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Mandated Notifications

OPEN ENROLLMENT

Parents or guardians considering the use of the open enrollment option to enroll their children in another public school district in the state of Iowa should be aware of the following dates:

*March 1, 2007 -- Last date for open enrollment requests for the 2007-2008 school year.

*September 1, 2007 -- Last date for open enrollment for entering Kindergarten students and those students falling under the “good cause” definition for the 2007-2008 school year. Parents or guardians of open enrollment students whose income falls below 100 percent of the federal poverty guidelines are eligible for transportation assistance. This may be in the form of actual transportation or in the form of a cash stipend. For further details, contact the superintendent’s office.

POST SECONDARY ENROLLMENT OPTIONS ACT

The state of Iowa has established a program called the “Post Secondary Enrollment Options Act.” This act makes it possible for the 11th and 12th grade students to take college courses for which the local district is obligated to pay expenses up to $200, not including travel. The course must be one that is not currently offered at the local school and must be nonsectarian. The accepted course must be taken through an eligible Iowa post secondary school. See the counselor for further information.

NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION

Applicants for admission and employment, students, parents, employees, source of referral of applications for admission and employment, and all unions or professional organizations holding negotiated agreements or professional agreements with the school districts are hereby notified that the district does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in its programs and activities. Any person having inquiries concerning the Ar-We-Va School District’s compliance with the regulations implementing Title VI, Title IX, Americans with Disabilities Act or Section 504, 104.8, 106.9, Office for Civil Rights Guidelines, IV O, Iowa Administrative Code, 287.12 (8), 95.3, 95.4 (1) & 95.6 is directed to contact: Mr. Kurt Brosamle, Ar-We-Va Community Schools, Westside, Iowa 51467 - Phone 712-663-4311.

RELEASE OF INFORMATION

All school parents should be aware that the information listed below may be released to the public in regard to any individual student of the school district as necessity or desirability arises. Any student, parent, or guardian not wanting this information released to the public must make objection in writing to the principal or other persons in charge of the school which the student is attending. It is desirable to renew this objection at the beginning of each school year.

Information: name, address, telephone listing, date & place of birth, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, dates of attendance, awards received, most recent previous school or institute attended by the student or other similar information.

ABUSE OF STUDENTS

Pursuant to Chapter 232 of the Iowa Code, abuse of children may fall in either of the two categories: (1) The non-accidental physical injury of a student as a result of the action of an agency employee or (2) Sexual offenses of misconduct as defined by Iowa Code, Chapter 709. The investigators for the alleged abuse of a student by an employee are: Level One - Tim Bell - 663-4312 & Level Two - Tom Hogan - 263-2146.

HOMELESS STUDENTS

In accordance with Chapter 3, Iowa Administrative Code, The Ar-We-Va Schools encourage homeless children and youth to enroll in school. For more information, please contact Mr. Kurt Brosamle at 663-4311.

MEDICATION POLICY

Students may need to take prescription or non-prescription medication during school hours. The medication must be prescribed by a licensed medical or osteopathic physician or dentist. Students may carry prescription medication only under special circumstances and only with the permission of the parents and principal. The school must know the medications a student is taking in the event the student has a reaction or illness. Students must provide written instruction for administration of any medication as well as parental authorization and signed request to administer the medication. The prescription and the parents’ signed request to dispense the medication are kept on file in the office from which the medication will be dispensed. Medication is held in a locked cabinet (or refrigerated when required) and distributed by the school secretaries. Medication must be in the original container with the following information either on the container, in the instruction sheet or in the parental authorization: name, phone number, and address of the pharmacy (if applicable); date of the prescription (if applicable); name of the physician (if applicable); and potential side effects. No aspirin will be dispensed at school unless a written permission note from the parent is on file in the school office which will be dispensing the aspirin. The over-the-counter medications must be in the original container. We cannot give any medication that is not properly labeled. The note from the parent must be dated and signed by the parent, and written directions for giving enclosed. These instructions must be renewed at the beginning of each school year and all previous aspirin instructions will be destroyed at the end of each school year.

HEALTH/HUMAN GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT CURRICULUM

The Ar-We-Va Schools have adopted a sequentially developed Health/Human Development Curriculum for grades K-12. Parents and guardians may have their child excused from the class when human growth and development topics are taught. The students will incur no penalty but may be required to complete an alternative assignment that relates to the class and is consistent with assignments required of all students in the class. Parents wishing to have their student excused from the human growth and development topics should contact the building principal to secure the required excuse form. Information relating to the human growth an development topics and when they will be taught can be obtained by contacting the classroom teacher. In addition, teachers in grades 4 through 8 will send parental notification when human growth and development topics are taught.

 

WAIVER OF FEES

Students whose families meet the income guidelines for free and reduced price lunch, the Family Investment Program (FIP) Supplemental Security Income (SSI), transportation assistance under open enrollment, or who are in foster care are eligible to have their student fees waived or partially waived. Students whose families are experiencing a temporary financial difficulty may be eligible for a temporary waiver of student fees. Parents of students who believe they may qualify for temporary financial hardship should contact the superintendent’s office. Forms will be available at registration. This waiver does not carry over from year to year and must be completed annually.

ASBESTOS NOTIFICATION

Asbestos has been an issue of concern for many years. The Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act of 1986 (referred to as AHERA) was enacted by Congress. AHERA was designed to determine the extent of asbestos concerns in the schools and to act as a guide in formulating asbestos management policies for schools. We have our facilities inspected regularly by a certified asbestos inspector as required by AHERA. The inspector located, sampled, and determined the condition of hazard potential of all materials in our buildings suspected of containing asbestos. The inspection and laboratory analysis records form the basis of the asbestos management plan. A certified Management Planner has developed an asbestos management plan for our buildings which includes: notification letters, training for our employees, a set of procedures designed to minimize the disturbance of asbestos containing materials, and plans for regular surveillance of the materials. A copy of the management plan is available for your inspection in the Superintendent’s office. Please make an appointment during office hours if you wish to review the plan. We are complying with AHERA and related Federal and Iowa laws and began implementation of our plan on July 8, 1989. We are taking whatever steps are necessary to ensure that our students and employees have a healthy and safe environment in which to learn and work.

DISABILITIES ACT

Ar-We-Va Community School District is committed to complying with the requirements in Section 504 of the Vocational/Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and Americans with Disabilities Act is seeking information from adults with disabilities in our community.

1. Do you have a physical or mental disability, and do you have a child enrolled in our school? (Are you deaf, have a physical disability, or serious medical conditions(s) etc.? We are responsible for providing you access to parent-teacher conferences and other programs and activities, including graduation.

2. Are you or do you know of an individual with a disability that may attend a function in our building (1-graduation ceremony)? We would like to be aware of this in case there are physical barriers in accessing our building. If you have special needs as detailed above, please contact the following: Mr. Kurt Brosamle, Ar-We-Va Community School, 712-663-4311.

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It is the policy of Ar-We-Va Community Schools to not discriminate illegally on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, sexual orientation or disability in its educational programs, activities and employment practices. Questions or grievances related to this policy may be addressed to: Mr. Kurt Brosamle, Equity Coordinator, 108 Clinton Street, Westside, Iowa 51467, 712-663-4311.

 

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Anti-Bullying/Harassment Policy

Harassment and bullying of students and employees are against federal, state and local policy, and are not tolerated by the Ar-We-Va School Board. The Ar-We-Va School Board is committed to providing all students with a safe and civil school environment in which all members of the school community are treated with dignity and respect. To that end, the Ar-We-Va School Board has in place policies, procedures, and practices that are designed to reduce and eliminate bullying and harassment as well as processes and procedures to deal with incidents of bullying and harassment. Bullying and harassment of students by students, school employees, and volunteers who have direct contact with students will not be tolerated in the Ar-We-Va Schools or the Ar-We-Va School District.

    The Ar-We-Va School Board prohibits harassment, bullying, hazing, or any other victimization, of students, based on any of the following actual or perceived traits or characteristics: age, color, creed, national origin, race, religion, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical attributes, physical or mental ability or disability, ancestry, political party preference, political belief, socioeconomic status, or familial status. Harassment against employees based upon race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age or disability is also prohibited.

 

This policy is in effect while students or employees are on property within the jurisdiction of the Ar-We-Va School Board; while on school-owned or school-operated vehicles; while attending or engaged in school-sponsored activities; and while away from school grounds if the misconduct directly affects the good order, efficient management and welfare of the Ar-We-Va Schools or the Ar-We-Va Community School District.