The district, in accordance with state and federal law and the Kansas state plan, will ensure that homeless children in the school district have access to free and appropriate public education. Homeless students are individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.

If your family lives in any of the following situations:

• In a shelter

• In a motel or campground, due to the lack of an alternative adequate accommodation

• In a car, park, abandoned building, or bus or train station

• Doubled up with other people due to loss of housing or economic hardship

Your school-aged children may qualify for certain rights and protections under the federal McKinney-Vento Act.

Your eligible children have the right to:

• Receive a free, appropriate public education.

• Enroll in school immediately, even if lacking documents normally required for enrollment.

• Enroll in school and attend classes while the school gathers needed documents.

• Enroll in the local school or continue attending their school of origin ( the school enrolled) if that is your preference and is feasible.

  • If the school district believes that the school you select is not in the best interest of your children, then the district must provide you with a written explanation of its position and inform you of your right to appeal its decision.

• Receive transportation to and from the school of origin if you request this.

• Receive educational services comparable to those provided to other students, according to your children's needs.

If you believe your child might qualify for homeless services, please contact your school's principal or the local coordinator, Rebecca Hummer, at (785) 730-5130 or hummerr@usd450.net.

If you need further assistance with your children's educational needs, contact the National Center for Homeless Education at 1-800-308-2145, homeless@serve.org, or www.serve.org/nche.

State Coordinator, Maureen Tabasko (mtabasko@ksde.org)