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Strafford R-VI School District Policy Manual

Master Index | Section A | Section B | Section C | Section D | Section E | Section F | Section G Part 1 | Section I Part 1 | Section J Part 1 | Section K | Section L Section G Part 2 | Section I Part 2 | Section J Part 2
Section G Part 3 | Section I Part 3 | Section J Part 3

SECTION J:  STUDENTS

Part 1

SECTION J:  STUDENTS

JA Student Policies Goals

JBB Student Harassment

JC School Attendance Areas

JCB Intradistrict Transfers

JEA Compulsory and Part-Time Attendance 

JEC School Admissions

JECA Admission of Resident Students

JECB Admission of Nonresident Students

JECC Assignment to Students to Grade Levels/Classes

JECE Student Withdrawal From School

JED Student Absences And Excuses

JED-R Attendance Policy – Grades 7-12

JEDB Student Dismissal Precautions

JEE Student Attendance Accounting

JEFA Closed Campus

JF Student Rights And Responsibilities

JFAA Student Discipline Hearings

JFB Student Involvement in Decision Making

JFBA Student Government

JFC Student Conduct

JFCA Student Dress Code

JFCB Care of School Property by Students

JFCC Student Conduct On School Transportation

JFCC-R Student Conduct on School Buses

JFCE Secret Organizations

JFCF Hazing and Bullying

JFCG Tobacco & Tobacco Derivatives Use By Students

JFCH Student Alcohol/Drug Abuse

JFCJ Weapons in School

JFCL                A+ Schools Program

JFD Students of Legal Age

JFG Interrogations, Interviews and Searches

JFH Student Complaints And Grievances

JG Student Discipline

JG-R Student Discipline

JGA Corporal Punishment

JGB Detention And/Or In-School Suspension of Students

JGD Student Suspension And Expulsion

JGE Discipline of Students With Disabilities

JGF Discipline Reporting And Records

JHA Student Insurance Program

JHC Student Health Services And Requirements

JHCA Physical Examinations of Students

JHCB Immunization of Students

JHCC Communicable Diseases - Student

JHCD Administration of Medication to Student

JHCE               Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Orders

JHD Student Guidance And Counseling

JHDA Surveying, Analyzing or Evaluating Students

JHF Student Safety

JHFA Supervision of Students

JHFC Student Bicycle Use

JHG Reporting and Investigating Child Abuse/Neglect

JI Student Awards And Scholarships

JK Employment of Students

JN Student Fees, Fines, And Charges

JO Student Records

JP Student Memorabilia

FILE: JA

Basic

STUDENT POLICIES GOALS

Students are the first concern of the district, and must receive the primary attention of the Board and all staff members. To fulfill its obligation to students, the Board will strive to spend most of its time in formulating policy and considering other matters related to students. A similar commitment is expected of all staff members. Just as students are expected to respect all adults working with them at school, so too are adults to show respect for students. Correction of students must be in such a way as to maintain the dignity of the individual. Staff members shall seek to be wise counselors of young people and skillful facilitators of learning. Specific objectives regarding students shall be:

1. Insomuch as possible, to individualize the learning program.

2. To protect and observe the legal rights of students.

3. To enhance the self-image of each student through helping him or her feel respected and worthy, and through a learning environment which provides positive encouragement through frequent success.

4. To discipline student in a just and fair way.

5. To promote faithful attendance and good work.

Adopted:

Strafford R-VI School District, Strafford, Missouri

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For Office Use Only Page 1

FILE: JBB

Basic

STUDENT HARASSMENT

Policy Statement

The Board of Education declares that it is the policy of the school district to maintain a working and learning environment that is free from harassment based on an individual’s race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or disability. As a result, it shall be a violation of this policy for any employee of the school district to harass students or other employees of the school district because of their race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or disability. It shall also be a violation of this policy for students to harass employees or other students of the school district based on their race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or disability. In order to constitute a violation of this policy the complained of conduct must occur on or in school district property, including school vehicles; or, during or in conjunction with a school sponsored activity; or, directly in connection with the educational process of the school district.

Definition

Harassment is defined as unwelcome or inappropriate verbal, written, or physical conduct toward an employee or student of the school district because of that individual’s race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or disability. Harassment occurs when such conduct has the effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work, academic or extracurricular performance, or of creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work or learning environment.

Subsequent Action

All allegations of harassment shall be fully and confidentially investigated and immediate and appropriate corrective or disciplinary action shall be taken. Complaints concerning alleged harassment by an employee of the school district should be made to the Personnel Operations Officer. Complaints concerning alleged harassment by a student should be made to the student’s building principal or the appropriate education officer.

An employee, supervisor or student who is aware of any harassment directed toward a student or employee of the school district shall immediately report such conduct to the appropriate school official, set forth above. When a complaint alleging harassment is received, an investigation will be conducted by the school district during which every effort shall be made to preserve the confidentiality of the person making the complaint. In determining whether the alleged conduct constitutes harassment, consideration shall be given to the record of the incident as a whole and to the totality of the circumstances, including the context in which the alleged incidents occurred. The compliant files containing allegations of harassment shall be separately maintained and shall be confidential to the extent possible under law.

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For Office Use Only Page 1

FILE: JBB

Basic

Grievance Procedure

Employees who believe that their complaint has not been satisfactorily resolved may utilize the appropriate school district grievance procedure. A Student who believes that his or her complaint has not been satisfactorily resolved may utilize the School District’s grievance procedure, Board of Education Policy ACC.

Adopted: December 21, 1995

Cross Refs: AC, Non-discrimination

GBAA, Staff Sexual Harassment

JBA, Sexual Harassment (Students)

ACB, Non-discrimination on the Basis of Disability

GBA, Equal Opportunity Employment

Legal Refs: Title VII of the civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended,

42 U.S.C. 2000e, et seq., 29 C.F.R. 1604.11

213.010, et seq., R.S.Mo.

Strafford, R-VI School District, Strafford, Missouri

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For Office Use Only Page 2

FILE: JC

Basic

SCHOOL ATTENDANCE AREAS

The boundaries of attendance centers for each elementary school in the school district will be established by the Board of Education, and all modifications or alterations in such boundaries will be approved by the Board. The superintendent of schools may make recommendations to the Board on the maintenance or alteration of established boundaries of attendance centers.

Groups of pupils may be assigned to a school or schools outside the enrollment attendance areas if crowded facilities so necessitate. A student wishing to enroll in an attendance area outside the area of residence should make application to the office of the superintendent of schools, stating the reasons for attendance in a different area. The superintendent may act on such applications based upon the merits of the applications, or may refer the matter to the Board of Education.

The Board of Education realizes it may be necessary to close certain schools to outside enrollment due to crowded conditions. This will be taken into consideration by the superintendent and the Board in the assignment of students.

Adopted:

Strafford R-VI School District, Strafford, Missouri

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For Office Use Only Page 1

FILE: JCB

Critical

INTRADISTRICT TRANSFERS

All students must transfer between district schools when their residence changes to a different attendance area, unless exempted by the superintendent or designee. Further, the district maintains the ability to transfer students between schools as needed.

Ø Students with disabilities may be assigned to attend a school outside the student’s attendance area by the 504 team or pursuant to the student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP). Administrators participating in these decisions will notify the admissions office as soon as the decision is made to place a student outside his or her attendance area.

Ø The superintendent or designee may direct the intradistrict transfer of students for the health, safety or welfare of the student, to maintain discipline and safety in the schools, to better meet the educational needs of the student or to address overcrowding in school.

Voluntary Transfers to Schools Outside Attendance Areas

Students enrolled in a school identified for school improvement or identified as persistently dangerous pursuant to federal and state law may transfer to another public school within the district that has not been so identified. A student who has been a victim of a violent criminal offense on school property as defined by state regulation may, upon request, transfer to another public school in the district. The transfer will be allowed in accordance with law.

Otherwise, students may request to transfer to a different district school subject to available space and eligibility as determined by the district. Once a student has begun attendance at a school he or she cannot transfer to another school until the next semester begins, unless the student's residence changes to a new attendance area or unless otherwise allowed by law. The parents or guardians must submit their request to transfer to the district school prior to the beginning of the new semester. Transportation will not be provided to students transferring to schools outside the student's attendance area, unless required by law.

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Note: The reader is encouraged to review administrative procedures and/or forms for related information in support of this policy area.

Adopted: April 19, 2004

Cross Refs: IGBA, Programs for Students with Disabilities

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For Office Use Only: JCB-C.1B (12/03) Page 1

FILE: JCB

Critical

Legal Refs: § 162.1190, RSMo.

5 C.S.R. 50-355.100

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C. §§ 1400 - 1487

The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504, 29 U.S.C.§ 794

Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 12101 - 12213

No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, P.L. 107-110

34 C.F.R. Part 104

34 C.F.R. Part 300

Strafford R-VI School District, Strafford, Missouri

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For Office Use Only: JCB-C.1B (12/03) Page 2

FILE: JEA

Critical

COMPULSORY AND PART-TIME ATTENDANCE

The Strafford R-VI School District exists to improve lives through education. The district seeks to enroll and educate all resident children in the community, as required by law.

Compulsory Attendance

The law requires all children between 7 and 16 years of age to regularly attend a public, private, parochial, parish, home school or a combination of such schools for the duration of the entire school term. Parents, guardians or other persons having legal custody of a student may obtain a court order requiring students to attend school until the student receives a high school diploma or its equivalent, or reaches the age of 18. In addition, the Strafford R-VI School District provides educational programming for all students between the ages of five (5) and seven (7) and beginning at the age of three (3) for students qualified for special education services. The district may also provide preschool and adult education programs.

Once enrolled in the district, the district expects the student to attend regularly and for the student's parents/guardians or other adults having charge, control or custody of the student to communicate regularly and honestly with the district regarding the student's absences. Because the Strafford R-VI School District Board and district staff strongly believe that regular attendance is important in gaining the most from the educational experience and because state law requires district staff to report all instances of abuse and neglect, including educational neglect, the district will make every effort to ensure students are attending school as required by law. These efforts include, but are not limited to: accurately recording attendance, creating procedures for regular communication with parents regarding attendance, investigating truancy, and reporting suspected incidences of educational neglect to the Children's Division (CD) of the Department of Social Services.

Part-Time Attendance

Although the district believes that all students will benefit from attending the Strafford R-VI School District full-time, state law allows students to attend public school part-time, as long as their total educational experience meets the requirements of the state compulsory education law and the student is not already enrolled full-time in another public school. The superintendent or designee will create procedures on enrollment of part-time students to ensure that such enrollments do not jeopardize the discipline, health and academic standards of the district. The Board also directs the superintendent to annually analyze the number of students attending school part-time and to create vocational, dual-credit, advanced placement or other programs and incentives to encourage these students to attend school full-time.

Students Withdrawing from or Dropping Out of School

Once enrolled, the student will be considered a district student until the district is directed to withdraw the student or until multiple unsuccessful attempts have been made to contact the parents/guardians or student to confirm continued enrollment after several absences. The district will encourage all families and students to consult with district staff prior to withdrawing a student.

Any student age 16 years or older who drops out of school for any reason other than to attend another school, college or university, or to enlist in the armed services, shall be reported to the state literacy hotline office.

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For Office Use Only: JEA-C.1D (11/06) Page 1

FILE: JEA

Critical

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Note: The reader is encouraged to check the index located at the beginning of this section for other pertinent policies and to review administrative procedures and/or forms for related information.

Adopted: October 19, 2000

Revised: January 25, 2007

Cross Refs: IGBD, At-Risk Students

Legal Refs: §§ 161.670, 163.011 - .012, 167.031 - .111, .275, 211.034, RSMo.

5 C.S.R. 50-340.060, .070

Strafford R-VI School District, Strafford, Missouri

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For Office Use Only: JEA-C.1D (11/06) Page 2

FILE : JEC

Critical

SCHOOL ADMISSIONS

Student Admission

The Board of Education shall provide free public education to all students who are residents of the school district and who are between the ages of five (5) and 21 years and who otherwise qualify for admission under Missouri law unless otherwise required by federal law. Federal law also requires the district to provide services to resident students qualifying for special education services between the ages of three (3) and 21. Any senior qualifying for graduation at the end of the school semester and attaining age 21 during the course of the semester may complete that particular semester tuition free.

Persons seeking admission to the district and its instructional programs must satisfactorily meet all residency, academic, age, immunization, discipline and other eligibility prerequisites as established by Board policy and law. Students enrolling in kindergarten or first grade must provide proof of a comprehensive vision examination by January 1 of the first year in the district, in accordance with law. Students who are homeless will be admitted in accordance with Board policy and law.

Students who transfer to the district from another district will be placed in accordance with Board policy.

Entrance Age

To be admitted to the Strafford R-VI School District, a child must be five (5) years old before August 1 of the school year in which he or she plans to enroll for purposes of kindergarten and summer school prior to a kindergarten school term. Students eligible to attend who have previously attended a kindergarten program or otherwise demonstrate to the satisfaction of the district that they are socially and academically ready to progress may be placed in first grade or another appropriate grade that would best meet the student's educational needs, after consultation with the student's parent/guardian. Likewise, students who demonstrate to the district that they are not socially or academically ready to enter kindergarten may be placed in a preschool or other appropriate program offered by the district, after consultation with the student's parent/guardian.

A student who does not meet the entrance age requirements for attendance pursuant to Missouri law but who transfers from another state where the student was enrolled in a kindergarten program will be enrolled in the district's kindergarten program. Any transfer student who wishes to enroll in this district after having started the school year or the summer school prior to a kindergarten school term in the St. Louis School District or the Kansas City School District will be exempt from the entrance age requirement as allowed by law.

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For Office Use Only: JEC-C.1K (12/07) Page 1

FILE: JEC

Critical

Students who are entering kindergarten or first grade are encouraged to preregister in the spring prior to the fall semester in which they are to begin attendance. Students entering the schools in the district will be required to present a birth certificate or other acceptable proof of age if necessary to determine whether the student is eligible to attend school.

Requests for Student Records

Within two (2) business days of enrolling a student, the school official enrolling the student shall request those records required by district policy for student transfer, including discipline records, from all schools previously attended by the student within the last 12 months.

Within 48 hours of enrolling a nonresident student placed in the district pursuant to ''