PTHS Student Handbook 2026-2027

PUNS (Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Services) Database Information for Students and Parents or Guardians The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) maintains a statewide database known as the PUNS database (Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Services) that records information about individuals with intellectual disabilities or developmental disabilities who are potentially in need of services. IDHS uses the data on PUNS to select individuals for services as funding becomes available, to develop proposals and materials for budgeting, and to plan for future needs. The PUNS database is available for children with intellectual disabilities or developmental disabilities with unmet service needs. Registration to be included on the PUNS database is the first step toward receiving developmental disabilities services in this State. A child who is not on the PUNS database will not be in the queue for State developmental disabilities services. STUDENT ASSIGNMENT Placement of students shall be the responsibility of the Principal and shall be based on general achievement with consideration being given to the mental, physical, emotional, and social maturity of the child. In general, students transferring into PTHS will be placed in the same course level as in the school from which they transferred, but children transferring, as well as continuing students, may be retained or advanced in course levels at the Principal’s discretion. If the student has an IEP, the student assignment is based on the IEP team determinations. STUDENT RECORDS A school student record is any writing or other recorded information concerning a student and by which a student may be identified individually that is maintained by a school or at its direction or by a school employee, regardless of how or where the information is stored, except for certain records kept in a staff member’s sole possession; records maintained by law enforcement officers working in the school; video and other electronic recordings that are created in part for law enforcement, security, or safety reasons or purposes; and electronic recordings made on school buses. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Illinois Student Records Act afford parents/guardians and students over 18 years of age (“eligible students”) certain rights with respect to the student’s school records. They are: The degree of access a student has to his or her records depends on the student’s age. Students less than 18 years of age have the right to inspect and copy only their permanent record. Students 18 years of age or older have access and copy rights to both permanent and temporary records. A parent/guardian or student should submit to the building principal a written request that identifies the record(s) he or she wishes to inspect. The principal will make arrangements for access and notify the parent/guardian or student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. The District charges $.35 per page for copying but no one will be denied their right to copies of their records for inability to pay this cost. The right to inspect and copy the student’s education records within 15 school/business days of the day the District receives a request for access. For more information and to sign up for PUNS, see the Illinois Department of Human Services PUNS information page at https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=41131. You may also contact Angela Thomas at (815) 844-6113 for more information.