Woden-Crystal Lake-Titonka Schools

Woden-Crystal Lake-Titonka School District

Woden-Crystal Lake Preschool, Kindergarten & First Grade

Handbook

Policy Code TOP
It is the plicy of the Woden-Crystal Lake Community School District not to discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, sexual orentation, national origin, religion or physical or mental disablitly in its programs, activities, or employment practices, as required by Iowa Code sections 26.9 and 19.B II, Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42U.S.C. & 2000d and 2000e), and the Equal Pay of 1973 (29 U.S.C. & 206, et seq.), Title IX (Educational Amendments, 20 U.S.C. & 794), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. & 12101, et seq.).

Graduation Requirements TOP

A student must accumulate a total of 72 academic credits in order to graduate from Woden-Crystal Lake-Titonka School. A credit is defined as a course taken for twelve weeks (one trimester). A unit is defined as a couse taken for thirty-six weeks (a full year).

A student must take the correct number of courses so as to meet the rquirements for graduation.

Tardiness/Absences TOP

For those who are careless in getting to classes on schedule, the following guidelines will prevail:

Each student will be allowed three tardies total per trimester.
Detention will be assessed for each after the third tardy.
Additional tardiness beyond five occasions may result in a two hour Saturday School.
After ten tardies, suspension or referral to the School Board for their consideration.

Truancy is the failure to attend school for the minimum number of days established in the school calendar by the board. Truancy is the act of being absent without reasonable excuse which will not be tolerated by the board. Cases of truancy will be turned over to the county truacny officer and investigated. Students will be disciplined at the discretion of the administration.

Students who are absent will be required to bring an excuse from a doctor, dentist, or professional. If you do not have a note from the doctor, dentist, or professional this absence will be unexcused.

Parent Notification TOP

Parents/guardians are asked to notify the high school office if their son or daughter will be absent from school. Teachers will turn in attendance sheets to the office following each class period. School personnel will call the parent/guardian of any student recorded absent if the parent/guardian has not notified the office of the absence. These calls will be made once in the morning and once in the afternoon.

All students who arrive late to school or return from an appointment, when classes are in session, should always to to the office first and sign in. This tells us that you have returned and hleps us keep an accurate attendance record. Failure to do so may result in detention and/or and unexcused absence. We ask that parents call teh school whenever their child will be coming in late. Please call fefore 8:20 am, if possible. We will call the home should the parent forget to call the school.

Leaving school premises: All students shall remain on the school grounds from the time they arrive in the morning for classes until the time they leave at the end of the day.

Students who need to leave school during the day must receive permission from the office and have a note signed by the student's parents, telephone the office, or have thier parents pick them up. Otherwise, they may receive a detention and/or an unexcused absence. A student must sign out with the secretary at the time the student leaves. Students are not released to anyone other than their parents during the school day unless the office has a note signed by the student's parents.

Students participating in school activities must be in school atleast by 10:00 am. on the day of the event in order to participate in the school activity. Only in extraordinary circumstances my the prinicpal waive the rule.

Administration of Medication to Students TOP

Students may be required to take medication during the day. Only the elementary or high school secretary who has been trained under the State Department of Health guidelines shall administer medication.

No medication will be administered without written authorization from the parent or the child's physician. A written record of the administrative procedure must be kept for each child receiving medication. All medications such as aspirin, cough medicine, ect. must be supplied bye the parent/student and brought to the office to be kept in the high school secretaries office. High school students may be allowed to keep medicine with them but must let the office know.

Reasonable Force TOP

Corporal punishment may not be used to discipline students. However, reasonable physical force may be used without notice or explanation to the student when the use of such force is deemed essential by a reasonable person for the purpose of self-defense, the preservation of order to quell as disturbance threatening others, for the protcetion of others located on the school district property, for protection of shcool property, or for the protection of the student.

Reasonable physical force should be commensurate with the circumstances of sthe situation, and it should be moderate so as no to cuase permanent physical harm to the student. The following factors should be considered in determining the use of reasonable physical force: *seriousness of the offense *attitude and past behavior of the child *nature and severity of the punishment *motivation of the teacher *age and strength of the child; and *availability of less severe but equally effective means of discipline. *obtain a weapon *self-defense *remove disruptive students *protect a student from self-inflictioin of harm *protect safety of others. The student's parents shall be given an explanation of the reasons for the use of reasonable physical force upon request.

Displays of Affection TOP
All public displays of affection in and around school are expected to be kept at the highest social level. Hand holding, embracing, kissing or other displays of affection int he halls on school grounds or while using school transportation are NOT in good taste.Students found in violation of this policy will be warned on the first offense, parents called on the second offense, and those continuing the behavior will be placed on in-school suspension until a parental conference is held with the principal.

Misconduct Consequences TOP

Removal from the classroom means a student is sent to the buildings principal's office. It shall be within the discretion of the person in charge of the classroom to remove the student.
Detention means the student's presence is required during non-school hours for disciplinary purposes. The student can be required to appear prior to the beginning of the chool day or after school as been dismissed for the day. Whether a student will serve detention and the length of the detention shall be within the discretion of the licensed employee disciplinary the student or the building principal.
Suspension means an in-school suspension, an out-of-school suspension and a restriction from activites or loss of eligibility. A restriction from school activites means a student will attend school and classes and practive but will not participate in school activities. An in-school suspension means the student will attend school but will be temporarily isolated from one or more calsses while under suspension. Class work is given and must be completed before release from in-school suspension. An in-school suspension will not exceed ten consecutive school days.
An out-of-school suspension means the student is removed from the school environment, which includes school classes and activities. An out-of-school suspension will not exceed ten consecutive school days.

Detention TOP

Students serving a detention will report to the teacher or principal on time. Detention will be served on Tuesday and Thursday from 3:30-4:10 pm as assigned by teacher or principal. The principal will check on the detention class. Detentions will be served Monday through Thursday of the week following the date issued. Students will be given the option of serving the detention on that given day or the very next detention day so he/she can arrange transportation.

Illegal Items Found in School or Students Possesion TOP

Tobacco and alcohol-The board prohibits the use of tobacco and the use or possession of alcohol, other controlled substances, or "look alike" substances that appear to be tobacco, alcohol or controlled substances, by students on school property or at any activities sponsored by the school on or off school property.
Controlled Substances-Student possession, use, or distribution of a controlled stubstance shall be viwed as an act of gross misconduct and as such shall be subject to a disciplinary action. As an operational definition, school authorities may construe a controlled stubstance as any drug used, possessed, or distribued by a student except a prescription drug that is used or possessed in the amount specified by a licensed physician. (It should be noted that alcoholic beverages such as beer, liquor, wine, or wine coolers are included within the parameters of these guidelines).
Weapons-School district facilities are not an appropriate place for weapons or dangerous objects. Weapons and other dangerous objects shall be taken from students and others who bring them onto the school district property or onto property within the jurisdiction of the school district or from student who are within the control of the school district.

Dress Code TOP

There is a strong connection between academic performance, student's apperance and student's conduct. Inappropriate student appearance may cause material and substantial disruption to the school environment.

To assist students with decisions regarding their attire, some guidelines are listed below:

In keeping with the Board of Education policies regarding a drug-free school, while at school or at school activities, students are not to wear any clothing that advertises or promotes in any way the use of tobacco, alcohol, drugs, or any other substances or activites which are illegal for minors, or any company or agency that manufactures such substances.
Students and staff should dress modestly and appropriately.
Students are prohibited from wearing clothing displaying obscenities, profanity, vuglarity, racial, sexual remarks, or making reference to prohibited conduct or similar displays, or is offensive to a person or group.
All Co-Ed Naked, Big Johnson, and similar types of clothing that have double meaning, sexual refrences or pictures is prohibited.
No pajamas to be worn in school.
No hats, caps, or other types of headgear are to be worn in the building between 8:00 am and 3:30 pm.
Jeans with revealing holes in them, biker shorts, short midriff tops, tank tops (narrow straps), spandex pants, sheer or a see-through and mesh tops should not be worn.
Students are prohibited from wearing shoes with cleats or rollers anywhere in the building.

The following would be prohibited: clothing allowing the tummy or under garments to show; spaghetti straps and halter tops; wearing hats or other head coverings inside at any time; clothing that advertises or promotes items illegal for use by minors or displaying vulgar, obscene, or profane words, racial or sexual remarks, or displays unacceptable behavior. Shirts with two straps of at least two fingers in width would be appropriate. Low necklines, front or back would not be acceptable. Shorts and skirts that would be reasonable in legnth and tightness and not be shorter than the second nuckle of the middle finger. Certain activities or classes would require a stricter dress code. The pincipals, assistant administrators or principal's designee, would make the final judgment on the appropriateness of the students' appearacne. Students inappropriately dressed would be asked to change or leave the school. Clothing that disrupts the educational system or present a threat to the health or safety of our children will be prohibited. Backpacks will stay in lockers, not left lying in the hall or taken to class rooms.

Forest City Shuttle TOP

Woden-Crystal Lake-Titionka High School provides round trip transporation for classes taken at Forest City High School: The school district feels there is no need for students to drive. All students attending Forest City classes should ride the bus.

Students taking Post Secondary classes at Waldorf or NIACC need to provide thier own transportation as addressed in the state statute. All students attending Waldorf classes must have a signed permission slip in the office. Any students carpooling must also be documented with signed permission forms. If Waldorf class time is within the same block of time as the Forest City High School classes, the students may ride the shuttle bus.

There may be a need for some students to drive due to scheduling conflicts. When these conflicts a rise the student, parent and principal will meet to decide the best solution. If a student needs to drive they must have a signed permission slip in the office. Student(s) driving are discouraged from taking other riders. Riders are the driver's liability. Any student riding with another student must have a signed permission from his/her parents or guardians. The student doing the driving must have a signed permission from his/her parents or guardians.

Driving without signed permission will have consequences. There will be a parent, student and principal conference if such a situation arises.

Class Management Procedures TOP

All school rules as set forth by the administration will be enforced in the classroom.
Students will be expected to bring materials, as assigned by the instructor, to class each day. You will not be allowed to go to your locker for materials forgotten.
Upon entering the room, students must go directly to their seats and be seated. You should be ready for class when the tardy bell rings.
Tardiness: You will be expected to get a slip from the teacher that detained you.
Absences: After you have been absent, do not come to class without an admit from the office. Give the admit to the teacher upon entering the room.
Food, pop, and candy are not allowed in the classroom and study hall unless the floor is NOT carpeted. Gum may be chewed if it is done in an appropriate manner.
Cheating: Cheating will not be tolerated. If caught you will fail the test or assignment. Letting someone copy is cheating.
Detention: Detention will be assigned for desruptive behavior. One day advance notice may be requested.
Safety procedures as outlined by the instructor must be followed.
Students will be held responsible for all school owned property and materials. Textbooks and materials issued must be returned at the end of a trimerst or a fine will be assessed. All materials must be turned in and/or fines paid before you will be given credit for the class.
In addition to the procedures outlined above, each teacher may add rules and regulations as needed for specific situations such as labs, shop, ect.
No Games: Unless they are directly realted to the objectives of a class lesson, games in the classroom such as cards, chess, ect. will not be allowed.

Harassment & Bullying Policy TOP

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.The Board has in place policies, procedures, and practices to reduce and eliminate bullying and harassment. Bullying and harassment of students by students, school employees, and volunteers will not be tolerated in the school or school district.

The Board prohibits harassment, bullying hazing, or any other victimization of students based on age, color, creed, national origin, race, religion, martial status, sexual orientation, gender, identity, physical attributes, physical mental abiltiy, political party preference, socio economics status, or familial status. Harassment against employees based on race, color, creed, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, or disability is also prohibited. This policy is effective while students or employees are on property within the jurisdiction of the Board, while on school-owned or school operated vehicle ect., anything related to school activities. A copy shall be made for any person contacting the central administrative office at 346 Howard Ave at Woden. Educational Equity Code No.101. It is the policy of Woden Crystal Lake Community Schools not to discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, religion, or physical or mental disability in its program, activiteis or employment practices as required by the Iowa Code sections 216.9 and 19B.11, Titles VI and VII of the Vicil Rights Act of 1964, the Equal Pay act of 1973, Title IX, Section 504 Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 USC and 12101, et. seg.

Multi-cultural and Gender Fair Equity Education Oportunity TOP
Enrolled chldren in the school district community have an equal opportunity for a quality public education without descrimination regardless of their race, creed, gender, martial status, national origin, economic status, ability or disability,. The education program shall be free of such discrimination and provide equal opportunity for participants. The educational program shall foster knowldege of, respect and appreciation for, the historical and the contemporary contributions of diverse cultural groups as well as men and women to society. It shall aslo reflect the wide variety of roles open to both men and women and provide equal opportunity to both sexes. Integration of minority populations will occur throughout the educational program and the school system. Policy Code No. 602.1