New Policy Alert - June-August 2024

Policy Updates: June - August 2024

As we settle into the new school year, it’s important to stay informed about the latest updates to our school policies.  Below is a quick overview of the long-awaited policy updates that you should be aware of. Note that some policies are based on new state legislation (see earlier post), while others were developed at the district level. We are committed to providing a supportive, safe, and high-quality educational environment for all our students.  

 Mental Health Support

• Behavioral Health Support for Students: Students can get help from a mental health professional during school hours if their parents choose this option (File: JGCF)

• Behavioral Health Services for Students: Similar to the above, this policy also allows mental health providers to provide services to a student at school during school hours if the student's parent or legal guardian provides a written request for such mental health provider and services (File: JGCFA).

 Dress Code

• Addition of Columbia Blue for Dress Code: Columbia blue shirts were added as a uniform top option.

• Navy blue pants as color option: Navy blue pants were added as a uniform bottom color option.

 Smoke-Free Environment

• Employee Smoking, Tobacco, and Marijuana Use & Buildings and Grounds Management: All school properties are smoke-free zones. This includes tobacco, marijuana (recently added), and vaping (File: GAMA).

• Student Smoking, Tobacco and Marijuana Use: Students can't use tobacco or marijuana (recently added) products, including vapes, on school property or at school events (File: JCDAA).

 Home Study Program

• Home Study Program: Home study students can join after-school activities and sports, as long as they live in the school's area and follow the Home Study Program rules (File: IDCH).

• Co-Curricular Activities and Extra Curricular Activities: The school must offer activities to all students, including those in home study programs (File: IDE).

• Interscholastic Athletics: If a student is in a home study program, a public school can’t stop them from playing school sports. The student just needs to live in the school’s area and meet the rules listed in the Home Study Program policy (File: IDFA).

 

School Attendance

• Truancy: Parents or legal guardians are responsible for making sure their child goes to school. If a student misses school, the parent or guardian must make sure the student catches up by attending after-school tutoring, weekend classes, or other programs set by the School Board. Parents or guardians should also attend monthly school meetings about the student’s progress until the student is caught up. The school principal or their representative is advised to write down any concerns about a child’s school attendance on the back of any Supplemental Security Income form they receive about that child.

 

Electronic Devices

• Electronic Telecommunication Devices: Students can't use electronic devices, like cell phones or cameras, at school or on the school bus. Cell phones brought to school at secondary levels must be turned off and stowed away (File: JCDAE).

 

Discipline

• Discipline: Teachers can discipline students who break school rules or disrupt learning. The principal or school leader can't stop or punish a teacher for disciplining a student, as long as the teacher’s actions follow district policy. Students shall be removed for being a disruption and a parent meeting is required before reentry.

• Suspension: If a student gets suspended twice in the same school year, school administration and health professionals will talk about whether the student’s behavior might be due to emotional or behavioral problems. If they think that’s the case and that the student could benefit from help, they’ll set up a meeting with the student’s parent or guardian. They’ll talk about the student’s behavior, counseling options, and how to get the student and their family set up with support. (File: JDD1).

• Expulsion: Students may now be more easily expelled for (1) non-dress code and tardiness related offenses after 3rd offense (2) drug and weapons offenses. Reduces age for expulsion from 16yo to any student in 6-12 grader found in possession of a drug or weapon. (File: JDE2).

 

Child Abuse

• Child Abuse: School resource officers are now considered mandatory reporters, requiring that they report any instances of suspected child abuse and/or neglect in accordance with appropriate state and local laws and procedures (File: JGCE3).

 Grading Scale

• 10-point grading scale addition to the handbook: This policy requires the use of a 10-point grading scale in all classes, such that any student scores falling within the 90-100 range result in an A, 80-90 in a B, etc.

 School Colors

• CME School Color Transition: CMES colors will transition from green and white to red and blue.

As you review and questions arise, please feel free to reach out. We will see you soon.