Student/Parent Handbooks
General Handbook Information - 2022-2023
(for all students)
It is the policy of the Oskaloosa Community School District not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, creed, age (for employment), marital status (for programs), sexual orientation, gender identity and socioeconomic status (for programs) in its educational programs and its employment practices. There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination. If you have questions or a grievance related to this policy please contact the district’s Equity Coordinator, Melanie Hatch, (641) 673-8345, 1800 North 3rd Street, Oskaloosa, IA 52577.
Because education is more than formal schooling, the task of educating youth is the concern of all adults. Recognizing that education is the task of the entire community, faculty realizes their delegated responsibility for the orderly development and guidance of their students. They also recognize that the total school experience -- the teaching, counseling, and activity programs -- must deal with each student’s abilities and needs.
The school, however, cannot and should not replace the home and parental responsibility. Therefore, parent concern and assistance are welcomed, with close cooperation between the school and the home benefiting the student. Parents should remain aware of their child’s achievement and any problems the child may encounter.
A. STUDENT RIGHTS & RESPONSIBILITIES
- Attending all classes, regularly and on time.
- Being prepared for each class with appropriate materials and assignments.
- Showing courtesy and respect towards others.
- Being appropriately dressed and groomed.
- Behaving in a responsible manner.
- Paying required fines and fees, unless these are waived.
- Refraining from violations of the Good Conduct Code.
- Being familiar with Student Handbook Policy.
- Obeying all school rules & policies, including safety rules.
- Obey all directions and supervision of personnel, staff, and/or adult sponsor when at school, or while traveling to and from other schools or school-related functions.
- Cooperating with District staff in investigation of disciplinary cases and volunteering known information relating to a serious offense
B. PARENT RIGHTS & RESPONSIBILITIES
- Provide and maintain home, work, and emergency telephone numbers and other pertinent information so that parents may be reached.
- Provide for the physical needs of the student.
- Teach the student to listen to school personnel and obey school rules.
- Be sure the student attends school regularly and on time; promptly report and explain absences and tardies to the school.
- Encourage and lead the student to develop proper study habits at home.
- Participate in meaningful parent-teacher conferences to discuss the student’s school progress and welfare.
- Keep informed about school policies and the academic requirements of school programs.
- Be sure the student is appropriately dressed and groomed at school and school-related activities.
- Attend school functions and organizations.
- Discuss report cards and school assignments with students.
- Bring to the attention of school authorities any learning problem or condition that may relate to the student’s education.
- Schedule the administration of student medication in an appropriate fashion.
- Cooperate and communicate with school staff.
- Discuss the school’s discipline policy with your child.
- Help your child understand the value of accepting individual differences.
- Note any disturbing behaviors in your child and get help for your child by relating such information with trusted professionals in your child’s school and/or community.
C. TEACHER RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Establish rapport and an effective working relationship with parents, students, and other staff members.
- Be prepared to perform their teaching duties with appropriate preparation, assignments, resource materials, and evaluation.
- Maintain a safe and orderly classroom atmosphere conducive to learning.
- Meet the standards of teaching performance established by the District.
- Teach students to develop and practice self-discipline.
- Serve as appropriate role models for students, in accordance with the standards of the teaching profession.
- Encourage good work habits that will lead to success in meeting personal goals.
- Prepare and communicate teacher’s expectations for classroom behavior and the consequences for failure to meet those expectations.
- Impose disciplinary consequences necessary to protect students, school employees, or property and to maintain essential order using a careful assessment of the circumstances of each case
D. ADMINISTRATOR RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Promote and facilitate a safe and positive school climate.
- Promote effective training and discipline of all students.
- Respond to discipline problems referred to them by teachers.
- Encourage parent communication with the school.
- Provide appropriate assistance to students in learning self-discipline.
- Assume responsibility for instructional leadership, evaluation, and discipline.
- Serve as appropriate role models for students on campus in accordance with the standards of the profession
Regular attendance at school, just like attendance on the job, is an important ingredient of success. Regular attendance at school is essential for a student to obtain maximum opportunities from the educational program and to develop self-discipline and responsibility. It is the Parent/Guardian's responsibility to assure that their child is in attendance.
Students are expected to be in class and to make attendance a top priority. Only through attendance and class participation do students achieve the benefits of the education program. Participating in class discussion, developing an appreciation for the views and abilities of other students, and forming the habit of regular attendance are legitimate class objectives. Learning lost due to an absence can never be replaced. Regular attendance and being well prepared for class help students in school and prepares students for adulthood.
Compulsory Age Attendance and Truance Policy: 501.3
WHEN A STUDENT IS ABSENT EXCESSIVELY
(U.S. Department of Education defines Chronic Absenteeism as 20% Absence, or 1 day in 5, absent from school).
These steps will be followed as shown, or as modified to accommodate individual situations as determined by and/or at the discretion of the student’s building administrator (principal).
STEP 1. When the absences experienced by a student are determined to be excessive (as stated above), or are of such frequency that school staff is concerned that the success of the student is truly in jeopardy, a notice of “EXCESSIVE ABSENCE” shall be sent to the parent/guardian and attendance information regarding the student forwarded to the Building Attendance Representative (BAR).
STEP 1A. If the actions taken in step one do not resolve the issue of excessive absences by the subject student, the BAR will make personal contact with the student and the parent/guardian in a further attempt to resolve the issue of excessive absences. School progress (grades and absences) will be discussed as appropriate and as determined by the BAR.
STEP 1B. In the event that the two previous steps fail to resolve the issue of poor attendance, a written request for an “Administrative Attendance Hearing” (excessive absences) will be sent, and it will be held with the parent/guardian, counselor, principal, teacher(s) and BAR in attendance. The student’s academic progress and attendance history will be reviewed and procedures established (and agreed to by the participants) to improve attendance and may include but not be limited to the following courses of action:
a. Requiring doctor’s excuse to confirm illness
b. Confirmation of bereavement leave/absence
c. Referral to the school counselor
d. Referral to an outside agency
e. Referral to the school liaison officer
f. Assign detention
g. Recommend retention in grade
h. Referral to BAR
i. Declare the student “Truant of Record.”
STEP 2. WHEN A STUDENT IS TRUANT (Defined as Eighteen (18) Verified Unexcused and/or Truant Absences after failure to meet the required 174 days or 12 days unexcused and/ or, as stated by the U.S. Department of Education. Or the student is considered truly in jeopardy as outlined in Step 1, above) the school will refer the student to the Mahaska County Attorney for assistance in rectifying the attendance issue.
STEP 2A. If the County Attorney agrees that an attendance problem exists, he will issue a warning letter and a “Reasonable Parent Efforts Checklist” to assist both student and parent in their efforts to improve attendance.
STEP 3. If the BAR determines that the attendance problem still exists as shown in steps 1 and 2, and the student has reached 18 days of verified unexcused and/or truant absences, the parent/guardian will be contacted for the last time by the school and informed that a referral for mediation through the County Attorney has been recommended.
STEP 4. Mediation hearing held with the Mahaska County Attorney’s office.
STEP 5. The school will conduct an ongoing follow-up to determine if the mediation was successful.
STEP 5A. If it is determined that attendance continues to be a problem and in violation of the mediation agreement, a referral to the County Attorney’s office or other appropriate agencies will be sent with a recommendation for immediate action.
These steps will be followed as shown, or as modified to accommodate individual situations as determined by and/or at the discretion of the student’s building administrator (principal).
Oskaloosa Community Schools
District Wide Attendance Codes
VE: Verified Excused Absence - Documentation and/or verbal notification has been provided. Examples of verified excused absences include medically documented illness, medically documented appointment, funeral of family member, court appearances, school sponsored/approved activities, or other absences approved by the building principal. School nurse can provide written documentation of illness if he/she actually serves the student.
After 6 absences, parents will be required to provide official documentation for absences. If none provided, the absence will be Verified Unexcused. The administration can request official documentation to verify absences at any time.
VU: Verified UnExcused Absence - Parent provides written or verbal notification to the school for a non-excused absence reason.
TR: Truant - No parental notification has been made to the school or student absence reason is unknown.
VM: Verified Medical - A written excuse is provided and signed by a medical professional or the school nurse.
Definition of verified - Parent provides a written or verbal notification to the school of students absence. Lack of verification, the student will be considered truant.
The Oskaloosa Community School District participates in the Child Nutrition Program. Nutritious breakfast and lunches are served in every building in the district every day. Our meals meet or exceed the requirements set by the United States Department of Agriculture for nutritional standards.
Account Balances:
Your student’s meal account balance can be found on your Parent Portal in Infinite Campus or you may contact the school/Nutritional Food Service Director.
You will also receive email notifications daily thru Infinite Campus when the account reaches $10.00 or less. Please respond quickly to the low balance notification by placing money in your child’s account.
You will also recieve phone calls regarding account balances if a negative balance persists. Free/Reduced meal applications are available at any time during the year.
Free & Reduced Priced Meals:
Families are encouraged to apply for free or reduced priced meals at any time thru out the school year. Forms are available in the school office, Central Administration office or on the school district's website.
Students who receive free meals are entitled to one free breakfast and one free lunch per day-additional meals cost full rate.
Students must have the appropriate amount of money in their account to purchase extra meals.
Negative balances must be paid regardless of an Eligibility change to “Free” status since the charges accrued prior to that change.
A La Carte:
Additional healthy snack items will be available for students to purchase.
Students may purchase items from the A LA Carte using cash or may use money from their account using their ID card, provided the account does not have a negative balance.
Free/Reduced Priced Meals do not apply to A La Carte.
Meal Prices:
ID Cards:
Students will be provided with one ID card.
Student ID cards also serve as Lunch Debit Cards.
Students may replace lost/damaged cards in the office at a cost of $1.00 for the first replacement card. All subsequent cards will be issued at a cost of $5.00 per card.
Failure to have an ID card at lunch may result in restricted lunch privileges for that particular day (seating, etc.).
General Purpose of Section 504
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a broad Civil Rights Law that protects the rights of individuals in programs and activities that receive Federal financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Education.
Who is Protected?
All individuals (including school age children) who are identified as handicapped and who meet the definition of a qualified handicapped person; i.e. (1) has or (2) has had a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits major life activities, or (3) is seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, working, caring for oneself and performing manual tasks. The handicapping condition need only substantially limit one major life activity in order for the individual to be eligible.
Responsibility to Provide a Free and Appropriate Education (FAPE)
The law requires the Oskaloosa Community School District to provide eligible students a free appropriate education; including individually designed instruction. Section 504 does not require a written IEP as in IDEA; however, it does require a plan. Specific instructions and documents for creating sections in 504 accommodations will be outlined and explained in this plan.
View more information regarding Section 504.
Oskaloosa Community School District extends the opportunity for enrollment to a homeless child or youth. A homeless child is defined as “a child or youth between the ages of 5 and 21 who lacks a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence and includes a child or youth who is living on the street, in a car, tent or abandoned building or some other form of shelter not designed as a permanent home; who is living in a community shelter/facility; or who is living with non-nuclear family members or with friends, who may or may not have a legal guardianship over the child or youth of school age.”
If you are a homeless child or youth, or know of a homeless child or youth in need of assistance for schooling in the district, please contact the district's homeless coordinator: Janet Johnson, Counselor, 641-673-3022.
Great Prairie AEA staff will be available to partner with Oskaloosa School District staff members to provide the best education possible for your child. These Great Prairie AEA staff include, but are not limited to: audiologists, consultants, teachers for hearing impaired and visually impaired, occupational therapists, physical therapists, school psychologists, school social workers, and speech-language pathologists. Your child’s teacher may contact AEA staff for consultation, observation or interaction with your child. If you do not want the above services, please notify the school IN WRITING.
If you have any questions and/or concerns about these services, please call the Regional Special Education Director at the AEA at 1-800-382-8970, ext. 5512
