District Notices
AWV Educational Philosophy
"A Combination of Excellence"
Educational Philosophy of Ar-We-Va The Ar-We-Va Community School District is dedicated to promoting equal opportunity for a quality public education to enrolled students and toward being responsive to the educational needs, values, and aspirations of its citizens. The board believes that the school has an important role in helping to improve the quality of living in the community. Students of this community have the privilege of participating in formal education utilizing the students' present understandings to help them to grow in the present and prepare for a lifetime in our rapidly changing society. The board believes that each individual should be accepted into the educational program as that individual is, that each individual should be satisfactory adjustments to life. The dignity, the worth, and the uniqueness of each individual and that individual's heritage will be preserved. The Ar-We-Va Community Schools exist to develop and improve the academic instruction, curriculum and facilities so that every individual student will be provided with the opportunity to perceive and develop their potential for the benefit of self and society. A variety of educational experiences will be provided for the individual student in order to develop a positive self-concept and to become more fully aware of the needs of a complex society. These experiences will encourage the development of the students' abilities and identify their interests and goals in life. Each student will develop that ability to read with understanding, write with clarity, communicate with verbal effectiveness and to think and solve problems. An environment will be created within which students will be encouraged to be honest, responsible, and productive citizens in our democratic society.
AWV Mission Statement:
Ar-We-Va will provide each student with a world-class curriculum within a caring environment, preparing life-long learners to be productive, responsible citizens in the 21st Century
Mandated Notifications
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.
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 - Dennis McCartan, Principal - 712-663-4311 & Level Two - Crawford County Sheriff - 712-263-2146.
Iowa Sex Offender Registry Website-Click on Link
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 Homeless Liaison, Mr. Jordan Buhs at 712-663-4312 or email jordanbuhs@ar-we-va.k12.ia.us.
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: Jordan Buhs or Dennis McCartan, Equity Coordinator, Ar-We-Va Community School, 712-663-4311 or email jordanbuhs@ar-we-va.k12.ia.us or dennismccartan@ar-we-va.k12.ia.us.
It is the policy of the Ar-We-Va Community School District not to illegally discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, 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, Jordan Buhs or Dennis McCartan, 108 Clinton Street, Westside, Iowa 51467, 712-663-4311 or email jordanbuhs@ar-we-va.k12.ia.us or dennismccartan@ar-we-va.k12.ia.us.
OPEN ENROLLMENT TRANSFERS - PROCEDURES AS A SENDING DISTRICT
The school district will participate in open enrollment as a sending district. As a sending district, the board will allow resident students who meet the requirements to open enroll to another public school district.
Parents requesting open enrollment out of the school district for their student will notify the sending and receiving school district in accordance with district practice. The notice is made on forms provided by the Iowa Department of Education. The forms are available at the central administration office.
Parents of children who will begin kindergarten and prekindergarten children enrolled in special education programs and included in the district’s basic enrollment will file in the same manner set forth above.
The receiving district will approve or deny open enrollment requests according to the timelines established by law. The parents may withdraw the open enrollment request prior to the board's approval of the application. The receiving district’s superintendent will notify the parents and sending school district by mail within five days of the school district’s action to approve or deny the open enrollment request.
The board will not approve a student's request to allow the receiving district to enter the school district for the purposes of transportation.
An open enrollment request out of the school district from parents of a special education student is reviewed on a case-by-case basis. The determining factor for approval of such an open enrollment request will be whether the special education program available in the receiving school district is appropriate for the student's needs. The area education agency director of special education serving the receiving district will determine whether the program is appropriate. The special education student will remain in the school district until the final determination is made.
It is the responsibility of the superintendent to maintain open enrollment request applications and notice forms. It will also be the responsibility of the superintendent to develop appropriate office procedures and administrative regulations necessary for open enrollment requests.
OPEN ENROLLMENT TRANSFERS - PROCEDURES AS A RECEIVING DISTRICT
BOARD POLICY 501.15
The school district will participate in open enrollment as a receiving district. As a receiving district, the board will allow nonresident students, who meet the legal requirements, to open enroll into the school district. The board will have complete discretion to determine the attendance center of the students attending the school district under open enrollment.
The superintendent will approve within 30 days incoming kindergarten applications; good cause application; or continuation of an educational program application.
The superintendent will notify the sending school district and parents within five days of the school district’s action to approve or deny the open enrollment request.
Open enrollment requests into the school district will not be approved if insufficient classroom space exists. Open enrollment requests into the school district will also not be approved for students who have been suspended or expelled by the administration or the board of the school district the student is or was attending until the student has been reinstated into the school district from which the student was suspended or expelled. Once the student is reinstated, the student's open enrollment request will be considered in the same manner as other open enrollment requests provided the required timelines are met.
Open enrollment requests into the school district that, if denied, would result in students from the same nuclear family being enrolled in different school districts, will be given highest priority. The board, in its discretion, may waive the insufficient classroom space reason for denial for students of the same nuclear family to prevent the division of a nuclear family between two school districts. Other open enrollment requests into the school district are considered in the order received by the school district with the first open enrollment request given a higher priority than the second open enrollment request and so forth.
Students in grades nine through twelve open enrolling into the school district will be eligible for participation in interscholastic athletics, at the varsity level, in accordance with applicable law.
Parents of students whose open enrollment requests are approved by the (board or superintendent) are responsible for providing transportation to and from the receiving school district without reimbursement. The board will not approve transportation into the sending district.
An open enrollment request into the school district from parents of a special education student is reviewed on a case-by-case basis. The determining factors for approval of such an open enrollment request will be whether the special education program available in the school district is appropriate for the student's needs and whether the enrollment of the special education student will cause the class size to exceed the maximum allowed. The area education agency director of special education serving the school district will determine whether the program is appropriate. The special education student will remain in the sending district until the final determination is made. For children requiring special education, the receiving district will complete and provide to the resident district the documentation needed to seek Medicaid reimbursement for eligible services.
The policies of the school district will apply to students attending the school district under open enrollment.
It is the responsibility of the superintendent to develop appropriate office procedures and administrative regulations necessary for open enrollment requests.
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.
ANNUAL NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION
The Ar-We-Va Community School District in partnership with Carroll Community School District offers career and technical programs in the following areas of study:
● Agricultural Education
● Business Education
● Family & Consumer Science
● Industrial Education
● Marketing Education
It is the policy of the Ar-We-Va 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:
Jordan Buhs, Equity Coordinator
Dennis McCartan, Equity Coordinator
Ar-We-Va Community School
108 Clinton Street
Westside, IA 51467
712-663-4311
jordanbuhs@ar-we-va.k12.ia.us or dennismccartan@ar-we-va.k12.ia.us
CONTINUOUS NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION
It is the policy of the Ar-We-Va 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: Jordan Buhs or Dennis McCartan,Equity Coordinator, Ar-We-Va CSD, 108 Clinton St., Westside, IA 51467, 712-663-4311, jordanbuhs@ar-we-va.k12.ia.us or dennismccartan@ar-we-va.k12.ia.us.
MEDICATION POLICY
ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATION TO STUDENTS
The board is committed to the inclusion of all students in the education program and recognizes that some students may need prescription and nonprescription medication to participate in their educational program.
Medication shall be administered when the student's parent or guardian (hereafter "parent") provides a signed and dated written statement requesting medication administration and the medication is in the original, labeled container, either as dispensed or in the manufacturer's container. Administration of medication may also occur consistent with board policy 804.05 – Stock Prescription Medication Supply.
When administration of the medication requires ongoing professional health judgment, an individual health plan shall be developed by a licensed health personnel working under the auspice of the school with collaboration from the parent or guardian, individual’s health care provider or education team pursuant to 281.14.2(256).. Students who have demonstrated competence in administering their own medications may self-administer their medication. A written statement by the student's parent shall be on file requesting co-administration of medication, when competence has been demonstrated. By law, students with asthma, airway constricting diseases, respiratory distress or students at risk of anaphylaxis who use epinephrine auto-injectors may self-administer their medication upon the written approval of the student’s parents and prescribing licensed health care professional regardless of competency.
Persons administering medication shall include authorized practitioners, such as licensed registered nurses and physicians, and persons to whom authorized practitioners have delegated the administration of medication (who have successfully completed a medication administration course conducted by a registered nurse or pharmacist that is provided by the department of education). The medication administration course is completed every five years with an annual procedural skills check completed every five years with an annual procedural skills check completed with a registered nurse or a pharmacist. A record of course completion shall be maintained by the school.
A written medication administration record shall be on file including:
date;
student’s name;
prescriber or person authorizing administration;
medication;
medication dosage;
administration time;
administration method;
signature and title of the person administering medication; and
any unusual circumstances, actions, or omissions.
Medication shall be stored in a secured area unless an alternate provision is documented. The development of emergency protocols for medication-related reactions shall be required. Medication information shall be confidential information as provided by law
Disposal of unused, discontinued/recalled, or expired abandoned medication shall be in compliance with federal and state law. Prior to disposal school personnel shall make a reasonable attempt to return medication by providing written notification that expired, discontinued, or unused medications needs to be picked up. If medication is not picked up by the date specified, disposal shall be in accordance with the disposal procedures for the specific category of medication.
Anti-Bullying/Harassment
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.
It is the policy of the Board of Education to extend equal opportunities to all employees and to all applicants for employment who meet the qualifications established for a position for which the application is made. It is also the policy of the Ar-We-Va Community School District to not discriminate illegally on the basis of race, creed, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status (for programs), sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, socioeconomic status (for programs), or physical/mental handicap or disability in its educational programs, activities and employment practices.
Anti-Bullying/Anti Harassment Board Policy
Board Policy 104 and Board Policy 104.R1
The Ar-We-Va County 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. The superintendent is responsible for implementation of this policy and all accompanying procedures. Complaints will be investigated within a reasonable time frame. Within 24 hours of receiving a report that a student may have been the victim of conduct that constitutes bullying and/or harassment, the district will notify the parent or guardian of the student.
If as a result of viewing surveillance system data or based on a report from a school district employee, the district determines that a student has suffered bullying or harassment by another student enrolled in the district; a parent or guardian of the student may enroll the student in another attendance center within the district that offers classes at the student’s grade level, subject to the requirements and limitations established in Iowa law related to this topic.
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 participation 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 substantial 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.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN BOARD MEETINGS
The board recognizes the importance of citizen participation in school district matters. In order to assure citizens are heard and board meetings are conducted efficiently and in an organized manner, the board will set aside a specific time for public comment.
Public Comment During Board Meetings
Citizens wishing to address the board during public comment must notify the board secretary prior to the board meeting. The board president will recognize these individuals to make their comments at the appropriate time during public comment. Citizens wishing to present petitions to the board may also do so at this time. The board however, will only receive the petitions and not act upon them or their contents.
The board has the discretion to limit the amount of time set aside for public participation. Normally, speakers will be limited to 10 minutes with a total allotted time for public participation of 20 minutes. However, the board president may modify this time limit, if deemed appropriate or necessary. Public comment is a time set aside for community input, but the board will not discuss or take any action on any matter during public comment.
Public comment shall be limited to regular board meetings and will not be routinely held during special board meetings.
Petitions to Place a Topic on the Agenda
Individuals who wish for an item to be placed on the board agenda may submit a valid petition to the board. For a petition to be valid, it must be signed by at least 500 eligible electors of the district, or ten percent of the individuals who voted in the last school election, whichever number is lower.
Upon receiving a valid petition to the board to place a proposal on the next board agenda for public hearing, the board will place the proposal identified in the petition on the agenda of the next regular meeting, or a special meeting held within 30 days of receipt of the petition. The board will provide a sign-up sheet for all individuals who wish to speak on the proposal, and individuals will be called to speak in order of sign-up. The sign-up sheet will require each individual to list their legal name and mailing address. Each speaker will be limited to an amount of time established by the board president that is reasonable and necessary based on the number of speakers signed up. The same time limit will apply to all speakers on the proposal. Each individual will be limited to one opportunity to speak. The board maintains absolute discretion on whether or not to discuss or act on the public comments made on the proposal. If a petition is related to curriculum, the district maintains discretion to determine whether to stop teaching that curriculum until the board holds the public hearing to discuss the curriculum.
The board has a significant interest in maintaining the decorum of its meetings, and it is expected that members of the public and the board will address each other with civility. The orderly process of the board meeting will not be interfered with or disrupted by public comment. Only individuals recognized by the board president will be allowed to speak. Comments by others are out of order. If disruptive, the individual causing disruption may be asked to leave the board meeting. Defamatory comments may be subject to legal action.
WELLNESS POLICY
The board promotes healthy students by supporting wellness, good nutrition and regular physical activity as a part of the total learning environment. The school district supports a healthy environment where students learn and participate in positive dietary and lifestyle practices. By facilitating learning through the support and promotion of good nutrition and physical activity, schools contribute to the basic health status of students. Improved health optimizes student performance potential.
The school district provides a comprehensive learning environment for developing and practicing lifelong wellness behaviors. The entire school environment, not just the classroom, shall be aligned with healthy school district goals to positively influence a student's understanding, beliefs and habits as they relate to good nutrition and regular physical activity.
The school district supports and promotes proper dietary habits contributing to students' health status and academic performance. All foods available on school grounds and at school-sponsored activities during the instructional day should meet or exceed the school district nutrition standards and in compliance with state and federal law. Foods should be served with consideration toward nutritional integrity, variety, appeal, taste, safety and packaging to ensure high-quality meals.
The school district will make every effort to eliminate any social stigma attached to, and prevent the overt identification of, students who are eligible for free and reduced-price meals. Toward this end, the school district may utilize electronic identification and payment systems; provide meals at no charge to all children, regardless of income; promote the availability of meals to all students; and/or use nontraditional methods for serving meals, such as "grab-and-go" or classroom breakfast.
The school district will develop a local wellness policy committee comprised of parents, students, and representatives of the school food authority, the school board, school administrators, and the public, physical education teachers, and school health professionals. The local wellness policy committee will develop a plan to implement the local wellness policy and periodically review and update the policy. The committee will designate an individual to monitor implementation and evaluation the implementation of the policy. The committee will report annually to the board and community regarding the content and effectiveness of this policy and recommend updates if needed. When monitoring implementation, schools will be evaluated individually with reports prepared by each school and the school district as a whole. The report will include which schools are in compliance with this policy, the extent to which this policy compares to model Wellness policies and describe the progress made in achieving the goals of this policy.
Specific Wellness Goals
specific goals for nutrition education and promotion, (see Appendix A)
physical activity, (see Appendix B)
other school-based activities that are designed to promote student wellness, (see Appendix C)
The nutrition guidelines for all foods available will focus on promoting student health and reducing childhood obesity in the school district;
The board will monitor and evaluate this policy by reviewing the report on goals presented by the Superintendent annually as setup by board policy
Nutrition Education and Promotion
The school district will provide nutrition education and engage in nutrition promotion that:
promotes fruits, vegetables, whole-grain products, low-fat and fat-free dairy products, healthy food preparation methods and health-enhancing nutrition practices;
Physical Activity
Daily Physical Education
The school district will provide physical education that:
is for all students in grades K-12;
is taught by a certified physical education teacher;
includes students with disabilities, students with special health-care needs may be provided in alternative educational settings; and,
engages students in moderate to vigorous activity during at least 50 percent of physical education class time.
Daily Recess
Elementary schools should provide recess for students that:
is at least 20 minutes a day;
is preferably outdoors;
encourages moderate to vigorous physical activity verbally and through the provision of space and equipment; and,
discourages extended periods (i.e., periods of two or more hours) of inactivity.
When activities, such as mandatory school-wide testing, make it necessary for students to remain indoors for long periods of time, schools should give students periodic breaks during which they are encouraged to stand and be moderately active.
Physical Activity and Punishment
Employees should not use physical activity (e.g., running laps, pushups) or withhold opportunities for physical activity (e.g., recess, physical education) as punishment.
Nutrition Guidelines for All Foods Available on Campus
School Meals
Meals served through the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs will:
be appealing and attractive to children;
be served in clean and pleasant settings;
meet, at a minimum, nutrition requirements established by state and federal law:
offer a variety of fruits and vegetables, legumes and whole grains;
serve only low-fat (1%) and fat-free milk and nutritionally equivalent non-dairy alternatives (as defined by the USDA);
Schools should:
engage students and parents, through taste-tests of new entrees and surveys, in selecting foods offered through the meal programs in order to identify new, healthful and appealing food choices; and,
share information about the nutritional content of meals with parents and students. (The information could be made available on menus, a web site, on cafeteria menu boards, placards or other point-of-purchase materials.)
Breakfast
To ensure that all children have breakfast, either at home or at school, in order to meet their nutritional needs and enhance their ability to learn, schools will:
operate the breakfast program, to the extent possible;
arrange bus schedules and utilize methods to serve breakfasts that encourage participation, including serving breakfast in the classroom, “grab-and-go” breakfasts or breakfast during morning break or recess, to the extent possible;
notify parents and students of the availability of the School Breakfast Program, where available; and,
encourage parents to provide a healthy breakfast for their children through newsletter articles, take-home materials or other means.
Free and Reduced-Priced Meals
The school district will make every effort to eliminate any social stigma attached to, and prevent the overt identification of, students who are eligible for free and reduced-price meals. Toward this end, the school district may:
utilize electronic identification and payment systems;
provide meals at no charge to all children, regardless of income; and,
promote the availability of meals to all students.
Meal Times and Scheduling
The school district:
will provide students with 10 minutes to eat for breakfast and 20 minutes for lunch;
should schedule meal periods at appropriate times, e.g., lunch should be scheduled between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.; should not schedule tutoring, club or organizational meetings or activities during mealtimes, unless students may eat during such activities;
will schedule lunch periods to follow recess periods (in elementary schools);
will provide students access to hand washing or hand sanitizing before they eat meals or snacks; and,
should take reasonable steps to accommodate the tooth-brushing regimens of students with special oral health needs (e.g., orthodontia or high tooth decay risk).
Qualification of Food Service Staff
Qualified nutrition professionals will administer the meal programs. As part of the school district’s responsibility to operate a food service program, the school district will:
provide continuing professional development for all nutrition professionals; and,
provide staff development programs that include appropriate certification and/or training programs for child nutrition directors, nutrition managers and cafeteria workers, according to their levels of responsibility.
Sharing of Foods
The school district discourages students from sharing their foods or beverages with one another during meal or snack times, given concerns about allergies and other restrictions on some children’s diets.
Foods Sold Outside the Meal (e.g. vending, a la carte, sales)
All foods and beverages sold individually outside the reimbursable meal programs (including those sold through a la carte [snack] lines, vending machines, student stores or fundraising activities) during the school day, or through programs for students after the school day will meet nutrition standards as required by state or federal law.
Fundraising Activities
There are two types of fundraising – regulated and other. Regulated fundraisers are those that offer the sale of foods or beverages on school property and that are targeted primarily to PK-12 students by or through other PK-12 students, student groups, school organizations, or through on-campus school stores. Regulated fundraising activities must comply with the state nutrition guidelines. All other fundraising activities are encouraged, but not required, to comply with the state nutrition guidelines if the activities involve foods and beverages.
The school district encourages fundraising activities that promote physical activity. The school district will make available a list of ideas for acceptable fundraising activities.
Snacks
Snacks served during the school day or in after-school care or enrichment programs will make a positive contribution to children’s diets and health, with an emphasis on serving fruits and vegetables as the primary snacks and water as the primary beverage. Schools will assess if and when to offer snacks based on timing of meals, children’s nutritional needs, children’s ages and other considerations. The school district will disseminate a list of healthful snack items to teachers, after-school program personnel and parents.
If eligible, schools that provide snacks through after-school programs will pursue receiving reimbursements through the National School Lunch Program.
Rewards
The school district will not use foods or beverages, especially those that do not meet the nutrition standards for foods and beverages sold individually, as rewards for academic performance or good behavior, and will not withhold food or beverages (including food served through meals) as a punishment.
Celebrations
Schools should evaluate their celebrations practices that involve food during the school day. The school district will disseminate a list of healthy party ideas to parents and teachers.
School-Sponsored Events
Foods and beverages offered or sold at school-sponsored events outside the school day are encouraged to meet the nutrition standards for meals or for foods and beverages sold individually.
Food Safety
All foods made available on campus adhere to food safety and security guidelines.
All foods made available on campus comply with the state and local food safety and sanitation regulations. Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) plans and guidelines are implemented to prevent food illness in schools. http://fns.usda.gov/tn/Resources/servingsafe_chapter6.pdf
For the safety and security of the food and facility, access to the food service operations are limited to child nutrition staff and authorized personnel.
Summer Meals
Schools in which more than 50 percent of students are eligible for free or reduced-price meals will sponsor the Summer Food Service Program for at least six weeks between the last day of the academic school year and the first day of the following school year, and, preferably, throughout the entire summer vacation.
Plan for Measuring Implementation
Monitoring
The superintendent will ensure compliance with established school district-wide nutrition and physical activity wellness policies.
In each school:
the principal will ensure compliance with those policies in the school and will report on the school’s compliance to the superintendent; and,
food service staff, at the school or school district level, will ensure compliance with nutrition policies within food service areas and will report on this matter to the superintendent or principal.
In the school district:
the school district will report on the most recent USDA School Meals Initiative (SMI) review findings and any resulting changes. If the school district has not received a SMI review from the state agency within the past five years, the school district will request from the state agency that a SMI review be scheduled as soon as possible;
the principal will develop a summary report every three years on school district-wide compliance with the school district’s established nutrition and physical activity wellness policies, based on input from schools within the school district; and,
the report will be provided to the school board and also distributed to all school wellness committees, parent/teacher organizations, principals and health services personnel in the school district.
Policy Review
To help with the initial development of the school district’s wellness policies, each school in the school district will conduct a baseline assessment of the school’s existing nutrition and physical activity environments and practices. The results of those school-by-school assessments will be compiled at the school district level to identify and prioritize needs.
Assessments will be repeated every year by the Principal to help review policy compliance, assess progress and determine areas in need of improvement. As part of that review, the school district will review the nutrition and physical activity policies and practices and the provision of an environment that supports healthy eating and physical activity. The school district, and individual schools within the school district will, revise the wellness policies and develop work plans to facilitate their implementation.
MEAL CHARGES
In accordance with state and federal law, the Ar-We-Va School District adopts the following policy to ensure school district employees, families, and students have a shared understanding of expectations regarding meal charges. The policy seeks to allow students to receive the nutrition they need to stay focused during the school day, prevent the overt identification of students with insufficient funds to
pay for school meals, and maintain the financial integrity of the nonprofit school nutrition program.
Payment of Meals: Students have use of a meal account. Accounts are classified three different ways: Full Pay, Reduced and Free; please refer to the following:
Full Pay Meal Account:
When the balance reaches -$40.00 a student may no longer charge ala carte, extra entrees, or breakfast, however, 3 additional lunch meals may be charged to this account. When a full pay account reaches this limit, a student shall not be allowed to charge anything until the negative account balance is paid.
Reduced Priced Meal Account:
When the balance reaches -$20.00 a student may no longer charge ala carte, extra entrees, or breakfast, however, 3 additional lunch meals may be charged to this account. When a reduced priced account reaches this limit, a student shall not be allowed to charge anything until the negative account balance is paid.
Free Meals Account:
Students who qualify for free meals shall never be denied a reimbursable meal, even if they have accrued a negative balance from previous purchases. Students who qualify for free meals will not be allowed ala carte or an extra entrée unless they have cash in hand or a deposit is made prior to meal service.
Employees: may use a charge account for meals, but may charge no more than $25.00 to this account. When an account reaches this limit, an employee shall not be allowed to charge further meals or a la carte items until the negative account balance is paid.
Negative Account Balances:
Schools are encouraged to provide a reimbursable meal to students with outstanding meal charge debt. If an alternate meal is provided, the meal must be the same meal presented in the same manner to any student requesting an alternate meal.
The school district will make reasonable efforts to notify families when meal account balances are low. Additionally, the school district will make reasonable efforts to collect unpaid meal charges classified as delinquent debt. The school district will coordinate communications with the student’s parent or guardian to resolve the matter of unpaid charges. Parents or guardians will be notified of an outstanding negative balance once the student owes five meals or more. Parents or guardians will be notified by phone calls and envelopes sent home with the negative balance written inside. Negative balances of more than $10.00, not paid prior to the end of the school year will be turned over to the superintendent or superintendent’s designee for collection. Options may include: collection agencies, small claims court, or any other legal method permitted by law.
Unpaid Student Meals Account
The district will establish an unpaid student meals account in a school nutrition fund. Funds from private sources and funds from the district flexibility account may be deposited into the unpaid school meals account in accordance with law. Funds deposited into this account shall be used only to pay individual student meal debt.
MEAL CHARGES
Communication of the Policy
The policy and supporting information regarding meal charges shall be provided in writing to:
· All households at or before the start of each school year;
· Students and families who transfer into the district, at time of transfer; and
· All staff responsible for enforcing any aspect of the policy.
Records of how and when the policy and supporting information was communicated to households and staff will be retained.
It is the responsibility of the superintendent to develop an administrative regulation for implementing this policy.
PARENT AND FAMILY ENGAGEMENT DISTRICTWIDE POLICY
PARENT AND FAMILY ENGAGEMENT
Parent and family engagement is an important component in a student’s success in school. The board encourages parents and families to become involved in their child’s education to ensure the child’s academic success. In order to facilitate parent and family involvement, it is the goal of the district to conduct outreach and implement programs, activities and procedures to further involve parents and families with the academic success of their students. The board will:
(1) Involve parents and families in the development of the Title I plan, the process for school review of the plan, and the process for improvement by:
This jointly developed and agreed upon written policy is distributed to parents and family members of participating Title I children through the Parent Handbook, which is distributed to every family at the time of registration. In school wide buildings, this will include all parents.
(2) Provide the coordination, technical assistance and other support necessary to assist and build the capacity of all participating schools in planning and implementing effective parent and family involvement activities to improve student academic achievement and school performance by:
The district will provide technical assistance and support to schools in planning and implementing effective parent and family engagement activities to improve student academic achievement and school performance through professional development regarding parent and family engagement. The district will partner with community groups as a means to engage families more creatively and successfully.
(3) To the extent feasible, coordinate and integrate parent and family engagement strategies under Title I with parent and family engagement strategies outlined in other relevant Federal, State, and local laws and programs by:
The district involves parents and family members in activities of the school. The district has established a parent advisory committee of a sufficient number and representative group of parents or family members to adequately represent the needs to the population, revised, and reviewed the Parent and Family Engagement Policy. The district will involve parents in the planning, review, and improvement of the school’s Title I program through participation in stakeholder groups and in-person meetings where parents give input and feedback. . If requested by parents, the school will provide opportunities for regular meetings to formulate suggestions and to participate, as appropriate, in decisions relating to the education of their children, and respond to any such suggestions as soon as practicably possible.
(4) Conduct with the involvement of parents and family members, an annual evaluation of the content and effectiveness of the parent and family engagement policy in improving the academic quality of the school served including identifying: barriers to greater participation by parents in Title I activities (with particular attention to low-income parents, Limited English Proficient (LEP) parents, parents of any racial or ethnic minority, parents with disabilities and parents with limited literacy); needs of parents and family to assist their children’s learning; and strategies to support successful school and family interactions by:
The district involves parents and family members in activities of the school. The district has established a parent advisory committee of a sufficient number and representative group of parents or family members to adequately represent the needs to the population, revised, and reviewed the Parent and Family Engagement Policy.
(5) Use the findings of the annual evaluation to design strategies for more effective parent and family involvement and to revise, as necessary, the parent and family involvement policies by:
The district conducts an annual evaluation of the content and effectiveness for the Parent and Family Engagement Policy. The evaluation includes parents in a meaningful manner. In addition to surveys, the district uses focus groups and open discussion groups for this evaluation. Parents and families have a voice. The evaluation tools and methods identify the type and frequency of school-home interactions and the needs of parents and families to better support and assist their children in learning. The evaluations will target at least three key areas: barriers, ability to assist learning, and successful interactions. The district uses the findings for the annual evaluation to design evidenced-based strategies for more effective parent and family engagement. The evaluation results will help uncover best practices that are working and adapt those ideas to the district and individual school needs.
(6) Involve parents and families in Title I activities by:
a. Provide assistance to parents in understanding challenging State academic standards, State and local academic assessments, the requirements of this part, and how to monitor a child’s progress and work with educators to improve the achievement of their children;
b. Provide materials and training to help parents to work with their children to improve their children’s achievement, such as literacy training and using technology (including education about the harms of copyright piracy), as appropriate, to foster parental involvement;
c. Educate teachers, specialized instructional support personnel, principals, and other school leaders, and other staff, with the assistance of parents, in the value and utility of contributions of parents, and in how to reach out to, communicate with, and work with parents as equal partners, implement and coordinate parent programs, and build ties between parents and the school;
d. Coordinate and integrate parent involvement programs and activities with other Federal, State, and local programs, including public preschool programs, and conduct other activities, such as parent resource centers, that encourage and support parents in more fully participating in the education of their children;
e. Ensure that information related to school and parent programs, meetings, and other activities is sent to the parents of participating children in a format and, to the extent practicable, in a language the parents can understand; and
f. Provide such other reasonable support for parental involvement activities under this section as parents may request. (ESSA Section 1116(e)(1-14))
The district shall involve parents in determining how to allocate reserved Title I funds in accordance with applicable laws.
The board will review this policy annually. The superintendent and/or designee is responsible for notifying parents and families of this policy annually or within a reasonable time after it has been amended during the school year. The superintendent may develop an administrative process or procedures to implement this policy.