Elementary Student Handbook

Dodge City Public Schools, USD 443, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or handicap in admission or access to, or treatment of employment in its programs and activities.

WELCOME BACK!

We would like to welcome back the students returning to USD 443, and to extend a special welcome to the students new to the district.

USD 443 maintains the highest expectations and standards for our students. We invite all students and parents to join our teachers and staff in working hard to make this another successful year.

(Adopted Board of Education policies are noted where appropriate and are the “official current policies.”)

Step 1:
Learn about the different schools in Dodge City by visiting the schools before registration begins. Decide which schools you would like your child to attend.

Step 2:
Register your child for school at First Stop (620) 471-2117 located in The District Office/Learning Center, 2112 First Avenue. New students register at First Stop when they move to Dodge City. The Kindergarten registration period begins after spring break in March and ends in April. Times and dates for registration will be published in the newspaper, flyers will be placed in businesses, and notices will be sent home with students.

In-coming Kindergartners who have brothers or sisters already attending grades K-5 will be “grandfathered” into the same school as their siblings, if they are registered during the first registration period listed above. The remaining registrations will be processed through a computerized lottery, with school assignments made based on parental preference within available classroom space. A student registering after the first deadline will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. The district will maintain a waiting list from year to year.

Step 3:
(K-5) Parents will be notified as soon as school assignments are made. Parents registering Kindergartners during the first registration period will be notified by mail by the end of May. Registrations received after the April deadline will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Step 4:
Parents must complete the enrollment process after enrolling at First Stop, online enrollment is usually held in mid July with in person enrollment days following. Parents of students new to USD
443 should bring immunization information, birth certificate/proof of identity, and health information to First Stop, 2112 First Avenue to register before going to an assigned school.

Failure to complete the enrollment process on the district-wide enrollment day will forfeit your child’s school assignment, and necessitate their re-entry into the registration process for a new school assignment.

“Each student should be encouraged to achieve the highest academic standing commensurate with his/her abilities.”

Kindergarten, first, and second grade students are evaluated by how well they have mastered the particular outcome. At third, fourth and fifth grades, students earn their grades by how they score on their daily work and tests. The following grading scale will be used to establish those grades.

90-100%   A
80-89%     B
70-79%     C
60-69%     D
0-59%       F

Under no circumstances are animals to be transported on school buses.

Persons bringing animals and plants into the school must receive prior permission from the supervising teacher and the building principal. Animals, including all vertebrates, invertebrates, and toxic plants such as poison ivy or sumac, may be brought into the classroom for educational purposes.

Domesticated animals must be inoculated against rabies at the student’s expense before the student may bring such animals to school. Animals must be adequately housed and cared for in screened cages. Handling of animals and plants by students must be on a voluntary basis. Only the teacher or students designated by the teacher are to handle the animals.

Board Policy References: JBD, JBE & JBH

1. KANSAS SCHOOL ATTENDANCE LAW
According to Kansas Statute 72-977. 72-1111, and 72-1113, students must attend school until they are eighteen (18) years of age. The law specifically states:
“Whenever a child is required by law to attend public schools within the school district and such child is inexcusably absent as determined by the regulations of this policy for three consecutive days or five or more days in a semester or seven days in a school year, a report thereof shall be made by the District Attendance Officer to the authorities designated by the state statute.”

Students shall be present each day in all classes in which they are enrolled unless excused for a school activity or other such valid reason as authorized by the administrator of the school. Daily attendance records shall be maintained for each student enrolled in district schools.

2. CLASSIFICATION OF ABSENCE (Excused/Unexcused)
According to board policy JBD, all absences shall be classified in one of the following categories:

Excused/Unexcused Absences: The definition of “excused absence” includes the following:

• Personal illness;
• Health-related treatment, examination, or recuperation;
• Serious illness or death of a member of the family;
• Obligatory religious observances;
• Participation in a district-approved or school sponsored activity or course;
• Absences pre-arranged by parents and approved by the principal; and
• Students of active-duty military personnel may have additional excused absences at the discretion of the principal for visitations to a relative preparing to leave or returning from deployment.
  • The principal shall establish a procedure to determine the reason any student is absent from school or shall have the parent or guardian call the school.
  • All absences which do not fit into one of the above categories would be considered an unexcused absence. A student serving a period of suspension or expulsion from the district shall not be considered inexcusably absent.
  • Significant Part of a School Day: An absence shall be considered a significant part of the school day if such absence meets the following guidelines; for grades K-5, one-half day will be considered a significant part of a school day; for grades 6-8, five or more of the student’s scheduled classes and 9-12 three or more of the student’s blocks will be considered a significant part of the school day.

Dodge City USD 443 Elementary Behavior Matrix

Respect + Effort + Attitude = Learning

Bicycles are the sole responsibility of their owners and it is recommended they be secured at school with bicycle locks.

State law requires that birth certificates/proof of identity be shown for every child entering Kindergarten, as well as all others enrolling in Dodge City Public Schools for the first time, regardless of grade.

Treats brought to school must be commercially packaged and be Wellness Plan approved. Please talk to the teacher the day before you bring treats to find out the number of students in the class and the best time to bring treats and if the treats meet the wellness plan guide. Bringing treats is optional, not mandatory. A book for the classroom or school library in honor of the birthday student is a wonderful gift for the school in place of treats.

Party invitations may be brought for distribution if there is an invitation for every child in the classroom.

The district will endeavor to provide a suitable environment conducive to the general health, safety, and welfare of each student in school attendance and in school-sponsored activities.

Bullying is prohibited in USD #443. Bullying means: Any intentional gesture or any intentional written, verbal, electronic or physical act or threat that is sufficiently severe, persistent or pervasive that it creates an intimidating, threatening or abusive educational environment for a student or staff member that a reasonable person, under the circumstances, knows or should know will have the effect of:

• Harming a student or staff member, whether physically or mentally;
• Damaging a student’s or staff member’s property:
  
• Placing a student or staff member in reasonable fear of harm; or
• Placing a student or staff member in reasonable fear of damage to the student’s or staff member’s property.

Bullying also includes cyber bullying. "Cyber bullying" means bullying by use of any electronic communication device through means including, but not limited to, e-mail, instant messaging, text messages, blogs, mobile phones, pagers, online games and websites.

Additionally, bullying means any form of intimidation or harassment prohibited by the board of education of the school district in policies concerning bullying adopted pursuant to or subsection (e) of K.S.A. 72-8205, and amendments thereto. USD #443 will not tolerate these actions by students or staff.

Any act of bullying by either an individual student or group of students is prohibited on or while using school property, in a school vehicle or at school-sponsored functions. This policy applies to students who directly engage in an act of bullying, to students who, by their behavior, support another student’s act of bullying, and to all staff members who engage in similar behaviors.

No teacher, administrator, or school district employee shall engage in, permit, or tolerate bullying.

Retaliation against a victim, good faith reporter, or a witness to bullying is prohibited.

A person who engages in an act of bullying, reprisal, retaliation or false reporting of bullying, shall be subject to discipline in accordance with school district policy and procedures. The school district may take into account the following factors: the ages of the parties involved; the developmental and maturity levels, special education needs of the parties involved, and the severity of the behavior.

Discipline guidelines for student and staff bullying are found in the appropriate handbooks. Offenses over time may result in discipline up to and including suspension and/or expulsion or termination from employment. As appropriate, reports to local law enforcement will be filed to report criminal bullying behaviors.

“Corporal punishment shall not be permitted in the school district.”

District level and building level crisis plan has been developed to respond to any crisis. Crisis situations are inevitable; thoughtful rational crisis management is the only defense.

If you drive your children to school, please let them out on the proper side of the street. The safety of students is jeopardized when they are dropped off and expected to cross the street. Parents are not allowed to double park and drop off or pick up students.

Federal child Nutrition program regulations require guardians to provide reasonable modifications to Program meals or the meal service to accommodate participants with disabilities that restrict a child’s diet on a case-by-case basis and only when supported by a written statement from a State licensed healthcare professional who is authorized to write medical prescriptions under State law. A recognized medical authority must complete the following form to document a student’s current special dietary needs.

• Medical Statement for Meal Modifications: This form must be completed and signed by a “medical authority” this is authorized by Kansas state law to write medical prescriptions.

The appropriate medical statements may be obtained in your school’s Nutrition Department or the District Nutrition Office. It is recommended this form be updated yearly.

For some students, special diet orders are temporary. When there is no longer a need for special dietary needs, a Discontinuation of Special Diet form must be completed by the physician or recognized medical authority. This form can also be obtained in the School’s Nutrition Office or the district Nutrition Office.

The district will use a district communication portal/platform for two-way communication with parents and families. District, school and classroom messages will be sent through this program. Parents can communicate with their child’s teacher through this program as well.

Neatness, decency, and good taste are guidelines of the district dress code. Students must dress in a manner that is not obscene, offensive, or substantially or materially disruptive to the learning environment. Apparel that is sexually suggestive; promotes violence, illegal activities, drugs, alcohol, and/or tobacco; or is determined to be gang related is prohibited.

Student apparel and grooming must also meet requirements of any courses that are part of the approved curriculum in which they are enrolled.

Dress codes shall be published in the appropriate student handbooks.
Adoption Date: 6/6/2006, Revised: 6/8/2009; 03/08/2016; 01/10/2022

The Board extends its authority to suspend any student as authorized by law to the following certified personnel or committee thereof: superintendent, assistant superintendents, a principal of an attendance center, assistant principal and/or personnel acting in the capacity of assistant principal.

Students may be suspended from school if they violate any of the behavior codes.

Board of Education policy JDD, Suspension and Expulsion, procedures will be followed. A copy of this policy may be obtained at your school’s office.

Board of Education policy JDD, Suspension and Expulsion, procedures will be followed. A copy of this policy may be obtained at your school’s office.

FastBridge is an online assessment tool for math, reading and social/emotional levels for students K-12 given three times per year. The data will be immediately accessible to teachers and administrators to be reviewed in the Professional Learning Collaboration (PLC) times at the buildings. Jointly, staff will share best practice and make immediate adjustment to instructional and support opportunities based on the screening results.

The board of education is committed to limiting the use of Emergency Safety Intervention (“ESI”), such as seclusion and restraint, with all students. Seclusion and restraint shall be used only when a student's conduct necessitates the use of an emergency safety intervention as defined below. The board of education encourages all employees to utilize other behavioral management tools, including prevention techniques, de-escalation techniques, and positive behavioral intervention strategies.

This policy shall be made available on the district website with links to the policy available on any individual school pages. In addition, this policy shall be included in at least one of the following: each school’s code of conduct, school safety plan, or student handbook. Notice of the online availability of this policy shall be provided to parents during enrollment each year.

Definitions

• “Campus police officer” means a school security officer designated by the board of education of any school district pursuant to KSA 72-6146, and amendments thereto.
• “Chemical Restraint” means the use of medication to control a student’s violent physical behavior or restrict a student’s freedom of movement.
• “Emergency Safety Intervention” is the use of seclusion or physical restraint, but does not include physical escort or the use of time-out.
• “Incident” means each occurrence of the use of an emergency safety intervention.
• “Law enforcement officer” and “police officer” mean a full-time or part-time salaried officer or employee of the state, a county, or a city, whose duties include the prevention or detection of crime and the enforcement of criminal or traffic law of this state or any Kansas municipality. This term includes a campus police officer.
• “Legitimate law enforcement purpose” means a goal within the lawful authority of an officer that is to be achieved through methods or conduct condoned by the officer’s appointing authority.
• “Mechanical Restraint” means any device or object used to limit a student’s movement.
• “Parent” means: (1) a natural parent; (2) an adoptive parent; (3) a person acting as a parent as defined in KSA 72-3127(d)(2), and amendments thereto; (4) a legal guardian; (5) an education advocate for a student with an exceptionality; (6) a foster parent, unless the student is a child with an exceptionality; or (7) a student who has reached the age of majority or is an emancipated minor.
• “Physical Escort” means the temporary touching or holding the hand, wrist, arm, shoulder, or back of a student who is acting out for the purpose of inducing the student to walk to a safe location.
• “Physical Restraint” means bodily force used to substantially limit a student’s movement, except that consensual, solicited, or unintentional contact and contact to provide comfort, assistance, or instruction shall not be deemed to be physical restraint.
• “School resource officer” means a law enforcement officer or police officer employed by a local law enforcement agency who is assigned to a district through an agreement between the local law enforcement agency and the district.
• “School security officer” means a person who is employed by a board of education of any school district for the purpose of aiding and supplementing state and local law enforcement agencies in which the school district is located, but is not a law enforcement officer or police officer.
• “Seclusion” means placement of a student in a location where all of the following conditions are met: (1) the student is placed in an enclosed area by school personnel; (2) the student is purposefully isolated from adults and peers; and (3) the student is prevented from leaving, or reasonably believes that he or she will be prevented from leaving the enclosed area.
• “Time-out” means a behavioral intervention in which a student is temporarily removed from a learning activity without being secluded.

Prohibited Types of Restraint

All staff members are prohibited from engaging in the following actions with all students:

• Using face-down (prone) physical restraint;
• Using face-up (supine) physical restraint;
• Using physical restraint that obstructs the student’s airway;
• Using physical restraint that impacts a student’s primary mode of communication;
• Using chemical restraint, except as prescribed treatments for a student’s medical or psychiatric condition by a person appropriately licensed to issue such treatments; and
• Use of mechanical restraint, except:
  • Protective or stabilizing devices required by law or used in accordance with an order from a person appropriately licensed to issue the order for the device;
  • Any device used by a certified law enforcement officer to carry out law enforcement duties; or
  • Seatbelts and other safety equipment when used to secure students during transportation.

Use of Emergency Safety Interventions

ESI shall be used only when a student presents a reasonable and immediate danger of physical harm to such student or others with the present ability to effect such physical harm. Less restrictive alternatives to ESI, such as positive behavior interventions support, shall be deemed inappropriate or ineffective under the circumstances by the school employee witnessing the student’s behavior prior to the use of any ESI. The use of ESI shall cease as soon as the immediate danger of physical harm ceases to exist. Violent action that is destructive of property may necessitate the use of an ESI. Use of an ESI for purposes of discipline, punishment, or for the convenience of a school employee shall not meet the standard of immediate danger of physical harm.

ESI Restrictions

A student shall not be subjected to ESI if the student is known to have a medical condition that could put the student in mental or physical danger as a result of ESI. The existence of such medical condition must be indicated in a written statement from the student’s licensed health care provider, a copy of which has been provided to the school and placed in the student’s file.

Such written statement shall include an explanation of the student’s diagnosis, a list of any reasons why ESI would put the student in mental or physical danger, and any suggested alternatives to ESI. Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection, a student may be subjected to ESI, if not subjecting the student to ESI would result in significant physical harm to the student or others.

Use of Seclusion

When a student is placed in seclusion, a school employee shall be able to see and hear the student at all times.

All seclusion rooms equipped with a locking door shall be designed to ensure that the lock automatically disengages when the school employee viewing the student walks away from the seclusion room, or in case of emergency, such as fire or severe weather.

A seclusion room shall be a safe place with proportional and similar characteristics as other rooms where students frequent. Such room shall be free of any condition that could be a danger to the student, well-ventilated, and sufficiently lighted.

Training

All staff members shall be trained regarding the use of positive behavioral intervention strategies, de-escalation techniques, and prevention techniques. Such training shall be consistent with nationally recognized training programs on ESI. The intensity of the training provided will depend upon the employee’s position.

Administrators, licensed staff members, and other staff deemed most likely to need to restrain a student will be provided more intense training than staff who do not work directly with students in the classroom. District and building administration shall make the determination of the intensity of training required by each position.

Each school building shall maintain written or electronic documentation regarding the training that was provided and a list of participants, which shall be made available for inspection by the state board of education upon request.

Notification and Documentation

The principal or designee shall notify the parent the same day as an incident. The same-day notification requirement of this subsection shall be deemed satisfied if the school attempts at least two methods of contacting the parent. A parent may designate a preferred method of contact to receive the same-day notification. Also, a parent may agree, in writing, to receive only one same-day notification from the school for multiple incidents occurring on the same day.

Documentation of the ESI used shall be completed and provided to the student’s parents no later than the school day following the day of the incident. Such written documentation shall include: (A) The events leading up to the incident; (B) student behaviors that necessitated the ESI; (C) steps taken to transition the student back into the educational setting; (D) the date and time the incident occurred, the type of ESI used, the duration of the ESI, and the school personnel who used or supervised the ESI; (E) space or an additional form for parents to provide feedback or comments to the school regarding the incident; (F) a statement that invites and strongly encourages parents to schedule a meeting to discuss the incident and how to prevent future incidents; and (G) email and phone information for the parent to contact the school to schedule the ESI meeting. Schools may group incidents together when documenting the items in subparagraphs (A), (B) and (C) if the triggering issue necessitating the ESIs is the same.

The parent shall be provided the following information after the first and each subsequent incident during each school year:

• a copy of this policy which indicates when ESI can be used;
• a flyer on the parent’s rights;
• information on the parent’s right to file a complaint through the local dispute resolution process (which is set forth in this policy) and the complaint process of the state board of education; and
• information that will assist the parent in navigating the complaint process, including contact information for Families Together and the Disability Rights Center of Kansas.

Upon the first occurrence of an incident of ESI, the foregoing information shall be provided in printed form or, upon the parent’s written request, by email. Upon the occurrence of a second or subsequent incident, the parent shall be provided with a full and direct website address containing such information.

Law Enforcement, School Resource, and Campus Security Officers

Campus police officers and school resource officers shall be exempt from the requirements of this policy when engaged in an activity that has a legitimate law enforcement purpose. School security officers shall not be exempt from the requirements of this policy.

If a school is aware that a law enforcement officer or school resource officer has used seclusion, physical restraint, or mechanical restraint on a student, the school shall notify the parent the same day using the parent’s preferred method of contact. A school shall not be required to provide written documentation to a parent, as set forth above, regarding law enforcement use of an emergency safety intervention, or report to the state department of education any law enforcement use of an emergency safety intervention. For purposes of this subsection, mechanical restraint includes, but is not limited to, the use of handcuffs.

Documentation of ESI Incidents

Except as specified above with regard to law enforcement or school resource officer use of emergency safety interventions, each building shall maintain documentation any time ESI is used with a student. Such documentation must include all of the following:

• Date and time of the ESI,
• Type of ESI,
• Length of time the ESI was used,
• School personnel who participated in or supervised the ESI,
• Whether the student had an individualized education program at the time of the incident,
• Whether the student had a section 504 plan at the time of the incident, and whether the student had a behavior intervention plan at the time of the incident.

All such documentation shall be provided to the building principal, who shall be responsible for providing copies of such documentation to the superintendent or the superintendent’s designee on at least a biannual basis. At least once per school year, each building principal or designee shall review the documentation of ESI incidents with appropriate staff members to consider the appropriateness of the use of ESI in those instances.

Reporting Data

District administration shall report ESI data to the state department of education as required.

Parent Right to Meeting on ESI Use

After each incident, a parent may request a meeting with the school to discuss and debrief the incident. A parent may request such meeting verbally, in writing, or by electronic means. A school shall hold a meeting requested under this subsection within 10 school days of the parent’s request. The focus of any such meeting shall be to discuss proactive ways to prevent the need for emergency safety interventions and to reduce incidents in the future.

For a student with an IEP or a Section 504 plan, such student’s IEP team or Section 504 plan team shall discuss the incident and consider the need to conduct a functional behavioral assessment, develop a behavior intervention plan, or amend the behavior intervention plan if already in existence.

For a student with a section 504 plan, such student’s section 504 plan team shall discuss and consider the need for a special education evaluation. For students who have an individualized education program and are placed in a private school by a parent, a meeting called under this subsection shall include the parent and the private school, who shall consider whether the parent should request an individualized education program team meeting. If the parent requests an individualized education program team meeting, the private school shall help facilitate such meeting.

For a student without an IEP or Section 504 plan, the school staff and the parent shall discuss the incident and consider the appropriateness of a referral for a special education evaluation, the need for a functional behavioral assessment, or the need for a behavior intervention plan. Any such meeting shall include the student’s parent, a school administrator for the school the student attends, one of the student’s teachers, a school employee involved in the incident, and any other school employees designated by the school administrator as appropriate for such meeting.

The student who is the subject of such meetings shall be invited to attend the meeting at the discretion of the parent. The time for calling such a meeting may be extended beyond the 10-day limit if the parent of the student is unable to attend within that time period.
Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the development and implementation of a functional behavior assessment or a behavior intervention plan for any student if such student would benefit from such measures.

Local Dispute Resolution Process

If a parent believes that an emergency safety intervention has been used on the parent’s child in violation of state law or board policy, the parent may file a complaint as specified below.

The board of education encourages parents to attempt to resolve issues relating to the use of ESI informally with the building principal and/or the superintendent before filing a formal complaint with the board. Once an informal complaint is received, the administrator handling such complaint shall investigate such matter, as deemed appropriate by the administrator. In the event that the complaint is resolved informally, the administrator must provide a written report of the informal resolution to the superintendent and the parents and retain a copy of the report at the school. The superintendent will share the informal resolution with the board of education and provide a copy to the state department of education.

If the issues are not resolved informally with the building principal and/or the superintendent, the parents may submit a formal written complaint to the board of education by providing a copy of the complaint to the clerk of the board and the superintendent within thirty (30) days after the parent is informed of the incident.

Upon receipt of a formal written complaint, the board president shall assign an investigator to review the complaint and report findings to the board as a whole. Such investigator may be a board member, a school administrator selected by the board, or a board attorney. Such investigator shall be informed of the obligation to maintain confidentiality of student records and shall report the findings of fact and recommended corrective action, if any, to the board in executive session.

Any such investigation must be completed within thirty (30) days of receipt of the formal written complaint by the board clerk and superintendent. On or before the 30th day after receipt of the written complaint, the board shall adopt written findings of fact and, if necessary, appropriate corrective action. A copy of the written findings of fact and any corrective action adopted by the board shall only be provided to the parents, the school, and the state department of education and shall be mailed to the parents and the state department within 30 days of the board’s receipt of the formal complaint.

If desired, a parent may file a complaint under the state board of education administrative review process within thirty (30) days from the date a final decision is issued pursuant to the local dispute resolution process.

Policy References: GAO, JRB, JQ, and KN

Adoption Date: 8/12/2013, Revised: 3/3/2014; 08/10/2015; 08/08/2016

It is the policy of the USD 443 School District to provide assistance to any person(s) who may be suffering from a life-threatening allergic reaction (Anaphylaxis) following protocols and procedures of the school district. Staff members trained in accordance with the policy shall make every reasonable effort, to include the use of Epinephrine Auto-Injectors in the event of a life-threatening allergic reaction.

USD 443 Elementary Schools have adopted a no tolerance policy against gang activity. (Students or Adults)

Gang activities, which initiate, promote or threaten the safety or well being of persons or property on school grounds or which disrupt the school environment are prohibited. The use of hand signals, graffiti, or the presence of any apparel, jewelry, accessory, toys (including Homie dolls) or manner of grooming which, by virtue of its color, arrangement, trademark, symbol, or any other attribute, which indicates or implied membership or affiliation with such a group is prohibited.

Incidents involving initiations, hazings, intimidations, and/or related activities of such group affiliations, which are likely to cause bodily danger, physical harm, or personal degradation or disgrace resulting in physical or mental harm to students, are prohibited.

Building principals shall establish procedures and regulations to ensure that any student wearing, carrying, or displaying gang paraphernalia, or exhibiting behavior or gestures that symbolize gang membership or causing and/or participating in activities which intimidate or affect the attendance of another student will be subject to disciplinary action.

It shall be against board policy for any business or organization to deliver flowers or gifts to individual students during the school day. Any group deliveries must have prior approval of the building principal.

(See GAAB, JCE, JGEC, JGECA, JDD, and EBC)

The Board of Education for Unified School District 443, Dodge City, Kansas is committed to a safe and civil educational environment for students, employees, volunteers, and patrons free from harassment, intimidation, or bullying.

The superintendent is authorized to direct the development and implementation of a plan that includes provisions for the training and education for staff members and students. Students found to be in violation of this policy may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including suspension and expulsion, and may be reported to local law enforcement.

For the purposes of this policy, harassment, intimidation and/or bullying include any intentional written, electronic, verbal, or physical act, when such act: physically harms a student or damages the student’s property; or has the effect of substantially interfering with a student’s education; or is severe, persistent, or pervasive, creating an intimidating or threatening environment; or has the effect of substantially disrupting the orderly operation of the school.

“Intentional” refers to the individual’s choice to engage in the act rather than the ultimate impact of the action(s).

Harassment, intimidation or bullying can take many forms including, but not limited to: slurs, rumors, jokes, innuendo’s, demeaning comments, drawing cartoons, pranks, gestures, physical attacks, threats, or other written, electronic, oral, or physical actions.

This policy is not intended to prohibit expression of religious, philosophical, or political views, provided that the expression does not substantially disrupt the education environment. Many behaviors that do not rise to the level of harassment, intimidation, or bullying may still be prohibited by other district policies or building, classroom, or program rules.

Corrective disciplinary action, counseling, and/or referral to other school district and community resources, including law enforcement, may be used to address and correct the behavior of the perpetrator(s) and mitigate any impact on the victim(s).

False reports or retaliation for harassment, intimidation, or bullying also constitutes violations of this policy.

As per state law, basic vision, hearing and dental screenings will be conducted according to state guidelines. If concerns are noted during these screenings, referrals will be provided to parents advising follow up with the appropriate health care provider of their choice.

Good judgment is always necessary when your child says he/she is sick. Please do not send your child to school sick. A child with a fever or other observable signs of illness should be kept at home. Any child at school with a fever will be sent to the school nurse or office. Parents will be contacted to take the child home.

If your child is ill due to a communicable disease such as chicken pox, etc., please notify the nurse or school office so other cases may be diagnosed. Do not allow your child to return to school until all risk of transmittal of the disease is past. If your child is absent for three consecutive days, the principal may require a permit from the doctor.

In the event of an injury, the student’s parents will be notified. If medical attention is required, it will be the responsibility of the parent or at the parent’s request.

If your child has a medical condition such as an allergy, epilepsy, etc., of which the classroom teacher, PE instructors, and the nurse should know, please let them know in writing of such conditions.

As per Kansas Statute 72-6262 all children upon entry to school must be appropriately vaccinated or have a legal exemption. The recommended immunization schedule can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules.

Students entering school in USD 443 for the first time are required to present certification from a physician, a clinic or a health department that the student has received immunizations.

The vaccination information provided should be documented by a physician, a health department representative, or designated school representative, on a Kansas Certificate of Immunization (KCI).

Alternatives to Vaccination Requirements

1. Medical Exemption annually (to be signed by a physician (MD) or osteopath (DO) licensed by the Kansas Board of Healing Arts], certifying the physical condition of this child to be such that the inoculations specified above would seriously endanger the life or health of this child. An MD or DO may exempt a child from having to receive a vaccine if there is laboratory evidence the child is immune to the disease (a copy of the laboratory report must be maintained in the child’s health record).
2. Religious Exemption (to be signed by parent or guardian), to certify the child is an adherent of a religious denomination whose religious teachings are opposed to such inoculations.
   

NOTE: The parents and guardians of exempt children should be informed that their children would be excluded from school in the event that an outbreak of vaccine preventable disease occurs.

The board is committed to providing a school environment that promotes student wellness as part of the total learning experience for its students. To this end, the board shall promote and monitor a local wellness plan that includes methods to promote student wellness, prevent and reduce childhood obesity, and provide assurance that school meals and other food and beverages sold and otherwise made available on the school campus during the school day are consistent with applicable minimum federal standards. The plan shall:

• Include goals for providing proper student nutrition promotion and education, physical activity, and other school-based activities designed to promote student wellness which are based on evidence-based strategies and techniques;
• Meet federal nutrition standards and guidelines for all foods and beverages provided to students in each school during the school day; and
• Ensure standards and nutrition guidelines for all foods and beverages sold to students during the school day at each district school are consistent with the requirements of the School Breakfast Program, the National School Lunch Program, and the competitive food standards established pursuant to the National School Lunch Program.

The Superintendent or designee shall be responsible for the implementation and oversight of this policy and plan to ensure each of the district’s schools, programs, and curriculum is compliant with this policy, the plan, and existing law and regulations.
Each building principal or designee shall annually report to the superintendent or designee regarding compliance in his/her school. Staff members responsible for programs related to school wellness shall also report to the superintendent or designee regarding the status of such programs. The superintendent or designee shall then annually report to the board on the district’s compliance with law, policy, and the district’s plan related to school wellness.

Wellness Committee
The board shall establish a wellness committee comprised of, but not necessarily limited to, at least one of each of the following: school board member, district administrator, district food service representative, student, parent/guardian, school health professional, physical education teacher, and member of the public.

The wellness committee shall serve as an advisory committee regarding student health issues and shall be responsible for developing, implementing, and periodically reviewing and updating a school wellness policy and plan that complies with law to recommend to the board for adoption.

The wellness committee shall review and consider evidence-based strategies and techniques in establishing goals for nutrition education and promotion, physical activity, and other school based activities that promote student wellness as part of the policy and plan development and revision process.

The superintendent or designee and the wellness committee shall conduct an assessment at least once every three (3) years on the contents and implementation of this policy and plan as part of a continuous improvement process to strengthen them and ensure proper implementation. This triennial assessment shall be made available to the public in an accessible and easily understood manner and include:

• The extent to which district schools are in compliance with law, policy, and its plan related to school wellness;
• The extent to which this policy and plan compare to model local wellness policies; and
• A description of the progress made by the district in attaining the goals of this policy.

At least once every three (3) years, the district shall update or modify this policy and wellness plan based on the results of the most recent triennial assessment and/or as district and community needs and priorities change; wellness goals are met; new health science, information, and technologies emerge; or new federal or state guidance or standards are issued.

The district shall annually inform and update the public, including parents/guardians, students, and others in the community, about the contents, updates and implementation of this policy and plan via the district website, student handbooks, newsletters, or other efficient communication methods. This annual notification shall include information on how to access the school wellness policy and plan; information about the most recent triennial assessment; information on how to participate in the development, implementation, and periodic review and update of the school wellness policy and plan; and a means of contacting wellness committee leadership.

Recordkeeping
The district shall retain records documenting compliance with the requirements of the school wellness policy, which shall include:

• The written school wellness policy and plan;
• Documentation demonstrating that the district has informed the public, on an annual basis, about the contents of the school wellness policy and plan and any updates to these documents;
• Documentation of efforts to review and update the school wellness policy and plan, including who was involved in the review and methods used by the district to inform the public of their ability to participate in the review; and
• Documentation demonstrating the most recent assessment on the implementation of the school wellness policy and plan and notification of the assessment results to the public.

Adoption Date: 06/06/2006, Revised: 06/08/2009; 08/11/2014; 03/08/2016; 07/10/2017

Kansas School Wellness Policy can be found on the district website: usd443.org under Departments/Nutrition

Students will be permitted one school day to make up missed schoolwork for each day’s absence. In addition, one day’s “grace” will be added to this make up time. (For example, if a child is absent three school days, he/she will have until the close of school on the fourth day following the absence to make up the work). At the discretion of the teacher make-up work can be given before or following a known absence.

Schools must have policies and procedures in effect to ensure that all children with exceptionalities (those who have disabilities and those who are gifted) and who need special education and related services are identified, located, and evaluated (Kansas State Department of Education, 2008), also known as child find. Child find in Kansas involves a screening process for children from birth to age 5 as well as a general education intervention (GEI) process for children from kindergarten through age 21. GEI requires schools to have data‐based documentation of appropriate instruction in regular education settings delivered by qualified personnel, repeated measures of academic achievement showing progress during instruction, and the general education interventions and strategies implemented for each child (K.A.R. 91‐40‐7). GEI is conducted using a school‐wide approach to providing multi‐tiered levels of intervention to support all children to achieve more successfully.

MTSS uses collaborative teams comprised of teachers and support staff responsible for analyzing data (screening, diagnostic, and progress monitoring data) at the grade, classroom, small group, and individual student levels. The collaborative teams use data to group students, identify the instructional focus of the groups, ascertain the materials to be used for interventions, and evaluate the effectiveness of the supports being provided. Collaborative teams and leadership teams engage in the steps of MTSS Implementation, they carry out the steps of a problem‐solving process and meet general education intervention (GEI) requirements.

Although the specific steps of implementation vary for reading, math, and behavior implementation, the steps for all content areas of the Kansas MTSS result in data that meet the requirements for child find/general education interventions as described in Kansas Special Education Regulation K.A.R 91‐40‐7. Collaborative teams use progress monitoring and other data to engage in problem solving, customize interventions based on individual student needs, and intensify instruction for students not making sufficient progress. Collaborative teams may ask certain specialists in the building (e.g., behavior specialist, reading specialist, special education teacher, school psychologist, speech/language pathologist) to assist with individual student problem solving to design customized interventions.

If at any time the collaborative team suspects that a student may be a student with an exceptionality and/or may have a need for special education services, the team must refer the student for an initial evaluation. The Kansas MTSS process should not delay a student from receiving a special education evaluation, and parents must be informed of the nature of student performance data being collected, the general education services being provided, strategies for increasing the student’s rate of learning, and their right to request an evaluation. If it is determined that a student needs to be referred, any student information collected throughout the Kansas MTSS Implementation process, including screening, diagnostic, and progress monitoring data, may be used within the special education initial evaluation and eligibility determination process.

MTSS Academic and Behavior Flow Chart

Step 1

• Action
  • Root cause analysis: Classroom Teacher Data Collection (For students not responding to MTSS)
    • Review the Cumulative information in EduClimber KELPA-IPT, SpEd, FastBridge, formative, summative, KAP, SAEBRS, 504
    • Current Hearing/Vision (Skyward-EduClimber)
    • Attendance History (Skyward-EduClimber)
    • Behavioral records (Skyward-EduClimber)
    • Confirm primary Language survey from the home language survey (Skyward-EduClimber)
    • Communicate with last year’s teacher regarding academic and behavior performance, concerns, and interventions deployed
    • Enter behavior, academic goals into EduClimber (set up alerts/tag students)
    • Teacher’s discretion to initiate step one based on multiple academic and behavioral data points indicating lack of response to MTSS process.
• Who’s Responsible
  • Principals, teachers, SpEd teacher

Step 2

• Action
  • Create a MTSS Plan: PLC Meeting #1: Grade Level/Core Team Collaboration
    • Teacher provides an overview of students on their PLC watch list and shares individual student goals, interventions and data
    • PLC provides the initial review and any recommendations
    • Communicate individualized plan with parents and families
    • Enter any new information into EduClimber and implement to MTSS plan in step 3
• Who’s Responsible
  • Classroom/Core Teacher, Cares Team (Advisory)

Step 3

• Action
  • Implementation of MTSS Plan
    • Implement the agreed upon plan, collect progress monitoring data, and enter into EduClimber
    • Building administrator monitor fidelity of the plan
    • Collect data in the interium and enter into EduClimber
    • External indirected/advisory support as needed, (613, cares team, academic)
    • After 4-6 weeks of implementation proceed to step 4
• Who’s Responsible
  • Classroom/Core Teacher, Cares Team (Advisory)

Step 4

• Action
  • Evaluate and Modify MTSS Plan:
    • Conduct a second PLC meeting to determine if interventions were successful (progress monitoring decision making flowchart)
    • Cares Team referral if behavioral data supports evidence of need
    • Schedule Follow-up meeting (4-6 weeks) and collect data in the interium
    • Communicate (face to face) individualized plan with parents and families
    • Enter any new information into EduClimber and implement the MTSS plan in Step 5
• Who’s Responsible
  • Classroom/Core Teacher, Cares Team (Advisory), SpEd (Advisory)

Step 5

• Action
  • Implementation of Modified MTSS Plan:
  • Continue plan, if successful, or implement new agreed upon plan, collect progress monitoring data, and enter into EduClimber
• Who’s Responsible
  • Classroom/Core Teacher, Cares Team (Advisory), SpEd (Advisory)

Step 6

• Action
  • Evaluate Modify MTSS Plan:
  • Students reached FastBridge normative benchmark goals. Review district data and either continue intervention or discontinue
  • Students have shown growth but have not reached benchmark, re-evaluate intervention plan, modify/continue, collect data, provide update to parents
  • Student has not shown growth or met benchmark, more intensive interventions needed
• Who’s Responsible
  • Classroom/Core Teacher, Cares Team (Advisory), SpEd (Advisory)

Step 7

• Action
  • Implementation of Modified MTSS Plan:
  • Continue plan, if successful, or implement new agreed upon plan, collect progress monitoring data, and enter into EduClimber
  • After 4-6 weeks of implementation proceed to step 8
• Who’s Responsible
  • Classroom/Core Teacher, Cares Team (Advisory), SpEd (Advisory)

Step 8

• Action
  • Conduct the School-Wide BLT Meeting to review all data, timelines and determination to progress to step 9 or 7. BLT should:
    • Review data, conduct a gap analysis on student data, and collaborate with the team on instructional plans needed for student success
    • Upon review BLT can either recommend proceeding to SPED referral in Step 9 OR move back to Step 7 for additional data collection
• Who’s Responsible
  • Classroom/Core Teacher, Cares Team (Advisory), SpEd (Advisory), BLT (Advisory)

Step 9

• Action
  • If a special education referral is recommended by the School-Wide BLT, a meeting with appropriate personnel, including parents, must be scheduled. Refer to 613 to initiate testing (if appropriate), parental notification and formal referral process for special education placement.
• Who’s Responsible
  • Classroom/Core Teacher, Special Education Staff, Parents/Guardians

Parents should watch for signs of head lice. Persistent itching of the head and back of neck can indicate head lice. Nits (small eggs) attached to the hair may be seen with the naked eye. Sometimes dandruff is confused with the nits. Dandruff can be easily removed. Nits, however, are very difficult to remove. Students do not have to be nit free to return to school.

Head lice are more commonly transmitted from head-to-head contact with an infested person. Transmission from sharing clothing or belongings is less common. No disease is associated with head lice, and in-school transmission is considered to be rare.

Once head lice are found, the problem should be taken care of promptly in order to prevent it from spreading to others.

• Any student found with pediculosis will be sent home at the end of the school day and parents will be notified as soon as possible.
• The student will have no more than two (2) calendar days to receive treatment and return to school.
  
• Once treatment has been administered, the student will return to school and be re-examined by the School Nurse before returning to the classroom. If a student has been dismissed for pediculosis more than once during a school year, the parent may be asked to show proof of treatment before the student is readmitted to school.
• The student will be re-admitted to class if no head lice are found.

Viral hepatitis type A is one of the common contagious diseases caused by a virus. Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver. The early symptoms of hepatitis type A resemble those of many other infectious diseases. There may or may not be the yellow skin or yellow color to the white of the eye known as jaundice. Since there are other diseases, both communicable and non-communicable, which may cause jaundice; jaundice alone does not necessarily mean that a person has hepatitis type A.

Hepatitis type A is spread mainly from person to person. The disease may sometimes be transmitted through water or food that has been contaminated by the patient. Thoroughly cooked foods and clean, tested water are safe.

Early symptoms resemble those of flu. There may be runny nose, sore throat, headache, muscle pains, and fever. These may be followed by nausea and vomiting. Loss of appetite is almost universal. The patient complains of weakness and fatigue and sometimes aching or tenderness in the upper right side of the abdomen.

The generally accepted treatment for hepatitis type A is rest and prescribed diet. The patient should rest in bed until the physician says he/she may get up. Resuming normal activity too soon may cause a relapse.

When multiple cases warrant possible “outbreak” status, as determined by the nurse, principal and Health Department, all parents and employees in the building will be notified and special procedures, as determined by the principal, will be implemented with respect to class parties, food from home, supervised handwashing, etc.

School administrators and staff are not responsible for valuables that students bring to school. It is recommended that students leave all valuables at home. Including, but not limited to: electronic toys and devices, games, trading cards, toys from home, etc. If special circumstances make it necessary for a student to bring substantial cash or other important possessions to school, registering them and leaving them at the office can safeguard these items.

State law KSA 72-6267 requires that each child entering a Kansas school for the first time present certification from a licensed physician stating that he/she has had a physical examination and has or is in the process of receiving immunization against diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, polio, measles, rubella, mumps, varicella, Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B or has a legal exemption.

Physical examinations are required up to age 9.

Physical examination forms are available in all doctors’ offices and the Public Health Office. The law provides that any student who does not comply within 90 days of enrollment be excluded from school until the above conditions are met.

(BOE Policy JGFGB)
Most medications can be conveniently administered outside of school hours. If school personnel are to supervise student medications, the following procedures must be followed:

1. A written Permission for Administration of Medication Form must be signed by a physician and a parent and returned to school.
2. All medications to be given at school must be taken to the principal’s/nurse’s office for dispensing.
3. The medication must be in an original container that is properly labeled with the child’s name, the current date, and the authorized dosage instructions. This includes inhalers or Epi-Pens.
4. The parent/guardian of a student with a potential anaphylactic reaction to food, insect bite, or other substance should complete an allergy action plan and return it to the school nurse to ensure proper use of medication if needed.
5. Parent/guardian of an asthmatic student should complete asthma care plan and return it to the school nurse to ensure proper use of medication.
6. School personnel will not administer medications not accompanied with the signed permission form.
7. No over-the-counter medications except first aid supplies should be maintained by school personnel without a permission form signed by a parent.

Most prescription medications can be conveniently administered up to three times per day outside of school hours—in the morning, after school, and at bedtime.

USD 443 has the right and obligation to report to the appropriate law enforcement agency/or inform the school SRO if a student’s action would constitute a misdemeanor or felony while on school property or at a school supervised activity and/or has been found:

• In possession of a weapon
• In possession of a controlled substance or illegal drug
  
• To have engaged in behavior at school which has resulted in or was substantially likely to have resulted in a serious bodily injury to others.

Parents will be notified of the incident and a well child visit by law enforcement will possibly follow.

Parent Teacher Conferences are scheduled in October and February. Additional conferences may be scheduled at the request of the teacher or parent. Academic updates are given to parents at the regularly scheduled parent teacher conferences. Report cards are sent home at the end of each quarter.

Progress reports may be sent home more frequently, at the teacher’s discretion. Family Access is available on-line for parents to track the progress of their child. Grades will be updated in Skyward on a bi-weekly basis. Contact individual schools for information to view Family Access.

Your child’s school offers nutritious meals every school day. These meals prepare children to learn and do their best at school.

The meals available and the prices charged are as follows:
Grades KG – 5:

• Full Price Lunch Fees: Lunch Fee: $3.40
• Full Price Breakfast Fees: Breakfast Fee: $2.30

(Prices are subject to change)

No lunch money is handled in the school office.
Money may be deposited into students’ accounts before school in the cafeteria, there are locked money boxes that money can be put in or online through the Skyward program or Nutrition Office at 2112 First Avenue.

Nutritious meals are very important to a child’s learning. USD 443 Nutrition program understands this and wants to give all children the opportunity to have a nutritious breakfast and lunch. Listed below are the district's guidelines pertaining to meal charging.

Approved Reduced & Full Pay Students

PK-12 Students: at any point during the school year, a student shall have no more than 10 days outstanding unpaid meal charges at one time.

District Emails using Skyward will be sent home daily when the student's balance is at $20.00 for Full Pay and at $6.00 for Reduced students.

When the student falls in the negative amount the following steps will be taken: Starting at 4 days of charges - the cashier/manager will send talking point, notify family liaison/counselor and principal of the charges and the school will contact parent/guardian.

8 days of charges - the cashier /manager will send talking point, notify family liaison/counselor and principal of the charges and the school will contact parent/guardian, and then notify the Nutrition Director / or assistant who will then notify Superintendent or designee of the charges and they will contact parent or guardian.

10 days of charges - at this point the district has the ability to declare child is in need of care and take appropriate action. Then, consider this account is a bad debt for the purpose of USDA Federal regulation and the district shall transfer funds for the bad debt into the Nutrition program account using non-federal funds for the unpaid meal debt. The Nutrition program will provide a list of students with bad debt to the Business office at the end of each semester and again at the end of the school year for payment.

District will not allow any charges for ala carte items- students must have funds on account to purchase said items. In an effort to help parents manage their students' accounts USD 443 does offer On-line payments by accessing Skyward family accounts. Please contact your child’s school to set up a skyward account.

The district will provide a copy of this meal charging policy to all households at or before the start of school each year and to families and students that transfer into the district at the time of transfer. The terms of this policy will also be communicated to all district staff responsible for enforcing any aspect of the policy, a copy of the policy will be posted in district meal service facilities, and the policy will be made available on the district’s website and social media accounts. Records of how and when it is communicated to households and staff will be retained.

Policy References: EBBD

Adoption Date: 06/06/2006, Revised: 07/07/2008; 02/13/2017; 06/28/2021; 02/12/2024

All families are encouraged to complete an application for the meal benefits. A current application is required each year. Families will be notified of their benefits within 10 days of the application being received in the Nutrition Office. One application is needed per household and all information is kept confidential. Parents are responsible for paying full price for their student’s meals until notified of their benefit level.

All school cafeterias are inspected twice a year by the Kansas Department of Agriculture. The cafeterias follow the guidelines set forth by the KDA pertaining to safety and sanitation. Nutrition employees, students and paying patrons are the only persons allowed access to the serving lines and eating areas.

All schools are registered as an OFFER-VS-SERVE program with the Kansas State Child Nutrition & Wellness department. This allows students to choose at least three (with one of the three components being at least ½-cup fruit and/or vegetables) or all five meal components that are offered daily.

Parents are welcome to eat with their student(s). Prior arrangements should be made by calling the school lunchroom before 9 a.m.

Further information about the program is available by contacting the CHILD NUTRITION OFFICE at 2112 First Avenue. The telephone number is 620-371-1030.

Elementary Schools – Grades K-5

Bus service is available for students who live outside the walk boundary set by the Board of Education. Each elementary school will have its own unique boundary. Students are expected to comply with the policies set forth in this handbook as well as the Student School Bus Handbook that you will receive prior to receiving transportation. If you qualify for transportation, please review the transportation handbook with your student and return the signed acknowledgement page to your driver within 10 school days to continue uninterrupted transportation service. Additional copies are available in the Transportation Department or at www.usd443.org. Discipline procedures will be enforced when a student fails to comply with these rules. Information regarding schedules and bus times is available through the Transportation Department at 620-471-2106.

“Principals are authorized to search property if there is reasonable suspicion that district policies, rules, or directives are being violated. In addition, all lockers shall be subject to random searches without prior notice or reasonable suspicion. All searches by the principal shall be carried out in the presence of another adult witness.”

“Principals are authorized to search students if there is reasonable suspicion that district policies, rules or directives are being violated. Strip search shall not be conducted by school authorities. All searches shall be carried out in the presence of an adult witness.”

Any student who believes he or she has been subjected to sexual harassment should immediately discuss the problem with his/her principal, or another certified staff member. Initiation of a sexual harassment complaint will not cause any adverse reflection of the student. The initiation of a student’s complaint shall not adversely affect the job security or status of any employee or student until a finding of fact determines that improper conduct occurred. Strict confidentiality shall be maintained throughout the complaint procedure.

Skyward is the student information system that the district uses for attendance, family information, fees information, school lunch information, student grades, and discipline.

The following personnel are available for student services in our buildings: nurse, psychologist, counselor, gifted teacher, speech clinician, physical therapist, hearing impaired, and homebound instructor. Information about these services is available from the school office.

“Each principal shall develop rules and regulations to govern student conduct consistent with board policies. The rules of conduct shall be published in student handbooks.
Violation of any provision of the behavior code may result in disciplinary action including suspension and/or expulsion.” Adherence will be maintained to the student’s individual behavior plans, including those outlined in their IEPs, 504 plans, or other relevant documentation.

The school district’s elementary schools follow the District Guidelines for Student Behavior. These guidelines emphasize the following:

• Health and Safety – Students will behave and conduct themselves in such a way that no harm will come to themselves or to others.
• Respect for Others – Students will respect the rights of others and do nothing to infringe upon those rights.
• Respect for Property – Students will respect and properly care for public and private property.

No student has the right to interfere with or disrupt another student’s right to learn and/or a teacher’s responsibility to teach. Consequences for inappropriate behavior will be at the discretion of the administration. Based on the frequency and the severity of the offense, consequences may include:

• Loss of privileges
• Time Out
• After-school detention
• In-school suspension
• Suspension (long or short-term)
• Expulsion
• Other consequences, as considered appropriate.

Disruption of School
A student shall not use any conduct intentionally to cause the substantial and material disruption or obstruction of any lawful function of the school. Neither shall he/she urge other students to engage in such conduct for the purpose of causing a disruption or obstruction of any lawful function of the school.

The unacceptable conduct shall include but not be limited to: (1) occupying any school building, school grounds or part thereof with intent to deprive others of its use; (2) blocking the entrance or exit of any school building or corridor or room therein with intent to deprive others of lawful access to or from, or use of, the building or corridor or room; (3) setting fire to or damaging any school building or property; (4) firing, displaying or threatening use of firearms, explosives or other weapons on the school premises for any unlawful purpose; (5) preventing of or attempting to prevent by physical act the convening or continued functioning of any school, class or activity or of any lawful meeting or assembly on the school campus; (6) preventing students from attending a class or school activity; (7) continuously and intentionally making noise or acting so as to interfere with the teacher’s ability to conduct class.

A student shall not intentionally cause or attempt to cause damage to private or school property or attempt to steal private or school property either on the school grounds or during a school activity.

Verbal / Physical Assault on a School Employee, Student or Visitor
A student shall not intentionally cause or attempt to cause physical injury or to behave verbally in such a way that could reasonably injure a school employee, student or visitor:

• on the school grounds during, before or after school hours;
• on the school grounds at any other time when the school is being used by any school personnel or school group; or
• off the school grounds at a school activity, function or event.

Neither self-defense nor action undertaken on the reasonable belief that it was necessary to protect some other person is to be considered an intentional act under this rule.

Student Substance Abuse
The use, possession or distribution of alcohol, narcotics, hallucinogens, dangerous inhalants or restricted dangerous drugs by students of this school district is recognized as harmful to the health and welfare of the student body and to the welfare and safety of the community. Such use, possession, or distribution will not be tolerated on school grounds, at school events, or in any situation in which the school is responsible for the conduct and well-being of young people.

This district recognizes its responsibility to provide reasonable protection for all students from the influence of persons who might encourage the use of mind-altering chemicals. It shall be the policy of this district to continually seek the cooperation, advice and counsel of parents and of the courts, law enforcement agencies, medical, mental health and other professional agencies which are involved in the drug abuse problem in order to ensure a community-side, cohesive and comprehensive reaction to this problem.

The basic policy of this district is to confront the problem of student drug abuse in three ways: prevention, intervention and control on school grounds and at all school functions. Drug abuse prevention includes education, inservice staff training and awareness.

Violation of any provision of this behavior code may result in suspension and/or expulsion. (BOE Policy JDD)

General Compliance and Repeated School Violations
A student shall not fail to comply with a reasonable request of school personnel during any period of time when he/she is properly under the authority of school personnel.

Violation of any provision of this behavior code may result in suspension and/or expulsion.
(BOE Policy JDD)

Internet/On-Line Services – Acceptable Use
The purpose for the Internet and other on-line services provided by Unified School District 443 is to facilitate and support research and education by providing access to a variety of resources and an opportunity for collaborative work.

Users may encounter material that is controversial which users, parents, teachers or administrators may consider inappropriate or objectionable. On a worldwide network, it is impossible to effectively control the content of and access to information and data. It is the responsibility of the user not to initiate or pursue access to such material. USD 443 prohibits procurement of material not consistent with the educational goals of the district. Each parent and student will be expected to sign the acceptable use policy at enrollment.

Information about low-cost student insurance, including Health Wave, is available annually at enrollment or anytime during the school year by contacting the school or district office.

Parents are responsible for obtaining accident, health, athletic, hospital, and other insurance coverage for their student(s). Expenses not covered by such policies are the responsibility of the parents.

NOTE: The school district is not responsible for accidents, injuries or personal property loss that occurs to students at school, on school property or at school sponsored events.

District Stance: "District-Issued Only" In compliance with Kansas Senate Bill 2299, the district operates a "Bell-to-Bell, Device-Free" policy. The district's official stance is: If the district did not issue the device to a student, it is not allowed in the building and should be left at home.

Absolute Prohibition on Personal Technology This policy applies to all personal technology devices not owned or issued by the district. If the district did not give it to you, it is not allowed. This includes, but is not limited to:

• All cell phones and smartphones.
• Smartwatches, GPS-enabled watches/devices, and phone watches (Apple Watch, Garmin, etc.).
• Wireless earbuds/headphones (AirPods, Beats, etc.).
  • Testing Accommodations: The district will provide required headphones/earbuds for testing or instructional purposes as needed.
• Personal tablets or gaming devices.

Authorized Storage

• Backpacks: The district has determined that backpacks are NOT an authorized storage location for these devices.
• Main Office Check-In: If a student brings a personal device to school, it must be turned into the Main Office or another building-designated location immediately upon arrival. Buildings may establish additional procedures for device storage and retrieval based on operational needs.
• Liability: The district is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged personal devices.

Communication & Emergency Procedures

• Parent/Student Contact: All parent/student communication during the school day must occur through the school’s Main Office or another building-designated location.
• Emergency Phone Use: Students needing emergency communication will be provided access to a school phone through the Main Office or another building-designated location.
• Discipline Progression If a device is seen or heard and was not properly checked into the office or another building-designated location, the following discipline progression will apply. Buildings may establish procedures for how confiscated devices are stored and managed based on operational needs:
  • 1st Offense: Confiscated; taken to the Main Office. Student picks it up after school.
  • 2nd Offense: Confiscated; taken to the Main Office. Parent/Guardian must pick it up.
  • 3rd Offense: Confiscated; taken to the Main Office. Parent/Guardian must pick it up + detention.
  • Refusal to Surrender: Refusal to immediately surrender a device to a staff member is a cell phone violation and insubordination/defiance. This results in an immediate administrative referral, and the student will bypass the 1st offense (student pick-up).
  • Continued Violations: Repeated violations may result in additional disciplinary consequences and/or parent conferences as determined by administration.
  • Documentation: Violations will be documented in Skyward.

Students may be responsible for lost or damaged technology provided by the district.

To increase students’ academic skills, it is important for students to be at school and on time daily. Students who arrive after the start of the day must stop in the office to sign in with date, time and reason for tardiness. Students will then give the tardy slip to the teacher.

Parents requesting release of a student for dental, doctor appointment, or emergencies should make a request to the teacher or office prior to said appointment. Parents must come to the office to sign out and pick up their child.

Since the school phone is a business phone, calls by students should be limited to necessary calls. Permission from the secretary or principal must be given before students can make calls during the school day. Teachers and students will not be called from classes to the telephone except in cases of an emergency.

The office will see that messages are delivered to students and teachers.

Most teachers will test/evaluate routinely in most subjects.

Individual Reading Inventories, Kansas Assessments and End Map Assessments for Math will be administered to determine outcomes mastered. Outcomes not mastered may be a reason for summer school or retention. Please ask your child’s teacher to share this information with you.

USD 443 does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, military status, primary language, and/or disability. This non-discrimination policy applies to admission, employment, programs, activities, and providing equal access to Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. A lack of English language skills will not be a barrier to admission and participation in the Career and Technical (vocational) and/or other educational programs of the school.

Grievance Procedure 504

USD 443 has adopted an internal grievance procedure providing for prompt and equitable resolution of complaints alleging noncompliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 in any program or activity administered by the District. The following have been designated as Section 504 Coordinators:

Title VI, Age Discrimination Act, Section 504 or other pertaining to Employment: Executive Director of Human Resources, 2112 First Avenue, Dodge City Kansas 67801 (620) 371-1004.

American Disabilities Act, Section 504 or other pertaining to facilities: Executive Director of Business & Operations, 2112 First Avenue, Dodge City Kansas 67801 (620) 371-1001.

Title IX, Section 504 or other pertaining to students: Assistant Superintendents of Elementary or Secondary Education, 2112 First Avenue, Dodge City, Kansas 67801, (620) 471-2111.

Any person who believes he or she has been subjected to discrimination on the basis of disability in a program or activity administered by USD 443 may file a grievance under this procedure. Retaliation against a person who files a complaint of discrimination on the basis of disability pursuant to the grievance procedure, or persons who participate in related proceedings, is prohibited.

Procedure:

• Grievances must be submitted to the appropriate Section 504 Coordinator within 30 calendar days of the date the person filing the grievance becomes aware of the alleged discriminatory action.
• A complaint must be in writing, containing the name and address of the person filing it. The complaint must state the problem or action alleged to be discriminatory and the remedy or relief sought. A complaint form is available.
• The Section 504 Coordinator (or his/her designee) shall conduct an investigation of the complaint. This investigation may be informal, but it must be thorough, affording all interested persons an opportunity to submit evidence relevant to the complaint. The Section 504 Coordinator will maintain the files and records of the USD 443 relating to such grievances. The Section 504 Coordinator shall maintain the confidentiality of the person who files a complaint. The Section 504 Coordinator will issue a written decision on the grievance no later than 30 days after its filing.
• The availability and use of this grievance procedure does not prevent a person from filing a complaint of discrimination on the basis of disability with the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, 8930 Ward Parkway, Suite 2037, Kansas City, Missouri, 64114, (816) 268-0550.

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.

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 Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. 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.

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:

Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;

Fax: (202) 690-7442; or

Email: program.intake@usda.gov

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Parents and other visitors are welcome and encouraged to make arrangements to visit school and to become informed about the education program. USD 443 has policies against weapons, drugs and no tolerance of gang activities. Our mission is to ensure a safe and productive learning environment. Visitors will utilize the visitor management system when entering the building and are asked to be aware of all these policies before entering the buildings.

Open House, school programs, and conferences all provide regularly scheduled times to visit school, although visits are not limited to those times. If parents have questions about student progress, they are invited to contact teachers at any time to arrange a conference to address those specific concerns.

We do ask your cooperation with respect to the following guidelines:

1. Upon arrival at the school, visitors must sign in and sign out when leaving the building. Visitors will utilize the visitor management system when entering the building. Name tags are available for visitors to wear while in the building.
2. Please make appointments for all visits or conferences, preferably at least one day in advance.
3. Children may not visit schools except when accompanied by a supervising adult and approved by the principal.
4. Let the office know in advance, if you plan to eat with your child. Please call the school office for adult meal prices.

“A student shall not knowingly possess, handle or transmit any object that can reasonably be considered a weapon at school, on school property, or at a school-sponsored event. This shall include any weapon, any item being used as a weapon or destructive device, or any likeness of a weapon or destructive device, or any facsimile of a weapon.”

In the event of inclement weather, Dodge City Public Schools will monitor the situation closely. The Superintendent of Schools, considers all options carefully because canceling school can be a hardship to many of our families.

Parents/Guardians do have the right to keep their students at home if they believe that is the best option for their family.

If there is a cancellation or early dismissal, updated information will be available through USD443.org, the district communication portal/platform and media partner sites. Please keep updated contact information on file with your child’s school.