Student Fees Policy

FirstLine Schools provides a range of programming to students across academic, social, extracurricular, athletic, and other domains. As public schools, FirstLine will strive to create these programs with minimal contributions (fees) from families and participating students. All fees requested from families will be communicated to families as early as possible, and a clear waiver process will be made available to ensure no undue economic hardship is caused by student fees. In no case will any fee prohibited by local, state, or federal law be authorized by FirstLine Schools leadership, and in no case will students be denied or delayed admission to any instructional activity due to failure to pay a fee.  Failure to pay any required fee shall not result in the withholding of a student’s educational record, in accordance with R.S. 17:112.

The 2023-24 fees for all FirstLine schools can be found here, this list includes the purpose and use of fees, and the amount of each fee.

Collection of Fees

• School Leaders (or their designee) will create a description of all fees to be collected by the school within the authorized range for school fees. Schools will make every effort to communicate these fees before the beginning of each academic year and will communicate any updates via the school website, direct family communication, or other appropriate means.
• School Leaders (or their designee) will collect fees from families and/or scholars. The standard methods of payment are credit card, check or money orders. Cash is not preferred but will also be accepted.  
• In accordance with FirstLine Schools Financial Policies and Procedures, the school will generate a receipt or other documentation of the transaction for the school’s records and for those of the family.    

Spending of Fees

As a general practice, student fees are designed to offset the cost of programming funded primarily by other funding sources, including recurring per-pupil revenue and philanthropy. School Leaders (or their designee) will determine the appropriate use for funds collected via student fees and will be responsible for clearly communicating these plans to students and families. Typical uses of fees include uniforms, equipment, and transportation for athletic and co-curricular organizations; participation in special events; and other supplementary programming that complement the core mission of the school.

Economic Hardship Waiver

FirstLine Schools seeks to balance fairness (i.e., all participating students should pay the same fee) with equity and an acknowledgment of economic hardship facing many families in the communities that we serve. As such, School Leaders (or their designee) will offer fee reductions and waivers to students and families who complete the following steps:

• Make a good faith effort to pay the full fee, including by requesting additional time and/or a payment plan.
• Request a waiver or fee reduction from the School Leader (or designee) in writing via email or letter
• Provide additional documentation requested by the School Leader (or designee)
• Commit to informing the School Leader (or designee) if the family’s economic circumstances change and the fee is able to be paid later in the academic year

The Louisiana Department of Education provides the following examples of a family status that may be grounds to grant a waiver: families receiving unemployment benefits or public assistance, including Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Medicaid; foster families caring for children in foster care; and families that are homeless. School Leaders may use these indicators and other information to make their determination.  Waivers due to economic hardship will be kept confidential by the School Leader to protect student and family privacy. Students who receive a fee waiver will never be discriminated against or overtly identified.

School Leaders (or their designee) will communicate the decision regarding a waiver on a rolling basis directly to families in writing.  All waivers will be kept on file at the school. If audited, all personally identifiable student information will be removed from the waiver.

For appeals of economic hardship fee waivers, parents may contact FirstLine Schools’ CEO, Sabrina Pence.  She can be reached at (504) 941-1827 or spence@firstlineschools.org .  The appeal should be emailed to the CEO.  

Wellness Policy

FirstLine Schools Wellness Policy includes information on the following:
School Wellness Committee
Wellness Policy Implementation, Monitoring, Accountability, and Community Engagement
Nutrition
Physical Activity
Other Activities that Promote Student Wellness

• To view a list of meals offered at each school site, please visit our “School Menus” page in the Family Center.

• Summer Meals Availability (seasonal)

• Most Recent Wellness Assessment Results 

• View our upcoming Wellness Committee dates with information on how to participate: Invitation Letter

• Wellness Committee Meeting Minutes 

Severe Allergic Reaction (Anaphylaxis) Policy

Background:

Severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) can be caused by a variety of triggers and most commonly include food & insect stings. Other common causes of anaphylaxis include allergies to latex, medications, and various environmental stimuli.

Pathophysiology and treatment:

Anaphylaxis can affect almost any part of the body and cause various symptoms.

The most dangerous symptoms include difficulty breathing, difficulty swallowing, swelling of mucous membranes and a drop in blood pressure or shock, which are potentially fatal.

Medications

• Epinephrine
• Antihistamines

Treatment of anaphylaxis is centered on treating the rapidly progressing effects of the histamine release in the body with epinephrine. The allergen should also be removed immediately.

Creating an Allergen-Safe School Environment

• Protecting a student from exposure to offending allergens is the most important way to prevent life-threatening anaphylaxis.
• Avoidance of exposure to allergens is the key to preventing a reaction.
• The risk of exposure to allergens for a student is reduced when the school personnel, medical provider and parent/guardian work together to develop a management plan for the student.
• Educating the entire school community about life-threatening allergies is important in keeping students with life-threatening allergies safe.

The School Team

• Director of Student Support Services
• School Leader
• School Nurse
• Teachers

Policy

Pursuant to ensuring the health and safety of students, a school nurse or trained school employee may administer auto-injectable epinephrine, as defined in RS 17:436.1 subparagraph (J)(4)(a) to a student who the school nurse or trained school employee, in good faith, professionally believes is having an anaphylactic reaction, whether or not such student has a prescription for epinephrine.

At least one employee at each school shall receive training from a registered nurse or a licensed medical physician in the administration of auto-injectable epinephrine. The school nurse or trained employee may administer the auto-injectable epinephrine to respond to a student’s anaphylactic reaction, under a standing protocol from a physician licensed to practice medicine in the state.

Each public elementary school may maintain a supply of auto-injectable epinephrine at the school in a locked, secure, and easily accessible location. A licensed physician may prescribe epinephrine auto-injectors in the name of the school system or the individual school to be maintained for use when deemed necessary pursuant to the provisions of this policy.

Anaphylaxis Management

Anaphylaxis Algorithm available on-site with emergency medication for direction

1. Provide necessary precautions and general training for staff on school grounds, the cafeteria, or on school buses
2. Training by licensed medical personnel/registered nurses for all adults in a supervisory role in the recognition and emergency management of a specific medical condition for specific students;
3. Create Individual Health Care Plans (IHP), Emergency Care Plans (ECP), 504 Plans, or Individualized Educational Plans (IEP) as indicated;
4. Have standing emergency medical protocols “to authorize for nursing staff; to administer epinephrine to a student, in good faith, professionally believes is having an anaphylactic reaction, whether or not such student has a prescription for epinephrine, and to train school personnel to administer epinephrine” when the nurse isn’t available, relative to R.S. 17:436.1 (K).
5. Maintain stock supplies of life-saving emergency medications, as allowed by the laws of Louisiana, such as auto-injectable epinephrine(EpiPens), in all health offices for use in first-time emergencies;
6. Follow specific legal documents duly executed in accordance with the laws of Louisiana with medical orders regarding the care of specific students with severe life-threatening conditions;
7. Allow self-directed students as assessed by the school nurse to carry life-saving medication with prior approval by the medical provider, and according to health practice and procedures, as long as duplicate life-saving medication is also maintained in the health office in the event the self-carrying student misplaces their medicines.
8. Assure that appropriate and reasonable building accommodations are in place to a reasonable degree.

Students at High Risk for Anaphylactic Reaction and Incabale of Self-Administration

In accordance with the Louis Williams Junior Act, FLS will maintain a supply of auto-injectable epinephrine, as defined in Subparagraph (J)(4)(a) of this Section, in a secure location in each classroom assigned to a student who is deemed by his physician to be at high risk for anaphylactic reaction and incapable of self-administration of auto-injectable epinephrine. The student’s parent or other legal guardian are required to provide the school in which the student is enrolled with all of the following annually:

(a) The supply of auto-injectable epinephrine to be kept in each classroom.

(b) Written authorization for the student to be administered the medication.

(c) Written certification from the student’s licensed medical physician or other authorized prescriber that the student is at high risk of having anaphylaxis and is not capable of self-administration of auto-injectable epinephrine.

(d) A written treatment plan, as defined in Subparagraph (J)(1)(c) of this Section, from the student’s licensed medical physician or other authorized prescriber for managing anaphylactic episodes.

Documentation of the student’s treatment plan and location of auto-injectable epinephrine shall be kept on file in the office of the school nurse or other designated school official. The teacher in each classroom where auto-injectable epinephrine is stored shall be provided information regarding accessing and administering auto-injectable epinephrine, the signs and symptoms of anaphylactic reactions, and specific information regarding condition, care, and treatment of the student assigned to the classroom who is at high risk of anaphylactic reaction.

FLS shall inform the parent or other legal guardian of the student in writing that the school and its employees shall incur no liability as a result of any injury sustained by the student from the good faith administration of auto-injectable epinephrine. The parent or other legal guardian of the student shall sign a statement acknowledging that the school shall incur no liability and that the parent or other legal guardian shall indemnify and hold harmless the school and its employees against any claims that may arise relating to the good faith administration of auto-injectable epinephrine.

Each school shall include this policy in the student handbook and post it on the school’s website. This policy shall also be disclosed to any parent or other legal guardian who notifies the school in which the student is enrolled, in writing, that the student has a condition that puts them at risk of anaphylaxis.

Email Rebekah Cain, Chief Operating Officer

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race,
color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits.  Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: How to File a Complaint, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

(1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;

(2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or

(3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Civil Rights Complaint Form 

Pupil Progression Plan 

Louisiana state law (R.S. 24.4) requires local education agencies (LEAs) to establish a comprehensive Pupil Progression Plan based on student performance on the Louisiana Educational Assessment Program with goals and objectives that are compatible with the Louisiana Competency-Based Education Program and which supplements the minimum standards approved by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE). The plan shall address student placement and promotion and shall require the student’s mastery of grade-appropriate skills before he or she can be recommended for promotion. 

The law states that “particular emphasis shall be placed upon the student’s proficiency in grade-appropriate skills which may be considered in promotion and placement; however, each local school board shall establish a policy regarding student promotion and placement.” The law goes on to require the state Department of Education to establish, subject to the approval of BESE, the level of achievement on the fourth and eighth grade LEAP test ⎯in mathematics, English language arts, science, and social studies ⎯needed for students to advance to grades five and nine. BESE must also determine the nature and application of various intervention options to be used when students fail to meet the minimum academic standards approved by the board. 

BESE has established minimum standards in Bulletin 1566 – Pupil Progression Policies and Procedures that relate to placement, promotion, and supports and interventions for students not meeting minimum academic standards. BESE has also approved regulations pursuant to state law that relate to placement and promotion in Bulletin 741 – Louisiana Handbook for School Administrators , which includes but is not limited to instructional time, grading policies, credit recovery, and graduation requirements. These bulletins also adhere to federal and state laws and regulations that govern the placement and promotion of students with disabilities, English learners, and transfer students. 

The purpose of this document is to assist LEAs in developing their required Pupil Progression Plan in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, and to codify LEA policies and procedures related to student placement and promotion. In each section of this document, language that conforms to applicable laws and regulations has been prepopulated. Space is provided for LEAs to add any additional local policies and procedures that fulfill the mandate of the law and support students in acquiring proficiency in grade-appropriate skills. Once completed, submitted to the Louisiana Department of Education, and published locally, teachers shall determine promotion or placement of each student on an individual basis. LEAs may review promotion and placement decisions in order to ensure compliance with their established policy, and reviews may be initiated by a school’s governing body, the local superintendent, or a student’s parent or legal custodian.

Questions about this document should be directed to ppp@la.gov.

You can view our complete Pupil Progression Plan here. 

Homeless/ Foster Care Policy

In accordance with The McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Act and Fostering Connection Act, FirstLine Schools recognizes that homelessness or placement in foster-care alone should not be a sufficient reason to prevent any student from receiving an education in any of our schools. Therefore, FirstLine Schools’ Board of Directors, in accordance with state and federal law, gives special attention to ensure that homeless children or those placed in foster-care in FirstLine Schools have access to a free and appropriate education and to hopefully ensure that there are no barriers to the enrollment, transportation, attendance and success in school of homeless children and youths. Children and youth experiencing homelessness or foster-care will be immediately enrolled in school:

●      even if lacking paperwork normally required for enrollment; or

●      even if having missed application or enrollment deadlines during any period of homelessness or foster care placement.

Upon enrollment, children and youth experiencing homelessness or foster-care will have access to school based transportation in accordance with FirstLine’s current transportation policies and procedures.  Children and youth experiencing homelessness or foster-care who are currently enrolled in a FirstLine School will remain,  if possible, in the school in which the child is enrolled at the time of placement. When  remaining in such a school is not in the best interest of the child, FirstLine Schools will work with the unified enrollment system to ensure the student receives  immediate and appropriate enrollment in a new school, with all of the educational  records of the child provided to the new school.

For more information on this policy, please contact your student’s school Social Worker.