5215 - MISSING CHILDREN

Each school should make a concerted effort to assist in identifying missing children using the following guidelines.

1. Student Absence:

   A parent must notify the school by 9:00 a.m. on the day a student is to be absent unless previous notification has been given in accordance with school procedure for reporting absences. If such notification is not received, the principal should notify by telephone or in writing the student's parents, guardian, or legal custodian of a child's absence. The parent is responsible for providing the school with current home and/or work telephone numbers and to notify the school of any change in the above information.

2. Attendance by Periods:

   Student attendance is to be recorded during each class period for Junior High and/or High School students by classroom teachers to ascertain the absence of students. Absence reports are to be delivered to the office at the beginning of each period.

3. Voluntary Fingerprinting:

   Fingerprinting programs, conducted by law enforcement agencies, shall be encouraged to help with the identification of missing children.

   1. No student will be required to participate.

   2. Written parental consent will be required prior to fingerprinting any student.

   3. Fingerprinting will be done by law enforcement agencies.

   4. All fingerprinting cards are to be given to the parents and not retained by the school.

   5. The program will be offered on a periodic basis and parents and residents will be notified periodically about the program and its purpose.

   6. Fingerprinting of students will be for the sole purpose of aiding in the identification and location of missing children.

   7. The parent must be present at the fingerprinting to sign the permission form and to receive the completed fingerprint record.

4. Missing Child Investigations:

   School personnel are required by law to provide law enforcement officials access to a student's record when conducting a missing child investigation, providing they have proper authorization from the parents.

5. Pictures For Identification:

   Corporation personnel, authorized to enter into contracts for the taking of student pictures, will request the photographer to provide, free of cost to the school, a photograph of each student for identification purposes in school records.

6. Enrollment Of New Students:

   A student seeking entry into a Corporation school must comply with admission requirements specified in AG 5111.

   Upon entry, the principal should send a request, in writing, to the sending school as soon as possible. If the records are not received within two (2) weeks, the principal shall call the school. If the sending school indicates no history of the student attending that school, the principal shall contact the Superintendent, who, in turn, shall notify the Greensburg Police Department.