TABLE OF CONTENTS
Foreword
Page
Section 1 / Intent of Handbook / 1Section 2 / Members of the Board of Education / 2
Section 3 / Administrative Staff / 2
Section 4 / Teaching Staff / 2
Section 5 / Support Staff / 4
Section 6 / School Calendar / 5
Article 1 - Mission and Goals
Section 1 / School Mission Statement / 6Section 2 / Governing Values / 6
Section 3 / Mutual Respect / 6
Section 4 / Multicultural Policy / 6
Section 5 / Complaint Procedures / 7
Article 2 - School Day
Section 1 / Daily Schedule / 8Section 3 / Severe Weather and School Cancellations / 9
Section 4 / Closed Campus / 10
Section 5 / Breakfast and Lunch Program / 10
Article 3 - Use of Building and Grounds
Page
Section 1 / Entering and Leaving the Building / 12Section 2 / Visitors / 12
Section 3 / Smoke-Free Environment / 12
Section 4 / Care of School Property / 12
Section 5 / Lockers / 13
Section 6 / Searches of Lockers and Other Types of Searches / 13
Section 7 / Video Surveillance / 14
Section 8 / Use of Telephone and Cellular Phones / 14
Section 9 / Cellular Phones / 14
Section 10 / Vehicles and Parking / 15
Section 11 / Student Valuables / 15
Section 12 / Lost and Found / 15
Section 13 / Accidents / 15
Section 14 / Insurance / 16
Section 15 / Bulletins and Announcements / 16
Section 16 / Fire Drills and Tornado Drills / 16
Section 17 / Gum and Candy Regulations / 17
Section 18 / Halls / 17
Section 19 / Book Bags / 17
Section 20 / Copyright and Fair Use Policy / 17
Article 4 – Attendance
Page
Section 1 / Attendance Policy / 19Article 5 - Scholastic Achievement
Page
Section 1 / Grading System / 23Section 2 / Grade Point Average / 25
Section 3 / 4.0 Grade Scale / 25
Section 4 / Class Rank / 25
Section 5 / Yearly Requirements / 25
Section 6 / Graduation Requirements / 26
Section 7 / Work-Based Learning Program / 28
Section 8 / Promotion, Retention / 29
Section 9 / Summer School / 29
Section 10 / Graduation/Commencement Exercises/Honors / 29
Section 11 / Registration and Scheduling / 30
Section 12 / Schedule Changes / 30
Section 13 / Interim Reports / 30
Section 14 / Report Cards / 31
Section 15 / Parent-Teacher Conferences / 31
Section 16 / Honor Roll / 31
Section 17 / Semester Testing / 31
Section 18 / National Honor Society / 33
Article 6 - Support Services
Page
Section 1 / Special Education Identification and Placement Procedures / 35Section 2 / Guidance Services / 38
2.1 Scholarships / 38
2.2 Student Records / 38
2.3 Testing / 39
2.4 Transcripts / 40
2.5 Checkout/Transferring / 40
2.6 Visiting Post-Secondary School / 40
Section 3 / Health Services / 40
3.1 Student Illness / 40
3.2 Guidelines for Administering Medication / 41
3.3 School Health Screening / 41
3.4 Physical Examination / 41
3.5 Immunizations / 42
3.6 Birth Certificate Requirements / 42
3.7 Guidelines for Head Lice / 43
3.8 Contagious or Infections Diseases / 43
Article 7 - Drugs, Alcohol and Tobacco
Page
Section 1 / Drug-Free Schools / 44Article 8 - Student Rights, Conduct, Rules and Regulations
Page
Section 1 / Student Conduct and Discipline Policies / 48Part 1 Forms of School Discipline / 50
Part 2 Student Conduct / 53
Grounds for Short -Term, Long –Term, Expulsion or Mandatory Reassignment / 54
Additional Student Conduct rules / 57
Student Appearance / 57
Academic Integrity / 58
Dating Violence Prevention / 61
Harassment and Bullying Policy / 61
Network, E-Mail, Internet and Other Computer Use Rules / 64
Part 3 Reporting Student Law Violations / 67
Part 4 Due Process Procedure / 68
Article 9 – Co-Curricular Activities – Rights, Conduct, Rules and Regulations
Section 1 / Co-Curricular Programs / 73Section 2 / Activity Philosophy / 73
Section 3 / Activities / 74
Section 4 / Athletics / 77
Section 5 / Activity Code of Conduct / 79
Section 6 / “Team Selection” and “Playing Time” / 84
Section 7 / Academic Grade Standard for Activities Participation / 85
Section 8 / Nebraska School Activities Eligibility Rules / 85
Section 9 / School Bus Regulations / 86
Section 10 / Student Fees Policy / 87
Article 10 – State and Federal Programs
Section 1 / Notice of Nondiscrimination / 93Section 2 / Designation of Coordinator(s) / 93
Section 3 / Anti-discrimination & Harassment Policy / 93
Section 4 / Notice to Parents of Rights Afforded by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 / 95
Section 5 / Notification of Rights Under FERPA / 96
Section 6 / Notice Concerning Disclosure of Student Recruiting Information / 98
Section 7 / Notice Concerning Staff Qualifications / 98
Section 8 / Student Privacy Protection Policy / 99
Section 9 / Parental Involvement Policies / 102
Section 10 / Homeless Student Policy / 107
Section 11 / School Wellness Policy / 111
Section 12 / Annual Asbestos Notice / 112
Section 13 / Nebraska Child Find / 113
Howells-Dodge Consolidated School
Student /Parent Handbook 2013-2014 School Year
Foreword
1
Article 1 - Philosophy, Goals, Objectives
Section 1Intent of Handbook:
The years in school have no substitute; when they are gone they cannot be recalled. Emptiness punctuated by regret serves only to haunt a future tainted by thought of what might have been. Take advantage of what is here now; recognize that “your school years” are a precious, special time unique in all your lives. In short, understand while you are young, the magic of being young. The faculty and I welcome you to Howells-Dodge Public Schools and to a new and exciting part of your life.
To each one of us this new school year means something different. However, we all have one thing in common; we are all part of one of the finest schools in the state of Nebraska. This hasn’t happened by accident but has been accomplished through the combined efforts of our school, community, school board, entire staff and most important of all, an excellent student body.
Over the past years our students have excelled in every phase of our school program and of this we are truly proud. You have helped to establish the outstanding reputation we maintain. By your continued hard work and pride in Howells-Dodge Schools, the tradition of excellence in education and achievement in co-curricular activities will continue to be the rule, rather than the exception.
All successful organizations must have some form of structure to give it direction so that certain goals can be achieved. The goal of Howells-Dodge Consolidated Public Schools is to provide for you the best educational opportunities we possibly can. To the end of creating a sound and pleasant environment, we prepared this handbook to inform you of the expectations our academic community has, the conditions, which surround an institution of high quality, and the activities available to you.
This handbook is intended to be used by students, parents and staff as a guide to the rules, regulations, and general information about Howells-Dodge Consolidated Public Schools. Each student is responsible for becoming familiar with the handbook and knowing the information contained in it. Parents are encouraged to use this handbook as a resource and to assist their child in following the rules contained in this handbook.
Although the information found in this handbook is detailed and specific on many topics, the handbook is not intended to be all-encompassing so as to cover every situation and circumstance that may arise during any school day, or school year. This handbook does not create a “contract.” The administration reserves the right to make decisions and make rule revisions at any time to implement the educational program and to assure the well being of all students. The administration will be responsible for interpreting the rules contained in the handbook. Should a situation or circumstance arise that is not specifically covered in this handbook, the administration will make a decision based upon all applicable school district policies, and state and federal statutes and regulations.
Section 2Members of the Board of Education:
Name
Mr. Darryl Hegemann, PresidentMr. Galen Uhing, Vice-President
Mrs. Heather Macholan, Sec./Treasurer
Kevin Ortmeier
Mr. Keith Brester
Mr. Darrin Bjorkland
Section 3Administrative Staff:
Name / PositionMr. William Kuester / Superintendent
Mrs. Sarah Edwards / PreK-12 Principal
Mrs. Kelly Throener / Head Teacher (Dodge Elementary Site)
Section 4Teaching Staff:
Name / Department / GradesMrs. Kim Anderson / Art / K-12
Mrs. Mary Lou Benesch / Title I / Elementary
Mr. Jordan Brabec
Mr. Wayne Molacek / Vocational Ag.
ITE / 7-12
7-12
Miss Kristin Culver
Mrs. Jo Conrad / Elementary
Elementary / 1 (Howells)
2 (Dodge)
Mr. Luke Dobbins
Mr. Michael Speirs
Mrs. Daryle Trout-Wisneski / Mathematics/Tech Coor.
Mathematics
Mathematics / 7-12
7-12
7-12
Mrs. Nikki Dobbins
Miss Stephanie Poeschl / Elementary
Elementary / Kindergarten
Pre-School
Mrs. Kelly Throener / Elementary / 4
Ms. Janet Fritzinger
Mrs. Audrey Vanlengen / Language Arts
Language Arts, Foreign Language / 7-12
7-12
Mrs. Judy Fuerhoff
Deb Motes / Special Education
Special Education / Dodge
Howells
Mr. Robin Groene
Mrs. Pam Bazata / Guidance Counselor
Guidance Counselor / K-12 (Howells)
K-8 (Dodge)
Mr. Brian Jones
Mr. Ron Lund / Science
Science / 7-12
7-12
Tanya Oligmueller / Instrumental and Vocal Music / K-12
Jon Recker / Media Specialists / K-12
Brenda Hegemann / Elementary / 6
Mr. Scott Polacek
Mr. Cole Fischer / Social Science
Social Sciences / 7-12
7-12
Ms. Rachel Dockhorn / Speech Pathologist / K-12
Mrs. Marla Prusa
Neil Vanlengen / Family Consumer Science, Business
Business / 7-12
7-12
Mrs. Traci Sindelar / Foreign Language / 7-12
Mrs. Jennifer Schmidt / Elementary / 5
Mrs. Paula Tichota / Elementary / 3
Section 5Support Staff:
Name / Position (Howells)Mrs. Rhonda Bartling / Food Services
Mrs. Jody Blum / Administrative Assistant
Mrs. Connie Dostal / Bookkeeper/Superintendent’s Secretary
Mr. Allen Koliha / Bus Driver
Mrs. Myra Langhorst / Custodian
Mrs. Patty Pieper / Food Services (Manager)
Mrs. Rhonda Schumacher / Elem. Para-Professional
Mr. Marvin Semerad / Maintenance Engineer
Mr. Ken Widhelm / Bus Driver
Miss Betty Wiedeman / Food Services/Custodian
Mr. Gene Wolf / Bus Driver
Mrs. Marian Barjenbruch / School Nurse
Mrs. Lynette Faltin / Food Service
Mrs. Connie Franzluebbers / Para-Educator
Mrs. Stacey Gahner / Para-Educator
Mr. Justin Lovitt / Maintenance, Custodian
Mrs. Candy Recker / Administrative Assistant
Mr. Bob Sellhorst / Bus Driver
Mrs. Judy Uher / Custodian
Mrs. Coletta Widhelm / Food Service Manager
Howells-Dodge Public School
2013-2014 Calendar
AUGUST
AUGUST 2013 / 9, 12, 13 Inservice days / JANUARY 2014
SU / M / T / W / TH / FR / SA / 14 First Day of School--1/2 Day / SU / M / T / W / TH / FR / SA
1 / 2 / 3 / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4
4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / SEPTEMBER / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11
11 / 12 / 13 / 14 / 15 / 16 / 17 / 2 Labor Day - No School / 12 / 13 / 14 / 15 / 16 / 17 / 18
18 / 19 / 20 / 21 / 22 / 23 / 24 / 12 1st Quarter Mid-Term / 19 / 20 / 21 / 22 / 23 / 24 / 25
25 / 26 / 27 / 28 / 29 / 30 / 31 / 13 1:00 Dismissal Teacher In-service / 26 / 27 / 28 / 29 / 30 / 31
19 P-T Conferences 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
13 / 20
OCTOBER
SEPTEMBER 2013 / 16 Last day of First Quarter (45 days) / FEBRUARY 2014
SU / M / T / W / TH / FR / SA / 16 1:00 PM dismissal-Teacher In-service / SU / M / T / W / TH / FR / SA
1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 18 No School--Fall Break / 1
8 / 9 / 10 / 11 / 12 / 13 / 14 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8
15 / 16 / 17 / 18 / 19 / 20 / 21 / NOVEMBER / 9 / 10 / 11 / 12 / 13 / 14 / 15
22 / 23 / 24 / 25 / 26 / 27 / 28 / 15 2nd Quarter Mid-Term / 16 / 17 / 18 / 19 / 20 / 21 / 22
29 / 30 / 27 1:00 PM Dismissal / 25 / 24 / 25 / 26 / 27 / 28
28-29 No School--Thanksgiving Vacation
20 / 19
DECEMBER
OCTOBER 2013 / 19-20 Semester Tests / MARCH 2014
SU / M / T / W / TH / FR / SA / 20 End of the 2nd quarter/1st semester (44/89 days) / SU / M / T / W / TH / FR / SA
1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 22-26 NSAA Moratorium--No Practice/No Games / 1
6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11 / 12 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8
13 / 14 / 15 / 16 / 17 / 18 / 19 / JANUARY / 9 / 10 / 11 / 12 / 13 / 14 / 15
20 / 21 / 22 / 23 / 24 / 25 / 26 / 6 Second Semester Begins / 16 / 17 / 18 / 19 / 20 / 21 / 22
27 / 28 / 29 / 30 / 31 / 20 Martin Luther Day-Teacher In-Service / 23 / 24 / 25 / 26 / 27 / 28 / 29
FEBRUARY / 30 / 31
22 / 3 3rd Quarter Mid-Term / 19
5 P-T Conferences 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
NOVEMBER 2013 / 20 1:00 PM dismissal-Teacher In-service / APRIL 2014
SU / M / T / W / TH / FR / SA / SU / M / T / W / TH / FR / SA
1 / 2 / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5
3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / MARCH / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11 / 12
10 / 11 / 12 / 13 / 14 / 15 / 16 / 7 No School / 13 / 14 / 15 / 16 / 17 / 18 / 19
17 / 18 / 19 / 20 / 21 / 22 / 23 / 14 No School / 20 / 21 / 22 / 23 / 24 / 25 / 26
24 / 25 / 26 / 27 / 28 / 29 / 30 / 13 End of the 3rd Quarter (47 days) / 27 / 28 / 29 / 30
13 1:00 Dismissal Teacher In-service
19 / 19
APRIL
DECEMBER 2013 / 7 No School Teacher InService / MAY 2014
SU / M / T / W / TH / FR / SA / 18 No School--Easter Break / SU / M / T / W / TH / FR / SA
1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 21 No School--Easter Break / 1 / 2 / 3
8 / 9 / 10 / 11 / 12 / 13 / 14 / 11 4th Quarter Mid-Term / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10
15 / 16 / 17 / 18 / 19 / 20 / 21 / 17 1:00 Dismissal Teacher In-service / 11 / 12 / 13 / 14 / 15 / 16 / 17
22 / 23 / 24 / 25 / 26 / 27 / 28 / MAY / 18 / 19 / 20 / 21 / 22 / 23 / 24
29 / 30 / 31 / ? Howells- Dodge Graduation / 25 / 26 / 27 / 28 / 29 / 30 / 31
19-20 Semester Tests
20 End of the 4th quarter/2nd Semester (44/92 days) / 14
15 / 21-22 Teacher work days
Article 1 – Mission and Governing Values
1
Page 1 of 138
Article 1 - Philosophy, Goals, Objectives
Section 1School Mission Statement:
Howells-Dodge Consolidated Schools, in collaboration with our communities, and parents, provides all students with an outstanding education that motivates them to be successful, life-long learners.
Section 2Governing Values:
- …Gain the quality of education that will allow them to achieve their social and economic goals;
- …Develop values that will allow them to become responsible and productive citizens in their communities and within a global society;
- …Develop personal and social skills that will allow them to work successfully in groups;
- …Set goals, meet challenges, and achieve success, thereby developing genuine self-esteem;
- …Learn in a safe, caring and accepting school environment;
- …Participate in an educational process that thrives on cooperation between the home, school and community;
Section 3 Mutual Respect
The Howells-Dodge Public Schools expects every staff member and student to be treated with respect and dignity. A show of disrespect toward a staff member or insubordination on the part of the student will not be tolerated.
Section 4 Multicultural Policy
Multicultural education is the identification, selection and infusion of specific knowledge, skills and attitudes for the purpose of:
• Affirming the culture, history and contributions that shall include but not be limited to African Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanic Americans and Native Americans;
• Challenging and eliminating racism, prejudice, bigotry, discrimination and stereotyping based on race;
• Valuing multiple cultural perspectives; and
• Providing all students with opportunities to “see themselves” in the educational environment in positive ways and on a continuing basis.
To promote and support multicultural education within Howells-Dodge Consolidated Public Schools, it shall be the policy and practice of this district to create opportunities for all students to achieve academically and socially in an educational environment in which all students and staff understand and respect the racial and cultural diversity and interdependence of members of our society.
Section 5Complaint Procedures:
The proper procedures for a parent or student to make complaints or raise concerns about school staff or the school programs or activities are set forth below. Other procedures exist to address discrimination or harassment, the bullying of students, and to challenge disciplinary actions, and such other procedures should be used to address those types of concerns.
- Complaint procedure:
Step 1. Have a scheduled conference with the staff person involved in the complaint matter.
Step 2. Appeal to the principal if the matter is not resolved at Step 1.
Step 3. Appeal to the Superintendent if the matter is still unresolved at Step 2.
Step 4. Appeal to the Board of Education if the matter is still unresolved at Step 3. Written appeal should be made within five (5) days of the Superintendent’s
decision.
- Conditions Applicable to All Levels of Complaint Procedure:
All information to be considered at each appeal step should be placed in writing in order to be most effective. Appeal decisions shall be expedited as quickly as possible. A decision at any level should be rendered within ten (10) calendar days, unless a legal hearing is requested or required.
Section 6Anti-Bullying Policy
One of the missions of the District is to provide a physically safe and emotionally secure environment for students and staff.
The administration and staff are to implement strategies and practices to reinforce and encourage positive behaviors by students. Positive behaviors include non-violence, cooperation, teamwork, understanding, and acceptance of others.
The administration and staff are to implement strategies and practices to identify and preventinappropriate behaviors by all students, including anti-bullying education for all students. Inappropriate behaviors include bullying, intimidation, and harassment. Bullying means any ongoing pattern of physical, verbal, or electronic abuse on school grounds, in a vehicle owned, leased, or contracted by the school being used for a school purpose by a school employee or designee, or at school-sponsored activities or school-sponsored athletic events.
The school district shall review the anti-bullying policy annually.
Article 2 - School Day
1
Article 3 - Use of Building and Grounds
Section 1Daily Schedule
8:00 A.M.Teachers on duty
8:10 A.M.Warning Bell
StartDismiss
Period 18:159:05
Period 29:089:58
Period 310:0110:51
Period 410:5411:44
Lunch 11:41 – 12:14
11:411st Group Lunch
11:442nd Group Lunch
11:473rd Group Lunch
11:504th Group Lunch
Period 512:14 1:04
Period 61:07 1:57
Period 72:00 2:50
Period 82:53 3:43
Ninth Hour 3:45 4:15
Section 2Severe Weather and School Cancellations
The Superintendent of schools is authorized by the Board of Education to close public schools in case of severe weather. Representatives of the Superintendent’s staff will notify local news media when inclement weather warrants such action. Radio and television stations broadcast this information regularly.
Decision to Close Schools. A decision to close school is made when forecasts by the weather service and civil defense officials indicate that it would be unwise for students to go to school. If possible, a decision about the next school day will be made by 9 p.m. for announcement during the 10 p.m. news. An early decision is not always possible because of uncertain weather conditions. School officials will make periodic assessments of conditions during the night and will decide early in the morning (by 6:30 a.m. if possible). In any case, an announcement will be made to the news media when schools will be closed. There will also be an announcement made on the school’s ALERTNOW Rapid Notification Service. In some instances, schools will be open, but certain services may be cancelled (bus transportation, kindergarten, student activities). Announcements will also be made over our Internet Website ( and the following radio stations: KWPN (FM 107.9), KKOT (FM 93.5), KFAB (AM 1110), KLIR (101.1 FM).
After School Starts. Every attempt will be made to avoid closing school once classes are in session. In some instances closing school during the day is inevitable if children are to safely return home before the brunt of a major storm hits. In these cases as much advance notice as possible will be given to parents. If school is closed during the day the notice will be broadcast by the media and on ALERTNOW and parents should have a plan in place to accommodate these circumstances.
Parental Decisions. Parents may decide to keep their children at home in inclement weather because of personal circumstances. Students absent because of severe weather when school is in session will be marked absent. The absence will be treated like any other absence for legitimate causes provided parents properly notify the school of their decision. Parents may pick up their children in inclement weather at any time during the school day. Students will not normally be dismissed from school during severe weather on the basis of a telephone request.
What Not To Do.Parents should not attempt to come to school during a tornado warning. School officials are not permitted to release students from the school building during a tornado warning. Students and staff members practice tornado safety procedures regularly. Also, parents are urged not to call radio and television stations and school buildings during severe weather. Every effort will be made to provide accurate and timely information through the media.
Emergency Conditions. Howells-Dodge Public Schools has a signal which, when activated, includes the necessity to either evacuate the building or to move to safer areas of the building. All regular drills are held as required by law through the school year. There are plans for Emergency Exit System, Tornado Warning System, and Critical Incident Response.
Section 3Closed Campus: