DISTRICT PHILOSOPHY

The School District, in an active partnership with parents and community, will promote excellence in a caring environment in which all students learn and grow. This partnership shall empower all students to develop a strong self-esteem and to become responsible learners and decision-makers. The School District is committed to developing and using a visionary and innovative curriculum and a knowledgeable and dedicated staff. The District’s educational program will seek to provide an opportunity for each child to develop to his or her maximum potential. The objectives for the educational program are:

· To foster self-discovery, self-awareness, and self-discipline.

· To develop an awareness of and appreciation for cultural diversity.

· To stimulate intellectual curiosity and growth.

· To provide fundamental career concepts and skills.

· To help the student develop sensitivity to the needs and values of others and a respect for individual and group differences.

· To help each student strive for excellence and instill a desire to reach the limit of his or her potential.

· To develop the fundamental skills which will provide a basis for life long learning.

· To be free of any sexual, cultural, ethnic, or religious bias.

PUPIL RESPONSIBILITIES

· The pupil attends school so that his/her individual capabilities can be developed to the fullest. It is our hope that each one will become the best person that it is possible for him/her to become. To do this, the pupil must:

· Accept responsibility for his/her action.

· Approach studies with a seriousness of purpose and a realization that learning is work.

· Develop good study habits and make a sincere effort to do the best in his/her studies.

· Be well prepared for classes each day, both physically and mentally.

· Make the most of all educational opportunities provided by the school.

· Dress appropriately and practice habits of personal cleanliness.

· Choose friends and companions carefully.

· Be regular in attendance and be punctual in arriving at school.

· Act in a manner which will reflect credit on him/her, the parents and the school.

· Respect the authority of the teachers and other members of the school staff.

PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Good conduct in school originates in the home. It is the obligation of the parent, by teaching and example, to develop in the child attitudes of respect for the school, for the teachers, and administrators, and for all other children. To help the child develop good behavior habits, the parent must:

· Instill in the child respect for authority, for the rights of adults and of other children, and for private and public property.

· Know the child’s friends.

· Assume your child will have outside recess and dress your child appropriately.

· Know where the child is when he/she is away from home.

· Teach the child to obey the teacher and other persons in authority.

· Support the action of the teacher or principal when requested.

· Insist that the child be prompt and regular in school attendance.

· Carry out recommendations made by school personnel.

· Talk with the child about school activities; take an interest in the child’s progress in school, and in his/her report card.

· Safeguard the physical and mental health of the child; take him/her for periodic health examinations.

· Attend special school programs.

· Arrange for a time and place for the child to do homework assignments and supervise

him/her in completing them.

· Understand and comply with the rules of the school concerning pupil conduct.

STUDENT ENROLLMENT

BIRTH CERTIFICATE

According to the Illinois School Code, all newly enrolled students must furnish a Certified Birth Certificate or other reliable proof of identity and age. School personnel will make a copy of the birth certificate after verifying the county seal.

ENROLLMENT FORMS

Enrollment forms are to be completed at registration each year for new and returning students. Parents will be asked to provide emergency information that tells whom to contact and how in case your child is involved in an emergency situation and you are not available. If you do not have a telephone, please list a number of a neighbor or relative who can make contact with you. The action the school takes if your child is involved in an emergency is dependent upon the information given on the data form.

If your address, phone number, emergency contact, etc. should change, please call the school office and make us aware of the changes.

SCHOOL FEES AND INSURANCE

Parents are requested to pay school fees at the time of registration or as early as possible. Checks for this purpose should be made payable to the school which the child attends.

Students whose parents are unable to afford student fees may receive a waiver of the fees. The guidelines and an application form for requesting a waiver of fees are available in each school office. Parents must complete the application, checking the reason (one or more of the prerequisites given in the guidelines) for the request. The principal will notify the parents in writing, whether or not the fees are waived. If you desire student accident insurance coverage, please return the completed and signed envelope, checking the proper coverage. Checks should be made payable to the insurance carrier. The insurance will become effective when the envelope is returned to school. If parents do not wish to purchase insurance, they are asked to put your child’s name and grade in the space provided, mark the NO space, sign the envelope and return it to school.

PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS AND IMMUNIZATIONS

A student’s parent(s)/guardian(s) shall present proof that the student was examined by a licensed physician and received the immunizations against, and screenings for, preventable communicable diseases, as required by the Department of Health rules:

1. within one year before entering kindergarten or the first grade;

2. upon entering the fifth and ninth grades; and

3. whenever a student first enrolls in a District school, regardless of the student’s grade.

Parent(s)/guardian(s) are encouraged to have their child undergo a dental examination whenever health examinations are required.

Failure to comply with the above requirements by the first day of school of the current school year will result in the student’s exclusion from school until the required health forms are presented to the District. All new students who are first-time registrants shall have 30 days following registration to comply with the health examination and immunization regulations.

Parent(s)/guardian(s) of children between the ages of 6 months and 6 years must provide a statement from a physician that their child was “risk-assessed” or screened for lead poisoning in accordance with State law.

A student may be exempted from this policy’s requirements on religious or medical grounds if the student’s parent(s)/guardian(s) present to the Superintendent a signed statement explaining the objection. A student may be exempted from the health examination or immunizations on medical grounds if a physician provides written verification.

MEDICATION

The Board of Education recognizes that the administration of medication to students during the school day is necessary in some instances to enable students to attend school during the normal school hours or is medically necessary to address the health needs of the student.

The Board of Education hereby states its intention to comply with the laws of Illinois concerning the administration of student’s medication and treatment of student medical emergencies.

No student may possess or consume any prescription or non-prescription medication on school grounds other than as provided for in school policy and procedures. All student medication shall be checked in with the school nurse or designee during the school year. All student medication should be in its original container or prescription bottle with the student’s name, doctor’s name, contents, and dosage clearly marked as appropriate.

No school personnel shall administer to any student nor supervise a student’s self-administration of any prescription or non-prescription medication until a completed and signed School Medication Authorization Form is submitted by the student’s parent/guardian. This form shall be completed by the student’s parent/guardian and physician and shall be on file at the attendance center prior to the dispensation of any medication to a student. The form shall specify the times at which the medication must be dispensed and the appropriate dosage.

A copy of student medication administration policy and necessary forms are available from the school office.

HEAD LICE/NIT POLICY

The spirit of the No Lice/No Nit policy is clearly not punitive, but rather beneficial to the entire community. It encourages explanation and therefore, understanding of pediculosis. It promotes greater accountability on the part of parents and, thus, simplifies the administrative task of health professionals. Students will be excluded from school for having head lice or nits. No student excluded from school for having head lice or nits will be readmitted to school until the following conditions have been met:

1. Treatment with head lice shampoo.

2. All nits removed or “nit free”. This will need to be verified either by the school nurse or designee at the time of re-entry.

Until a student is found nit free, they will not be allowed to ride the school bus.

STUDENT ILLNESS

The following guidelines can act as a guide in determining whether or not a student should stay home or go to school. This is not intended as medical advice. Use your common sense and this information as a guide until your doctor can be contacted.

· No child with a fever should be sent to school.

· When a child has had a fever, do not allow the child to return to school until he has been free of fever for 24 hours.

· Any child with a fever of 100 degrees or higher should not be sent to school and will be sent home.

· A child with a “heavy” cold and a hacking cough should be kept home even though he/she may not have a fever.

· If a child complains of sore throat and/or has white spots on the back of the throat, keep him home and call your doctor.

· If vomiting occurs, keep your child home until he can keep his food down and is eating normally again.

· A child with diarrhea should be kept at home.

· Do not send your child to school with a rash until your doctor has said that it is safe to do so. A rash or itching may be the first sign of illness.

VISION SCREENING NOTIFICATION

Vision and hearing screening will be done, as mandated by the Department of Public Health yearly. Vision screening is not a substitute for a complete eye and vision evaluation by an eye doctor. Your child is not required to undergo this vision screening if an optometrist or ophthalmologist has completed and signed a report form indicating that an examination has been administered within the previous 12 months and that evaluation is on file at the school.

STUDENT RECORDS

STUDENT RECORD POLICY

School student records are confidential and information from them shall not be released other than as provided by law. State and federal laws grant students and parent(s)/guardian(s) certain rights, including the right to inspect, copy, and challenge school records. The information contained in school student records shall be kept current, accurate, clear and relevant. All information maintained concerning a student receiving special services shall be directly related to the provision of services to that child. The District may release directory information as permitted by law, but parent(s)/guardian(s) shall have the right to object to the release of information regarding their child.

STUDENT WITHDRAWAL

If during the course of the year, it becomes necessary for your family to move to another area or city, we request that the parent contact the school office so that arrangements can be made to transfer records, refund lunch or book money, etc.

Parents who move from this district are reminded that temporary records are maintained at the Unit Office, 1311 Vandalia Road, Hillsboro, for a period of five years, as outlined in Board of Education policy. After high school graduation, these records are kept for a period of not less than 60 years. Those wishing to review these records should contact the District’s Superintendent’s office.

INTERIM REPORTS

Students who are not doing well in their schoolwork during a nine-week period will receive an interim report. This report will be sent home to parents midway through each grading period. Upon receipt of this report, we suggest that parents contact their child’s teacher to see what can be done to improve the grade and/or work their child is doing.

PUPIL PROGRESS REPORTS

Pupil progress reports will be prepared for every student at the end of each quarter. At the end of the second and third quarters, pupil progress reports will be sent home with students. Parents are asked to return the receipt at the bottom of the progress report to indicate that it has been received. At the end of the year, pupil progress reports will be mailed to all parents.

PARENT CORRESPONDENCE

All correspondence, grade cards, notices or reports regarding a pupil are sent to the custodial parent of record in our school files. A non-custodial parent may request, in writing, such reports as listed above in the case of any child whose parents are divorced, in the absence of any court order to the contrary as mandated by the Illinois School Code.

The non-custodial parent will be required to furnish self-addressed, stamped envelopes to the office for all correspondence requested.

ACHIEVEMENT TESTS

Each year, toward the end of the school year, achievement tests are given to all students. These tests cover the subjects of reading, math, and language arts. Since the school considers your child’s educational growth its most important product, we want to do our best to keep you informed. You will receive results of these tests.

In addition, state mandated tests will be given in grades 3, 4, and 5 to determine student progress relative to state learning standards. You will receive a copy of these test results as they are compiled by the state.

PARENTS RIGHT TO KNOW

The NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND ACT of 2002 requires school districts to let parents now that you may ask for information about the professional qualifications of any teacher instructing your child. Information available includes the following.

· Whether or not your child’s teacher has met state certification requirements.

· Whether or not your child’s teacher is teaching under emergency or provisional status.

· The bachelor’s degree major of your child’s teacher, any other certification or degrees held by the teacher, and the subject areas of the certification or degrees.

· Whether your child is provided services by teacher aides/paraprofessionals and, if so, their qualifications.

Our School District is dedicated to meeting the educational needs of all students and is working to ensure that every child receives the best possible education. If you have any questions or need additional information, please feel free to contact the Hillsboro School District Unit Office at 217-532-2942

DISCIPLINE POLICY

Students are under the jurisdiction of school personnel at all activities conducted as part of the school program. They may include events outside of the school grounds or beyond the regular school day. Students are also under the jurisdiction of the school as they travel from school.

When infractions of school disciplinary rules and regulations occur, it is the responsibility of involved teachers and administrators to work with the student, his or her parents, and other support personnel to help the student correct his or her behavior.

A teacher may remove a pupil from class when the seriousness or persistence of disruptive conduct, in the opinion of the teacher, disrupts the educational process of other students in the classroom or if the student has been disrespectful or defiant to the teacher. The teacher will report immediately to the principal or his designee the circumstances leading to the student’s removal from the class.

All disciplinary actions shall be directed toward protecting the welfare of the school community as well as helping the student develop self-discipline. When determining the response for a specific break in discipline, school personnel will consider the nature of the act, the student’s previous school history, his or her age and maturation, any mitigating circumstances and the effect of his or her actions on the school community. Disciplinary responses may include, but are not limited to, those that follow:

· Removal from class

· Loss of recess

· After School Detention

· Rote writing

· Supervised Study

· Restitution

· Restoration

· Internal Suspension

· External Suspension

· Expulsion

Students who exhibit gross disobedience or gross misbehavior may be subject to discipline as permitted by the Illinois School Code and the Hillsboro Community Unit School District #3 Board policies. Gross disobedience and gross misconduct are interpreted to mean any conduct, behavior, or activity that may cause injury or interfere with the rights of other students or school personnel.

When a student commits an act of gross disobedience or misconduct as defined by the School Board, the student’s rights to an education may be temporarily withheld. This action may include internal suspension, external suspension, or expulsion.

Possession, use or distribution of a dangerous weapon constitutes misconduct and gross disobedience and may result in either suspension or expulsion, according to policy instituted by the school board.

Conferences for the purpose of discussing student discipline may be scheduled by the administration and may include the student, parent, teachers, and/or any other person deemed necessary by the administration. The conferences will be scheduled by the administration and may be held anytime between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

All disciplinary actions are determined without regard to race, religion, sex or ethnic origin of the student.

Behavioral interventions to be used with students with disabilities will be established, developed, implemented and monitored by the District.

EXPULSION

Any student expelled will not be eligible for alternative services during the length of the expulsion.

VANDALISM

The Hillsboro School District has a policy regarding acts of vandalism of school property or the property of school employees. Acts of vandalism by students could result in the expulsion or suspension of such students from the school. Any information regarding acts of vandalism will be forwarded to the State’s Attorney for prosecution.

BUS TRANSPORTATION

ELIGIBILITY FOR SCHOOL BUS TRANSPORTATION

Students who live one and one-half miles or more from their attendance site will be eligible to ride school-operated buses. Students within one and one-half miles of their attendance site may be eligible to ride the school bus if extreme hazards exist. Students with disabilities may also be eligible to ride school operated buses and/or vans if specified by the student’s IEP.

SCHOOL BUS CONDUCT

The safety of the students depends upon the cooperation of everyone concerned. It is imperative that pupils ride the bus to and from school without incident. The driver is expected to give every consideration to the safety of the students on his/her bus. The driver cannot do this properly if he/she must constantly discipline students or find it necessary to remind them of their responsibilities. The following are rules which all students are expected to know and obey. The bus driver may assign seats and establish additional rules consistent with Board of Education policies. Please keep it in mind that the privilege to ride may be taken away if the rider is out of harmony with the rules.

1. Be on time at the designated school bus stop; help keep the bus on schedule.

2. Dress properly for the weather. Make sure all drawstrings, ties, straps, etc. on all clothing, backpacks and other items are shortened or removed to lessen the likelihood of them getting caught in bus doors, railings, or aisles. No loose items should be affixed to back packs.

3. While at the bus stop observe safety and courtesy rules. Stay away from the street while waiting for the bus. Do not throw any object in the bus area. Do not move toward the bus until it has been brought to a complete stop and the driver signals. Walk when approaching the bus.

4. At pickup and discharge points where it is necessary to cross the highway, proceed to a point at least 10 feet in front of the bus on the shoulder of the highway; do not attempt to cross until a signal is given by the driver to cross.

5. Enter the bus in single file without pushing. Always use the handrail when boarding the bus. Take a seat right away and remain seated facing forward at all times while the bus is in motion.

6. Keep hands and head inside the bus at all times after entering and until leaving the bus. Do not throw anything out of the bus windows.

7. Remember that loud talking and laughing or unnecessary confusion diverts the driver’s attention and could cause a serious accident. SAFETY FIRST!

8. Assist in keeping the bus safe and sanitary at all times. Leave no books, lunches, or other articles on the bus. Please keep all personal belongings out of the aisles and away from emergency exits. If an item is too large to be safe, it may not be allowed on the bus.

9. Treat bus equipment as you would valuable furniture in your home. Never tamper with the bus or any of its equipment. Do not get on the bus with mud or snow on your shoes or clothing. Any vandalism will be at the expense of the student.

10. Observe the same rules and regulations on the bus as you would in the classroom. Be courteous to fellow students and the bus driver. Profanity, profane gestures, and verbal abuse will not be tolerated.

11. Be absolutely quiet when approaching a railroad crossing.

12. In case of a road emergency, remain in the bus until the driver gives instructions. Be alert to signals from the driver.

13. No eating, drinking, tobacco, or illegal drugs are allowed on the bus. No weapons or animals are allowed on the bus.

14. Do not ask the driver to stop at places other than the regular bus stop; he is not permitted to do this except by proper authorization from a school official. Parent notes must be approved by a school official.

15. No radios, CD/tape players, or electronic games are allowed to be operated by students on the bus.

BUS DISCIPLINE

Gross disobedience or misconduct providing grounds for suspension from riding the school bus includes:

1. Prohibited student conduct as defined in the Student Discipline policy.

2. Willful injury or threat of injury to a bus driver or to another rider.

3. Willful and/or repeated defacement of the bus.
Repeated use of profanity.

4. Repeated willful disobedience of the bus driver’s or other supervisor’s directives.

5. Such other behavior as the administration deems to threaten the safe operation of the bus and/or its occupants.

First offense will generally result in a warning by the school bus driver.

Second conduct offense may result in a written referral from the driver to the building principal. The principal will discuss the situation with the student. The parent will be informed by the principal that another infraction of the rules could result in a suspension of bus privileges.

Third rule infraction may result in a suspension of bus privileges for one, two, or three days depending on the severity of the problem. The parents and child must discuss the problem with the school principal before riding privileges will be restored. The next infraction of the rules may result in possible suspension of all bus riding privileges.

Any behavior deemed to be extremely dangerous or which jeopardizes the safety of the bus could result in immediate suspension of bus riding privileges.

TEMPORARY/PERMANENT
CHANGE IN TRANSPORTATION

If your child normally rides the bus, but will be picked up, let us know with a telephone call or a note. If your child needs to be dropped off/picked up at a different location, please notify the school office or the transportation office in writing. Any temporary changes in drop off sites, must be approved by the building principal.

If your child is ill and will not be attending school, or the child will be transported by a parent to school, please call the school office or the bus garage as soon as possible.

IRREGULAR BUS ROUTES

Occasionally, conditions such as severe drifting snow or ice on roads may exist within the district that would prohibit all the buses from completing a regular route. Should this happen, drivers will be instructed to by-pass any road or roads that appear impassable. This announcement will be made over WSMI Radio Station. On occasion, conditions may prevail which would make it advantageous for the buses to run an hour later; this information will be broadcast also. If weather conditions cause concern, please listen to the radio for information about school closings.

USE OF VIDEO CAMERAS

Video cameras may be used on school buses as necessary in order to monitor conduct and maintain a safe environment for students and employees. The contents of the videotapes are student records and are subject to District policy and procedure concerning school students’ records. Only those people with a legitimate educational or administrative purpose may view the videotapes.

CAFETERIA POLICY

SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM

A monthly calendar listing daily meals will be sent home with your child before the beginning of each month. Each day there will be a main menu entrée and an alternate. The teacher will take a lunch count prior to the beginning of class each day. Students will not be allowed to change menu selections after they are sent to the cafeteria.

Lunch tickets or lunch credit must be purchased before school. Lunches may be purchased on a daily basis. We request that lunch money be paid by check in the proper amount to Hillsboro Community Unit School District #3. Students who purchase a ticket/credit and must be absent may use the ticket/credit upon their return.

Additional milk may be purchased when the student goes through the lunch line. Students who bring a sack lunch may buy milk by going through the lunch line.

No student will be refused a school lunch. However, the school reserves the right to determine the menu selection for students who have not paid and are purchasing the lunch “on credit.”

FREE/REDUCED LUNCH PROGRAM

Families may apply for the free or reduced lunch program. Eligibility will be determined according to criteria established by the federal government. Once application is made, the district office will notify parents and attendance center whether or not a family is eligible for free/reduced lunch. Application must be made annually by the end of September.

BREAKFAST PROGRAM

The cafeteria begins serving breakfast at 7:45 a.m. The breakfast menu will be listed on the reverse side of the lunch menu.

Breakfasts are to be paid for as the student goes through the line; no tickets will be sold. Students who are eligible for the free/reduced lunch program are also eligible for free/reduced breakfast.

The cafeteria will stop serving breakfast at 8:10 a.m. except for those students who ride a bus. Bus students will be given an opportunity to have a school breakfast before being considered tardy for class.

CAFETERIA REGULATIONS

Nutritional guidelines established by the federal government for all students participating in the school lunch program require that all students be served milk unless a health condition prohibits the consumption of milk. Orange drink will be provided to any student who presents a doctor’s statement that he/she is unable to drink milk.

Because of federal regulations regarding nutrition, soda is also prohibited at lunch in the cafeteria. Students who bring their lunches are asked to bring fruit juice, punch, or water.

LUNCH AT HOME

Except at Coffeen, students living within close proximity of school will be permitted to go home for lunch. A parent/guardian should send a note to the classroom teacher at the beginning of the school year stating that his/her child will be going home for lunch every day. The student who goes home for lunch will need to sign out in the office before leaving the building and sign back in when returning to school.

If a student goes home for lunch, that student is not to return to the playground until the lunch recess period begins for his/her class.

MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION

AGENDA BOOKS

Agenda books are provided for each student at an initial fee of $6. This amount is included in school fees paid at the time of registration. If an agenda book is lost, it must be replaced within three (3) days with a replacement fee of $6.

AFTER HOUR PLAYGROUND USE

Students are to leave the playground area immediately after school is dismissed unless supervised by a parent or other adult caregiver. Students should not return to the school grounds until after 4:00 p.m. Students will not have access to the building after school hours to use the restrooms and telephones.

BICYCLE USE

Students may wish to ride their bicycles to school. Students are asked to walk the bike once they reach the sidewalks surrounding the school and on school property. Bikes should be parked in the bike rack.

Hillsboro Elementary Schools

Hillsboro School District #3

Witt, IL 62094 Coffeen, IL 62017 Hillsboro, IL 62049