must provide it:

» Name

» Date and place of birth

» Dates of attendance

» Awards received

» Participation in officially recognized activities

» Height/weight of athletic team members

» Most recent previous educational agency or institution

Parents can opt-out by submitting a letter to the main office at KCS. The military is entitled to additional information as defined by Federal and state statutes, making email addresses available to the Military for recruitment purposes only. To read KCS’s Protection and Privacy of Public Records Policy, see KCS School Board Policy 515 at: https://www.kcsmn.org/apps/pages/policies

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Student Education Records and FERPA Notification for Families

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords parents and students who are 18 years of age or older certain rights with respect to the student’s education records. These rights include:


  • The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days after the day KCS receives a request for access.
  • The right to request the amendment of t
  • he student’s education records that the parent or eligible student believes are inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy rights under FERPA.
  • The right to provide written consent before the school discloses personally identifiable information from the student’s education records, 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.  
  • Other school officials within the educational agency or institution whom the Superintendent or his/her designee has determined to have legitimate educational interests. This includes contractors, consultants, volunteers, or other parties to whom the school has outsourced institutional services or functions, provided that the conditions listed in § 99.31(a)(1)(i)(B)(1) - (a)(1)(i)(B)(3) are met. (§ 99.31(a)(1)).
  • The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by KCS to comply with the requirements of FERPA.

More information regarding Student Records can be found in Policy #515 https://www.kcsmn.org/apps/pages/policies 

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Food Services

During the 2023 Minnesota Legislative Session, lawmakers signed into law the Free School Meals Program for students beginning in the 2023-2024 school year. All students will be eligible for one reimbursable breakfast and one reimbursable lunch per day free of charge. KCS Food Services contributes to our learner's success by offering a wide variety of healthy food choices and teaches students to develop healthy lifelong eating habits. KCS will continue to collect the Application for Educational Benefits to determine if students qualify for free or reduced-price meals. Students qualifying for benefits increases federal and state funding to support learning experiences for students. Qualifying for benefits also helps your family reduce fees in other areas of your child’s school experience. Families can apply anytime during the school year and are encouraged to do so if there is a change in household income. For additional information, please visit https://www.kcsmn.org/apps/pages/food-nutrition-services or call 763- 428-1890. Please help KCS students by completing the application!


For more information and forms for KCS Dietary Accommodations, visit here: https://www.kcsmn.org/apps/pages/food-nutrition-services

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Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness

A homeless child is any child who “lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence” and can include “children and youths who are sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason; are living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to the lack of alternative adequate accommodation; are living in emergency or transitional shelters; are abandoned in hospitals; or are awaiting foster care placement.  


Children and youth who experience homelessness have the right to receive a free, appropriate public education, ensured by the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Improvements Act of 2001. The services provided under McKinney-Vento provide families the opportunity to maintain education stability for their students, which is key to their educational trajectory and success.

Please notify any KCS Student Support Staff or Mr. Chris Nordmann at [email protected] if you are experiencing homelessness, and they will work with you to obtain the necessary resources.  

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Right to Request Teacher and/or Paraprofessional Qualifications

Parents/Guardians have the right to request information about the professional qualifications of their child’s teacher(s) or paraprofessional(s).  A paraprofessional provides academic or other support for students under the direct supervision of a teacher.  Information may include, but not be limited to whether:

  • the teacher has met State certification and licensing requirements for the grade levels and subjects for which the teacher provides instruction;
  • if state certification and licensing requirements have been waived (is not being required at this time) for the teacher under emergency or other temporary status;
  • if the teacher is teaching in the field of discipline for which they are certified or licensed;
  • if the teacher has met State-approved or State-recognized certification, licensing, registration, or other comparable requirements.  These requirements apply to the professional discipline in which the teacher is working and may include providing English language instruction to English learners, special education or related services to students with disabilities, or both; and
  • if your child is receiving Title I or Special Education services from paraprofessionals, his or her qualifications.

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KCS District Finance

For up-to-date information on the KCS District annual budget and audit reports please visit the KCS Finance page at: https://www.kcsmn.org/apps/pages/financial-reports

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Postsecondary Enrollment Opportunities

For up-to-date information on KCS Postsecondary Enrollment Opportunities, please visit: https://www.kcsmn.org/apps/pages/pseo

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Student Handbooks

For up-to-date information on school building practices and applicable policies, Locally Selected Alternatives to State High School Assessment, classroom fees, and permitted fees, please see our KCS Student and Family Handbook: https://www.kcsmn.org/apps/pages/student-resources

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Testing and Assessment

For up-to-date information on assessments, procedures for opting out of state testing, KCS’s Standardized Test Calendar, the MDE Data Center, and State Assessment Information please, visit:  https://www.kcsmn.org/apps/pages/assessment

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Notice of Program Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities

All programs or activities offered by the KCS, when viewed in their entirety, shall be readily accessible to individuals with disabilities.  Information relating to the existence, location or relocation of services, activities, and facilities that are accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities can be obtained upon request.  Services, activities, and facilities are relocatable, but only as required by law. Please contact Brad Sellner,  Executive Director, at the school office 763-428-1890.

 

Interested persons, who need auxiliary aids and/or services for effective communication in programs or activities, including persons with impaired vision or hearing, are invited to make their needs and preferences known to KCS’s Executive Director.  Disabled individuals who need auxiliary aids and/or services to attend a meeting or function at school should make a request for reasonable accommodations within a reasonable time before the date of the event or function.

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Wellness Policy

The Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004 (Public Law 108-265), passed by the U.S. Congress and signed into law by the President, established a new provision requiring districts/schools participating in the federally funded school meal programs to develop and implement a local wellness policy by the beginning of the 2006 school year.

 The District will actively inform families and the public each year of basic information about this policy, including its content, any updates to the policy, and implementation status. The District will make this information available via the district website and/or district-wide communications. The District will provide as much information as possible about the school nutrition environment. This will include a summary of the District’s events or activities related to wellness policy implementation. Annually, the District will also publicize the name and contact information of the Superintendent or designee, leading and coordinating the committee, as well as information on how the public can get involved with the school wellness committee. If you would like to review the policy or connected materials, they can be found on our website at https://www.kcsmn.org/apps/pages/policies - Policy #533 

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Human Rights Notice

Any person who believes he or she has been the victim of religious, racial or sexual harassment or violence by a pupil, teacher, administrator or other school personnel of KCS, or any person with knowledge or belief of conduct which may constitute religious, racial or sexual harassment or violence toward a student, teacher, administrator or other school personnel should report the alleged acts immediately to the appropriate KCS official designated by this policy.

 

KCS encourages the reporting party or complainant to use the report form available from the principal of each building, but oral reports shall be considered complaints, as well. Nothing in this policy shall prevent any person from reporting harassment or violence directly to the KCS human rights officer.

 

District Human Rights Officer: Executive Director, Brad Sellner
 Phone: 763-428-1890; 7525 Kalland Ave NE, Otsego, MN 55301

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Notice of Comprehensive Achievement and Civic Readiness Report

On our website you will find information on the Comprehensive Achievement and Civic Readiness Report (state statute, section 120B.11), under, Annual Reports https://www.kcsmn.org/apps/pages/annual-reports

The CACR plan is a comprehensive long-term strategic plan to support and improve teaching and learning with the ultimate goal of 

  • All children are ready for school.
  • All racial and economic achievement gaps between students are closed.
  • All students are ready for career and college.
  • All students graduate from high school.

It is intended to serve as a foundational document that aligns educational initiatives that serve students K through high school. 

You will also find information about the District's annual report to the Volunteers of America (VOA).  

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Bullying Prohibition Policy

A safe and civil environment is needed for students to learn and attain high academic standards and to promote healthy human relationships.  Bullying, like other violent or disruptive behavior, is conduct that interferes with a student’s ability to learn and/or a teacher’s ability to educate students in a safe environment.  KCS cannot monitor the activities of students at all times and eliminate all incidents of bullying between students, particularly when students are not under the direct supervision of school personnel.  However, to the extent such conduct affects the educational environment of KCS and the rights and welfare of its students and is within the control of KCS in its normal operations, KCS intends to prevent bullying and to take action to investigate, respond to, and to remediate and discipline for those acts of bullying which have not been successfully prevented.  The purpose of this policy is to assist KCS in its goal of preventing and responding to acts of bullying, intimidation, violence, reprisal, retaliation, and other similar disruptive and detrimental behavior. 

 

An act of bullying, by either an individual student or a group of students, is expressly prohibited on school premises, on KCS property, at school functions or activities, or on school transportation.  This policy applies not only to students who directly engage in an act of bullying but also to students who, by their indirect behavior, condone or support another student’s act of bullying.  This policy also applies to any student whose conduct at any time or in any place constitutes bullying or other prohibited conduct that interferes with or obstructs the mission or operations of KCS or the safety or welfare of the student or other students, or materially and substantially interferes with a student’s educational opportunities or performance or ability to participate in school functions or activities or receive school benefits, services, or privileges.  This policy also applies to an act of cyberbullying regardless of whether such act is committed on or off KCS property and/or with or without the use of KCS resources.  If you would like a copy of KCS’s Bully Prohibition Policy #514, please see our school website at  https://www.kcsmn.org/apps/pages/policies or contact the principal for a copy.

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American Indian Parent Advisory Committee 

The American Indian Parent Committee (AIPAC) serves as an advisory to help ensure that American Indian students are receiving culturally relevant and equitable educational opportunities.  AIPAC is critical to the achievement and success of American Indian students at KCS and offers a valuable opportunity to strengthen school and parent partnerships.  AIPAC meets four times a year.

 

AIPAC must be comprised primarily of parents of American Indian students within the school.  American Indian secondary students and American Indian school staff are also eligible to serve on the committee, as are American Indian community members.  While non-Native district staff may participate in the AIPAC meetings, they are not official committee members, and should not outnumber committee members at meetings.

 

Prior to March 1 of each year, the AIPAC meets to discuss whether or not they concur with the educational offerings that have been extended by the school to American Indian students.  If the AIPAC finds the school has been meeting the needs of American Indian students, they issue a vote and resolution of concurrence.  If they find that the school has not been meeting the needs of American Indian students, they issue a vote and resolution of nonconcurrence.

 

The KCS AIPAC welcomes American Indian parents, students, and staff to join.  Please reach out to Brad Sellner, Executive Director, at the school office 763-428-1890, with questions or if you are wanting to join the AIPAC.