Right to Know

Abuse of students

As directed by Chapter 102 of the Iowa Code, the Clear Lake Community School District has appointed a designated investigator responsible for the investigation of allegations regarding the abuse of students by school employees.

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY/SECTION 504/ADA/EQUITY

The Clear Lake Community School District has established a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity with respect to race, religion, sex, age, disability, sexual preference, or national origin.

ANTI-BULLYING/ANTI-HARASSMENT POLICY

The Clear Lake Community School District is committed to providing all students, employees, and volunteers with a safe and civil school environment in which all members of the school community are treated with dignity and respect.

Bullying and/or harassing behavior can seriously disrupt the ability of school employees to maintain a safe and civil environment, and the ability of students to learn and succeed.

Bullying and/or harassment of or by students, employees, and volunteers is against federal, state, and local policy and is not tolerated by the board.

Accordingly, school employees, volunteers, and students shall not engage in bullying or harassing behavior while on school property, while on school-owned or school-operated vehicles, while attending or participating in school-sponsored or sanctioned activities, and while away from school grounds if the conduct materially interferes with the orderly operation of the educational environment or is likely to do so.

Complaints may be filed with the superintendent or superintendent’s designee pursuant to the regulation accompanying this policy. Complaints will be investigated within a reasonable time frame.

A school employee, volunteer, or student, or a student’s parent or guardian who promptly, reasonably, and in good faith reports an incident of bullying or harassment, in compliance with the procedures in the regulation, to the appropriate school official designated by the school district, shall be immune from civil or criminal liability relating to such report and to participate in any administrative or judicial proceeding resulting from or relating to the report.

Retaliation Prohibited
Individuals who knowingly file false bullying or harassment complaints and any person who gives false statements in an investigation may be subject to discipline by appropriate measures.

Any student found to have violated or retaliated in violation of this policy shall be subject to measures up to, and including suspension and expulsion. Any school employee found to have violated or retaliated in violation of this policy shall be subject to measures up to, and including, termination of employment. Any school volunteer found to have violated or retaliated in violation of this policy shall be subject to measures up to, and including, removal from service and exclusion from school grounds.

Definitions
For the purposes of this policy, the defined words shall have the following meaning:

“Electronic” means any communication involving the transmission of information by wire, radio, optic cable, electromagnetic, or other similar means. “Electronic” includes but is not limited to communication via electronic mail, internet-based communications, pager service, cell phones, and electronic text messaging.

“Harassment” and “bullying” mean any repeated or potentially repeated electronic, written, verbal, or physical act or other ongoing conduct toward an individual based on any trait or characteristic of the individual which creates an objectively hostile school environment that meets one or more of the following conditions:

Places the individual in reasonable fear of harm to the individual’s person or property.
Has a substantially detrimental effect on the individual’s physical or mental health.
Has the effect of substantially interfering with the individual’s academic or career performance. Has the effect of substantially interfering with the individual’s ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities, or privileges provided by a school.

“Trait or characteristic of the individual” includes but is not limited to 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.

“Volunteer” means an individual who has regular, significant contact with students.

Publication of Policy
The board will annually publish this policy. The policy may be publicized by the following means:

Inclusion in the student handbook,
Inclusion in the employee handbook
Inclusion in the registration materials
Inclusion on the school or school district’s website

CONFIDENTIAL STUDENT RECORDS

Board Policy 505.1 “Access to Confidential Student Records,” states that “Student records are reviewed and inappropriate materials removed annually.”

FOSTER CARE/HOMELESS CHILDREN POINT OF CONTACT

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 form of shelter not designed as a permanent home.

ACCEPTABLE USE Policy

Internet Safety and Acceptable Use Policies

INTERNET SAFETY & ACCEPTABLE USE – CODE NO. 602.14

Internet is a collection of thousands of interconnected computer networks involving millions of users around the world. It is a collaboration of private, public, educational, governmental, and industrial sponsored networks whose operators cooperate to maintain the network infrastructure. The smooth operation of the network relies upon the proper conduct of users who must adhere to strict guidelines which require efficient, ethical, and legal utilization of the network resources.

RESPONSIBILITY FOR INTERNET APPROPRIATE USE
Internet service is provided to staff and students of Clear Lake Schools to enhance the academic environment and capacity for learning. The authority for appropriate use of Internet resources is delegated to the professionally trained and licensed staff employed by the school system. All staff will make every effort to guide and supervise students in the appropriate use of electronic resources.

STAFF INTERNET ACCESS
The network is provided for staff to explore educational topics, conduct research, and communicate with others. Communications over the network are often public in nature and therefore general rules and standards for professional behavior and communications will apply.

Training in the proper and safe use of the Internet system (including proper online behavior in social networking websites, chat rooms, cyberbullying, and response) will be provided to staff members who will then provide similar training to their students.
All staff must sign and return the “Internet User Agreement” form.
Electronic mail is not to be utilized to share confidential information.
Staff members are expected to practice appropriate use of the Internet and violations may result in discipline up to and including dismissal.

STUDENTS INTERNET ACCESS
The network is provided for students as a source of information and a vehicle of communication. Independent access is provided to students who act in a considerate and responsible manner. Parental permission is required for minors (under 18 years of age). Access entails responsibility and is a privilege, not a right. Student usage of the internet is subject to monitoring by authorized staff.

Internet access carries with it the potential to encounter information that may not be appropriate for students. On a global network, however, it is impossible to control all materials. Because information appears, disappears, and changes it is not possible to predict or control what students may locate. The school district will continue to install Internet filter software, which will help block inappropriate sites, obscene material, pornography, or any material deemed harmful to minors in accordance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act.
Cyberbullying or harassment of others by electronic communications is considered a disruption of the academic environment and, as such, it is not appropriate to originate or share such communications.
Subject to staff supervision, technology protection measures may be disabled or, in the case of minors, minimized only for bona fide research or other lawful purposes.
Parental authorization for student internet usage is automatically given upon registration in the Clear Lake Community School District unless the registration form is marked to deny such access.
The Clear Lake Community School District supports and respects each family’s right to decide whether or not to apply for independent access for their children.

SERVICES
The Clear Lake Community School District makes no guarantees, whether expressed or implied, for the service it is providing and will it be responsible for any damages. This includes loss of data resulting from delays, non-deliveries, or service interruptions. Clear Lake Community School District denies any responsibility for the accuracy or quality of information obtained through Internet services.

INTERNET SAFETY & ACCEPTABLE USE REGULATION – CODE NO. 602.14R – ALL USERS

The Clear Lake Community School District reserves the right to access stored files. Network supervisors may examine communications in order to ascertain compliance with network guidelines for acceptable use. After notification to users, network supervisors may periodically clean out old accounts.
Users will accept responsibility for reporting any misuse of the network to the network supervisor. Misuse can come in many forms but is commonly viewed as any message(s) sent or received that indicate or suggest pornography, unethical or illegal solicitation, racism, sexism, inappropriate language, and other issues.
Users should not use another individual’s account without written permission from that individual.
Intentional access or transmission of any material in violation of any U.S. or state regulation is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, copyrighted materials, threatening or obscene materials, or material protected by trade secrets. Use for commercial activities, product advertisement, or political lobby is prohibited.
If a user gains access to any service via the Internet which has a cost involved, the Clear Lake Community School District will not be responsible for those costs. Responsibility for payment lies with the user (if 18 years or over) or with the user’s parent or guardian (if under 18 years).
Users are forbidden from intentionally damaging or gaining unauthorized access to computers, computer systems, or computer networks.

NETWORK ETIQUETTE

Users of the Internet may be allowed access to other networks which have their own sets of policies and procedures.

It is the user’s responsibility to abide by the policies and procedures of these other networks.
Users should adhere to the online protocol:
Respect all copyright and license agreements.
Cite all quotes, references, and sources.
Only remain on the system long enough to get the needed information.
Apply the same privacy, ethical and educational considerations utilized in other forms of communications.
Use appropriate communication – do not swear, use vulgarities, or other inappropriate language, symbols or graphics.
Do not reveal anyone’s personal address or phone number.
Be brief in your messages.
Use accurate and descriptive titles for your articles.
Do not use the network in such a way that would disrupt the use of the network by others.
Delete unwanted messages immediately.
Always sign your name to messages.
Read and act only on your own mail.
Do not use others’ passwords.
Do not trespass in others’ folders, work, or files.
Do not harass, insult or attack others.
Messages relating to or in support of illegal activities may be reported to law enforcement agencies.
The network shall not be used for personal financial or commercial gain.
Activity that interferes with the academic atmosphere of the school (e.g. cyberbullying) is not allowed.

CONSEQUENCES

Inappropriate use of the Internet will result in the cancellation of the privilege to use the network. The network supervisor will
deem what is inappropriate use and may close an account at any time as required.
Any user who attempts to log on to the Internet using an administrative account may be denied access to the Internet.
Any uses identified as a security risk or having a history of problems with other computer systems may be denied access to the Internet.
Vandalism will result in the cancellation of privileges. Vandalism is defined as the destruction of equipment or any malicious attempt to harm or destroy data of another user, the Internet, or any other networks that are connected to the Internet backbone. This includes, but is not limited to, the uploading, downloading, or creation of computer viruses. The user will also be responsible for the payment of all damages incurred.
Additional disciplinary action may be determined at the building level in line with existing practice.
When applicable, law enforcement agencies may be involved.
Due process will be followed as outlined in board policy under the Student Good Conduct Code Policy.

SERVICES

The Clear Lake Community School District makes no guarantees, whether expressed or implied, for the service, it is providing and will it be responsible for any damages. This includes loss of data resulting from delays, non-deliveries, non-deliveries, or service interruptions. Clear Lake Community School District denies any responsibility for the accuracy or quality of information obtained through Internet services.

LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENCY

English Language Learning (ELL) students have unique needs in the area of language acquisition, not only in terms of social interaction and acceptance, but also for the mastery of the academic language necessary to succeed in the school setting.

LIFE THREATENING ALLERGIES

Recognizing that students with life-threatening allergies attend our school, the Clear Lake Community School District will maintain a system-wide emergency plan for addressing life-threatening allergic reactions and maintain an Individual Emergency Medical Plan (IEMP) for any student(s) whose parents/guardians, and physicians have informed the principal of the school in writing that the student(s) has a potentially life-threatening allergy.

Further, the District will utilize procedures to minimize the chance of a child experiencing a life-threatening allergic reaction.

Procedure for Implementing Life-Threatening Allergy Policy

Each student diagnosed with a life-threatening allergy and/or intolerance will be required to have their Health Care Provider (HCP) document the allergy/intolerance on the Disability/Medical Condition Statement for Foods Served through the School Nutrition Program form (504.13B)
The school principal, in consultation with the school nurse, will be responsible for notifying classroom teachers, secretaries, associates, and other appropriate individuals and parents in classrooms where one or more students have a life-threatening allergy. Based on the Health Care Provider’s information, notification will include an explanation of the severity of the health threat, a description of signs and symptoms to be aware of, and a concise list of foods and materials to avoid.
There will be designated table(s) for students and adults that bring cold lunches. Food allergy students will sit at the hot lunch tables.
NO HOMEMADE TREATS OR FOOD ITEMS, for students, will be brought into our schools either by parents or staff. All treats must be commercially prepared and packaged for distribution with intact ingredient labels. Treats may be distributed by the classroom teacher for special occasions, such as birthdays or holiday parties. Classrooms with students who have life-threatening allergies may have more specific guidelines depending on the type(s) of allergy.
Food preparation and the use of food manipulatives will be allowed in the academic curriculum with the principal’s and health care professional’s pre-approval. An exception will be made for food preparation as related to the Individual Education Plan of individual student’s goals served in special education in PreK-12 grades.
No items in the classroom will be stored in previously used food containers. (Peanut butter, jelly, or any other kind of jar).
Visiting pets are prohibited in our schools. An exception will be made for service animals and approved classroom units involving animals as a part of a lesson or lessons.
Whenever students travel on field trips, during the school day, the School Nurse will review the EHP with the student’s teacher(s). The Clear Lake Schools may restrict a child’s participation in a field trip “due to safety reasons which may include a possible and/or unavoidable life-threatening situation”. Sack lunches will be purchased by the students through the school food service when required for a field trip. No other lunches will be allowed on the field trips.
The School Lunch Program Director will receive copies of the Disability/Medical Condition Statement for Foods Served through the School Nutrition Program for those students with a food allergy/intolerance and will follow the written recommendations of the HCP.
The Disability/Medical Condition Statement for Foods Served through the School Nutrition Program will be reviewed annually by the School Nurse with the student’s parents and HCP.
The Clear Lake District will not allow any non-food allergen items in any building or property that may cause a life-threatening situation. Medical documentation and an EHP are required. (ex: latex).

MIGRANT LIAISON

The migrant liaison is responsible for managing the state Migrant Education Parent forms.

MULTICULTURAL AND GENDER FAIR EQUITY EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY

Students enrolled in the Clear Lake Community School District shall have an equal opportunity for a quality public education without discrimination regardless of their race, religion, socioeconomic status, color, sex, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, creed, or disability.

NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY

It is the policy of the Clear Lake 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.

NON-DISCRIMINATION NOTICE FOR CTE

The Clear Lake Community School District offers career and technical programs in the following service areas.

NON-DISCRIMINATION OF THE BASIS OF SEX OR HANDICAP

Public laws provide for the resolution of complaints brought by patrons, students, or staff of the school district toward any activities sponsored or undertaken by the school district.

OPEN ENROLLMENT PATRON NOTIFICATION

The coordinator will be responsible for the updating of the District Developed Service Delivery Plan. The coordinator will be the contact for district-level concerns or issues involved with the district’s Special Education plan.

SPECIAL EDUCATION COORDINATOR

STATEMENT OF GUIDING PRINCIPLES

The Board of Education recognizes its obligation and duty to provide an educational program equally available to all young people of the School District.

TALENTED AND GIFTED PROGRAM

The Talented and Gifted Program of Clear Lake Community Schools is designed to provide unique opportunities for students eligible to receive these services.

TRANSPORTATION

The Clear Lake Community School District believes that the transportation of students to and from school is serious business.

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