Annual Notifications

2025-26

Aug. 7, 2025

Dear FCPS families:

With the start of every new school year, Fayette County Public Schools shares important notifications as required by law. For 2025-26, FCPS also wants to call to your attention some changes in state law. If you have any questions, please contact your school principal. 

New State Laws

Several new state laws take effect this school year. Our district's role is to implement these laws in a way that is clear and supportive for our community.

Cellphones: House Bill 208 bans the use of cellphones in classrooms across Kentucky except in the case of emergency or medical necessity. In FCPS, students will place their phones in designated pouches during class. Students will still be allowed to have phones during class transitions and lunch.

Elementary School Changes:

• Cursive Writing: Adopted in 2024, Senate Bill 167 requires all elementary schools to teach cursive as part of the curriculum.
• Reading Benchmarks: Under House Bill 240, which was adopted in 2025, students in kindergarten and first grade will take an early literacy screening assessment at the end of the year. Students who do not reach reading benchmarks might be held back to ensure they get the foundational support they need to succeed. We will provide more details on these benchmarks and how we will support students throughout the year.

Teacher-Student Communication: Senate Bill 181 now requires that teachers and school volunteers only communicate with students through traceable, school-approved platforms. In FCPS, we have selected ParentSquare to simplify and streamline two-way communication. We will also continue using established platforms like email, Google Classroom, and Canvas.

Moment of Silence: Senate Bill 19 mandates that every public school day begin with a one- to two-minute moment of silence. Students must remain seated and silent, and are permitted to reflect, meditate, or pray. FCPS encourages every family to discuss this new requirement and provide guidance to their children as to how the moment of silence should be used.

Moral Instruction: Senate Bill 19 provides guidance for families seeking moral instruction.

Graduation Requirements: Beginning with this year’s incoming ninth-grade class, students will have to meet requirements in both financial literacy and civic literacy in order to graduate. 

Sexual Extortion Awareness: Senate Bill 73 requires school districts to provide students and families with information about sexual extortion and to post information about sexual extortion in every school. Please review the official notification, which is available in multiple languages under “Parent Letters” on our district website. To meet state requirements, age-appropriate information about sexual extortion will be shared during bullying and harassment presentations for students in grades 4 through 12.

Annual Notifications

We also want to remind you of important district policies that are in place every year to keep our students safe and supported.

Acceptable Use Policy: FCPS uses technology to enhance the student learning experience, and our Acceptable Use Policy outlines essential expectations for responsible use of district technology and digital resources. By enrolling your child in FCPS, you are agreeing to these guidelines, which you can review online.

Student Code of Conduct: The Student Code of Conduct is a comprehensive guide to district policies regarding student behavior. The publication is reviewed and updated annually with input from students, families, teachers, and administrators, and then adopted by the Fayette County Board of Education. These guidelines align with legal and policy requirements, spell out our high expectations for student conduct, explain the procedures staff members follow in addressing issues, and outline consequences for misconduct. To ensure accessibility, the Student Code of Conduct is available in multiple languages on the Chromebooks issued to every FCPS student and available online. You can also request a paper copy or call (859) 422-4100. 

Optional Opt-Outs: The Student Code of Conduct also explains district policies and procedures regarding the release of your student’s information for:

• Media Coverage – the student or their work appearing publicly in photographs, articles, audio/video broadcasts, and/or interviews
• FERPA Directory Information – the release of the student’s directory information to persons and organizations outside of FCPS, and 
• Military Recruiters – release of information to military recruiters (high school only)

To opt your child out of any of these, please submit the appropriate form. Otherwise, your permission is assumed. 

Title IX Notification: FCPS takes all concerns and complaints of harassment and discrimination seriously. Title IX is a federal law that prohibits discrimination or harassment on the basis of sex under any education program or institution that receives federal funding. Title IX protects district students and staff from sex-based discrimination in areas including but not limited to:

• All forms of sexual harassment and sexual violence, including rape or sexual battery
• Academics
• School programs, including curricular and extracurricular activities
• Treatment of pregnant and parenting staff or students
• Athletics
• Employment

For more information, please visit the District's Title IX Policies & Procedures (Search "Title IX" and scroll to download Policy 03.1621).

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Thank you for being a part of our school community. We are dedicated to making this a great year for our students and families, and we look forward to working with you to ensure a positive and productive learning environment that supports student success.

Fayette County Public Schools
Lexington, Kentucky
(859) 422-4100