Knoxville Community School District

Student Handbook

Mission Statement

Themissionofthedistrictistoprovideacaring,cooperativeatmosphereinwhichstudents,staff,and
communityworktogethertopromotelifelonglearningandsocialresponsibility.

www.knoxville.k12.ia.us

WestElementary(Preschool,K1grade)
NorthstarElementary(25grade)
306SouthParkLane
407W.Larson
Knoxville,IA50138
Knoxville,IA50138
Phone:6418422185
Phone:6418426527
Fax: 6418426029
Fax: 6418288052

KnoxvilleMiddleSchool(68grade)
102NorthLincoln
Knoxville,IA50138
Phone:6418423315
Fax: 6418425754

KnoxvilleHighSchool(912grade)
1811W.MadisonStreet
Knoxville,IA50138
Phone:6418422173
Fax: 6418422066

CentralOffice
309W.Main
Knoxville,IA50138
Phone:6418426551
Fax: 6418422109

#KCSDPride
1

TABLEOFCONTENTS

OPENINGSTATEMENT
SchoolDistrictMissionStatement,EducationalGoalsandExpectedStudentOutcomes
NamesofFacultyandStaffandTheirAssignments(coursesorduties)
SchoolSong,SchoolColorsandSchoolMascot
DescriptionoftheSchool'sHistory
EqualEducationalOpportunity
JurisdictionalandBehavioralExpectationsStatement
Definitions
SchoolFees
EmergencyForms

STUDENTATTENDANCE
SchoolCalendarandDailyAcademicSchedule
StudentAttendance
CollegeVisits
EarlyRelease
OpenCampus
InclementWeather

STUDENTHEALTH,WELLBEINGANDSAFETY
SchoolDay
HAWKIInsuranceforChildren
Immunizations
PhysicalExaminations
EmergencyDrills
AdministrationofMedication
StudentIllnessorInjuryatSchool
AllergyAwareness
StudentInsurance
SchoolNurse
CommunicableandInfectiousDiseases
HealthScreening
SexualAbuseandHarassmentofStudentsbyEmployees
AsbestosNotification
PhysicalRestraintofStudents

STUDENTACTIVITIES
Assemblies
FieldTrips
SchoolSponsoredStudentOrganizations
ActivityBus
StudentFundsandFundRaising
UseofSchoolDistrictFacilitiesbyStudentOrganizations
Dances
StudentCouncil
StudentActivityTickets
StudentParticipationinNonschoolAthletics
EducationalRecords

STUDENTRIGHTSANDRESPONSIBILITIES
StudentSearches
StudentLockersandDesks
ThreatsofViolence
Internet
DressCode
2

CareofSchoolProperty
DrivingandBikingtoSchool
HallPasses
IllegalItemsFoundinSchoolorinStudents'Possession
Cheating
DualEnrollmentStudents
Electronic/TechnologicalDevices
PostingofInformation
Initiations,HazingorHarassment
StudentComplaints
StudentPublications

STUDENTSCHOLASTICACHIEVEMENT
GradeReports
Homework
StandardizedTests
HumanGrowthandDevelopment
OpenEnrollment
ClassLoads
Adding/DroppingCourses
StudyHall
HonorRollandAcademicHonors
AcademicEligibilityforExtracurricularActivities
PostsecondaryEnrollmentOptions
EarlyGraduation
Graduation

MISCELLANEOUS
TelephoneUseDuringtheSchoolDay
SchoolAnnouncements
Visitors/Guests
LegalStatusofStudent
OpenGymDuringNonSchoolHours
Cafeteria
BusesandOtherSchoolDistrictVehicles
MediaCenter
StudentorBuildingAssistanceTeam
CharttoAllowtheStudenttoWriteOuttheCourseSchedule
LostandFound
Parent/TeacherAssociation/Organization
GuidanceProgram
Citizenship
InspectionofEducationalMaterials

ELEMENTARYEXPECTATIONSANDRULES
Introduction
CommunicationstoandfromSchool
RecessandPlaygroundRules
BirthdayTreats
InvitationstoParties
SharingTime
SchoolSupplies
SchoolParties
SafetyPatrol

MIDDLESCHOOLEXPECTATIONSANDRULES
Visitors
Tardy&TruancyPolicies
PBISExpectations
3

BeforeandAfterSchoolAreas
Classroom&Hallways
MediaCenter
LunchandBreakPeriods
BeforeandAfterSchoolActivities
Parties&Dances
Detention&Suspension
StudentAdvisory
TalentedandGifted
SkillBuildingClasses
BuildingAssistanceteam(B.A.T.)
ExtraCurricularPrograms
AcademicEligibilityPolicy
PersonalElectronics

SUPPLEMENTALMATERIALS
ExhibitA
ExhibitB
ExhibitC

INTRODUCTION
Studenthandbooksaretheprimaryandmostefficientwayforschooldistrictstoprovidestudentsandparents
noticeoftheschooldistrict'spoliciesandpractices.Studenthandbooksinformstudentsandparentsaboutthe
board'spositiononmanyissuessuchasdiscipline,attendanceandeligibilityforextracurricularactivities.In
addition,studenthandbookscanconveyanindividualschool'sspiritandtheexpectationsoftheschoolandschool
district.Inthisway,studenthandbookscanbepartoftheteachingandlearningprocessaswellaspartofschool
operations.

Moststudenthandbooksaredesignedtoaccomplishthefollowinggoals:
documentschoolrulesandschooldistrictpoliciestoserveasaguideforstudentsandtheirfamiliesandto
clarifytheschooldistrictandschoolbuilding'spositiononanumberofissues
serveasasourceofinformationforstudentsandtheirfamiliesabouttheschooldistrictandtheschool
building,theorganizationalstructureandoverallphilosophyand,
providestudentsandtheirfamilieswithuptodate,easytounderstandinformationontherangeof
opportunitiesandprogramsavailablethroughtheschoolandtheschooldistrict.

Studenthandbooksspecificallyaddresstherightsandresponsibilitiesofstudents.Asaresult,thecontentofthe
studenthandbookcanbethesubjectoflitigation.Inconsistentlanguagebetweenthestudenthandbookandboard
policymaycausedifficultiesespeciallyintheeventoflitigation.Thelanguageinthestudenthandbookwilllikely
overrideboardpolicybecausethestudenthandbookwasprovideddirectlytostudents.Boardsandadministrators
mustbeawareofthecontentofthestudenthandbookandensureconsistencybetweenthestudenthandbookand
boardpolicy.Boardsneednotnecessarilybeinvolvedinwritingorapprovingthestudenthandbook,buttheboard
mustoverseethedevelopmentandcontentofthestudenthandbook.Theboardshouldreviewthestudenthandbook
beforeitisdistributedtostudents.

Studenthandbooksgenerallycontainregulationsdevelopedbytheadministration.Iftheadministrationusesa
committeetoassistindraftingthestudenthandbook,itmaybehelpfultoincludeboardmembersonthecommittee.
SchooldistrictsarerequiredbytheIowaDepartmentofEducation's(DE)administrativerulestoconsultwith
parents,students,instructionalandnoninstructionalprofessionalstaffandcommunitymemberswhendevelopingor
revisingstudentresponsibilityanddisciplinepolicies.281I.A.C.12.3(6).

Manyschooldistrictsusethestudenthandbooktomeetrequirementsunderfederalorstatelawforproviding
variousrequiredannualnoticestoparentsandstudents.Knowledgeofthestudenthandbookishelpfultoparents
whentheyhavequestionsorwhentheirchildisfoundviolatingaprovisionofthehandbook.Someschooldistricts
encloseaformforparentstosignacknowledgingnoticewasreceived.Whiletheacknowledgementformisnot
required,itisawaytoensureparentsareawareofthecontentsofthestudenthandbook.

Studenthandbooksareasuniqueasthestudents,schoolsandschooldistrictstheyserve.IASB'sexamination
ofstudenthandbookssuggeststhatwhiledetailsvarysignificantly,thetopicsaddressedarefairlyconsistent.A
soundstudenthandbookshouldcontaincertainitems.Thelistbelowisnotexhaustiveoftheitemsaschoolcould
haveinitsstudenthandbook,however,itisagoodstartingpoint.

NOTE:Itemswithanasteriskrequirenoticebegiventostudentsand/orparentsannually.

Studentrecordsconfidentialityandaccesspoliciesincludingalistoftheschooldistrict'sdirectory
information.*(SeeNSBAAnnualNotice)

Schooldistrict'sgoodconductruleandrulesregardingeligibilityforextracurricularactivities.*(See

AppendixB.)

Awrittennoticethatlockerinspectionswithoutpriornoticemaybeconductedperiodicallythroughoutthe
schoolyear.*(Seepage29.)
Nameoftheschooldistrict'sLevelIinvestigatorandproceduresforinvestigatingabuseofstudentsby
employees.*(Seepage8.)
5

Availabilityoffreeandreducedpricelunchandtheformforparentstoapply.*(SeeNSBAAnnualNotice)
Noticeoftheavailabilityoftheasbestosmanagementplanandthestatusofinspections.(SeeNSBAAnnual
Notice)

Name,addressandphonenumberoftheschooldistrict'sequaleducationalopportunitygrievanceofficer,
theappropriatestateandfederalagencyforfilingcomplaintsregardingequalaccesstoeducationprograms
andtheproceduresforfilingacomplaintwiththegrievanceofficer.*(SeeNSBAAnnualNotice)
Anoticethattheschooldistricthasadoptedamulticultural,nonsexisteducationalprogram.*
Theschooldistrict'sgraduationstandardsandrequirementsforearlygraduation.(Seepage39.)
Listofeducationaloptionsavailabletostudents,includingopenenrollmentandpostsecondaryenrollment.*
(Seepages37and38.)
Attendancepolicies,includingexamplesofexcusedandunexcusedabsences.*(SeeExhibitA.)
Rulesprohibitingthepossession,sale,useorbeingundertheinfluenceofalcoholicbeverages,tobaccoand
drugs.*(SeeExhibitB.)
Studentresponsibilityissuesincludingprohibitedconductandpenaltiesforfailingtoconductthemselvesin
accordancewithschooldistrictpolicies,rulesandregulationsharassment,useoftobacco,weapons,
violent,destructiveandseriouslydisruptivebehavior,suspension,expulsion,emergencyremovaland
physicalrestraintoutofschoolbehaviorparticipationinextracurricularactivitiesacademicprogressand
citizenship.*(SeeExhibitB.)
Anoticethatparentsareeligibletoapplyforlowornocosthealthinsurancefortheirchildrenthroughthe
statesHealthyandWellKidsinIowa(HAWKI)program.(Seepage15.)
Informationonthehumangrowthanddevelopmentcurriculum,instructionsforreviewingthematerials
priortotheiruseintheclassroomandproceduresforparentstohavetheirchildexcusedfromhuman
growthanddevelopment.*(SeeExhibitI.)
Studentpublicationscodeoutliningappropriatewrittenmaterialinschoolsponsoredpublications.*(See
page34.)
Noticethattheschooldistricthasaninterventionprocessforstudentsexperiencinglearningandbehavioral
difficultiesandsubsequentnoticesafterastudenthasbeenidentified.*(SeeNSBAAnnualNotice)and(See
ExhibitH)
Noticethatstudentsfromlowincomefamiliesareeligibletohavetheirstudentfeeswaived.*(SeeExhibit
K.)
NoChildLeftBehindnotices.(SeeExhibitJ.)
Board'santiharassmentandantibullyingexpectedbehaviors.*(Seepage33.)
Statementaboutthebehavioralexpectationsofstudents,parentsandstaff.*(SeeExhibitB.)
Schoolsmustnotifyparentsaboutpoliciesregardingsurveys,instructionalmaterials,physicalexaminations
andpersonalinformationusedformarketing.*(SeeNSBAAnnualNotice)
Noticeoftheschooldistrictshomelessliaison.*(SeeNSBAAnnualNotice)

OPENINGSTATEMENT

SchoolDistrictMissionStatement,EducationalGoalsandExpectedStudentOutcomes

OurMission:
Toprovideacaring,cooperativeatmosphereinwhichstudents,staff,andthecommunityworktogethertopromote
lifelonglearningandsocialresponsibility.

BeliefStatements:
Webelievethatstudents,educators,parents,andcommunitymembersarepartnersandwillworkcooperativelyto:
Provideasafe,supportive,disciplinedlearningenvironmentbasedonmutualrespect.
Providelearningexperiencesthatleadtothesuccessofallstudents.
Ensurethateachpersonisresponsibleforhis/heractionsanddecisions.
Challengeandmotivatewithrelevantreallifesituationsinandoutoftheclassroom.
Provideskillsforlifelonglearning.
Provideopportunitiesforparticipationinschooldecisionmaking.
Emphasizetheskillsandknowledgenecessarytobecomeresponsiblecitizens.

LearnerExpectations:
StudentsintheKnoxvilleCommunitySchoolDistrictwill:
Communicateeffectively(read,write,listen,speak)andperformmathematicaloperationsandapplications.
Demonstratehonesty,integrity,respect,responsibility,selfmanagement,andsociabilityinpersonaland
professionalexperiences.
Workwithavarietyofresourcesandtechnologytoaccessinformationandsolveproblems.
Developanappreciationandworkingknowledgeofthefinearts,thehumanities,andthepracticalartsand
thesciences.
Thinkcreativelyandcriticallyinmakingdecisionsandsolvingproblems.
Developthenecessaryinterpersonalandworkskillstosucceedintheworkplace.
Understandandexercisecivicandpersonalresponsibilities.
Communicateideasandfeelingsthroughavarietyofeffectivemethods.
Valueandrespectindividualdifferencesandadapttoachangingworld.
Acquiretheskillstobecomeanindependent,lifelonglearner.
Acceptchangeandmanagestressandconflictinhis/herpersonalandprofessionalexperiences.

NOTE: Eachschoolorschooldistrictshouldadditsvisionstatement,missionstatement,educational
goalsandexpectedstudentoutcomesunderthisitem.Thisinformationprovidesparentsandstudentswith
anunderstandingofthegoalsoftheschoolandtheschooldistrict.Itisimportantinthisopeningsection
ofthehandbooktoadoptathemeofacaringandnurturingeducationalenvironment.Acaringtonecan
makestudentsandparentsfeelapartoftheschoolcommunity.Infurtheringthisobjective,theopening
statementofthehandbookshouldcontainlanguageencouragingandwelcomingquestions,concernsand
suggestionsforimprovingtheschool.

KnoxvilleCommunitySchoolDistrict201516Staff
WestElementaryStaff
NorthstarElementaryStaff
MiddleSchoolStaff
HighSchoolStaff
MaintenanceStaff
TransportationStaff
CentralOfficeStaff
SchoolBoard

SchoolSong:
SchoolColors:BlackandGold
SchoolMascot:Panther
OnwardKnoxville,
ForwardKnoxville,
Fightonforyourfame!
Taketheballrightdowntheline
Atouchdowneverytime....
Rah!Rah!Rah!
OnwardKnoxville,
ForwardKnoxville,
Fightonforyourfame,
Fightfellowsfight,
Andwewillwinthisgame!
GoKnoxvillePanthers!Go,go,go!
FightKnoxvillePanthers!Fight,fight,fight!
Go!Fight!Gofightwin!

DescriptionoftheSchool'sHistory

NOTE: Manyschoolshaveuniquecharacteristicsorunusualhistoriesthatcanbesharedinthestudent
handbook.Providingabriefhistoryoftheschoolconveystostudentsandtheirfamiliesasenseof
communityandbelongingtothatcommunity.

EqualEducationalOpportunity

Theschooldistrictdoesnotdiscriminateinitseducationprogramsoreducationalactivitiesonthebasisofsex,
race,religion,color,nationalorigin,maritalstatus,creed,sexualorientation,genderidentityordisability.Students
areeducatedinprogramswhichfosterknowledgeof,andrespectandappreciationfor,thehistoricaland
contemporarycontributionsofdiverseculturalgroups,aswellasmenandwomen,tosociety.Studentswhofeel
theyhavebeendiscriminatedagainstareencouragedtoreportittotheschooldistrictAffirmativeAction
Coordinator.TheAffirmativeActionCoordinatorisCassiMurraandcanbereachedat(641)8426551.Inquiries
mayalsobedirectedinwritingtotheDirectoroftheRegionVIIOfficeofCivilRights,U.S.Departmentof
Education,8930WardParkway,Suite2037,KansasCity,MO64114,(816)2680550,ortheIowaDepartmentof
Education,GrimesStateOfficeBuilding,DesMoines,IA,503190146,(515)2815294.

Theschooldistrict,initseducationalprogram,hasaprocesstoassiststudentsexperiencingbehaviorand
learningdifficulties.Thebuildinglevelproblemsolvingteamisresponsibleforthisprocess.Representativesfrom
theareaeducationagencymayalsoassisttheschooldistrictinthisprocess.Parentswantingaccesstothisprocess
shouldcontactthebuildingprincipal.

NOTE: Ageisnotaprotectedclassforstudents.Thereforeaschooldistrictmaydiscriminateonthebasis
ofage.Theboardmayadd"age"tothisitemasanotherprotectedclass.Ifitisaddedasaprotectedclass,
itistreatedinthesamemannerastheprotectedclasseslistedinthisitem.Ifanindividualotherthanthe
schooldistrict'sAffirmativeActionCoordinatorhastheresponsibilityforreceivingdiscrimination
complaints,thattitleneedstoreplace"AffirmativeActionCoordinator."Notificationofthestateand
federalcivilrightsagenciesandspecialeducationinterventionsarerequiredtobeprovidedtostudents
annually.

JurisdictionalandBehavioralExpectationsStatement

Thishandbookisanextensionofboardpolicyandisareflectionofthegoalsandobjectivesoftheschool
board.Theboard,administrationandemployeesexpectstudentstoconductthemselvesinamannerfittingtotheir
agelevelandmaturityandwithrespectandconsiderationfortherightsofothers.Students,teachers,employees
8

andvisitorsareexpectedtotreateachotherwithrespectandcourtesysothatallmaybesafewithintheschool
environment.Studentsmaynotuseabusivelanguage,profanityorobscenegesturesorlanguage.

Thishandbookandschooldistrictpolicies,rulesandregulationsareineffectwhilestudentsareonschool
grounds,schooldistrictpropertyoronpropertywithinthejurisdictionoftheschooldistrictwhileonschoolowned
and/orschooloperatedbusesorvehiclesorcharteredbuseswhileattendingorengagedinschoolactivitiesand
whileawayfromschoolgroundsifthemisconductdirectlyaffectsthegoodorder,efficientmanagementand
welfareoftheschooldistrictorinvolvesstudentsorstaff.Schooldistrictpolicies,rulesandregulationsarein
effect12monthsayear.Aviolationofaschooldistrictpolicy,rule,regulationorstudenthandbookmayresultin
disciplinaryactionandmayaffectastudent'seligibilitytoparticipateinextracurricularactivitieswhetherthe
violationoccurredwhileschoolwasinsessionorwhileschoolwasnotinsession.

Studentsareexpectedtocomplywithandabidebytheschooldistrict'spolicies,rules,regulationsandstudent
handbook.Studentswhofailtoabidebytheschooldistrict'spolicies,rules,regulationsandstudenthandbookmay
bedisciplinedforconductwhichdisruptsorinterfereswiththeeducationprogramconductwhichdisruptsthe
orderlyandefficientoperationoftheschooldistrictorschoolactivityconductwhichdisruptstherightsofother
studentstoobtaintheireducationortoparticipateinschoolactivitiesorconductwhichinterruptsthemaintenance
ofadisciplinedatmosphere.Disciplinarymeasuresinclude,butarenotlimitedto,removalfromtheclassroom,
detention,suspension,probationandexpulsion.Disciplinecanalsoincludeprohibitionfromparticipatingin
extracurricularactivities,includingathletics.Thedisciplineimposedisbaseduponthefactsandcircumstances
surroundingtheincidentandthestudent'srecord.

Theschoolreservesandretainstherighttomodify,eliminateorestablishschooldistrictpolicies,rules,
regulationsandstudenthandbookprovisionsascircumstanceswarrant,includingthosecontainedinthehandbook.
Studentsareexpectedtoknowthecontentsofthehandbookandcomplywithit.Studentsorparentswithquestions
orconcernsmaycontactthebuildingprincipalforinformationaboutthecurrentenforcementofthepolicies,rules,
regulationsorstudenthandbookoftheschooldistrict.

Definitions
Inthishandbook,theword"parent"alsomeans"guardian"unlessotherwisestated.Anadministrator'stitle,
suchassuperintendentorprincipal,alsomeansthatindividual'sdesigneeunlessotherwisestated.Theterm"school
grounds"includestheschooldistrictfacilities,schooldistrictproperty,propertywithinthejurisdictionoftheschool
districtorschooldistrictpremises,schoolownedorschooloperatedbusesorvehiclesandcharteredbuses.The
term"schoolfacilities"includesschooldistrictbuildingsandvehicles.Theterm"schoolactivities,"meansall
schoolactivitiesinwhichstudentsareinvolvedwhethertheyareschoolsponsoredorschoolapproved,whether
theyareaneventoranactivity,orwhethertheyareheldonoroffschoolgrounds.

SchoolFees
Theschooldistrictchargesfeesforcertainitems,suchastextbookrental.Studentswhosefamiliesmeetthe
incomeguidelinesforfreeandreducedpricelunch,theFamilyInvestmentProgram(FIP),transportationassistance
underopenenrollment,orstudentswhoareinfostercareareeligibletohavetheirstudentfeeswaivedorpartially
waived.Studentswhosefamiliesareexperiencingatemporaryfinancialdifficultymaybeeligibleforatemporary
waiverofstudentfees.Parentsorstudentswhobelievetheymayqualifyfortemporaryfinancialhardshipshould
contactthebuildingsecretaryforawaiverform.Thiswaiverdoesnotcarryoverfromyeartoyearandmustbe
completedannually.

EmergencyForms
Atthebeginningofeachschoolyear,parentsmustfileanemergencyformwiththeofficeprovidingthe
emergencytelephonenumbersoftheparentsaswellasalternatepersonstocontactintheeventtheschoolisunable
tolocatetheparents.Theemergencyformalsoincludesastatementthatgivestheschooldistrictpermissionto
releasethestudenttothealternatepersonintheeventtheparentscannotbereached.Parentsmustnotifythe
buildingsecretaryiftheinformationontheemergencyformchangesduringtheschoolyear.

ParentalNotifications
ParentInformation
Duringthe2005legislativesession,theIowalegislaturedirectedtheDepartmentofEducationtoprovide
schoolswithexamplesofageappropriatematerialsandlistsofresourcesthatparentscouldusetoteachtheir
childrentorecognizeandrejectunwantedphysicalandverbalsexualadvances.Thelegislaturealsodirected
thatschoolsshouldprovidesuchmaterialstoparents,incorporateageappropriatematerialsintorelevant
curricula,andreinforcetheimportanceofpreventivemeasureswithparentsandstudents.Thismanualmeets
theserequirementsandwillhelpschoolsfulfilltheirobligationstowardtheirstudentsandtheirfamilieswith
regardtosexualviolence.
Youcanaccessthismanualatthissite.http://www.state.ia.us/educate/ecese/cfcs/sdfsc/resources.html

HomelessStudents
TheBoardofEducationisresponsibleforlocatingandidentifyinghomelesschildrenandyouth
whomare"found"withinthedistrict.A"homelesschildoryouthofschoolage"isdefinedasone
betweentheagesof3and21wholacksafixed,regular,andadequatenighttimeresidenceand
includesachildoryouthlivingonthestreet,inacar,tent,abandonedbuilding,orsomeotherform
ofshelternotdesignedasapermanenthomelivinginacommunityshelterfacilityorlivingwith
nonnuclearfamilymembersorfriendswhomaynothavelegalguardianshipoverthechildor
youthofschoolage.Thedistrictshallmakeavailabletothehomelesschild
oryouthallservicesandassistanceincluding,butnotlimitedto,compensatoryeducation,specialeducation,
ESL,vocationalcoursesorprograms,programsforgiftedandtalented,healthservices,andfoodandnutrition
programsonthesamebasisasthoseservicesandassistanceprovidedtoresidentstudents.Ifyouhaveanyquestions
orconcerns,pleasecontactthebuildingprincipalorthesuperintendentofschoolsat:
309WestMain,
Knoxville,IA50138,
phone(641)8426552

Section504PolicyStatement
ItistheintentoftheKnoxvilleCommunitySchoolDistricttoensurethatstudentsidentifiedasdisabled,withinthe
definitionofSection504oftheRehabilitationActof1973,areprovidedwithappropriateeducationalprogramsand
services.BrianMcNeillistheSection504CoordinatorfortheKnoxvilleCommunitySchoolDistrict.Hecanbe
reachedat102NorthLincoln,Knoxville,Iowa50138,orcontactedbyphoneat8423315.

10

STUDENTATTENDANCE

SchoolCalendarandDailyAcademicSchedule

201516SchoolYearCalendar(Onepageyearview)

KCSDDistrictCalendar(monthlycalendarview)

KCSDActivityCalendar

StudentAttendance
Studentsareexpectedtobeinclassandtomakeattendanceatoppriority.Onlythroughattendanceandclass
participationdostudentsachievethebenefitsoftheeducationprogram.Participatinginclassdiscussion,
developinganappreciationfortheviewsandabilitiesofotherstudents,andformingthehabitofregularattendance
arelegitimateclassobjectives.Learninglostduetoanabsencecanneverbereplaced.Regularattendanceand
beingwellpreparedforclasshelpsstudentsinschoolaswellaspreparesstudentsforadulthood.

Studentswhoknowtheywillbeabsentmustnotifytheofficepriortotheabsence.Priornoticesarepickedup
intheofficethreedaysinadvanceandarevalidandacceptedwhenworkiscompletedandturnedin.Ifaprioris
notobtainedbeforetheabsence,theabsencemaynotbeexcused.

Theschooldetermineswhetheranabsenceisexcusedorunexcused.Excusedabsencesinclude,butarenot
limitedto,illness,familyemergencies,recognizedreligiousobservances,appointmentsthatcannotbescheduled
outsidetheschooldayandschoolsponsoredorapprovedactivities.Unexcusedabsencesinclude,butarenot
limitedto,tardiness,shopping,concerts,preparationorparticipationinpartiesorothercelebrationsand
employment.

Studentswhoneedtoleaveschoolduringtheschooldaymusthaveparentsnotifytheoffice.Studentswho
returntoclassorarriveaftertheschooldayhasbegunmustsignintotheoffice.Ifthestudentwasatamedicalor
legalappointment,aprofessionalstatement/documentationwillneedtobepresentedtotheofficeuponreturningto
verifytheexcusedabsence.

Studentsparticipatinginschoolactivitiesmustbeinschoolby9:30a.m.onthedayoftheeventinorderto
participateinaschoolactivity(practice,competition,orpublicperformance).Onlywithexcusedabsencesand
extraordinarycircumstancesmaythisrulebewaivedbytheprincipaloractivitiesdirector.Studentsthatleave
schoolforanyportionofthedayduetoillnesswillnotbeallowedtopractice,compete,orperforminanyactivities
thatdayornight.

Daily,punctualattendanceisanintegralpartofthelearningexperienceandisrequiredofallstudentsto
receivethemaximumbenefitoftheeducationalprogram.Thehabitofgoodattendanceestablishedearlyisone
whichhelpsapersonbesuccessfulthroughouthisorherlifetime.Moreandmore,employers,collegesand
vocationalschoolsexpectgoodattendanceandarecheckingattendancerecordsforabsencesandtardies.Theyare
awarethatgoodandpromptattendanceindicatesdependabilityinastudent.

Theeducationthatgoesonintheclassroombuildsfromdaytodayandasaresult,absencesalwayscause
somedisruptionintheeducationalprogressoftheabsentstudent.Studentswhoareabsentmaynotunderstand
whattheteacheriscurrentlypresenting,andmayalsobecomediscouragedwiththedoubleburdenofkeeping
currentandmakingupmissedwork.Inordertomaintaininterestandunderstandingintheinstructionalprogram,
studentsshouldnotexpecttobeabsentanymorethanisabsolutelynecessary.Irregularattendanceortardinessby
studentsnotonlyretardstheirownstudies,butalsointerfereswiththeprogressofthosestudentswhoareregular
andpromptinattendance.Attendanceisasharedresponsibilitythatrequirescooperationandcommunication
amongstudents,parentsandschool.
11

Studentswhoareabsentwithoutareasonableexcuse,asdeterminedbytheprincipal,willbeassignedwork
timetomakeupmissedwork.Moretimecanbeassignedasneededtomakesureallworkiscompleted.
Reasonableexcusesincludeillness,familyemergencies,recognizedreligiousobservancesandschoolsponsoredor
approvedactivities.Reasonableexcusesmayalsoincludefamilytripsorvacationsifthestudent'sworkisfinished
priortothetriporvacation.StudentswithunexcusedabsencesmayalsobereferredtotheStudentServices
Coordinator.

Whenschoolworkismissedbecauseofabsences,studentswillhavethenumberofdaysmissedplusone
daytomakeupthework.Thereareexceptionsforlongtermabsences.Thosearrangementswillbeapprovedby
theprincipal.Studentswillbeallowedtomakeupallworkmissedduetoanyabsenceandwillreceivefullcredit
formakeupworkhandedinontime.Teacherswillnothaveattendanceorgradingpracticesthatareinconflict
withthisprovision.

After4absences,parentswillbenotifiedinwritingoftheirchildsabsences,stressingtheimportanceof
schoolandrequirementstoattendschoolregularly.Parentsmaybenotifiedofpossiblyrequiringaphysicians
excuseforfutureabsences.

Afterthe8thabsence,parentswillbenotifiedinwritingthattheywillneedtofurnishaphysiciansexcuse
forallfutureabsences.Failuretoproducetheexcusewillresultinanunexcusedabsenceandtrackingunderthe
unexcusedabsencepolicy.

Foreverytwounexcusedabsences:
StudentServicesCoordinatorwillbecontacted.
CountyAttorneysOfficenotifiedofabsences.

CollegeVisits
JuniorandSeniorsareencouragedtovisitcollegecampusesonweekendsorschoolholidays.However,ifthat
cannotbearranged,theymaybeexcusedforupto3daystovisitcollegecampuseswiththepermissionofthe
guidancecounselorandwithanotesignedbythestudent'sparents.

OpenCampus.
Juniorsandseniorsmaybereleasedforlunchiftheyhaveearnedtheprivilegeandhaveaparentalapprovaltobe
released.Opencampusisnotarightandwillnotbegrantedunlessearned.

Toearnopencampusprivileges,juniorsandseniorsmustmeetthefollowingcriteria:
1.Studentsmusthaveaparentalreleaseformonfileintheoffice.
2.Ajuniorearnsopencampusifasasophomore,thestudenthadnofailinggrades,nodroppedclasses,noinor
outofschoolsuspensions,hadaGPAof2.5,andhadaccumulatedatotalof20creditstowardgraduationand
areenrolledinaonlinecollegeclass.
3.Aseniorearnsopencampusifasajunior,thestudentmetthesamecriteriaasaboveandhasearned32credits
towardgraduation.
4.Studentswithincompletegradesfromthepreviousgradingperiodwillhavetheirprivilegesuspendeduntil
thosegradesarecompleted.
5.Ifastudentremainsatschooltheymustremainindesignatedareas.Studentswillnotbeallowedinthehalls
oranyotherplaceduringclasstimewithoutapass.
6.Whenastudentleavesthebuilding,thatstudentmustleaveschoolproperty.Ifdrivingstudentsmustleave
schoolproperty,theyarenotallowedtodrivearoundschoolgrounds.Uponreturningtoschool,studentsmust
legallyparktheirvehiclesinthestudentparkingarea.Studentsmustnotloiterintheparkinglot.

12

Studentswithopencampusprivilegesthathaveunexcusedabsencesshalllosetheirprivileges.Pleaserefertothe
attendancesectionfordetails.

Studentsthatdonotreturnfromopencampusoraremorethanfiveminuteslatemayloseopencampusprivileges
basedonthediscretionoftheassistantprincipalorprincipal.

Opencampuslistswillbereviewedperiodically.GPAswillbereviewedquarterlytodetermineifastudents
gradeshaveincreasedtothe2.5leveltoearnopencampus.

InclementWeather
Whenschooliscanceledbecauseofinclementweatherpriortothestartoftheschoolday,studentsand
parentsarenotifiedbytheSchoolAlertSystem.ItwillalsobepostedonKNIARadio(1320AM/95.3FM&
KRLS92.1FM)andKCCI(channel8)kcci.com.ThefastestwaytoreceivenotificationsistosignuponIowa
SchoolAlerts.Intheeventofalatestartduetoinclementweathertherewillbenomorningpreschoolclasses.

IowaSchoolAlerts
Extracurricularactivitiesorpracticesscheduledforthedayoreveningofadaywhenschooliscanceledor
dismissedearlyaregenerallycanceledandrescheduled.MiddleSchoolpracticesoractivitiesondayswhenschool
iscancelledordismissedearlywillalwaysbecancelled.Forhighschoolactivities,theprincipaloractivities
directormaydeterminewhethertoholdextracurricularactivitiesorpracticesafterconsultationwiththe
superintendent.Iftheextracurricularactivityistobeheld,studentsandparentsarenotifiedinthesamemanneras
thenotificationthatschoolwasdismissed.

13

STUDENTHEALTH,WELLBEINGANDSAFETY

AsdefinedbyKnoxvilleBoardPolicy503.1,pupilsshallbeexpectedtoconductthemselvesinkeeping
withtheirlevelsofmaturityatalltimes.Respectfortheauthorityvestedinallschoolemployees,regardforpublic
property,andconsiderationoftherightsandwelfareofallstudentsshouldgovernpupilactions.Allemployeesof
thedistrictsharetheresponsibilityforseeingthatbehaviorofstudentsmeetsthestandardsofconductconduciveto
alearningsituation.Emphasisshallbeplaceduponthegrowthoftheabilityforthestudenttodisciplinehimselfor
herself.

Ourgoalistoprovideasafe,friendly,andnurturingenvironmentforall.Wefeelitisessentialtoeducate
studentsinhowtoconducttheiractionsandbehaviorsinapositive,proactivesocialmannerandtoprovide
opportunitiesforstudentstodemonstratethesemanners.Whenstudentsmakeinappropriatechoicesofactionsand
behaviors,KnoxvilleSchoolswillimplementappropriateandconsistentconsequences.Theconsequenceslistedin
thishandbookareaguidetoappropriateactions,behaviors,expectationsandconsequences.Interpretationof
measuresoutlinedinthishandbookislefttotheprincipalineachrespectivebuilding.

Allexpectationsareestablishedforthesafetyofstudentsandtocreateapositiveandenjoyable
environmentforallstudents.Failuretofollowexpectationsmayresultinlossofprivileges.Theseverityoftheact,
and/orrepeatedfailuretofollowexpectations,mayresultinthestudentbeingassignedtoanalternativeareafor
breaksand/orlunch,orotherdisciplinaryactionsmaybetaken.

SchoolDay
Studentsmaybepresentonschoolgroundsbefore7:40a.m.orafter3:30p.m.onlywhentheyareunderthe
supervisionofanemployeeoranextracurricularactivitysponsor.Ifschoolisdismissedearly,studentsare
expectedtoleavetheschoolgroundswithin30minutesofdismissal.

HAWKIInsuranceforChildren
ParentscanapplyforlowornocosthealthinsurancefortheirchildrenthroughthestatesHealthyandWell
KidsinIowa(HAWKI)program.Children,birthto19,whomeetcertaincriteria,areeligible.Thecoverage
includesdoctorsvisits,hearingservices,dentalcare,prescription,immunizations,physicaltherapy,visioncare,
speechtherapyandhospitalservicestonameafew.Parentsareurgedtocall18002578563(tollfree)orgoto
thewebsiteathttp://www.hawki.org/formoreinformation.

Immunizations
Priortostartingschoolorwhentransferringintotheschooldistrict,studentsmustpresentanapprovedIowa
DepartmentofPublicHealthimmunizationcertificatesignedbyahealthcareproviderstatingthatthestudenthas
receivedtheimmunizationsrequiredbylaw.Studentswithoutthepropercertificatearenotallowedtoattend
schooluntiltheyreceivetheimmunizationsorthestudentmakesarrangementswiththeprincipal.Onlyforspecific
medicalorreligiouspurposesarestudentsexemptedfromtheimmunizationrequirements.Studentsmayalsobe
requiredtopassaTBtestpriortoattendingschool.Parentswhohavequestionsshouldcontacttheoffice.

PhysicalExaminations
Parentsareencouragedtohavetheirchildrenreceiveperiodicphysicalexaminations.

Studentsparticipatinginathleticsarerequiredtoprovideaschooldistrictphysicalexaminationformsignedby
thestudent'sdoctorstatingthestudentisphysicallyfittoperforminathleticspriortothestartofthesport.Failure
toprovideproofofaphysicalexaminationmakesthestudentineligible.Studentswhocannotaffordthecostofthe
physicalexaminationshouldcontactthecoachoftheirsport.

14

EmergencyDrills
Periodicallytheschoolholdsemergencyfire,tornadoandevacuationdrills.Atthebeginningofeachsemester,
teachersnotifystudentsoftheprocedurestofollowintheeventofadrill.Emergencyproceduresandproperexit
areasarepostedinallrooms.

Studentswhopullthefirealarmorcallinfalsealarms,inadditiontobeingdisciplinedundertheschool
district'spolicies,rulesandregulations,maybereportedtolawenforcementofficials.

AdministrationofMedication
Studentsmayneedtotakeprescriptionornonprescriptionmedicationduringschoolhours.Studentsmaycarry
medicationonlywiththepermissionoftheparentsandprincipal.Theschoolmustknowthemedicationsastudent
istakingintheeventthestudenthasareactionorillness.Studentsmustprovidewritteninstructionsfor
administrationofthemedicationaswellasparentalauthorizationtoadministerthemedication.

Medicationisheldinalockedcabinetanddistributedbytheschoolnurseorcertifieddesignee.Medication
mustbeintheoriginalcontainerwiththefollowinginformationeitheronthecontainer,intheinstructionsheetorin
theparentalauthorization:nameofthestudentnameofthemedicationdirectionsforuseincludingdosage,times
anddurationname,phonenumberandaddressofthepharmacy(ifapplicable)dateoftheprescription(if
applicable)nameofthephysician(ifapplicable)potentialsideeffectsandemergencynumberforparents.

StudentIllnessorInjuryatSchool
Astudentwhobecomesillorisinjuredatschoolmustnotifyhisorherteacheroranotheremployeeassoonas
possible.Inthecaseofaseriousillnessorinjury,theschoolshallattempttonotifytheparentsaccordingtothe
informationontheemergencyform.Ifthestudentistooilltoremaininschool,thestudentwillbereleasedtothe
student'sparentsor,withparentalpermission,toanotherpersondirectedbytheparents.

Whiletheschooldistrictisnotresponsiblefortreatingmedicalemergencies,employeesmayadminister
emergencyorminorfirstaidifpossible.Theschoolwillcontactemergencymedicalpersonnel,ifnecessary,and
attempttonotifytheparentswherethestudenthasbeentransportedfortreatment.

StudentInsurance
Studenthealthandaccidentinsuranceisavailabletostudentsatthebeginningoftheschoolyear.Parentsmay
purchaseinsurancefortheirchildrenattheirdiscretion.Parentswhowouldlikemoreinformationaboutstudent
healthandaccidentinsuranceshouldcontactthedistrictoffice.

Studentathletesmusthavehealthandaccidentinsuranceinordertoparticipateinintramuralorextracurricular
athletics.Studentsmustprovidewrittenproofofinsurancepriortothestartoftheathleticactivity.Aletterfrom
theparentsstatingthatthestudentiscoveredisadequateproofofinsurance.Studentathletes,whodonothaveand
cannotaffordinsurance,shouldcontacttheactivitiesdirector.

CommunicableandInfectiousDiseases
Studentswhohaveaninfectiousorcommunicablediseaseareallowedtoattendschoolaslongastheyareable
todosoandtheirpresencedoesnotposeanunreasonableriskofharmtothemselvesordoesnotcreatea
substantialriskofillnessortransmissiontootherstudentsoremployees.Ifthereisaquestionaboutwhethera
studentshouldcontinuetoattendclasses,thestudentshallnotattendclassorparticipateinschoolactivitieswithout
theirpersonalphysician'sapproval.Infectiousorcommunicablediseasesinclude,butarenotlimitedto,mumps,
measlesandchickenpox.

HealthScreening
Throughouttheyear,theschooldistrictsponsorshealthscreeningforvision,hearing,dental,heightandweight
measurements.Studentsareautomaticallyscreenedunlesstheparentsubmitsanoteaskingthestudentbeexcused
fromthescreening.Thegradelevelsincludedinthescreeningaredeterminedannually.Parentsarenotifiedprior
tothehealthscreening.However,uponateacher'srecommendationandwithparentalpermission,studentsnot
15

scheduledforscreeningmayalsobescreened.

SexualAbuseandHarassmentofStudentsbyEmployees
Theschooldistrictdoesnottolerateemployeesphysicallyorsexuallyabusingorharassingstudents.Students
whoarephysicallyorsexuallyabusedorharassedbyanemployeeshouldnotifytheirparents,teacher,principalor
anotheremployee.TheIowaDepartmentofEducationhasestablishedatwostepprocedureforinvestigating
allegationsofphysicalorsexualabuseofstudentsbyemployees.Thatprocedurerequirestheschooldistrictto
designateanindependentinvestigatortolookintotheallegations.TheschooldistricthasdesignatedRyanKleinat
6418423315asitsLevelIinvestigator.JenniferWrightmayalsobecontacteddirectlyat6418422174.

Physicalabuseisanonaccidentalphysicalinjurythatleavesamarkatleast24hoursaftertheincident.While
employeescannotusephysicalforcetodisciplineastudent,therearetimeswhentheuseofphysicalforceis
appropriate.Thetimeswhenphysicalforceisappropriateinclude,butarenotlimitedto,timeswhenitisnecessary
tostopadisturbance,toobtainaweaponorotherdangerousobject,forpurposesofselfdefenseortoprotectthe
safetyofothers,toremoveadisruptivestudent,toprotectothersfromharm,fortheprotectionofpropertyorto
protectastudentfromselfinflictionofharm.Sexualabuseincludes,butisnotlimitedto,sexualactsinvolvinga
studentandintentionalsexualbehavioraswellassexualharassment.Sexualharassmentisunwelcomesexual
advances,requestsforsexualfavorsorotherverbalorphysicalconductofasexualnaturewhensubmissiontosuch
conductismadeeitherimplicitlyorexplicitlyatermorconditionofthestudent'seducationorbenefitssubmission
toorrejectionoftheconductisusedasthebasisforacademicdecisionsaffectingthatstudentortheconducthas
thepurposeoreffectofsubstantiallyinterferingwithastudent'sacademicperformancebycreatinganintimidating,
hostileoroffensiveeducationalenvironment.

AsbestosNotification
Asbestoshasbeenanissueofconcernformanyyears.TheAsbestosHazardEmergencyResponseActof1986
(AHERA)wasdesignedtodeterminetheextentofasbestosconcernsintheschoolsandtoactasaguidein
formulatingasbestosmanagementpoliciesfortheschools.Theschooldistrictfacilitieshavebeeninspectedbya
certifiedasbestosinspectorasrequiredbyAHERA.Theinspectorlocated,sampledanddeterminedthecondition
andhazardpotentialofallmaterialintheschoolfacilitiessuspectedofcontainingasbestos.Theinspectionand
laboratoryanalysisrecordsformthebasisoftheasbestosmanagementplan.

Acertifiedmanagementplannerhasdevelopedanasbestosmanagementplanfortheschooldistrictfacilities
whichincludes:notificationletters,trainingforemployees,asetofproceduresdesignedtominimizethe
disturbanceofasbestoscontainingmaterials,andplansforregularsurveillanceofthematerials.Acopyofthe
managementplanisavailableforinspectionintheoffice.

PhysicalRestraintofStudents
Statelawforbidsschoolemployeesfromusingcorporalpunishmentagainstanystudent.Certainactionsby
schoolemployeesarenotconsideredcorporalpunishment.Additionally,schoolemployeesmayusereasonable
andnecessaryforce,notdesignedorintendedtocausepaintodocertainthings,suchaspreventharmtopersonsor
property.

Statelawalsoplaceslimitsonschoolemployeesabilitiestorestrainorconfineanddetainanystudent.The
lawlimitswhy,how,where,andforhowlongaschoolemployeemayrestrainorconfineanddetainachild.Ifa
childisrestrainedorconfinedanddetained,theschoolmustmaintaindocumentationandmustprovidecertain
typesofnoticetothechildsparent.

Ifyouhaveanyquestionsaboutthisstatelaw,pleasecontactyourschool.Thecompletetextofthelawand
additionalinformationisavailableontheIowaDepartmentofEducationswebsite:www.iowa.gov/educateand
searchforTimeout,SeclusionandRestraint.

16

STUDENTACTIVITIES

Assemblies
Throughouttheyeartheschooldistrictsponsorsschoolassemblies.Attendanceattheseassembliesisa
privilege.Studentsmustactinanorderlyfashionandremainquietontheirwaytoanassembly,duringan
assemblyandontheirwaybacktotheclassroomafteranassembly.Studentsattendassembliesunless,for
disciplinaryreasons,theprivilegeistakenaway.Studentswhoarenotattendingassembliesshallreporttothe
officeduringassemblies.

FieldTrips
Incertainclasses,fieldtripsandexcursionsareauthorizedandmaybetakenasanextensionoftheclassroom
tocontributetotheachievementoftheeducationalgoalsoftheschooldistrict.Ifafieldtripisrequiredfora
course,studentsareexpectedtoattendthefieldtrip.Absencesinotherclassesorschoolactivitiesdueto
attendanceonfieldtripsorexcursionsareconsideredexcusedabsences.

Whileonfieldtrips,studentsareguestsandconsideredambassadorsandrepresentativesoftheschooldistrict.
Studentsmusttreatemployees,chaperonesandguideswithrespectandcourtesy.

Whenapplicable,studentsmustreturnanotesignedbythestudent'sparents,priortoattendingafieldtrip.

SchoolSponsoredStudentOrganizations
Schoolsponsoredstudentorganizationsarethosewhicharerecognizedbytheschooldistrictandboard.
Schoolsponsoredstudentorganizationsinclude:

CameraClub
Studentsexploretherealmofphotographythatcannotbecoveredinclass.Membersreceiveavarietyof
photographyopportunitiessuchasmemorymatesforMiddleSchoolandvarsityathletics.Thefinalexperiencefor
manystudentsistohavetheirworkenteredintophotographyexhibits.

FFA
AllstudentsenrolledinanAgriculturalScienceclassareFFAmembers.Studentschoosetheoutsideclass
activitiestheywishtoparticipateastheirtimeallows.FFAstrivestodevelopstudents'potentialforpremier
leadership,personalgrowth,andcareersuccess.

Family,Career,andCommunityLeadersofAmerica(FormerlyFHA)
TheFCCLAChapterisopentoallhighschoolstudents.Membersworktogetheronavarietyofprojects
includingworkingwithchildren,nutrition,andcareerexploration.Membersalsoparticipatewithotherschool
districtsindistrictandstateactivities.

NationalHonorSociety
Membershipisbyelectiononly.Juniorsandseniorswitha3.25GPAareeligibleformembership.Afaculty
committeemakesfinalselectionafterreviewingfacultyrecommendationsbasedoncharacter,leadership,
scholarship,andschoolservice.Membersarerequiredtoparticipateinaserviceprojectthatischoseninthefall.

ScienceClub
ScienceClubisopentoallstudents.ThepurposeofScienceClubistoprovidememberswithadditional
opportunitiesnotavailableintheclassroom.Oldermembersareeligiblefortripsinthefallandinthesummer.

17

StudentSenate
Studentgovernmentorganizationthatiselectedbythestudentbody.StudentSenateisresponsiblefor
organizingHomecomingactivitiesandChristmasactivities.StudentSenatealsoaddressissuesfromthestudent
body.

Trapshooting
Trapshootingisopentoallstudentsandtheseasonisheldduringthespring.Trapshootingisaschool
recognizedactivitythatisnotsanctionedbytheIAHSAAorIGHSAU.Studentsintrapshootingaresubjecttothe
districtcodeofconductandstatemandatedscholarshiprule.

Participationinschoolsponsoredstudentorganizationsisaprivilege.Individualsponsorsorcoachesmay
imposerulesinadditiontothosecontainedinthishandbook.Theprivilegeofparticipationmaybesuspendedor
canceledforviolatinganindividualcoach'sorsponsor'srulesaswellasforviolationofschooldistrictpolicies,
rulesorregulations.

PepBus
Theschooldistrictmaysponsorapepbustotransportstudentstoschoolactivities.Afeemaybechargedto
studentsridingthepepbus.Ridingonthepepbusisaprivilegethatcanbetakenaway.

Studentswhorideapepbusmustridetoandfromtheeventonthebus.Studentsmustridehomeonthepep
busunlesspriorarrangementshavebeenmadewiththeactivitiesdirectororthestudent'sparentspersonallyappear
andrequesttotransportthestudenthome.

StudentFundsandFundRaising
StudentsmayraisefundsforschoolactivitiesuponrequesttoActivitiesDirectorandsubsequentapprovalby
theboardofeducation.Fundraisingrequestwillbegenerallyapprovedatthebeginningofeachschoolyear.Late
requestsmustbesubmittedatleastoneweekpriortotheboardmeetingtoapprovethefundraisingeventandat
leasttwoweekspriortothestartofafundraisingcampaign.Fundsraisedremaininthecontroloftheschool
districtandtheboard.Schoolsponsoredstudentorganizationsmusthavetheapprovaloftheactivitiesdirectoror
buildingprincipalpriortospendingthemoneyraised.Classesthatwishtodonateagifttotheschooldistrict
shoulddiscusspotentialgiftswiththeprincipalpriortoselectingagift.

Studentsmaysolicitfundsfromteachers,employeesorotherstudentsbeforeschool,duringlunch,orafter
school.Studentswhoviolatethisrulewillbeaskedtostop.Violationsofthisrulemayresultinfuturefundraising
activitiesbeingdenied.

UseofSchoolDistrictFacilitiesbyStudentOrganizations
Schooldistrictfacilitiesareavailableduringnonschoolhourstoschoolsponsoredandnonschoolsponsored
studentorganizationsforthepurposeofmeetingsoractivities.Studentswishingtousetheschooldistrictfacilities
shouldcontacttheirsponsorortheprincipaltoreservearoom.Schooldistrictpolicies,rulesandregulationsarein
effectduringthesemeetings

Extracurricularactivitiesandstudentgroupsarerelatedtothecurriculumofthesecondaryschoolsintheschool
district.Thesesecondaryschoolcurriculumrelatedstudentorganizationsmayusetheschoolfacilitiesfor
meetingsandotherpurposesbefore,after,andduringtheinstructionalschoolday.

Itistheresponsibilityofthebuildingprincipaltodeterminewhetherastudentgroupiscurriculumrelated.One
ormoreofthefollowingquestionswillbeansweredaffirmativelyifthegroupiscurriculumrelated:

Isthesubjectmatterofthegroupactuallytaughtinaregularlyofferedcourse?

Willthesubjectmatterofthegroupsoonbetaughtinaregularlyofferedcourse?

Doesthesubjectmatterofthegroupconcernthebodyofcoursesasawhole?

Isparticipationinthegrouprequiredforaparticularcourse?
18

Doesparticipationinthegroupresultinacademiccredit?

Itistheresponsibilityofthesuperintendent,inconjunctionwiththeprincipal,todevelopadministrative
regulationsregardingthispolicy.Theadministrativeregulationswillinclude,butnotbelimitedto,statingthe
processforestablishingacurriculumrelatedstudentgroup,assigningafacultyadvisorandobtainingboard
approvalforeachstudentgroup.Theadministrativeruleswillalsoincludethepurposeofeachgroupandits
relationshiptothecurriculum.

Dances
Studentswholeaveadancearenotallowedtoreenterthedance.Schooldistrictpolicies,rulesandregulations
applytostudentsaswellasnondistrictstudents(AtHighSchoolOnly)atschooldances.Studentsandnon
districtstudents(AtHighSchoolOnly)violatingschooldistrictpolicies,rulesorregulationsareaskedtoleave
thedanceandschoolgrounds.NondistrictstudentsmustcompleteaRequesttoAttendformandproducea
photoIDtobeadmittedtothedance.

StudentCouncil
Thestudentcouncilprovidesforstudentactivities,servesasatrainingexperienceforstudentleaders,gives
studentsashareinthemanagementoftheschool,developshighidealsofpersonalconduct,actsasaclearinghouse
forstudentactivities,seekstointereststudentsinschooldistrictaffairsandhelpssolveproblemsthatmayarise.
Membersofthecouncilarestudentrepresentativeswhohavedirectaccesstotheadministration.

StudentActivityTickets
Studentsmaypurchaseastudentactivityticketforadmissiontocertainschooldistrictactivities.Studentsnot
wishingtopurchaseanactivityticketmustpayregularpricestoattendschooldistrictactivities.Studentswho
cannotaffordastudentactivityticketshouldcontacttheactivitydirector.

StudentParticipationinNonschoolAthletics
Ahighschoolstudentwhoparticipatesinschoolsponsoredathleticsmayparticipateinanonschool
sponsoredsportduringthesameseason.

Suchoutsideparticipationwillnotconflictwiththeschoolsponsoredathleticactivity.

19

STUDENTRECORDS

EducationalRecords
Inordertofacilitatetheeducationalprocessofthestudent,recordsoneachstudentarekeptinthebuildinginwhich
thestudentiscurrentlyattending.Thecustodianoftherecordsisthebuildingprincipal.Questionsregarding
studentrecordsshouldbedirectedtothePrincipal'soffice.Therecordscontaininformationaboutthestudentand
thestudent'seducationandmayincludebutarenotlimitedtothefollowingtypesofrecords:identificationdata,
attendancedata,recordofachievement,familybackgrounddata,aptitudetests,educationalandvocationalplans,
honorsandactivities,disciplinedata,objectivecounselororteacherratingsandobservations,andexternalagency
reports.

Thefollowingpersons,agenciesandorganizationsmayhaverestrictedaccesstostudentrecordswithoutprior
writtenconsenttotheparentorstudentovertheageof18years.Anyotheraccesstostudentrecordsshallbeonly
uponwrittenconsentoruponcourtorderorlegallyissuedsubpoena.

1. Schoolofficials,teachersandAEApersonnelwithalegitimateeducationalinterest.
2. Officialsofotherschoolinwhichthestudentproposestoenroll.
3. RepresentativesofstateandlocalgovernmentwhenauditingandevaluatingFederaleducation
programs.
4. Officialsconnectedwithastudent'seducationalfinancialaidapplications.
5. GovernmentalofficialstowhominformationistobereportedunderstatelawadoptedpriortoNovember
19,1974.
6. Organizationsthatprocessandevaluatestandardizedtests.
7. Accreditingorganizationsforaccreditingpurposes.
8. Parentsandlegalguardiansofdependentchildren,regardlessofchild'sage.
9. Appropriatepartiesinahealthorsafetyemergency.

Informationfromstudent'seducationalrecords,designatedasdirectoryinformationbytheschooldistrict,
maybereleasedwithouttheconsentofparents.Parentswillhaveanopportunitytodenythereleaseofdirectory
informationwithouttheirconsentinanoticestatingtheirrightsunderfederallaw.Thisnoticewillbedistributed
annually.Directoryinformationincludes,butisnotlimitedto,thestudent'snameandaddress,telephonenumber,
dateandplaceofbirth,majorfieldofstudy,participationinofficiallyrecognizedactivitiesandsports,weightand
heightofmembersofathleticteams,datesofattendance,degreesandawardsreceived,themostrecentprevious
educationalagencyorinstitutionattendedbythestudent,andothersimilarinformation.

Studentrecordsarereviewedandinappropriatematerialremovedperiodicallyand,ataminimum,
wheneverastudentmovesfromtheelementaryleveltomiddleschoollevelandfrommiddleschooltohighschool
levelandwhenastudenttransfersoutofthedistrict.Thoserecordsnotofpermanentimportancearedestroyed
withinthreeyearsofgraduationordiscontinuedattendance.SpecialEducationrecordsaredestroyedwithinfive
yearsofgraduationordiscontinuedattendance.Parentsofstudentsunderage18andstudentsoverage18may
exercisetheopportunitytorevieweducationalrecordsofthestudent,toobtaincopiesoftherecords,towritea
responsetomaterialintherecord,tochallengethecontentoftherecordongroundsofinappropriateness,
inaccuracy,oraninvasionofprivacy,andtohavetherecordsexplained.

Priortoadjudication,informationcontainedinthepermanentrecordmaybedisclosedbytheschooldistrict
tothepartieswithoutparentalconsentorcourtorder.Informationcontainedinastudent'spermanentrecordmay
bedisclosedbytheschooldistricttothepartiesafteradjudicationonlywithparentalconsentoracourtorder.
Informationsharedpursuanttotheagreementshallbeusedsolelyfordeterminingtheprogramsandservices
20

appropriatetotheneedsofthestudentorstudent'sfamilyorcoordinatingthedeliveryofprogramsandservicesto
thestudentorstudent'sfamily.Informationsharedundertheagreementisnotadmissibleinanyschooldisciplinary
proceedingorcourtproceedingswhichtakeplacepriortoadispositionhearing,unlesswrittenconsentisobtained
fromastudent'sparent,guardian,orlegaloractualcustodian.Thisagreementonlygovernsaschooldistrict's
abilitytoshareinformationandthepurposesforwhichthatinformationcanbeused.

Thepurposeforthesharingofinformationpriortoastudent'sadjudicationistoimproveschoolsafety,
reducealcoholandillegaldruguse,reducetruancy,reduceinschoolandoutofschoolsuspensions,andsupport
alternativestoinschoolandoutofschoolsuspensionsandexpulsionswhichprovidestructuredandwell
supervisededucationalprogramssupplementedbycoordinatedandappropriateservicesdesignedtocorrect
behaviorsthatleadtotruancy,suspension,andexpulsionsandtosupportstudentsinsuccessfullycompletingtheir
education.Informationsharedwillnotbeusedinaschooldisciplinaryproceeding.

STUDENTRIGHTSANDRESPONSIBILITIES

StudentSearches
Inordertoprotectthehealthandsafetyofstudents,employeesandvisitorstotheschooldistrictandforthe
protectionoftheschooldistrictfacilities,studentsandtheirbelongings,includingelectronicdevicesandschool
ownedlockers,desks,andelectronicdevicesmaybesearchedorinspected.Asearchofastudentwillbejustified
whentherearereasonablegroundsforthesuspicionthatthesearchwillturnupevidencethatthestudenthas
violatedorisviolatingthelaworschooldistrictpolicy,rules,orregulationsaffectingschoolorder.

Reasonablesuspicionmaybeformedbyconsideringfactorssuchasthefollowing:
eyewitnessobservationsbyemployees
informationreceivedfromreliablesources
suspiciousbehaviorbythestudentor,
thestudent'spasthistoryandschoolrecordalthoughthisfactoraloneisnotsufficienttoprovidethe
basisforreasonablesuspicion.

Asearchwillbepermissibleinitsscopeorintrusivenesswhenthemeasuresadoptedarereasonablyrelatedto
theobjectivesofthesearch.Reasonablenessofscopeorintrusivenessmaybedeterminedbasedonfactorssuchas
thefollowing:
theageofthestudent
thesexofthestudent
thenatureoftheinfractionand,
theemergencyrequiringthesearchwithoutdelay.

Astudent'sbodyand/orpersonaleffects(e.g.,purse,backpack,electronicdevices,etc.)maybesearchedwhen
aschoolofficialhasreasonablesuspiciontobelievethestudentisinpossessionofillegalorcontrabanditemsor
hasviolatedschooldistrictpolicies,rules,regulationsorthelawaffectingschoolorder.

Personallyintrusivesearcheswillrequiremorecompellingcircumstancestobeconsideredreasonable.Ifa
patdownsearchorasearchofastudent'sgarments(suchasjackets,socks,pockets,etc.)isconducted,itwillbe
conductedinprivatebyaschoolofficialofthesamesexasthestudentandwithanotheradultwitnessofthesame
sexpresent,whenfeasible.Amoreintrusivesearch,shortofastripsearch,ofthestudent'sbody,handbags,
bookbags,etc.,ispermissibleinemergencysituationswhenthehealthandsafetyofstudents,employees,orvisitors
arethreatened.Suchasearchmayonlybeconductedinprivatebyaschoolofficialofthesamesexasthestudent,
withanadultofthesamesexpresentunlessthehealthorsafetyofstudentswillbeendangeredbythedelaywhich
maybecausedbyfollowingtheseprocedures.

Studentsarepermittedtoparkonschoolpremisesasamatterofprivilege,notofright.Theschoolretains
authoritytoconductroutinepatrolsofthestudentparkinglots.Theinteriorofastudent'sautomobileontheschool
21

premisesmaybesearchediftheschoolofficialhasreasonableandarticulablesuspiciontobelievethatillegal,
unauthorizedorcontrabanditemsarecontainedinside.

StudentLockersandDesks
Studentlockersanddesksarethepropertyoftheschooldistrict.Studentsshallusethelockersanddesks
assignedtothemforstoringtheirschoolmaterialsandpersonalitemsnecessaryforattendanceatschool.Itisthe
responsibilityofeachstudenttokeepthestudent'sassignedlockeranddeskcleanandundamaged.Theexpensesto
repairdamagedonetoastudent'slockeranddeskarechargedtothestudent.

Althoughschoollockers,desksandotherspacesaretemporarilyassignedtoindividualstudents,theyremain
thepropertyoftheschooldistrictatalltimes.Theschooldistricthasareasonableandvalidinterestininsuringthe
lockers,desksandotherspacesareproperlymaintained.Forthisreason,lockers,desksandotherspacesaresubject
tounannouncedinspectionsandstudentshavenolegitimateexpectationsofprivacyinthelocker,deskorother
space.Periodicinspectionsofallorarandomselectionoflockers,desksorotherspacemaybeconductedby
schoolofficialsinthepresenceofthestudentoranotherindividual.Anycontrabanddiscoveredduringsuch
searchesshallbeconfiscatedbyschoolofficialsandmaybeturnedovertolawenforcementofficials.

Incooperationwithlawenforcement,periodicbuildingandlockersearchesmaybeconductedwiththe
assistanceoftraineddrugsniffinganimals.Adrugsniffinganimalmaynotbeusedtosearchthebodyofastudent.

Thecontentsofastudent'slocker,deskorotherspace(coat,backpack,purse,etc.)maybesearchedwhena
schoolofficialhasareasonableandarticulablesuspicionthatthecontentscontainsillegalorcontrabanditemsor
evidenceofaviolationoflaworschoolpolicyorrule.Suchsearchesshouldbeconductedinthepresenceof
anotheradultwitnesswhenfeasible.

ThreatsofViolence
Allthreatsofviolence,whetheroral,written,orsymbolic,againststudents,employees,visitors,ortoschool
facilitiesareprohibited.Allsuchthreatswillbepromptlyinvestigated.Lawenforcementmaybecontacted.
Threatsissuedanddeliveredawayfromschoolorschoolactivitiesmaybegroundsfordisciplinaryactionifthe
threatimpactstheorderlyandefficientoperationoftheschool.

Studentsengaginginthreateningbehaviorwillfacedisciplinaryconsequencesuptoandincludingexpulsion.

Thefollowingfactorswillbeconsideredindeterminingtheextenttowhichastudentwillbedisciplinedfor
threateningorterroristicbehaviorthebackgroundofthestudent,includinganyhistoryofviolenceorprior
threateningbehaviorthestudent'saccesstoweaponsofanykindthecircumstancessurroundingthethreattheage
ofthestudentthementalandemotionalmaturityofthestudentcooperationofthestudentandhisorherparent(s)
orguardian(s)intheinvestigationtheexistenceofthestudent'sjuvenileorcriminalhistorythedegreeof
legitimatealarmorconcernintheschoolcommunitycreatedbythethreatandanyotherrelevantinformationfrom
anycrediblesource.

Internet
StudentswillbeabletoaccesstheInternet.Individualstudentaccountsandelectronicmailaddresseswill
beissuedtostudents.ItisagoaltoallowteachersandstudentsaccesstotherichopportunitiesontheInternet,
whileweprotecttherightsofstudentsandparentswhochoosenottoriskexposuretoquestionablematerial.

Theuseofthenetworkisaprivilegeandmaybetakenawayforviolationofboardpolicyorregulations.Asa
useroftheInternet,studentsmaybeallowedaccesstoothernetworks.Eachnetworkmayhaveitsownsetof
policiesandprocedures.Itistheuser'sresponsibilitytoabidebythepoliciesandproceduresoftheseother
networks.

Studentswilladheretoonlineprotocol:
Respectallcopyrightandlicenseagreements.
22

Citeallquotes,referencesandsources.
Remainonthesystemlongenoughtogetneededinformation,thenexitthesystem.
Applythesameprivacy,ethicalandeducationalconsiderationsutilizedinotherformsof
communication.

Studentsshouldadheretothefollowingguidelines:

Othersmaybeabletoreadoraccessthemailsoprivatemessagesshouldnotbesent.

Deleteunwantedmessagesimmediately.

Useofobjectionablelanguageisprohibited.

Alwayssignmessages.

Alwaysacknowledgereceiptofadocumentorfile.

RestrictedMaterialStudentswillnotintentionallyaccessordownloadanytextfileorpictureorengagein
anydiscussionthatincludesmaterialwhichisobscene,libelous,indecent,vulgar,profaneorlewdadvertisesany
productorservicenotpermittedtominorsbylawconstitutesinsultingorfightingwords,theveryexpressionof
whichinjuresorharassesothersorpresentsaclearandpresentlikelihoodthat,eitherbecauseofitscontentorthe
mannerofdistribution,itwillcauseamaterialandsubstantialdisruptionoftheproperandorderlyoperationand
disciplineoftheschoolorschoolactivities,willcausethecommissionofunlawfulactsortheviolationoflawful
schoolregulations.

UnauthorizedCostsIfastudentgainsaccesstoanyserviceviatheInternetwhichhasacostinvolvedorifa
studentincursothertypesofcosts,thestudentaccessingsuchaservicewillberesponsibleforthosecosts.

Inappropriatematerial(asdefinedinboardpolicyCodeNo.602.11(a)transmittedthroughdistrict
equipmentand/orduringtheschooldayorthatwhichisasubstantialdisruptiontothelearningenvironmentmaybe
referredtolawenforcement.StudentswhoaccessrestricteditemsontheInternetaresubjecttothefollowing
consequences:

1stviolation
Technologylicenserevoked.
Studentmayuselaptoponlyduringtheschoolday.
Laptopmustbecheckedin/outinmediacenterforperiodof10schooldays.
Phonecall/letterhometoparent(technologyreferralform).

2ndviolation
Technologylicenserevoked.
Studentmayuselaptopduringtheschoolday.
Laptopmustbecheckedin/outinmediacenterforperiodof10schooldays.
Internetaccessmaybelimited.
Phonecall/letterhometoparent(technologyreferralform).

3rdviolation
Technologylicenserevoked.
Studentmayuselaptopduringtheschooldayforspecificclassroomwork.
Laptopmustbecheckedin/outinmediacenterforperiodof10schooldays.
Internetaccessmaybelimited.
Phonecall/letterhometoparent(technologyreferralform).

4thviolation
Technologylicenserevoked.
23

Studentslaptopprivilegessuspendedfortheremainderoftheschoolyear.
Alaptopmaybecheckedoutfromthemediascentertocompleteassignmentsasneededwithsupervisionwith
limitedInternetservice.
Phonecall/letterhometoparent(technologyreferralform).

5thviolation
Technologylicenserevoked.
Alltechnologyprivilegessuspendedfortheremainderoftheschoolyear.
Teacherswillprovidepaper/pencilalternativestoelectronicassignments.
Phonecall/letterhometoparent(technologyreferralform).

ViolationsRelatedtoCareMiddleSchool
Inanefforttopreventproblems,lossordamagerelatedtolaptopmisuse,consequencesforstudentswhoarenot
followingthedistrictslaptopuseandcareagreementsare:

1stviolationwarning.
2ndviolationconferencewithstudentandletterhome/phonecalltoparent.
3rdviolationconferencewithstudentandlaptopmayberemovedfromthestudentforaperiodoftimedetermined
bythebuildingadministrator.(Duringthistime,thestudentmaybegivenanalternateassignmentorbeassignedto
accesselectronicassignmentsviaadesktopinthemediacenter.)

Whenastudentslaptopprivilegehasbeenrevoked,theadministratorwillnotifythestudentsteachersassoonas
possiblesothatarrangementscanbemadeforthestudentswork.

DressCode
Thereisastrongconnectionbetweenacademicperformance,students'appearanceandstudents'conduct.
Inappropriatestudentappearancemaycausematerialandsubstantialdisruptiontotheschoolenvironmentor
presentathreattothehealthandsafetyofstudents,employeesandvisitorsonschoolgrounds.Studentsare
expectedtoadheretoreasonablelevelsofcleanlinessandmodesty.Studentsareexpectedtowearclothingthatis
appropriatetotheiragelevelanddoesnotdisrupttheschooloreducationalenvironment.
Appropriateclothingincludes,butisnotlimitedto:
Shirtsmustcovertheareafromthebaseofthenecktotheedgeoftheshoulder
Shirtsmustcovertheentiremidriffarea
Allundergarments,includingcamisoles,mustbecoveredfromtheshoulderstothewaist
Cutoffshirtsandtanktopsthatexposeexcessskinalongthesideswillnotbeallowed
Shoeswillbeworn
Hatsandsunglassesshouldberemovedwheninbuildings

Studentsareprohibitedfromwearingclothingadvertisingorpromotingitemsillegalforusebyminors
including,butnotlimitedto,alcoholortobaccofromwearingshoeswithcleatsexceptforoutdoorathletic
practicesandfromwearingclothingdisplayingobscenity,profanity,vulgarity,racialorsexualremarks,making
referencetoprohibitedconductorsimilardisplays.Undercertaincircumstancesorduringcertainclassesor
activitiesamorestrictdresscodemaybeappropriate,andstudentsmustcomplywiththestricterrequirement.The
principalmakesthefinaldeterminationoftheappropriatenessofthestudent'sappearance.Studentsinappropriately
dressedwillberequiredtochangetheirclothingorleavetheschool.Administrationmayprovideappropriateattire
forstudentstochangeintowhenitisavailable.

CareofSchoolProperty
Studentsareexpectedtotakecareofschoolpropertyincludingdesks,chairs,books,lockersandschool
equipment.Vandalismisnottolerated.Studentsfoundtohavedestroyedorotherwiseharmedschoolproperty
24

mayberequiredtoreimbursetheschooldistrict.Incertaincircumstances,studentsmaybereportedtolaw
enforcementofficials.

DrivingandBikingtoSchool
Itisaprivilegetoparkonschoolgrounds.Studentsaretoparkinthestudentlotwhichisonthewestsideofthe
highschoolbuilding.Studentsneedtoparkintheirdesignatedareas.Studentsnotcomplyingwiththiswillbe
subjecttofine.Recklessdrivingisprohibitedandmayresultinlossofparkingprivileges.

Bikes,skateboards,androllerbladesareappropriatewaystogettoschool.Studentsneedtowalktheirbikesor
pickuptheirskateboardswhenapproachingbusloadingareasandparkinglots.Pleaseparkbikesinracks
provided.

HallPasses
Studentsmusthaveahallpasstobeinthehallswhenclassesareinsession.Studentsmayobtainahallpass
fromtheirteacherortheprincipal.

IllegalItemsFoundinSchoolorinStudents'Possession

Weapons
Possessionofweapons,dangerousobjects,orlookalikes,onschoolpropertyoratschoolsponsoredactivities,
maypresentaseriousthreattothehealthandsafetyofstudents,employees,andvisitors.Studentsshallnotpossess
norbringtheseitemsonschoolproperty.Theseitemsshallbetakenfromthestudentsimmediately.Law
enforcementofficialsmaybecalledtoassist.Parentsofstudentsfoundtopossesstheseitemsonschoolpropertyor
ataschoolsponsoredactivity,shallbenotifiedoftheincident.Confiscationoftheseitemsshallbereportedtolocal
lawenforcementofficials,andstudentswillbesubjecttodisciplinaryaction,includingsuspensionorexpulsion
fromschool.Studentsthreateninganotherpersonwithinjurywhileinpossessionofaweapon,dangerousobject,or
lookalikeshallbeimmediatelysuspendedfromschool,referredtothepolice,andmayberecommendedtothe
BoardofEducationforexpulsion.TheweaponspolicywillattempttoremainconsistentwithIowaCodeand
districtpolicywhenapplicable.

PossessionofFirearmsandExplosives
Studentsbringingfirearmstoschoolorknowinglypossessingfirearmsatschoolshallbeexpelledfornotlessthan
oneyear.Thesuperintendentshallhavetheauthoritytorecommendmodificationoftheexpulsionrequirementona
casebycasebasis.Forpurposesofthisportionofthispolicy,thetermfirearmincludes,butisnotlimitedto,any
weaponwhichisdesignedtoexpelaprojectilebytheactionofanexplosive,theframeorreceiverofanysuch
weapon,amufflerorsilencerforsuchaweapon,oranyexplosiveincludingfirecrackers,incendiaryorpoisongas.

Weaponsunderthecontroloflawenforcementpersonnel,orweapons,dangerousobjects,orlookalikesusedin
displaysforeducationalpurposesauthorizedbytheschooladministrationshallbeexemptfromthispolicy.The
firearmandexplosivespolicywillattempttoremainconsistentwithIowaCodeanddistrictpolicywhenapplicable.
Weapons

ControlledSubstances
Useorpossessionofanytobacco,alcohol,orothercontrolledsubstances,orlookalikesubstancewillresultin
disciplinaryaction.Useorpossessionoftobacco,alcohol,orothercontrolledsubstanceswillbereportedtolocal
lawenforcementauthority.ThecontrolledsubstancespolicywillattempttoremainconsistentwiththeZero
TolerancePolicy,districtpolicy,andIowaCodewhenapplicable.(IowaCode204,279.8,279.9)

25

TobaccoFreeEnvironment
TheBoardofDirectorsrecognizesitsresponsibilitytoprovideahealthy,safeandproductiveenvironmentinwhich
toworkandlearn.Inmeetingthisresponsibility,theBoarddirectsthatatobaccofreeenvironmentbeestablished
andmaintainedonallschoolpremises.Forpurposesofthispolicy,premisesincludesallbuildings,grounds,and
vehiclesoftheDistrictoronschoolgrounds.Thisrequirementextendstoemployeesandvisitors.Thispolicy
appliesatalltimes,includingschoolsponsoredandnonschoolsponsoredevents.Individualsfailingtoabideby
thispolicywillberequiredtoceasetheiruseoftobaccoorleavetheschooldistrictpremisesimmediately.District
personnelfailingtoabidebythispolicymaybesubjecttodisciplinaryaction.Itistheresponsibilityofthe
administrationtoenforcethispolicy.

Cheating
Studentsareexpectedtodotheirownschoolwork.Cheatingbylookingatanotherstudent'sschoolwork,copying
others'work,copyingfromothersourcesorsimilarcheatingisnottolerated.Inadditiontothedisciplineoutlined
inthishandbook,disciplinemayincludethelossofclasscreditanduseofmediacenterorcomputer.

DualEnrollmentStudents
Homeschoolorhomeschoolassistanceprogramstudentsenrolledinclassesorparticipatinginschoolactivitiesin
theschooldistrictaresubjecttothesamepolicies,rulesandregulationsasotherstudentsandaredisciplinedinthe
samemannerasotherstudents.Dualenrollmentstudentsinterestedinparticipatinginschoolactivitiesorenrolling
inclassesshouldcontactthebuildinginwhichthestudentattends.

Dept.ofEducation:PrivateInstruction(Homeschooling)

Electronic/TechnologicalDevices
Anypicturestakenduringtheschooldaymustbeinconjunctionwithateacherassignedproject.Nopictureisto
betakenwithoutthepersonsconsent.Theschoolisnotresponsiblefortheloss,theft,ordamageofpersonal
items.Deviceswhichallowstudentstosendorreceivepersonalmessagesthatwouldcontributetocheating,access
theInternet,takepictures,and/orcreateaneducationaldisruptionmaybeprohibited.Inappropriateuseofadevice
oraprohibiteditemwillbetakenawayfromthestudentandreturnedatalaterdate.Typicalresponsetoinfractions
ofelectronicusewillbeforthestudenttogivetheitemtothestaffmembertobeturnedintotheoffice.Thestudent
mayretrievetheitemattheendofthedayforfirstinfractions.Secondinfractionsrequireaparenttopickupthe
item.Thirdinfractionsmayresultinsuspension.Inappropriateuseofapersonalelectronicdevicewillresultin
disciplineuptoarecommendationtotheboardforexpulsion.Studentsfoundinviolationofthispolicymaybe
subjecttodisciplineand,incaseswherealawmaybeviolated,lawenforcementmaybecontacted.Studentsneed
torememberthatwhatevertheyputonapersonalelectronicdevicecouldendupanywheresotheyneedtoensure
thedevicesareusedappropriately.Electronicdevicesmaybeturnedovertolawenforcementandmaybesubject
tosearchbylawenforcementand/oradministration.

PostingofInformation
Studentswhowishtopostordistributeinformationmustreceivepermissionfromtheprincipalpriortopostingor
distributionofthematerial.Thisapplieswhethertheinformationdealswithschoolsponsoredor
nonschoolsponsoredactivities.Theprincipalcanexplainoranswerquestionsregardingtheschool'sruleson
postinganddistributingmaterials.(BoardPolicy504.3)

Initiations,HazingorHarassment
Harassmentandbullyingofstudentsandemployeesareagainstfederal,state,andlocalpolicy,andarenot
toleratedbytheboard.Theboardiscommittedtoprovidingallstudentswithasafeandcivilschoolenvironmentin
whichallmembersoftheschoolcommunityaretreatedwithdignityandrespect.Tothatend,theboardhasin
placepolicies,procedures,andpracticesthataredesignedtoreduceandeliminatebullyingandharassmentaswell
26

asprocessesandprocedurestodealwithincidentsofbullyingandharassment.Bullyingandharassmentofstudents
byotherstudents,byschoolemployees,andbyvolunteerswhohavedirectcontactwithstudentswillnotbe
toleratedintheschoolorschooldistrict.

Theboardprohibitsharassment,bullying,hazing,oranyothervictimizationofstudentsbasedonanyofthe
followingactualorperceivedtraitsorcharacteristics,includingbutnotlimitedto,age,color,creed,nationalorigin,
race,religion,maritalstatus,gender,sexualorientation,genderidentity,physicalattributes,physicalormental
abilityordisability,ancestry,politicalpartypreference,politicalbelief,socioeconomicstatus,orfamilialstatus.
Harassmentagainstemployeesbasedupontheemployeesrace,color,creed,gender,sexualorientation,gender
identity,nationalorigin,religion,age,ordisabilityisprohibited.

Thispolicyisineffectwhilestudentsoremployeesareonpropertywithinthejurisdictionoftheboard
whileonschoolownedorschooloperatedvehicleswhileattendingorengagedinschoolsponsoredactivitiesand
whileawayfromschoolgroundsifthemisconductdirectlyaffectsthegoodorder,efficientmanagement,and
welfareoftheschoolorschooldistrict.

Ifafteraninvestigationastudentisfoundtobeinviolationofthispolicy,thestudentshallbedisciplined
byappropriatemeasures,whichmayincludesuspensionorexpulsion.Ifafteraninvestigationaschoolemployeeis
foundtobeinviolationofthispolicy,theemployeeshallbedisciplinedbyappropriatemeasures,whichmay
includetermination.Ifafteraninvestigationaschoolvolunteerisfoundtobeinviolationofthispolicy,the
volunteershallbesubjecttoappropriatemeasures,whichmayincludeexclusionfromschoolgrounds.Volunteer
meansanindividualwhohasregular,significantcontactwithstudents.

Whenlookingatthetotalityofthecircumstances,harassmentandbullyingmeananyelectronic,written,
verbal,orphysicalactorconducttowardastudentwhichisbasedonanyactualorperceivedtraitorcharacteristic
ofthestudentandwhichcreatesanobjectivelyhostileschoolenvironmentthatmeetsoneormoreofthefollowing
conditions:

Placesthestudentinreasonablefearofharmtothestudentspersonorproperty
Hasasubstantiallydetrimentaleffectonthestudentsphysicalormentalhealth
Hastheeffectofsubstantiallyinterferingwiththestudentsacademicperformanceor
Has the effect of substantially interfering with the students ability to participate in or benefit from the
services,activities,orprivilegesprovidedbyaschool.

Electronicmeansanycommunicationinvolvingthetransmissionofinformationbywire,radio,optical
cable,electromagnetic,orothersimilarmeans.Electronicincludesbutisnotlimitedtocommunicationvia
electronicmail,internetbasedcommunications,pagerservice,cellphones,electronictextmessagingorsimilar
technologies.

Harassmentandbullyingofstudentsmayinclude,butarenotlimitedto,thefollowingbehaviorsand
circumstances:
Verbal,nonverbal,physical,orwrittenharassment,bullying,hazing,orothervictimization.
Repeatedremarksofademeaningnature.
Impliedorexplicitthreatsconcerningonesgrades,achievements,property,etc.
Demeaningjokes,stories,oractivitiesdirectedatthestudent.
Unreasonableinterferencewithastudentsperformance.

Sexualharassmentofastudentbyanemployeemeansunwelcomesexualadvances,requestsforsexual
favors,orotherverbalorphysicalconductofasexualnaturewhen:
Submission to the conduct is made either implicitly or explicitly a term or condition of the students
educationorbenefits
Submission toorrejection of the conductisusedasthebasisforacademicdecisionsaffectingthatstudent
or
27

Theconduct hasthepurposeor effectofsubstantiallyinterferingwiththestudentsacademicperformance

bycreatinganintimidating,hostile,oroffensiveeducationenvironment.

Insituationsbetweenstudentsandschoolofficials,faculty,staff,orvolunteerswhohavedirectcontactwith
students,bullyingandharassmentmayalsoincludethefollowingbehaviors:
Requiringthatastudent submittobullyingorharassmentbyanotherstudent,eitherexplicitlyorimplicitly,
as atermorcondition of the targeted students education or participationinschool programsoractivities
and/or
Requiringsubmissiontoorrejectionofsuchconductasabasisfordecisionsaffectingthestudent.

Anypersonwhopromptly,reasonably,andingoodfaithreportsanincidentofbullyingorharassment
underthispolicytoaschoolofficial,shallbeimmunefromcivilorcriminalliabilityrelatingtosuchreportandto
thepersonsparticipationinanyadministrative,judicial,orotherproceedingrelatingtothereport.Individualswho
knowinglyfileafalsecomplaintmaybesubjecttoappropriatedisciplinaryaction.

Retaliationagainstanyperson,becausethepersonhasfiledabullyingorharassmentcomplaintorassisted
orparticipatedinaharassmentinvestigationorproceeding,isalsoprohibited.Individualswhoknowinglyfilefalse
harassmentcomplaintsandanypersonwhogivesfalsestatementsinaninvestigationshallbesubjecttodiscipline
byappropriatemeasures,asshallanypersonwhoisfoundtohaveretaliatedagainstanotherinviolationofthis
policy.Anystudentfoundtohaveretaliatedinviolationofthispolicyshallbesubjecttomeasureswhichmay
includesuspensionorexpulsion.Anyschoolemployeefoundtohaveretaliatedinviolationofthispolicyshallbe
subjecttomeasureswhichmayincludeterminationofemployment.Anyschoolvolunteerfoundtohaveretaliated
inviolationofthispolicyshallbesubjecttomeasureswhichmayincludeexclusionfromschoolgrounds.

Theschoolorschooldistrictwillpromptlyandreasonablyinvestigateallegationsofbullyingor
harassment.Thedistrictsinvestigativeofficerforclaimsofbullyingand/orharassmentordesigneewillbe
responsibleforhandlingallcomplaintsbystudentsallegingbullyingorharassment.Thedistrictsinvestigative
officerforclaimsofbullyingand/orharassmentordesigneewillberesponsibleforhandlingallcomplaintsby
employeesallegingharassment.

Italsoistheresponsibilityofthesuperintendent,inconjunctionwiththeinvestigatorandprincipals,to
developproceduresregardingthispolicy.Thesuperintendentalsoisresponsiblefororganizingtrainingprograms
forstudents,schoolofficials,faculty,staff,andvolunteerswhohavedirectcontactwithstudents.Thetrainingwill
includehowtorecognizeharassmentandwhattodoincaseastudentisharassed.Itwillalsoincludeproven
effectiveharassmentpreventionstrategies.Thesuperintendentwillalsodevelopaprocessforevaluatingthe
effectivenessofthepolicy.Thesuperintendentshallprovideanannualreportofallegedbullying/harassment
incidentstotheboard.

StudentComplaints
Studentsmayfileacomplaintregardingschooldistrictpolicies,rulesandregulationsorothermattersby
complyingwiththefollowingprocedure.Thisprocedureisstrictlyfollowedexceptinextremecases.
Ifanemployeeisinvolved,discussthecomplaintwiththeemployee
Ifunsatisfiedwiththeemployee'sresponseorifthereisnoemployeeinvolved,talktotheprincipal
within5schooldaysoftheemployee'sresponseortheincident
Ifunsatisfiedwiththeprincipal'sresponse,talktothesuperintendentwithin5daysofthe
principal'sresponse
Ifunsatisfiedwiththesuperintendent'sresponse,studentsmayrequesttobeplacedontheboard
agenda.Theboarddetermineswhetheritwilladdressthecomplaint.

StudentPublications
Studentsmayproduceofficialschooldistrictpublicationsaspartofthecurriculumunderthesupervisionofa
facultyadvisorandprincipal.Officialschooldistrictpublicationsinclude,butarenotlimitedto,theschool
newspaperandyearbook.Expressionmadebystudents,includingstudentexpressionintheschooldistrict
28

publications,isnotanexpressionofofficialschooldistrictpolicy.Theschooldistrict,theboardandtheemployees
arenotliableinanycivilorcriminalactionforstudentexpressionmadeorpublishedbystudentsunlessthe
employeesorboardhaveinterferedwithoralteredthecontentofthestudentspeechorexpression.Copiesofthe
schooldistrictpublicationcodecanbeobtainedfromthedistrictwebsite.(BoardPolicy504.3)

AfacultyadvisorsupervisesstudentwriterstomaintainprofessionalstandardsofEnglishandjournalismandto
complywiththelawincluding,butnotlimitedto,therestrictionsagainstunlawfulspeech.Nostudentshall
express,publishordistributeinanofficialschooldistrictpublicationmaterialwhichis:
obscene
libelous
slanderousor
encouragesstudentsto:
commitunlawfulacts
violateschooldistrictpolicies,rulesorregulations
causethematerialandsubstantialdisruptionoftheorderlyandefficientoperationoftheschool
orschoolactivity
disruptorinterferewiththeeducationprogram
interruptthemaintenanceofadisciplinedatmosphereor
infringeontherightsofothers.

Studentswhobelievetheyhavebeenunreasonablyrestrictedintheirexerciseofexpressioninanofficial
studentpublicationshouldfollowthecomplaintprocedureoutlinedinthishandbook.

STUDENTSCHOLASTICACHIEVEMENT

GradeReports
Studentshaveaccesstoprogressreportsintheformofelectronicreportcardsattheendofeachquarterand
semesterthroughthedistrictsstudentmanagementsystem.(JMC)Studentswhohaveconcernsabouttheirgrades
shouldtalktotheirteacherstodeterminehowtheycanimprovetheirperformance.

Studentswhoreceiveanincompleteinaclassmustcompletetheclasswithin2weeksafterthestartofthenext
quarter.Extensionsmaybegrantedbytheteacherwiththepermissionoftheprincipal.Failuretofinish
incompleteassignmentsmayresultinafailinggradeandlossofcreditforthoseparticularassignments.

KCSDGradingScale
A+97%100%
B+87%89%
C+77%79%
D+67%69%F59%andbelow
A94%96%
B84%86%
C74%76%
D64%66%
A90%93%
B80%83%
C70%73%
D60%63%

Thehighschoolsemestertestproceduresarefoundinhighschoolsyllabus.

Homework
Teachersassignhomework,extraclassactivitiesorassignmentsasnecessary.Homeworkisanopportunityfor
studentstopracticeskillsandactivities,toshareanddiscussideas,toreviewmaterials,tobecomeacquaintedwith
resources,toorganizethoughts,toprepareforclassroomactivitiesortomakeupincompleteclasswork.Students
areexpectedtocompletehomeworkontime.

29

StandardizedTests
Studentsaregivenstandardizedtests.Thesetestsareusedtodetermineacademicprogressforindividual
students,forgroupsofstudents,fortheschooldistrictandtocomplywithstatelaw.Studentsaretestedunlessthey
areexcusedbytheprincipal.

IowaAssessmentsFebruary
MeasurementofAcademicProgress(MAP)FallandSpring
FormativeAssessmentforTeachers(FAST)Fall,WinterandSpring

HumanGrowthandDevelopment
Theschooldistrictprovidesstudentswithinstructioninhumangrowthanddevelopment.Parentsmayreview
thehumangrowthanddevelopmentcurriculumpriortoitsuseandhavetheirchildexcusedfromhumangrowth
anddevelopmentinstruction.Parentsshouldcontacttheprincipaliftheywishtoreviewthecurriculumorto
excusetheirchildfromhumangrowthanddevelopmentinstruction(BoardPolicy603.5).Asamplehumangrowth
anddevelopmentexcuseformisavailableondistrictwebsite(BoardPolicy603.5a).

OpenEnrollment
Iowa'sopenenrollmentlawallowsstudentsresidinginoneschooldistricttorequesttransfertoanotherschool
districtupontheparents'request.Studentswishingtoopenenrolltoanotherschooldistrictmustapplyforopen
enrollmentbyMarch1oftheschoolyearprecedingtheschoolyearinwhichtheywishtoopenenrollunlessthere
isgoodcause.Openenrolledstudentsfromlowincomefamiliesmayqualifyfortransportationassistance.Open
enrollmentmayresultinlossofathleticeligibilityforstudentsopenenrolling.Studentsinterestedinopenenrolling
outoftheschooldistrictmustcontacttheSuperintendentofSchoolsforinformationandforms.

ClassLoads
Highschoolstudentsmustberegisteredforatleast8classespersemesterunlesspriorpermissionisgrantedby
theprincipal.

Adding/DroppingCourses
Studentswhowishtoaddordropaclassmustdosowithin2daysafterthestartofthesemesterclass..The
guidancecounselor'spermissionarenecessarytoaddordropaclass.

HonorRollandAcademicHonors
Theschooldistricthonorsstudentswhoexcelacademically.

Allstudentswhoearna3.03.9G.P.A.(Baverage)willbelistedontheBHonorRoll.Studentswhoearna4.0
G.P.A.(allAs)willbelistedontheAHonorRoll.Thehonorrollwillbepublishedeachnineweeksandeach
semester.AlistwillalsobesenttotheBoardofEducationandtheKnoxvilleJournalExpress.Parentsandstudents
requestingthatthestudentnamebewithheldfrompublicationneedtocontactthebusinessoffice.

ACADEMICHONORS

HONORSGRADUATESIfastudentreceivesanAorBin15honorscoursesandhasanoverallGPAof3.00or
above,thatstudentwillbedesignatedan"HonorGraduate"andreceivean"HonorDiploma."Honorscoursesare
designatedintheSyllabus.

HONORKAWARDSWillbemadetoseniorsinMayofeachschoolyear.Pointsareearnedthrough
participationinthevariousextracurricularactivitiesandservicetotheschoolthroughouttheyearsinseniorhigh.
Seniorswith75pointsormorereceivetheseawards.

BLACKKAWARDWillbemadetoseniorsthataccumulatetenvarsitylettersforathleticparticipationduring
highschool.Lettersearnedasamanager,statistician,cheerleader,ordrillteammemberwillnotbecountedtoward
theBlackK.
30

CodeofConduct
KnoxvilleCommunitySchoolDistrictwillenforcetheCodeofConducttomaintainahighstandardforeligibility
toparticipateinstudentactivities:PolicyTitle:StandardsforParticipatinginAthletics,CodeNo.503.4.

STATEMENTOFPHILOSOPHY
Participationinschoolactivitiesisaprivilege.Schoolactivitiespromoteadditionalinterestsandadvanceabilitiesinthe
studentsduringtheirschoolyearsandforalifetime.

Studentswhoparticipateinextracurricular/cocurricularactivitiesserveasambassadorsoftheschooldistrictthroughoutthe
calendaryear,whetherawayfromschooloratschool.Studentswhowishtohavetheprivilegeofparticipatingin
extracurricularandcocurricularactivitiesmustconductthemselvesinaccordancewithboardpolicy.

Theextracurricular,cocurricular,schoolsponsoredactivities,electedandhonorarypositionsarepartofthetotaleducational
programwhichprovideyouthwithuniqueopportunitiestodevelopdesirablequalitiessuchas:principlesofjustice,fairplay,
goodsportsmanship,respectforrulesandauthority,respectforothers,respectforone'sownhealthandphysicalwellbeing,
developmentofleadership,grouppride,teamwork,selfdiscipline,andvaluesofselfsacrifice.Thisschooldistrictrecognizes
thatrulesandregulationsconcerningthedecorumandconductofthestudentbodywillvarywiththetimesandmoresofthe
community.Itisthepolicyofthisschooldistrictthatparticipationinanyextracurricularorcocurricularactivityisaprivilege.
Therefore,certainkindsofconductshallbedeemedinappropriatetothegenerallyacceptedstandardsacceptabletotheschool
district.

AllextracurricularandcocurricularactivitiesarecoveredunderBoardPolicy503.4,includingbutnotlimitedto:athletics,
cheerleading,drillteam,instrumentalandvocalmusicperformances*,dramaproductions,speechcontests,FCCLA,National
HonorSociety,Trapshooting,CameraClub,allcocurricularclubs(e.g.ArtClub,ScienceClub),allhonoraryandelected
offices(e.g.HomecomingCourtmembers**,classofficer,studentgovernmentofficerorrepresentative),statecontestsand
performancesforcheerleadinganddrillteam,oranyotheractivitywherethestudentrepresentstheschooldistrictoutsidethe
classroom.

*Ifthestudentisrequiredtoperformaspartofagrade(e.g.bandorchorus),andthatstudentviolatestheCodeof
Conduct,thestudentmayeitherbeallowedtoparticipateorwithheldfromparticipationbutwithoutanyimpactonthe
student'sgradeforthecourse.

**Tobeeligibletobepartofanyhonoraryorelectedoffice(HomecomingCourt,classofficer,studentgovernment
officer,clubofficer)astudentcannotbeservingaCodeofConduct(503.4)suspensionatthetimeoftheelection.A
studentthatisdeterminedtohaveviolatedtheCodeofConduct(503.4)afterbeingselectedasamemberofthe
HomecomingCourtwillberemovedimmediately.

Inviewoftheabovestatement,coachesorsponsorasemployeesoftheKnoxvilleHighSchoolwillenforcethefollowing
policiesandproceduresrelativetostandardsforparticipationinextracurricularandcocurricularactivitiesthroughthecalendar
yearbothinandoutofschool.

DETERMINATIONOFVIOLATION
Astudentviolatesthispolicy(503.4)whenthestudentis:
1.
Foundtohavecommittedapublicoffensebyacourtoflaw,or
2.
Formallychargedwithacriminaloffenseorticketedbylawenforcement(excludingminortrafficviolations),or
3.
Admitstoviolatingoneofthestandardsdescribedinthispolicy,or
4.
Observedbythecoach,sponsor,orlawenforcementpersonnel,engaginginaviolation,or
31


5.

WhentheadministrationreceivescredibleinformationtosupportadeterminationthatthestudentviolatedtheCode
ofConduct

STANDARDSANDSANCTIONSATHLETICS
ARTICLEI
Athletesorteampersonnel(managers,statisticians,videopersonnelasexamples)whoarefoundguiltyofuse,possession,or
purchaseofanycontrolledsubstance,drugs,alcoholicbeverages,ortobaccowillbedeclaredineligible("use"includeshaving
theodorofalcoholortobaccoonone'sbreath).

Athletesorteampersonnelthatengageinanyactthatwouldbegroundsforarrestorcitationinthecriminalorjuvenilecourt
system,excludingminortrafficoffenses,regardlessofwhetherthestudentwascited,arrested,convicted,oradjudicatedforthe
act(s)willbedeclaredineligible.

Athletesorteampersonnelthataresuspended(inorout)fromschoolforatotaloffiveormoredaystotalduringtheschool
yearwillbedeclaredineligible.Anyadditionalincidentsinaschoolyearthatresultsinasuspension(inorout)willbe
consideredasecondoffense.Ifinsubsequentschoolyears,astudentagainaccumulatesfivedaysofsuspension,thesanction
willmovetothenextlevel.

*NOTE:Eachactmaybeconsideredaseparateviolationevenifaseriesofactsoccuronasingleoccasion.Allaggravating
andmitigatingcircumstanceswillbeconsideredwhenmakingadetermination.

A. Upontheestablishmentofguilt,firstoffenseofanyoftheaboveduringtheirhighschoolcareer,thestudentshall
besuspendedfor(25%)ofthecontestsinhisorhersportoractivity.
B. Uponasecondoffenseduringtheirhighschoolcareer,astudentshallbesuspendedfor50%ofthecontestsinhis
orhersportoractivity.
C. Uponathirdoffenseduringtheirhighschoolcareer,thestudentshallbesuspendedfromallsports/activitiesfor
onecalendaryear).
D. Uponafourthoffenseduringtheirhighschoolcareer,thestudentwillbesuspendedfromparticipatingin
athletics/activitiesfortherestofhis/herhighschoolcareer.Astudentmaypetitiontheactivitiesdirectorand/orthe
principalforreinstatementafterservingaminimumofonecalendaryearofineligibility.Ifreinstatementis
considered,thestudentwillhavetocompleteallstipulationsbeforeafinaldecisionisreached.

Intheeventastudentregainstheireligibilityforsoftballorbaseball,thatstudentmaybeginplayingincontestsimmediately
andwillnotneedtowaituntiltheendofallspringstatetournaments.

ARTICLEII
Athleteswhileatschooleventswhoareguiltyofrudeness,disrespect,and/orconductingthemselvesinamannerthatwould
createanegativeimageforthemselves,theschool,andthecommunity,willbeineligibleasfollows:

A.
FirstoffenseUptothreeweekssuspensionfromparticipation.
B.
SecondandallotheroffensesUptosixweekssuspensionfromparticipation.

Thispolicyisnottobeconstruedastheonlypolicygoverningthoseinvolvedinathletics.Theindividualcoachmayhave
rulesandregulationsoverandabovetheseandmayenforcethem.Also,studentsinvolvedinbothathleticsandcocurricular
activities(includingelectedandhonoraryoffices)willhavesanctionsenforcedinbothareaswitheachviolation.

NOTE:Whenastudentathleteparticipatesatmorethanonelevelofcompetitioninasport(e.g.juniorvarsityandvarsity)the
periodofineligibilityismeasuredagainstthehigherlevelofcompetitionatwhichthestudentathleteparticipates.Theperiod
ofineligibilitywillbeservedatthatlevelofcompetitionandwillincludeallothergames/meetsintheinterimatanylevelof
competition.Ifthehigherlevelofcompetitionplaysanabbreviatedschedule(e.g.sometimesonlyafewgamesmaybe
32


scheduledatthejuniorvarsitylevelinasportwhichgenerallyschedulesseveralmoregames)theperiodofineligibilitywillbe
measuredagainstthefullscheduleofthelowerlevelcompetition.

STANDARDSANDSANCTIONSSTUDENTSPARTICIPATINGINCOCURRICULAR(NONATHLETIC
EXTRACURRICULAR)ACTIVITIES
ARTICLEI
Studentswhoarefoundguiltyofuse,possession,orpurchaseofanycontrolledsubstance,drugs,alcoholicbeverages,or
tobaccowillbedeclaredineligible.("Use"maybeestablishedbyhavingtheodorofalcoholortobaccoonone'sbreath.)

Studentsthatengageinanyactthatwouldbegroundsforarrestorcitationinthecriminalorjuvenilecourtsystem,excluding
minortrafficoffenses,regardlessofwhetherthestudentwascited,arrested,convicted,oradjudicatedfortheact(s)willbe
declaredineligible.

Astudentthatissuspended(inorout)fromschoolforatotaloffiveormoredaysduringtheschoolyearwillbedeclared
ineligible.Anyadditionalincidentsinaschoolyearthatresultsinasuspension(inorout)willbeconsideredasecondoffense.
Ifinsubsequentschoolyears,astudentagainaccumulatesfivedaysofsuspension,thesanctionwillmovetothenextlevel.

Eachactmaybeconsideredaseparateviolationevenifaseriesofactsoccuronasingleoccasion.Allaggravatingand
mitigatingcircumstanceswillbeconsideredwhenmakingadetermination.

A. Upontheestablishmentofaviolation,firstoffenseofanyoftheaboveduringtheirhighschoolcareer,thestudent
willhaveaperiodofthreeweeksofnonparticipationwhentheorganizationisactiveandincludeatleastone
performance.Theinstructorwilldecideifthestudentistoattendpractice.
B. Uponasecondoffenseduringthehighschoolcareer,thestudentwillhaveaperiodofnineweeksof
nonparticipationwhentheorganizationisactiveandincludeatleasttwoperformances.Theinstructorwilldecide
ifthestudentistoattendpractice.
C. Uponathirdoffenseduringthehighschoolcareer,thestudentwillhaveaperiodofonecalendaryearof
nonparticipationwhentheorganizationisactive.Theinstructorwilldecideifthestudentistoattendpractice.
D.Uponafourthoffenseduringtheirhighschoolcareer,thestudentwillbesuspendedfromparticipatingin
athletics/activitiesfortherestofhis/herhighschoolcareer.Astudentmaypetitiontheactivitiesdirectorand/orthe
principalforreinstatementafterservingaminimumofonecalendaryearofineligibility.Ifreinstatementis
considered,thestudentwillhavetocompleteallstipulationsbeforeafinaldecisionisreached.

ARTICLEII
Studentswhileatschooleventswhoareguiltyofrudeness,disrespect,and/orconductingthemselvesinamannerthatwould
createanegativeimageforthemselves,theschool,andthecommunity,willbeineligibleasfollows:

A.
FirstoffenseUptothreeweekssuspensionfromparticipation.
B.
SecondandallotheroffensesUptosixweekssuspensionfromparticipation.

Thispolicyisnottobeconstruedastheonlypolicygoverningthoseinvolvedinathleticsorcocurricularactivities.The
individualsponsororcoachmayhaverulesandregulationsoverandabovetheseandmayenforcethem.Also,students
involvedinbothathleticsandcocurricularactivities(includingelectedandhonoraryoffices)willhavesanctionsenforcedin
bothareaswitheachviolation.

PERIODOFSUSPENSIONATHLETICS
Suspensionshallbeginimmediatelyiftheactivityisinseason.Iftheperiodofsuspensionislongerthantheremainingseason,
itwillcarryontothenextseasonorthenextactivityinwhichthestudentparticipates.Theamountofremainingineligibility
willbebasedonthepercentageofineligibilitycompletedduringthecurrentseason.Periodsofineligibilitywillcarrytothe

33


postseasontournamentseriesiftheperiodofineligibilityhasnotbeencompleted.Thestudentwillbeeligibleagainwhenthe
requirednumberofplayingdateshasbeensatisfied.

Iftheviolationoccurspriortotheseason,thesuspensionwillbeginonthefirstdayofscheduledcontestsforhis/hernext
immediateseason.Studentsmustcontinuetopracticeduringtheperiodofsuspension,butmaynotdressforgames.

Theperiodofsuspensionwillbedeterminedonthebasisofthenumberofregularseasonplayingdates.Thenumberof
playingdateswillbedividedbythelengthofthesuspensionandadateofeligibilitywillbeestablished.Thetermcontestused
inthisCodewillbeinterpretedasplayingdates.

*NOTE:Anyathleteregaininghis/hereligibilityinasportmustcompletethefullseasoninthatsportunlessheorsheis
unabletodosobecauseofaninjury.

APPEALSPROCESS
AnystudentwhoisfoundbytheActivitiesDirectortohaveviolatedtheGoodConductRule(503.4)mayappealtothe
Principal.WrittencontactwiththePrincipalaskingforappealmustbewithinthree(3)schooldaysoftheActivitiesDirectors
decision.AstudentmayseekfurtherreviewofthePrincipalsdecisionbytheschoolboardbyfilingawrittenappealwiththe
boardsecretarywithinthree(3)schooldaysfollowingthePrincipalsdecisionorby4:00PMontheFridaybeforethenext
regularlyscheduledboardmeeting,whicheverissooner.Theboardwillheartheappealnolaterthanthenextregularly
scheduledboardmeeting.
*NOTE:Astudentisstillrequiredtosubmitawrittenappealrequestby4:00PMontheFridaybeforethenextregularly
scheduledboardmeetingevenifthePrincipalsdecisionismadeonThursdayorFriday.

Thereviewbytheboardwillbeinclosedsessionunlessthestudentsparent(orthestudent,ifthestudentiseighteenorolder)
requestsanopensession.Thegroundsforreviewbytheschoolboardarelimitedtothefollowing:thestudentdidnotviolate
theGoodConductRule(503.4)orthepenaltyisinviolationoftheHandbookRuleorBoardPolicy.
Thestudentshallbesuspendedfromactivitieswhilehis/hercaseispending.

OTHERPROVISIONS
EVALUATIONANDTREATMENT
Astudentwhohasasecondviolationofthealcohol,drugortobaccoprovisionoftheCodeofConductPolicymayelecttoseek
anevaluationand,ifrecommended,treatmentfromarecognizedsubstanceabusecareprovider.Allevaluationsandtreatments
willbeatthestudent'sparent/guardianexpense.Ifthestudentseekstheevaluationandagreestowaiveconfidentialitytoallow
thecareprovidertoreportbacktothesuperintendentordesigneeregardingrecommendationsfortreatmentorfollowupcare,
thestudent'sathleticsuspensionforthesecondviolationmaybereducedfrom50%ofaseasontoonequarter(25%)ofa
season.Thisreductionisnotavailableforfirstorthird,orsubsequentviolations.Thestudent'scocurricularsuspensionfor
thesecondviolationmaybereducedfromnineweeksandatleasttwoperformancestofiveweeksandatleastone
performance.

ADMISSIONPRIORTOINVESTIGATION(SELFREPORT)
Ifastudentcomesforwardtoacoach,administrator,oractivitysponsortoadmit(selfreport)within72hoursofviolatingthe
CodeofConductandtheadmissionispriortobeingquestionedbytheadministration,orpriortoanyotherreportbeingmade
totheadministrationregardingtheallegedconduct,(thestudentsathleticsuspensionmaybereduceduptoonehalfofthe
originalpenaltyforafirstoffense).

TRANSFERSTUDENTS
IfastudenttransfersinfromanotherIowaschoolorschooldistrictandthestudenthasnotyetcompletedaperiodof
ineligibilityforaviolationoftheCodeofConductinthepreviousschoolorschooldistrict,thestudentwillbesubjecttothe

34


KnoxvilleSchoolDistrictCodeofConductanditsconsequencesandwillbepenalizedbasedonthelengthofsuspension
alreadyservedinhis/herpreviousdistrict.

SCHOOLCONSEQUENCES
IfastudentcommitsaviolationoftheCodeofConductwhileonschoolgroundsorataschooleventoractivityoffschool
grounds,thatstudentmayreceiveschoolconsequences(e.g.detention,suspension)asoutlinedintheBehaviorExpectations
sectionofthestudenthandbookinadditiontothesanctionsdescribedinthispolicy.

Intheeventthatasituationoccurswhichisnotspecificallycoveredinthiscode,thePrincipalorthedesigneewillprovidea
rulingbasedupontheintentionsofthecode.

Ifastudentengagesinconductthatwouldbeconsideredafelonyunderthecriminalcode,thestudentmaybesuspended
indefinitelyfromanyextracurricularorcocurricularactivities.

ACADEMICELIGIBILITYFOREXTRACURRICULARACTIVITIES

MiddleSchoolPolicy
Allgraded,cocurricular,andnongradedactivitieswillbesubjecttothispolicy.Eligibilitywillbeevaluated
approximatelyeverytwoweeks,andIneligibilityReportswillbemailedhome.Eachsemester,studentswillbe
grantedawarningthatresultsinagraceperiodoftwoweeks.Thewarningwillapplytothefirsteligibilityperiod
thestudentisdeclaredineligible.
Astudentwhoreceivesafailinggrade,inanyclass,ontheirreportcard,progressreport,orbiweeklyeligibilitylist
willbeconsideredineligibletoparticipateincontestsandperformancesforatleastaperiodoftwoweeks.Please
contactthemiddleschoolofficeforacopyofthegradingschedule.Theclassroomteacherwillmakeaphonecall
orsendanemailtotheparentsofanystudentfailingatthetimereportsarecalculated.
Astudentmayregaintheireligibilitythroughthefollowing:

Eligibilitymayberegainedonlyafterthetwoweekperiodhasexpired.

Gradesinallclasseswillbecheckedattheendofthesecondweekfollowingthestudenthavingbeen
declaredineligible.

Ifthegradesmeettheeligibilityrequirements,thestudentwillbecomeeligibleonthenexteligibilitydate.

Ifthestudentisrequiredtoperformaspartofagrade(e.g.bandorchorus),thestudentmayeitherbe
allowedtoparticipateorbewithheldfromparticipationwithoutanyimpactonthestudentsgradeforthe
course.Theinstructorwillmakethedecisionregardingparticipation.

(7thand8thgradeIowaHighSchoolAthleticUnionboysandgirls)
Astudentwhoparticipatesinhighschoolbaseballorsoftballattheconclusionoftheir8thgradeyearmustmeetthe
requirementsofthehighschoolseligibilitypolicy.

HighSchoolPolicy
UnderIowalaw(theScholarshipRule)studentsmustreceivepassinggradesinallcoursesinthecurrentor
previousgradingperiodtoparticipateinathletics.Studentswhodonotmeetthisrequirementarenotallowedthe
privilegeofparticipatingininterscholasticathletics.

35

Thiseligibilityrulewillgovernallstudentsthatparticipateinathletics,trapteam,drillteam,andcheerleading.
Thispolicywillalsogovernanystudentthatservesinasupportcapacitytoanathleticteam(i.e.manager,
statistician,video).

Tobeeligibletocompeteinextracurricularactivities,astudentmustpassallclassestheprevioussemester.Ifat
theendofanysemesterastudentisgivenafailinggradeinanycourseforwhichcreditisawarded,thestudentis
ineligibletodressforandcompeteinthenextoccurringinterscholasticathleticcontestsandcompetitionsinwhich
thecontestantisastudentforthirtyconsecutivecalendardays.

PertheScholarshipRule,studentsarerequiredtoserveaperiodofineligibilityof30calendardaysintheirnext
sanctionedIAHSAAorIGHSAUsport.Teammanagers/statisticians/videographers,andcheerleading,dance,and
trapshootingarenotsanctionedactivitiesgovernedbytheIAHSAAorIGHSAU.Studentssubjecttothe
ScholarshipRuleparticipatingincheerleading,dance,ortrapshootingorteammanagers/statisticians/videographers
whodonotparticipateinordonothaveanyhistoryofhighschoolparticipationinasanctionedsportwillbe
requiredtoservetheir30dayconsequenceincheerleading,dance,ortrapshootingorthesportinwhichtheyarea
teammanager/statistician/videographer.

StudentssubjecttotheScholarshipRulewhoarebonafideparticipantsinahighschoolsanctionedsportwillbe
allowedtoparticipatefullyincheerleading,dance,ortrapshootingorthesportinwhichtheyareateam
manager/statistician/videographerwiththeunderstandingthattheywillservetheir30dayconsequenceintheirnext
sanctionedsport.Bonafideparticipantsaredefinedasparticipatingandfinishinginahighschoolsportduringthe
seasonimmediatelyprevioustoreceivingthefailinggrade.Ifthestudentdecidesnottoparticipateinordoesnot
havetheopportunitytoparticipateinasanctionedsport,theywillberequiredtoservetheir30dayconsequencein
thenextseasonofcheerleading,dance,ortrapshootingorthesportinwhichtheyareateam
manager/statistician/videographer.

StudentswhoaredroppedfromaclassforanyreasonwillbegivenaWtoindicatethatthestudentwaswithdrawn
fromtheclass.Awithdrawalfromclasswillbeconsideredafailinggradeforthepurposeofdetermining
eligibilityandthestudentwillbesubjecttotheScholarshipRuleconsequences.

Studentswhoareinvolvedwithbandandchoruswillbedeclaredineligiblefor30consecutivedaysifallclassesare
notpassedtheprevioussemester.Theperiodofineligibilitywillbeginwiththefirstschooldayfollowingtheday
gradesareissued.Studentwillperforminconcertsthatarerequiredaspartoftheirgrade.

Astudentwithadisabilitywhohasanindividualizededucationprogramshallnotbedeniedeligibilityonthebasis
oftheScholarshipRuleifthestudentismakingadequateprogress,asdeterminedbyschoolofficials,towardsthe
goalsandobjectivesonthestudentsindividualizededucationprogram.

PostsecondaryEnrollmentOptions
Studentsingradesninethrough12mayreceiveclassorvocationaltechnicalcreditsthatcounttoward
graduationrequirementsforsuccessfullycompletedcoursesatcommunitycolleges,privatecollegesorstate
universities.

Theschooldistrictmaypayupto$250ofthecostofacoursetakenby9thand10thgradetalentedandgifted
studentsand11thand12thgradestudents.Theschooldistrictpaysonlyforcourseswhicharenotofferedbythe
highschoolandwhichareofferedduringtheregularschoolyearbythecommunitycollege,privatecollegeorstate
36

university.Theschooldistrictdoesnotpayforthecostsofsummerschoolclasses.Summerschoolclasses,
howeverareeligibleforcredit.

Studentswhofailthecourseorfailtoreceivecreditinthecoursepaidforbytheschooldistrictmustreimburse
theschooldistrictforallcostsdirectlyrelatedtothecourse.Priortoenrollinginacourse,studentsage18orover
ortheparentsofstudentsunderage18shallsignaformindicatingtheyareresponsibleforthecostsofthecourse
shouldthestudentfailthecourseorfailtoreceivecreditforthecourse.Theschooldistrictmaywaivethecostof
thecourseforstudentswhofailthecourseforreasonsbeyondtheircontrol,including,butnotlimitedto,the
student'sincapacity,deathinthefamilyoramovetoanotherschooldistrict.

Studentsinterestedinparticipatinginthisprogramshouldcontactthehighschoolguidancecounselors..

EarlyGraduation
Studentswhomeetthegraduationrequirementssetbytheboardpriortotheendoftheirsenioryearmayapply
tothehighschoolprincipalforearlygraduation.Studentsmustapplyatleastonesemesterpriortothecompletion
ofthegraduationrequirements.

Studentswhograduateearlybecomealumnioftheschooldistrictandarenotallowedtoparticipateinschool
activities,includingsenioractivities,exceptforgraduationceremonies.

Graduation
Studentswhoareingoodstandingandwhomeetthegraduationrequirementssetbytheboardareallowedto
participateinthegraduationceremonyandinsenioractivities.Itispossiblethatstudentswhoareserving
disciplineatthetimeofthegraduationceremonyorothersenioractivitieswillnotbeallowedtoparticipate.
Studentsarenotrequiredtoparticipateinthegraduationceremony.

Thehighschoolgraduationrequirementsarefoundinhighschoolsyllabus.

MISCELLANEOUS

TelephoneUseDuringtheSchoolDay
Generally,studentsreceivingtelephonecallsduringschoolhourswillnotbecalledtothetelephone.Theoffice
willtakeamessageandforwardittothestudent.Onlyinemergencysituationsarestudentsremovedfromclassor
anotherschoolactivitytoreceiveatelephonecall.

SchoolAnnouncements
Studentsareresponsibleforknowingthecontentofdailyannouncements.Studentswhowishtohaveanitem
includedinthedailyannouncementsmusthavepermission,inadvance,fromtheprincipal.

Visitors/Guests
Visitorstotheschoolgroundsmustcheckinattheschooloffice.Ifastudentwishestobringaguesttoschool,
thestudentmustreceivepermissionfromtheprincipalpriortotheguest'svisitandtheguestmustsignin.

LegalStatusofStudent
Ifastudent'slegalstatus,suchasthestudent'snameorthestudent'scustodialarrangement,shouldchange
duringtheschoolyear,theparentorguardianmustnotifytheschooldistrict.Theschooldistrictneedstoknow
whenthesechangesoccurtoensurethattheschooldistricthasacurrentstudentrecord.Studentslegalnamewill
beusedonallofficialschooldocuments.

OpenGymDuringNonSchoolHours
Opengymsaretotakeplaceafterallactivitiesinthegymhavebeencompletedforthedayandtheyshallnotbe
heldattimesthatconflictwithotheractivities.Opengymmustbesupervisedbyappropriatepersonnel.Paidand
37

boardapprovedvolunteercoachesareremindeditisillegaltoinstructduringopengymtimeswhilehavinganopen
gymforanoutofseasonsport.

Cafeteria
Theschooldistrictoperatesalunchandbreakfastprogram.Studentsmayeitherbringtheirownlunchesto
schoolorpurchasealunchandotheritems,includingmilk.Foodcannotbetakenoutsideofthecafeteriawithout
adultpermission.

BusesandOtherSchoolDistrictVehicles
Busesareprimarilyusedtotransportstudentstoandfromschool.Studentswhoridethebusandotherschool
districtvehiclestoandfromschool,extracurricularactivitiesoranyotherdestinationmustcomplywithschool
districtpolicies,rulesandregulations.Studentsareresponsibletothedriverwhileonthebusorinanotherschool
vehicle,loadingorunloadingorleavingthebus.Thedriverhastheabilitytodisciplineastudentandmaynotify
theprincipalofastudent'sinappropriatebusconduct.

Personsridinginschooldistrictvehiclesshalladheretothefollowingrules:1.ALWAYSRESPECTthebus
driverandothersonthebus2.STAYSAFEFaceforwardinyourseatandkeepyourhandstoyourselfandkeep
theaisleclear3.DONOTthroworhanganythingoutofthewindow4.NOyelling,screamingorusingany
inappropriatelanguageand/orgestures5.NOgum,foodordrink6.NOWEAPONSofanykind
ShowyourPANTHERPRIDEwhileridingthebus. BeSafe,BeRespectful,BeResponsible!

Thedriver,sponsorandchaperonesaretofollowtheschooldistrictpolicies,rulesandregulationsforstudent
violations.Districtbehaviorexpectationsareexpectedtobefollowedwhileridinginschoolvehicles.

MediaCenter
Theschoolmediacenterisavailabletostudentsduringschoolhours.Themediacenterisaplaceforstudyand
research.Studentsareexpectedtoconductthemselvesasiftheywereinclasswhileinthemediacenter.

LostandFound
Lostandfounditemswillbekeptintherespectiveschools.Pleaseseeofficeforassistancewhenmissing
items.

GuidanceProgram
Theschooldistrictguidanceprogramisdividedintofourseparatecategories.Thecategoriesarecounseling
services,informationservices,appraisalservicesandplacementservices.Eachofthesecategoriesis
interdependentandassistsstudentswiththeirpersonaleducationalandcareerdevelopmentandinbecoming
wellrounded,productiveadults.Confidentialityismaintainedbytheemployeesinvolvedintheguidanceprogram.

Citizenship
BeingacitizenoftheUnitedStates,ofIowaandoftheschooldistrictcommunityentitlesstudentstospecial
privilegesandprotectionsaswellasrequiringthestudentstoassumecivic,economicandsocialresponsibilitiesand
toparticipateintheircountry,stateandschooldistrictcommunityinamannerthatentitlesthemtokeeptheserights
andprivileges.

Aspartoftheeducationprogram,studentshaveanopportunitytolearnabouttheirrights,privilegesand
responsibilitiesascitizensofthiscountry,stateandschooldistrictcommunity.Aspartofthislearningopportunity,
studentsareinstructedintheelementsofgoodcitizenshipandtherolequalitycitizensplayintheircountry,state
andschooldistrictcommunity.

InspectionofEducationalMaterials
Parentsandothermembersoftheschooldistrictcommunitymayviewtheinstructionalmaterialsusedby
studentsintheoffice.Copiesmaybeobtainedaccordingtoboardpolicy.Testsandassessmentmaterialsareonly
availableforinspectionwiththeconsentofthesuperintendent.Personswishingtoviewinstructionalmaterialsor
38

toexpressconcernsaboutinstructionalmaterialsshouldcontactthebuildingprincipal.

SPECIALELEMENTARYINFORMATION

Introduction
Thedistrictsphilosophypromotescreatingalearningenvironmentthatpromotesacaring,cooperative
atmosphereWewantyourchildtobeexcitedtocometoschoolbecauseitsaplacewherehe/shefeels
welcome,happyandsuccessful!Weacknowledgetheinfluenceofourstudentsfamiliesintheeducational
precess.Thishandbookismeanttoinformstudentsandfamiliesaboutpoliciesandprocedurestomaintain
asafeandsecureenvironment.Inthispartnershipbetweentheschooldistrictandyouineducatingyour
child,weexpectyoutodiscussthecontentsofthisstudenthandbookwithyourchild.Manyoftheseitems
maybenewtochildren.You,astheparent,aretheonebestequippedtodiscusstheitemswithyourchild.

HealthyKidsAct(2009)

AllphysicallyablestudentsingradesK5shallengageinphysicalactivityforaminimumof30
minuteseachschoolday.Thisrequirementmaybemetthroughrecessand/orphysicaleducationclasses.

Enrollment
StudentsenrollinginKindergartenmustbefiveyearofagebySeptember15oftheschoolyear.Proofof
birth(birthcertificates)andarecordofimmunizationwillberequireduponregistration.

Arrival/Departure
Studentsbeingdroppedoff/pickedupfromschoolbyparentsorcaregiverswillsaygoodbyetothoseadults
outsidethebuilding.Inanefforttoencourageindependencestudentswillbeexpectedtowalkintothebuilding
withpeersorastaffmember.Theonlyexceptiontothisisforpreschoolstudents.Bylaw,preschoolstudentsareto
bebewalkedtotheirclassroombyanadult.

CommunicationstoandfromSchool
Whensendinganoteormoneytoschool,thestudentshouldreceiveclearinstructionfromtheparentsabout
whotheappropriatepersonistoreceivethenoteorthemoney.Also,theschoolregularlycommunicatesgeneral
informationviaemailforallstudentsforwhomwehaveemailaddresses.Teachersalsosendnotesandpapers
homewithstudents.Parentsneedtoremindtheirchildtonotifyteachersofnotesthatarebeingreturned.Parents
areresponsibleforknowingthecontentsofthenotesorpaperssenthome.
ThePantherPressisthedistrictsmonthlynewsletterandisaccessedthroughthedistrictwebsite.West
ElementaryandNorthstarElementaryalsohavetheirownFacebookandTwitteraccountswhereparentscanaccess
information.

RecessandPlaygroundRules
Theplaygroundisanimportantpartofoureducationalsetting.Wewantstudentstoenjoytheirbreakswiththeir
peers.Theschoolandparentscanworktohelpstudentshavepositiveexperiencesontheplayground.Ifastudent
isrepeatedlyhavingproblems,theparentswillbenotified.Ifyourchildishavingaproblemontheplayground,
pleasemakesuretheschoolisawareofit.AtalltimesstudentsshouldDoTheirPantherBest:BeSafe,Be
Respectful,BeResponsible.Atrecess,thiswouldincludebutisntlimitedto:
1. Goodsportsmanshipwillbeshownatalltimes.
2. Hitting,roughhousing,orphysicalabuseofothersisnotallowed(nobodycontactgames).
3. Thereistobenofighting,unacceptablelanguage,orspitting.
4. Astudentwhoneedstoleavetheplaygroundforanyreasonmustrequestpermissionfromasupervising
adultbeforeleavingthearea.
5. Treatallrecesssupervisorswithrespect.
6. Equipmentistobeusedinapropermanner.
Onestudentperswing,withnosidewaysswingingortwistingthechains.
Norunningbetweentheswings.
Nojumpingoffequipmentorfromonepieceofequipmenttoanother.
39

7. Noslidingontheice.
8. Snow,rocks,playgroundsurface,etc.willremainontheground.
9. Playgroundequipmentisprovidedbytheschoolandwerequestiftoysarebrought,itbecomesthe
studentsresponsibilityifthetoysarestolenorlost.Also,absolutelyNOlookalikeweapons.Violation
ofthispolicyshallresultinconfiscationoftheweaponanddetentionorsuspension,dependingupon
studentsdisciplinaryhistory.(Code502.6)
Allstudentswillberequiredtogooutsideforrecesses,weatherpermitting.Pleasemakesuretheyhavetheproper
clothingduringcoldweather.Ifyoufeelyourchildshouldnotgooutbecauseofillness,sendanotestatingthat.A
statementfromthedoctorwillbeneededifyouwantyourchildtostayinmorethan1day.Duringextremely
inclementweather,windchillofbelow15degrees(PreschoolOnly)and0degrees(Kthrough5thgrade),recess
willbeinside.Wearingcoats/jacketsisadvised,evenduringthespringandfallseasons.Duringtheseseasons
weatherischangeable,sohavingajacketavailableisimportant,especiallyinthechillymornings.Whenthe
temperaturefeelslike60degreesorabove,studentsmaychoosenottowearthecoat/jacket.Theprincipalora
teachermaydetainastudentfromarecessprivilegebecauseofconductoracademicproblems.
Dressshouldbeinaccordancewiththeweather.Whentheblacktopissnowyormuddy,studentsareaskedto
wearbootsorovershoes.Youngerstudentscouldbringextrapantsandsockstoschoolduringwinterandspring
months.Hatsandglovesshouldbewornasneeded.

SchoolBusExpectations
Schoolbustravel,ingeneralisoneofthesafestformsoftransportationintheUnitedStates,butwestillmust
haverulesforyourchildrentoobeywhiletheytraveltoandfromschool.Wealsomusthaveconsequencesfor
childrenwhochronicallybreaktherules.Ridingtheschoolbusisaprivilege,notaright.Pleasegooverthese
rulesandconsequenceswithyourchild.
1. Thebusoperatesonatimeschedule.Bereadytoboardthebus,itcannotwait.
2. Stayonyoursideoftheroaduntilthebusdriverhasalltrafficstoppedandsignalsforyoutocross.
3. Whenboardingoralighting,goinfrontofthebusatleast10feet,sothedrivercanseeyou.Alwayswalk
inanorderlymannerandcrossonsignalfromthedriver.
4. Stayseatedatalltimeswhilethebusisinmotion.
5. Donotextendanypartofyourbodyoutofthebuswindows.
6. Driverswillletridersoffonlyattheirregularstopsunlessparentshavenotifiedtheschool.Anoteor
phonecallisrequested.
7. Glasscontainersaredangerousonbuses.Achildwhostumbleswithaglasscontainermaybeseriously
injured.Useplasticormetalcontainerswithoutsharpedges.
8. Remainreasonablyquietsothedriversattentionisnotdistracted.Noroughhousing.
9. Donotbedestructiveormarkyourbusinanymanner.
10. Thebusdriverisauthorizedtoassignseats.Keepyourfeetofftheseats.
11. Eating,drinking,smoking,orchewingandspittingonthebusisnotpermitted.
12. Parentsareexpectedtopayforanydamagestothebusescausedbytheirchildren.
13. Serioussafetyviolationsshallmeananautomaticdenialofridingprivilegesfornotlessthanthree(3)
days.
Iftherulesarebroken:
Whenaninfractionofthebusrulesoccurs,thebusdriverwillcompleteaNoticetoParentsform.Acopyof
thisreportwillbesenttotheparents.Threerepeatedviolationsoftherulesmayresultintransportationprivileges
beingdeniedthatstudent.Firstviolation...theparentwillbenotifiedbyletter.Secondviolation...theparentwillbe
notifiedbyCertifiedLetter.Thirdviolation...willbeanautomaticrevokingofridingprivilegesforthestudent.If
parentswishtoappealadecisioninvolvingtheirchild,theyshouldcontacttheSuperintendenttoarrangeanappeal.

BirthdayTreats/SchoolParties
Theonlypartieswhichweobserveatschoolwillbestudent/teacherplanned.IncludedareHalloween,Christmas,
andValentinesDay.Werecognizethatstudentsenjoybringingtreatstotheirclassmatesfortheseparties.We
wouldliketoencouragestudentstobringhealthfulfoodswhicharelowinsalt,fat,andsugar.Wealsorecognize
studentsenjoytreatingtheirclassmatesontheirbirthdays.Anotheracceptableoptiontobringingfoodasbirthday
treatswouldbetodonateabookorgametotheroomwhichallstudentscanenjoy.(Parentswhohaveobjectionsto
40

theirchildparticipatinginholidaypartiesbecauseofreligiousbeliefsshouldnotifythechildsteacherinadvance).
ALLTREATSNEEDTOBEPREPACKAGEDRATHERTHANHOMEMADE.THISISDUETOA
CONCERNWITHHEPATITISANDOTHERINFECTIOUSDISEASES.

InvitationstoParties

Studentinvitationstobirthdaypartiesandotherspecialoccasions(whicharenotschoolsponsored)
shouldnotbedistributedatschool,unlesstheentireclassisreceivinganinvitationtotheoccasion.

SchoolSupplies

KnoxvilleElementaryExpectations&Procedures20152016

SPECIALPRESCHOOLINFORMATION

LittlePanthersPreschool

DearFamilies,
We are lookingforward toasuccessful yeargrowingwithyouandyourchildinourKnoxville Community
School District Early Childhood Program. Knoxvilles Statewide Voluntary Preschool goal is to provide high
quality preschool that meets each childs needs, including children with disabilities and those from diverse
backgrounds.
KnoxvilleLittle Panther Preschoolprovides arichlearningenvironmentthatencourageschildrensnatural
curiosity and supports them totake risksthatlead tonewskilldevelopment.Itisasettingwherechildrenfeelsafe,
respected,and caredfor.Thisis an opportunityforchildrento takepart inplanned,activelearningexperiencesto
buildtheirreadinessskills.
KnoxvilleLittle Panther Preschoolhas adoptedandmeets the Iowa QualityPreschoolProgramStandards,
administered by the Iowa Department of Education. The Iowa Early Learning Standards are used to guide
41

expectations for the children and instructional practices. The maximum class sizeis20 children ineachsession.
Teaching staffincludes afulltimecertifiedteacherandaclassroomassociate. Thiscombinationof staff allowsfor
a 1:10 staff ratio to be maintained at all times to encourage adultchildinteractions and promote activity among
children.
We believe the Knoxville Early Childhood programs enjoy their good reputation largely because of the
supportof ourfamilies.Wehavehighquality teachers and program associatesandstudentsupportpersonnelwith
paraprofessional/college degree certification. Your participation is the key to the success of our programs. We
welcomeyourinvolvementinfact,weencourageit!
This handbook serves all our district students. District policies cover all levels. The information in the
following pages pertains specifically to preschool. The handbook should answer mostof your questions. Ifyou
haveadditionalquestions,pleasecontactyourchildsteacherorclassroomstaff.
Ourdoorsarealwaysopentoyou.Feelfreetocallorstopbytovisittheclassroom.

SteppingStonesStaff (8287837)
WestElementaryStaff (8422185)

PhilosophyofEducation
Webelieve:
Studentlearningisthemostimportantelementofsociety.
Studentslearnbestinasafeandcaringenvironment.
Innovativelearningactivitiesandvariousteachingstrategiesenhancelearning.
Respectfordiversitydevelopstolerancewithintheschoolandoursociety.
Effectivelearningproduceslifelongskills.
Leadersneverlosesightofbestpractice.
Teachingtheimportanceofcitizenshipbenefitstheschoolandthecommunity.
Productivedisciplineincorporatescontrol,consistency,andcare.
Memorableandenjoyableactivitiesfosterlearning.
School,home,andcommunitycooperationfacilitatesandreinforceslearning.

Inclusion
Thepreschoolprogramisforallchildrenincludingthosewithdisabilitiesanduniquelearningneeds.
Modificationsaremadeintheenvironmentandstaffingpatternsinordertoincludechildrenwithspecialneeds.
Staffmembersaremadeawareoftheidentifiedneedsofindividualchildrenandaretrainedtofollowthroughon
specificinterventionplans.Itisthedistrictsbeliefthatinclusionenrichestheeducationalexperienceforteachers,
students,otherchildren,andtheirfamilies.ThepreschoolfacilitiesmeetAmericanwithDisabilitiesAct
accessibilityrequirements.

TeachingandLearning
Curriculumisaframeworkforlearningopportunitiesandexperiences.Itisaprocessbywhichlearners
obtainknowledgeandunderstanding,whiledevelopinglifeskills.Itiscontinuallyrevisedandevaluatedtomake
learningfunandexciting.
Itisthepolicyofthedistrictthatcurriculumcontentandinstructionalmaterialsreflecttheculturaland
racialdiversitypresentintheUnitedStatesandthevarietyofcareers,roles,andlifestylesopentowomenaswell
asmeninoursociety.Oneoftheobjectivesofthetotalcurriculumandteachingstrategiesistoreducestereotyping
andeliminatebiasonthebasisofgender,race,ethnicorigin,religion,andphysicaldisability.Thecurriculumshall
fosterrespectandappreciationfortheculturaldiversityfoundinourcountryandanawarenessoftherights,duties,
andresponsibilitiesofeachindividualasamemberofamulticulturalnonsexistsociety.
42

IowaEarlyLearningStandards
ChildhoodprogramsembraceandassessthesixareasoftheIowaEarlyLearningStandards.OurEarly
Childhoodcurriculumisliteracybasedandisdesignedtoprovideyoungchildrenwithmanywaysofplayingand
interactingwithothersandthelearningenvironment.Ourteachersuseplayplansaswellascurrentresearchtohelp
usmeettheneedsofallofourdiversepopulation.Byfollowingthestandardslistedweareensuringthatall
childrenreceiveacomprehensiveanddevelopmentallyappropriateexperience.

SocialandEmotionalDevelopment
Self
SelfRegulation
RelationshipswithCaregivers
PeerInteractions
AwarenessofCommunity

PhysicalWellBeingandMotor
Development
HealthyandSafeLiving
PlayandSenses
LargeMotorDevelopment
FineMotorDevelopment
ApproachestoLearning
CuriosityandInitiative
EngagementandPersistence
ProblemSolving

Communication,LanguageandLiteracy
LanguageUnderstandingandUse
EarlyLiteracy(readingreadiness)
EarlyWriting

MathematicsandScience
ComparisonandNumber
Patterns
ShapesandSpatialRelationships
ScientificReasoning
ScientificProblemSolving
Measurement
CreativeArts
Art
Music,Rhythm,andMovement
DramaticPlay

ChildDevelopmentAssessment
Itisthedistrictsbeliefthatassessmentofyoungchildrenshouldbepurposeful,developmentally
appropriate,andtakeplaceinthenaturalsettingbyfamiliaradults.Theresultsareusedforplanningexperiences
forthechildrenandtoguideinstruction.Assessmentwillneverbeusedtolabelchildrenortoincludeorexclude
themfromaprogram.Afamilyscultureandachildsexperiencesoutsidetheschoolsettingarerecognizedas
beinganimportantpieceofthechildsgrowthanddevelopment.Allresultswillbekeptconfidential,placedineach
childsfile,andstoredinasecurefilingcabinet.
LittlePanthersPreschoolusestheTeachingStrategiesGOLDtooltoassesseachchildsdevelopment.It
describesthepathway,orprogression,ofhowchildrendevelopandlearn.Thistoolallowsteacherstouse
authentic,ongoing,observationbasedassessment.Thiskindofassessmentsimplymeansthatwewill:
observeyourchildduringregular,everydayactivitiesonacontinuousbasis
documentwhatweseeandhear
takenotes,collectsamplesofyourchildsdrawingsandwritingattempts,ortake

photosandvideoclips
comparetheinformationcollectedtoresearchbased,widelyheldexpectationsfor

childrenofsimilaragesorgradesand
usetheinformationtosupportyourchildslearningandmeethisorherindividual

needs.
43

DailyActivities
Aconsistentdailyscheduleisplannedtoofferabalanceoflearningactivities.Learningisbothformaland
informal.Playisplannedforeveryday.Listeningisbalancedwithtalking,groupactivitieswithsolitarytime,
indoorswithoutdoors,quietplaywithnoisyplay.Eachchildwillhavetheopportunityforthefollowingtypesof
activitieseveryday.
Largegroup,smallgroup,andlargemotor/outdooractivities
Selfdirectedplayandindividualactivities
Storytime
Learningcenters:Art,Science/Discovery,Literacy(writingtable,books,listening

center),Math,Manipulatives,Blocks/ConstructionandDramaticPlay
Snack:Allchildrenparticipatinginpreschoolreceiveasnackeachday.Snacksare

determinedincooperationwithourdistrictfoodserviceandhealthandnutrition

personnel.
Weeklylessonplansarepostedontheclassroombulletinboard.Newslettersare

senthometoshowhowlearningactivitiesareincorporatedintothestudentsdaily

schedule.

Hours
LittlePanthersPreschoolmeetsonTuesdays,Wednesdays,Thursdays,andFridays.Studentsdonotattend
onMondays.Thisallowsforparentmeetingsandhomevisits,planningtimeandprofessionaldevelopment
trainingfortheteachingstaff,andcollaborationwithcommunityagencies.Themorningsessionis8:1511:00
a.m.,andtheafternoonsessionis12:002:45p.m.
LittlePanthersPreschoolfollowsthedistrictcalendar.Intheeventofalatestartduetoinclementweather
therewillbenomorningpreschoolclasses.

EnrollmentandFees
LittlePantherPreschoolisforchildrenwhoarefouryearsoldbySeptember15ofthecurrentschoolyear.
Studentsareenrolledwhenregistrationandapplicationmaterialshavebeencompletedandreturnedtoouroffice.
Therearenofeesforpreschoolasitisastatefundedprogram.

ApplicationforEnrollment
Registrationtypicallybeginsinthespringforthefollowingfall.Applicationmaterialsareavailablefrom
theoffice.Studentswillbeassignedtoclassroomsasappropriate.Priortoenrollment,thefollowingisrequired:
Proofofage(birthcertificate)
Updatedrecordofimmunizations
Physicalform(musthavehadaphysicalwithinprevious12months)
DirectoryInformationForm(PhotoRelease/FieldTripPermission)
ParentsMUSTcontacttheschoolofficetoupdatecontactinformationthatchanges.Formoreinformation
pleasecontacttheWestoffice.

FamilyandCommunityPartnerships
LittlePanthersPreschoolisapartnershipbetweenKnoxvilleCommunitySchoolsandSteppingStones
EarlyLearningCenter.Ourpreschoolclassroomsenjoyfieldtripopportunitiesandguestspeakerstolearnmore
aboutourcommunityandwhatcareeroccupationsexist.Wewelcomeinteractionwithfamiliestohelpuslearn
moreabouttheneedsofourstudents.

HomeVisits
44

Teachersuseavarietyofwaystobecomeacquaintedwithandlearnfromfamiliesabouttheirfamily
structureandtheirpreferredmeansofchildrearingpracticesandcommunicationandinformationabouttheir
socioeconomic,linguistic,racial,religious,andculturalbackgroundsastheywishtoshare.Tohelptheteacherget
toknowyourchild,ahomevisitisscheduledbeforethestartoftheschoolyear.Thisisachanceforyoutoask
questionsabouttheclassroomandthepreschoolprogram,andhelpsthechildfeelmorecomfortableonthefirstday
ofclass.

ParentAdvisoryCommittee
LittlePantherPreschoolhasanadvisorycommitteecomposedofparents,schoolstaff,andcommunity
membersinterestedinthepreschoolprogram.Thisgroupmeetstwotothreetimeseachschoolyeartoprovide
feedbackandserveasasoundingboardfornewideas.Atthebeginningofeachschoolyear,parentsareprovided
informationaboutthecommittee.Pleasecontactyourchildsteacherifyouhaveaninterestinservingonthis
committee.

ProgramAssessment
LittlePantherPreschoolimplementstheIowaQualityPreschoolProgramStandards,andreceives
evaluationfromtheIowaDepartmentofEducationtoconfirmwearemeetingthesestandards.Theevaluation
processincludesgatheringevidencefromallareasofprogramfunctioning,andresultsaresharedwithfamilies,
staff,andappropriateadvisoryandgovernanceboards.Wealsousetheinformationtoplanprofessional
developmentandprogramqualityimprovementactivities.

ChildOutcomes
Childrenwillshowcompetencyinsocial/emotional,physical,cognitive,andlanguage

developmentskills.
Childrenwillbeenthusiasticandcuriouslearners.
Childrenwillbesafeandhealthy.

FamilyOutcomes
Familieswillfeelwelcomeintheclassroomandschool.
Familieswillworkwiththeschoolinameaningfulpartnershiptohelptheirchildrenbe

betterpreparedtolearntoreadandwrite.
Familieswilladvocatefortheirchildren.

StudentandFamilyServices
GuidanceServices:Familyandindividualcounselingservicesareavailable.ContacttheWestoffice.Medical
supportforfamiliesisavailable.Pleasecall8422185forinformation.

StudentAssistanceProgram:Confidentialandcaringhelpforstudentsandimmediatehouseholdmembers
experiencingpersonaland/orfamilyproblemsisavailable.Contact8422185formoreinformation.

KNOXVILLEMIDDLESCHOOLEXPECTATIONSANDRULES

Visitors
Weencourageparentsandcommunitymemberstovisitourbuilding,andweinvitethemtoattendsomeofour
manyactivitiesandeventsthatareplannedeachyear.Ifyourvisitisforthepurposeofattendingascheduled
activityorevent,youmayproceeddirectlytotheactivityorevent.Forthesafetyofourstudentsandstaff,allother
45

visitorsareaskedtoenterthewestdoorsandsigninatthemainofficebeforeproceeding.Allotherentrances
maybelockedfromtheoutside.

Althoughdropinvisitsarewelcomed,itissuggestedtoscheduleavisitinordertoensuretheavailabilityofthe
personnelyouwishtosee.StudentvisitorsarenotallowedtoattendclasseswithKnoxvilleMiddleSchoolstudents
unlesstheyarepartofaschoolsponsoredeventoractivity.Allstudentvisitorsmusthavepermissionfromaparent
andaKnoxvilleMiddleSchooladministratorbeforeparticipatinginaschooldayvisit.

Classesareinsessionfrom8:00A.M.to3:10P.M.,TuesdayFridayduringtheschoolyear.Mondayclassesrun
from10:00A.M.to3:10P.M.Regularofficehoursarefrom7:30A.M.to3:45P.M.,MondayFridayfromearly
AugusttolateJune.Theofficemaycloseearlyonearlydismissaldaysorforbadweather.Pleaserefertothe
districtcalendarandlistenforpublicannouncements.

Tardy&TruancyPolicies

TardyPolicyOrganizationoftimeandplanningisimportantinschoolandinaplaceofemployment.Attendance
istakeneachclassperiodandreportedelectronicallytotheofficebytheteachers.Theofficewillmaintaina
cumulativerecordofstudentattendanceandtardiness.

Studentsareallowed2tardypassestoschoolpersemester.Foreachadditionaltardy,studentswillservea20
minutedetention.Ifastudentistardymorethan5times,theywillwriteasuccessplan,aparentcontactwillbe
made,andthestudentmayloseprivileges.Theadministrationwilldecideonacasebycasebasisofunavoidable
delaysthatwillbeexcused.Duringtheschoolday,theindividualteacherwillhandleatardy.Studentsareallowed
1tardypasspersemester,perclass.Foreachadditionaltardy,studentswillservea20minutedetention.Onthe
fourthtardy,thestudentwillwriteaplanforsuccesswithacounselor,parentcontactswillbemade,andthestudent
mayloseprivileges.

TruancyPolicyTruancyisthefailuretoattendschoolfortheminimumnumberofdaysestablishedintheschool
calendarbytheBoardofEducation,withoutanacceptedexcuse.Truancyisalsodefinedasastudentsabsence
fromschooland/orclasseswithouttheknowledgeandconsentofparent(s)orguardian(s)and/orknowledgeand
consentofschoolauthorities.TheKnoxvilleMiddleSchooladministrationretainsthediscretiontodeterminea
studenttruant.

Iftheabsenceisdeterminedtobeatruancy,aonehourdetentionbeforeorafterschoolwillbeassigned,andthe
amountoftimetruantfromschoolwillbeexpectedtobemadeupwiththeKnoxvilleMiddleSchoolofficeor
designatedpersonnel.

Ifastudentistruantasecondtime,aconferencewillberequiredwiththestudent,parent,counselor,and
administrationbeforethestudentresumesclasses.Aonehourdetentionbeforeorafterschoolwillbeassigned,and
theamountoftimetruantfromschoolwillbeexpectedtobemadeupwiththeKnoxvilleMiddleSchoolofficeor
designatedpersonnel.

FurthertruancywillresultintheKnoxvilleMiddleSchooladministrationcontactingtheschoolliaisonofficer.A
onehourdetentionbefore/afterschoolwillbeassigned,andtheamountoftimetruantfromschoolwillbemadeup
withtheKnoxvilleMiddleSchoolofficeordesignatedpersonnel.TheMarionCountyAttorneymaybecontacted.

PBISExpectations

46

PantherPRIDEis
Beingrespectful
Beingresponsible
Beingsafe

PBISfocusesonpositivestudentbehaviorswhiletheyareatschool.PBISexpectationsarefollowedatalltimes
whileatschool.Teachersandstaffmemberscanrecognizepositivebehaviorsbyhandingstudentsapantherdollar
asatokenfortheirpositivebehavior.StudentsmayusethosepantherdollarstobuyprizesfromthePanther
PRIDEStore.Inaddition,everyquarter,classesearncelebrationsfordemonstratingpositivebehavior.Ifstudents
donotmeettheguidelinesforearningthecelebrationwiththeirclassmates,theywillbeassignedtoaclassroomfor
goalsettingandhomeworkcompletion.

BeforeandAfterSchoolAreas

StudentsareexpectedtofollowallPBISexpectations.
Studentsshouldarriveatschoolbetween7:457:55AM.
Schooldoorswillnotopenuntil7:45AM.Pleasebesurethatstudentsaredressedappropriately,especially
whendroppingthemoffbeforethattime.
Between7:458:00AM,studentshavethreechoices:
Breakfastinthecafeteria.Studentseatingbreakfastshouldgototheirlockerstolockuplaptops
priortogoingtobreakfast.
Waitindesignatedareasindoors(I.E.southlobby8thgrade,westdoorcorridor7thgrade,office
corridor6thgrade)
Waitindesignatedareasoutdoors(I.E.south8thgradersorwestsideofbuilding6th&7th
graders).

Studentsridingshuttlebuseswillarriveatthesouthcircledrive.
Ifstudentshavebeenwaitingoutsideforthebell,sixthgradestudentswillenterthewestdoorstothemain
buildingat7:50A.M.,theseventhgradestudentswillenterthemainbuildingat7:55A.M.,andtheeighth
gradestudentswillenterthemainbuildingusingthesouthdoorsat7:55A.M.
Exceptionsmaybemadeforstudentswithapass.
Studentsarenotallowedtoleavetheschoolproperty,particularlytogotoCaseys.
Bicycleriding,skateboardriding,andskatingarenotpermittedontheproperty.

Forthesafetyofstudentsandthemanageabilityoftraffic,studentsarrivingatKnoxvilleMiddleSchoolvia
personalmodesoftransportation,shouldbedroppedoffonthewestsideofthebuildinginthelowerlot.Bicycles
aretobeparkedinthebikeracksuponarrivalatschool.

Classroom&Hallways
Classroom
StudentsareexpectedtofollowallPBISexpectations.
Studentsareexpectedtoparticipatepositivelyinclassactivitiesandlearning.
Studentsareexpectedtoprepareforclassbybeingintheirseatontimewithallclassmaterials

KnoxvilleMiddleSchoolteachersandstaffhavetheauthoritytodetermineadditionalexpectationsfortheir
classroomsand/orareasofsupervision.KnoxvilleMiddleSchoolstaffandadministrationhavetheauthorityto
implementreasonable,appropriate,andconsistentconsequenceswhenexpectationsarenotmet.Ifastudentfailsto
satisfactorilyresolvethedisciplinaryconsequencessetforthbytheKnoxvilleMiddleSchoolstaff,administrative
consequencesmaybeapplied(i.e.,successplans,suspension).KnoxvilleMiddleSchoolstaffandadministration
47

encourageongoingcommunicationbetweentheschoolandthehome.Aphonecontactoremailmessagewillbe
madebytheclassroomteachertotheparentofanystudentthatisearningafailinggrade.

Hallway
Studentsandstaffareexpectedto:
FollowallPBISexpectations.
Walktotherighthandsideofthehall.
Carryapasswhileinthehallduringclasstime.Staffwillprovidepassesappropriately.
Helpkeepourhallwayscleanandfreeoftrash.
Beinclassontime.

MediaCenter
Themediacenterissupervisedandavailableforstudentuseduringregularschoolhoursandafterschoolfrom
3:103:30P.M.Studentsmayhavelimiteduseofcomputers,ifthemediacenterisreservedforaclass.
Nonrequireduseofmediacenterelectronictechnologieswillbelimitedtothosestudentswhomaintainavalid
technologylicense.Toaccessonlineresources,typeusernameKnoxville4andpasswordaea11.
FollowallPBISexpectations.
Stayonthetaskthathasbeenassigned.
Berespectfulofothergroupswhomaybeusingthemediacenter.
Usealevelonevoice(unlessotherwisenotedbyyourinstructor).
Returnallmaterialstotheirproperplacewhenyouhavefinishedusingthem.
Usecomputertechnologyandfurniturefortheirintendedpurposesonly.

LunchandBreakPeriod
Lunch
StudentsareexpectedtofollowallPBISexpectations.
Studentseatinthecafeteriaunlessotherwiseapprovedbytheadministration.
Studentsmayleavethecafeteriawhendismissed,butmustremainindesignatedareasonschoolgrounds.
Studentsmaybringasacklunch(nocaffeinedrinksorpop),selectfromtheschoolmenu,orchoosenotto
eat.Anyvariationstothesechoicesmustbeapprovedbytheadministration.
Lunchmoneyistobeplacedinanenvelopeanddepositedinthewallcontainersbytheofficeorinthe
cafeteria.
Studentsaretowritetheirnameandamountofdepositontheenvelope.ThePINnumberassignedtothe
studentshouldremainconfidential.FreeandreducedlunchstudentswillalsousetheirPINnumbersto
obtaintheirmeals.
Studentswilladheretopostedlunchroomexpectations.

IndoorNoonBreak(Gym)
StudentsareexpectedtofollowallPBISexpectations.
Studentsmusttaketheirshoesoffandwearsocksiftheywishtoparticipateinnoonactivitiesinthegym.
Shoesaretobeplacedalongtheeastwallofthegym,andotherstudentsareexpectedtoleavetheshoes
alone.
Knockoutisthegameplayedunlessspecialactivitieshavebeenplanned.Hackeysack,walking,and
travelboardgamesarealsoactivitychoices.
Whentheendoflunchissignaled,studentswillholdtheballstillandthenplacetheballontheballrack.
Studentswilllocatetheirshoes,lineupontheblacklines,andwaittobedismissed.

48

Anystudentaskedtoleavethegym,willimmediatelyexitthegymtositwiththesupervisor.Ifthestudent
choosesnottoleaveimmediately,furtherdisciplinaryactionsmayoccur.
Nostudentwillbeallowedinthe8thgradehallunlessaccompaniedbyaninstructororwithapassfroman
instructor.Studentsaretoremaininthegymorthecafeteria.
Studentswilladheretopostednoonbreakexpectations.

OutdoorBehavior(Beforeschool,breaks,noonbreak,afterschool)
StudentsareexpectedtofollowallPBISexpectations.
Studentsarenotpermittedtoclimborhangonequipmentsuchasthebasketballhoopsorgoalposts.
Whenthegroundiswetandmuddy,studentsareaskedtoremainonpavedareas.
Whentheendoflunchissignaled,studentswillholdtheballstillandthenplacetheballintheballbag.
Theywilllineupindesignatedareaandwaittobedismissed.
Studentsareexpectedtostaywithinthedesignatedschoolboundariesatalltimesduringtheschoolday
unlesspriorarrangementshavebeenapproved.
Studentswilladheretopostednoonbreakexpectations.

BeforeandAfterSchoolActivities
Personsattendingbeforeandafterschoolactivitiesareresponsiblefordemonstratingappropriatesportsmanship
andbehavior.Failuretofollowapplicableexpectationsmayresultinexclusionfromtheactivityand/orfuture
schoolactivities.
StudentsareexpectedtofollowallPBISexpectations.
Studentsshouldleavethebuildingdirectlyafterschoolunlesstheyhaveanafterschoolactivitysuchas
goingtothemediacenter,activities,teacherappointments,detention,orotherschoolrelatedmatters.
Studentsparticipatinginafterschoolactivitiesmayleavetheirbelongingsandtheirlaptopsintheirlockers
beforeattendingactivities.Coacheswillunlockandsupervisethehallwaysforstudentstopickuptheir
laptopsandotheritemsfromtheirlockers.Studentsmayusethetelephonewithpermission.Studentsare
expectedtoinformtheirparentswhenstayingafterschool.Theyarealsoresponsibleforarrangingfor
transportationtopickthemuppromptlywhentheactivity,practice,oreventiscompleted.
Everyeffortismadebycoachesandsupervisingteacherstoendactivities,practices,orrehearsalsin
accordancewithestablishedschedules.
Participationisaprivilege.ParticipantsaresubjecttotheexpectationsofKnoxvilleMiddleSchool
administration,staff,supervisors,coaches,and/orsponsors.
Itisourbeliefthatwheneverpossible,teamsandgroupsshouldridehometogetheronthebus.However,if
thereisaneedforastudenttoridehomewiththeirparent,thatparentshouldsignareleaseformheldby
thecoachorsponsor.
Studentsnotattendingafulldayofschoolmaynotbepermittedtoattendschoolactivitiesthatevening.

PartiesandDances
StudentsareexpectedtofollowallPBISexpectations.
PartiesanddancesaredesignatedforKnoxvilleMiddleSchoolstudentsonly.Onlythegradesdesignated
mayattend.
Nofoodordrinkisallowedinthegymarea.
Schoolpoliciesapplytoallschoolpropertyandschoolsponsoredevents.
Nostudentswillbeadmittedonehalfhourafterthepartybegins.Onceastudentsignsoutandleaves,heor
shewillnotbeallowedbackin.Studentsaretoleavetheschoolpropertyimmediately.
Anystudentsuspectedofuse/abuseand/orpossessionofcontrolledsubstancewillbedealtwithasstatedin
theConductPolicy.
49

Studentsabsentfromschoolthedayofthepartyordancemaynotbepermittedtoattendschoolactivities
thatevening.
KnoxvilleMiddleSchoolAdministrationretainsthediscretiontomakedecisionsonacasebycasebasis.

Detention&Suspension

Detention:StudentsandparentsareresponsibleforknowingKnoxvilleSchoolpoliciesandexpectations.Detention
maybeassignedatthediscretionoftheKnoxvilleMiddleSchoolstaffandadministrationifthesepoliciesand
expectationsarenotmet.Anattempttonotifytheparent/guardianwillbemadewhenstudentshavebeenaskedto
serveadetention.IfastudentfailstosatisfactorilyresolvethedetentionsetforthbytheKnoxvilleMiddleSchool
staff,additionalconsequencesmaybeapplied(e.g.,additionaltime,suspension).Unlesspriorarrangementhas
beenmadewithapprovaloftheKnoxvilleMiddleSchoolpersonnelwhoassignedthedetention,theassignedtime
istobeservedwiththatstaffmemberwithintwoschooldaysinattendancefromthedateassigned.Staffand
studentsareexpectedtodiscusstheinappropriatebehaviorandaplanforimprovement.

Suspension:Asuspensionisadisciplinaryactiontakenbytheschoolofficialsthattemporarilyprohibitsastudent
fromattendingregularclassesandrelatedschoolevents.Thelengthofthesuspensionwillnormallyvaryfromone
daytotendaysdependingontheoffense.Whenapupilissuspendedoutofschool,heorshewillbesuspendedby
aschoolauthoritywhowillattempttonotifyparents.Thesuspendedstudentwillnotbeallowedontheschool
groundsorinthebuildingduringthetimeofsuspension.Studentswillnotbeallowedtoparticipateinorattend
schoolactivitiesduringtheperiodoftheoutofschoolsuspension.TheKnoxvilleMiddleSchoolsuspensionpolicy
maybemodifiedtoaccommodatethespecialneedsofstudentswhohaveawrittenandapprovedBehavioral
ManagementPlanand/orawrittenandapprovedIndividualEducationalPlan.Ifastudentreceivesasuspensionthe
lastweekofschool,he/shewillbeginthenextschoolyearwiththissuspensionontheirfile,ifthesuspensionhas
notbeencompleted.KnoxvilleMiddleSchooladministrationretainsthediscretionofdeterminingsuspensionsona
casebycasebasis.

WhenstudentsareplacedonInSchoolInstruction(ISI),theyareallowedtopracticeinextracurricularactivities,
buttheyarenotallowedtoperforminanycontests,concerts,performances,orgames.Studentswillbeallowedto
performatcocurricularactivitiesthatdirectlyaffectthestudentsgrade.

Atadministrativediscretion,parentsandguardianshavethealternativeofattendingschool,withthestudent,for
InSchoolInstructionsuspensiondates.Thisapproachprovidesthestudentoneononeattentiontohelpteach
appropriateexpectationsinaschoolsetting.Participationincontestsandgameswillbeaffectedaspreviously
stated.

StudentAdvisory
TheStudentAdvisoryCommitteeiscomposedof6th,7th,8thgradestudentrepresentatives.TheStudentAdvisory
CommitteewasdevelopedtoimproveandmaintainpositiverelationsbetweenKnoxvilleMiddleSchoolstudents,
KnoxvilleMiddleSchoolstaff,administration,andthesurroundingcommunity.Thecommitteemayassistby
volunteeringservices,planningeventsandprograms,makingcontacts,and/orprovidefundingforKnoxville
MiddleSchoolimprovements,eventsandprograms.

ElectionandRemovalProcess
1. EighthGrade:sixrepresentativeswillbedeterminedthroughaclasselectionprocess.Apresident,and
vicepresidentwillbeselected.Asecretarywillbeappointedbythepresidentfromthe4representatives
selected.

50

2. SeventhGrade:Sixrepresentativeswillbeelectedfromstudentscompletinganapplicationform.The
studentsmusthaveparentpermission,teacherapprovalandexpectationssigned.Awrittenballotwillbe
takentovoteforthesixrepresentatives.
3. SixthGrade:Sixrepresentativeswillbeelectedfromstudentscompletingtheapplicationform.The
studentsmusthaveparentpermission,teacherapproval,classmateapproval,andexpectationssigned.A
writtenballotwillbetakentovoteforthesixrepresentatives.
4. AllrepresentativeswillbeelectedbythethirdTuesdayofSeptember,unlesstheschoolcalendarmakesthis
unreasonable.
5. Representativesareallowedtwoabsencesfrommeetingsthroughouttheyear.Ifamemberreachesthree
absences,ameetingwithanadvisorwillbeheld.Aphonecallwillbemadetotheparentstoinformthem
thattheirstudentisnotshowingtheleadershipqualitiesrequiredtobeontheStudentAdvisory.Ifthereare
extenuatingcircumstances,themembermaybeallowedtocontinue.Ifnot,theywillberemovedfromthe
StudentAdvisory.
6. Representativeswillbereplacedwithacandidatenominatedbytheirclassrepresentativesifastudentis
removedfromtheadvisorycommitteeormovestoanotherschooldistrict.The8thgrademayholdaspecial
election.

TalentedandGifted

StudentassessmentdataandteacherrecommendationsareusedtoselectstudentsforparticipationintheTalented
andGiftedProgram.APersonalEducationPlan(PEP)iscreatedforeachstudenttomaximizetheirlearning.Fora
morecompletedescriptionoftheprogram,pleasecallthemiddleschoolandaskforaTAGfacilitatororthe
principal.

SkillBuilding
Skillbuildingclassesareofferedinmathandreadingtostudentswhoaredeterminedtobenonproficientinthese
areasbasedonMAPandIowaAssessmentdata.Theclassesreplaceanexploratoryclass.Theobjectiveisto
increasethestudentsproficiencysothatheorsheisabletosuccessfullycompletehisorherregulareducation
classesnowandinthefuture.Thisisanoptionforanystudentwhoscoresatthe50thpercentileorbelow.
However,ifastudentisnonproficient,heorshewillberequiredtobeenrolledinskillbuildingclasses.Students
maymovebetweendifferentskillbuildinggroupsdependingonthestudentsindividualneed.

BuildingAssistanceteam(B.A.T.)
TheBuildingAssistanceTeamisaproblemsolvingteamfacilitatedbygradelevelteachers.Studentsexperiencing
academicand/orbehavioraldifficultiesarebroughttotheattentionoftheB.A.T.Studentscanvolunteerorbe
referredtotheB.A.T.byparents,anyKnoxvilleMiddleSchoolstaff,oranysupportagencyhavingavestedinterest
inthesuccessofthestudent.TheB.A.T.examinestheacademicorbehavioralconcernsbeingexperiencedbythe
studentandrecommendsmodificationsand/orinterventionstoaddresstheconcern.Followupmeetingsallowfor
evaluationandassessmentofthemodificationsand/orinterventions.TheB.A.T.isintendedtobeapositiveand
cooperativeeffortbetweenstudents,parents,counselors,AreaEducationAgencyresources,KnoxvilleMiddle
Schoolstaffandadministration,andanyotherappropriatesupportagencyorpersonnelwhocanassistinthe
successofKnoxvilleMiddleSchoolstudents.

ExtraCurricularPrograms
ThefollowingextracurricularathleticactivitiesareofferedtoeligibleseventhandeighthgradeKMSstudents:

FallFootball,Volleyball,andCrossCountrySpringTrack

WinterWrestling,BasketballSummerBaseball,Softball

51

Schedules,whichincludethelocation,timeanddatesofallpracticesandcontests,willbedispersedtoall
participatingstudents.Additionalcopiesofathleticactivitiesmaybeobtainedfromthecoachingstafforby
contactingtheActivitiesDirector.

ParticipationinExtraCurricularActivitiesisconsideredanimportantcomponentoftheMiddleSchoolexperience.
Programsaredesignedtodevelopsocial,emotional,intellectual,andphysicalneedsofmiddleschoolstudents.
However,participationisaprivilege.ParticipantsaresubjecttoexpectationsofKnoxvilleMiddleSchool
administration,staff,supervisors,coachesand/orsponsors.Additionalinformationregardingstudenteligibilityand
responsibilitiescanbelocatedinthefollowingsectionsofthishandbookGradingandEvaluations,Student
ConductandExpectations,theKnoxvilleMiddleSchoolAcademicIneligibilityPolicy,andtheLegalWaiversand
Codes.

Anapprovedathleticphysicalform,proofofapplicableinsuranceorinsurancewaiver,andcodeofconductform
mustbefiledwiththeKnoxvilleSchoolDistrictpriortoengaginginanyphysicalparticipationofextracurricular
athletics.

Studentswhowishtoparticipateinschoolsponsoredactivitiesmustattendtheentireschooldaythedayofthe
activityunlesspermissionhasbeengiven,inadvance,bytheschooladministration.KnoxvilleMiddleSchool
administrationretainsthediscretiontomakedeterminationsonacasebycasebasis.

AcademicEligibilityPolicy
Allgraded,cocurricular,andnongradedactivitieswillbesubjecttothispolicy.Eligibilitywillbeevaluated
approximatelyeverytwoweeks,andIneligibilityReportswillbemailedhome.Eachsemester,studentswillbe
grantedawarningthatresultsinagraceperiodoftwoweeks.Thewarningwillapplytothefirsteligibilityperiod
thestudentisdeclaredineligible.

Astudentwhoreceivesafailinggrade,inanyclass,ontheirreportcard,progressreport,orbiweeklyeligibilitylist
willbeconsideredineligibletoparticipateincontestsandperformancesforatleastaperiodoftwoweeks.Please
contactthemiddleschoolofficeforacopyofthegradingschedule.Theclassroomteacherwillmakeaphonecall
orsendanemailtotheparentsofanystudentfailingatthetimereportsarecalculated.

Astudentmayregaintheireligibilitythroughthefollowing:
Eligibilitymayberegainedonlyafterthetwoweekperiodhasexpired.
Gradesinallclasseswillbecheckedattheendofthesecondweekfollowingthestudenthavingbeen
declaredineligible.
Ifthegradesmeettheeligibilityrequirements,thestudentwillbecomeeligibleonthenexteligibilitydate.
Ifthestudentisrequiredtoperformaspartofagrade(e.g.bandorchorus),thestudentmayeitherbe
allowedtoparticipateorbewithheldfromparticipationwithoutanyimpactonthestudentsgradeforthe
course.Theinstructorwillmakethedecisionregardingparticipation.

(7thand8thgradeIowaHighSchoolAthleticUnionboysandgirls)
Astudentwhoparticipatesinhighschoolbaseballorsoftballattheconclusionoftheir8thgradeyearmustmeetthe
requirementsofthehighschoolseligibilitypolicy.

PersonalElectronics
Studentsareaskedtoleaveelectronicsathome.Ifitisnecessaryforastudenttohaveoneoftheseitems,itmustbe
leftinthelockerandcannotbeusedduringschoolhourswithoutpermission.Ifnoiseiscomingfromalocker,the
52

lockerwillbeopenedandtheitemwillbebroughttotheoffice.Headphonesmaybeusedduringlunchonly.Atall
othertimes,theyshouldbeturnedoff,removedfromears,andplacedinthestudentslocker.Anypicturestaken
duringtheschooldaymustbeinconjunctionwithateacherassignedproject.Nopictureistobetakenwithoutthe
personsconsent.Theschoolisnotresponsiblefortheloss,theft,ordamageofpersonalitems.Typicalresponseto
infractionsofelectronicusewillbeforthestudenttogivetheitemtothestaffmembertobeturnedintotheoffice.
Thestudentmayretrievetheitemattheendofthedayforfirstinfractions.Secondinfractionsrequireaparentto
pickuptheitem.Thirdinfractionsmayresultinsuspension.Inappropriateuseofacellphonewillresultin
disciplineuptoarecommendationtotheboardforexpulsion.Examplesincludebutnotlimitedto,academic
cheating,inappropriateuseofacameraorvideocomponentofacellphoneinalockerroomorforthepurposeof
ridiculinganotherperson,orinappropriatetextmessagesusedtoharassanotherstudent.Phonesmaybeturned
overtolawenforcementandmaybesubjecttosearch.

KnoxvilleHighSchoolInformation

OpenCampusPrivileges

Opencampuslistswillbereviewedperiodically.GPAswillbereviewedperiodically.Gradesandbehaviorwillbe
reviewedattheconclusionofeachsemester.
Alljuniorsandseniorsmayleavethebuildingduringlunch.Thisisaprivilegeandmayberevokedby
administrationifstudentsfailtocomplywithexpectations.

Toearnopencampusprivileges,juniorsandseniorsmustmeetthefollowingcriteria:
1. Aparentalreleaseformonfileintheoffice.
2. AllgradesmustbeaD+orhigherwhenperiodicgradechecksarecompleted.
3. Juniorsmusthaveaminimumof20creditstowardgraduation.Seniorsmusthaveaminimumof32credits
towardgraduation.
4. Whenastudentleavesthebuilding,thatstudentmustleaveschoolproperty.Ifdrivingstudentsmustleave
schoolproperty,theyarenotallowedtodrivearoundschoolgrounds.Uponreturningtoschool,students
mustlegallyparktheirvehiclesinthestudentparkingarea.Studentsmustnotloiterintheparkinglot.
5. TeacherscanrequestjuniorsandseniorstoattendPantherTime.Thisrequestsupersedesopencampus
privileges.Failuretocomplywithsucharequestwillresultintotallossofopencampusprivileges.

Reasonsforlossofopencampusprivileges:

UnexcusedabsencesLossofopencampusfor9weeksforeachunexcusedabsence
AbsencesLossofopencampusforthesemesterif8absencesareaccumulated
TardiesLossofopencampusmayoccurifdeemednecessarybyadministration
BehaviorAdministrationmayrevokeopencampusprivilegesasaconsequenceforinappropriatebehavior
SuspensionOpencampusmaybelostforaperiodoftime,uptothedurationoftheschoolyear,ifa
studentreceivesasuspension
Studentsthatdonotreturnfromopencampusoraremorethanfiveminuteslatemayloseopencampus
privilegesbasedonthediscretionoftheassistantprincipalorprincipal.

DroppingClassesafter2daySemesterDeadline

53

Changesafterthefirsttwodaysofeachsemesterwillbemadeonlyontherecommendationofthe
guidanceofficeortheteacherinvolved.Anystudentdroppedfromclassafterthistimewillhavean"F"
recordedontheirpermanentrecord.Anystudentdroppedfromaclassforanyotherreasonwillreceivea
Wontheirpermanentrecord.

Studentsenrolledinanycollegecourse,maydropthatclasswithoutpenaltyonorbeforethedropdate
establishedbytheenrollingcollege.Pleasenote:differentcollegesmayhavedifferentdropdates(ex:
CentralsdropdatemaybedifferentthanthedropdateatDMACC).

CommonsBeforeSchool

Studentsareexpectedtokeepthecommonscleanbeforeschool.Studentsthatbringfoodanddrinkto
thecommonsbeforeschoolarerequiredtocleanupafterthemselves.Failuretokeepthecommons
cleanbeforeschoolwillresultinoutsidefoodnotbeingallowedinthecommonsarea.

UnexcusedAbsences/RemovalfromClass

Astudentwhohasanunexcusedabsencemaybesubjecttodisciplinaryactionfromadministration.
Accumulationofsixunexcusedabsencesinaclassmayresultinthestudentbeingdroppedfromthat
classwithagradeofF.Removalfromaclassfordisciplinereasonswillresultinthestudentnot
receivinganycredittowardgraduation.Astudentmayberemovedfromaclassforthebalanceofthe
semesterifitisdeterminedthatthebehaviorsituationisserious.Thestudentwillreporttothemedia
centerandwillberequiredtocompletearemedialcourseonlineinsteadofthatscheduledclass.When
studentsareremovedfromaclassfordisruptivebehavior,aparentmeetingmayberequiredbeforea
studentcanreturntotheclass.

TardyProcedure

Studentsareallowed3tardypassestoclasspersemester.Foreachadditionaltardy,studentsmay
receivedetentionfromtheclassroomteacher.Ifastudentistardymorethan5timestoaclass,aparent
contactwillbemade,andthestudentmayloseprivilegesandberequiredtomakeupmissedclasstime.
Theadministrationwilldecideonacasebycasebasisifatardywillbeexcused.

Detention&Suspension

Detention:StudentsandparentsareresponsibleforknowingKnoxvilleSchoolpoliciesandexpectations.Detention
maybeassignedatthediscretionoftheKnoxvilleMiddleSchoolstaffandadministrationifthesepoliciesand
expectationsarenotmet.Anattempttonotifytheparent/guardianwillbemadewhenstudentshavebeenaskedto
serveadetention.IfastudentfailstosatisfactorilyresolvethedetentionsetforthbytheKnoxvilleMiddleSchool
staff,additionalconsequencesmaybeapplied(e.g.,additionaltime,suspension).Unlesspriorarrangementhas
beenmadewithapprovaloftheKnoxvilleMiddleSchoolpersonnelwhoassignedthedetention,theassignedtime
istobeservedwiththatstaffmemberwithintwoschooldaysinattendancefromthedateassigned.Staffand
studentsareexpectedtodiscusstheinappropriatebehaviorandaplanforimprovement.

Suspension:Whenapupilissuspendedoutofschoolorinschool,heorshewillbesuspendedbyaschoolauthority
whowillattempttonotifyparents.Thesuspendedstudentwillnotbeallowedontheschoolgroundsorinthe
54

buildingduringthetimeofoutofschoolsuspension.Studentswillnotbeallowedtoparticipateinorattendschool
activitiesduringtheperiodoftheinschooloroutofschoolsuspension.

SigningoutoftheBuilding

Ifastudentmustleavethebuildingbecauseofillnessorforanyreasonotherthanaclassoropen
campus,thestudentmustmakearrangementsbeforehandandsignoutintheofficewhenhe/sheleaves
andalsosigninwhenreturningtothebuilding.Leavingschoolwithoutpermissionisclassifiedas
unexcusedabsence.Anystudentwhohasbeenabsentfromclasstheofficebeforeattendingclass.

SUPPLEMENTALMATERIALS
DepartmentofPublicHealthListingofCommunicableandInfectiousDiseasesandReportingFormExhibitA
ParentalNotificationUnderNCLB(NoChildleftBehind)ExhibitB
IowaDepartmentofEducationGuidanceonStudentFeesExhibitC
EXHIBITA

CommunicableDiseases

55


EXHIBITB

No Child Left Behind Act

ParentalNotificationUnderNCLBA
TheNoChildLeftBehindAct(NCBLA)requiresschoolstogiveparentsmanydifferentkindsofinformationand
noticesinauniformandunderstandableformat,andtotheextentpracticable,inalanguagethattheparentscan
understand.Listedbelowaresomeoftherequirementsthatareinadditiontothedistrictsannualreportcard.(It
includesonlythosenoticesthatmustbemadetoparentsbyschooldistrictsorindividualpublicschools.)

1.Atthebeginningofeachschoolyear,schooldistrictsthatreceiveTitleIfundsmustnotifyparents(ofeach
studentattendingeveryschoolreceivingTitleIfunds)thattheymayrequest,andthedistrictwillprovideparentson
request(andinatimelymanner),informationregardingtheprofessionalqualificationsofthestudentsclassroom
teachers,includingthefollowing:
whethertheteacherhasmetstatelicensingcriteriaforthegradelevel(s)andsubjectarea(s)taughtwhether
theteacheristeachingunderemergencyorprovisionalstatusthroughwhichstatelicensingcriteriahave
beenwaived.
theundergraduatedegreemajoroftheteacher,andanygraduatecertificationordegreeheldbytheteacher,
includingthefieldofdisciplineofthecertificationordegree.
ifthechildisprovidedservicesbyparaprofessionals,theirqualifications

2.AschoolthatreceivesTitleIfundsmustprovideeachparentinformationontheachievementleveloftheirchild
oneachofthestateacademicassessmentsassoonasispracticablypossibleafterthetestistaken.Suchaschool
mustalsogivetimelynoticethattheparentschildhasbeenassignedorhasbeentaughtforfourormore
consecutiveweeksbyateacherwhoisnothighlyqualified.

3.Aschooldistrictthatusesfederalfundstoprovidealanguageinstructioneducationprogramforchildrenwith
limitedEnglishproficiencymust,nolaterthan30daysafterthebeginningoftheschoolyear,givetheparent(s)of
eachchildidentifiedforparticipationorparticipatinginsuchaprogramthefollowinginformation:whythechildis
placedintheprogramthechildslevelofEnglishproficiency,howthatlevelwasdeterminedandthestatusofthe
childsacademicachievementmethodsofinstructionintheprograminwhichtheirchildisplacedandthoseof
otheravailableprogramshowtheprogramwillmeettheeducationalneedsoftheirchildhowtheprogramwill
helptheirchildlearnEnglishandmeetageappropriateacademicachievementstandardsforgradepromotionand
graduationthespecificexitrequirementsfortheprograminthecaseofachildwithadisability,howtheprogram
meetsthechildsIEPobjectivesandinformationaboutparentalrights.ForachildnotidentifiedaslimitedEnglish
proficientpriortothebeginningoftheschoolyear,thedistrictmustnotifyparentswithinthefirsttwoweeksofthe
childbeingplacedinsuchaprogram.

4.AschooldistrictreceivingTitle1fundsmustpromptlynotifyparentsofeachstudentenrolledinanelementary
orsecondaryschoolidentifiedforimprovement,correctiveactionorrestructuringthattheschoolhasbeenso
identified.
Thenotificationshouldalsoinclude:
anexplanationofwhattheidentificationmeans
howtheschoolcomparesintermsofacademicachievementwithotherschoolsinthedistrictandinthe
state
thereasonsfortheidentification
whattheschoolisdoingtoaddresslowachievement
whatthedistrictandstatewilldotohelptheschool
howtheparentscanbecomeinvolvedinaddressingtheschoolsacademicissuesand,
anexplanationoftheparentsoptiontotransfertheirchildtoanotherpublicschoolortoobtain
supplementaleducationalservicesforthechild.
56

ParentalNotificationUnderNCLBAIfaschoolissubjecttorestructuring,thedistrictmustpromptlynotifythe
teachersandparentsandprovidethemanopportunitytocommentbeforeanyactionistakenandtoparticipatein
developinganyrestructuringplan.

5.Ifaschoolfailstomakeadequateyearlyprogressaccordingtocertainstatutorytimetables,thedistrictmust
makesupplementaleducationalservicesavailabletoeligiblechildrenintheschool.Thedistrictmustprovide
annualnoticetoparentsoftheavailabilityoftheseservices,theidentityofapprovedprovidersoftheseservicesand
abriefdescriptionoftheservices,qualificationsanddemonstratedeffectivenessofeachprovider.

6.AdistrictreceivingTitleIfundsandeachschoolservedunderTitleImustjointlydevelopwithanddistributeto
parentsofchildrenparticipatinginTitleIprogramsawrittenparentalinvolvementpolicy.Ifaschoolordistricthas
aparentalinvolvementpolicythatappliestoallparents,itmayamendthepolicytomeettherequirementsunderthe
NCLBA.
Schoolsmust:
holdatleastoneannualmeetingforTitleIparents
offeraflexiblenumberofmeetings
involveparentsinanongoingmannerintheplanning,reviewandimprovementofTitleIprograms
provideTitleIparentswithinformationabouttheprograms,adescriptionandexplanationofthe
curriculum,formsofacademicassessment
ifrequested,opportunitiesforregularmeetingstodiscusstheeducationoftheirchildrenand
developaschoolparentcompactthatoutlinestheresponsibilitiesofeachpartyforimprovedstudent
academicachievement

7.Adistrictreceivingsafeanddrugfreeschoolprogramfundsmustinformandinvolveparentsinviolenceand
drugpreventionefforts.Thedistrictmustmakereasonableeffortstoinformparentsofthecontentofsafeanddrug
freeschoolprogramsandactivitiesotherthanclassroominstruction.Ifaparentobjectsinwriting,thedistrictmust
withdrawthestudentfromtheprogramoractivity.

8.Adistrictmustmakereasonableeffortstoinformparentsandthepublicabouttheirrighttoaccesstoall
assessmentdata(exceptpersonallyidentifiableinformation),questionsandcurrentassessmentinstruments.
Districts,schoolsandstudentsmayvoluntarilyparticipateintheNationalAssessmentofEducationalProgress.
ParentsofchildrenselectedtoparticipateinanyNAEPassessmentmustbeinformedbeforetheassessmentis
administeredthattheirchildmaybeexcusedfromparticipationforanyreason,isnotrequiredtofinishany
assessmentandisnotrequiredtoansweranytestquestion.

9.Districtsreceivingfederaleducationfundsmustnotifyparentsofsecondaryschoolstudentsthattheyhavea
righttorequestthattheirchildsname,addressandtelephonenumbernotbereleasedtoamilitaryrecruiterwithout
theirpriorwrittenconsent.Districtsmustcomplywithanysuchrequest.

10.Tobeeligibleforfederalfundsforprogramsassistingtheeducationofhomelesschildren,adistrictmust
providewrittennoticetotheparentsofeachchildenrolledinaseparateschoolforhomelesschildrenofthechoice
ofschoolsthathomelesschildrenareeligibletoattend.Theyshouldalsobenotifiedthatnohomelesschildis
requiredtoattendaseparateschool,andthathomelesschildrenmustbeprovidedtransportationservices,
educationalservicesandmealsthroughschoolmealprogramscomparabletothoseofferedtootherchildreninthe
schoolattended.Thenoticemustalsoincludecontactinformationforthelocalliaisonforhomelesschildrenandthe
statecoordinatorforeducationofhomelesschildren.

11.Adistrictmustdevelopandadoptpoliciesregardingtherightsofparentstoinspectthirdpartysurveysbefore
theyaredistributedtostudentsandtakemeasurestoprotectstudentprivacywhensurveysaskforcertainsensitive
informationparentalrighttoinspectanyinstructionalmaterialsadministrationofphysicalexaminationsor
screeningofstudentscollection,disclosureoruseofpersonalinformationfromstudentsforthepurposeof
marketingorsellingthatinformationandtheparentalrighttoinspectanyinstrumentusedtocollectpersonal
57

informationbeforeitisdistributedtostudents.Districtsmustgiveparentsannualnoticeofadoption,substantive
changesin,orcontinueduseofsuchpolicies.

12.Districtsmustgiveparentsannualnoticeatthebeginningoftheschoolyearofthespecificorapproximatedates
duringtheschoolyearwhenthefollowingactivitiesarescheduledorexpectedtobescheduled:
activitiesinvolvingthecollection,disclosureoruseofpersonalstudentinformationforthepurposeof
marketingorsellingthatinformation
administrationofsurveysthatcontainrequestsforcertaintypesofsensitiveinformation
anynonemergency,invasivephysicalexaminationthatisrequiredasaconditionofattendance,
administeredbytheschool,scheduledinadvance,andnotnecessarytoprotecttheimmediatehealthand
safetyofstudents.

13.IfaschooldistrictrequeststheU.S.SecretaryofEducationtowaiveanyprovisionorregulationofthe
NCLBA,itmustprovidenoticeandinformationaboutthewaivertothepublicinthemannerinwhichit
customarilyprovidespublicnotice.

Copyright 2002 National School Boards Association. All rights reserved. Permission granted to NSBA
federation members to reprint NSBA No Child Left Behind Act: N
otification and Reporting Requirements for
Local School Boards, August 2002.

58


EXHIBITC

Fees
ITEM

FEEALLOWED?

Textbooks,includingelectronictextbooks,and
supplementaryinstructionalmaterialswhichconvey
informationtothestudentorotherwisecontributeto
thelearningprocess
Softwareusedforinstruction

Worksheets

Studentplanners

Towelfee

Feeforcostsofcleaningandgeneralwearandtear
ofmarchingbanduniformorchoirperformance
robe
Rentalofmusicalinstrument

Chemicals,apparatususedbyeverystudentin
chemistryclass

RATIONALE

Yes

AuthorizedbyIOWACODEsection301.1astextbooks

Yes

AuthorizedbyIOWACODEsection301.1astextbooks

Yes

AuthorizedbyIOWACODEsection301.1astextbooks

Yes

AuthorizedbyIOWACODEsection301.1asschool
supply
AuthorizedbyIOWACODEsection301.1asschool
supply
AuthorizedbyIOWACODEsection301.1asschool
supply

Yes
Yes

Yes

AuthorizedbyIOWACODEsection301.1astextbooks

No

ProhibitedbyIOWACODEsection282.6andOAG#
791222astuition

Woodinwoodshop

Foodsinfoodclass

Cloth,sewingsuppliesinsewingclass
Differencebetweenthebasicrawmaterial(seerow
Yes
directlyabove)andastudentsvoluntarilychosen
upgrade(e.g.,pinewoodupgradedtowalnutor
basiccottonclothupgradedtofinergradeofcloth)
Eyeprotectivedevice
Yes
Earprotectivedevice
Yes
Drivereducationcourse
Yes
Summerschoolcourses
Yes
Discretionarytransportationofpupilstoandfromschool(less
than2milesfromelementaryormiddleschoolorlessthan3
milesfromhighschool)
Transportationforextracurricularevents
Anycostassociatedwithfieldtrips(e.g.,admission,
transportation)

AuthorizedbyIOWACODEsection280.10
AuthorizedbyIOWACODEsection280.11
AuthorizedbyIOWACODEsection282.6
AuthorizedbyIOWACODEsection282.6
Yes
AuthorizedbyIOWACODEsection285.1(1)

LinefeesforbowlingaspartofPhysicalEducationcost

No

Flowers,balloondrop,otherdecorations,securityall
associatedwithgraduationceremony

No

Locker,lockfees

No

AuthorizedbyIOWACODEsection301.1asschool
supply

No
No

ProhibitedbyIOWACODEsection285.10(9)
ProhibitedbyIOWACODEsection282.6as
tuitionassumingthefieldtripisduringa
daythatiscountedbythedistrictasaday
ofinstruction
ProhibitedbyIOWACODEsection282.6as
tuition
Noauthorizationexistsandthereisno
meansbywhichthiscanbemade
voluntaryforindividualstudents
ProhibitedbyIOWACODEsection282.6as
tuition(partoffacility)

59

ITEMSFORSALEASVOLUNTARY
PURCHASESTOSTUDENTS

Parkingpermit

Yearbook,MemoryBook,School
Newspaper

Classring

Dancetickets

CHARGEALLOWED
RATIONALE
FORNOMORE

THANACTUAL
COST?
Yes
AuthorizedbyIOWACODEsection279.9
Yes

Aslongasthepurchaseisvoluntary,thisisnotregulatedby
statelaw

Yes

Aslongasthepurchaseisvoluntary,thisisnotregulatedby
statelaw
Yes
Aslongasthepurchaseisvoluntary,thisisnotregulatedby
statelaw

Activitytickets
Yes
Aslongasthepurchaseisvoluntary,thisisnotregulatedby

statelaw
Graduationcap,gown,tassel
Yes
Aslongasthepurchaseisvoluntary,thisisnotregulatedby

statelaw
Diploma
No
Ifearned,thedistrictmustprovideadiploma
andthereisnoauthorizationbywhichto
chargeafeefordoingso
Diplomacover(notthediplomaitself)
Yes
Aslongasthepurchaseisvoluntary,thisisnot
regulatedbystatelaw
MISCELLANEOUSITEMSFORWHICHA
CHARGEALLOWED
RATIONALE
CHARGEISALLOWED
FORNOMORE

THANACTUAL
COST?
NSFcheckcharges
Yes
Thisisnotregulatedbyeducationlaw

DuplicatestudentIDs
Yes
Thisisnotregulatedbyeducationlaw

Finesforoverdueschoolbooksorlost,damaged,
Yes
Permittedby281IAC18.4
destroyeditems

Monetarypenaltyforviolationofparking
Yes
AuthorizedbyIOWACODEsection279.8A,if
regulation
amountisreasonable

60