2024-25 Family Handbook
Students
Care of School Property/Vandalism
802.6 Vandalism
During sanctioned or unsanctioned demonstrations, students will treat District property with care and respect. Students found to have destroyed or otherwise harmed school district property may be required to reimburse the school district. They may be subject to discipline under board policy and/or the school district rules and regulations. They may also be referred to local law enforcement authorities.
Cheating, Plagiarism and Unethical Student Conduct
When students attempt to receive credit for work they have not produced there is a negative impact on each student and his or her grades in that class. The uncredited use of another's work, ideas or wording is plagiarism and is also considered a violation of ethics. When a teacher/administrator determines that cheating or plagiarism on an assignment or test has occurred, the student will be issued a consequence and may be provided another attempt to complete the task in a supervised environment so that proficiency can still be measured.
The consequence for cheating and/or plagiarism will include loss of credit for the test or assignment in question and a school consequence that may include being dropped from the class with an “F” grade. A second violation will result in loss of course credit with the student receiving an “F” grade for the course and a suspension from school. If test/quiz security is breached, the involved student will be removed from the class with an "F" and receive a school suspension. Any incident of unethical student conduct will be noted in the student's permanent record. Please note: cheating, plagiarism and unethical student conduct results in immediate removal from National Honor Society and can result in an extracurricular consequence including a code of conduct violation.
Dangerous Weapons
502.6 Dangerous Weapons
Weapons and other dangerous objects, or look-alikes, in school district facilities cause material and substantial disruption to the school environment and present a threat to the health and safety of students, employees and visitors on the school district premises or property within the jurisdiction of the school district. Weapons and other dangerous objects and look-alikes shall be taken from students and others who bring them onto school district property or onto property within the jurisdiction of the school district or from students who are within the control of the school district. Students bringing a firearm to school or knowingly possessing firearms at school shall be expelled for not less than one year.
Expulsion
503.2 Expulsion
Students may be expelled for violations of board policy, school rules or the law. It is within the discretion of the board to discipline a student by using an expulsion for a single offense or for a series of offenses depending on the nature of the offense and the circumstances surrounding the offense.
It is within the discretion of the superintendent to recommend to the board the expulsion of a student for disciplinary purposes. Only the board may take action to expel a student and to readmit the student. The principal will keep records of expulsions in addition to the board's records.
When a student is recommended for expulsion by the board, the student is provided with:
Notice of the reasons for the proposed expulsion.
The names of the witnesses and an oral or written report on the facts to which each witness testifies unless the witnesses are students whose names may be released at the discretion of the superintendent.
An opportunity to present a defense against the charges and provide either oral testimony or written affidavits of witnesses on the student's behalf.
The right to be represented by counsel.
The results and finding of the board in writing open to the student's inspection.
In addition to these procedures, a special education student must be provided with additional procedures. A determination should be made of whether the student is actually guilty of the misconduct. If a special education student’s suspensions, either in or out of school, equal to ten days on a cumulative basis for that school year, a behavior manifestation of determination meeting will take place to determine the cause of the behavior. This meeting will consist of the entire IEP team. Discussions and conclusions of this meeting should be recorded.
If the special education student's conduct is not caused by the disability, the student may be expelled or suspended for a long-term period following written notice to the parent and pursuant to the school district's expulsion hearing procedures. If the misconduct is caused by the disability and a change in placement is recommended, the change must be made pursuant to the placement procedures used by the school district.
Fines - Fees - Charges
503.3 Fines-Fees-Charges
The Board believes students should respect school district property and assist in its preservation for future use by others. 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.
The Superintendent shall inform the Board of the dollar amount to be charged to students or others for fines, charges, or fees annually. Parents of students meeting specific financial eligibility standards will be eligible for a waiver of student fees or a reduction of student fees based upon the request of the parent.
The Board recognizes that while certain fees charged students are appropriate and authorized, certain students and their families are not financially able to pay the fees. The school district will grant either full waivers or partial waivers depending upon the circumstances and the student or student's parents' ability to meet the financial criteria.
Good Conduct Rule
503.4 Good Conduct Rule (Extracurricular Behavior Expectations)
School activities provide the benefits of promoting additional interests and abilities in the students during their school years and for their lifetimes. Participation in school activities is an opportunity and not an absolute right.
Students who participate in extracurricular activities serve as ambassadors of the school district throughout the calendar year whether at or away from school. Students who wish to have the opportunity of participating in school extracurricular activities and other school-sponsored activities, must conduct themselves in accordance with board policy, "Student Behavior and Discipline" throughout the calendar year and must refrain from activities which are illegal, immoral, or highly inappropriate.
Students who fail to abide by this policy may be subject to disciplinary measures. Students disciplined under rules outlined in the Parent-Student Handbook, shall receive appropriate due process in concert with the nature of the misconduct. It shall be the responsibility of the principal to maintain a record of violations.
Students wanting to participate in school activities must meet the requirements set out by the school district for participation in the activity.
School Threat Response
Any student with inappropriate and/or threatening written or printed material, or who verbally and/or physically threatens another student or staff member, may be required to undergo an assessment with a mental health professional. During the assessment, the student may be excluded from school. Refusal to participate in the assessment may result in exclusion from school.
School Violence & Fighting Policy
Disputes between members of the school community should be resolved through proper channels. Students are expected to resolve their differences without physical violence. If students require assistance in resolving issues or sense a threat from another person they should contact a guidance counselor, administrator, or any adult in the building. Students are not to respond to aggression with aggression.
Search & Seizure
502.8 Search and Seizure
502.8R1 Search and Seizure Regulation
502.8E1 Search and Seizure ChecklistSchool district authorities may, without a search warrant, search students, student lockers, personal effects, desks, work areas, or student vehicles or protected student areas based on a reasonable and articulable suspicion that a school district policy, rule, regulation or law has been violated. The search shall be in a manner reasonable in scope to maintain order and discipline in the schools, promote the educational environment, and protect the safety and welfare of students, employees and visitors to the school district facilities. The furnishing of a locker, desk or other facility or space owned by the school and provided as a courtesy to a student, even if the student provides the lock for it, shall not create a protected student area and shall not give rise to an expectation of privacy with respect the locker, desk, or other facility.
Smoking - Drinking - Drugs
502.7 Smoking - Drinking - Drugs
The board prohibits the distribution, dispensing, manufacture, possession, use, or being under the influence of beer, wine, alcohol, tobacco, other controlled substances, or "look alike" substances that appear to be tobacco, beer, wine, alcohol or controlled substances by students while on school district property or on property within the jurisdiction of the school district; while on school owned and/or operated school or chartered vehicles; while attending or engaged in school activities; and while away from school grounds if the misconduct will directly affect the good order, efficient management and welfare of the school district.
Violation of this policy by students will result in disciplinary action including suspension or expulsion. Use, purchase or being in possession of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, tobacco or tobacco products for those under the age of eighteen, may be reported to the local law enforcement authorities. Possession, use or being under the influence of beer, wine, alcohol and/or of a controlled substance may also be reported to the local law enforcement authorities.
Student Educational Records Rights
506.1E9 Student Records Annual Notice
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords parents and students over 18 years of age ("eligible students") certain rights with respect to the student's education records.
They are:
The right to inspect and review the student's education records within 45 days of the day the district receives a request for access.
The right to request the amendment of the student's education records that the parent or eligible student believes are inaccurate or misleading or in violation of the student's privacy rights.
The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student's education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.
The right to inform the school district that the parent does not want directory information, as defined below, to be released. Directory information can be released without prior approval. The school district will not market or sell directory information without prior consent of the parent. Any student over the age of eighteen or parent not wanting this information released to the public must make an objection in writing by September 1 to the principal. The objection needs to be renewed annually.
The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the district to comply with the requirements of FERPA.
Student Expression & Publications
502.3 Student Expression and Publications
It is the goal of the district to protect the educational environment for all students to help ensure it is free from substantial disruption or infringement upon their rights. Student expression should be appropriate to help ensure that the students learn and meet the goals of the school activity and that the potential audience is not exposed to material that may be harmful or inappropriate for their level of maturity
Student Protests or Demonstrations
Student Protest or Demonstration Defined
Walk-outs occur when students leave their learning environments during school hours and gather in a group or groups with the purpose of promoting a belief or beliefs. The gathering can be within the school building, outside the school building on District property, or off District property.
Student Protests or Demonstrations During School Hours
Student demonstrations raise issues of school attendance, discipline policies, students’ right to freedom of expression, and, most importantly, student safety. While non-sanctioned walkouts would normally violate many District attendance and discipline policies, the District will consider ways to provide alternative “teachable moments” in civics education for students when possible. The District response to student protests or demonstrations will be based on numerous factors including age of the students, student safety, staffing concerns, and logistics and building layout.
Students who violate District policy to participate in a non-sanctioned walk-out or who act outside restrictions placed on demonstrations are subject to attendance and discipline Policies.
Student Right & Responsibilities
As members of the Bettendorf Community School District, every student has rights and responsibilities as outlined below.
Students have the right to:
A safe and orderly learning environment.
Courteous and respectful treatment by staff and other students.
A quality education with clear, challenging learning goals designed to prepare students for their post- secondary future.
A supportive learning environment and appropriate progressive correction when conduct does not meet expectations.
Access to curriculum, school/district services, and extracurricular activities.
Access to social, emotional and behavioral health resources.
Know and annually review the district behavior expectations and potential consequences when violated.
Equal treatment in the enforcement of school rules and procedures.
Students have the responsibility to:
Model positive behavior, practice self-discipline and be a contributing member of the school community.
Treat teachers, administrators, staff, other students, themselves, and property with respect.
Take responsibility for their learning and behavior and hold themselves to high standards of achievement and conduct.
Follow school, classroom and extra-curricular expectations and rules.
Attend school consistently, promptly and prepared.
Comply with appropriate requests from school staff.
Participate in problem-solving of individual and school concerns.
Report violations of safety and security to a teacher or other adult at school.
Cooperate with school investigations.
Unexcused Absences
Students who participate in non-sanctioned walk-outs or are otherwise absent from scheduled class to participate in a demonstration are subject to the Truancy - Unexcused Absence. Students are subject to disciplinary action for the unexcused absence from class, even if the student remains on school grounds. Students must attend class as scheduled.