Aurora Heights Elementary School
Telephone: 641-792-7324
Fax Number: 641-792-7701
All Staff members have school email as follows:
Last name, no space, first initial@newton.k12.ia.us
Log on to the district
web site at: www.newton.k12.ia.us and follow the
links to
.
Welcome to the 2009-2010 school year at
If you have questions now, or at any time throughout the school year, please feel free to contact a teacher or the principal. As we all work together---students, parents, staff, and administration---we can expect to have a very successful year.
As your principal, I am very excited about the privilege of
working with the students, staff, and families of
We hold as our priority learning for each child to reach
potential in a culture of caring and encouragement. Join us as we make this the best year ever
for learning and growing together in 2009-2010 with our “Tropical Knights at
Sincerely,
Carol Farver, Principal
A.H. STAFF
Staff List
BECOMING A STUDENT
REGISTRATION AND FEE WAIVERS
ENTRANCE/ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
OPEN ENROLLMENT
STUDENT RECORDS
STUDENT DIRECTORY INFORMATION
RELEASE OF PHOTOGRAPHS
SCHOOL DAY AND WEDNESDAY EARLY DISMISSAL
SCHOOL CYCLE DAYS
SCHOOL DAY SCHEDULE
BREAKFAST PROGRAM
LUNCH PROGRAM
FOOD SERVICE DEPOSITS & PRICES
ABSENT/TARDY
STUDENT RELEASE AND ADULT VISITATION
DETENTION
STUDENT APPEARANCE AND DRESS
SCHOOL PROPERTY / VANDALISM
USE OF BICYCLES, SKATEBOARDS, ROLLER BLADES
WINTER PLAYGROUND RULES
STUDENT CONDUCT
CODE OF CITIZENSHIP
SCHOOL DISCIPLINE POLICIES
ARTICLES PROHIBITED
ALCOHOL, TOBACCO, DRUGS
SCHOOL TELEPHONE
LOST AND FOUND
TOYS, RADIOS, VALUABLES,AND OTHER PERSONAL ITEMS
PETS AT SCHOOL
FLOWERS, BALLOONS AND OTHER DELIVERIES
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS FEE
ACTIVITY TICKETS
INTERNET USE POLICY
MOVING
BULLYING
INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM SERVICES AND RESOURCES
EQUAL EDUCATIONAL
MULTICULTURAL NON/SEXIST EDUCATION
HARASSMENT
STUDENT DUE PROCESS RIGHTS
HUMAN GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT
FIELD TRIPS
TEXTBOOKS
BIRTHDAYS
STUDENT COUNCIL
GUIDANCE SERVICES
STANDARDIZED TESTS
AEA 11 SUPPORT SERVICES
PTA
SCHOOL VOLUNTEERS
MENTORING PROGRAM
NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND
HEALTH AND SAFETY
PROCEDURE FOR REPORTING ABUSE
SEARCH OF DESKS AND LOCKERS
ASBESTOS MANAGEMENT
RIGHT TO KNOW
HEALTH GUIDELINES
COMMUNICABLE DISEASES
HEALTH SCREENING
STAYING IN AT RECESS
ILLNESS AND INJURY
MEDICATIONS
FIRE, TORNADO, DISASTER DRILLS
UNSCHEDULED SCHOOL CANCELLATIONS
SCHOOL RESPONSIBILITIES
PARENT/GUARDIAN RESPONSIBILITIES
PUPIL RESPONSIBILITIES
HOME AND SCHOOL COMMUNICATIONS
NEWSLETTERS, WEB PAGE AND COMMUNICATIONS
PROGRESS REPORTS AND CONFERENCES
COMPLAINTS AND GRIEVANCES
SCHOOL VISITATIONS
TRANSPORTATION ARRANGEMENTS AND
STAFF COMMUNICATIONS
ASSIGNMENT: STAFF: ROOM:
TRANSITIONAL
TKR MINDY
ROORDA 119
KINDERGARTEN
KB BARB
BURNETT 123
KS COLLEEN
SHERIFF 125
FIRST GRADE
1C JESSICA
COLE 126
1V MARIA
VANDENOORD 124
SECOND GRADE
2E JEN
ELBERT 110
2S KAREN
SHUMP 111
THIRD GRADE
3C JANE
CIBULA 109
3O KRYSTEN
OSBY 108
FOURTH GRADE
4M MICHELLE
MODLIN 114
4S SUSAN
SHEEKS 112
FIFTH GRADE
5LK LANITA
KEETON 139
5PK PAULA
KLOSTERBOER 138
SIXTH GRADE
6L NICOLE
LAMPE 134
6V KIM
VANDERLAAN 133
AEA STAFF:
CONSULTANT RUTH MOORE 115
PSYCHOLOGIST
115
SPEECH PATHOLOGIST MARILYN GOERTEL-BREEN 115
ART JULIE
SAUGSTAD 110
BAND DEB STOULIL 101-103
COMPUTER LAB SANDRA STEPHENS 137
CUSTODIAN GARY
MCVAY 122
MURRY DAMMEIER 122
EARLY CHILDHOOD READING JOANNIE SANGER 128
FOOD SERVICE BREAKFAST: RHONDA PRENDERGAST 105
LUNCH: LAURA GALE 105
ANN
WILLIAMS 105
HARRIETT
ALLSPACH 105
SUSAN
THEIS 105
GUIDANCE COUNSELOR JEANNE BIRKENHOLZ 132
LRCM VICKI MILLER 130
LRCK SHELLY KOONS 120
LRC
MARY
ANN VAN MAAREN 120
KATHY
HOPMAN 120
JULIE
CREECH 120
L.M.C. SANDRA
STEPHENS 135
LMC
MUSIC LYNN
SCHWARCK 101
NTAG CORI LATCHAM 121
NURSE JODY
SMITH 116
HEALTH
ORCHESTRA MELISSA
MADSEN 101
P.E. HEIDI
WOOLLUMS 107
PRINCIPAL CAROL
FARVER 118
SECRETARY CHRIS
DUNSBERGEN 117
TITLE I READING JULIE FRANCISCO 127
REGISTRATION AND FEE WAIVERS
When you register your child for
school, you complete the required forms and pay the instructional materials fee,
or applied for a reduced fee wavier. The
following guidelines are used concerning fee waiver:
Any
student whose family meets the income guidelines for free and reduced price lunch,
the Family Investment Program (FIP), Supplemental Security Income (SSI),
transportation assistance under open enrollment, or who are in foster care are
eligible to have their students fees waived or partially waived. Any student whose family is experiencing a
temporary financial difficulty may be eligible for temporary delay of student
fees. Parents or students who believe they may qualify for temporary financial
hardship should contact the school office at registration time for the waiver
form. This waiver does not carry over from year to year
and must be completed annually.
ENTRANCE ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Children must be at least five years
old on or before September 15 of the year in which they wish to enroll in
kindergarten. Evidence of age in the
form of a birth certificate or other comparable evidence and a completed health
and immunization certificate must be presented for the child to enroll. Further questions concerning enrollment may
be directed to the school
office. Board Policy 501.2.
OPEN ENROLLMENT
Parents who wish to transfer their
child out of the district under Open Enrollment, may pick up appropriate forms
in the school district administrative office.
Additional questions may be addressed to the superintendent.
STUDENT RECORDS
In order to facilitate the
educational process of the student, records on each student are kept in the
building in which the student is currently attending. The custodian of the records is the building
principal. Questions regarding student
records should be directed to the principal's office. The records contain information about the
student and their education and may include but are not limited to the
following types of records:
identification data, attendance data, record of achievement, family
background data, aptitude tests, education and vocation plans, honors and
activities, discipline data, objective counselor or teacher ratings and
observations, and external agency reports. Parents of students may exercise
the opportunity to
review educational records of the student, to obtain copies of the records, to
write a response to material in the record, to challenge the content of the
record on grounds of inappropriateness, inaccuracy, or an invasion of privacy,
and to have the records explained.
STUDENT DIRECTORY INFORMATION
The
RELEASE OF PHOTOGRAPHS
In the
EXCHANGE OF STUDENT INFORMATION
Medical and school personnel
sometimes need to exchange information concerning a student. In that case, a parent must sign a release of
information form enabling this to take place.
SCHOOL DAY AND WEDNESDAY EARLY
DISMISSAL
School starts at
8:10 a.m. Children enter the building at
8:00 a.m. If your child does not ride a
school bus, please arrange to have your child leave home so he/she
arrives at school no earlier than 7:55 a.m. Before school during inclement weather,
students will be permitted to wait in the gym.
There will be no supervision
of the playground before 7:55 a.m. Students
eating school breakfast may enter at 7:50 a.m.
The school
dismissal times are Mon., Tues., Thurs.,
Fri.: 3:03 for bus students; and 3:08 p.m. for students not riding a bus. Wed.: classes will be dismissed one
hour early for staff development.
Classes will be dismissed at 2:03 p.m. for bus students and 2:08 p.m.
for other students. Please make sure you
have arrangements in place for these early dismissals as staff will be in
meetings and unavailable to students.
After school,
students should leave promptly unless they are with a teacher. For reasons of liability, safety, and
security, no student is permitted to be in the building outside of the regular
school day unless under
the direct instruction or supervision of a school employee.
SCHOOL CYCLE DAYS
School activities are scheduled by
cycle days. Each school day is given a
cycle day #1-6. Rather than schedule
special classes such as P.E., music, art, etc. on Monday, Wednesday, Friday or
Tuesday, Thursday; they are scheduled on cycle days to allow each special class
to have the same amount of class time with each grade.
Cycle days are
never skipped and only counted when school is held; i.e.: school was not held
December 5, cycle day 2 due to inclement weather and school resumed on December
6. December 6 then becomes cycle day 2,
December 7 cycle day 3, etc.
You will receive
school calendars every month in a newsletter from
SCHOOL DAY SCHEDULE
7:50 a.m.: Students eating breakfast
enter the building
8:00
a.m.: Students
enter the building
8:10
a.m.: Classes
begin
8:15
a.m.: Tardy
bell
2:03
p.m. Wed.: Bus students dismiss
2:08
p.m. Wed.:
Classes dismiss
3:03
p.m. Mon., Tues., Thurs., Fri.:
Bus students dismiss
3:08
p.m. Mon., Tues., Thurs., Fri.:
Classes dismiss
FOOD SERVICE
A breakfast and hot lunch menu will
be mailed home each month in a newsletter.
We encourage and expect good behavior, proper eating habits, and good
manners from our students at ALL TIMES in the lunchroom.
A breakfast program
(with 15 minutes to eat) for our students is offered on a daily basis. If you qualify for free or reduced lunch you
also qualify for free or reduced
breakfast. We feel
this is a service we can provide your child to assure he/she is not hungry
during the morning due to not eating breakfast before coming to school.
BREAKFAST PROGRAM SCHEDULE
Students are to
enter the double doors by the stage leading to the gym.
7:50-8:05 A.M. FOR TOWN STUDENTS - students to be in class by 8:15
a.m.
7:50-8:10 A.M. FOR BUS STUDENTS - Students to be in class by 8:18
a.m.
LUNCH PROGRAM SCHEDULE
Begin serving:
Grade TK 10:50 a.m.
Grade KB 10:55 a.m.
Grade K S 11:00 a.m.
Grade 1 11:05 a.m.
Grade 2 11:10 a.m.
Grade 3 11:15 a.m.
Grade 4 11:25 a.m.
Grade 5 11:28 a.m.
Grade 6 11:31 a.m.
We serve a nutritious and well
balanced lunch. All students are required to eat a hot or cold lunch. We don't care which one as long as
they eat! Sack lunches may be brought by
students from home or purchased through food service. We discourage
bringing pop to lunch. Lunches
must be eaten in the lunchroom. We
discourage students from sharing food.
Students may go home for lunch if they have written permission (signed
and dated) from their parent/guardian.
Students have only 30 minutes to eat and play at noon. Therefore, this does not leave much time to
go home.
FOOD SERVICE DEPOSITS AND PRICES
Money for BREAKFAST, LUNCH AND MILK
is to be deposited by students as soon as they arrive at school in the morning
in the gym. Please send the money in an envelope with the student’s name,
homeroom and amount to be deposited in their food service account written on
the outside. If they are to share the
money between siblings, be sure and indicate on the envelope how the money is
to be divided.
Food service
student accounts can be used ONLY for breakfast, lunch or milk. All ala carte items such as a cinnamon roll
etc. must be paid for in cash at the lunch line.
Free and reduced breakfast/lunch
applications are available in the school office. All results are kept confidential. All
students who wish to eat should have money in their food service account. Once a week, food service arrears slips are
sent home with students.
STUDENT BREAKFAST PRICES
Full price:
$1.25 a day
Reduced price:
$0.30 a day
ADULT BREAKFAST PRICE
$1.50 a day
STUDENT HOT LUNCH &
SACK LUNCH PRICES:
Full price:
$2.05 a day
Reduced price:
$0.40 a day
MILK PRICES:
$0.40 a day
ADULT LUNCH PRICE:
$2.70 a day
Parent/guardians may eat breakfast,
hot or sack lunch occasionally with their child, but need to call the school
before 8:45 a.m. to allow us to order the extra lunch. Please stop at the office to purchase your
ticket. WE DISCOURAGE PARENTS
FROM BRINGING LUNCH
TO SCHOOL FROM AREA
FAST FOOD RESTAURANTS,
ETC. We encourage you to
eat a hot or cold lunch with your child or take your child out to lunch with
you.
ABSENT/TARDY
Regular student
attendance is one of the biggest predictors of school achievement and success
later on in life. Please call the office
792-7324 by 9:00 a.m. if your child will NOT be attending school that day due
to illness or if your child will be tardy.
We will make the effort to contact parent/guardians who have not
called. If you leave for work prior to
the school office being open, you may call and leave the message on the voice
mail.
* If
a student is tardy more than 5 times during the school year, he/she will be
expected to make up the lost time at recess or after school.
STUDENT RELEASE & ADULT VISITATION DURING SCHOOL HOURS
VISITOR AND STUDENT CHECK IN AND
CHECK OUT POLICY at Aurora Heights School:
All school visitors including
volunteers and parents, are to come directly to the office upon arrival and
check in, where you will be given a visitor pass. Please wear
this pass during your visit and return
the pass to the office when you are leaving school. If you are picking up your child other than at the regular dismissal time
for an appointment, etc., please send a signed and dated note to school stating
what time your child is to be dismissed if you know of the appointment prior to
the beginning of the school day. This
note should be given to the classroom teacher.
When you come to pick up your child, you must check in at the
office. Your child will be sent to the
office to check out and leave with you.
This will minimize the disruption to the student’s classroom. No student will be allowed to leave until you
come to the office to check out your child.
We want school to be a safe environment for all children. As always, you are welcome at school anytime
and we hope you can visit sometime during the school year. Students will be allowed to leave school
grounds during school hours only with prior authorization from their
parent/guardian. Approved reasons for a
student leaving school during the school day include illness, family
emergencies, medical appointments, religious instruction, classes off school
grounds, and other reasons approved by the administration. Students leaving the building must sign in
and out at the office. In the interest
of our students' safety, parent/guardians are requested to report directly to
the office when picking their child up rather than going to the child's
classroom or expecting the child to come out to their vehicle.
For Perfect Attendance, a student
must be in school or at a school sponsored activity everyday from the time
school starts in the morning until the school day officially ends - 0 tardies and 0 absences.
Excellent Attendance will be given
to students with just 1 tardy or absence each semester.
Perfect
or Excellent Attendance certificates will be presented at the end of each
semester to those students who qualify.
DETENTION
Detention may be assigned by a
teacher or principal. It is a time
before school or after school when a student must be present. A student is given a one day notice so they
can notify their parent/guardian and arrange transportation.
After school study hall is available
for students needing extra assistance in grades 3rd - 6th on Tuesday and
Thursday from 3-4 pm. Teachers will need
parent permission for study hall attendance.
STUDENT APPEARANCE AND DRESS
Student dress and grooming must be
neat and in good taste so that each student shares in a positive, healthy and
safe environment at school. A student's
clothing often sets the stage for his/her actions, as well as that of other
children in the school. Parents are encouraged
to guide their children on their choice of clothes.
Skate
shoes are NOT to be worn or brought to school.
NO clothing may make reference to
alcohol, tobacco, or other illegal substances.
No halters, midriffs, or skimpy clothing are permitted. Student dress should be appropriate for the
weather. Students may be outside for 30
minutes. Being overdressed is often
better than under dressed....hats, gloves, and boots are necessary in cold
weather. PLEASE LABEL COATS, HATS, AND
GLOVES TO ASSIST WHEN ITEMS ARE LOST. Flip flops should not be worn outside or
during P.E. for safety reasons.
SCHOOL PROPERTY VANDALISM
Students are
expected to treat school property with care and respect. Students found to have deliberately damaged
or destroyed school property will be required to reimburse the school district,
as well as being subject to additional discipline. Board Policy 502.4.
USE OF BICYCLES, SKATEBOARDS, AND
ROLLER BLADES
Parents will be
asked to monitor if their child is a safe bike rider. Students who ride bikes to school are to
place them in the bike rack during the day.
Bike racks are not supervised. We
are not responsible for injury, vandalism, loss, etc. If your child rides a bicycle to school
he/she must take it directly to the
bicycle rack. Skateboards and roller
blades are to be placed in the student’s locker or classroom area. Skateboards, roller blades, etc. are NOT to be ridden in the school building or on the school grounds. Any student violating this guideline will be prohibited from bringing
them to school in the future. These
guidelines are established for everyone's safety.
WINTER PLAYGROUND RULES
1. A second layer of clothing and boots are
required to be off the blacktop area.
2. Sliding on the snow piles is permitted as
long as students act in a responsible manner.
3. NO throwing snowballs, kicking snow and/or
pushing at any time. These will result
in appropriate consequences being taken.
4. CONSEQUENCE FOR
RULE VIOLATION.
NO WARNING
GIVEN:
Benched or stand by
the fence for 1st and subsequent offenses.
Serious violations will result in an office behavior referral.
STUDENT CONDUCT
Please see the PBS Positive Behavior
Support information at the end of the handbook for additional information. Students are to conduct themselves in a
manner consistent with their age and grade level. For all students, this includes respect and
consideration for others. This conduct
is expected while on school premises, school buses and while attending or
engaging in school activities on or off school property. Students who exhibit
inappropriate behavior in the opinion of the staff and/or administration, shall
be subject to discipline. Inappropriate
behavior includes behavior which disrupts or interferes with the educational
program and the orderly and efficient operation of the school or the
educational atmosphere. Appropriate
disciplinary measures will be taken.
CODE OF CITIZENSHIP
As a student of
1. Be on time to school and classes.
2. Be prepared properly with assignments
completed.
3. Be respectful of public and private property.
4. Be a person who cooperates with classmates
and teachers.
5. Be respectful and courteous at all
times.
We encourage good citizenship and
emphasize the 6 pillars of character at all times. We enjoy observing students demonstrating
respectful attitudes toward peers and teachers and their diligence in meeting
personal responsibilities.
SCHOOL DISCIPLINE POLICIES
The Newton Community School Board
affirms its intent to support the school discipline policies, its intent to
support school staff who enforce the discipline policies, and its intent to
hold school staff accountable for implementing the discipline policies.
ARTICLES PROHIBITED AT SCHOOL
Items that are hazardous to the
safety of others or interferes with good education are prohibited.
A zero tolerance policy on dangerous weapons (real or
toy) is in effect, i.e.: gun, knife, etc. Violation may result in a student
suspension/expulsion. Board Policy 502.11.
ALCOHOL, TOBACCO, AND DRUGS
The use or
possession at school, on school property, or school functions of alcohol,
tobacco in all forms, or drugs, other than those prescribed by a doctor, are
FORBIDDEN. Board Policy 502.6.
SCHOOL TELEPHONE
The office telephone is to be used
for school business. Students will not
be called from class to answer the telephone except in the case of an
emergency. Messages will be delivered to
the student. IMPORTANT: Arrangements should be made and explained to children before coming to school
regarding after school care, going to a friend's house, overnight guests,
books, band instruments, lunch money, and other items needed for school. Please have an emergency care giver in place.
Students must ask permission from
their teacher before using the classroom telephone. Phone calls are allowed for: illness/injury or a teacher request (student
staying after school, etc.). These calls
are conducted by the office staff or the teacher. We request students use the telephone for legitimate
purposes and emergencies only. Telephone
calls for forgotten materials like books, requests to go somewhere after school
other than normal, etc. are not appropriate.
LOST AND FOUND
Books, book bags, and other items
that are found are to be placed in the lost and found. If you are missing any item, please check the
lost and found box in the custodian’s office.
If the item is valuable, such as money, purse, wallet, glasses, etc.,
check with the secretary. Please label
personal items.
TOYS, RADIOS, CELL PHONES,
ELECTRONIC DEVICES, VALUABLES, AND OTHER PERSONAL ITEMS
Radios, walkmans, cell phones,
electronic games, etc. should not be brought to school unless a special exception is approved by a teacher. Primary students may bring toys for
sharing if requested by the teacher for a unit of study. Students will assume responsibility for any
money, valuables, or personal items brought to school. All desks and lockers are the property of the
Newton Community Schools. The
PETS AT SCHOOL
Children often request to share a
pet at school. When this occurs,
arrangements must be made ahead of time with the teacher. An adult should bring the animal, assume
responsibility for the animal while it is in the building, and transport it to
and from school. No animals should be
brought into the building which could pose a safety hazard to anyone in the
building.
FLOWERS, BALLOONS, AND OTHER
DELIVERIES
Flowers, balloons, and other items
may NOT be delivered to students at school.
They make wonderful gifts but other students feel left out when they are
not the recipient. Please have them delivered
to your home.
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS FEES
Instructional materials fees for the
school year are due and payable at registration. Student fee is $60.00. You may apply for a student fee waiver based
on income guidelines.
ACTIVITY TICKETS
Activity tickets
for admission to
INTERNET USE POLICY
Students who do not follow the
proper procedures in using the internet will be subject to the following
consequences.
1st infraction: 1
week removal from internet access.
2nd
infraction: 4 weeks removal from
internet access
3rd
infraction: 8 weeks removal from
internet access
4th
infraction: 16 weeks removal from
internet access. Serious misuse may result in more immediate and long-term
consequences.
MOVING
Students planning to withdraw from
school must bring a written statement from their parent/guardian to the
office before the last day of attendance.
The school records will be mailed upon receipt of a request from the
school to which the student is transferring.
We do appreciate knowing as much in advance of the move as possible to
facilitate a smooth transition to their new school.
Bullying - NCSD Board Policy
educational
philosophy
series 100
title: Anti-Bullying/Harassment
Harassment
and bullying of students and employees are against federal, state and local
policy, and are not tolerated by the board.
The board is committed to providing all students with a safe and civil
school environment in which all members of the school community are treated
with dignity and respect. To that end,
the board has in place policies, procedures, and practices that are designed to
reduce and eliminate bullying and harassment as well as processes and procedures to deal with
incidents of bullying and harassment. Bullying and harassment of students by
students, school employees, and volunteers who have direct contact with
students will not be tolerated in the school or school district.
The
board prohibits harassment, bullying, hazing, or any other victimization, of
students, based on any of the following actual or perceived traits or
characteristics, including but not limited to, age, color, creed, national origin,
race, religion, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity,
physical attributes, physical or mental ability or disability, ancestry,
political party preference, political belief, socioeconomic status, or familial
status. Harassment against employees
based upon race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, national origin,
religion, age or disability is also prohibited.
This
policy is in effect while students or employees are on property within the
jurisdiction of the board; while on school-owned or school-operated vehicles;
while attending or engaged in school-sponsored activities; and while away from
school grounds if the misconduct directly affects the good order, efficient
management and welfare of the school or school district.
If,
after an investigation, a student is found to be in violation of this policy,
the student shall be disciplined by appropriate measures up to, and including,
suspension and expulsion. If after an
investigation a school employee is found to be in violation of this policy, the
employee shall be disciplined by appropriate measures up to, and including,
termination. If after an investigation a
school volunteer is found to be in violation of this policy, the volunteer
shall be subject to appropriate measures up to, and including, exclusion from
school grounds. “Volunteer” means an
individual who has regular, significant contact with students.
Harassment
and bullying mean any electronic, written, verbal, or physical act or conduct
toward a student which is based on any actual or perceived trait or
characteristic of the student and which creates an objectively hostile school
environment that meets one or more of the following conditions:
·
Places
the student in reasonable fear of harm to the student’s person or property;
·
Has
a substantially detrimental effect on the student’s physical or mental health;
·
Has
the effect of substantially interfering with the student’s academic
performance; or
·
Has
the effect of substantially interfering with the student’s ability to
participate in or benefit from the services, activities, or privileges provided
by a school.
“Electronic” means any communication involving the
transmission of information by wire, radio, optical cable, electromagnetic, or
other similar means. “Electronic”
includes but is not limited to communication via electronic mail,
internet-based communications, pager service, cell phones, electronic text
messaging or similar technologies.
Harassment
and bullying may include, but are not limited to, the following behaviors and
circumstances:
·
Verbal,
nonverbal, physical or written harassment, bullying, hazing, or other
victimization that have the purpose or effect of causing injury, discomfort,
fear, or suffering to the victim;
· Repeated remarks of a demeaning nature that
have the purpose or effect of causing injury, discomfort, fear, or suffering to
the victim;
· Implied or explicit threats concerning one's
grades, achievements, property, etc. that have the purpose or effect of causing
injury, discomfort, fear, or suffering to the victim;
·
Demeaning
jokes, stories, or activities directed at the student that have the purpose or
effect of causing injury, discomfort, fear, or suffering to the victim; and/or
·
Unreasonable
interference with a student's performance or creation of an intimidating,
offensive, or hostile learning environment.
Sexual harassment means unwelcome sexual advances,
requests for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual
nature when:
- Submission to the conduct is
made either implicitly or explicitly a term or condition of the student’s
education or benefits;
- Submission to or rejection of
the conduct by a school employee is used as the basis for academic
decisions affecting that student; or
- The conduct has the purpose or
effect of substantially interfering with the student’s academic
performance by creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive education
environment.
In situations between students and school officials,
faculty, staff, or volunteers who have direct contact with students, bullying
and harassment may also include the following behaviors:
·
Requiring
that a student submit to bullying or harassment by another student, either
explicitly or implicitly, as a term or condition of the targeted student’s
education or participation in school programs or activities; and/or
·
Requiring
submission to or rejection of such conduct as a basis for decisions affecting
the student.
Any
person who promptly, reasonably, and in good faith reports an incident of
bullying or harassment under this policy to a school official, shall be immune
from civil or criminal liability relating to such report and to the person’s
participation in any administrative, judicial, or other proceeding relating to
the report. Individuals who knowingly
file a false complaint may be subject to appropriate disciplinary action.
Retaliation
against any person, because the person has filed a bullying or harassment
complaint or assisted or participated in a harassment investigation or
proceeding, is also prohibited. Individuals who knowingly file false harassment
complaints and any person who gives false statements in an investigation shall
be subject to discipline by appropriate measures, as shall any person who is
found to have retaliated against another in violation of this policy. Any student found to have retaliated in
violation of this policy shall be subject to measures up to, and including,
suspension and expulsion. Any school
employee found to have retaliated in violation of this policy shall be subject
to measures up to, and including, termination of employment. Any school volunteer found to have retaliated
in violation of this policy shall be subject to measures up to, and including,
exclusion from school grounds.
The
school or school district will promptly and reasonably investigate allegations
of bullying or harassment. The building principal or designee will be
responsible for investigating all complaints by students alleging bullying or
harassment. The director of human
resources or designee will be responsible for investigating all complaints by employees
alleging bullying or harassment.
It
also is the responsibility of the superintendent, in conjunction with the
investigator and principals, to develop procedures regarding this policy. The
superintendent will also develop a process for evaluating the effectiveness of
the policy in reducing bullying and harassment.
The superintendent shall report to the board on the progress of reducing
bullying and harassment.
The
board will annually publish this policy.
The policy may be publicized by the following means:
·
Inclusion
in the student handbook,
·
Inclusion
in the employee handbook
·
Inclusion
on the school or school district’s web site, and a copy shall be made to any
person at the central administrative office at (street address).
Date of
Adoption: August 13, 2007
STATEMENT
The
EQUAL EDUCATIONAL
Children enrolled in the Newton
Community School District shall have an equal opportunity for a quality public
education without discrimination regardless of their race, creed, sex, marital
status, national origin, age, or disability in its education programs,
activities, or employment policies as required by Title VI and VII of the 1964
Civil Rights Acts, Title IX of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Inquiries from students, parents, or
employees of the
MULTICULTURAL AND NONSEXIST
EDUCATION
The Newton Community School District
shall maintain its programs and practices whereupon no person shall, on the
basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or
be subjected to discrimination under said programs and activities of the
district. It is also the policy of the
district that the curriculum content and instructional materials utilized
reflect the cultural and racial diversity found in our country and an awareness
of the rights, duties, and responsibilities of each individual as a member of a
pluralistic society.
Inquiries regarding compliance with
Titles IX or Title VI may be directed to Jim Gilbert, Central Administration
Office, Newton, Iowa 50208, telephone number 641-792-5809 or to the director of
Region VII Office of Civil Rights, Department of Health, Education, and
Welfare, Kansas City, Missouri.
HARASSMENT
It is the policy of the Newton
Community Schools to maintain a learning and working environment that is free
from harassment. It shall be a violation
of this policy for students and/or staff to harass other students, or staff,
through conduct of a sexual nature or conduct, designed to reduce the dignity
of that individual with respect to race, color, creed, religion, national
origin, gender, age, size, disability, martial status, or any other form of
harassment.
Students violating this policy and its
procedures will be cause for disciplinary action up to and including
expulsion. Students who believe they
have suffered harassment shall report such matters in a timely manner to a
teacher, counselor, or building administrator.
Board Policy 408.2, 408.2R, 502.12, 502.12R.
STUDENT DUE PROCESS RIGHTS
It shall be the policy of the Board
of Education to provide for student due process rights. Board policies provide legitimate and
reasonable channels through which policy interpretations may be quickly and
equitably resolved at the lowest possible level. Student due process policies and regulations are
available at any school office. Board Policy 502.9, 502.9.R.
HUMAN GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT
The school district provides
students with instruction in human growth and development. Parent/guardians may review the human growth
and development curriculum prior to its use and have their child excused from
the human growth and development instruction.
Parent/guardians should contact the principal if they wish to review the
curriculum or to excuse their child from human growth and development
instruction.
FIELD TRIPS
During the year, elementary children
may be taken on excursions and field trips in the community and surrounding
areas to participate in learning activities which can best be conducted outside
the school building. Written parental
permission will be required prior to the student's participation in a field
trip or excursion. A Permission form
for the entire year will be sent with registration materials. Notification of each trip will be
sent out with an additional option to opt out of the trip.
TEXTBOOKS
All basic texts are loaned to
students for their use during the school year.
Workbooks and other supplies are paid for by the students. Textbooks are to be kept clean and handled
carefully. Fines will be charged based
on the principal's or the teacher's judgment for abuse, misuse, or lost books.
BIRTHDAYS
Birthdays are important and
significant events in the life of a child.
They afford the opportunity for children to be given special
recognition. Students who wish to bring
treats for the class on their birthday may do so. Those who have summer birthdays are welcome
to choose a school day to celebrate with their class.
Please do not send party invitations to be distributed at school which
do not include the entire class.
Room parties are scheduled for the
Fall Festival at the end of October and Valentine's Day.
STUDENT COUNCIL
Students in grades 3-6 elect
representatives each semester to serve on the Aurora Heights School Student
Council. The group meets on a regular
basis to discuss and plan school activities.
The student council sponsor is Mrs. Birkenholz, School Counselor.
School pride days have been
designated as every Wednesday. Students are encouraged to wear their Aurora
Heights T-shirt sweatshirt or blue and white clothing. Student council designates a theme day each
month. Students are encouraged to
participate.
GUIDANCE SERVICES
The guidance
service process will hopefully enable each student to understand themselves
better. By defining a students abilities
and interests, he/she is better able to understand themselves and plan for the
future. The counselor will assist students
in their personal, social, and educational growth. Students are encouraged to talk with the
counselor at any time concerning problems that might arise.
STANDARDIZED TESTS
Students are given standardized
tests annually. These tests are used to
determine academic progress for individual students, for groups of students and
for the school district. All students
are required to be tested for inclusion in state reporting. It is important for all students to do their
personal best.
AEA 11 SUPPORT SERVICES
Our school district is part of the
Heartland Area Educational Agency 11 in
PTA
The Parent Teacher Association has
been very supportive of the school and our program. PTA offers an excellent opportunity to show
support for our children. The
PTA holds monthly
meetings open to all interested persons.
Memberships are available and encouraged.
SCHOOL VOLUNTEERS
Parents, friends,
grandparents, and other adults are encouraged to take an active part in the
educational process of the children.
Please contact a teacher or the office if you would like to be a school
volunteer.
MENTORING PROGRAM
A one to one mentoring program
sponsored by Big Brothers/Big Sisters and the
NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND
No Child Left
Behind legislation gives parents the right to know the qualifications of their
children’s teachers. As parents/guardians in the
Parents/guardians may request this
information from the office of Human Resources by calling 792-5809,
or by sending a
letter of request to NCSD Office of Human Resources, 807 South Sixth Avenue
West, Newton, IA 50208
PROCEDURE FOR REPORTING ALLEGATION
OF ABUSE OF STUDENTS BY SCHOOL EMPLOYEES
The
The
SEARCH OF DESKS AND LOCKERS
Student lockers and
desks are the property of the school district.
Students shall use the lockers and desks assigned to them for storing
their school materials and personal items necessary for attendance at school.
A student's locker
and desk may be searched whenever the administrator or teacher has a reasonable
and articulable suspicion that a criminal offense or
a school district policy, rule or regulation bearing on the school order has
been violated and the administrator or
Teacher has a
reasonable and articulable belief that the search
will produce evidence of the violation.
Items in violation of school district policies, rules or regulations
found in student lockers or desks are confiscated. Illegal items may be given to law enforcement
officials. Board Policy 502.7, 502.7R.
ASBESTOS MANAGEMENT PLAN
Pursuant to the
requirements of the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Act, a copy of the asbestos
management plan for
RIGHT TO KNOW
Pursuant to the requirements of the
Community Right to Know and Workers Right to Know Law, a reference manual on
all chemicals used in the
HEALTH GUIDELINES
Although we strive
for regular attendance, please keep your child home if they have a:
temperature, vomiting, diarrhea, pinkeye, head lice or a communicable
disease. Remember, they must be free
of fever, vomiting or diarrhea for 24 hours
before returning to
school. If head lice, students must have been treated
and nit free. Please call the school at
792-7324 by 9:00 a.m. everyday your child is absent. Inform the office if your child has any
handicaps, allergies, or if any activities should be restricted. An answering machine is available before and
after hours. If an absence is due to a
communicable disease, please call and tell the secretary or health para professional what illness your child has
contracted.
COMMUNICABLE DISEASES
Students with a
communicable disease will be allowed to attend school as long as they are physically
able to do so and as long as their presence does not create a substantial risk
that others will catch the disease. The
term "communicable disease" means an infection or contagious disease
(example: head lice) spread from person to person or animal to person. Once the administration, in conjunction with
the school nurse, decides that the student's condition poses a health threat to
other students, the student will be excluded from school for the duration of
the period of contamination. In order to
prevent the spread of communicable diseases, parents should use their
good judgment in
keeping sick children from school. When
the administration has knowledge of the presence of a communicable disease, the
State Department of Health will be notified.
Board Policy 504.4, 504.4F.
HEALTH SCREENING
Throughout the school year, the
school district sponsors health screening for vision, hearing, scoliosis and
height/weight measurements. Students
are automatically screened unless the parent/guardian submits a note asking the
student be excused from the screening.
The grade levels included in the screening are determined annually. However, upon a teacher's recommendation and
with parental permission, students not scheduled for screening may also be
screened.
STAYING IN AT RECESS
All students are expected to go
outside for recess. Please do not
request that your child stay in for recess unless there is a special health
concern/reason your child must remain indoors.
It is necessary for you to send a note stating the concern. A doctor’s note is required for extended
requests.
ILLNESS AND INJURY
If a student
becomes ill or injured at school, the student's parent/guardian will be
notified as soon as possible. Emergency
or minor first aid will be administered if a person competent to do so is
available. In any event, ill or injured
students will be turned over to the care of the student's parent/guardian or
qualified medical personnel as quickly as possible. Parent/guardians will be asked to complete an
emergency form providing necessary information to be used in the case of an
illness or injury. Parent/guardians who
work or who are away from home must have a contingency plan for sick children. The school nurse is at
HEAD LICE - POLICY & PROCEDURE
Head lice is a community
problem. Children with live head lice
will be sent home from school unless the initial protocol has been started. There will be no routine screening at
school. Screening will be done only for
siblings and those with close associations to children with head lice. Weekly screening at home is strongly
recommended. Please contact the school
nurse for more information.
MEDICATIONS
Any medication taken at school must
be left in the office and given in the office.
Medication must be sent in the prescription bottle as it came from the
pharmacy with the student's name, name of medication, when to be given, and the
doctor's name (ask your pharmacist for a free additional container for school
with the correct label). It is also
necessary that a written, formal request be completed. This drug permission form is available in the
office. The medication will be kept in a
locked place for safety purposes.
Nonprescription medicine i.e.: aspirin, cough drops, cough syrup,cold tablets, etc., should be sent in an appropriate
container labeled with the student's name, name of medicine, dosage, and time
to be dispensed. A medication permission
sheet is also required for nonprescription medication to be given more than 2
days. The school does NOT furnish any
medication. Board Policy 504.4, 504.4R.
FIRE, TORNADO, AND DISASTER DRILLS
Fire and tornado drills will be held
at regular intervals throughout the school year. Teachers will discuss the procedures used
with their classrooms.
The following
signals should be recognized:
Fire drill: An
alarm, with strobe.
Tornado drill:
Announced over intercom.
911:
Remain in room with lights out and door locked.
UNSCHEDULED SCHOOL CANCELLATIONS
Please call 641-792-0180 for a recorded message
concerning delays and early dismissals or radio stations WHO (1040 AM)
SCHOOL RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Keep posted on weather developments and make
decision on early school dismissal.
2. Notify radio stations of early dismissal.
3. Arrange for buses to take bus pupils home.
4. Assist pupils in anyway to get on the right
bus.
5. All teachers should make notations of any
changes in plans of children under their jurisdiction that they know about.
6. If weather conditions deteriorate after we
have sent the buses out, the bus driver may turn around and bring the students
back to the high school. Board Policy
702.7.
7. Someone will remain in the transportation
office to take calls
641-792-4493, until
all buses have returned from their routes or are accounted for.
PARENT/GUARDIAN RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Be aware of changes in the weather and
possibility of an early school dismissal.
Call 641-792-0180 or listen to radio stations and television stations
for an announcement of such a dismissal. 2.
When there is a possibility of an early school dismissal. Call 641-792-0180 or listen to radio stations
and television stations for an
announcement of
such a dismissal.
3. Discuss with your children what they are to
do if school is dismissed early and you are not at home. Please have an emergency plan. We will follow the Student Early Dismissal
Plan on file with your child's teacher, unless we hear from you with plan
changes.
4. Be ready to assist your bus driver, your
child, and your neighbors' children in any way that you can to see that all
pupils arrive home safely. A plan
whereby parents call ahead to the next stop that the bus is on its way will
help keep track of the bus location and assist in getting any needed help at
the earliest possible time.
PUPIL RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Be sure to discuss with your parent/guardian
a plan of what you are to do in the event school is dismissed early.
2. Notify your teacher or principal if your
parent/guardian's approved plan is to go home with someone else.
3. Go straight home and check in with your
parent/guardian.
4. Observe all rules for safe pedestrian and
vehicle traffic.
5. When school is dismissed because of inclement
weather all activities are canceled.
NEWSLETTERS, WEB PAGES AND
COMMUNICATIONS
A school newsletter will be sent
home once a month either as a hard copy or electronically. Other notices and communications from
organizations such as PTA and YMCA will be sent home as need arises. Teachers may also send home classroom
newsletters, and notes as desired.
Parent/guardians need to remind their child to notify them of notes or
papers from school for parent/guardians.
Parent/guardians are responsible for
knowing the contents of the notes or papers sent home.
PROGRESS REPORTS AND CONFERENCES
Progress reports will be sent home
at least 4 times a year. Parent-teacher conferences in the elementary schools
are held at the end of the first and third nine weeks. However, you are encouraged to schedule a
meeting with a teacher at any time during the school year. Teachers may also wish to meet with you at
other times during the year to discuss concerns and progress.
COMPLAINTS AND GRIEVANCES
It is the goal of the district to
resolve student complaints and grievances at the lowest level. Students are encouraged to address problems
to their teacher or other licensed employee, other than the administration, for
resolution of the complaint. If
the complaint can
not be resolved by the teacher, the student may discuss the matter with the
guidance counselor or principal. Board
Policy 502.9, 502.9R.
SCHOOL VISITATIONS
Parent/guardians are welcome to
visit school. When a parent/guardian
wishes to visit a classroom, it is preferred that the teacher be notified ahead
of time to confirm class schedules. For
the safety of our students, all visitors must check into the office before
proceeding to the classroom. You will be issued a visitor’s pass.
Occasionally, a student will request
that a former student or friend be allowed to visit school. Visits of this nature are not encouraged and
permission must be obtained from the teacher or principal.
Please
refrain from any visits during the first and last two weeks of the school year.
TRANSPORTATION ARRANGEMENTS AND
BUS PASSES
If a student must have different
after school arrangements than normal, parent/guardians should discuss these
arrangements with their child before they go to school that morning. A signed note to the teacher is also required
explaining the different after school arrangement.
If
a student must ride a bus home with another student, a signed and dated note
are required from both the parent/guardian of the student wishing to ride the
bus and the parent/guardian of whom the child is going with on the bus. A bus pass will be issued from the office and
is to be presented to the bus driver.
STAFF COMMUNICATION
The staff of
Throughout the
year, a continual effort will be made to maintain communication between home
and school. If you ever have any
questions, comments, or concerns; please contact us immediately. Good communications between home and school will
provide a better education for our children.
Welcome to our