The Elmira City School District has plans in place to help students who are homeless continue their education successfully. The links below provide helpful information on this subject.
Federal law on the education rights of students in homeless situations
Click here for legal definitions of homelessness, which includes many different living situations, and a summary of federal law on the rights of students in these situations to receive an education.
Information for parents
Click here for frequently asked questions about children's rights to an education. This section includes information about children's rights to go to school regardless of where they live, to receive transportation to and from school, to enroll even without a permanent address and more.
Information for teachers
Click here if you are a teacher who wants to be able to detect and refer students in unstable living conditions. Tell-tale signs include hunger, tiredness, poor grooming or personal hygiene, poor attendance and other warning signs. This sectional includes symptoms, frustrations and classroom tips.
SYMPTOMS OF HOMELESS STUDENTS
|
| Visible Symptoms |
Behavior |
Problems in School |
- Malnutrition
- Poor hygiene
- Unattended medical needs
- Poor health, especially skin rashes, respiratory problems, asthma
- Neglect
- Abuse
- Involvement with drugs
|
- Low self-esteem
- Withdrawn or listless
- Hostile and aggressive
- Tired
- Emotionally needy
- Difficulty in trusting
- Hoards food
- Parentified (takes care of parents)
- Old beyond their years
- Fantasize and daydream
- Controlling, bossy
- Promiscuous
|
- Ashamed of situation and where they live
- Developmentally delayed
- School phobic (want to be with parents/fear of abandonment)
- Poor organizational skills
- Poor ability to conceptualize
- Difficulty finishing what they start
|