Parent/Student Handbook

1. Read and become familiar with the contents of this handbook.

2. Take an active interest in your child’s progress by talking with him or her each evening about his/her experiences at school.

3. Review your child’s homework and special assignments every night.

4. After having a discussion with your son/daughter about an issue, please feel free to email or call your child’s teacher whenever you have questions about his or her progress, performance or behavior.

5. Take an active part in school programs and parent organizations.

DOWNLOAD AND PRINT PARENT/STUDENT HANDBOOK ACKNOWLEDGEMENT & PLEDGE

PARENT/STUDENT HANDBOOK ACKNOWLEDGMENT & PLEDGE

The District provides an Accelerated Placement Program (APP). The APP advances the District’s goal of providing educational programs with opportunities for each student to develop to his or her maximum potential. The APP provides an educational setting with curriculum options usually reserved for students who are older or in higher grades than the student participating in the APP.

APP options include, but may not be limited to: (a) accelerating a student in a single subject; (b) other grade-level acceleration; and (c) early entrance to kindergarten or first grade. Participation in the APP is open to all students who demonstrate high ability and who may benefit from accelerated placement.  It is not limited to students who have been identified as gifted and talented. Eligibility to participate in the District’s APP shall not be conditioned upon the protected classifications identified in School Board policy 7:10, Equal Educational Opportunities, or any factor other than the student’s identification as an accelerated learner.

The Superintendent or designee shall implement an APP that includes:

1. Decision-making processes that are fair, equitable, and involve multiple individuals, e.g. District administrators, teachers, and school support personnel, and a student’s parent(s)/guardian(s);

2. Notification processes that notify a student’s parent(s)/guardian(s) of a decision affecting a student’s participation in the APP; and

3. Assessment processes that include multiple valid, reliable indicators; and

4. By the fall of 2023 the automatic enrollment, in the following school term, of a student into the next most rigorous level of advanced coursework offered by the high school if the student meets or exceeds State standards in English language arts, mathematics, or science on a State assessment administered under 105 ILCS 5/2-3.64a-5, as follows:
   1. A student who meets or exceeds State standards in English language arts shall be automatically enrolled into the next most rigorous level of advanced coursework in English, social studies, humanities, or related subject.
   2. A student who meets or exceeds State standards in mathematics shall be automatically enrolled into the next most rigorous level of advanced coursework in science.
   3. A student who meets or exceeds State standards in science shall be automatically enrolled into the next most rigorous level of advanced coursework in science.

The Superintendent or designee shall annually notify the community, parent(s)/guardian(s), students, and school personnel about the APP, the process for referring a student for possible evaluation for accelerated placement, and the methods used to determine whether a student is eligible for accelerated placement, including strategies to reach groups of students and families who have been historically underrepresented in accelerated placement programs and advanced coursework.  Notification may: (a) include varied communication methods, such as student handbooks and District or school websites; and (b) be provided in multiple languages, as appropriate.      

Animal Experiments

Animal Dissection

Asbestos is present in the school buildings of Keeneyville School District 20; however, all asbestos is encapsulated and is not harmful in any way to students, staff or parents.

Students should go to and return from assemblies in an orderly manner.  The privilege of attending assemblies or school-related activities may be denied to individuals who do not conduct themselves properly.

Tardiness

• At Greenbrook Elementary and Waterbury Elementary School, the tardy bell rings at 8:30 AM announcing the start of our instructional day. Any student who arrives after the 8:30 AM bell will need to be walked into the school building and signed into the school office.   

• At Spring Wood Middle School, the tardy bell rings at 7:45 AM announcing the start of our instructional day. Any student who arrives after the 7:45 AM bell will be considered tardy and will need to report into the school office.

Absences

Procedures for Reporting Student Absence

Types of Absences

• Fever - Any child with a temperature of 100 or higher should stay home until they have been fever-free. We recommend that the child be fever-free, without medication, for 24 hours.
• Vomiting/Diarrhea - Children need to be without diarrhea and/or vomiting for 24 hours before returning to school.
• Communicable/Contagious Disease - Any child that has been diagnosed with a communicable/ contagious disease is required to stay home until he/she has been released by their physician. A physician’s note is to accompany the child’s return to school.
• Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis) - Can be allergic, viral or bacterial in nature.  If antibiotic drops are started, the child is encouraged to be on them for twenty-four hours before returning to school.
• Lice - Although we cannot prevent the incidence of students who bring head lice to school, we can assist in the control of the spread.  Reminding students not to share hats, combs, clothing or hair accessories are all preventative measures that can be implemented.  Parents are encouraged to notify the school nurse if they suspect their child has head lice.  The school will provide written instructions to parent or guardian regarding appropriate treatment for the infestation.

• Physician’s Request - due to severe illness, injury, or psychological reasons
• Family Emergency – death or severe illness of a close family member, court date, special family event (pre-arranged with the administration)  
• Religious Observation  - that requires missing school (See Board Policy 6.255)
• Situation beyond the control of the student - determined by the Board of Education.
• Mental or Behavioral Health Day – students may take up to five mental or behavioral health days per year.  A medical note is not required.  After the second mental health day is utilized, the student may be referred to the appropriate school support personnel.

• Failure to contact the school in the event of an absence
• Any absence that does not meet the criteria listed above in Excused Absences
• Oversleeping, missing the bus, failure of a privately owned vehicle
• Out-of-School Suspensions
• Vacations:  It is strongly encouraged that families do not plan vacations during the school term. Class work will not be provided prior to a vacation; upon return, assignments must be requested from each teacher. The student will have the same amount of days to complete the work that they were out.
• Sporting Events

1. On, or within sight of, school grounds before, during, or after school hours or at any time;
2. Off school grounds at a school-sponsored activity or event, or any activity or event that bears a reasonable relationship to school;
3. Traveling to or from school or a school activity, function, or event; or
4. Anywhere, if the conduct interferes with, disrupts, or adversely affects the school environment, school operations, or an educational function, including but not limited to, conduct that may reasonably be considered to:  (a) be a threat or an attempted intimidation of a staff member; or (b) endanger the health or safety of students, staff, or school property.

• Implement immediate classroom-based interventions

• Restorative Practices - assist the student in understanding the consequences that result from such conduct. Empower the student to formulate solutions to restore the situation. This process is designed to be cooperative, rather than adversarial.

• Lunch Detention – the student is removed from the lunchroom and will be placed in an alternate, supervised location to eat lunch.

• General Detention – the student is detained after school.  The day of the infraction will determine the day of serving the general detention. 

• Social Suspension – the student will be temporarily removed from attending extracurricular functions including but not limited to dances, sporting events, and after-school activities.

• In-school Suspension – the student will be removed from the classroom for a defined period of time.  The student will serve an in-school suspension in the office with the opportunity to complete his/her class work.  See additional information in School Board Policy 7:200

• Out-of-school Suspension – the student will be removed from the school for a defined period of time.  See additional information in School Board Policy 7:200

• Expulsion - the student will be barred from school for a period of time, not to exceed two calendar years.  See additional information in School Board Policy 7:210

• Inappropriate or abusive language
• Physical contact or aggression
• Defiance/Disrespect/Noncompliance/Insubordination
• Disruption
• Technology violation
• Harassment
• Academic Dishonesty
• Theft
• Fighting
• Vandalism
• Absenteeism and truancy
• Dress Code
• Use of cell phone or other electronic device (i.e., smart watch)
• Controlled Substances
• Tobacco and alternative nicotine products (including e-cigarettes)
• Firearms and other weapons

• Copying answers from another person’s homework, quiz, or test
• Plagiarism (examples: http://www.plagiarism.org/plagiarism-101/types-of-plagiarism)
• Cutting/Copying and pasting directly from an electronic source
• Failure to properly cite works

• Age, developmental and maturity levels of the parties involved;
• Degrees of harm;
• Contextual circumstances;
• Nature and severity of the behaviors;
• Incidences of past or continuing patterns of behavior; and
• Relationships between the parties involved.

1.  Before assigning a student to in-school suspension, the charges will be explained and the student will be given an opportunity to respond to the charges. 

• Prior to assigning a detention, the teacher or administrator shall ascertain whether the student is an identified special education student.  If so, disciplinary procedures shall be as set forth in the Student/Parent Handbook of the SASED Special Education Cooperative.

• In some instances the conference will result in dropping the charges; in others, the regular suspension procedure should be followed.

• The superintendent, principal or assistant principal should make notations of the conference so as to document that an "informal hearing" was conducted.

2.  Students are supervised by licensed school personnel.

3.  Students are given the opportunity to complete classroom work during the in-school suspension for equivalent academic credit

• Credit for schoolwork and/or tests given during the first suspension of that school year will be given upon completion and submission of assigned work.  Students suspended will have the same amount of days to complete the work that they were out.  Students are permitted to take tests or other evaluation assessments that cover material taught over a period of time prior to the subsequent suspension(s). 

• The notice shall state the duration of the suspension and the reasons  therefore.

• The notice shall apprise the parent(s) or guardian(s) of the student that they may request a review of such suspension, and that their failure to request such a review within five (5) days after receipt of the notice shall constitute a waiver of the right to such review.

1. consistent, excessive disruption of classroom procedures;
2. smoking, possession of cigarettes, tobacco products, vaping or look alike products;
3. fighting;
4. use of obscene/profane/vulgar language or racial, religious or ethnic slurs-- written, verbal or gestured; continued disrespectful and/or uncooperative behavior toward teachers or other school personnel;
5. consistent violations of the school dress code;
6. stealing;
7. threatening another student or staff member with physical or psychological harm;
8. damage or destruction of school property (Students are also responsible for paying for damaged or destroyed property);
9. having possession of, or being under the influence of, any drug or alcoholic beverage;
10. use, trafficking in, or possession of any firework-related materials;
11. violation of the Acceptable Use Policy; and
12. other suspendable offenses are noted elsewhere in the handbook.

• The hearing may be held in executive session.  Strict rules of evidence will not be required.

• The student may be represented at the hearing by his/her parent(s)/guardian(s) and/or an attorney.

• The student may present evidence to refute the charges and be afforded an examination of the evidence presented by the Board of Education.

• Evidence shall be received as pertinent without regard to the rules of evidence in such fashion as is appropriate to the circumstances.

• If the hearing is conducted by a hearing officer or a Board of Education committee, a written summary of the evidence shall be prepared for the Board of Education.

• The hearing shall be recorded on tape.  If the student is represented by an attorney, the school may engage a court reporter to record testimony.  The student shall be offered an opportunity to purchase a copy of the tape recording or the transcript, as the case may be.

• Counsel or the parties may make a short opening statement as to their position on the issues and the witnesses to be called.

• There may be short closing arguments.

• The student's disciplinary/scholastic record, unrelated to the incident leading to the expulsion charge, is not admissible at the hearing.  This record may be made available to the Board, once guilt has been established, for use in deliberations as to the penalty to be imposed.

• Only the following persons may be present at the expulsion hearing: the student, the student's parent(s) or guardian(s) or their legal representative, Board of Education members, witnesses (subject to appropriate exclusion procedures to ensure the independence of witnesses’ testimony), the superintendent, attorneys for the student and for the school district, and a member of the Department of Mental Health, when required by law.

• the validity of the charges of gross disobedience or misconduct; and

• the appropriate disciplinary measure, if the charges are to be upheld.

• Final action on the expulsion shall be taken in public session.

• Suspension for a cumulative period not to exceed 10 school days in any school year:  The District's regular suspension procedures shall be used to suspend a student with a disability, as long as the District does not invoke a series of suspensions creating a pattern of constituting a change in placement.

• Suspension Beyond 10 Days or Expulsion

1.  The District shall promptly notify the student's parent(s)/guardian(s) of the disobedience or misconduct and whether the student will be suspended. All procedural protections pertaining to notice provided under the regular education discipline policy shall apply to this notice. This information shall be confirmed in writing and the parent(s)/guardian(s) shall be advised as follows:

• That the IEP Team shall meet as soon as possible, but at least 10 calendar days after this notice was sent, unless such 10-day notice is waived by the parent(s)/guardian(s), to determine whether a causal relationship exists between the student's disabling condition and the student's alleged disobedience or misconduct; and

• That the student's parent(s)/guardian(s) are requested to attend the Manifestation Determination Review and the date, time and location of the meeting.

2.  Manifestation Determination Review.  The IEP Team may determine that the cause of the student's disobedience or misconduct is not related to the student's disabling condition. In that case, the student may be disciplined under the District's discipline policy for regular education students by measures up to and including expulsion. If the Board imposes expulsion or other disciplinary measures altering the student's special education program, an IEP meeting shall be convened to determine appropriate alternative means of service delivery.

3.  The Board may not expel a disabled student if the IEP team determines that the student's gross disobedience or misconduct is causally related to the student's disabling condition.  The IEP team is responsible to address placement changes which may be appropriate in light of misconduct found to be disability-related. Parent(s)/guardian(s) may object to a proposed change in their child's educational placement. If so, if the Superintendent believes that the student's behavior in the current placement poses a continuing physical danger to the student or to others, the Superintendent is authorized to seek a court order to change the placement or to suspend the student for more than 10 days.

1. Does not depict any violence, hatred, drugs, alcohol, gang affiliation, profanity, phobic language, or cruelty of any kind
2. Covers all appropriate areas at all times.  For both males and females, appropriate areas include: stomach, chest and sides, and butt/pelvic/upper thigh areas
3. Items such as tank tops, sleeveless shirts, any type of shorts, sweatshirts, sweaters, etc. are allowed provided they adhere to #2 of this section
4. Jewelry is allowed, unless it becomes a distraction or safety concern
5. Hats, hoods, and other type of head coverings and sunglasses are not allowed unless required for religious or medical purposes
6. Footwear must be worn for health reasons (cannot go shoeless).  Close-toed shoes with laces are recommended for activities such as recess, PE class, etc.

1. Issue dress code infractions for violations against the dress code rules (above), including first allowing the options listed in #2 of the Rights of Students (below) in order to comply with the rules
2. Treat all students with respect and dignity first (i.e., treat them as human beings and not as “distractions”)
3. Issue dress code infractions equally (i.e.., do not discriminate based on body type, gender, etc.)

1. Wear appropriate clothing that follows the dress code (above)
2. Treat all students and staff with respect and dignity (i.e., share your opinions respectfully)
3. Be open and straightforward:  respectfully ask for a private meeting if they feel they are being treated unfairly

Rights of Students

1. Be given the reason for the dress code infraction
2. Have options as to what to do to comply with the rules (i.e., call home, change into PE clothes or clothes in their possession/locker/office clothing)
3. Talk to an outside source about the issue, such as social worker, administrator or teacher
4. Be treated with respect and dignity
5. Advocate for themselves without the concern for consequences

1. the cell phone/electronic device will be taken away from the student; and
2. the student must put the device in their locker for the remainder of the school day; or
3. the student may pick up the device from the office at the end of the school day; or
4. the student’s parent/guardian will be contacted and the student will be allowed to pick up the device from the office at the end of the school day, after parent contact has been made; or
5. the student’s parent/guardian will be contacted and the device can ONLY be picked up from the office by the student’s parent/guardian.

• One bus evacuation drill.

• One severe weather and shelter-in-place drill to address and prepare students and school personnel for possible tornado accidents.

• One law enforcement drill to address a school shooting incident and to evaluate the preparedness of school personnel and students.  This drill shall occur no later than 90 days after the first day of school of each year, and shall require the participation of all school personnel and students present at school at the time of the drill, except those exempted by administrators of school support personnel.

• The student must maintain regular attendance in the extracurricular activity as specified by the activity sponsor. 

• Transportation to and from the extra-curricular activity is the responsibility of the student’s parent(s)/guardian(s), with the exception of out-of-district events.

• Written permission must be given by the parent(s)/guardian(s) for the student’s participation, giving the District full waiver of responsibility of the risks involved.

• Those students participating in extracurricular activities at all schools must adhere to the Code of Conduct, including, but not limited to academic eligibility.

• Requires a fee at the middle school level:  Team Sports $50

• The student must maintain consistent attendance in the extracurricular activity.  The same expectations will be in effect as those of enrolled students.

• Transportation to and from the extra-curricular activity is the responsibility of the student’s parent(s)/guardian(s), with the exception of out-of-district events.

• Written permission must be given by the parent(s)/guardian(s) for the student’s participation, giving the District full waiver of responsibility of the risks involved.

• The student must show proof of accident insurance coverage by a parent(s)/guardian(s) written statement that the student is covered under a family insurance plan.

• Those students participating in extracurricular activities at Spring Wood Middle School must adhere to Spring Wood Middle School Sports Agreement including, but not limited to academic eligibility.

• The local school authority is responsible for determining whether the information supplied on the Certificate of Religious Exemption to Required Immunizations and/or Examinations Form constitutes a valid religious objection.

• The local school authority shall inform the parent or legal guardian, at the time that the exemption is presented, of exclusion procedures, should there be an outbreak of one or more diseases from which the student is not protected, in accordance with the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) rules, Control of Communicable Diseases Code (77 Ill. Adm. Code 690).

• Exempting a child from health, dental, or eye examination does not exempt the child from participation in the program of physical education training provided in Section 27-5 through 27-7 of the Illinois School Code [105 ILCS 5/27-5 through 105 ILCS 5/27-7]. A separate request for exemption from physical education, if desired, would need to be presented.

• A written order is to be provided to the school from a physician detailing the name of student, name of drug, physician’s name and telephone number, dosage, time interval in which the medication is to be taken and reason for medication using the district’s Medical Authorization Form. In addition, the physician’s written order shall indicate any expected reactions to the medication and shall advise school personnel of how to determine if the student experiences an adverse reaction to the medication. The physician’s written order shall detail steps to be followed by school personnel should the student experience an adverse reaction to the medication.

• Students may use cough drops with written permission from parents.  The cough drops must be in an original and unopened sealed package.  A note for cough drops is good for five days.

• All medication must be provided by the parent in the original container.  The container must be housed in the nurse’s office

• All non-prescription medication must be brought to the school in the original unopened package.  The sealed container must be housed in the nurse’s office.

• Pain and fever medications such as Tylenol and Motrin, as well as cough drops, are not school supplied items.

• All medication shall be brought to the school office by the parent, guardian or other designated adult.  If this is not possible, please contact the school nurse to make other arrangements.  The school’s administration shall provide a locked space for safe storage of medication.

• Medication shall be self-administered, under the supervision of the school nurse or other designated personnel.

• The student shall report to the school office at the appropriate times in order to take the medication.

• The school nurse shall keep a written record of all administration of medication.  This record shall include:
  • what medication was taken;
  • by whom it was taken;
  • when it was taken (date and time); and
  • the person who supervised the taking of the medication.

• Medications shall not be administered to students by a school employee until a completed and signed School “Medication Authorization Form” is submitted by the student’s parent/guardian, except in emergency situations where the parent/guardian cannot be available in sufficient time or the student cannot reasonably self-administer the medication.

• The student’s parent/guardian shall remove any unused medication from the school at the end of the drug therapy.  If a student’s parent/guardian fails to remove unused medication by the end of the school year, the Health Services Coordinator shall appropriately dispose of the unused medication in the presence of a witness and document that medications were discarded.

• Students are not permitted to have any medication (prescription or non- prescription) on their person, except in cases where the physician’s written order requires the student to retain the medication on his or her person at all times due to the need for immediate administration in the event of emergency.  In such case, the procedure contained herein shall be followed to the maximum extent possible so that the school’s administration is aware of the possible need for medication during school hours.

School Board Policy 6:140

1. providing proper study surroundings;
2. contacting teachers concerning homework excesses;
3. allowing the student to do his/her own homework in his/her own words and handwriting;
4. checking each day to see if the student has homework; and
5. checking homework through the district online student management system for grades 6 through 8.

• information regarding promotion/retention policies;
• information regarding the status of the child’s academic progress; and
• comments and suggestions which, if followed, should enable the child to be promoted.

1. Minimum 2.0 8th grade year cumulative GPA (grade point average);
2. Passing grade on a United States Constitution Test;
3. All District 20 property returned with no unpaid balances and/or fines;
4. Less than 5 Office Discipline Referrals during 3rd trimester; and
5. No suspensions (including bus and/or in or out of school suspensions).

Information posted on the District’s website will be available to all users of the Internet

Keeneyville School District 20 cannot restrict either the scope of the audience or the use of such information by individuals acquiring District publications or by visitors to the District’s website.

Parents have the opportunity to inspect, copy, and challenge the contents of the above-described information.

• Home ownership title, deed, or mortgage statement                                                 
• Most recent property tax bill and proof of payment                                                  
• Apartment lease (signed and dated within the current school year with lessee of the unit listed) 

• Gas / Electric / Water Bill (most recent)                               
• Vehicle Registration (current)                                   
• Bank Account Statement (current)
• Home/Apartment Insurance Policy (current)
• Pay Check Stub (most recent)

1. Automated telephone call, text, and email to the primary contact information listed on your child’s school record.  The district utilizes a mass notification system through Skyward/Skylert to communicate with all parents and staff by telephone and email in minutes.  It is important for us to have your current phone numbers and email addresses so that we can ensure accurate and prompt delivery of emergency messages such as school closings.  The system can automatically dial up to six phone numbers to contact parents.  It is the parent/guardian's responsibility to notify the school office of any changes in phone numbers or email addresses.

2. Posted on District 20 Website – www.esd20.org (posted as a pop-up and in the Communication Center)

3. Posted on District 20 Social Media – Facebook and Twitter @KeeneyvilleD20

4. Posted on “Emergency Closing Center” at http://www.emergencyclosingcenter.com/ and as reported on radio and television - WGN Radio (720), WBBM News Radio (780), TV channels BS, NBC, ABC, WGN, FOX, CLTV

5. Recorded Emergency Closing Message found by calling one of our building’s main numbers:

School Board Policy 7:200

No student shall be subjected to sexual harassment or intimidation by any school employee, by other students and/or by the effect of any school policy or practice. If a student is found guilty of sexual harassment, he/she will receive up to a ten day out of school suspension with a possible recommendation of expulsion.

1. Arrive no earlier than fifteen (15) minutes before the activity is scheduled to begin, unless directed otherwise by school personnel.

2. The approximate ending times for an activity will be announced before the event takes place.  Transportation arrangements should be made ahead of time so that telephone calls are not necessary.  In the event that an emergency necessitates a telephone call, students should feel free to speak to the teachers or school administrator attending the activity. 

3. While attending school events, please follow these guidelines:

School Board Policy 7:340

• name
• address
• gender
• grade level
• birth date and place
• parents’/guardians’ names and addresses
• academic awards, degrees and honors
• information in relation to school-sponsored activities, organizations and athletics
• period of attendance in school.

• Special Education Programs Grades Pre-Kindergarten through 8^th Grade
• Child Find/Screenings
• Private/Parochial School and Home-schooled Participation
• Child Find Activities
• Home/Hospital Services
• Services Plan Program
• Section 504 Plans
• Bilingual Services

• Violating any school rule or school district policy;
• Willful injury or threat of injury to a bus driver or to another rider;
• Willful and/or repeated defacement of the bus;
• Repeated use of profanity;
• Repeated willful disobedience of a directive from a bus driver or other supervisor; and
• Such other behavior as the building administration deems to threaten the safe operation of the bus and/or its occupants.

• Injure, threaten, harass, or intimidate a staff member, a Board of Education member, sports official or coach, or any other person;
• Damage or threaten to damage another’s property;
• Damage or deface School District property;
• Violate any Illinois law, or town or county ordinance;
• Smoke or otherwise use tobacco or look alike products;
• Consume, possess, distribute, or be under the influence of alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs, or possess dangerous devices or weapons or look alikes;
• Impede, delay, disrupt, or otherwise interfere with any school activity or function (including using cellular phones in a disruptive manner);
• Enter upon any portion of school premises at any time for purposes other than those that are lawful and authorized by the Board of Education;
• Operate a motor vehicle: (a) in a risky manner, (b) in excess of 20 miles per  hour, or (c) in violation of an authorized District employee’s directive;
• Engage in any risky behavior, including roller-blading, roller-skating, or skateboarding; or
• Violate other district policies or regulations, or an authorized District employee’s directive.