The mission of the AGWSR Community Schools is to provide EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION so that each student will discover LIFE-LONG LEARNING and become a self-respecting, contributing adult member of society.

The AGWSR Community School District and Area Education Agency 27 with the approval and support from the Iowa Department of Education, will be offering greater opportunities for teachers and students to receive assistance when educational problems arise. Under the current procedures, Area Education Agency 267 staff such as school psychologists, consultants, speech-language pathologists, audiologists, school social workers and early childhood special education teachers will be considered part of the school team. They, together with the special education teachers employed by our school, will have opportunities to provide consultative services to all teachers and to work with any student who is in need of help. If your child is experiencing learning or behavioral problems in school, you as a parent will be involved in the problem solving activities and the planning of interventions for your child. The interventions developed may include director service outside the classroom. Together we will also discuss what you may do at home to help your child succeed in school. This is a great opportunity for our school district to increase potential help for all students. If you have questions, please feel free to contact your principal.

In compliance with 40 CFT Part 763.93 (g) (4) of the Federal AHERA law, the AGWSR Community School District is providing this written notification. The school district’s asbestos management plans are located at the school’s district office and can be viewed during normal school hours. The school will continue to monitor the asbestos containing building materials in the next year. During the next year, the school does not anticipate disturbing any asbestos containing building materials. We are intent on not only complying with, but exceeding federal, state and local regulations in this area. We plan on taking whatever steps are necessary to insure your children and our employees have a safe and healthy environment in which to learn and work.

The members of the AGWSR Community School Board have taken action affirming their intent to support the school rules and regulations which have been developed and published in the student handbooks regarding student responsibility for their behavior. The Board has also taken action affirming their support for the discipline policies that have been developed, and their support for the school staff who are being held accountable for the implementation and enforcement of these policies. Public notice of the Board’s support of discipline rules, regulations and policies and support of the staff enforcing these discipline rules, regulations and policies is required by state standards. This newsletter article is designed to meet this requirement and at the same time notify students and parents that they should consult the Student Handbooks for information regarding discipline procedures.

From time to time custody issues arise regarding students enrolled in school. If specific custody restrictions apply to your child, it is important to file those official restrictions with the office of the school where your child attends and remind the school office personnel where your child(ren) attend each year at registration. When no restrictions regarding custodial rights are on file, the school assumes equal rights of both parents regarding access to student information, visitation, and picking the student up from school.

State law forbids school employees from using corporal punishment against any student. Certain actions by school employees are not considered corporal punishment. Additionally, school employees may use “reasonable and necessary force, not designed or intended to cause pain” to do certain things, such as prevent harm to persons or property. State law also places limits school employees’ abilities to restrain or confine and detain any student. The law limits why, how, where, and for how long a school employee may restrain or confine and detain a child. If a child is restrained or confined and detained, the school must maintain documentation and must provide certain types of notice to the child’s parent. If you have any questions about this state law, please contact your school. The complete text of the law and additional information is available on the Iowa Department of Education’s web site: www.iowa.gov/educate.

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 or students who believe they may qualify for the waiver of school fees should contact the Elementary, Middle School, or High School office for a waiver form. This waiver does not carry over from year to year and must be completed annually. Be aware, however, that the School Board believes students should respect school district property and assist in its preservation for future use by others. Therefore, students may be assessed fines, charges or fees for the materials needed in a course, for overdue school materials, for participating in activities, or for misuse of school property.

Application forms for families that would like to apply for free and reduced meals are available at any attendance center. If you have any questions regarding the application material, please feel free to contact Jen Stahl at 641-847-2611

In accordance with Chapter 33, Iowa Administrative Code, the AGWSR Community School District encourages homeless children and youth to enroll in school. A homeless student is defined as a student or youth between the ages of 5 and 21 who have not graduated from a school, 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 other form of shelter not designed as a permanent home; who is living with non-nuclear family members or with friends who may or may not have legal guardianship over the child or youth of school age. The AGWSR Community School District is making a concentrated effort to locate and identify any homeless children or youth of school age who are found within our school district, whether or not they are enrolled in school. The district will work with any student so identified so said student can further his/her education. The district will attempt to eliminate barriers to enrollment so said child/student can enroll in school. If you are aware of any student or students that meet the definition of homeless, please contact one of the local homeless education liaisons so a concentrated effort can be made to enroll the child or youth in school and/or improve housing. •Jill Johnson, AGWSR 641-847-2633

The AGWSR Community School District provides students with instruction in human growth and development. Parents may review the human growth and development curriculum prior to its use and have their child excused from human growth and development instruction if necessary. Parents should contact the principal if they wish to review the curriculum or to request that their child be excused from instruction. These units are usually in health, family & consumer science and guidance.

Non-Discrimination Statement In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

The AGWSR Community School District offers career and technical programs in the following service areas: Agricultural Business Management Business/Commerce Construction Trades Family and Consumer Science It is the policy of the AGWSR 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 the district’s Equity Coordinator, Erik Smith, Superintendent, 918 4th Ave, Ackley IA 50601, 641-847-2611, esmith@agwsr.org

Office for Civil Rights, Chicago Office
U.S. Department of Education
John C. Kluczynski
Federal Building 230 S. Dearborn Street, 37th Floor
Chicago, IL 60604
Telephone: (312) 730-1560 Facsimile: (312) 730-1576 Email: OCR.Chicago@ed.gov

The Board will designate an individual to serve as the school system’s Title IX Compliance Officer, and will publicize the name, office address and business telephone number of the designee. Inquires about the enforcement of this nondiscrimination policy can be directed to the Compliance Office; or the Director of the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, Des Moines, IA; or to the Director of the Region VII Office of Civil Rights, Department of Education, Kansas City MO; or to the Director of the Office of Civil Rights, Washington D.C. The Title IX Compliance Officer for the AGWSR School District is:

Jill Johnson
Student Success Coordinator
918 4th Avenue Ackley, Iowa 50601
641-847-2611 jjohnson@agwsr.org

Parents and guardians considering the use of the open enrollment option to enroll their child/ren in another public school district in the State of Iowa should be aware of the following: Open Enrollment is the process by which parents/guardians residing in one Iowa district may enroll their children in another Iowa school district under the terms and conditions of Iowa Code section 282.18 and the administrative rules of the Iowa Department of Education, 281 Iowa Administrative Code chapter 17. Open enrollment forms are available from the district of residence. The completed form must be filed with both the resident and receiving district by March 1 of the year preceding the school year for which open enrollment is desired. March 1, 2020

Last date for regular open enrollment request for the 2020-2021 school year. Exceptions for after the March 1 deadline: 1. An open enrollment request for a prospective kindergarten student may be filed with the receiving district by September 1 of the school year of enrollment into kindergarten. Iowa Code Section 282.18(2);281-IAC rule 17.7 2. The other category is having “good cause” to file after March 1. In general, these reasons must relate to a change in the student’s residence or a change in the status of the student’s district of residence. More specifics can be found at Iowa Code section 282.18(4)(b) and 281-IAC rule 17.4. Any student open enrolled out of the district may return to the resident district immediately. The eligibility rule for 10th graders and above have a 90 day period before they can compete. If you have any questions, please call Erik Smith at 641-847-2611.

Transportation-The general rule is that the parent/guardian is responsible for transporting the student to and from a point on a school bus route of the receiving district. The receiving district may not send its buses into the sending district to transport an open enrolled student unless the boards of both districts agree. If an open enrolled student’s family qualifies economically for transportation assistance, and if the sending and receiving districts are contiguous, it is the responsibility of the sending district to provide transportation. The sending district may meet this obligation by providing reimbursement to the parent/guardian. The cost of the transportation is deducted from the open enrollment tuition. Iowa Code section 282.18(10)

Parents/Guardians in the AGWSR Community School District have the right to learn about the following qualifications of their child’s teacher: state licensure requirements for the grade level and content areas taught, the current licensing status of your child’s teacher, and baccalaureate/graduate certification/degree. Parents/Guardians may request this information from the District Office by calling (641) 847-2611, or sending a letter of request to the District Office, 918 4th Avenue, Ackley, Iowa 50601.

Iowa law provides each employee with the “Right to Know” of any dangerous chemicals which may be in the building or work place in which an employee is assigned. The AGWSR Community Schools also offers parents the information about any cleaning supplies of chemicals which may be used in the educational environment. Any request for information should be directed to the superintendent.

The safety and health of all children is our first concern. We try to notify you as early as we can, but conditions do change quickly and decisions must be made on the spot and communicating these changes to you may not always be immediate. Here are some general guidelines we follow:

• If we delay we cancel all morning sport and activity practices.

• When we delay classes, we do not serve breakfast.

• If we delay on a Wednesday, there will be no early out.

• We try to have our buses ready for the winter weather, but it is important for students riding a bus to dress warmly. A stalled bus cools off very rapidly in an Iowa winter.

• When we do have a change in our school schedule we call the following Radio and TV stations: ○ Channel 2 (KGAN), Channel 3 (KIMT), Channel 5 (WOI-TV), Channel 7 (KWWL), Channel 8 (KCCI), Channel 9 (KCRG), Channel 13 (WHO) ○ Radio stations are KIFG-Iowa Falls (1510 AM/95.3 FM), WHO-Des Moines (1040 AM/100.3 FM), KLMJ-Hampton (104.9 FM), KQCR-Parkersburg (98.9 FM)

• You will hear the announcement on some other stations as they pick up the announcement from affiliated stations.

• Text message and/or email will be sent to your current cell number and email. Please make sure you provide up-to-date information.

• Hopefully, we will not miss any days or have to delay often, but if we do, it is because student safety is our top priority

Any student that feels he/she has been abused by a school employee may report the incident to the school district level one child abuse investigator for investigation to see if action needs to be taken.

AGWSR Elementary has designated: Keith Reuter (641-869-5121) As the Level I investigator for incidents of abuse of students by school employees. The alternate Level I investigator is: Erik Smith (641-847-8006)

AGWSR Wellsburg Center has designated: Erik Smith (641-847-8006) As the Level I investigator for incidents of abuse of students by school employees. The alternate Level I investigator is: Ashley Sires (641-847-2611)

AGWSR High School has designated: Ashley Sires (641-847-2611) As the Level I investigator for incidents of abuse of students by school employees. The alternate Level I investigator is: Keith Reuter (641-869-5121)

In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974 you are notified that the AGWSR Community School District compiles a directory of information. This directory includes the student name, address, telephone listing, date and place of birth, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, date of attendance and the most recent previous agency of instruction attended by the student. Prior to publication of directory information in student directories, sports programs, yearbooks or other student/school publications, the Privacy Act requires that the school district comply with a notice procedure, which is outlined in 10 U.S.C. Section 1232 q(5). ”Any educational agency or institutions making public directory information shall give public notice of the categories of information which it has designated as such information with respect to each student attending the institution or agency and shall allow a reasonable period of time after such notice has been given for a parent to inform the institution or agency that any or all of the information designated should not be released without parent’s prior consent.” If you do not wish any or all of the information released, you are asked to send a written statement to the principal giving the name of the student and listing the part or all such information kept confidential. This will be honored on the date of receipt of a signed order. Please be assured that the AGWSR Community School District will continue to monitor the rights of access of any party requesting information about your child.

Student records are all official records, files, and data directly related to students including all material incorporated into each student’s cumulative record folder and intended for school use or to be available to parties outside the school or school system specifically including, but not necessarily limited to: date, academic work completed, level of achievement(grades, standardized test scores); attendance data; scores on standardized intelligence, aptitude, and psychological tests; interest inventory results, health data; family background information; teacher or counselor ratings and observations; and verified reports of serious or recurrent behavior patterns. The intent of the regulation is to establish procedures for granting requests from parents for access to their child’s records, use of the data, and procedures for its transmittal within forty-five days. Viewing or questions concerning these procedures can be obtained from the District Office (641) 847-2611, or by written request: District Office, 918 4th Avenue, Ackley, Iowa 50601. The AGWSR Community School District shall also keep a list of individuals, agencies and organizations which have requested or obtained access to a student’s records, the date access was given and their legitimate educational interest or purpose for which they were authorized to view the records. This list for student records may be accessed by the parents, the eligible student and the custodian of student records. Permanent student records, including a student’s name, address, phone number, grades, attendance record, classes attended, grade level completed and year completed shall be maintained without time limitation. It is the responsibility of the AGWSR Community School District to annually notify parents and eligible students of their right to inspect and review the student’s records. Parents have a right to file a complaint alleging the school district failed to comply with this policy. Complaints shall be forwarded to Family Policy and Regulations Office, U.S. Department of Education, Washington, DC 20202.

School district facilities are not an appropriate place for weapons or dangerous objects. Confiscation of weapons or dangerous objects shall be reported to the law enforcement officials and the student will be subject to disciplinary action including suspension or expulsion.

The safety of every child on our buses is of great concern to all of us. Every precaution is taken to see that the children arrive safely at their destination, but this requires the cooperation of the students and the parents. Driving a bus is a difficult and responsible task. The driver’s entire attention must be on their driving responsibility. Anything that happens on the bus to divert the driver’s attention from his/her job immediately endangers the safety of the riders. It is therefore necessary that the children riding in the bus conduct themselves in the best possible manner.

Please be considerate of our bus seats and do not mark or puncture the covers. Future damages will result in fines in excess of the costs of materials and time involved in making these repairs. If you children witness someone damaging the seats, please encourage them to tell the driver immediately. Thank you for your cooperation; we want everyone to take pride in our school buses!

No smoking will be allowed by anyone at any time in the school facilities, on school property, or vehicles according to Board Policy.

Students may use their personal vehicles in getting to and from school. We ask that they obey all laws/rules and park in their designated parking lot properly. Failure to comply may result in suspension of privileges. Students cannot drive their vehicle during school hours without permission from school and home.

The McKinney-Vento program was designed to address the problems that homeless children and youth have faced in enrolling, attending and succeeding in school. The thrust of the legislation is to protect homeless children’s right to attend school. Children do not need to have a permanent address to qualify for all the benefits afforded other students even if school records or other enrollment documentation are not immediately available. The AGWSR Community School District asks for the community’s help in identifying qualifying students within our district. A homeless child would be defined as one who lives:

• In an emergency or transmittal shelter

• In a motel, hotel, trailer park, campground, was abandoned in a hospital or is awaiting foster care

• In a car, park, public place, bus or train station or an abandoned building

• Doubled up with relatives or friends

If you know of any child(ren) who may qualify for homeless benefits, please contact one of the local homeless educational liaisons. Privacy of all parties will be protected as much as possible.

Jill Johnson, AGWSR 641-847-2633