Wood River Rural     Schools 

STUDENT HANDBOOK

2025-26 Edition

Elementary School 1001 Lilly Street

Wood River, NE 68883

Phone: (308) 583-2525

Fax: (308) 583-2668

Middle/High School

13800 W. Wood River Rd

Wood River, NE 68883

Phone: (308) 583-2249

Fax: (308) 583-2395

24-25

Section 1: Basic School Rules and General Practices

Section 2: Academic Information

Section 3: Student Discipline

Section 4: Title 1 Parent & Family Engagement Policy

Section 5: School Wellness Policy

Section 6: Forms

WELCOME

Dear Students and Parents:

On behalf of the faculty, administration, and board of education, we welcome you to another school year.  We are looking forward to helping your children reach their learning potential and achieve their educational goals in the upcoming year.  

Please read this handbook carefully.  Students and their parents are responsible for knowing the rules, regulations, and procedures covered in this handbook.  The student handbook is an extension of school policies and has the force and effect of board policy when approved by the board of education.

There are several forms at the end of this handbook that you must read, sign, and return no later than September 1.

This handbook contains information of value to every student and parent.  It contains explanations of school regulations and procedures necessary for our school to run smoothly and efficiently.  If you are ever in doubt about what is the right thing to do, ask a classroom teacher, speak with the building principal, or contact my office.  

Sincerely,

Mr. Terry Zessin

Superintendent

Intent of Handbook

This handbook is intended to be used by students, parents, and staff as a guide to the rules, procedures, and general information about this school district.  Students and their parents must become familiar with the handbook, and parents should use it as a resource and assist their children in following the rules contained in it.  The use of the word “parents” refers to any adult who has the responsibility for making education-related decisions about a child, including, but not limited to biological parents, adoptive parents, legal guardians, and adults acting in loco parentis.  

Although the information in this handbook is detailed and specific on many topics, it is not intended to be all-encompassing or to cover every situation and circumstance that may arise during a school day or school year.  This handbook does not create a “contract” with parents, students, or staff, and the administration may make decisions and rule revisions at any time to implement the educational program and to assure the well-being of all students.  The administration is responsible for interpreting the rules contained in the handbook.  If a situation or circumstance arises that is not specifically covered in this handbook, the administration will make a decision based on applicable school district policies, and state and federal statutes and regulations.

Notice of Nondiscrimination

The school district does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The

school district prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or

activity in any education program or activity that it operates.

Students who believe that they have been the subject of unlawful

discrimination or harassment due to their disability, or that have other

related concerns or questions should contact the following Section 504

Coordinator: Chris Pietrzak (Middle/High) at 308-583-2249, cpietrzak@wrrsd.org or in person at the high school or Kelly Klanecky (Elementary) at 308-583-2525, kklanecky@wrrsd.org, or in person at the elementary school.

Students who believe that they have been the subject of unlawful

discrimination or harassment due to their sex, or that have other related

concerns or questions should contact the following Title IX Coordinator:

Scott Hirchert at 308-583-2249, shirchert@wrrsd.org,

P.O. Box 518 Wood River, NE 68883 or in person at school. The School District’s specific Notice of Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex may be  accessed at the following link: https://www.woodrivereagles.org/page/annual-notice-of-non-discrimination

Students who believe that they have been the subject of unlawful

discrimination or harassment due to their race, color, or national origin, or

that have other related concerns or questions should contact the following

Title VI Coordinator: Terry Zessin at 308-583-2249, tzessin@wrrsd.org, P.O. Box 518 Wood River, NE 68883 or in person at school.

Students who believe that they have been the subject of any other unlawful

discrimination or harassment should contact the school principal at 308-583-2249 (Middle/High) or 308-583-2525 (Elementary), cpietrzak@wrrsd.org or kklanecky@wrrsd.org or in person at school.

Students may report discrimination or harassment to any staff member who

will then forward it on to the appropriate coordinator or administrator. The

staff member will follow school district policies to respond to the report.

For additional prohibited discrimination and related information, please review school district Policy 4001 – Nondiscrimination.  

MISSION STATEMENT

We Are Wood River

“Always Reaching for Excellence”

CORE VALUES

Care, Respect, Support, Lead

SECTION ONE

BASIC SCHOOL RULES AND GENERAL PRACTICES

Attendance

Required Attendance

Every person residing in the school district who has legal or actual charge or control of any child who is of mandatory attendance age shall cause that child to attend a public or private school regularly unless the child has graduated from high school or has been allowed to disenroll pursuant to this policy.

Mandatory Attendance Age

All children who are or will turn six years old before January 1 of the current school year are of mandatory attendance age.  Children who have not turned eighteen years of age are of mandatory attendance age.  

Preschool Eligibility Age

State funded Early Childhood programs must adhere to age eligibility guidelines set by the State as stated in Rule 11 and School Board Policy 6040.

To be eligible for preschool, children must turn four years old on or before July 31st of the upcoming school year.

Exceptions

This policy does not apply when attendance is made impossible or

impracticable by severe weather conditions or by the mental or physical

illness of the student or a child whom the student is parenting.

A child who will not reach age 7 before January 1 of the current school year may be excused from mandatory attendance if the child’s parent or guardian completes an affidavit affirming that alternative educational arrangements have been made for the child.  A copy of the required affidavit is attached to this policy.

Discontinuing Enrollment – 5-Year-Old Students

The person seeking to discontinue the enrollment of a student who will not reach six years of age prior to January 1 of the current school year shall submit a signed, written request and to the superintendent using the form which is attached to this policy.  The school district may request written verification or documentation that the person signing the form has legal or actual charge or control of the student.  The school district shall discontinue the enrollment of any student who satisfies these requirements.  Any student whose enrollment is discontinued under this subsection shall not be eligible to reenroll in this school district until the beginning of the following school year unless otherwise required by law.  

Discontinuing Enrollment – 16- and 17-Year-Old Students

Only children who are at least 16 years of age may be disenrolled from the district.  The person seeking to discontinue the child’s enrollment shall submit a signed, written request that demonstrates that the student meets the district’s legal criteria allowing for disenrollment to the superintendent using the applicable district form.  The district will follow the procedures outlined on the attached form in considering requests to disenroll.

Only children disenrolling to attend a non-accredited school may be exempt from this policy.  The person with legal or actual charge or control of the child must provide the superintendent with a copy of the signed request submitted to the State Department of Education for attending non-accredited schools.  The superintendent may confirm the validity of the submission with the State Department of Education.

Attendance Officer

Each building principal is designated as an attendance officer for the district.  Each building principal, at his or her discretion, may delegate these responsibilities to any other qualified individual.  The attendance officer is responsible for enforcing the provisions of state law relating to compulsory attendance.  This responsibility includes but is not limited to filing a report with the county attorney of the county in which a student resides.  Compensation for the duties of attendance officer is included in the salary for the superintendent or designee.

Verified Absences

Every effort should be made to have your children attend school regularly.  Train your child in the good habits of regular attendance early in his/her school career and it will continue in the later years. For students to get the most out of their educational experience, students need to be in attendance.  Any missed days result in missed learning.  However, we understand that there are valid reasons for students to miss school.

The following absences will be considered verified if the school confirms them from the student's parent/guardian.

1. Physician’s note from documented appointment for illness of the student or of a child whom the student is parenting
2. Court documents for appearance at court or for other legal matters

Excessive Absenteeism

When a student receives 9 unexcused absences or the hourly equivalent in any semester, the Attendance Officer will follow the district’s policy to address barriers to the student’s attendance.

When a student is absent more than 20 days per year or the hourly equivalent and any portion of the absences is unverified, the Attendance Officer may file a report with the county attorney of the county in which the student resides.  For example, if the student accumulates 19 days of verified absences due to documented illness and has an unverified absence one time, the Attendance Officer may file a report with the appropriate county attorney.  

Absences due to illness

The school district will contact parents if a student becomes ill at school.  A student who is absent due to illness has two days for the first day of absence and one day for each following consecutive absence day to complete missed assignments without being penalized.

Planned absences

Parents who know in advance that a student will be absent must call the school or send a written note at the earliest possible date.  Students who will be absent for reasons that can be anticipated, such as routine medical appointments and school activities, must check with their teacher prior to the absence to develop a plan to complete assigned work. Parents should make every attempt to schedule medical and other appointments after school hours when possible.

Students are obligated to:  

1)        Check with their teacher prior to the absence to develop a plan to complete assigned work.

2)        Attend school by 11:30 before attending practice or participating in a scheduled student activity except in cases of family emergencies or prearranged absences.

3)        Check out of school at the office if leaving school during the school day.

4)        Make up any and all work that is assigned by teachers as make-up work for the instructional time that has been missed.

Parents are obligated to:  

1)        Call the appropriate building office to inform the school of the reason for each absence.

2)        Submit documentation to verify absences.

Making Up Absences:

Students must not be unverified absent from any course for more than eight days in any given semester to earn academic credit for that course. Students who lose credit in any course due to absences may earn credit back minute for a minute during Saturday school or appeal that loss of credit to his/her building principal/attendance officer.

Pregnant and Parenting Students

Please review school board policy 5008.

Band

Students may participate in the elementary band and begin taking band lessons in the 5th grade.  Students in grades 6-8 may participate in the middle school band; grades 9-12 may participate in the high school band.  Instruments will be provided by students or the school as provided by school policy.  Fees may be charged as allowed or provided in the Public Elementary and Secondary Student Fee Authorization Act and the school’s student fee policy or other applicable policy.

Bills

Students should pay bills for supplies, fines, shop materials, clothing orders, etc. in the school main office.  Any check for these payments should be made out to Wood River Rural Schools unless otherwise instructed.   Pursuant to board policy, the district will assess an additional penalty for any check returned from the bank for insufficient funds.

When students purchase items of significant value, such as class rings and letter jackets, they must make payment at the time of purchase or when the order is placed.

Books and Supplies

Students must take care of books and other supplies provided by the district.  The school will assess fines for damage to books and school property.  

Students must supply their own consumable items such as pens, pencils, tablets, notebooks, erasers, and crayons.  Each classroom teacher will prepare a supply list for students at the beginning of the school year.

Breastfeeding and Lactation

Please review school board policy 5008.

Bulletin Boards / Postings Around the Building

A number of postings are maintained throughout the building to communicate general information, material, and school announcements.  Students should check the bulletin boards carefully each school day.  

Bulletin board or electronic publishing space may be provided for the use of students and student organizations for notices relating to matters of general interest to students.  The following general limitations apply to all posting or publishing:

        1.        All postings must be approved by the appropriate building principal or designee.  Students may not post any material containing any statement or expression that is libelous, obscene, or vulgar; that would violate board of education policies, including the student code of conduct; or that is otherwise inappropriate for the school environment.

        2.        All postings must identify the student or the student organization posting or publishing the notice.

        3.        Material shall be removed after a reasonable time to assure full access to the bulletin boards or electronic publishing media.

Bullying

Students are prohibited from engaging in any form of bullying.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines bullying as “any unwanted aggressive behavior(s) by another youth or group of youths who are not siblings or current dating partners that involves an observed or perceived power imbalance and is repeated multiple times or is highly likely to be repeated.”  Nebraska statute defines bullying as “an ongoing pattern of physical, verbal or electronic abuse.”  The District’s administrators will consider these definitions when determining whether any specific situation constitutes bullying.  Both of these definitions include both in-person and cyberbullying behaviors.

The disciplinary consequences for bullying will depend on the severity, frequency, duration, and effect of the behavior and may result in sanctions up to and including suspension or expulsion.  Students who believe they are being bullied should immediately inform a teacher or the building principal.

Reporting Bullying

Students who experience or observe bullying behavior must immediately report what happened to a teacher or administrator.  Students can use the district’s anonymous platform https://safe2helpne.com/  to make this report.  Students can also submit anonymous bullying reports in person to the School Safety Box located in each building.  Students may always confer with their parents or guardians about bullying they experience or witness, but the students must also ultimately report the situation to a teacher or administrator.

Bullying Investigations

School district staff will investigate allegations of bullying using the same practices and procedures that the district observes for student disciplinary matters.  In no circumstance will school district staff be deliberately indifferent to allegations of bullying.

Cafeteria Rules

1. All food must be consumed in the areas designated by the school.  
2. After students have eaten, they must return trays to the kitchen.  All straws, papers, milk cartons should be deposited in the trash cans.  All leftover food should be scraped off the tray on to the correct container.  Forks and spoons should be placed in the pan with water, NOT THROWN AWAY!  
3. Students will clean their tables and return them to their original positions.
4. Students are to use proper manners, including eating quietly.
5. Students may not throw food or other items.
6. Second servings are available to those who have made an effort to clean their trays and have requisite funds as required by board policy.
7. Students should remain at their tables until they are dismissed.
8. Students must treat lunch personnel with respect.
9. Students who violate the above rules will be disciplined.  

Cell Phones and Other Electronic Devices

Students are prohibited from using cellular phones or other electronic devices while at school, except as provided in this policy or as deemed appropriate by a student’s education team.

Students may use cell phones or other electronic devices on school sidewalks and in the common areas of the school before and after school, during passing periods, and during lunch so long as they do not create a distraction or a disruption and comply with all other policies and handbook provisions.

By bringing their cell phones and other electronic communication devices to school, students consent to the search of said devices by school staff when the staff determines that such a search is reasonable or necessary.

Students may not have cell phones or electronic devices while they are in locker rooms, classrooms, restrooms, or hallways during class time.  During school hours student cell phones or electronic devices must remain in lockers, be locked in a personal vehicle or school-supplied storage system upon entering a classroom.  The student may collect cell phones upon exiting the classroom at the end of the class period.

Students are strictly prohibited from sending, sharing, viewing, or possessing pictures, text messages, emails or other material of a sexual nature in electronic or any other form on a computer, cell phone, or other electronic device while at school.  Students who possess prohibited material on their cell phone or other electronic device while at school shall be subject to disciplinary consequences as articulated by the student handbook.

Students may only use cell phones or electronic communication devices while riding in school vehicles, including listening to music, if they have permission to do so from the driver or other adult responsible for their supervision.

Students shall be personally and solely responsible for the security of their cell phones or electronic communication devices. The district is not responsible for theft, loss, or damage of a cell phone or any calls made on a cell phone.

Students who violate this policy or other school rules will have their cell phones or electronic devices confiscated immediately.  The administration will return confiscated devices to the parent or guardian of the offending student, after discussing the rule violation with the student and parent or guardian.  Students who violate this policy may, at the discretion of the school’s administration, be subject to additional discipline, up to and including suspension or expulsion.

Cheating, Plagiarism, and Academic Dishonesty

Students may not cheat, plagiarize, or otherwise participate in any academic dishonesty in any form.  Prohibited behavior includes:

• Obtaining, attempting to obtain, or aiding another person to obtain credit for work by any dishonest or deceptive means.
• Lying.
• Copying another person’s work or answers.
• Discussing the answers or questions on a test or assignment unless specifically authorized by the teacher.
• Taking or receiving copies of a test without the permission of the teacher.
• Using or displaying notes, “cheat sheets,” or other sources of unauthorized information.
• Using the ideas or work of another person as if they were your own without giving proper credit to the source.
• Submitting work or any portion of work completed by another person.
• Failing to give credit for ideas, statements, facts, or conclusions which rightfully belong to another person.
• Failing to use quotation marks or other appropriate means of attribution when quoting directly from another person or source.

A student who cheats, plagiarizes, or otherwise participates in any academic dishonesty is subject to discipline, up to and including expulsion.  This includes the administration of Board Policy 6038 regarding the use of Artificial Intelligence.

Child Abuse and Neglect

School employees will report suspected abuse or neglect of a child as required by state law and school policy.  Nebraska law defines abuse or neglect as knowingly, intentionally, or negligently causing or permitting a minor child or an incompetent or disabled person to be (1) placed in a situation that endangers his or her life or physical or mental health; (2) cruelly confined or cruelly punished; (3) deprived of necessary food, clothing, shelter or care; (4) left unattended in a motor vehicle, if such child is six years of age or younger; (5) sexually abused; (6) placed in a situation to be sexually exploited through sex trafficking of a minor as defined in state law or by allowing, encouraging, or forcing such person to engage in debauchery, public indecency, or obscene or pornographic photography, films, or depictions; or (7) placed in a situation to be a trafficking victim as defined in state law.

Class Dismissal

Classes are in session from the ringing of the tardy bell until the teacher dismisses the class.  The bell at the end of the period is not a dismissal bell, and students may not leave their classrooms until they have been excused by their classroom teacher.  

Classroom Behavior

Student behavior and attitude in the classroom must be cooperative and serious.  All students must:

• arrive to class on time;

• prepare for class with all necessary materials;

• be considerate of others;

• respond promptly to all directions of the teacher; and

• take care of school property and the property of others.

Teachers will establish classroom conduct rules that students must obey.  

Closed Campus

Students may not leave the building without permission from the administration.  

Coats and Boots

Elementary students will have outside recess weather permitting.  Students should dress appropriately for the weather each morning.

Elementary students may choose to wear overshoes or boots when the playground is wet or muddy.  Waterproof boots worn to school should be taken off and regular shoes worn during the day.  Boots worn to school must be marked with the student’s name.  

Communicable Diseases

Any student who has contracted a contagious disease may be restricted from attendance at school until the student is no longer contagious.  The school district uses the Title 173- Nebraska Health and Human Services/Control of Communicable Disease, Chapter 3 of the Nebraska Administrative Code as a “best practice” guideline for contagious and infectious diseases.  If there are questions regarding the communicability of your child’s health condition or if you know your child has contracted a contagious or communicable disease or condition not otherwise specified in board policy or this handbook, please call the school nurse.

Communicating with Parents

Parents shall be kept informed of student progress, grades, and attendance through PowerSchool, Schoology, report cards, progress reports, and parent/teacher conferences.  The school district will notify parents if their students are failing or close to failing.  The school district will endeavor to notify parents of failing students prior to entry of the failing grade on the student’s report card.  Parents will also be notified of their student’s possible failure to meet graduation requirements.  Other pertinent information will be communicated to parents by mail or by personal contact.  Official transcripts of student progress, grades, and attendance will be sent to other school systems upon the student’s transfer when the district receives a written request signed by the student’s parent or guardian or upon being notified that the student has enrolled in another school.  

Complaint Procedure

Good communication helps to resolve many misunderstandings and disagreements.  This complaint procedure applies to complaints unless the complaint is subject to a different procedure required by law, policy or contract.  Individuals who have a complaint should discuss their concerns with appropriate school personnel in an effort to resolve problems at the lowest level of the chain of command. When those efforts do not resolve matters satisfactorily, including matters involving discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, marital status, disability, or age, a complainant should follow the procedures set forth in any specific policy addressing those areas or the procedures set forth below.  Allegations of sex discrimination covered by Title IX will be addressed through the board’s Title IX policy.

References to “coordinator” in this policy refer to the board-designated coordinator for the applicable area, such as the Section 504 Coordinator for allegations of disability-based discrimination.

Under this policy, factual conclusions will be based on a preponderance of the evidence.

Complaint and Appeal Process. 

1. The first step is for the complainant to speak directly to the person(s) with whom the complainant has a concern. For example, a parent who is unhappy with a classroom teacher should initially discuss the matter with the teacher. However, the complainant should skip the first step if complainant reasonably believes speaking directly to the person would subject complainant or complainant’s student to discrimination or harassment.
2. The second step is for the complainant to speak to the building principal, coordinator, superintendent of schools, or president of the board of education, as set forth below. Anyone with questions about the appropriate person to speak with may request clarification from the superintendent.

1. Complaints about the operation, decisions, or personnel within a building should be submitted to the principal of the building.
2. Complaints about the operations of the school district or a building principal should be submitted in writing to the superintendent of schools.
3. Complaints about the superintendent of schools should be submitted in writing to the president of the board of education.
4. Complaints involving discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, marital status, disability, or age may also be submitted at any time during the complaint procedure to the applicable coordinator. Complaints involving discrimination or harassment may also be submitted at any time to the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education: by email at OCR.KansasCity@ed.gov; by telephone at (816) 268- 0550; or by fax at (816) 268-0599.

3. When a complainant submits a complaint to an administrator or coordinator, the administrator or coordinator shall first determine whether another applicable procedure is required by policy or law and if so, direct the complaint to the appropriate person to follow that procedure. If not, the administrator or coordinator will promptly and thoroughly investigate the complaint, and shall:

1. Determine whether the complainant has discussed the matter with the respondent.

1. If the complainant has not, urge the complainant to discuss the matter directly with the respondent, if appropriate.
2. If the complainant refuses to discuss the matter with the respondent, the administrator or coordinator shall, in his or her sole discretion, determine whether the complaint should or must be pursued further.

2. Strongly encourage the complainant to reduce his or her concerns to writing.
3. Interview the complainant and, if necessary, the respondent against whom the complaint is filed, to determine:

1. All relevant details of the complaint;
2. All witnesses and documents which the complainant believes support the complaint;
3. The action or solution which the complainant seeks.

4. Respond to the complainant. If the complaint involves discrimination or harassment, the response shall be in writing and shall be submitted within 180 calendar days after the administrator or coordinator receives the complaint.

4. If either the complainant or the respondent is not satisfied with the decision, he or she may appeal the decision to the superintendent. The superintendent may assign a qualified designee to hear any appeal.

1. The appeal must be in writing.
2. This appeal must be received by the superintendent no later than three (3) calendar days from the date of the decision.
3. For complaints addressed through other applicable procedures that do not include a separate investigatory process, the superintendent will investigate as he or she deems appropriate.
4. The superintendent will prepare a written decision and provide it to the complainant and any other person entitled by law to receive the appeal decision. For complaints involving discrimination or harassment, the superintendent shall submit the decision within 180 calendar days after the superintendent received complainant’s written appeal. Appeals to the superintendent from complaints involving discrimination or harassment are final once the superintendent delivers the written decision, as are all other appeals/complaints to the superintendent unless the complaint can be appealed on the limited grounds to appeal to the board below.

5. The board’s role is to set policy, establish and implement a budget, and evaluate the superintendent. The board does not manage the daily operations of the school district entrusted to its administration unless required by law or policy. Because of the board’s statutory roles, it does not hear complaints or appeals that may involve oversight or discipline of students, staff, or others, unless those involve the superintendent as discussed below. The board does not hear complaints or appeals based on allegations of discrimination or harassment unless otherwise required by law. The board will hear appeals only in the following circumstances:

1. When the complaint is about a board policy, not implementation of the policy;
2. When the complaint involves the budget or school expenditures that have been or must be approved by the board; or
3. When the board is required by law, policy, or contract to hear acomplaint or appeal.

6. If a complaint involves those limited grounds and a party is not satisfied with the superintendent’s decision regarding the complaint or appeal, he or she may appeal the decision to the board.

1. This appeal must be in writing.
2. This appeal must be received by the board president no later than ten (10) calendar days from the date the superintendent communicated his/her decision to the complainant.
3. This policy allows, but does not require the board to receive statements from interested parties and witnesses relevant to the complaint appeal. However, all matters involving discrimination or harassment allegations against the superintendent shall be promptly and thoroughly investigated by the board president or a designee.
4. The board president will notify the complainant and any other person legally required to receive the decision in writing of its decision. If the complaint involves discrimination or harassment allegations against the Superintendent, the board president shall submit the decision within 180 calendar days after receiving the written appeal.
5. There is no appeal from any decision of the board unless authorized by law.

7. Formal complaints about the superintendent shall be filed with the president of the board. However, complaints about the superintendent do not include disagreement with the superintendent’s decision on appeal based on a complaint of discrimination, harassment, or action of any other employee who is not the superintendent. Upon receipt of a complaint, the board president or his or her designee shall promptly and thoroughly investigate the complaint, and shall:

1. Coordinate with school district staff, other than the superintendent, to determine if another procedure in policy or law requires the complaint against the superintendent to follow another procedure. If so, the board president will coordinate handling the complaint through that procedure. If another procedure applies, such as in the case of allegations of sex discrimination against the superintendent, the board president or, at his or her discretion, the full board will serve only to hear any appeal by a party to the complaint.
2. Determine whether the complainant has discussed the matter with the superintendent.

1. If the complainant has not, the board president or designee will urge or require the complainant to discuss the matter directly with the superintendent, if appropriate        or required.
2. If the complainant refuses to discuss the matter with the

superintendent, the board president shall, in his or her sole discretion, determine whether the complaint should or must be pursued further.

3. Determine, in his or her sole discretion, whether to place the matter on the board agenda for consideration at a regular or special meeting by the full board.
4. Respond to the complainant or appeal. If the complaint or appeal involves discrimination or harassment, the response shall be in writing and shall be submitted within 180 calendar days after the president received the complaint.
5. Appoint or contract with other individuals qualified to assist the board through this process or any other applicable procedure used to address allegations against the superintendent.

No Retaliation. The school district prohibits retaliation against any person

for filing a complaint or for participating in the complaint procedure in good

faith.

Special Rules Regarding Educational Services and Related Services

to Students with Disabilities. Students with disabilities and their families

have specific rights outlined in state and federal law, including administrative

processes by which they may challenge the educational services being

provided by the school district. Therefore, the appeal process contained in

this policy may not be used to challenge decisions made by a student’s

individualized education plan (IEP) team or 504 team.

Complaints about the educational services provided a student with a

disability, including but not limited to services provided to a student with an

IEP, access to curricular and extracurricular activities, and educational

placement must be submitted to the school district’s Director of Special Education. The Director of Special Education will address the complaint in a

manner that he/she deems appropriate and will provide the complainant

with a copy of the Notice of IDEA Parental Rights promulgated by the

Nebraska Department of Education.

Complaints about the educational services provided a student with a

disability pursuant to a Section 504 plan must be submitted to the school

district’s 504 Coordinator. The 504 Coordinator will address the complaint in

a manner that he/she deems appropriate and will provide the complainant

with a copy of the Notice of Section 504 Parental Rights adopted by the

board of education.

Complaints about the educational services provided to a student who is

suspected of having a disability must be submitted in writing to the school

district’s Director of Special Education or to the district’s 504 Coordinator.

The Director of Special Education or 504 Coordinator will either refer the

student for possible verification as a student with a disability or will provide

prior written notice of the district’s refusal to do so.

Bad Faith or Serial Filings.    The purpose of the complaint procedure is to

resolve complaints at the lowest level possible within the chain of command.

Individuals who file complaints (a) without a good faith intention to attempt

to resolve the issues raised; (b) for the purpose of adding administrative

burden; (c) at a volume unreasonable to expect satisfactory resolution; or

(c) for purposes inconsistent with the efficient operations of the district may

be dismissed by the superintendent without providing final resolution other

than noting the dismissal. There is no appeal from dismissals made

pursuant to this section.

Computer Network Use by Students

Students are expected to use computers and the Internet as an educational resource.  The following procedures and guidelines govern using computers and the Internet at school.

1. Student Expectations in the Use of the Internet

1. Acceptable Use

1. Students may use the Internet to conduct research assigned by teachers.
2. Students may use the Internet to conduct research for classroom projects.
3. Students may use the Internet to gain access to information about current events.
4. Students may use the Internet to conduct research for school-related activities.
5. Students may use the Internet for appropriate educational purposes.

2. Unacceptable Use

1. Students shall not use school computers to gain access to material that is obscene, pornographic, harmful to minors, or otherwise inappropriate for educational uses.
2. Students shall not engage in any illegal or inappropriate activities on school computers, including the downloading and copying of copyrighted material.
3. Students shall not use e-mail, chat rooms, instant messaging, or other forms of direct electronic communications on school computers for any unauthorized or unlawful purpose or in violation of any school policy or directive.
4. Students shall not use school computers to participate in on-line auctions, on-line gaming or mp3 sharing systems including, but not limited to Aimster or Freenet and the like.
5. Students shall not disclose personal information, such as their names, school, addresses, or telephone numbers outside the school network.
6. Students shall not use school computers for commercial advertising or political advocacy of any kind without the express written permission of the system administrator.
7. Students shall not publish web pages that purport to represent the school district or the work of students at the school district without the express written permission of the system administrator.
8. Students shall not erase, rename, or make unusable anyone else’s computer files, programs or disks.
9. Students shall not share their passwords with fellow students, school volunteers or any other individuals, and shall not use, or try to discover, another user’s password.
10. Students shall not copy, change or transfer any software or documentation provided by the school district, teachers or another student without permission from the system administrator.
11. Students shall not write, produce, generate, copy, propagate, or attempt to introduce any computer code designed to self-replicate, damage, or otherwise hinder the performance of any computer’s memory, file system, or software.  Such software is often called, but is not limited to, a bug, virus, worm, or Trojan Horse.
12. Students shall not configure or troubleshoot computers, networks, printers or other associated equipment, except as directed by a teacher or the system administrator.
13. Students shall not take home technology equipment (hardware or software) without permission of the system administrator.

                14.         Students shall not falsify electronic mail messages or web pages.

2. Enforcement

1. Methods of Enforcement

1. The district monitors all Internet communications, Internet usage, and patterns of Internet usage.  Students have no right of privacy to any Internet communications or other electronic files.  The computer system is owned by the school district.  As with any school property, any electronic files on the system are subject to search and inspection at any time.
2. The school district uses a technology protection measure that blocks access to some Internet sites that are not in accordance with the policy of the school district.  Standard use of the Internet utilizes a proxy server-based filter that screens for non-curriculum related pages.
3. Due to the nature of filtering technology, the filter may at times filter pages that are appropriate for student research.  The system administrator may override the technology protection measure for the student to access a site with legitimate educational value that is wrongly blocked.
4. The school district staff will monitor students' use of the Internet through direct supervision and by monitoring Internet use history to ensure enforcement of the policy.

2. Consequences for Violation of this Policy

1. Access to the school’s computer system and to the Internet is a privilege, not a right.  Any violation of school policy and rules may result in:

1. Loss of computer privileges;
2. Short-term suspension;
3. Long-term suspension or expulsion in accordance with the Nebraska Student Discipline Act; and
4. Other discipline as school administration and the school board deem appropriate.  

2. Students who use school computer systems without permission and for non-school purposes may be guilty of a criminal violation and will be prosecuted.  

3.          Protection of Students

1. Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA)

1. The school will not allow companies to collect personal information from children under 13 for commercial purposes.  The school will make reasonable efforts to disable advertising in educational computer applications.  
2. This policy allows the school to act as an agent for parents in the collection of information within the school context.  The school’s use of student information is solely for education purposes.

2. Education About Appropriate On-Line Behavior

1. School district staff will educate students about appropriate online behavior, both in specific computer usage units and in the general curriculum.  
2. Staff will specifically educate students on

1. Appropriate interactions with other individuals on social networking websites and in chat rooms.
2. Cyberbullying awareness and response.  

3. The School District’s Integration Specialist shall inform staff of this educational obligation and shall keep records of the instruction which occurs in compliance with this policy

Concussions

What is a concussion? A concussion is a brain injury. Concussions are caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body. Even or what seems to be a mild bump or blow to the head can be serious.

What are the signs and symptoms? You can't see a concussion. Signs and symptoms of concussion can show up right after the injury or may not appear or be noticed until days after the injury. If your teen reports one or more symptoms of concussion listed below, or if you notice the symptoms yourself, keep your teen out of play and seek medical attention right away.

How can your teen prevent a concussion? Every sport is different, but there are steps your teens can take to protect themselves from concussion and other injuries.

• Make sure they wear the right protective equipment for their activity. It should fit properly, be well maintained, and be worn consistently and correctly.
• Ensure that they follow their coaches' rules for safety and the rules of the sport.
• Encourage them to practice good sportsmanship at all times.

What should you do if you think your teen has a concussion?

Keep your teen out of play. If your teen has a concussion, her/his brain needs time to heal. Don't let your teen return to play. A repeat concussion that occurs before the brain recovers from the first-usually within a short period of time (hours, days, or weeks day of the injury and until a health care professional, experienced in evaluating for concussion, says your teen is symptom-free and it's OK to return)-can slow recovery or increases the likelihood of having long-term problems. In rare cases, repeat concussions can result in edema (brain swelling), permanent brain damage, and even death.

Seek medical attention right away. A health care professional experienced in evaluating for concussion will be able to decide how serious the concussion is and when it is safe for your teen to return to sports. Written clearance from a doctor is required before an athlete can be allowed to return to practice or competition.

Teach your teen that it's not smart to play with a concussion. Rest is key after a concussion. Sometimes athletes wrongly believe that it shows strength and courage to play injured. Discourage others from pressuring injured athletes to play. Don't let your teen convince you that he/she's "just fine."

Tell all of your teen's coaches and the student's school nurse about ANY concussion. Coaches, school nurses, and other school staff should know if your teen has ever had a concussion. Your teen may need to limit activities while she/he is recovering from a concussion. Things such as studying, driving, working on a computer, playing video games, or exercising may cause concussion symptoms to reappear or get worse. Talk to your health care professional, as well as your teen's coaches, school nurse, and teachers. If needed, they can help adjust your teen's school activities during her/his recovery.

If you think your teen has a concussion: Don't assess it yourself. Take him/her out of play. Seek the advice of a healthcare professional. It is better to miss one game than the whole season.

Addition to School Policy on Concussions: Return to Learn. The Superintendent or designee shall develop a return to learn protocol for students who have sustained a concussion. The return to learn protocol shall recognize that students who have sustained a concussion and returned to school may need informal or formal accommodations, modifications of curriculum, and monitoring by medical or academic staff until the student is fully recovered.

For more information and to order additional materials free of charge, visit: www.cdc.gov/Concussion.

Conferences

Students’ academic success has been closely linked to parental involvement in school.  The school district has formal parent-teacher conferences at the end of the first quarter (both elementary and high school) Elementary and Middle school student led conferences will be held during the spring semester. 

In addition to formal conferences, classroom teachers will communicate with parents as necessary.  Parents are encouraged to communicate with their student’s teacher or the building principal to discuss parental concerns, student needs or any other issue.  

Copyright and Fair Use

The school district complies with federal copyright laws.  Students must comply with copyright laws when using school equipment or working on school projects and assignments.  Federal law prohibits the unauthorized reproduction of works of authorship, regardless of the medium in which they were created.

The “fair use” doctrine allows limited reproduction of copyrighted works for educational and research purposes.  “Fair use” of a copyrighted work includes reproduction for purposes such as criticism, news reporting, teaching (including multiple copies for classroom use), scholarship, or research.  Students who are unsure whether their proposed reproduction of copyrighted material constitutes “fair use” should consult with their teacher or building principal, review the school district’s copyright compliance policy, and review Copyright for Students found at https://www.whoishostingthis.com/resources/student-copyright/.  You can find more information on copyright compliance requirements and permitted uses from the U.S. Copyright Office and the Library of Congress at the following site: http://www.loc.gov/teachers/usingprimarysources/copyright.html.

Damage to School Property

Students who damage school property either intentionally or unintentionally may be required to pay to replace or restore the property, at the discretion of the administration.  

Dating Violence 

Dating violence, as that term is defined by Nebraska law, will not be tolerated by the school district.  Students who engage in dating violence on school grounds, in a school vehicle or at a school activity or that otherwise violates the Nebraska Student Discipline Act will receive consequences consistent with the Act and the district’s student discipline policies.  

The school district shall provide dating violence training to staff deemed appropriate by the administration and in accordance with Nebraska law.

Digital Citizenship

Rationale- The Board of Wood River Rural Schools supports a Digital Citizenship model for the promotion of safe and responsible use of technology.  Students should learn how to safely and responsibly use computers, cell phones, tablet devices, smart watches, and other electronic devices.  An important part of learning these skills is being given the chance to experience the opportunities and the challenges presented by technology in a safe, secure, and nurturing environment, where clear, effective guidance can be sought as students and teachers learn.

The board believes that by fostering a culture of successful digital citizenship in students, staff and our wider community it is encouraging everyone to take responsibility for themselves and others in their use of information technology.  

Electronic Devices on School Vehicles- Students may use electronic devices while riding in school vehicles unless they are told not to do so by the driver of the vehicle or the sponsor.

Classroom iPad Policy-Individual teachers will set the iPad policy in their own classroom. Safety concerns in some areas may mean that iPads will not be permitted in the work area at all. Each teacher should provide students and parents with a written copy of his/her classroom policy on use of iPads.  At the beginning of the year each individual teacher will explicitly teach his/her policy with additional review of the policy occurring throughout the year. As well, administration will cover general digital citizenship guidelines throughout the school year.

General Guidelines-All use of electronic devices (including cell phones, Ipads, Smartwatches, laptops, computers etc) must be consistent with the student Code of Conduct.  Students are reminded that any harassment or bullying of other students using electronic devices is strictly prohibited.  Further, students are reminded that even if the harassing or bullying behavior occurs away from the school, the school may act in any situation that impacts our learning environment.

Electronic devices may only be used during class time with express permission from the classroom teacher.  All devices should remain on silent unless the classroom teacher has given express permission otherwise.  

Earbuds/headphones must both be removed when the teacher or other students are speaking. Further, noise levels from electronic devices must be such that other students are not bothered by the volume.

Unacceptable Use-Students may never use electronic devices in the following ways:

• using electronic devices contrary to the schoolwide policy
• using an electronic device inappropriately towards another community member
• using an electronic device on the school grounds or at school activities to take photographs or video without teacher or administrative permission
• using any piece of school-owned technology to harm another community member
• using any electronic device to violate copyright law or the intellectual property of another person
• using any electronic device to take,  disseminate, transfer or share obscene, pornographic, lewd, or otherwise illegal images or photographs

Enforcement -

Step 1: Staff will ask the student to put their electronic device in the designated storage location in the classroom. (Does not count as an electronic device infraction if the student complies with the teacher’s request.) If the student does not comply, move to Step 2.

Step 2: The teacher will contact the office, and the device will be collected and held in the main office for the remainder of the day. The incident will be logged as an electronic device infraction. If the student does not comply, move to Step 3.

Step 3: If the student refuses to turn over the device, they will be removed from the classroom and escorted to the office or designated problem-solving location. The device will be held for the remainder of the day and be subject to additional discipline, up to and including suspension or expulsion.

Students who need to contact parents/guardians for emergency reasons may request to use the phone in the school office.

Students who violate this policy may, at the discretion of the school’s administration, be subject to additional discipline, up to and including suspension or expulsion.

At any point in this progression, the administration may revoke the student's privilege of using electronic devices at school for the remainder of the year.

Any student who is in the office dealing with an administrator is required to surrender his/her cellphone for the duration of the time spent in the office.

Assumption of Risk and Consent to Search -As the school does not mandate students bring electronic devices to school, students do so at their own risk. The school is not responsible for any damage or loss to their personal electronic devices.

By bringing their personal electronic devices to school, students consent to the search of said devices by school staff when the staff determines that such a search is reasonable or necessary.  

Internet Access using Electronic Devices -The district monitors all Internet communications, Internet usage and patterns of Internet usage that occur on school grounds or by accessing any school-owned technology.  Students have no right of privacy to any Internet communications or other electronic files that occurs on school grounds or through any school-owned technology.  As with any school property, any electronic files stored on the school district's network are subject to search and inspection at any time.

The school district uses a technology protection measure that blocks access to some Internet sites that are not in accordance with the policy of the school district.  Standard use of the Internet utilizes a proxy server-based filter that screens for non-curriculum related pages.

Due to the nature of filtering technology, the filter may at times filter pages that are appropriate for student research.  The system administrator may override the technology protection measure for the student to access a site with legitimate educational value that is wrongly blocked.

The school district staff will monitor students' use of the Internet through direct supervision and by monitoring Internet use history to ensure enforcement of the policy.

Discrimination and Harassment

Students who believe that they have been the subject of unlawful discrimination or harassment due to their disability should contact the following Section 504 Coordinator:  Middle/High School - Chris Pietrzak (MS/HS Principal) at 308-583-2249 (phone number), cpietrzak@wrrsd.org (e-mail address); Elementary - Kelly Klanecky (Elementary Principal) at 308-583-2525 (phone number), kklanecky@wrrsd.org (e-mail address) or in person at school.  Students who believe that they have been the subject of unlawful discrimination or harassment due to their sex should contact the following Title IX Coordinator:  Scott Hirchert at 308-583-2249, shirchert@wrrsd.org, 13800 W. Wood River Rd. Wood River, NE 68883 or in person at school.  Students who believe that they have been the subject of any other unlawful discrimination or harassment should contact their building principal.  Students may report discrimination or harassment to any staff member who will then forward it on to the appropriate coordinator or administrator.  The staff member will follow school district policies to respond to the report.

Dress Code

The District prohibits student attire or appearance that:

• Causes or is likely to cause a material and substantial disruption to the District’s programs and activities.
• Promotes, depicts, or refers to violence, drugs, alcohol, vulgarity, obscenity, illegal activity, hate speech, bullying speech, or harassing speech.
• Includes words, gestures, or images that contain or imply sexual content or innuendo.
• Otherwise undermines the District’s mission to inculcate the habits, manners, and values fundamental to civility, community, and the educational environment.

Violations of the dress code shall be addressed in a manner consistent with the Student Code of Conduct.  The District reserves the right to request immediate attire changes from students. The District will require students to adhere to uniform standards and/or wear district approved or issued uniforms in order to participate in activities.

Students may be required to wear protective clothing or equipment or otherwise modify their attire or secure their hair to ensure the safety of themselves and others.  In such cases, a good faith effort to reasonably accommodate students will be made to ensure safety without compromising religious beliefs, grooming practices, or requiring students to permanently alter their appearance.  The least restrictive means appropriate to address the identified health or safety concern shall be used.

Driving and Parking Personal Vehicles

Students who drive privately owned motor vehicles to school must obey the following rules:

1.        Students may not move their vehicles during the school day without the permission of the building principal or superintendent.  Students will not be allowed to sit in or be around their vehicles during the school day, without administrative permission.  Once vehicles are parked, students must exit the vehicle immediately and enter the school building.  Students will proceed to the commons area prior to 8:05 am and if arriving after 8:05 a.m., all students must check in at the office.

2.        Students must drive with care to ensure the safety of the pedestrians.  Students may not drive carelessly or with excessive speed.

3.        By driving personal vehicles to school and parking on school grounds, students consent to having that vehicle searched by school officials when they have reasonable suspicion that such a search will reveal a violation of school rules.  

Drug-Free Schools

The board of education has adopted policies to comply with the Federal Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act.  Students are prohibited from using, possessing, or selling any drug, alcohol, or tobacco while on school grounds, at a school activity or in a school vehicle.  In addition, students who participate in the school’s activities program should refer to the Activities Handbook which prohibits the use or possession of alcohol, controlled substances and tobacco at all times.

Any student who violates any school policy regarding drug, alcohol, and tobacco use will be disciplined, up to and including short-term suspension, long-term suspension, or expulsion from school and/or referral to appropriate authorities for criminal prosecution.

Emergency Contact Information

Parents must complete an emergency information card for each child enrolled in the district.  The card should list the family physician’s name, where parents or a responsible adult can be located, and any necessary emergency instructions.  Parents must promptly inform the school if this contact information changes during the school year.  

Evacuations

The school district will hold routine evacuation drills throughout the school year.  Classroom teachers will provide students with detailed instructions on building evacuations.  

Eye Exams

All students enrolling in kindergarten or transferring into the school district from out of state must undergo a visual examination by a physician, a physician assistant, an advanced practice registered nurse, or an optometrist, which consists of testing for amblyopia, strabismus, and internal and external eye health, with testing sufficient to determine visual acuity, except that no such physical examination or visual evaluation shall be required of any child whose parent or guardian objects in writing.  They must provide evidence of the vision examination within six months prior to entrance.  The cost of such physical examination and visual evaluation shall be borne by the parent or guardian of each child who is examined.  

Food Service Program

The school district provides a food service program that is designed to provide adequate nutrition and an educational experience for students.  

Breakfast

The school will serve free breakfast daily from 7:45 a.m. until the start of school.

Lunch

Lunch prices depend on the federal funding that the program receives.  The school will post the price of lunches on the school website before the start of the school year.

Milk break

The school will offer an optional milk program to students in grades K-2. Parents will pay for the price of milk per quarter.  The price for milk may change during the school year.

Payment for Meals

Students are encouraged to pay for meals several weeks in advance.  Payment should be delivered to the school office.

If a student has no funds available to pay for a meal, the student will be provided and charged for up to five limited “courtesy meals,” such as a plain sandwich.  Thereafter, if a student has no funds available to pay for a meal, no food will be provided.

Students who qualify for free meals will not be denied a reimbursable meal, even if they have accrued a negative balance from other food purchases.  School staff may prohibit any students from charging a la carte or extra items if they do not have cash in hand or their account has a negative balance.  

If a student repeatedly lacks funds to purchase a meal, has not brought a meal from home, and is not enrolled in a free meal program, the district will use its resources and contacts to protect the health and safety of the student.  Failure or refusal of parents or guardians to provide meals for students may require mandatory reporting to child protection agencies as required by law.

Collection of Delinquent Meal Charge Debt

The school district is required to make reasonable efforts to collect unpaid meal charges.  The building principal or his or her designee will contact households about unpaid meal charges and notify them again of the availability of the free and reduced meal program and/or establish payment plans and due dates by telephone, e-mail, or other written or oral communication.  If these collection efforts are unsuccessful, the school district may pursue any other methods to collect delinquent debt as allowed by law.  

Collection efforts may continue into a new school year.

Notice of Non-discrimination

In accordance with federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.  To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form.  To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992.  Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

(1)        Mail:  U.S. Department of Agriculture

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

1400 Independence Avenue, SW

Washington, D.C. 20250-9410

(2)    Fax: (202) 690-7442; or

(3)    Email: program.intake@usda.gov

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the school district. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

Field Trips

Classes occasionally take field trips off school property for educational enrichment.  A student’s parent, or “caregiver” as that term is defined in the Nebraska Strengthening Families Act, must authorize a student to participate in a field trip by signing a permission slip and providing it to the school before the field trip.  Students who have not completed classroom work on time may not be allowed to attend field trips.  Students must comply with the student code of conduct, any applicable extracurricular conduct codes, and all directives by trip chaperones.

First-Aid

First-aid items may only be used by school staff.  Students who need first aid should ask for assistance from their classroom teacher or the nearest staff member.

Head Lice

Students found to have live head lice or louse eggs will not be permitted at school and will be sent home.  Upon discovering the presence of any indication of lice or louse eggs the student’s parent(s) or guardian(s) will be notified, and if appropriate will be asked to pick up the student from school immediately.

Students will not be permitted to return to school until the district finds that no live lice or eggs can be detected.  The parent(s) or guardian(s) will be required to treat the student and accompany the student to school to be examined.

The student cannot ride the school bus until the district has cleared the student to return to school.

Health Problems Limiting Activities

Parents who do not want their children to play outdoors or participate in physical education for health reasons must provide a doctor’s verification.

Parents should notify principal or superintendent if their student has any special health problems such as diabetes, asthma, or the like.  

Homebound Instruction

The school district may provide a student with instruction in his or her home and under parental supervision if the student is physically or mentally ill or injured and unable to attend regular classes for an extended period of time.  Homebound instruction shall be provided when the student’s physical and mental condition are such that the student can benefit from instruction and no other provision will meet the student’s educational needs.  If you believe that homebound instruction is appropriate for your child, please contact the building principal to initiate the appropriate process to determine eligibility.  

Homeless Children and Youth

Homeless students generally include children who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, as further defined by applicable state and federal law.  

It is the school’s policy not to stigmatize or segregate homeless students on the basis of their status of being homeless.  Transportation for homeless students who enroll in the district shall be furnished by the district under the same guidelines applying to other students or if such transportation is necessary for compliance with federal law.

Each homeless child shall be provided services for which the child is eligible comparable to services provided to other students in the school selected regardless of residency.  Homeless children shall be provided access to education and other services that such children need to ensure that they have an opportunity to meet the same student performance standards to which all students are held.

If a homeless child registered to attend school in the district is receiving family reconciliation services pursuant to state law, the district will work in cooperation with any county or department of social services in the district to jointly develop an educational program for the child.  The district’s homeless coordinator is Terry Zessin, who may be contacted at 308-583-2249.

Illness or Injury at School

Students who feel ill or are hurt while at school should seek immediate assistance from their classroom teacher or the nearest staff member.  The school will contact parents to pick students up from school whenever necessary.  When school officials determine that a student needs immediate medical attention but the parents cannot be reached by phone, emergency services will be summoned or the student will be taken directly to the doctor and/or hospital.  Parents must complete an emergency information card for each child enrolled in the district.  The card should list the family physician’s name, where parents or a responsible adult can be located, and any necessary emergency instructions. Parents may not be contacted for minor injuries.

Immunizations

All students must furnish one of the following to school officials:

• proof of adequate immunizations for mumps, measles, rubella; diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus; polio; and hepatitis B series; or
• a signed parental statement of refusal to provide the immunization history.  Homeless students who are in need of immunizations will be referred to the homeless coordinator, who shall assist in obtaining necessary immunizations or medical records.

Provisional Enrollment.  Students who meet the statutory requirements for provisional enrollment shall be allowed to attend school for sixty days without the necessary immunizations.

Students who are excepted from the immunization requirement may be excluded from school in the event of an outbreak of any contagious disease in the school population.

Initiations and Hazing

Initiations and hazing by members of classes, clubs, athletic teams, or any other organization affiliated with the district are prohibited except as otherwise permitted by this policy.  Any student engaging in hazing or non-approved initiations is subject to discipline as permitted by policy and law.

Initiations are defined as any ritualistic expectations, requirements, or activities placed upon new members of a school organization for the purpose of admission into the organization, even if those activities do not rise to the level of “hazing” as defined below.  Initiations are prohibited except by permission of the superintendent.  

Hazing is defined as any activity by which a person intentionally or recklessly endangers the physical or mental health or safety of an individual for the purpose of initiation into, admission into, affiliation with, or continued membership in any school organization.  Hazing activities include, but are not limited to, whipping, beating, branding, an act of sexual penetration, an exposure of the genitals of the body done with the intent to affront or alarm any person, a lewd fondling or caressing of the body of another person, forced and prolonged calisthenics, prolonged exposure to the elements, forced consumption of any food, liquor, beverage, drug, or harmful substance not generally intended for human consumption, prolonged sleep deprivation, or any brutal treatment or the performance of any unlawful act that endangers the physical or mental health or safety of any person.  

Lockers and Other School Property

The school district owns and exercises exclusive control over student lockers, desks, computer equipment, and other such property.  Students should not expect privacy regarding usage of or items placed in or on school property, because school property is subject to search at any time by school officials.  Periodic, random searches of lockers, desks, computers, and other such property may be conducted at the discretion of the administration.  The assignment of a locker is on a temporary basis and may be revoked at any time.  School officials may inspect student lockers without any particularized suspicion or reasonable cause.

Lost and Found

All lost and found articles are to be taken to the lost and found.  Students may claim lost articles there.  Unclaimed articles will be donated to a local charity or otherwise disposed of at the conclusion of each semester.  

Medications

Whenever possible, parents should arrange medication schedules to eliminate the need for giving medication during school hours.  When it is necessary for school personnel to administer medication to students, the school district will comply with the Nebraska Medication Aide Act, the requirements of Title 92, Nebraska Administrative Code, Chapter 59, (promulgated by the Nebraska Department of Education and entitled Methods of Competency Assessment of School Staff Who Administer Medication), and all state and federal regulations.  Parents and guardians who wish to have their child receive medication from school personnel must comply with the following procedures:

Prescription medication.  (1) Parents/guardians must provide a physician's written authorization for the administration of the medication.  (2)  Parents/guardians must provide their own written permission for the administration of the medication.  (3)  The medication must be brought to school in the prescription container and must be properly labeled with the student's name, the physician's name, and directions for administering the medication.

Non-prescription medication.  (1) Parents/guardians must provide written permission for the administration of the medication.  (2) The medication must be brought to the school in the manufacturer’s container.  (3) The container must be labeled with the child’s name and with directions for provision or administration of the medication

The district reserves the right to review and decline requests to administer or provide medications that are not consistent with standard pharmacological references, are prescribed in doses that exceed those recommended in standard pharmacological references, or that could be taken in a manner that would eliminate the need for giving them during school hours.  The district may request parental authorization to consult with the student’s physician regarding any medication prescribed by such physician.

Media Center

Students must check out materials from the librarian on duty.  Each borrower is responsible for all books checked out in his/her name.  A fine of five cents per day per book may be charged for overdue books.  Each student is responsible for any fine that accumulated on a book charged to him/her.  If a book is lost and not found by the end of the semester, the student must pay for it.  Students must also pay for any damage they cause to library books.

Memorials

Memorials or plaques honoring deceased students are generally not allowed in or on the school grounds unless authorized by board policy.  Dedications to students will not be allowed.

Scholarships in the deceased person’s name will not be set up by the school.  Scholarships set up by outside organizations or individuals, such as a foundation, will be allowed.

Opting Out of Assessments

The Board of Education has adopted a policy on approval and denial of state and federal assessment opt-out requests, which is based on requirements in law.  The policy can be requested by contacting the Superintendent of Schools at 308-583-2249.

Parental Involvement

See Section Five of the Handbook for the official Title I Policy.  The school district recognizes the unique needs of students who are being served in its Title I program, and the importance of parent and family engagement in the Title I program.  Parent and family engagement in the Title I Program shall include, but is not limited to:

1. An annual meeting to which all parents of participating children will be invited to inform parents of their school’s participation under this part, to explain the requirements of this part, and the right of the parents to be involved.  Invitations may take the form of notes sent with students or announcements in the school newsletter.  Additional meetings may be scheduled, based upon need and interest for such meetings.

2. An explanation of the details for the child’s and parents’ participation, including but not limited to: curriculum objectives, the forms of academic assessment used to measure student progress and the achievement levels of the challenging State academic standards, type and extent of participation, parental input in educational decisions, coordination, and integration with other Federal, State, and district programs, and evaluations of progress.  

3. Opportunities for participation in parent involvement activities, such as training to help parents work with their children to improve achievement.  A goal of these parent activities is to provide parents with opportunities to participate in decisions relating to the education of their students, where appropriate.

4. The district will, to the extent practicable, provide parents of limited English proficiency, parents with disabilities, parents with limited literacy, are economically disadvantaged, are of a racial or minority background or parents of migratory children with opportunities for involvement in the Title I Program.  Communication to parents about student progress and the district’s other Title I Program communications will be provided in the language used in the home to the extent practicable.  Responses to parent concerns will be provided in a timely manner.

5. Opportunities for parent-teacher conferences, in addition to those regularly scheduled by the school district, if requested by the parents or as deemed necessary by school district staff.

6. The district will coordinate and integrate parental involvement programs and activities with other programs in the community.  These may include cooperation with other community programs such as Head Start and preschools and other community services such as the public library.

7. The district will educate teachers, specialized instructional support personnel, principals, and other school leaders, with the assistance of parents in the value and utility of contributions of parents, how to reach out to, communicate with and work with parents as equal partners.

Parties

Classes may have seasonal parties during the year.  Parents shall communicate with their student’s classroom teacher for the teacher’s rules regarding birthday and holiday parties. Invitations for private parties and non-school-sponsored events may not be distributed at school.

Personal Items

The school provides the necessary equipment for classroom and school day activities.  Students should not bring items such as athletic equipment, electronic devices, toys, or other similar personal items to school unless they have the prior permission of their classroom teacher or a school administrator.  The school is not responsible for damaged or lost personal items or equipment.

Physical Education

The school district requires students to receive physical education to assist them in developing gross and fine motor skills.  Students are encouraged to wear proper athletic attire, including shorts, t-shirts, and tennis shoes. 

Physical Exam

Students entering kindergarten and the seventh grade, and those entering school from another state, are statutorily required to show evidence that they have had a physical examination within six months prior to the date of entering school.  **

Pictures

The school district arranges for a photographer to be present at school in the fall to take class pictures.  Parents will be notified of the date.  Parents who want pictures of their students or of their student’s class composite may purchase them directly from the photographer.  

Playground Rules

Students must follow these rules to keep the playground safe when they are using the playground as part of the school day:

1.        Students must obey the playground supervisor at all times.

2.        Students may not enter the street/highway to retrieve a ball unless given permission by the playground supervisor.

3.        Students must play away from the school windows.

4.        Touch and flag football are permitted, but tackle football is prohibited.  Students may only play football in designated areas.

5.        Students may throw balls and other authorized play equipment.  They may not throw rocks, gravel, snowballs, and clothing.

6.        Students must use the playground equipment properly and in a safe manner.        

Students who violate these rules will be disciplined with the loss of recess or other privileges, detention, and/or other consequences.  

The school’s playgrounds, equipment, and surrounding areas are generally not supervised.  Staff will supervise students when the students are using these areas as part of the school day or as part of a school activity.  At all other times and in all other circumstances, the school district does not provide supervision of its playgrounds, equipment, and surrounding areas.

Police Questioning and Apprehension  

Police or other law enforcement officers may be called to the school at the request of school administration or may initiate contact with the school in connection with a criminal investigation.  The school district shall inform parents when law enforcement officers seek access to their student prior to the student being questioned unless the officers are investigating charges that the student has been the victim of abuse or neglect.  Members of the school district staff will comply with board policy regarding police questioning of students.  

Protection of Student Rights

The Board of Education respects the rights of parents and their children and has adopted a Protection of Pupil Rights policy in consultation with parents to comply with the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA).  The policy is available on the district’s website or upon request from the district’s administrative office.  Parents may opt their child out of participation in activities identified by the Protection of Pupil Rights policy by submitting a written request to the superintendent.  Parents may have access to any survey or other material described in the Protection of Pupil Rights policy by submitting a written request to the superintendent.  See board policy 5015.

ACT Exam

Students taking the ACT Exam will be prompted to complete a short, optional questionnaire addressing a number of topics.  If you wish to review this questionnaire prior to the administration of the exam, please submit a written request to the superintendent.

Public Displays of Affection

Students may not engage in public displays of affection that are disruptive to the school environment or distracting to others.  Prohibited conduct includes hugging, kissing, touching or any other display of affection that a staff member determines to be inappropriate.

Reasonable Suspicion Testing

Students may be required to submit to drug or alcohol testing if there is a reasonable suspicion that the student is under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Rights of Custodial and Non-Custodial Parents

The school district will honor the parental rights of natural and adoptive parents unless those rights have been altered by a court.

The term “custodial parent” refers to a biological or adoptive parent to whom a court has given primary physical and legal custody of a child, and a person such as a caseworker or foster parent to whom a court has given legal custody of a child.  

The district will not restrict the access of custodial and non-custodial parents to their students and their students’ records, unless the district has been provided a copy of a court order that limits those rights.  If the district is provided such a court order, school officials will follow the directives set forth in the order.  

The district will provide the custodial parent with routine information about his or her child, including notification of conferences.  The district will not provide the non-custodial parent with such information on a routine basis, but will provide it upon the non-custodial parent’s request unless it has been denied by the courts.

A non-custodial parent who wishes to attend conferences regarding his or her child will be provided information about conference times so both parents may attend a single conference.  The district is not required to schedule separate conferences if both parents have been previously informed of scheduled conference times.

If either or both parents’ behavior is disruptive, staff members may terminate a conference and reschedule it with appropriate modifications or expectations.

Secret Organizations

Secret organizations are prohibited.  School officials shall not allow any person or representative of any such organization to enter upon school grounds or school buildings for the purpose of rushing or soliciting students to participate in any secret fraternity, society, or association.

School Day

The school day typically begins at 8:05 a.m. (Middle/High School) and 8:15 a.m. (Elementary) and ends at 3:15 p.m. (Elementary), and 3:33 p.m. (Middle/High School). Students are to leave the school grounds after dismissal.  There will be no supervision provided by the school before or after school unless students are a part of a scheduled activity or are enrolled in the After School Program/Homework Hour.  Parents must arrange for their children to leave school promptly at the end of the day.  Child Protective Services or Law Enforcement may be contacted if parents are excessively late and not able to be reached.

Middle School/High School students in good standing may be eligible for early release on Fridays at 2:30.  Parents/guardians will be notified if their student is eligible for early release on Thursday of that week.  Bus routes will run on the normal schedule.

Self-Management of Diabetes or Asthma/Anaphylaxis

Subject to school policy, the school district will work with the parent or guardian in consultation with appropriate medical professionals to develop a medical management plan for a student with diabetes, asthma, or anaphylaxis.  Parents desiring to develop such a plan should contact the school nurse.

Smoking and Tobacco

Smoking, including the possession or use of cigarettes, cigars, or other tobacco or tobacco derivative products; vapor products or electronic nicotine delivery systems; alternative nicotine products; or any other such look-alike or imitation product, is not permitted on school property at any time.

Sniffer (Drug) Dogs

The administration is authorized to use sniffer dogs to minimize the presence of illicit items on school grounds.  Students and staff are specifically notified of the following:

1. Lockers may be sniffed by sniffer dogs at any time.
2. Vehicles parked on school property may be sniffed by sniffer dogs at any time.
3. Classrooms and other common areas may be sniffed by sniffer dogs at any time students and staff are not present.
4. If contraband of any kind is found, the student or staff member shall be subject to appropriate disciplinary action.

Standardized Testing

The MAP (Measure of Academic Progress) is administered to students in grades K-12 to determine the students’ academic growth. Tests may be administered in the fall, winter and spring.

Student Assistance

Parents who believe their students have any learning, behavior, or emotional needs that they believe are not being addressed by the school district should contact the student’s teacher.  If appropriate, the teacher may convene the Student Assistance Team (SAT).  The SAT can explore possibilities and strategies that will best meet the educational needs of the student.

Student Fee Policy

The school district shall provide free instruction in accordance with the Nebraska State Constitution and Nebraska state law.  The district also provides activities, programs, and services that extend beyond the minimum level of constitutionally required free instruction.  Under the Public Elementary and Secondary Student Fee Authorization Act, the district is permitted to charge students fees for these activities or to require students to provide specialized equipment and attire for certain purposes.  This policy is subject to further interpretation or guidance by administrative or board regulations.  Students are encouraged to contact their building administration, their teachers or their coaches, and sponsors for further specifics.

Definitions.

1.        "Students" means students, their parents, guardians or other legal representatives.

 2.        "Extracurricular activities" means student activities or organizations that (1) are supervised or administered by the district; (2) do not count toward graduation or advancement between grades; and (3) are not otherwise required by the district.

 3.        "Post-secondary education costs" means tuition and other fees associated with obtaining credit from a post-secondary educational institution.  

Listing of Fees Charged by this District.

1. Clothing Required for Specified Courses and Activities.  Students are responsible for complying with the district’s grooming and attire guidelines and for furnishing all clothing required for any special programs, courses, or activities in which they participate.  The teacher, coach, or sponsor of the activity will provide students with written guidelines that detail any special clothing requirements and explain why the special clothing is required for the specific program, course, or activity.

2. Safety Equipment and Attire.  The district will provide students with all safety equipment and attire that is required by law.  Building administrators will assure that (a) such equipment is available in the appropriate classes and areas of the school buildings, (b) teachers are directed to instruct students in the use of such devices, and (c) students use the devices as required.  Students are responsible for using the devices safely and as instructed.  

3. Personal or Consumable Items.  The district does not provide students with personal or consumable items for participation in courses and activities, including, but not limited to, pencils, paper, pens, erasers, and notebooks.  Students who wish to supply their own personal or consumable items may do so, as long as those items comply with the requirements of the district.  The district will provide students with facilities, equipment, materials, and supplies, including books.  Students are responsible for the careful and appropriate use of such property.  Students will be charged for damage to school property caused by the student and will be held responsible for the reasonable replacement cost of any school property that they lose.

4. Materials Required for Course Projects.  The school district will provide students with the materials necessary to complete all basic curricular projects.  In courses where students choose to produce a project that requires materials beyond the basic materials provided by the district, the students will either furnish the materials, purchase the materials from the school, or purchase the materials from an outside vendor with an order form provided by the school.

5. Technological Devices.  The district will provide students with the technological devices necessary to complete all basic curricular projects.  To the extent that a student is not required by the district’s curriculum to utilize a device off district property, the district may charge students a convenience fee to take the device off district property.  The maximum dollar amount of this convenience fee charged by the district will be $35.  

As with all school property, students may be charged for damage to such devices.  To protect against such potential losses, students and parents may, but are not required, to purchase insurance coverage for the devices.  The maximum dollar amount of this insurance coverage facilitated by the district will be $35.  The district may also charge a damage deposit which will be returned or may be rolled to cover the damage deposit for the next year if it is not needed to cover the costs of any damage to the device.  The maximum dollar amount of this damage deposit will be $400.

6. Extracurricular Activities.  The school district may charge students a fee to participate in extracurricular activities to cover the district’s reasonable costs in offering such activities.  The district may require students to furnish specialized equipment and clothing that is required for participation in extracurricular activities, or may charge a reasonable fee for the use of district-owned equipment or attire.  Attached to this policy is a list of the fees charged for particular activities.  The coach or sponsor will provide students with additional written guidelines detailing the fees charged, the equipment and/or clothing required, or the usage fee charged.  The guidelines will explain the reasons that fees, equipment, and/or clothing are required for the activity.

The following list details the maximum dollar amount of all extracurricular activities fees and the specifications for any equipment or attire required for participation in extracurricular activities:

• Student Participation/Activity Fee: $25

• Required of all students who participate in athletics and/or other extracurricular activities
• Covers admission to all extracurricular events

• Future Business Leaders of America: $20
• DECA: $20
• National Honor Society: $20
• Cheerleading, Drill Team, Flag Corps:

• Students must purchase uniforms and shoes selected by the sponsor and/or student group.  

• Football:

• Students must provide their own football shoes, undergarments, and mouthguards

• Golf:

• Students must provide their own golf shoes, undergarments, and clubs

• Softball and Baseball:

• Students must provide their own shoes, gloves, and undergarments

• Track, Volleyball, and Wrestling:

• Students must provide their own shoes and undergarments

• Future Farmers of America:

• Students must purchase their own jackets and pay dues

• Science Club: $20
• FCCLA: $20
• Spanish Club: $20

7. Post-Secondary Education Costs.  Some students enroll in post-secondary courses while still enrolled in high school.  As a general rule, students must pay all costs associated with such post-secondary courses.  However, for a course in which students receive high school credit or a course being taken as part of an approved accelerated or differentiated curriculum program, the district shall offer the course without charge for tuition, transportation, books, or other fees.  Students who chose to apply for post-secondary education credit for these courses must pay tuition and all other fees associated with obtaining credits from a post-secondary educational institution.  The costs of these items will naturally vary, but the maximum dollar amount of the fee is anticipated to be $1400 per course.

8. Transportation Costs.  The district will charge students reasonable fees for district-provided transportation services to the extent permitted by federal and state statutes and regulations.  The maximum dollar amount of the transportation fee charged by this district shall be the state determined mileage rate.

9. Copies of Student Files or Records.  The school district will charge a fee for making copies of a student’s files or records for the student’s parents or guardians.  The Superintendent or the Superintendent’s designee shall establish a schedule of student record fees.  Students’ parents have the right to inspect and review the students’ files or records without the payment of a fee, and the district shall not charge a fee to search for or retrieve any student’s files or records.  The district will charge a fee of 10 cents per page for reproduction of student records.

10. Participation in Before-School, After-School or Pre-Kindergarten Services.  The district may charge reasonable fees for participation in before-school, after-school or pre-kindergarten services offered by the district pursuant to statute.

11. Participation in Summer School or Night School.  The district may charge reasonable fees for participation in summer school or night school and may charge reasonable fees for correspondence courses.  

12. Charges for Food Consumed by Students.  The district will charge for items that students purchase from the district’s breakfast and lunch programs.  The fees charged for these items will be set according to applicable federal and state statutes and regulations.  The district will charge students for the cost of food, beverages, and the like that students purchase from a school store, vending machine, booster club or from similar sources.  Students may be required to bring money or food for field trip lunches and similar activities.

The maximum dollar amount charged by the district for the breakfast and lunch programs is as follows:        

• Breakfast Program – Grades K-8

        Regular Price        $2.05

        Reduced Price        $____

• Breakfast Program – Grades 9-12

                   Regular Price        $2.05

                  Reduced Price        $____

• Lunch Program – Grades K-5

                  Regular Price        $3.00

                  Reduced Price        $____

• Lunch Program – Grades 6-12

                  Regular Price        $3.50

                  Reduced Price        $____

• Second milk or second entrée (each)        $0.45

13. Charges for Musical Extracurricular Activities.  Students who qualify for fee waivers under this policy will be provided, at no charge, the use of a musical instrument in optional music courses that are not extracurricular activities.  For musical extracurricular activities, the school district will require students to provide the following equipment and/or attire:

• Band         students must provide their own instruments.
• Swing choir students must purchase outfits and shoes selected by the sponsor and/or student group.  See Policy 5045.

14. Contributions for Class Extracurricular Activities.  Students are eligible to participate in a number of extracurricular activities during their years in Junior/ Senior High school, including prom, various senior recognitions, and graduation.  In order to fund these extracurricular activities, the school district will ask each student to make a contribution to their class’s fund beginning in ninth grade.  Students who chose not to contribute to the class fund are still eligible to participate in the extra activities.  The suggested donation to the class fund will be $10 per year.

Waiver Policy.

Students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunches under United States Department of Agriculture child nutrition programs shall be provided a fee waiver or be provided the necessary materials or equipment without charge for (1) participation in extracurricular activities, (2) materials for course projects, and (3) the use of a musical instrument in optional music courses that are not extracurricular activities.  Students are not required to participate in the free or reduced-price lunch program to qualify for the waivers provided in this section.  The district is not obligated to provide any particular type or quality of equipment or other material to eligible students.  Students who wish to be considered for waiver of a particular fee must submit a completed fee waiver application to their building principal.  Application forms are available in each school building office.

Voluntary Contributions to Defray Costs.

When appropriate, the district will request donations of money, materials, equipment, or attire from parents, guardians and other members of the community to defray the costs of providing certain services and activities to students.  These requests are not requirements, and staff members of the district are directed to communicate that fact clearly to students, parents, and patrons.

Fund-Raising Activities

Students may be permitted or required to engage in fund-raising activities to support various curricular and extracurricular activities in which they participate.  Students who decline to participate in fund-raising activities are not eligible under this policy for waiver of the costs or fees which the fund-raising activity was meant to defray.  Students who do not raise any funds through the fundraising activities will pay a fee.

Student Illness

Students who suffer from a significant illness which has an actual or expected duration of six months or more may be eligible for accommodations and supports under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act or under the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act.  The school will provide accommodations to students who are returning to school after a prolonged absence due to illness, including pediatric cancer, through a 504 plan or an IEP, as appropriate.  The student’s plan will include informal or formal accommodations, modifications of curriculum and monitoring by medical or academic staff as determined by the student’s IEP team or 504 committee.  Parents and staff will engage in ongoing communication about the needs of a student who is facing these circumstances.  

Students who become ill at school will be sent to the building office where the school nurse or other school employee will determine the appropriate response.  When a child is too ill to remain at school, a school employee will contact the child’s parent(s) and arrange for the child to be picked up or sent home.  If an illness or injury requires immediate medical attention, school officials shall attempt to contact the child’s parent(s) regarding treatment for the child.  If the parents cannot be contacted, school officials may have the child treated by an available physician.  Students who show symptoms of a contagious disease may be sent home, and the district may require a physician’s statement before allowing such students to return to school.  

The school nurse, administration, or their designee should evaluate students prior to leaving due to illness to be considered a medically verified absence.

Students should not be in school or return to school if they have a temperature above 100 degrees without fever-reducing medicine, are vomiting, or have diarrhea.

Student Government

Students are encouraged to formulate and participate in elective and representative student government activities.  The organization, operation, and scope of the student government shall be administered by the superintendent or designee.  

Student Records

The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (“FERPA”) provides parents certain rights with respect to their student’s education records.  These rights include the right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days of the date the school receives a request for access; and the right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that you believe to be inaccurate.  

If parents believe one of their student’s records is inaccurate, they should write to the school principal, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why they believe it is inaccurate.  If the school decides not to amend the record as requested, it will notify the parents of the decision and advise them of their right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment.  

Directory Information.  FERPA and the Nebraska Public Records Law authorize school districts to make "directory information" available for review at the request of non-school individuals.  These laws also give parents and guardians a voice in the decision-making process regarding the disclosure of directory information regarding their children.  The school district has designated the following as directory information:

name and grade, name of parent and/or guardian, address, telephone number, including the student’s cell phone number, e-mail address, date and place of birth, dates of attendance, the image or likeness of students in pictures, videotape, film or other medium, major field of study, participation in activities and sports, degrees and awards received, social media usernames and handles, weight and height of members of athletic teams, most recent previous school attended, certain class work which may be published onto the Internet, classroom assignment and/or home room teacher, student ID number, user ID, or other unique personal identifier used by the student for purposes of accessing or communicating in electronic systems (but only if the identifier cannot be used to gain access to education records except when used in conjunction with one or more factors that authenticate the user’s identity, such as a personal identification number (PIN), password, or other factor known or possessed only the authorized user).  Directory information does not include a student’s social security number.

Directory information about students may be disclosed to outside organizations without a parent’s prior written consent.  Outside organizations include, but are not limited to, companies that market or manufacture class rings, sell student photographs or publish student yearbooks.  

Federal law requires school districts to provide military recruiters and institutions of higher education with the names, addresses, and telephone listings of high school students unless parents have notified the school district in writing that they do not want this information disclosed without prior written parental consent.  Military recruiters will be granted the same access to a student in a high school grade as is provided to postsecondary educational institutions or to prospective employers of such students.

Parents who OBJECT to the disclosure of any directory information about their student should write a letter to the principal.  This letter should specify the particular categories of directory information that the parents do not wish to have released about their child or the particular types of outside organizations to which they do not wish directory information to be released.  This letter must be received by the school district no later than the first day of school.

Non-Directory Information

All of the other personally identifiable information about students that is maintained in the school district’s education records will generally not be disclosed to anyone outside the school system except under one of two circumstances: (1) in accordance with the provisions of the FERPA statutes and related administrative regulations, or (2) in accordance with the parent’s written instructions.  

One FERPA exception permits disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests without consent.  A school official includes, but is not necessarily limited to, a teacher or other educator, administrator, supervisor, instructor, or support staff member (including health or medical staff and law enforcement unit personnel); school board member; volunteer; contractor or consultant who, while not employed by the school, performs an institutional service or function for which the school would otherwise use its own employees and who is under the direct control of the school with respect to the use and maintenance of PII from education records, such as an attorney,  representative of the district’s insurance providers, auditor, medical consultant, therapist, or a third-party website operator who has contracted with the school district or its agent to offer online programs for the benefit of students and/or the district; members of law enforcement acting on behalf of the school district; a parent or student volunteering to serve on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee; or a parent, student, or other volunteer assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks.  A school official typically has a “legitimate educational interest” if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill a school-related professional, contractual, statutory, or regulatory responsibility.

The district will share information with the Department of Education necessary to comply with the requirement of state law that all third- year high school students take a college entrance exam.  Any redisclosure of information related to the administration of this exam shall be governed by the agreement between the Nebraska Department of Education and the third-party testing company.

Transfer of Records Upon Student Enrollment

Upon request, the school discloses education records without consent to officials of another school district in which a student seeks or intends to enroll.  The school is not obligated to inform parents when it makes a disclosure under this provision.

Complaints

Individuals who wish to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the School to comply with the requirements of FERPA may contact the Office that administers FERPA:

Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202-4605

Student Schedule Changes

Student schedule changes may be made without penalty during the first three days of each semester.  Drop and Add slips are to be obtained from the office of the Guidance Counselor and must be signed by the guidance counselor and building principal before they are presented to the teacher of the class that is to be added or dropped.

After the first week of the semester, students who insist on dropping a class, except for instances of an extended illness, will receive a “0” on their permanent records, and that grade will be averaged into the student’s cumulative grade point average.  If an extended illness makes it impossible or impracticable for a student to successfully complete a class or classes, the student may be allowed to withdraw from a class or classes as (WP)-Withdraw Passing or (WF)-Withdraw Failing.  If permission to withdraw as WP or WF is given by the building principal and guidance counselor, the grade(s) will not be averaged into the cumulative grade point average of the student.

Before students are allowed to withdraw from a class as WP or WF, the student, the parents of the student, the guidance counselor, and the building principal must meet and review the circumstances of the situation.  All available means that could be utilized to allow the student to successfully complete the course(s) must be reviewed before permission to withdraw as WP or WF is given by the building principal and guidance counselor.

Tardiness

A student who does not have a valid excuse for being tardy to any class may be required to serve detention.  After three tardies and thereafter, students will be required to call parents from the office phone to inform them they have been late.  After four tardies in a quarter, students will be required to make up lost time through detentions, Saturday school attendance, or ISS.  

Telephone Calls

The school’s telephone may be used only with the permission of staff.  

Threat Assessment and Response

The board is committed to providing a safe environment for members of the school community.  Students, staff and patrons are urged to immediately report any statements or behavior that makes the observer fearful or uncomfortable about the safety of the school environment.

1. Definitions

1. A threat is an expression of willful intent to physically or sexually harm someone or to damage property in a way that indicates that an individual poses a danger to the safety of school staff, students or other members of the school community.  

1. The threat may be expressed/communicated behaviorally, orally, visually, in writing, electronically, or through any other means.  
2. A transient threat is an expression of anger or frustration that can be quickly or easily resolved.
3. A substantive threat is an expression of serious intent to harm others which includes, but is not limited to, any threat which involves a detailed plan and means.  

2. A threat assessment is a fact-based process emphasizing an appraisal of observed (or reasonably-observable) behaviors to identify potentially dangerous or violent situations, to assessment them and to manage/address them.  Threat assessment is the process of distinguishing “transient” threats from serious ones in a systematic, data-informed way.  

1. The threat assessment process is distinct from student disciplinary procedures.  The mere fact that the district is conducting a threat assessment does not by itself necessitate suspension, expulsion or emergency exclusion without complying with state law and board policy related governing those actions.
2. The threat assessment process is distinct from specialized instruction which a student with a disability may receive from the school district.  The school district will not change a student’s educational placement as that term is used in the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act solely as part of a threat assessment.

2. Obligation to Report Threatening Statements or Behaviors.

All staff and students must report substantive threats to a member of the administration immediately and comply with any other mandatory reporting obligations.  Staff and students who are unsure whether a threat is substantive or transient should report the situation. Staff and students must make such report regardless of the nature of the relationship between the individual who initiated the threat or threatening behavior and the person(s) who were threatened or who were the focus of the threatening behavior.  Staff and students must also make such reports regardless of where or when the threat was made or the threatening behavior occurred.

THREATS OR ASSAULTS WHICH REQUIRE IMMEDIATE INTERVENTION SHOULD BE REPORTED TO THE POLICE AT 911.

1. Threat Assessment Investigation and Response

All reports of violent, threatening, stalking or other behavior or statements which could be interpreted as posing a threat to school safety will immediately be forwarded to the designated law enforcement unit.  Upon receipt of an initial report of any threat, the law enforcement unit shall initiate an initial inquiry/triage and make a determination of the seriousness of the threat as expeditiously as possible.  The law enforcement unit must contact local law enforcement if it determines that an individual poses a clear and immediate threat of serious violence.  

If there is no reasonably apparent imminent threat present or once such an imminent threat is contained, the law enforcement unit will meet to evaluate and respond to the threatening behavior.  The law enforcement unit may, but is not required to, review the following types of information:

• Review of the threatening behavior and/or communication;
• Interviews with the individuals involved including students, staff members, and family members as necessary and/or appropriate;
• Review of school and other records for any prior history or interventions with the students involved;
• Any other investigatory methods that the law enforcement unit determines to be reasonable and useful.  

If the threat has been made by, or is directed towards, a student with a disability, the superintendent must confer with a staff member who is knowledgeable about special education services or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as appropriate.

At the conclusion of the investigation, the law enforcement unit will share its findings with the superintendent.  The superintendent will determine what, if any, response to the threat is appropriate.  The superintendent is authorized to disclose the results of the investigation to law enforcement and to the target(s) of any threatened acts.  The superintendent may refer the individual of concern to the appropriate school administrator for consequences under the school’s student discipline policy or, if appropriate, report the results of the investigation to the student’s individualized education plan team.

4.        Communication with the Public about Reported Threats

To the extent possible, the superintendent will keep members of the school community informed about substantive threats and about the district’s response to those threats.  This communication may include oral announcements, written communication sent home with students, and communication through print or broadcast media.  However, the superintendent will not reveal the identity of the individual of concern or of any target(s) of threatened violence unless permitted by law.  

5.        Coordination with the Crisis Team After Resolution of Threat

The superintendent will confer with the district’s crisis team after a threat has been investigated to provide the crisis team with information that the crisis team may use in assessing or revising the district’s All-Hazard School’s Safety Plan.  

Transportation Services

The district operates school buses as a convenience for students and parents.  They represent a substantial investment, and students are expected to care for and respect them.  

Transportation to School

Students who ride the bus to school will arrive in time for them to eat breakfast at school.  Parents must contact their bus driver if a student will not ride the bus on a given day.  Bus drivers endeavor to adhere to their schedule and will wait for riders only a short period of time so as not to jeopardize the time remaining for the rest of their schedule.  

If space allows and is convenient for the route, non-resident or option enrollment students may ride the buses, but they will be charged a fee to be established by the board of education.  The Superintendent will schedule bus routes, and questions concerning them should be directed to that office.

Bus Regulations                                                               

Riding school vehicles is a privilege, not a right.  The bus drivers have the same authority as teachers while transporting students.  Students must comply with the following rules and all school conduct rules and directives while riding in school vehicles.  In addition, students must also comply with the student code of conduct while riding in school vehicles.  If misconduct is recurring, the student will not be allowed to ride the bus.

1. Rules of Conduct on School Vehicles:  

1. Students must obey the driver promptly.
2. Students must wait in a safe place for the bus to arrive, clear of traffic and away from where the vehicle stops.
3. Students are prohibited from fighting, engaging in bullying, harassment, or horseplay.
4. Students must enter the bus without crowding or disturbing others and go directly to their assigned seats.
5. Students must remain seated and keep aisles and exits clear while the vehicle is moving.  
6. Students are prohibited from throwing or passing objects on, from, or into vehicles.
7. Students may not use profane language, obscene gestures, tobacco, alcohol, drugs, or any other controlled substance on the vehicles.
8. Students may not carry weapons, look-a-like weapons, hazardous materials, nuisance items, or animals onto the vehicle.
9. Students may carry on conversations in ordinary tones, but may not be loud or boisterous and should avoid talking to the driver while the vehicle is in motion.  Students must be absolutely quiet when the vehicle approaches a railroad crossing and any time the driver calls for quiet.
10. Students may not open windows without permission from the driver.  Students may not dangle any item (e.g. legs, arms, backpacks) out of the windows.  
11. Student must secure any item or items that could break or produce injury if tossed about the inside of the vehicle if the vehicle were involved in an accident
12. Student must respect the rights and safety of others at all times.
13. Students must help keep the vehicle clean, sanitary, and orderly.  Students must remove all personal items and trash upon exiting.
14. Students may not leave or board the vehicle at locations other than the assigned stops at home or school unless approved prior to departure by the superintendent or designee.
15. Video cameras may be placed on buses, at random, to monitor student behavior on the bus.

2. Consequences

Drivers must promptly report all student misconduct to the administration.  These reports may be oral or written.  Students who violate the Rules for Conduct will be referred to their building principal for discipline.  Disciplinary consequences may include a note home to parents, suspension of bus riding privileges, exclusion from extracurricular activities, in-school suspension, short-term or long-term suspension from school, and/or expulsion.  

These consequences are not progressive, and school officials have discretion to impose any listed punishment they deem appropriate, in accordance with state and federal law and board policy.

3. Records

Records of vehicle misconduct will be forwarded to the appropriate building principal and will be maintained in the same manner as other student discipline records.  Reports of serious misconduct may be forwarded to law enforcement.

Requests to be dropped off at a point not on the regular route will not be accommodated, unless extenuating circumstances arise and the request is approved by the transportation director or administration.

Students who are not regular route riders may not ride the bus home with a friend, unless the parent of the non-route student presents written permission to the bus driver ahead of time.  The written permission should include the date, the non-route rider's name, the signature of the non-rider's parent, and the place approved for drop off.  Such requests may not be granted if they cause overcrowding of the vans or buses (Vans-10 riders only, plus driver).

Transportation to Activities

The school district provides transportation to students who are participating in school-sponsored events and they must ride to those events in a school vehicle.  Students who wish to take private transportation home from a school event must submit a release form to the sponsor that has been signed by that student’s parent.  

Video Surveillance, Recordings, and Photographs

The Board of Education has authorized the use of video cameras on school district property to ensure the health, welfare, and safety of all staff, students and visitors, and to safeguard District facilities and equipment.  Video cameras may be used in locations deemed appropriate by the Superintendent.  If a video surveillance recording captures a student or other building user violating school policies or rules or local, state, or federal laws, it may be used in appropriate disciplinary proceedings against the student or other building user and may also be provided to law enforcement agencies.

Recordings Made by Parents/Guardians and Patrons.    Parents/guardians and patrons may make recordings of school activities intended to be public in a non-disruptive manner including things like athletic contests and school board meetings to the extent permitted by law unless otherwise lawfully restricted by the administration.  Parents/guardians or patrons may not make recordings if they are volunteering or visiting school during the school day without permission of the administration or supervising staff member and subject to this policy, such as recording their child’s classroom activities or recess.  Parents may not record meetings with administrators or staff, including meetings related to a student’s IEP or 504 Plan.  Violation of this policy will result in immediate termination of any meeting that is being recorded and may be grounds for exclusion from school property, loss of volunteer privileges, or other restrictions deemed appropriate by the administration.

Recordings Made by Students.  This policy applies to students during the school day on school grounds; when being transported to and from school activities or programs in a vehicle owned, leased, or contracted by a school being used for a school purpose by a school employee or by his or her designee; or at a school-sponsored activity or athletic event.  Students may make recordings of school activities in a non-disruptive manner including things like athletic contests and other extracurricular performances to the extent permitted by law.  Students generally are not permitted to record classroom instruction or members of the school community during the school day without the express consent of a staff member or as required by the student’s education plan.  Student use of assistive technology that has the capacity to record and/or transmit recordings (e.g. AngelSense) must be approved by the student’s education team or administration.  Students remain subject to all other district policies and rules.  In no event shall recordings be taken or made in restrooms, locker rooms, or other areas where there is a reasonable expectation of privacy.  Students who violate this policy may be subject to discipline up to and including expulsion.

Weather-Related School Closing

The Superintendent will occasionally announce an emergency early school dismissal, late start, or cancellation of school due to extreme heat, snow, or ice.  School closings will be announced on the school website, school social media and call/text will be made.  Parents should assume that school is open and a regular schedule is being followed if there is no announcement concerning the school district.  Please do not call the school or individual staff members to find out whether school is being canceled.  Parents who do not believe it is safe to transport their students to school may keep their students home after contacting the district office.

If schools are closed due to severe weather conditions, all after-school activities will be canceled.

Withdrawal From School

Students who are moving from the district must notify the school office.  

Work Permits

The building principal or other authorized school official shall be responsible for the issuance of work permits for children in accordance with state law.

SECTION TWO

ACADEMIC INFORMATION

Academic Lettering

A student in grades 9-12 is eligible for an academic letter if he/she has a grade point average in the top 10% of their class for a specific school year.

Class Rank

Student class rank shall be determined by using a numeric grade point average derived from all classes graded on a numeric basis.  To be included in the class ranking, a student must have received a numeric grade for each core curriculum class in which he/she was enrolled.  For the purposes of this policy, core curriculum shall include all courses in the areas of language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies.

Students who transfer into the school district will be eligible to be included in class ranking after two semesters of attendance.

Students who transfer into the school district in the middle of their senior year will be eligible to be included in class ranking, although a mid-year transfer will not displace the ranking of a student who has not transferred mid-year.  In those circumstances there will be two students holding the relevant class ranking.  Mid-year transfer students will not be eligible to receive senior awards such as valedictorian and salutatorian unless the student has been enrolled in the district’s high school for the last two semesters.

Credit for Non-Academic Work

Credit is not awarded for participation in extracurricular activities such as sports, speech, drama, etc.  

Correspondence and Online Courses

Under certain circumstances, the school district will reimburse students for the cost of tuition, textbooks, and other mandatory class materials for high school correspondence or online courses that are not part of the school district’s regular curriculum.  To receive reimbursement, the student must:  1) pay all initial course costs when he/she registers for the course; 2) select a course that is not available in the school curriculum, nor is any comparable course available; 3) register for the course during a specific school period; 4) have a faculty member designated as course monitor; and 5) complete the course during the regular school semester(s).  

The district will not be liable for the costs of such courses until the student has successfully completed the course according to the established timelines.  After the student has completed the course and the district has reimbursed the student for these costs, the textbooks and class materials shall become the property of the district.          

Grades

Students will receive letter grades for their academic core classes.  

The middle and high school grading system is as follows:

A                Superior                                                100% -  93%

B                Above Average                                        92%  -   86%

C                Average                                                85%  -   78%

D                Below Average                                        77%  -   70%

F                Unsatisfactory ( no credit)                        69%  -     0%

I                Incomplete

The elementary school grading system is as follows:

                A        93-100%

                B        86-92%

                C        78-85%

                D        70-77%

                F        69% and below

Standards Scale

                4 - Exceeds Standards:  Demonstrates a thorough understanding of                         concepts, ideas, and / or skills.

                3 - Meets Standards:  Demonstrates sufficient understanding of                                 important concepts, ideas, and / or skills.

                2 - Developing Standards:  Demonstrates an incomplete                                         understanding (partial, but limited) of important concepts, ideas, and /                 or skills, but with no major misconceptions.

                1 - Below Standards:  Demonstrates an incomplete understanding                         (partial or not at all) of important concepts, ideas, and/or skills, along                         with major misconceptions.

A student may earn an incomplete when he or she fails to complete classroom assignments.  Any student in grades 7-11 who receives an incomplete will have this grade recorded on his/her permanent record until the required work is completed to the teacher’s satisfaction.  If a student does not remove an incomplete by completing the minimum classroom assignments, the incomplete will be calculated as a failing grade in determining the student’s grade point average.

An incomplete must be removed by the time set by the teacher in that certain subject if the student is to receive credit for the subject.  Incomplete should not be given at the end of the second semester.

A student who receives an incomplete during his/her senior year must satisfactorily complete the classroom assignments to participate in the graduation ceremony.  Seniors with incompletes will not be dismissed from school attendance until the classroom assignments are completed to the teacher’s satisfaction.

Graduation Awards

Graduating seniors will be awarded for their academic achievements during the annual commencement activities.  The winners of these awards will be determined on the basis of student academic achievement in the core curriculum: English, mathematics, science, social studies, business education, foreign language, and computer science.

The valedictorian of the graduating class shall be the students with the highest cumulative grade point averages completed in grades nine through twelve.  These students will receive their awards during commencement exercises.

Graduation Requirements

Students must earn two hundred sixty (260) total credit hours in order to graduate from high school.  

Required courses and credit hours that students must complete in order to qualify for the Wood River High School Diploma are:

        COURSE REQUIREMENTS        CREDIT  HOURS

English        40

• Required: English 9, 10, 11, and English 12

or College Prep English

Speech        5

Social Studies        35

• Required: World History (one semester),

Am. History, Political Science

Mathematics        40

• Required: Algebra I or Pre-Algebra

Science        30

• Required: Physical Science & Biology

Health and Physical Education        10

Personal Leadership        10

Fine Arts (Art, Music)        20

Career Vocations Education(Intro. Ag &

        ITech Fundamentals)        20

Elective Courses        50

Transfer students must meet the minimum hour requirement for graduation both in terms of total number and specific subject areas.  Substitutions may be made for deficiencies in required courses, provided that it was not possible to include the courses on the student's schedule while enrolled at this school district.

Students who receive special education services are mainstreamed into the regular education curriculum when appropriate.  The curriculum content of regular education classes may be modified to accommodate the individual needs and abilities of verified special education students.  Each curriculum modification will be included on the student's Individual Education Plan by the Multi-Disciplinary Team and/or school staffing teams composed of special and regular education staff.  Hours in special education will be counted toward a high school diploma.  

Parents of students who may not qualify for their high school diploma because of academic deficiencies will be notified of this possibility by the beginning of the second semester of the student's senior year.  

Homework

Classroom teachers will often assign homework.  Parents who have questions about homework or concerns about class work should contact the teacher.  Questions not resolved by the teacher should be referred to the administration.

Each student is expected to spend some time preparing for studies outside of school hours.  The amount of time that is needed will depend upon each student.  Normally, at least an hour a day should be spent in preparing for an average assignment.  

Students who struggle to complete assignments or who must spend an inordinate amount of time completing an assignment should seek the help and advice of their teachers and consult with the principal and/or the guidance counselor.  

Honor Roll

Students whose average of all classes is equal to a 3.6 grade point average or above will be listed on the “A” Honor Roll (Superintendent’s Team).  A grade below a “C” automatically disqualifies a student from the “A” Honor Roll.  Students whose grade point average is 3.0 or above but below 3.6 will be listed on the “B” Honor Roll (Principal’s Team).  One-forth of the grades cannot be below a “B” and any grade below a “C” automatically disqualifies a student for the “B” Honor Roll.  Students with all “A’s” (Eagle Squad) will be listed separately on each Honor Roll publication.

Mid-Term Graduation 

Students are generally required to attend four years of high school (minimum of seven semesters) to be eligible to receive a diploma from the school district.  

The Board of Education, upon receiving administrative recommendation, may grant mid-term exit from high school to students who have completed the requirements for graduation.  To be considered for mid-term exit from high school, the student and his/her parents or guardian should apply during the first quarter of the student’s senior year.  The Board of Education will act on all requests.  Any student who is granted mid-term exit from high school forfeits all privileges of high school enrollment, except the right to participate in commencement exercises.

Report Cards

Report cards are sent home the week following the end of the nine-week reporting period.  

SECTION THREE

STUDENT DISCIPLINE

General Discipline Philosophy

The school district has the authority to discipline students who behave inappropriately on the way to school, at school, during lunch, on the way home, and at all school activities (home and away or any time while on school or district property).

The school district’s discipline is guided by the following principles:

1. The school district’s discipline policy is intended to ensure that students take responsibility for their behavior.
2. Behavior expectations and the consequences for failing to meet those expectations will be clearly communicated to all students and their parents.
3. The severity of consequences for violating behavior expectations will generally be progressive in nature.  That is, sanctions will increase with each instance of misconduct; however, each instance will be assessed on its own facts, and sanctions will be imposed based on the severity of the misconduct.
4. Parents play a vital role in supporting and reinforcing the school district’s expectations of their students.    
5. Behavior expectations apply to all students; consequences are enforced consistently without regard to a student’s academic record or achievement.

Extracurricular activities including athletics, cheerleading, band, chorus, and club activities, are governed by the Student Activity Handbook.  Students who are involved in extracurricular activities may face consequences related to the activity in addition to the consequences discussed in this handbook.

The school district reserves the right to refer to the appropriate non-school agency any act or conduct of its students which may constitute a crime under federal, state, county, or local law.  The administration will cooperate with these agencies in their investigations.

Forms of School Discipline

Administrative and teaching personnel may take actions regarding student behavior that are reasonably necessary to aid the student, further school purposes, or prevent interference with the educational process.  Such actions may include, but need not be limited to, counseling of students, parent conferences, referral to restorative justice practices or services, rearrangement of schedules, requirements that a student remain in school after regular hours to do additional work, restriction of extracurricular activity, or requirements that a student receive counseling, psychological evaluation, or psychiatric evaluation upon the written consent of a parent or guardian to such counseling or evaluation.  The actions may also include in-school suspensions during the day or mandatory attendance at Saturday school.  When in-school suspensions, after-school assignments, Saturday School, or other disciplinary measures are assigned, the student is responsible for complying with such disciplinary measures; a failure to serve such assigned discipline as directed will serve as grounds for further discipline, up to expulsion from school.  District administrators may develop building-specific protocols for the imposition of student discipline.

In this section, references to "Principal" shall include building principals, the principal's designee, or other appropriate school district administrators.  

Any statement, notice, recommendation, determination, or similar action specified in this section shall be effectively given at the time written evidence thereof is delivered personally to or upon receipt of certified or registered mail or upon actual knowledge by a student or his or her parent or guardian.

Any student who is suspended or expelled from school pursuant to this section may not participate in any school activity during the duration of that exclusion including adjacent school holidays and weekends.  The student activity eligibility of a student who is mandatorily reassigned shall be determined on a case-by-case basis by the principal of the building to which the student is reassigned.  

After School Sessions and Detentions 

Teachers and administrators may require students to stay after school or to serve a detention when the student violates any of the rules contained in this handbook or violates classroom-specific conduct rules set by individual teachers.

Students who ride the bus home from school will be given a 24-hour notice of after-school time or a detention so that the parents may make plans to pick up the student the following day.  

• After-school sessions will not exceed 30 minutes from the time of dismissal and are to be served in the teacher's room.  A student who fails to attend an after-school session may be given a detention by the teacher or may face additional disciplinary consequences up to and including long-term suspension and/or expulsion.  A student who has a conflict with an after-school session is responsible for working it out with the teacher.

• Detentions are 30 minutes, served in the location determined by the person who administered it.

Saturday School

The building administrator may require a student to attend Saturday School for four hours on Saturday morning.  Saturday School is held from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in a classroom staffed by teachers.  Students follow strict rules and must work on assignments the entire time, except for short breaks.  Students who do not follow Saturday School rules will be removed from the classroom and will face further disciplinary action.

In-School Suspension

The building administrator may require a student to serve in-school suspension.  Students may be required to attend school-sponsored suspension at a designated location where they will study and participate in campus clean up.  There will be zero tolerance for behavior problems from students placed in in-school suspension.  Students not completing their In-School Suspension will face further disciplinary action.  

Emergency Exclusion

Students may be emergency excluded from school pursuant to the board's separate policy on emergency exclusion or state law.

Short-Term Suspension

The Principal or the Principal’s designee may exclude a student from school or any school function for a period of up to five school days (short-term suspension) on the following grounds:

1. Any of the conduct described in the subsections under “Grounds for Long-Term Suspension, Expulsion, or Mandatory Reassignment” below irrespective of the location at which such miconduct; or

2. Other violations of rules and standards of behavior adopted by the board of education or the administrative or teaching staff of the school, which occur on or off school grounds, if such conduct interferes with school purposes or there is a nexus between such conduct and school.

The following process will apply to short-term suspensions:

1.        The Principal shall make a reasonable investigation of the facts and circumstances.  Short-term suspension shall be imposed only after a determination that the suspension is necessary to help any student, to further school purposes, or to prevent an interference with school purposes.

2.        Prior to commencement of the short-term suspension, the student will be given oral or written notice of the charges against the student.  The student will be advised of what he/she is accused of having done, an explanation of the evidence the authorities have, and an opportunity to explain his/her version of the facts.

3.        Within 24 hours or such additional time as is reasonably necessary following the suspension, the Principal will send a written statement to the student and the student's parent or guardian, describing the student's conduct, misconduct, or violation of the rule or standard and the reasons for the action taken.  An opportunity will be given to the student, and the student's parent or guardian, to have a conference with the Principal ordering the short-term suspension before or at the time the student returns to school.  The Principal shall determine who, in addition to the parent or guardian, is to attend the conference.

4.        Students who are short-term suspended will be given the opportunity to complete classwork, including but not limited to examinations.

Firearms.  No student may bring, possess, handle or transmit a firearm on school grounds, in a school owned vehicle, or at a school activity or event off school grounds, except as permitted by this policy.

Definition of Firearm.  The term “firearm, as defined in 18 U.S.C. 921,

means any weapon (including a starter gun) which will or is designed to or

may readily be converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive,

the frame or receiver of any such weapon, any firearm muffler or firearm

silencer, or any destructive device (excluding an antique firearm).

Exceptions Regarding Firearms.  The only exceptions for a student to

bring or possess a weapon, including a firearm, are as follows:

1. The issuance of firearms to or possession of firearms by members of the Reserve Officers Training Corps when training or
2. Firearms which may lawfully be possessed by the person receiving instruction under the immediate supervision of an adult instructor who may lawfully possess firearms.

Consequences - Firearm.   Any student who brings a firearm, as that term

is defined in 18 United States Code 921, to school will be expelled from

school for one calendar year.  The superintendent of schools and the board

of education shall have the authority to modify the expulsion requirement on

a case-by-case basis.

Long-Term Suspension  

Students may be excluded by the Principal from school or any school function for a period of more than five school days but less than twenty school days (long-term suspension) for any conduct constituting grounds for expulsion as hereinafter set forth.  The process for long-term suspension is set forth below.

Pre-Kindergarten through Second Grade Students

An elementary school shall not suspend a student in pre-kindergarten through second grade unless the student brings a deadly weapon as defined in section 28-109 on school grounds, in a vehicle owned, leased, or contracted by a school being used for a school purpose or in a vehicle being driven for a school purpose by a school employee or his or her designee, or at a school-sponsored activity or athletic event.  As an alternative to suspension, the school district may take any action authorized by law, including those provided in section 79-258.

Expulsion

1. Meaning of Expulsion.  Expulsion means exclusion from attendance in all schools, grounds and activities of or within the system for a period not to exceed the remainder of the semester in which it took effect unless the misconduct occurred (a) within ten school days prior to the end of the first semester, in which case the expulsion shall remain in effect through the second semester, or (b) within ten school days prior to the end of the second semester, in which case the expulsion shall remain in effect for summer school and the first semester of the following school year, or (c) unless the expulsion is for conduct specified in these rules or in law as permitting or requiring a longer removal, in which case the expulsion shall remain in effect for the period specified therein.  Such action may be modified or terminated by the school district at any time during the expulsion period.

2. Summer Review.  Any expulsion that will remain in effect during the first semester of the following school year will be automatically scheduled for review before the beginning of the school year.  The review will be conducted by the hearing officer who conducted the initial expulsion hearing, or a hearing officer appointed by the Superintendent in the event no hearing was previously held or the initial hearing officer is no longer available or willing to serve, after the hearing officer has given notice of the review to the student and the student's parent or guardian.  This review shall be limited to newly discovered evidence or evidence of changes in the student's circumstances occurring since the original hearing.  This review may lead to a recommendation by the hearing officer that the student be readmitted for the upcoming school year.  If the school board or board of education or a committee of such board took the final action to expel the student, the student may be readmitted only by action of the board.  Otherwise, the student may be readmitted by action of the Superintendent.

3. Suspension of Enforcement of an Expulsion:  Enforcement of an expulsion action may be suspended (i.e., "stayed") for a period of not more than one full semester in addition to the balance of the semester in which the expulsion takes effect, and as a condition of such suspended action, the student may be assigned to a school, class, or program/plan and to such other consequences which the school district deems appropriate.  

4. Alternative School or Pre-expulsion Procedures.  The school shall provide either an alternative school, class or educational program for expelled students or shall follow the pre-expulsion procedures outlined in Neb. Rev. Stat. 79-266.  

Grounds for Long-Term Suspension, Expulsion, or Mandatory Reassignment:

The following conduct constitutes grounds for long-term suspension, expulsion, or mandatory reassignment, subject to the procedural provisions of the Student Discipline Act, Neb. Rev. Stat. § 79-254 through 79-296, when such activity occurs on school grounds, in a vehicle owned, leased, or contracted by a school being used for a school purpose or in a vehicle being driven for a school purpose by a school employee or by his or her designee, or at a school-sponsored activity or athletic event:

1. Use of violence, force, coercion, threat, intimidation, or similar conduct in a manner that constitutes a substantial interference with school purposes.  The board has determined that the use of synthetic media such as deepfakes may constitute “similar conduct”;
2. Willfully causing or attempting to cause substantial damage to property, stealing or attempting to steal property of substantial value, or repeated damage or theft involving property;
3. Causing or attempting to cause personal injury to a school employee, to a school volunteer, or to any student.  Personal injury caused by accident, self-defense, or other action undertaken on the reasonable belief that it was necessary to protect some other person shall not constitute a violation of this subdivision;
4. Threatening or intimidating any student for the purpose of or with the intent of obtaining money or anything of value from such student;
5. Knowingly possessing, handling, or transmitting any object or material that is ordinarily or generally considered a weapon (see also board policy on weapons and firearms);
6. Engaging in the unlawful possession, selling, dispensing, or use of a controlled substance or an imitation controlled substance, as defined in section 28-401, a substance represented to be a controlled substance, or alcoholic liquor as defined in section 53-103.02 or being under the influence of a controlled substance or alcoholic liquor (note:  the term “under the influence” for school purposes has a less strict meaning than it does under criminal law; for school purposes, the term means any level of impairment and includes even the odor of alcohol on the breath or person of a student; also, it includes being impaired by reason of the abuse of any material used as a stimulant);
7. Public indecency as defined in section 28-806, except that this prohibition shall apply only to students at least twelve years of age but less than nineteen years of age;
8. Engaging in bullying as defined in section 79-2,137 and in these policies;
9. Sexually assaulting or attempting to sexually assault any person if a complaint has been filed by a prosecutor in a court of competent jurisdiction alleging that the student has sexually assaulted or attempted to sexually assault any person, including sexual assaults or attempted sexual assaults that occur off school grounds not at a school function, activity, or event.  For purposes of this subdivision, sexual assault means sexual assault in the first degree as defined in section 28-319, sexual assault in the second degree as defined in section 28-320, sexual assault of a child in the second or third degree as defined in section 28-320.01, or sexual assault of a child in the first degree as defined in section 28-319.01, as such sections now provide or may hereafter from time to time be amended;
10. Engaging in any other activity forbidden by the laws of the State of Nebraska which activity constitutes a danger to other students or interferes with school purposes; or
11. A repeated violation of any of the following rules, or a single violation if the conduct amounts to a criminal act, if such violations constitute a substantial interference with school purposes:

1. The use of language, written or oral, or conduct, including gestures, which is profane or abusive to students or staff members.  Profane or abusive language or conduct includes, but is not limited to, that which is commonly understood and intended to be derogatory toward a group or individual based upon race, sex, national origin, or religion;
2. Dressing or grooming in a manner which violates the school district’s dress code and/or is dangerous to the student's health and safety, a danger to the health and safety of others, or which is disruptive, distracting or indecent to the extent that it interferes with the learning and educational process;
3. Violating school bus rules as set by the school district or district staff;
4. Possessing, using, selling, or dispensing tobacco, drug paraphernalia, an electronic nicotine delivery system, or a tobacco imitation substance or packaging, regardless of form, including cigars, cigarettes, chewing tobacco, and any other form of tobacco, tobacco derivative product or imitation, or electronic cigarettes, vapor pens, etc.;
5. Possessing, using, selling, or dispensing any drug paraphernalia or imitation of a controlled substance regardless of whether the actual substance possessed is a controlled substance by Nebraska law;
6. Possession of pornography, including creation, possession, dissemination, accessing, sale, or any other use of synthetic media, such as deep fakes;
7. Sexting or the possession of sexting images (a combination of sex and texting - the act of sending sexually explicit messages or photos electronically), including creation, possession, dissemination, accessing, sale or any other use of synthetic media, such as deep fakes;
8. Engaging in initiations, defined as any ritualistic expectations, requirements, or activities placed upon new members of a school organization for the purpose of admission into the organization, even if those activities do not rise to the level of “hazing” as defined below.  Initiations are prohibited except by permission of the superintendent;
9. Engaging in hazing as defined by state law and this policy.  Hazing is defined as any activity by which a person intentionally or recklessly endangers the physical or mental health or safety of an individual for the purpose of initiation into, admission into, affiliation with, or continued membership in any school organization.  Under state criminal law, hazing activities include, but are not limited to, whipping, beating, branding, an act of sexual penetration, an exposure of the genitals of the body done with the intent to affront or alarm any person, a lewd fondling or caressing of the body of another person, forced and prolonged calisthenics, prolonged exposure to the elements, forced consumption of any food, liquor, beverage, drug, or harmful substance not generally intended for human consumption, prolonged sleep deprivation, or any brutal treatment or the performance of any unlawful act that endangers the physical or mental health or safety of any person. For purposes of school rules, hazing also includes any activity expected of someone joining a group, team, or activity that humiliates, degrades or risks emotional and/or physical harm, regardless of the person's willingness to participate; personal servitude; restrictions on personal hygiene; yelling, swearing and insulting new members/rookies; being forced to wear embarrassing or humiliating attire in public; consumption of vile substances or smearing of such on one's skin; binge drinking and drinking games; sexual simulation and sexual assault;
10. Bullying which shall include cyber-bullying, defined as the use of the internet, including but not limited to social networking sites such as Facebook, cell phones or other devices to send, post or text message images and material intended to hurt or embarrass another person.  This may include, but is not limited to; continuing to send e-mail to someone who has said they want no further contact with the sender; sending or posting threats, sexual remarks or pejorative labels (i.e., hate speech); ganging up on victims by making them the subject of ridicule in forums, and posting false statements as fact intended to humiliate the victim; disclosure of personal data, such as the victim's real name, address, or school at websites or forums; posing as the identity of the victim for the purpose of publishing material in their name that defames or ridicules them; sending threatening and harassing text, instant messages or emails to the victims; and posting or sending rumors or gossip to instigate others to dislike and gang up on the target;
11. Violation of the district’s computer acceptable computer use policy are subject to discipline, up to and including expulsion;
12. Knowingly possessing, handling, or transmitting any object or material that is ordinarily or generally considered a simulated or
    “look-a-like” weapon;
13. Using any object to simulate possession of a weapon;
14. Knowingly making a false statement or knowingly submitting false information during the Title IX grievance process or any other school investigation or making a materially false statement in bad faith in the course of a Title IX grievance proceeding or any other school investigation; and
15. Any other violation of a rule or regulation established by a school district staff member pursuant to authority delegated by the board.

The length of any suspension, expulsion, or mandatory reassignment shall be as provided or allowed by law.

Reporting Requirement to Law Enforcement

Violations of this section will result in a report to law enforcement if:

1. The violation includes possession of a firearm;
2. The violation results in child abuse;
3. It is a violation of the Nebraska Criminal Code that the administration believes cannot be adequately addressed by discipline from the school district;
4. It is a violation of the Nebraska Criminal Code that endangers the health and welfare of staff or students; or
5. It is a violation of the Nebraska Criminal Code that interferes with school purposes.

Due Process Afforded to Students Facing Long-term Suspension or Expulsion

The following procedures shall be followed regarding any long-term suspension, expulsion, or mandatory reassignment:

1. The decision to recommend discipline shall be made within two school days after learning of the alleged student misconduct.  On the date of the decision to discipline, the Principal shall file with the Superintendent a written charge and a summary of the evidence supporting such charge.  
2. The Principal shall serve the student and the student's parents or guardian with a written notice by registered or certified mail or personal service within two school days of the date of the decision to recommend long-term suspension or expulsion.  The notice shall include the following:

1. The rule or standard of conduct allegedly violated and the acts of the student alleged to constitute a cause for long-term suspension, expulsion, or mandatory reassignment, including a summary of the evidence to be presented against the student;
2. The penalty, if any, which the principal has recommended in the charge and any other penalty to which the student may be subject;
3. A statement that, before long-term suspension, expulsion, or mandatory reassignment can be invoked, the student has a right to a hearing, upon request, and that if the student is suspended pending the outcome of the hearing, the student may complete classwork and homework, including, but not limited to, examinations, missed during the period of suspension pursuant to district guidelines which shall not require the student to attend the school district's alternative programs for expelled students in order to complete classwork or;
4. A description of the hearing procedures provided by the act, along with procedures for appealing any decision rendered at the hearing;
5. A statement that the principal, legal counsel for the school, the student, the student's parent, or the student's representative or guardian has the right (i) to examine the student's academic and disciplinary records and any affidavits to be used at the hearing concerning the alleged misconduct and (ii) to know the identity of the witnesses to appear at the hearing and the substance of their testimony; and
6. A form on which the student, the student's parent, or the student's guardian may request a hearing, to be signed by such parties and delivered to the principal or superintendent in person or by registered or certified mail to the address provided on the form.

3. When a notice of intent to discipline a student by long-term suspension, expulsion, or mandatory reassignment is filed with the superintendent, the student may be suspended by the principal until the date the long-term suspension, expulsion, or mandatory reassignment takes effect, **if the principal determines that the student must be suspended immediately to prevent or substantially reduce the risk of (a) interference with an educational function or school purpose or (b) a personal injury to the student himself or herself, other students, school employees, or school volunteers.
4. Nothing in this policy shall preclude the student, student's parents, guardians, or representatives from discussing and settling the matter with appropriate school personnel prior to the time the long-term suspension, expulsion, or mandatory reassignment takes effect.
5. If a hearing is requested within five days after receipt of the notice, the Superintendent shall recommend appointment of a hearing examiner within two school days after receipt of the hearing request.  The student or the student’s parent or guardian may request designation of a hearing examiner other than the hearing examiner recommended by the superintendent if notice of the request is given to the superintendent within two school days after receipt of the superintendent’s recommended appointment.  Upon receiving such request, the superintendent must provide one alternative hearing examiner who is not an employee of the school district or otherwise currently under contract with the school district and whose impartiality may not otherwise be reasonably questioned.  The student or the student’s parent or guardian must, within five school days, select a hearing examiner to conduct the hearing who was recommended or provided as an alternative hearing examiner, and shall notify the superintendent in writing of the selection.  The superintendent must appoint the selected hearing examiner upon receipt of such notice.
6. The hearing examiner must, within two school days after being appointed, give written notice to the principal, the student, and the student’s parent or guardian of the time and place for the hearing.
7. The hearing shall be held within a period of five school days after appointment of the hearing examiner, but such time may be changed by the hearing examiner for good cause with consent of the parties. No hearing shall be held upon less than two school days' actual notice to the principal, the student, and the student's parent or guardian, except with the consent of all the parties.
8. The principal or legal counsel for the school, the student, and the student's parent, guardian, or representative have the right to receive a copy of all records and written statements referred to in the Student Discipline Act as well as the statement of any witness in the possession of the school board or board of education no later than forty-eight hours prior to the hearing.
9. If a hearing is requested more than five school days following the receipt of the written notice, but not more than thirty calendar days after receipt, the Superintendent shall appoint a hearing examiner.  The hearing will be held according to the requirements of section 79-269.  The student shall be entitled to a hearing but the consequence imposed may continue in effect pending final determination.  
10. If a request for hearing is not received within thirty calendar days following the mailing or delivery of the written notice, the student shall not be entitled to a hearing.

In the event a hearing is requested, the hearing, hearing procedures, the student's rights and any appeals or judicial review permitted by law shall be governed by the applicable provisions of the Nebraska Student Discipline Act (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 79-254 to 79-294).  

SECTION FOUR

WOOD RIVER RURAL SCHOOLS

TITLE 1 PARENT & FAMILY ENGAGEMENT POLICY

Vision

Wood River Rural Schools believes that families are their children’s first and most important teachers. Positive achievement, reduced absenteeism, improved behavior, and a feeling of confidence regarding the partnership between home and school occur when the school and family are involved cooperatively.

Part 1: Policy Involvement

The Wood River Rural Schools Title 1 Schoolwide Parent and Family Engagement Policy was created as a collaborative effort between families and staff. Families played a key role in the development of the policy and we will continue to utilize family feedback and suggestions in order to update and improve our Schoolwide Title 1 Program.

Convene an annual meeting:

Wood River Rural Schools will hold an annual Schoolwide Title 1 Meeting for all families on the night of Open House. The purpose of the meeting will be to introduce staff, share the Schoolwide Parent and Family Engagement Policy, the Student-Parent-Teacher Compact and explain our Title 1 program and how families can be involved to help their child be successful. Families will be notified of the meeting through our school website and or social media.

Offer flexible meeting times and varied activities designed to support and encourage family involvement.

Wood River Rural Schools will ensure the involvement of all families by offering the following activities:

● Parent/teacher conferences scheduled at parents’ convenience

● Flexible IEP Times

● Open House-in August before school (evening)

● Family Literacy Events (Reading Cafe’) (One School One School Reading Program)

● Field Trips

● Scholastic Book Fair

● Kindergarten Registration

● Bingo for Books

● Classroom Celebrations

● Community Volunteers

● Family Leadership Events

● PTO Family Events

● STEM Program

Involve families in planning, reviewing, and improving the Schoolwide Title 1 program, including the school and district Parent and Family Engagement Policy

Wood River Rural Schools will ensure the involvement of families in planning and reviewing the Schoolwide Title 1 policy through the following activities:

● Reviewing the Schoolwide Parent and Family Engagement Policy and program components at Open House/Annual Title 1 Parent Meeting

● Share that the policy can be found on the school website during Open House/Annual Title 1 Parent Meeting

● Reviewing and distributing Student-Parent-Teachers Compacts at Open House ● Conduct an online parent survey for all families to be used to

evaluate and modify the program, suggestions are welcome

● Utilize all avenues of communication with families (school newsletter, school website, social media) to increase family involvement in the Schoolwide Title 1 program and to select input for improvements

Provide timely information about the Schoolwide 1 Program, the academic curriculum, assessments used to measure progress, grading and grade level expectations.

Wood River Rural Schools will provide timely information through the following: ● Annual Title 1 Meeting

● Open House

● Parent Conferences (October/February) additional conferences upon parent   request

● Powerschool online access to grades

● District Website-Policy and Compact available on website

● Transition to Kindergarten

● Home Visits (Preschool)

● Daily/Weekly take-home folders (K-5th)

● Gold Access (Preschool)

● Telephone calls, email correspondence, written correspondence

● Parent-student handbook

● Social Media

Provide families of participating (Title 1) children a description and explanation of the curriculum in use at the school, the forms of academic assessment used to measure student progress, and the proficiency levels students are expected to meet.

● Acadience-data review/progress reports and recommended benchmarks

● MAPs Data

● STARs Assessment

● STAR Reading and Math (special education students)

● NSCAS

● K-5th CKLA assessments (core reading curriculum) 

● K-5th Eureka Math Squared assessments progress checks

Provide families the opportunity to participate, as appropriate, in decisions relating to the education of their children.

Wood River Rural Schools will provide families an opportunity to interact with their child’s school as follows:

● Online parent survey during conferences, suggestions are welcome

● Parent/teacher conferences and additional conferences upon parent/teacher request.

● MTSS/IEP parent meetings to discuss educational/behavior decisions based on data and teacher observations and input

● Telephone calls/ e-mail correspondence etc. between families, teachers and school

Part 2: Share Responsibilities for High Student Academic Achievement

Wood River Rural Schools will develop and revise as needed, a Student-Parent-Teacher Compact. A parent compact has been jointly developed and is attached per requirements. The Student-Parent-Teacher compact is developed by the Title 1 Teachers, MTSS coordinator, and the Title 1 parents. The compact will outline ways in which families, school staff, and students will work together to ensure high student academic achievement.

Provide frequent reports to families on their children’s progress:

Wood River Rural Schools will provide the following academic reports to

families:  

       ● Powerschool online access to student grades and attendance

       ● Report cards (quarterly)

● Acadience reports (semester)

● Acadience progress monitoring reports(biweekly as requested by parents)

● MAPs Testing reports

● NSCAS Nebraska Student-Centered Assessment System

● STARs reports (quarterly)

● Phone calls and emails

● IRIP

Afford families reasonable access to staff. Provide opportunities for families to volunteer, participate and observe in their child’s classroom:

Wood River Rural Schools has an open door policy for families with both administration and staff. In addition participate in the following activities:

● Classroom activities

● Volunteer situations

● Chaperones for field trips

● Book Fair helpers

● Classroom observations as requested by parents

● Opportunity to be involved with PTO

● Family Literacy Events (Reading Cafe’ and Bingo for Books)

● STEM Program

Part 3: Building Capacity for Involvement

Provide information and assistance to families regarding the state and local academic standards and assessments (information and materials are translated as needed). Wood River Rural Schools will provide the following information/activities to ensure that

families are informed about standards and academic assessments:

● Parent/Teacher Conferences - Interpreter provided

● ELPA results for English Language Learners given to parents

● Informational Annual Title 1 meeting

● Local assessment information (Acadience, Acadience progress monitoring, MAP assessment, NSCAS, STARs assessment, AIMs Web, curriculum assessments, IRIP) shared with parents at conferences and/or sent to parents

● Title 1 teachers available at conferences to provide information and answer questions ● MTSS Coordinator available to provide information and answer questions

● Results of kindergarten assessments individually reported to families as needed (curriculum planning assessments at start of school year)

Provide materials and training to families:

Wood River Rural Schools will provide materials and training for families as follows:

• Open House in August
• Kindergarten Registration
• Parent friendly curriculum
• Family Engagement Nights
• Community Learning Programs

●    Weekly school newsletter

• Preschool Newsletter
• Family Leadership Night

Educate teachers, Title 1 staff and administration regarding the value of family involvement, ways to communicate effectively with families, and implementation of family programs:

Wood River Rural schools values and respects family involvement in the school community. Families are always the first point of contact when situations occur that involve students or the welfare of the entire school community. Staff will collaborate as a team and implement new ideas for effective family communication. The District’s website also posts the elementary and high school’s calendars to keep families informed.

Coordinate parent involvement activities with other programs:

Wood River Rural Schools will work to coordinate programs to ensure success for all through the following activities:

● Preschool program located in our school that prepares students for kindergarten expectations

● Transition day from preschool to kindergarten and grades K-4  

● Fifth Grade Moving Up Day, students transition from elementary school to middle school setting

● End of Year Track & Field Day Event at WRRHS

● Elementary Choir and Talent Show performed at WRRHS

● Summer School

● Teammates Mentoring Program

● After School Program

● Leader In Me

● Big Brothers/Big Sisters

Inform families of school and family programs in a timely and practical format in a language the parents can understand:

Wood River Rural Schools will provide the following to ensure that all families are informed in a timely and user-friendly manner:

● School newsletter / social media - Spanish translation

● Bilingual interpreter, as needed

● Email, phone calls, home visits

● School calendar on school website

● Classroom newsletter

Provide support for parental involvement at their request:

Wood River Rural Schools will make every effort to support our families and make sure their needs are met. We will make every effort to accommodate family requests to ensure that student and family needs are met in order to foster more positive family involvement.

Part 4: Accessibility

Family involvement activities accessible to all families, including those with disabilities and families who use English as their second language.

Wood River Rural Schools will provide the following to ensure that family involvement activities are accessible to all families:

● Flexible meeting times

● Handicapped accessible facilities

● Home visits (as needed)

● Phone conference

● Virtual Conference

● School newsletter / classroom newsletters / social media

● Collaboration with community agencies

SECTION FIVE:  School Wellness Policy

The school district is committed to providing a school environment that enhances learning and the development of lifelong wellness.  The goals outlined in this policy were determined and selected after reviewing and considering evidence-based strategies.*

1. Goals for Nutrition Promotion and Education

1. The district will promote healthy food and beverage choices for all students, as well as encourage participation in school meal programs by such methods as implementing evidence-based healthy food promotion techniques through the school meal programs and promoting foods and beverages that meet or exceed the USDA Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards.

2. The health curriculum will include information on good nutrition and healthy living habits.

3. Teachers will incorporate information on nutrition and wellness into the classroom curriculum as appropriate.

4. The district will collaborate with public and private entities to promote student wellness.

5. Water will be made available to students throughout the school day.

2. Goals for Physical Activity

6. The school district’s curriculums shall include instruction on physical activity and habits for healthy living.

7. Students will be encouraged to engage in physical activities throughout the school day and will be provided with opportunities to do so.

8. The district encourages parents and guardians to support their children's participation in physical activity, to be physically active role models, and to include physical activity in family events.

3. Goals for Other School-Based Activities Designed to Promote Student Wellness  

9. The district will participate in state and federal child nutrition programs as appropriate.

10. The district will provide professional development, support, and resources for staff about student wellness.

11. Students will be provided sufficient time in which to eat school-provided meals.

12. The district’s lunchrooms will be attractive and well-lighted.

13. The district will allow other health-related entities to use school facilities for activities such as health clinics and screenings so long as the activities meet the district’s requirements and criteria for the use of facilities.  

14. The district may partner with other individuals or entities in the community to support the implementation of this policy.

15. The district will strive to provide physical activity breaks for all students, recess for elementary students, and before and after school activities, as well as encourage students to use active transport (walking, biking, etc.)

16. The district will use evidence-based strategies to develop, structure, and support student wellness.  

4. Standards and Nutrition Guidelines for All Foods and Beverages Sold to Students on the School Campus and During the School Day

17. The district will ensure that student access to foods and beverages meet federal, state and local laws and guidelines including, but not limited to:

1. USDA National School Lunch and School Breakfast nutrition standards

2. USDA Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards.

18. The district will offer students a variety of age-appropriate, healthy food and beverage selections with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains aimed at meeting the nutrition needs of students within their calorie requirements in order to promote student health and reduce childhood obesity.

5. Standards for All Foods and Beverages Provided, But Not Sold to Students During the School Day

The district may provide a list of healthy party ideas or food and beverage alternatives to parents, teachers, and students for classroom parties, rewards and incentives, or classroom snacks.  The district discourages the use of food and beverages as a reward or incentive for performance or behavior.

6. Food and Beverage Marketing

Marketing and advertising is only allowed on school grounds or at school activities for foods and beverages that meet or exceed the USDA Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards, except as follows:

1. This requirement does not apply to marketing that occurs at events outside of school hours such as after school sporting or any other events, including school fundraising events.

2. The district will not immediately replace menu boards, coolers, tray liners, beverage cups, and other food service equipment with depictions of noncompliant products or logos to comply with the new USDA Smart Snacks in Schools nutrition requirements.  All previously purchased products will be used, and all existing contracts honored.

3. All equipment that currently displays noncompliant marketing materials will not be removed or replaced (e.g., a scoreboard with a Coca-Cola logo).  However, as the district reviews and considers new contracts, and as scoreboards or other such durable equipment are replaced or updated over time, any products that are marketed and advertised will meet or exceed the USDA Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards

7. Public Participation

Parents, students, representatives of the school food authority, teachers, school health professionals, board members, school administrators, and members of the general public shall be allowed to provide their input to the school district during the wellness policy adoption and review process.

8. Competitive Foods Competitive Foods (Includes Food and Beverages Sold in Vending Machines, School Stores, and Fundraisers)

1. Definitions. “Competitive food” means all food and beverages other than meals reimbursed under programs authorized by the

Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act and the Child

Nutrition Act of 1966 available for sale to students on the school campus during the school day. For the purpose of competitive food standards implementation, “school day” means the period from the midnight before to 30 minutes after the end of the official school day.

           b. Applicability. Except as otherwise allowed by the Nebraska

Department of Education (NDE) or applicable law, all competitive food sold during the school day must meet the USDA Smart Snacks Standards and the nutrition standards found in 7 CFR §210.11. The competitive food restrictions do not apply to food sold during non-school day hours, weekends, and off-campus fundraising events such as concessions during after-school sporting events, school plays or concerts; or to bulk food items that are sold for consumption at home. (Ex: frozen pizzas,

cookie dough tubs, etc.)

          c. Fundraiser Exemptions. A special exemption is allowed for the

sale of food and/or beverages that do not meet the competitive food standards as required in this section for the purpose of conducting an infrequent school-sponsored fundraiser. The specially exempted fundraisers must not take place more than the frequency specified by NDE during such periods that schools are in session. No specially exempted fundraiser foods or beverages may be sold in competition with school meals in the food service area during the meal service.

d. Other Exemptions. The only other nutrition exemptions from the

competitive food requirements are those found in 7 CFR §

210.11.

e. Other Limitations. No competitive food can be sold to children

anywhere on school premises beginning one half hour before breakfast and/or lunch service until one half hour after meal service unless all proceeds earned during these time periods go to the school nutrition program.

9. Triennial Assessment

The school board shall assess and review this policy at least every three years to determine:

a.        Compliance with this policy;

b.        How this policy compares to NDE model wellness policies;

c.        Progress made in attaining the goals of this policy.

The school board will update or modify this policy as appropriate.

10. Public Notice

In addition to identifying the topic on its meeting agenda as required by the Open Meetings Act, the school district will provide notice of this policy at least annually to the public and other stakeholders identified in this policy by one or more of the following methods:  on its webpage, in its newsletter, in the student and employee handbooks, newspaper advertisements, direct mailings, electronic mail, and public postings.  

In addition to identifying the topic on its meeting agenda as required by the Open Meetings Act, the school district will provide notice of the Triennial Assessment and progress reports towards meeting the goals in this policy using one or more of those same methods.

11. Recordkeeping

The District will retain records to document compliance with the requirements of the wellness policy at its central office.

12. Operational Responsibility  

The superintendent is responsible for coordinating the implementation of this policy and for monitoring the district’s progress in meeting the goals established by this policy.  The superintendent will periodically report to the board on the district’s progress in implementing this policy.

* These strategies include, but are not necessarily limited to, those cited in the Alliance for a Healthier Generation’s Model Wellness Policy (Updated June 2020 to Reflect the USDA Final Rule) found at https://api.healthiergeneration.org/resource/2.  

STAFF DIRECTORY

Members of the Board of Education:

Craig Huxtable......................................................................... President

Crystal Stutzman…............................................................Vice-President

Dylan Gill................................................................................Secretary

Jodi Rauert..............................................................................Treasurer

Nick Rennau............................................................................. Member

Tyler Doane..............................................................................Member

Administrative Staff:

Terry Zessin................................................................... Superintendent

Chris Pietrzak.......................................................... High School Principal

Scott Hirchert…………….…...High School Assistant Principal / Activities Director

Kelly Klanecky......................................................... Elementary Principal

Elementary Teaching Staff:

JoAnna Cordova …………............................................................ Preschool

Becky Allan ………………………………………………………………………….……….Kindergarten

Amanda Stewart ……………………………………………………………………..…..Kindergarten

Mandy Gifford…......................................................................  1st Grade

Nancy Martin ……………………………………………………………………………….……1st Grade

Taylor Hayes ………………........................................................... 2nd Grade

Megan Consbruck ….…............................................................ 2nd Grade

Nadia VanSlyke…. .................................................................  2nd Grade

Trudi Gottlob………………............................................................ 3rd Grade

Amber Woitaszewski …............................................................ 3rd Grade

Lindsay Davis.. .....................................................................  4th Grade

Jonah Bales ….…..………............................................................ 4th Grade

Anna Fehringer ……...…............................................................ 5th Grade

Riley Mrkvicka .....................................................................  5th Grade

Calyn Schulte …..………………............................................................ Music

Josh Nuss ….…............................................................ Physical Education

Mandi Morgan ……………....................................................................  ELL

Gale Lambrecht……........................................................... Title I Reading

Kim Canfield …….….…............................................................ Title I Math

Brenda Hirchert………..………….......................................................... Media

Mandi Wagoner …......................................................... Special Education

Kennedy Geis……………. ................................................  Special Education

Stephanie Shearer ………............................................................ HAL/ASP

Middle/High School Teaching Staff:

Matt Cantrell………………………………….……………………………………………………Counselor

Kiley Codner……………………………………………………………………….……………..Agriculture

Jill Edgren…………………………………………………………..…….……………..………………..Math

Morgan Foltz……………………………………………………………….………….Special Education

David Gifford……………………………………………………..…………………..…………..Business

Brenda Hirchert……………………………………………..Integration Specialist / Librarian

Grant Johnson………………………………………………………………………………Social Studies

James Kuebler………………………………………………………………………………………...English

Jon Kuecker…………………………………………………………..…………….Middle School Math

Heather Ludwig………………………………………………...…………………..Special Education

Abigail Mrkvicka……………………………………………………………………………………..Science

Conner Morrison……………………………………………………………………………………....Music

Abby Parlin……………………………………………………………………………………………...English

Darin Parlin…………………………………...…..……..………..Middle School Social Studies

Lori Peters………………………………………………………..…………………..6th Grade English

Jennifer Pietrzak……………………………….……………………………………………………………Art

Deb Rohrich……………………………………………………….…………….………………..….Spanish

Austin Ruskamp…………………………………………………………………………….……….Science

Ryan Schlueter……………………………………………………………………..Physical Education

Madeline Smith……………………………………………...…….………..Middle School English

Phil Smith …………………………………………………………….……………..6th Grade Science

Tori Strode……………………………………..……………………..……..Middle School Teacher

Christian Thompson………………………………………….…….…………..Physical Education

Darin Waddington…………………….………………….…………………Industrial Technology

Royall Woodman……………………………………………………..…………………..…………….Math

Lacey Woody…………………………………………………….………….……….Special Education

 Support Staff:

April Cemper…................................................................Elementary Para

Julie Domingo…..............................................................Elementary Para

Shelby Fecht .................................................................Elementary Para

Tina Graff …….................................................................Elementary Para

Kelli Orsburn…. ……………………………………………………………………….Elementary Para

Brenda Paulk..................................................................Elementary Para

Justin Seier…..................................................................Elementary Para

Michele Carter………....................................................District Tech Support

Nate Gartner..……………………………………………..District  Tech Support Coordinator

Holli Holbrook................................................... Middle / High School Para

Christy Burnett...................................................Middle /High School Para

Sharon Codner ……………………………………………………………..………….Special Ed Para

   Office Staff

Brenda Codner….............................Bookkeeper/Superintendent’s Secretary

Janelle Landanger…………………………………………...Middle / High School Secretary

Vanessa Stepanek…………………………………………………………..Elementary Secretary

Veronica Trevino..………………………….……...........Middle / High School Secretary

Heather Zessin ..............................................District Records & Reporting

Pam Kimminau..............................................................................Nurse

  Child Nutrition Program

Shawna Fisher............................................................. Cafeteria Manager

   Custodians

Mike Leonard....................................................... Maintenance/Custodian

Jim Spellman / Rosalia Jimenez / Maria Rodriguez…. Secondary Custodians

Cliff Thibodeau / Rod Cooper.................................. Elementary Custodians

   Transportation Department

Sharon Codner.................................................................... Route Driver

Christy Burnett. ................................................................. Route Driver

Carrie Franssen ………........................................................... Route Driver

Nate Brabec..................................................................... Activity Driver

Dave Gifford..................................................................... Activity Driver

Keith McTavish …………………………………………………………………….………Activity Driver

Tyler Powell ………………………………………………………………………………..Activity Driver

Adam Woitaszewski........................................................... Activity Driver

SECTION SIX

FORMS

This section contains forms that students and their parents must complete and return to the school office NO LATER THAN September 1st.

RECEIPT

This Student Handbook is distributed in accordance with Nebraska State Law, Section 79-262, paragraph three which states in part: “Rules and Standards which form the basis for discipline shall be distributed to students and parents at the beginning of each school year or at the time of enrollment…”

Parents (or guardians) and students are required to sign & return the receipt form below before September 1st.

PARENT/STUDENT AGREEMENT

I have received and read the Student Handbook that describes the Wood River Rural School District’s discipline policies, regulations, rules, and expectations to be followed by students enrolled in the Wood River Rural Schools, including the Drug Free School Policy.  My child and I have discussed these policies and understand that we must comply with them.

RECOGNITION OF POTENTIAL AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS

The rules and information provided in this handbook may be supplemented or amended by the School District’s administration at any time, consistent with applicable law and board policy.  All parents shall be provided notice of any such changes by the district’s regular means of contact.  By signing below, you agree that you will read any such information and communications, discuss them with your child, and recognize that you must comply with all rules, procedures, and requirements as they apply at that time.

Student’s Signature                Date                Parent/Guardian’s Signature        Date

Cell Phone Number (Optional)                Cell Phone Number (Optional)

___________________________                ____________________________

Parent’s Email Address (Optional)                Parent’s Email Address (Optional)

EMERGENCY INFORMATION:

Student’s Name                                                Parent/Guardian’s Name(s)

Mailing Address        Home Phone

Father’s Employer                                                        Business Phone

Mother’s Employer                                                        Business Phone

Other Person Who May Be Contacted in Case of Emergency                Phone

Choice of Doctor                                                                        Phone

PARENTAL AUTHORIZATION AND RELEASE FORM

ADMINISTRATION OF NON- PRESCRIPTION DRUGS TO STUDENTS

While the administration of medications to students should be scheduled outside of school hours whenever possible, occasionally it may be necessary for school personnel to administer nonprescription drugs to a student as authorized by the student’s parents, guardians, or medical professionals and state law.  School personnel will only dispense those nonprescription drugs which have been approved by state and federal law for use as a drug and meet the definition of nonprescription drugs in Nebraska’s Medication Aide law which states:

Nonprescription drugs means nonnarcotic medicines or drugs which may be sold without a medical order and which are prepackaged for use by the consumer and labeled in accordance with the requirements of the laws and regulations of this state and the federal government.

In order for students to be administered nonprescription medication by school personnel, a parent or guardian must:

• Complete and return this authorization form.
• Provide the district with any nonprescription drugs you wish to be administered in its original container from the manufacturer, which must include legible, unadulterated manufacturer instructions.  The container must be labeled with the student’s name.
• Provide the district with specific written instructions regarding the requested nonprescription drug’s administration, including the date(s) the student is to be administered the drug, the dosage to be administered, the frequency of administration, and any other details or conditions relevant to administration.

School personnel will not administer nonprescription drugs in a manner inconsistent with the manufacturer instructions or state law. School personnel will not administer non-prescription drugs that is expired.

The undersigned are the parent(s), guardian(s), or person(s) in charge of

____________________________________________________________.

(name of the student)

I authorize and request school personnel to administer nonprescription drugs to my student.  I release the school district, its officials, and employees from any and all liability concerning the administration of nonprescription drugs to my student.

DATED this _____ day of___________________, 20__.

                                                                          __________________________

                                                                           Parent/Guardian

PARENTAL AUTHORIZATION AND RELEASE FORM

ADMINISTRATION OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS TO STUDENTS

The undersigned are the parent(s), guardian(s), or person(s) in charge of

____________________________________________________________.

(name of the student)

It is necessary that the student receive (name of drug) _________________________, a physician-prescribed drug, during school intervals beginning on (date) ____________ and continuing through_____________________. (date)

I hereby request that the School District, or its authorized representative, administer the drug named above to my child named above, in accordance with the prescribing physician’s instructions, and agree to:

1.  Submit this request to the teacher.

2. Make certain the Physician’s Request for the Administration of Prescription Medication by School Personnel is submitted to the teacher.

3.  Make sure personally that the drug is received by the teacher and/or county nursing service administering it, in the container in which it was dispensed by the prescribing physician or licensed pharmacist.

4.  Make sure personally that the container in which the drug is dispensed is marked with the drug name, dosage, interval dosage, and date after which no administration should be given.

5.  Submit a REVISED STATEMENT signed by the physician prescribing the drug to the teacher IF ANY OF THE INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE PHYSICIAN CHANGES.

6.  Release the School District and the Board of Education of the School District and all employees, agents, and the representatives of the School District from any liability concerning the giving or non-giving of the drug to the student.

DATED this _____ day of___________________, 20__.

                                                            __________________________

                                                             Parent/Guardian

ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATION TO STUDENTS

PHYSICIAN’S REQUEST FOR ADMINISTRATION OF PRESCRIPTION

MEDICATIONS BY SCHOOL PERSONNEL

DATE _____________________________________

CHILD’S FULL NAME ____________________________________ is under my care and must take medication which I have prescribed during the school day.

Name of medication (as it appears on container in which the drug is stored)

_____________________________________________________________

Dosage and time________________________________________________

Date administration of drug is to begin _____________________________________

Possible adverse reactions to be reported to physician __________________

_____________________________________________________________Special instructions for the administration and storage of the drug _________

_____________________________________________________________

I or my designee(s) have trained school personnel or approved alternative training as adequate to administer the medication, have evaluated the situation, the general administration plan and if applicable, the self administration plan or emergency care plan, and deemed each to be safe and appropriate, and if applicable authorize the use of hypodermic syringes and needles or similar medical terms.

Name of Physician and Designee

_____________________________________________________________

Print or Type

_____________________________________________________________

Primary Phone Number

_____________________________________________________________

Secondary Phone Number

_____________________________________________________________

Signature of Physician

RECORD OF  SELF-ADMINISTRATED  MEDICINE

Parent’s Phone_________________________________________________

Student Name___________________________  Grade ________________

Date to Begin ______________________ Date to End __________________

Name of Medication _____________________________________________

Dosage of Medication _________________  Time ______________________

Doctor________________________ Phone #1________________________

Phone #_____________________________________________________

Possible Adverse Reaction:________________________________________

____________________ gives permission for ___________________ our son/daughter to self-administer specific medications at school.  This medication cannot be taken at any other non-school time.

DATED this __________day of_______________. 20___.

Students who are able to self-administer specific medication may do so provided:

1.        The physician provides written authorization allowing self-administration of said medication.

2.        The parent provides written authorization allowing self-administration of said medication.

3.        Such medication is transported to the school and maintained under the student’s control in the original, properly labeled package and (a) is not opened except when self-administrating the medication, (b) is not self-administered during instructional time or in the presence of other students unless medically necessary, and (c) is not shown or exhibited to other students.

4.        The student’s physician or physicians’ designee has (1) evaluated the situation and deemed it to be safe and appropriate; (2) documented this on the physician’s authorization for the student’s cumulative health record, and (3) approved the general administration plan.

5.        The student and the student’s physician or physician’s designee have developed a plan for reporting and supervising self-administration.

6.        The principal and appropriate teacher are informed that the student is self-administering prescribed medication.

Doctor’s Signature ____________________________________________________