Metro High School
Alternative Program
Student and Parent Handbook
2011-2012
2011-2012
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Main Office |
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558-2193 |
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Attendance |
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558-2291 |
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Clinic |
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558-2272 |
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Records |
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558-2890 |
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Fees |
|
558-1901 |
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Fax |
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398-2117 |
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http://metro.cr.k12.ia.us |
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The Board supports the delivery of
the education program and services to students free of discrimination based on real
or perceived race, creed, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual
orientation, gender identity, physical disability or mental disability.
HISTORY
In 1974, the
OUR
PHILOSOPHY
NATIONAL
AND STATE AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
·
1984-85,
Excellence in Education
·
1990-91, First In
the Nation in Education (FINE) Award
·
1992, Redbook
magazine’s top 140 schools in the country
·
1993,
New students may enroll at Metro during one of the
scheduled Orientation sessions. The enrollment process includes recommendation
from the previous school's counselor or administrator, attendance at a
parent/student information meeting, and successful completion of our
Orientation program. Students receiving special education services must have
the recommendation of the IEP team and approval from the District’s Special
Services Administrator prior to enrollment in our Orientation.
All entering students must participate in our
Orientation program. During this time, staff assess student academic skills, and students become familiar
with and model our behavior expectations, learn about programs offered,
establish school goals, and learn positive methods for attaining their goals.
Students must fully attend Orientation and meet the behavior expectations prior
to their enrollment. Upon their
successful completion of Orientation, students are assigned an advisor and
receive a class schedule.
Students
completing the credit requirements to graduate will receive a
Language Arts 60.0 credits 4 years Social
Studies 45.0 credits 3 years
Math 45.0 credits 3 years Science 45.0 credits 3 years
Physical Education 30.0 credits 4 years Electives 75.0 credits 4 years
TOTAL CREDITS REQUIRED
TO GRADUATE 300.0 credits
Metro
hosts a graduation ceremony at the conclusion of each trimester.
HOW TO EARN
CREDIT
Students do not receive letter grades at Metro. Our program uses a variable credit system
allowing students to earn from 0 – 5 credits for each class per trimester. Credit is earned on the basis of attendance,
work performance, and behavior. Students
may typically earn 32.5 – 37.5 credits per
trimester.
ADVISORS
The heart of Metro is the advisor/advisee system. Each teacher serves as an advisor for 15 - 20
students. The advisor is an advocate for their students’ educational
programs. With the exception of new
ninth graders, students retain the same advisor throughout their enrollment at
Metro. Advisors have the opportunity to
formally meet with their advisees weekly to discuss issues relevant to their
educational program. The advisor system
is designed to provide maximum support to the student and assistance to the
parents/guardians. The advisor will:
·
Maintain
communication with parents or guardians supporting the student’s school
success.
·
Monitor the
classes their advisees are taking to ensure they are making progress toward
graduation.
·
Assist in
developing career and/or post-secondary education plans.
·
Assist in problem
solving when behaviors interfere with school success.
Parents and guardians are encouraged to
call their student's advisor for information on attendance, behavior, and
school progress.
Students attend classes Monday through Friday. Metro follows the
M T TH F
Schedule
|
Breakfast 8:00-8:15 |
Period 1 8:15-9:10 |
Period 2 9:15 – 10:10 |
Period 3 10:15 – 11:10 |
Lunch 11:10-11:40 |
Period 4 11:40-12:35 |
Period 5 12:40-1:35 |
Period 6 1:40-2:35 |
Wednesday
Schedule
|
Breakfast 8:00-8:15 |
Period 1 or 2 8:15-9:00 |
Advisor Meeting 9:04-9:34 |
Period 3 or 4 9:37-10:22 |
Period 5 or 6 10:25-11:10 |
Lunch 11:10-11:40 |
Every Wednesday is an early release day for students with class dismissal
at 11:10. Both breakfast and lunch will
be served to students on Wednesdays.
Metro staff reserves the right to assign student schedules based upon
the well being of the student population.
GENERAL INFORMATION
ü
Attendance
Consistent daily attendance is the key to success at
Metro. Our school has an automated
calling system to report student absences to parents/guardians. Parents may also check attendance using
PowerSchool. Parents may obtain login
information and directions for using this internet based student data system by
contacting our main office.
Parents/guardians are welcome to check with our attendance secretary or
their student’s advisor regarding attendance. Please report absences to the
attendance secretary at 558-2291. We
encourage students and families to schedule appointments, eg., dentist, doctor,
outside of the school day.
ü Child Abuse
Reporting
Access
to Inappropriate Material
Staff and parents
should be aware that some material accessible via the network may contain items
that are illegal, defamatory, inaccurate, or potentially offensive.
Prohibited material should not be accessed by students or staff. Although
the district applies supervision and technology protection measures (internet
filtering), students acting independently or irresponsibly may find ways to
access inappropriate materials. Age appropriate instruction will be
provided regarding strategies for avoiding the inadvertent access of
inappropriate material and what to do if students accidentally access such
material.
Supervision
and Monitoring
Student use of
networked resources will be supervised and monitored by teachers in a manner
that is appropriate for the age of the students and circumstances of use.
Students have limited privacy when they use network resources at school.
Routine monitoring that reveals evidence of inappropriate activities may result
in an individualized search of a student’s activities or personal files.
ü Fees
A yearly materials fee is required by the
district. This fee can be paid in full
at fall registration or on a prorated basis at the beginning of each
trimester. If your family is eligible
for Free/Reduced Meals or if you are homeless, you may also be eligible for a
fee waiver. A request for exemption is a
part of the Free/Reduced Meals form.
Forms are available in the main office or will be mailed to you by
calling 558-2193.
ü
Field Trips
Field
trips offer staff an opportunity to extend student learning in the
community. When field trips are
scheduled, they are an extension of the class.
A student may participate in a field trip if a current field trip permission
form is signed by a parent or guardian if the student is under 18. Transportation for field trips is provided by
Metro. Students are not allowed to drive their own vehicles. Students who refuse to participate in field
trips (who have a current signed field trip permission form) are refusing to
attend class and failing to follow our class expectations. If students arrive to school late and their
class has left for a field trip, they will be assigned to a supervised area in
which to work.
ü Food Service
Breakfast and lunch are served on campus daily. Breakfast is available at 8:00 a.m., and
lunch is served from 11:10 a.m. to 11:40 a.m.
Families may apply for free or reduced prices for all food service
meals. Forms are available in the main
office or will be mailed to you by calling 558-2193.
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BREAKFAST |
LUNCH |
|
High School Student |
$1.25 |
$2.10 |
|
Reduced |
$.30 |
$.40 |
|
Milk – |
$.45 |
$.45 |
All new Metro students will be issued an ID card following
their successful completion of Orientation.
Returning students will be issued an ID in the fall. A student ID is necessary for utilizing the
automated meal program and for admission to school events in the District. Lost IDs may be replaced through the main
office at a cost of $1 per ID.
ü
The
ü Open House
Open Houses are held 1-2 times a year. These events provide an opportunity for parents
and guardians to learn more about Metro, meet the staff, and tour the
school. Check your Metro school calendar
for open house dates.
ü
An onsite daycare, serving infants and toddlers, is
available for students and staff. While
staff pays for the service, parenting students are expected to participate in
the Center for one 55-minute period each school day, in exchange for the care
of their child. This allows parenting
students an opportunity to continue their education while alleviating the cost
of childcare. The Center also provides a
hands-on classroom for both parenting and non-parenting student to
develop/enhance their childcare skills.
ü Positive
Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS)
Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports
(PBIS) is a national initiative developed to change the school culture and
climate to be more consistent and positive. It is a school wide approach
that challenges staff to teach and model positive behaviors in all areas of the
school, reinforcing students for appropriate behavior, and using clear,
consistent consequences for inappropriate behavior. This past year at Metro, a core group of
staff worked with consultants from Grant Wood Area Education as we introduced
the concept of CR2 which stands for:
¨
Caring
¨
Respect
¨
Responsibility
This school year, all students will be
taught how to model appropriate behaviors in common areas of the school.
We have developed lesson plans and videos that support our expectations. Next school year, our focus will be on
classroom behaviors. The goal of PBIS is
to create a new and more positive culture that will be in place for years to
come. We will continue to give you
updates about PBIS through our website and in our newsletter. Teachers and staff have noticed positive
changes in the way students act toward adults and each other. It is
exciting to be a part of a national initiative that is showing improvement
in student behavior and achievement. Thank you for your continued support
of your children as they learn how to be academically AND socially successful
at Metro.
ü Records
Parent(s) of minor students and students over the age of 18, have
the right to access school records for their student whether the student
resides with them or not. A
non-custodial parent has the right to access school records by providing Metro
with their identification. If there is
a legal document, divorce decree or court order prohibiting access to school
records, or if parental rights have been terminated, student records will not
be provided. Current or former students
18 years of age or older and minor students accompanied by a parent shall have
the same rights.
Due to
an amendment to the Family Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), in the No Child Left
Behind (NCLB) legislation and in the Patriot Act anti-terrorism bill, access to
student information is given to military recruiters and post-secondary
institutions to include; student names, addresses and phone numbers, whether or
not they are published in directory information and without parental
consent. Parents/guardians (or students
if 18 or older), still have the option, however, of withholding this
information from military recruiters and post-secondary institutions by
completing a form provided at the parent/student information meeting prior to
enrollment.
ü
Student Transportation
·
Lock your car.
·
Do not leave
valuables openly visible in your vehicle.
·
If you have
desirable equipment such as a stereo, ipod, CDs or
other electronic devises, be very discreet. Lock these items in your trunk if possible.
·
If your car is
vandalized or broken into, report this immediately
to a Metro staff. We encourage any
student who is the victim of a crime to file a report with the Cedar Rapids
Police Department.
ü
Visitors
Our
goal is to ensure Metro is a safe setting for all students. Metro students are not allowed to bring visitors, including students from other
schools, to our building. Metro students
are not allowed on other school campuses without the prior consent of that
building’s administrator.
Parents/guardians are always welcome at Metro however, if you would like
to talk with your student’s advisor, scheduling a meeting in advance will
ensure staff is available. All visitors
must sign in at the main office and pick up a visitor badge.
The Metro Basketball program
is a way for students to connect with school and to have a strong incentive to
attend classes. Our season runs from the
end of November to early March. We play in
games and tournaments with other small schools in the area. We focus on building teamwork through
competitive play and the development of fundamental basketball. Students must meet the attendance and
behavior expectations set forth by the coaches to be eligible to participate.
ü Co-Curricular and Athletic
Activities
Metro students have the opportunity to participate in
co-curricular and athletic activities at their home schools, provided they meet
eligibility requirements. We encourage
continued participation in activities at the conventional schools. Please contact us with any questions you have
about maintaining your student’s participation in athletic, music or other
activities.
ü Environmental
Education (EE)
The Metro EE program offers a week-long canoe trip in the fall and a
week-long bicycle trip in the spring for 10-12 eligible students. Students have the opportunity to earn
elective and PE credit for their participation in these extended outdoor
activities. Although this is an excused
activity, students will be responsible to complete missed work in their
scheduled classes.
ü Metro House
of Representatives
Students are invited to participate as a member of the Metro
House. This group has assisted in
organizing recreation activities for students, fundraised for community
charities, and assisted staff in problem solving and program development.
ü Post Secondary Enrollment Option
Students with junior credit may
be eligible to take select courses offered through
ü Service Learning
We provide students the opportunity to participate in
service learning activities throughout the year. Activities have included Meals on Wheels,
Adopt-A-Highway, Chickenstock (Metro Day of Caring),
assisting at an area daycare, rehabbing
ü
Theatre
Students are offered the opportunity to participate in
a theatre production each year.
Involvement may include acting, stage design, lighting, script writing,
and other support roles. These
productions are hosted at a local neighborhood community theatre.
ü Volleyball
Students wishing to play volleyball
may participate in our intramural program offered each fall. Practices and games typically occur after
school hours. Students must meet the
attendance and behavior expectations set forth by the coaches to be eligible to
participate.
ü Yearbook
Metro publishes an annual yearbook with photographs
and stories depicting the school year from a student perspective. At the end of the year, this publication is
available for purchase in color print for $10.00 or at no cost in black and
white print.
A pediatric nurse practitioner is at the Metro Health
Clinic, 558-2272, on a daily basis to meet the healthcare needs of our students
and the children in the
·
Physical
examinations
ü Treatment of minor illnesses
ü Medication distribution
ü Basic laboratory tests
ü Prescriptions for medications
ü Health education and counseling
ü Referral for complex medical conditions
ü Drop Out
Prevention Services
Our Drop Out Prevention
Specialist offers help with the many issues that prevent our students from
attending school on a regular basis.
Students and families are connected with community support services to assist
them with affordable housing, childcare, food assistance, and financial
resources. Mary may be reached at
558-3939.
A Victim Advocate from Waypoint Services for Women,
Children and Families, is available to meet individually with students and to
provide information in classes. Students
may request services by contacting their advisor, or our Drop Out Prevention Specialist, Mary 558-3939, or by contacting
Waypoint at 365-1458.
ü Mental
Health Counseling
Mental
health counselors from the
ü Substance
Abuse Counseling
A
substance abuse counselor from the Area Substance Abuse Council (ASAC) is on
the Metro campus two days a week to meet individually with students. Parents/guardians, students or Metro staff
may initiate a request for services by contacting our ASAC Counselor at 558-2041 or at ASAC at 390-4611.
We believe it is everyone’s
responsibility to maintain a positive, productive atmosphere. The following expectations guide our program
allowing our students to learn and staff to teach in a safe, productive,
respectful environment. Choosing to join
the Metro community means:
Attending school and classes daily. Arriving
and departing from school and all classes at the designated time and attend all
classes while at school. Leaving the
campus and returning the same day is not permitted. If students leave campus without a written
excuse or phone call prior to their departure from their parent or guardian,
they will not be allowed to return for the day and their absence will be
counted as unexcused.
Being respectful of all students and
staff members and their property. Offensive language, outside drama or conflicts brought
into our building, bullying or harassment of any nature and fighting interferes
with the rights of students and staff, and will result in severe disciplinary
action.
Being physically and mentally prepared
to participate in classes and school activities. Using
drugs or alcohol before or during school displays poor judgment and disrespect
for the Metro community. Use of drugs or
alcohol will result in severe disciplinary action.
Refraining from tobacco use on or around our campus. It
is our expectations that students do not use, or display any tobacco products
while they are on our campus.
Being a law-abiding member of our
community. Display or use of any illegal substances, or
weapons, or behaviors, will result in severe disciplinary action.
Valuing the ethnic, religious and
economic diversity of the Metro community. Celebrating
our uniqueness is essential. Interfering
with the diversity of our school will not be tolerated.
Telling the truth at all times. Integrity is
our most valuable possession and telling the truth protects integrity. Being cooperative and honest when seeking
resolution to potential conflicts is essential to the safety of our school.
Being respectful of the Metro building
and of the school property. Helping keep the building clean by picking up
after yourself and disposing of garbage and recycling in appropriate places is
expected.
Displaying a positive image of self. Clothing
that displays or promotes drugs, alcohol, sex, racial, gender, ethnic
discrimination, gang affiliation, or any other inappropriate message (as
determined by Metro staff), is not permitted.
Any clothing that causes a significant disruption or distraction to the
learning environment that is determined to be inappropriate by staff, or is
considered unsafe, will not be allowed.
Using good judgment on and around
campus. Responsible driving on campus and in the neighborhood,
respectful behavior at the bus stop and elsewhere on campus and cooperation
with and respect for all neighbors, is an expectation for all students.
Being involved and productive. Actively
participating in classes through discussion, reading, writing and completion of
classroom assignments to the best of your ability is expected. Adhering to the class behavior expectations
is required.
Respecting the rule about cell phones. Cell phones
may only be used inside the building before and after school, and at lunchtime. Metro and the
We expect all members of the Metro community to act as
responsible young adults striving to accomplish personal goals while
continuously displaying pride in oneself and pride in and respect for the Metro
community.
If a
student chooses not to meet the Metro Behavior Expectations and District
policies, Metro staff members will determine appropriate consequences up to and
including:
·
Suspension,
Short-Term
·
Suspension,
Long-Term
·
Development of a
behavior plan/contract
·
Disciplinary
Hearing with the CRCSD Hearing Officer
·
Expulsion through
the CRCSD School Board
DISTRICT POLICIES
Non-Discrimination Policy
It is the policy of the
Cedar Rapids Community School District not to illegally discriminate on the
basis of race, color, national origin, gender, disability, religion, creed, age
(employment only), marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and
socioeconomic status (students/program only) in its educational programs and
its employment practices. There is a grievance procedure for processing
complaints of discrimination. District employees with questions or a grievance
related to this policy should contact Jill Cirivello,
Director of Human Resources, 319-558-2421; jcirivello@cr.k12.ia.us. Students
and others should contact Aaron Green, Director of Student Equity,
319-558-2964; agreen@cr.k12.ia.us. The District mailing address is
Equal Educational Opportunities for
Students
(Board Policy 601)
It is the goal of the Board
of Education to enhance social, emotional, behavioral, intellectual, and
physical well-being of the students enrolled in the district. Students
will have the opportunity to use the school and the school’s educational
program and services as a means for self-improvement and individual
growth. In so doing, the students are expected to conduct themselves in a
manner that assures each student the same opportunity.
Inquiries by students
regarding compliance with equal educational opportunity and affirmative action
laws and policies, including but not limited to complaints of discrimination,
shall be directed to the student’s principal or to the Affirmative Action
Coordinator for Students/Director of Student Equity by writing to the
Affirmative Action Coordinator for Students/Director of Student Equity, Cedar
Rapids Community School District, 907 15th Street SW, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 52404,
or by telephoning 319-558-2249.
Inquiries by students
regarding compliance with equal educational opportunity and affirmative action
laws and policies, including but not limited to complaints of discrimination,
may also be directed in writing to the Director of the Region VII Office of
Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, 8930 Ward Parkway, Suite 2037,
Kansas City, MO. 64114, (816) 268-0550 or Iowa Department of Education, Grimes
State Office Bldg., Des Moines, IA. (515) 281-5294. This inquiry or complaint
to the federal or state office may be done instead of, or in addition to, an
inquiry or complaint at the local level.
Further information and
copies of the procedures for filing a complaint are available in the District’s
central administrative office and the administrative office in each attendance
center and on the District website: www.cr.k12.ia.us.
Handbook Definitions
In this handbook, the word
“parent” also means “guardian” unless otherwise stated. An administrator’s title, such as superintendent
or principal, also means that individual’s designee unless otherwise
stated. The term “school grounds”
includes the school district facilities, school district property, property
within the jurisdiction of the school district or school district premises,
school-owned or school-operated buses or vehicles and chartered buses. The term “school facilities” includes school
district buildings and vehicles. The
term “school activities” means all school activities students are involved in
whether they are school-sponsored or school-approved, whether they are an event
or an activity, or whether they are held on or off school grounds.
Jurisdictional and Behavioral Expectations
Statement
(CRCSD Policy 604)
The school handbook is an
extension of board policy and is a reflection of the goals and objectives of
the school board. The board, administration and employees expect students to
conduct themselves in a manner fitting to their age level and maturity and with
respect and consideration for the rights of others. Students, teachers,
employees, and visitors are expected to treat each other with respect and
courtesy so that all may be safe within the school environment. Students may
not use abusive language, profanity or obscene gestures or language.
The student handbook and
school district policies, rules and regulations are in effect while students
are on school grounds, school district property or on property within the
jurisdiction of the school district; while on school-owned and/or school-operated
buses or vehicles or chartered buses; while attending or engaged in school
activities; and while away from school grounds if the misconduct directly
affects the good order, efficient management and welfare of the school district
or involves students or staff. School district policies, rules and regulations
are in effect 12 months a year. A violation of a school district policy,
regulation, procedure or student handbook may result in disciplinary action and
may affect a student’s eligibility to participate in extracurricular activities
whether the violation occurred while school was in session or while school was
not in session.
Students shall comply with
and abide by the school district’s policies, regulations, procedures and
student handbook.
Students who fail to abide
by the school district’s policies, regulations, procedures and student handbook
will be disciplined for conduct which disrupts or interferes with the education
program; conduct which disrupts the orderly and efficient operation of the
school district or school activity; conduct which disrupts the rights of other
students to obtain their education or to participate in school activities; or
conduct which interrupts the maintenance of a disciplined atmosphere.
Disciplinary measures include, but are not limited to: removal from the
classroom, detention, suspension, probation and expulsion. Discipline can also
include prohibition from participating in extracurricular activities, including
athletics. The discipline imposed is based upon the facts and circumstances
surrounding the incident and the student’s record.
The school district reserves
and retains the right to modify, eliminate or establish school district
policies, regulations, procedures and student handbook provisions as
circumstances warrant, including those contained in the handbook. Students are
expected to know and comply with the contents of the handbook. Students or
parents with questions or concerns may contact the school’s main office for
information about the enforcement of the policies, regulations, procedures or
student handbook of the school district.
Student Attendance
(Code of
CRCSD Regulation 602.2)
All children who have
reached the age of six and are under sixteen years of age by September 15 are
of compulsory attendance age. A child
enrolled in the District who reaches the age of 16 on or after September 15
remains of compulsory age until the end of the regular school calendar. The parent, guardian, or legal/actual
custodian of a child who is of compulsory attendance age shall cause the child
to attend the public school, an accredited nonpublic school, or receive
competent private instruction in accordance with provisions of Iowa Code
Chapter 299A during the school year.
Policy 602
STUDENT ATTENDANCE
Since punctuality and
regular attendance are necessary for students to derive optimum benefit from
school, students should be required to conform to District and school rules and
procedures regarding attendance. These
rules and procedures should be as consistent as practicable among and within
grade levels throughout the District, and should be administered in such a
manner as to serve the best interests of children and to comply with the Code
of Iowa.
Code of
Proposed Procedure 602a
Student Absences
It is the responsibility of
the parent to notify the student’s attendance center as soon as the parent
knows the student will not be attending school on that day. The administrator may request evidence or written
verification of the student’s reason for absence. Student absences approved by the
administrator are excused absences.
Excused absences will count as days in attendance for purposes of the
truancy law. Excused absences include,
but are not limited to, illness, family emergencies, recognized religious
observances, appointments that cannot be scheduled outside the school day, and
school-sponsored or approved activities.
It is the responsibility of
the student to initiate a procedure with the student’s teacher to complete the
work missed. Students whose absences are
approved will make up the work missed and receive full credit for the missed
school work. Students, whose absences
are not approved, will make up the work at the discretion of the administrator.
Students who wish to
participate in school-sponsored activities must attend school at least one-half
day on the day of the activity unless permission has been given by the
administrator for the student to be absent.
Legal Reference:
281 I.A.C. 12.2(4).
Currently Procedure 602.3a
Proposed Procedure 602b
Responding to Excessive Absenteeism
The appropriate school staff
should make an effort to resolve attendance problems through the following
procedures:
Establish
contact with parents or guardians;
Utilize
available support staff for the initial investigation;
Maintain
written documentation of absences;
Involve
the school nurse when illness is used as a reason for excessive absenteeism;
and
Consult
with other agencies that may be involved with the family.
After a student has accrued
11 days of absence in a single trimester or (15) fifteen days of absences, for
reasons other than a health condition verified by a school nurse and the
building level administration has exhausted every means available (phone calls,
letters, home visits, etc.) to the school to assure that the student is in
regular attendance, the following should occur:
The school administrator
will inform the parent/guardian in writing that due to the lack of improvement
in the attendance of their child, the school will be referring the student and
the parent/guardian to the District truant officer for further action.
A copy of the letter sent to
the parent/guardian will then be forwarded to the appropriate District truant
officer.
The District truant officer
will request a hearing with the parent/guardian to mediate a plan of action to
correct the attendance problem. The
written communication will specify a definite time period for the hearing
dates.
If the parent/guardian does
not respond to the action in Step 3, and/or the above plan of action fails to
produce results, a registered letter will be forwarded to the
The
Currently Regulation 602.3
Proposed Procedure 602c
Truancy
A truant child is one of
compulsory attendance age (6-16) who:
fails to
attend school anywhere;
fails to
attend competent private instruction for 148 days per year;
fails to
attend a minimum of 74 days per semester; or
fails to attend
a minimum of 49 days per trimester.
Similarly, if a student
turns sixteen prior to September 15, he or she is no longer of compulsory
attendance age and may seek alternative forms of education without risk to his
or her parent. If a student turns sixteen
on or after September 15, he or she is compelled to attend during that school
year.
Code of
Maintenance of Orderly Conduct
(CRCSD Regulation 604.1)
Conduct which materially or
substantially interferes with the educational process is prohibited. Students at school-sponsored, off-campus
events shall be governed by school district rules and regulations and are
subject to the authority of school district officials. Students shall obey the lawful instructions
of school personnel. All persons must,
upon request, identify themselves to school staff members in the school
buildings, on school grounds, or at school-sponsored events.
Policy 1007
CONDUCT ON
The Board expects that
students, employees and visitors will treat each other with respect, engage in
responsible behavior, exercise self-discipline and model fairness, equity and
civility. Individuals violating this
policy will be subject to discipline or other appropriate sanctions.
Individuals are permitted to
attend District sponsored or approved activities or visit District premises
only as guests of the District, and, as a condition, they must comply with the
District’s policies, regulations, and procedures. Individuals will not be allowed to interfere
with or disrupt the educational program or activity. Visitors, like the participants, are expected
to display mature, responsible behavior.
The failure of individuals to do so is not only disruptive, but
embarrassing to the students, the District, and the entire community.
To protect the rights of
students to participate in the educational program or activities without fear
of interference or disruption and to permit the school officials, employees and
activity sponsors and officials to perform their duties without interference or
disruption, the following provisions are in effect:
Abusive
conduct of individuals, either verbal or physical, directed at students, school
officials, employees, officials and activity sponsors of sponsored or approved
activities or at other individuals will not be tolerated on school premises or
at school approved activities.
Verbal
or physical conduct of individuals that interferes with the performance of
students, school officials, employees, officials and activity sponsors of
sponsored or approved activities will not be tolerated on school premises or at
school approved activities.
The use
of vulgar, obscene or demeaning expression directed at students, school
officials, employees, officials and activity sponsors of sponsored or approved
activities participating in a sponsored or approved activity or at other
individuals will not be tolerated on school premises or at school approved
activities.
Prohibited
behaviors include any behaviors that are physically or verbally threatening,
either overtly or implicitly, as well as behaviors that are coercive,
intimidating, violent or harassing.
Examples of prohibited behavior include, but are not limited to, use of
profanity, personally insulting remarks, attacks on a person’s ethnicity, race,
gender, nationality, religion, age,
sexual orientation or behavior that is out of control. Such interactions could occur in telephone
conversations, voice mail messages, face-to-face conversations, written
letters, electronic messages, and/or various social media websites.
The Board of Education
believes firearms and other weapons on District property or at school-sponsored
activities cause material and substantial disruption to the school environment
and present a threat to the health and safety of students, employees, and
visitors. Therefore, the Board prohibits
firearms and other weapons on District property or at school sponsored
activities. Any object which could be
used to injure or threaten another person and which has no school-related
purpose may be considered a weapon. This
includes specifically, but is not limited to, firearms of all types, knives of
all types, fireworks, metal pipes, metal knuckles, and explosives. The term “firearm” includes, but is not
limited to, any weapon which is designed to expel a projectile by the action of
an explosive, the frame or receiver of any such weapon, a muffler or silencer
for such a weapon, or any explosive, incendiary, or poison gas. An object that serves as a facsimile of a
weapon may be considered a weapon in the enforcement of this policy. An object that has a school-related purpose
but is used to threaten or inflict injury may also be considered a weapon. Weapons shall be confiscated from persons who
bring them onto District property or to school-sponsored activities.
If an individual
demonstrates prohibitive behavior on District premises, the individual may be
removed by the appropriate District and/or School Administrator. Law enforcement may be contacted for
assistance.
Individuals removed from
school premises may follow the Board’s complaint procedures should they choose
to do so. The exclusion is in effect
should the individual choose to appeal the decision of the superintendent. The term “individual” as used in the policy also
includes students and employees.
If an individual has been
notified of exclusion and thereafter tries to enter a school building or
attends a sponsored or approved activity, the individual will be advised that
his/her attendance will result in prosecution.
The District may obtain a court order for permanent exclusion from the
school building or from future school sponsored or approved activities.
Bullying and Harassment of Students
(CRCSD Regulation 604.2)
The
“Harassment” and “bullying”
shall be construed to mean any electronic, written, verbal, or physical act or
conduct toward a student which is based on any actual or perceived trait or
characteristic of the student and which creates an objectively hostile school
environment that meets one or more of the following conditions:
• Places the student in reasonable fear of harm
to the student’s person or property;
• Has a substantially detrimental effect on the
student’s physical or mental health;
• Has the effect of substantially interfering
with the student’s academic performance; or
• Has the effect of substantially interfering
with the services, activities, or privileges provided by a school.
“Trait or characteristic of
the student” includes, but is not limited to, age, color, creed, national
origin, race, religion, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender
identity, physical attributes, physical or mental ability or disability,
ancestry, political party preference, political belief, socioeconomic status,
or familial status.
“Electronic” means any
communication involving the transmission of information by wire, radio, optical
cable, electromagnetic, or other similar means.
“Electronic” includes, but is not limited to, communication via
electronic mail, cell phones, electronic text messaging, and the Internet.
Bullying and harassment as
set forth above may include, but is not limited to the following behaviors or
overt acts: Verbal, nonverbal, physical,
or written victimization that has the purpose or effect of causing injury,
discomfort, fear, or suffering to the victim; Repeated remarks of a demeaning
nature that have the purpose or effect of causing injury, appreciable
discomfort, fear, or suffering to the victim; demeaning jokes, stories, or
activities that have the purpose or effect of causing injury, appreciable
discomfort, fear, or suffering to the victim; and unreasonable interference
with a student’s performance or creation of an intimidating, offensive, or
hostile learning environment.
Sexual harassment means
unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal or
physical conduct of a sexual manner when such conduct has the purpose or effect
of unreasonably interfering with a student’s performance or creating an
intimidating, offensive, or hostile learning environment.
Examples of sexual
harassment as set out above may include, but are not limited to, the
following: Verbal or written harassment
or abuse; pressure for sexual activity; remarks or gestures to a person with
sexual or demeaning implications; and unwelcome touching.
Recourse to Student-to-Student Bullying or Harassment
A student (or adult on
student’s behalf) who believes he/she has suffered harassment should report
such matters to certified staff/administrators and/or the District’s equity
coordinator. The complaint process is
outlined in CRCSD Procedures 601a and 601b.
The certified
staff/administrators and/or the District’s equity coordinator will promptly and
reasonably investigate allegations of harassment. The building principal or designee will be
responsible for handling all complaints by students alleging harassment unless
he/she has any conflict of interest.
Investigators will consider the totality of circumstances presented in determining
whether conduct objectively constitutes harassment or bullying. If after an investigation a student is found
to be in violation of this policy, the student shall be disciplined by measures
up to and including suspension or expulsion.
Retaliation
against a student because the student has filed a harassment complaint or
assisted or participated in a harassment investigation or proceeding is
prohibited. School employees, volunteers, and students
shall not engage in reprisal, retaliation, or false accusation against a
victim, witness or an individual who has reliable information, about such an
act of harassment or bullying. The superintendent/designee has the right to
discipline students who knowingly file false harassment complaints or otherwise
act in bad faith during a complaint/investigative process. A student who is found to have retaliated
against another in violation of this policy will be subject to discipline up to
and including suspension or expulsion.
Any matters involving
complaints of discrimination or harassment shall remain confidential to the
extent reasonably possible. Confidential
documentation of allegations or investigations will not be filed in the
complainant’s student file.
Abuse and Harassment of Students by
District Employees
(CRCSD Regulation 604.2)
Harassment of students by
school officials, faculty, staff or volunteers who have direct contact with
students is also prohibited. Bullying
and harassment of students by adults may including the following behaviors: requiring
that a student submit to bullying or harassment by another student, either
explicitly or implicitly, as a term or condition of the targeted student’s
education or participation in school programs or activities; inappropriate
remarks to students; unwelcome touching; implied or explicit threats concerning
one’s grades, achievements, property, etc. that have the purpose or effect of
causing injury, appreciable discomfort, fear, or suffering to the victim;
suggesting or demanding sexual involvement; or obscene, lewd or sexual gestures
or comments.
A student (or adult on
student’s behalf) who believes he/she has suffered harassment should report
such matters to certified staff/administrators and/or the District’s equity
coordinator. The complaint process is
outlined in CRCSD Procedures 601a and 601b.
Complaints alleging acts of intentional physical or sexual abuse by
school employees, including inappropriate sexual behavior toward students,
should be reported to the Level I Investigator as outlined in CRCSD Procedure
506.6a. Each building principal has been
designated as a Level 1 Investigator.
Sexual Offender Registry
Search and Seizure
(Code of
The only staff members with
authority to conduct searches and/or seize items are employees who are
certified administrators, unless there is an emergency. In emergencies, such as situations in which
the health or safety of a student or employee is compromised, another school
official may conduct a search and/or seize items.
Lockers/Desks.
(1) Lockers and desks remain at all times the property of the school
district. (2) The school district has a
reasonable and valid interest in insuring the lockers and desks are properly
maintained. For this reason, lockers and
desks are subject to unannounced inspections and students have no legitimate
expectations of privacy in the locker or desk.
Periodic inspections of all or a random selection of lockers or desks
may be conducted by school officials in the presence of the student or another
individual. (3) Contraband discovered
during the maintenance search shall be confiscated by the administration and
the student may be disciplined. (4) The
contents of a student’s locker or desk (e.g., coat, backpack, purse, cell phone
or other electronic device, etc.) may be searched when an administrator has
reasonable and articulable suspicion that the contents contains illegal or
contraband items or evidence of a violation of law or school policy or rule. (5) Contraband Searches of Lockers – Items of
contraband generally cause a substantial disruption of the school environment
or present a threat to the health and safety of the students and staff. Items of contraband include, but are not limited
to, non-prescription medications; controlled substances such as marijuana,
cocaine, amphetamines, and barbiturates; apparatus used for the administration
of controlled substances; tobacco; alcoholic beverages; weapons; explosives;
poisons; and stolen property. Items of
contraband are not to be placed in lockers.
In order to protect and promote the educational environment, an
administrator having a reasonable and articulable suspicion that the locker
contains illegal or contraband items may conduct a search of that locker.
Personal
Searches. A student’s person and/or personal effects
(e.g., purse, book bag, cell phone or other electronic device, etc., or other
container used for carrying personal items) may be searched when the
administrator has reasonable and articulable suspicion that the student is in
possession of illegal or contraband items, or items which are not permitted in
the schools. Personally intrusive
searches shall require more compelling circumstances to be considered
reasonable. When feasible, the
administrator shall attempt to notify the parent/guardian of the impending
search.
Searches
by Law Enforcement Officers. The search of a student or
of protected student areas by a law enforcement officer or by an administrator
at the invitation or direction of such an officer shall be governed by
statutory and common law requirements for police searches (including searches
by dogs.)
Illegal Items Found in School or in
Students’ Possession
Students are prohibited from
distributing, dispensing, manufacturing, possessing, using, and being under the
influence of alcohol, drugs or look-a-like substances; and possessing or using
tobacco, tobacco products or look-a-like substances. Weapons are not
allowed on school grounds or at school activities including hunting rifles even
if unloaded and locked in cars with the exception of weapons in the control of
law enforcement officials. Students bringing firearms to school or
possessing firearms at school may be expelled. Parents of students found
in violation of this policy may be contacted, and the students may be reported
to law enforcement officials.
Tobacco Free School Environment
(CRCSD Policy 803)
No student, staff member, or
school visitor is permitted to use or display any tobacco product at any time
in any building, facility, or vehicle owned, maintained, leased, rented or
chartered by the District; on any school grounds or property owned, maintained,
leased, rented or chartered by the District, including athletic fields,
sidewalks and parking lots; or at any school-sponsored or school-related event
on-campus or off-campus. In addition, no
student is permitted to possess a tobacco product.
Students who willfully
violate the policy will be disciplined in accordance with Board policy. Visitors attending school functions will be asked
by staff members in authority to refrain from using or displaying tobacco
products. Visitors who refuse such a
request will be asked to leave the grounds and property.
Weapons
(CRCSD Policy 608)
The Board of Education
prohibits firearms and other weapons on school district property or at
school-sponsored activities.
Any object which could be
used to injure or threaten another person and which has no school-related
purpose may be considered a weapon. This
includes specifically, but is not limited to, firearms of all types, knives of
all types, fireworks, metal pipes, metal knuckles, and explosives. The term “firearm” includes, but is not
limited to, any weapon which is designed to expel a projectile by the action of
an explosive, the frame or receiver of any such weapon, a muffler or silencer
for such a weapon, or any explosive, incendiary, or poison gas. An object that serves as a facsimile of a
weapon may be considered a weapon in the enforcement of this policy. An object that has a school-related purpose
but is used to threaten or inflict injury may also be considered a weapon.
Weapons shall be confiscated
from persons who bring them onto school district property or to
school-sponsored activities. The
parents/guardians of a student shall be notified if a student is found in
possession of a weapon, or is responsible for bringing a weapon, onto school
district property or to school-sponsored activities. The student will be subject to disciplinary
action including suspension or expulsion.
A student bringing a firearm
onto school district property or to a school-sponsored activity, or knowingly
possessing a firearm on school district property or at a school-sponsored
activity shall be expelled for not less than one year and the student will be referred
to law enforcement authorities; however, the Superintendent shall have the
authority to recommend this expulsion requirement be modified on a case-by-case
basis.
Physical Restraint of Students
(CRCSD Regulation 604.7)
State law forbids school
employees from using corporal punishment against any student. Certain actions
by school employees are not considered corporal punishment. Additionally, school employees may use
“reasonable and necessary force, not designed or intended to cause pain” to do
certain things, such as prevent harm to persons or property.
Any District staff member
may, within the scope of his/her employment, use and apply such force as is
reasonable and necessary (1) for self defense; (2) to
protect the safety of another person; (3) to restrain a student from self inflicted injury; (4) to stop a fight between
students; (5) for the protection of property; (6) to obtain possession of
weapons or other dangerous objects upon the person or within the control of a
student; and (7) to use reasonable force in other circumstances as defined in
704.1 of the Code of Iowa.
The complete text of the law
and additional information is available on the Iowa Department of Education’s
Website http://www.iowa.gov/educate/ and search for Timeout, Seclusion and
Restraint.
Procedural Due Process
(CRCSD Regulation 603.4)
In cases where violations of
statutes, regulations, or school rules require the disciplining of a student,
the following elements of procedural due process shall be present: 1) the student shall have been provided with
information regarding rules and regulations, either in written form or through
verbal instruction, or the student should reasonably be aware that the behavior
is a violation of school rules; 2) the
student shall receive notice concerning the specific behaviors giving rise to
any proposed penalty or disciplinary action; and 3) the student shall be offered an informal
hearing permitting the student to give the student’s version of the events to
the decision-making authority.
Suspension
(CRCSD Regulation 604.3)
Students who continue to
violate rules of conduct or whose presence is detrimental to the best interests
of the school and/or other students may be suspended by the appropriate
building administrator.
Expulsion
(CRCSD Regulation 604.4)
A student may be expelled
whenever the student’s behavior materially or substantially interferes with the
educational process, disrupting the ability of other students to profit from
the education provided to them. A
student may also be expelled for possession of a dangerous and/or look-alike
weapon, possession and/or sale of a controlled substance or look-alike drugs,
threats of violence, or extreme acts of violence. Bomb threats and other threats or acts of
violence may be considered felonies punishable up to five years in prison and
$7,500 in fines. Students involved in
these acts will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
Co-Curricular Activities Eligibility
(CRCSD Policy 410)
The
Students who fail to abide
by this policy and the administrative regulations supporting it may be subject
to disciplinary measures. The
principal/designee shall keep records of violations of the co-curricular
activities eligibility requirements.
Special education students
or students covered by a Section 504 plan shall not be denied eligibility on
the basis of scholarship in the identified area of disability if the student is
making adequate progress as determined by the goals and objectives on the
student’s IEP or accommodation plan.
Student Eligibility for
Co-Curricular Activities
To retain eligibility for
participation in the Cedar Rapids Community School District co-curricular
activities, students must conduct themselves as good citizens both in and out
of school at all times. Students who
represent the school in an activity are expected to serve as good role models
to other students and to the members of the community.
The following are violations
of the Good Conduct Rule:
• possession, use, or
purchase of tobacco products, regardless of the student’s age;
• possession, use, or
purchase of alcoholic beverages, including beer and wine (“use” includes having
the odor of alcohol on one’s breath, (this includes “near beer” labeled
non-alcoholic beer);
• possession, use, or
purchase of illegal drugs or the unauthorized possession, use, or purchase of
otherwise lawful drugs;
• engaging in any act that would be grounds for
arrest or citation in the criminal or juvenile court system, excluding minor
traffic offenses, regardless of whether the student was cited, arrested,
convicted, or adjudicated for the act(s);
• inappropriate or
offensive conduct including but not limited to fighting, insubordination
(talking back or refusing to cooperate with authorities), hazing or harassment
of others.
Student Expression and Appearance
(CRCSD Regulation 603.1)
Students will be allowed to
express their viewpoints and opinions as long as the expression is
responsible. The expression will not, in
the judgment of the administration, encourage the breaking of laws, defame
others, be obscene or indecent, or cause a material and substantial disruption
to the educational program. Further, the
expression must be done in a reasonable time, place, and manner that are not
disruptive to the orderly and efficient operation of the school district. Students shall be permitted to distribute
materials in designated areas before and after school and during the lunch
period, as long as it does not create a disturbance, disrupt normal operations,
or produce excess littering, and the material content does not violate
reasonable standards of decency or advocate the violation of laws. Assemblages of students shall be allowed
unless they are designed or may be reasonably expected to disrupt classes,
interfere with school activities, or intrude upon the lives and rights of
others. Materials concerning non-school
events or activities shall be posted only with prior approval of the building
principal.
The Board believes inappropriate student
appearance causes material and substantial disruption to the school environment
or presents a threat to the health and safety of students, employees and
visitors. Students are expected to
adhere to standards of cleanliness and dress that are compatible with the
requirements of a good learning environment.
The standards will be those generally acceptable to the community as
appropriate in a school setting. The
Board expects students to be clean and well-groomed and wear clothes in good
repair and appropriate for the time, place, and occasion. Clothing or other apparel promoting products
illegal for use by minors and clothing displaying obscene material, profanity,
or reference to prohibited conduct are disallowed. While the primary responsibility for
appearance lies with the students and their parents, appearance disruptive to
the education program will not be tolerated.
When, in the judgment of a principal, a student’s appearance or mode of
dress disrupts the educational process or constitutes a threat to health or safety,
the student may be required to make modifications or be subject to disciplinary
action. The wearing of gang-related
attire or insignia by students shall be prohibited
(CRCSD Regulation 609.1)
An official school publication
is a curricular or co-curricular student publication or broadcast including,
but not limited to, newspapers, yearbooks, literary magazines, television,
radio, website, or cable television programs produced in curricular or
co-curricular journalism or journalism-related activities under the sponsorship
of the school district and distributed to the student body either free or for a
fee. Each school determines its own
production and distribution schedule.
Prior Restraint of Material Prepared for
an
(CRCSD Procedure 609.1a)
No student shall publish in
an official school publication material which is obscene or vulgar, libelous,
encourages students to commit unlawful acts or to violate school rules, causes
material and substantial disruption of the orderly operation of the school, or
infringes on the rights of others.
Safe and Responsible Use of Networked
Technology Resources (Computers)
(CRCSD Procedure 604.9a)
Users of district networked
resources may not engage in activities that are illegal, utilize inappropriate
language, engage in plagiarism or copyright infringement, or that jeopardize
the security of the system.
Students will access the
system for education purposes only.
Students will restrict their
access to material deemed appropriate by staff and parents.
Students will use
appropriate language and will be respectful of others.
Students will understand and
respect license and copyright agreements.
Students will keep passwords
and personal information confidential.
Access to network services
will be given only to students who act in a considerate and responsible
manner. Violations may result in a loss
of access as well as other disciplinary or legal action.
Care of School Property
(CRCSD Regulation 604.8)
Students are expected to
take care of school property including desks, chairs, books, lockers and school
equipment. Vandalism is not
tolerated. Students found to have
destroyed or otherwise harmed school property may be disciplined in accordance
with Board policy and/or required to reimburse the school district. In certain circumstances, students may be
reported to law enforcement officials.
The parents/legal guardians of minor students may be assessed the cost
for damage to school property. Also,
they may be required to reimburse the District for the replacement costs of
lost equipment or materials furnished by the school.
School Fees
The
To be considered for reduced
or waived school fees you must complete the Waiver Benefit section on the
Application for Free and Reduced Price School Meals.
Student Fee Waiver
Students whose families meet
the income guidelines for free and reduced price meals, the Family Investment
Program (FIP), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), transportation assistance
under open enrollment, or who are in foster care are eligible to have their
student fees waived or partially waived.
Parents/guardians or students who may qualify should contact their
school office. This waiver does not
carry over from year to year. It must be applied for annually.
Gifts to School Personnel
(CRCSD Regulation 1002.6)
Those persons wanting to
express gratitude or appreciation to school employees are encouraged to give
written or verbal communication in lieu of material or monetary gifts.
Schools will be open and
will remain open until the end of the regular school day whenever possible. However, in case of severe weather or other
emergencies, the decision may be made to close schools for the day, delay the
start of the school day, or dismiss early.
An announcement will be made by local radio and television stations and
broadcast frequently. In addition,
cancellations will be posted on the district website at www.cr.k12.ia.us. Families may also sign up for electronic
notification of emergency closings by going to the district website and
clicking on “News” then “Cancellations” and then the appropriate building. Remember that these announcements pertain to
one day only. If there is no
announcement, school will be operating as usual. Please discuss with your family what to do
BEFORE such an emergency occurs.
School officials will try to
determine by 10:00 A.M. if conditions call for closing the schools or altering
the bus schedule that day. If severe
weather conditions develop, or another emergency occurs during the day, the
decision is made by 10:00 A.M. whether or not to dismiss classes early. Dismissal schedules will be announced. In the
event of an emergency closing the district will determine whether lunch will be
served.
Reserved Time for Non-school Student
Activities
Regulation 607.1
Wednesday
evenings and Sundays are reserved for non-school-sponsored student
activities. On Wednesdays, no public
school-sponsored activity shall detain elementary students after 4:30 P.M,
middle school students after 5:45 PM and high school students after 7:00
PM. The building principal and appropriate
executive administrator of elementary and secondary education respectively must
approve exceptions at least 48 hours in advance.
Post-Secondary Enrollment Options
Students in grades 9-12 who
have exhausted the courses available in the District Program of Studies may
take courses offered during the regular school year by community colleges,
private colleges, or state universities.
Courses that are successfully completed may apply toward graduation
requirements and the District may pay up to $250 of the cost of a course. Students interested in participating in this
program should contact their school counselor.
The school district does not pay for the cost of summer school
courses. However, summer school courses
are eligible for course credit.
Annual Notice Regarding Student Records
The Family
Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords parents and students over 18
years (“eligible students”) certain rights with respect to the student’
education records. They are:
(1) The right to inspect and
review the student’s education records within 45 days of receipt of the request
Parents or eligible students should submit to
the school principal [or appropriate school official] a written request that
identifies the record(s) they wish to inspect. The principal will make
arrangements for access and notify the parent or eligible student of the time
and place where the records may be inspected.
(2) The right to request the
amendment of the student’s education records that the parent or eligible
student believe are inaccurate or misleading.
Parents or eligible students
may ask the District to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate or
misleading. They should write the school
principal, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and
specify why it is inaccurate or misleading. If the District decides not to
amend the record as requested by the parent or eligible student, the District
will notify the parent or eligible student of the decision and advise them of
their right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional
information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the parent or
eligible student when notified of the right to a hearing.
(3) The right to consent to
disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s
education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure
without consent.
One exception, which permits
disclosure without consent, is disclosure to school officials with legitimate
educational interests. A school official is a person employed by the District
as an administrator, supervisor, instructor, or support staff member (including
health or medical staff, law enforcement unit personnel and certain
volunteers); a person serving on the School Board; a person or company with
whom the School has contracted to perform a special task (such as an attorney,
auditor, AEA employees, medical consultant, or therapist); or a parent or
student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance
committee, or student assistance team, or assisting another school official in
performing his or her tasks. A school official has a legitimate educational
interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to
fulfill his or her professional responsibility.
Upon request, the District discloses education records without consent
to officials of another school district in which a student seeks or intends to
enroll.
(4) The right to inform the
District that the parent or eligible student does not want the District’s
designated directory information, as defined below, to be released to the
public.
To object to the designation
and release of certain student records as directory information, the parent or
eligible student must notify the principal in writing, prior to September 1 of
each school year (or two weeks from the date of enrollment in the District if
such enrollment occurs after September 1), of the information not to be
released. This object on the release of
directory information must be renewed annually.
THIS FORM MAY BE PICKED UP IN THE SCHOOL’S MAIN OFFICE
Directory information means
information contained in an education record of a student that would not
generally be considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if disclosed. The Cedar Rapids Community School District
does not declare any information pertaining to elementary school students as
directory information, but has designated the following student information as
directory information for middle and high school students: Student name, parent name, address, telephone
number, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight
and height of members of athletic teams, degrees and awards received, and
distinguished academic performance or public service.
In addition, two federal
laws require local school districts receiving assistance under the Elementary
and Secondary Act of 1965 (ESEA) to provide military recruiters, upon request,
with three directory information categories – names, addresses and telephone
listings – unless parents or eligible students have advised the school district
that they do not want their student’s information disclosed to military
recruiters without their prior written consent annually.
(5) The right to file a
complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by
the District to comply with the requirements of FERPA.
The name and address of the
Office that administers FERPA is Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S.
Department of Education,
(6) The District may share
information contained in a student’s record with officials of the juvenile
justice system if such information will assist in their ability to serve the
student.
(7) The District has
contracted with
Regulation 1001.4
Release of Student Directory-Type
Information
Information designated by
District Regulation 606.2 as student directory-type information is considered
to be public record, open to public inspection as outlined in Chapter 22, Code
of Iowa.
Notice shall be published
yearly stipulating that such student directory-type information will be
released upon request. If the parent,
guardian, or majority-age student objects to such release, a written statement to
such effect shall be filed with the student’s school within three weeks of the
first publication of the notice. (See
Regulation 606.2)
P.L. 93-380 as amended
Code of
Notification of Rights under the
Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA)
PPRA affords parents certain
rights regarding our conduct of surveys, collection and use of information for
marketing purposes, and certain physical exams. These include the right to:
• Consent before students
are required to submit to a survey that concerns one or more of the following
protected areas (“protected information survey”) if the survey is funded in
whole or in part by a program of the U.S. Department of Education (ED)–
1. Political affiliations or
beliefs of the student or student’s parent;
2. Mental or psychological
problems of the student or student’s family;
3. Sex behavior or
attitudes;
4. Illegal, anti-social,
self-incriminating, or demeaning behavior;
5. Critical appraisals of
others with whom respondents have close family relationships;
6. Legally recognized
privileged relationships, such as with lawyers, doctors, or ministers;
7. Religious practices,
affiliations, or beliefs of the student or parents; or
8. Income, other than as
required by law to determine program eligibility.
• Receive notice and an
opportunity to opt a student out of –
1. Any other protected
information survey, regardless of funding;
2. Any non-emergency,
invasive physical exam or screening required as a condition of attendance,
administered by the school or its agent, and not necessary to protect the
immediate health and safety of a student, except for hearing, vision, or
scoliosis screenings, or any physical exam or screening permitted or required
under State law;
3. Activities involving
collection, disclosure, or use of personal information obtained from students
for marketing or to sell or otherwise distribute the information to others.
• Inspect, upon request and
before administration or use –
1. Protected information surveys
of students;
2. Instruments used to
collect personal information from students for any of the above marketing,
sales, or other distribution purposes; and
3. Instructional material
used as part of the education curriculum.
These rights transfer to from
the parents to a student who is 18 years old or an emancipated minor under
State law.
The
1. Collection, disclosure,
or use of personal information for marketing, sales or other distribution.
2. Administration of any
protected information survey not funded in whole or in part by ED.
3. Any non-emergency,
invasive physical examination or screening as described above.
Parents who believe their
rights have been violated may file a complaint with the Family Policy
Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education, and
No Child Left Behind Legislation
The “No Child Left Behind Act” (NCLB), 2001 grants parents the right to know
the professional qualifications of their student’s classroom teachers. It is the right of a parent to ask for the
following information about each of the child’s classroom teachers:
• Teacher state qualifications and licensing criteria
for subject areas and grade level
• College major, degrees, and certifications
held by teacher and are of discipline.
• Information about teachers who are teaching
with conditional licenses.
If you would like to receive
information regarding your child’s teacher, please contact your child’s school
administrator. In addition, parents have
the right to:
• Information on student’s performance level on
state assessments
• Timely notice of four or more weeks regarding
teaching by teacher not fully qualified
• Qualifications of paraprofessionals who
provides services to students
Student Support Services
Additional support services
are available to assist teachers when concerns arise with students. These services include building staff
(special education teacher, counselor, nurse, health secretary, etc.) and Grant
Wood Area Education Agency staff (psychologist, social worker, consultant,
speech-language pathologist, occupational and physical therapist, work
experience coordinators, and others.)
Teachers and families may use input on an informal basis or request
formal assistance in identifying strategies to address a concern, in carrying
out these strategies, or in monitoring individual student progress. These services are available for all students
by teacher or parent request through the counselor at the student’s school.
Open Enrollment
(CRCSD Regulation 602.6, Procedure 602.6a)
Parents/guardians making use
of the open enrollment option to request enrollment of their children in
another public school district in the State of
March 1, 2012, is the last
date for open enrollment requests for first through twelfth grade for the
2012-13 school year.
September 1, 2012 is the last
date for open enrollment requests for kindergarten for 2012-2013 school year.
All requests filed after
these dates must meet the “good cause” definition as stated on the application.
Transportation shall NOT be
provided to students who enter the District under the Open Enrollment Law of
1989 as amended, unless such transportation is required by law. The District has the right to assign an open
enrolled student to a particular school.
Parents should be aware that open enrollment may result in the loss of
high school athletic eligibility. Forms
may be obtained by calling 558-2414.
Complete information is
available on line from the Iowa Department of Education; http://www.iowa.gov/educate
In-District Permits
(CRCSD Procedures 602.4a and 602.4b)
The
Permit applications for the
2012-13 school year must be submitted by February 1,
2012.
Primary consideration for
approving or denying a permit request will be the availability of space,
programs or services at the requested school, and the promotion of equity.
When a permit is approved,
transportation becomes the responsibility of the parent/guardian. Participation in athletic activities is
restricted for high school students – refer to CRCSD Board Regulation 602.9,
for specific restriction period
Competent Private Instruction
The parent, legal guardian,
or legal custodian of any child who has reached the age of 6 and has not yet
turned 16 by September 15 of the current school year, and is not enrolled in either
a public school or an accredited nonpublic school, must file the Competent
Private Instruction (CPI) form annually.
The form is due to the resident district by the first day of classes of
the public school or 14 calendar days after removal from an accredited school
or moving into the District. Evidence
that the child has had the immunizations required by law must be provided at
the time the child is first placed under competent private instruction. All required information must be provided or
the application will be invalid and students will be counted absent/truant if
they are not currently attending a public or an accredited nonpublic
school.
The Home School Assistance
Program offers home-schooling parents/guardians teacher-assisted services and
resources. For information, contact the
Home School Assistance Office at 558-2088.
The deadline for dual
enrollment and/or Home School Assistance Program (if space is available) is
September 15 or within 14 calendar days after moving to the district, or within
14 calendar days after removing the child from school. Home school or home school assistance program
students enrolled in classes or participating in school activities in the
school district are subject to the same policies, rules and regulations as
other students and are disciplined in the same manner as other students.
The District shall refer a
child who may be in need of special education to the area education agency
division of special education. (CRCSD
602.2a) CPI forms may be obtained by
calling 558-2414. If you are already
participating in this program, forms will be mailed to you.
Complete information is
available on line from the Iowa Department of Education;
http://www.iowa.gov/educate/index
Complete information is
available on line from the Iowa Department of Education
STUDENT HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
Student Illness or Injury during the
School Day
Students are sent to the
clinic if they are injured or appear ill.
An attempt will be made to understand the student’s complaint. This may include asking the student some
questions about how he/she feels, taking a temperature, making observations,
talking to the teacher, and contacting the school nurse. If a student has a temperature of 100º F. or
higher, the parent/guardian will be called and the student will be sent
home. Temperature is not the only
symptom that influences the decision to send the student home; general
appearance and functioning are important factors. After a period of observation a decision will
be made to do one of the following: (1)
Attempt to notify the parent/guardian; (2) Allow the student to rest in the
health office for a brief period. The
student is to be fever-free without fever reducing medication before returning
to school. Parents will also be notified
of injuries that appear to require medical attention.
Communicable Diseases
(Procedure 605.3c)
Students with communicable
disease will be allowed to attend school as long as their attendance does not
create a substantial risk of illness or transmission to the students or
staff. The term “communicable disease”
will mean an infectious or contagious disease spread from person to person, or
animal to person, or as defined by law.
Parents should be advised to notify the school whenever their child has
a communicable disease. Health data of
students is confidential.
A student will be excluded
from school when the student’s condition has been determined to create a health
risk to others in the school district environment or when the student is too
ill to attend school. Such determination
shall be made on a case-by-case basis by the student’s physician, appropriate
school staff members, and/or the District’s medical consultant. The State Department of Public Health and/or
the Linn County Health Department also may be consulted.
Provision of Emergency Care
(Procedure 605.3a)
School personnel trained in
first aid/emergency care techniques may give emergency care or first aid to
sick or injured students, staff, or visitors whenever these individuals are on
school premises or under school supervision.
For severe or life threatening injuries and illnesses, the Emergency
Medical System (911) shall be activated and the individuals transferred to an
appropriate source of medical care as rapidly as possible.
Annually, parents are
requested to provide emergency information, including the phone numbers of
parent/guardian and alternative numbers to call in case of injury or illness at
school. Parents must notify the school
if the information on the emergency form changes during the school year.
Administration of Medication Policy
Prescription
Medication. Only medication prescribed by a legal
prescriber shall be administered during the time the student is at school. The parent/guardian shall provide written
authorization and instructions. The medication (in original container) must be
kept in the school health office unless the school nurse authorizes otherwise.
Over-the-Counter
Medication. A legal prescriber’s signature is also
required on the District’s medication permission form before any
over-the-counter medications or natural remedies and supplements, will be given
to students. Students who have demonstrated competence in administering their
own medications may self-administer their medication with approval of the
parent/guardian and of the school nurse. By law, students with asthma or other
airway constricting diseases may self-administer their medication with approval
of their parents and prescribing physician regardless of competency.
A Legal Prescriber can be a
physician, dentist, podiatrist, licensed physician assistant or advanced
registered nurse practitioner.
Permission forms are
available in each school health office or on the District’s website under the
Student Services/Health Services page.
Immunizations
(CRCSD Regulation 602.1)
Prior to starting school or
when transferring into the school district, students must present an approved
Iowa Department of Public Health immunization certificate signed by a health
care provider stating that the student has received the immunizations required
by law. Students without the proper
certificate are not allowed to attend school until they receive the
immunizations. Students may be admitted
temporarily to the school if they have completed provisional requirements. Only for specific medical or religious
purposes are students exempted from the immunization requirements.
Health Screenings – Hearing, Dental, and
BMI
Hearing Screening: Grant Wood Area Education Agency (GWAEA)
screens all students in Alternative Kindergarten (AK), kindergarten, and grades
1, 2, and 5. Students in the Early Learning Program with IEP’s will be
screened. Students in grades 3, 4,
middle, and high school, who are new to the school and some students with a
history of known hearing loss will also be tested. Follow up testing may occur periodically if
previous hearing test results were not within normal limits. Parent/guardians
not wishing their child’s hearing tested should notify the health office in
writing at the beginning of the year.
Parents/guardians with concerns about their child’s hearing should
contact the school nurse
Dental Screening: Children
enrolling in elementary and high school receive a screening for dental
disease. This requirement includes students
entering kindergarten and 9th grade. Valid Iowa Department of Public Health
Certificates of Dental Screening must be submitted to the school in which the
student wishes to enroll. The purpose of the dental screening requirement is to
improve the oral health of
In addition St. Luke’s
BMI Screening: District health and/or PE staff members will
screen height and weight of kindergarten and 5th grade students. Results will be sent home with each child. If you do not wish your child to be screened,
you must notify the school health office.
If your child had a physical for this school year, we may use that
height and weight data to calculate your child’s BMI.
Vision Screening: Grant Wood Area Education Agency (GWAEA) has
discontinued vision screening services.
Metro Care Connection
Metro Care Connection is the
Physical Examinations
Physical examinations are
recommended for students entering kindergarten and grades 3, 6, 9, and 11. Forms are available in the health office, on
the CRCSD Website, or from your health care provider. Yearly physical exams are required for
participation in athletics. Failure to
provide proof of a physical examination will make the student ineligible. Students who cannot afford the cost of the
physical examination should contact the coach of their sport or the school
nurse. In addition, Metro Care
Connection offers health care and service to students by Pediatric Nurse
Practitioners at no cost to uninsured or underinsured families. To schedule a physical with Metro Care Connection
please call 558-2481.
Lead Screening Law
Asbestos Notification
Asbestos has been an issue
of concern for many years. The Asbestos Hazard
Emergency Response Act of 1986 (AHERA) was designed to determine the extent of
asbestos concerns in the schools and to act as a guide in formulating asbestos
management policies for the schools. Our
school district facilities have been inspected by a certified asbestos
inspector as required by AHERA. The
inspector located, sampled and determined the condition and hazard potential of
all material in the school facilities suspected of containing asbestos. The inspection and laboratory analysis records
form the basis of the asbestos management plan.
A certified management
planner has developed an asbestos management plan for the school district
facilities which includes: notification
letters, training for employees, a set of procedures designed to minimize the
disturbance of asbestos-containing materials, and plans for regular
surveillance of the materials. A copy of
the management plan is available for inspection in the main office of each
school.
HAWK-I Insurance
Parents/guardians can apply
for low- or no-cost health insurance for their children through the state’s
Healthy and Well Kids in
Head Lice
The
Students with signs and
symptoms of head lice will be referred to the health office for evaluation.
Parents/guardians of students, found to have live lice or nits (eggs) within ½
inch of the scalp, will be notified and provided with information regarding
treatment and management. In the elementary schools, families with a child
in the classroom will be notified by a note from the health office along with
information regarding identification and management of head lice.
It is important that
families check their child’s head for lice on a routine basis. This home
screening is the most effective measure in preventing, identifying, and
controlling head lice.
Notice:
Chapter 103
State law forbids school
employees from using corporal punishment against any student. Certain actions by school employees are not
considered corporal punishment.
Additionally, school employees may use “reasonable and necessary force,
not designed or intended to cause pain” to do certain things, such as prevent
harm to persons or property.
State law also places limits
school employees’ abilities to restrain or confine and detain any student. The law limits why, how, where, and for how
long a school employee may restrain or confine and detain a child. If a child is restrained or confined and
detained, the school must maintain documentation and must provide certain types
of notice to the child’s parents.
If you have any
questions about this state law, please contact your school. The complete text of the law and additional
information is available on the Iowa Department of Education’s we site: www.iowa.gov/educate.