State regulations governing student records are briefly summarized below. These regulations are available at the school for review.
A student's record consists of his or her school transcript and temporary record. The temporary record includes all information, which is organized on the basis of the student's name, that is relevant to the educational needs of the student and is kept by the school. A student's parent or guardian, or a student who is at least 14 years old or has entered the ninth grade (an eligible student), has the right to inspect all portions of the student's record upon request to the school Principal. The record must be made available to the parent, guardian, or eligible student not later than two consecutive workdays after the request is made, unless the parent, guardian, or eligible student consents to a delay.
Confidentiality of Records
No individual or organization other than the parent, guardian,
eligible student, or school personnel working directly with the
student is allowed access to a student's record without specific
written consent of the parent or eligible student except in limited
instances as specified by the state and federal regulations governing
student records.
As required by M.G.L. c.71 S34, a parent who does not have physical custody of his/her child must provide certain written information to the Principal in order to access the child's student records. A description of the information that the noncustodial parent must submit can be obtained from our school (978-264-4700, ext. 3701) or from Nancy Kolb, the Director of Pupil Services (978-264-4700, ext. 3265)
Amendments to or Deletions from
Records
The parent, guardian, or eligible student has the right to add
relevant comments, information, or other written material to the
student record, to request that information contained in the record
be amended or deleted, and to have a conference with the school
Principal for the purpose of objecting to information on the record.
Within a week of such a conference, the Principal must render a
decision in writing on the objection. If the parent, guardian, or
eligible student is not satisfied with the Principal's decision, he
or she may appeal such decision to the school Superintendent and
ultimately to the School Committee.
Release of Directory
Information
Each year, the McCarthy-Towne Community creates a Student Telephone
Directory. The Directory is intended for use by the MCT community
only. We encourage students to call each other for play dates,
homework assignments, or friendship. Inclusion in the directory is
voluntary. Forms to include pertinent information are sent home at
the start of the school year.
Transfer of Student Records
In order to transfer your child's records to another school, a signed
"Student Release Record Form" (available in the school office) must
be signed by a parent or guardian.
Destruction of Records
A student's temporary record shall be destroyed no later than five
years after the student leaves the school system. A student
transcript may be destroyed no sooner than 60 years after the student
leaves the school system. A school Principal or his or her designee
may destroy misleading, outdated, or irrelevant information contained
in the temporary record during the time the student is enrolled in
the school system, provided the parent, guardian, or eligible student
has been notified in writing and given the opportunity to inspect and
copy any of the information prior to its destruction.