HOMELESS (pg. 16 of Student Handbook)

The Pontiac Elementary School district shall provide an educational environment that treats all students with dignity and respect.  Every homeless student shall have equal access to the same free and appropriate educational opportunities as students who are not homeless.   This commitment to the educational rights of homeless children, youth and youth not living with a parent or guardian, applies to all services, programs, and activities provided and made available, as prescribed in the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act.

When a child loses permanent housing and becomes a homeless person as defined at law, or when a homeless child changes his or her temporary living arrangements, the parent or guardian of the homeless child has the option of either:

1. continuing the child's education in the school of origin for as long as the child remains homeless or, if the child becomes permanently housed, until the end of the academic year during which the housing is acquired; 

2. Or enrolling the child in any school that non-homeless students who live in the attendance area in which the child or youth is actually living are eligible to attend.
   
   

Assistance and support for homeless families includes:

- Educational organizations and schools, food bank and meal programs, local service organizations (Goodwill, Salvation Army, etc.), family shelters, medical services, and other support.