Parent/Guardian Handbook

WELCOME TO THE 2025-2026 SCHOOL YEAR

This handbook contains a summary of information about District 153 procedures, practices and expectations for parents and students and is published and shared electronically each year with students and families. A complete list of all policies and procedures can be found in the Board of Education’s Policy Manual which is available on the District’s website at www.hsd153.org. We encourage District 153 families to review the handbook information with their students and use it as a reference throughout the school year.

Changes and updates to this handbook may be made during the school year.

Dear District 153 Students and Families,

Welcome to the 2025-2026 school year! This handbook provides helpful information for all students and parents throughout the school year.

Please take some time to review the handbook and discuss it with your student. It contains classroom and school expectations necessary to create an atmosphere conducive to learning. Each school will spend time discussing the information in the handbook with our students. After you have reviewed the handbook, please complete the release form distributed by the school and return the release form to your homeroom teacher by Friday, August 29, 2025.

Our goal is to ensure that students have a positive and productive year by reaching goals that will lead the way for continued academic and personal success. With the encouragement and collaboration between parents, teachers, students and administration, all District 153 students are ensured a successful year.

We are looking forward to an excellent school year!

Sincerely,

Ryan Jones

Principal

Willow School

Tara Peacock

Principal

Churchill School

Kimberly Johnson

Principal

James Hart School

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION AND GENERAL INFORMATION

1.20 - Student/Parent Handbook Acknowledgement

1.30 - General School Information

This handbook is a summary of the school’s rules and expectations and is not a comprehensive statement of school procedures. The Board’s complete policy manual is available through the District’s website: www.hsd153.org.

The School Board governs the school district and is elected by the community. Current School Board members are:

Mr. Alex Bosch, President
Mr. Broderick Booth, Vice-President
Mr. Ron Zinnerman, Secretary
Ms. Ashanti Bethea, Member
Ms. Becky Popelka, Member
Mr. Jim Schmidt, Member
Ms. Christine Scully, Member

The School Board has hired the following administrative staff to operate the schools:
Dr. Scott McAlister, Superintendent
Dr. Eric Trimberger, Chief School Business Official
Ms. Morgan Koncel, Director of Curriculum and Instruction
Ms. Cathryne Czarnecki, Director of Instructional Support and Assessment
Ms. Melanie Mandisodza, Director of Student Support Services
Ms. Beth White, Director of Information Technology
Mr. James Cassidy, Administrator of Instructional Technology
Mr. Kevin Keane, Director of Buildings and Grounds
Ms. Anne Simons, Director of Food Services
Ms. Ryan Jones, Principal, Willow School
Ms. Tara Peacock, Principal, Churchill School
Ms. Kim Johnson, Principal, James Hart School

School Times

James Hart School
● Start time: 7:45 a.m. (supervision begins at 7:20 a.m.; students enter at 7:35 a.m.)
● Dismissal time: 2:30 p.m.

Willow School
• Start time: 8:05 a.m. (supervision begins at 7:40 a.m.; students enter at 7:55 a.m.)
● Dismissal time: 2:50 p.m.

Winston Churchill School
• Start time: 8:30 a.m. (supervision begins at 8:10 a.m.; students enter at 8:15 a.m.)
● Dismissal time: 3:15 p.m.

Residency Requirement
District 153 schools and services are for students who are residents within the district boundaries. A student’s residence is the same as the person who has legal custody. We do not accept out-of-district students on a tuition basis.

Cell Phones
Student cell phones should be turned off and put away during the school day. Students are not allowed to use their cell phones during classes or lunch.

A student found to be in possession of a phone during the school day will have the phone confiscated and kept in the office until a parent or guardian picks up the phone. Students will also be assigned a consequence for a technology violation. Additional consequences may be assigned for repeated violations.

Changes In Student Information
If families move, change employers, get a new phone number, or change the emergency contact person, please let the school office know. Your address and telephone numbers are critical in assisting us with keeping in contact with you and are important to your student's health and safety.

Technology
Homewood School District 153 has a network of computers that are connected to the Internet for educational purposes. Students will have the opportunity to have supervised access on the Internet and the ability to communicate with email. The Acceptable Use policy is available on the Homewood School District 153 website.

Parent-Teacher Conferences
Parents/guardians are encouraged to contact teachers for conferences to discuss a student's progress. All teachers have voicemail and email and may be contacted. These scheduled conferences will generally be held before or after school. School-wide parent and teacher conferences will be held at each elementary building on November 24-25, 2025.

1.35 - Educational Programs and Services

Preschool and Early Childhood Programs
The District has a Preschool that is supported by a state grant. This program is open to all students ages 3-5 who are not yet eligible for kindergarten. To be considered for the program, children must participate in a preschool screening or transition from Early Intervention services and meet eligibility criteria. The program is a half-day program lasting two- and one-half hours per day. There are morning and afternoon sessions. To inquire about screenings, please contact the Special Education Department.

Students may qualify for a more specialized preschool experience based on their eligibility for special education. The Early Childhood Classroom is designed for students with an Individual Education Plan (IEP) that require more support.

Special Education
Homewood School District 153 offers special education and related services to meet the varying needs of students with disabilities. Any concerned person, including District personnel, the parent(s) of a student, or an employee of a community service agency may refer students for a special education evaluation. The department has the resources of psychologists, social workers, certified school nurse, health coordinators, speech pathologists, special education teachers, assistant principals, itinerant staff and special education paraprofessionals to provide services to students who are identified as eligible for special education and related services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

In addition, the District conducts regularly scheduled Child Find Screenings for students 3 to 5 years old. The District provides special education and related services to eligible students starting at three (3) years of age. There are some students whose needs cannot be met by District programs. These students may be referred to other special education cooperative units such as SPEED and in some instances to state or private programs. Most students attend school at their home school and receive instructional support and/or related services. Contact your school for further information.

Special education students with an Individual Education Plan have procedural safeguards as listed in this document provided by Illinois State Board of Education: Notice of Procedural Safeguards.

1.40 - Visitors

The following definitions apply to this policy:

School property - District and school buildings, grounds, and parking areas; vehicles used for school purposes; and any location used for a School Board meeting, school athletic event, or other school-sponsored or school-sanctioned events or activities.
Visitor - Any person other than an enrolled student or District employee.

All visitors to school property are required to report to the main office and receive permission to remain on school property. All visitors must sign a visitors’ log, show identification, and wear a visitor’s badge. When leaving the school, visitors must return their badge. On those occasions when large groups of parents/guardians, friends, and/or community members are invited onto school property or when community members are attending Board meetings, visitors are not required to sign in but must follow school officials’ instructions. Persons on school property without permission will be directed to leave and may be subject to criminal prosecution.

Except as provided in the next paragraph, any person wishing to confer with a staff member should contact that staff member to make an appointment. Conferences with teachers are held, to the extent possible, outside school hours or during the teacher’s conference/preparation period.

Requests to access a school building, facility, and/or educational program, or to interview personnel or a student for purposes of assessing the student’s special education needs, should be made at the appropriate building. Access shall be facilitated according to guidelines from the Superintendent or designee.

The School District expects mutual respect, civility, and orderly conduct among all people on school property or at a school event. No person on school property or at a school event (including visitors, students, and employees) shall perform any of the following acts:

Strike, injure, threaten, harass, or intimidate a staff member, Board member, sports official or coach, or any other person.
Behave in an unsportsmanlike manner or use vulgar or obscene language.
Unless specifically permitted by State law, possess a weapon, any object that can reasonably be considered a weapon or looks like a weapon, or any dangerous device.
Damage or threaten to damage another’s property.
Damage or deface school property.
Violate any Illinois law, or town or county ordinance.
Smoke or otherwise use tobacco products.
Distribute, consume, use, possess, or be impaired by or under the influence of an alcoholic beverage, cannabis, other lawful product, or illegal drug.
Be present when the person’s alcoholic beverage, cannabis, other lawful product, or illegal drug consumption is detectible, regardless of when and/or where the use occurred.
Use or possess medical cannabis, unless he or she has complied with policy 7:270, Administering Medicines to Students, implementing Ashley’s Law.
Impede, delay, disrupt, or otherwise interfere with any school activity or function (including using cellular phones in a disruptive manner).
Enter upon any portion of school premises at any time for purposes other than those that are lawful and authorized by the Board.
Operate a motor vehicle: (a) in a risky manner, (b) in excess of 20 miles per hour, or (c) in violation of an authorized District employee’s directive.
Have a pet on school grounds, unless a Board-approved therapy animal or with special permission granted by the Superintendent or designee.
Engage in any risky behavior, including roller-blading, roller-skating, or skateboarding.
Violate other District policies or regulations, or a directive from an authorized security officer or District employee.
Engage in any conduct that interferes with, disrupts, or adversely affects the District or a School function.

1.50 - Equal Education Opportunities and Sex Equity

Equal educational and extracurricular opportunities shall be available for all students without regard to color, race, nationality, religion, sex, sexual orientation, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, gender, gender identity (whether or not traditionally associated with the student’s sex assigned at birth), status of being homeless, immigration status, order of protection status, actual or potential marital or parental status, including pregnancy. Further, the District will not knowingly enter into agreements with any entity or any individual that discriminates against students on the basis of sex or any other protected status, except that the District remains viewpoint neutral when granting access to school facilities under School Board policy 8:20, Community Use of School Facilities. Any student may file a discrimination grievance by using Board policy 2:260, Uniform Grievance Procedure.

Sex Equity: No student shall, based on sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression be denied equal access to programs, activities, services, or benefits or be limited in the exercise of any right, privilege, advantage, or denied equal access to educational and extracurricular programs and activities. Students shall be supported in a manner consistent with their gender identity. This will include, but not limited to, use of restrooms, locker rooms, and other facilities that correspond with the student’s gender identity.

1.60 - Animals on School Property

Animals should not be on school grounds when children are present. However, animals may be brought into school facilities for educational purposes according to procedures developed by the Superintendent assuring: (a) the animal is appropriately housed, humanely cared for, and properly handled, and (b) students will not be exposed to a dangerous animal or an unhealthy environment. The presence of trained service animals must be pre-approved consistent with Board Policy 6:100 and related administrative procedures.

1.80 - Invitations and Gifts

1.85 - Snacks and Treats

1.90 - Emergency School Closings

In extremely severe weather, schools may be closed. The District will determine if the day will be a remote learning day or made up at a future date. District 153 employs several methods of informing families about school closures:

Emergency call system: Please make sure District 153 has your current home and cell phone numbers on file.
Media: The District utilizes the Emergency Closing System, which posts school closings on local media, examples of which may include WGN Radio 720 am, WBBM News Radio 780 am; CBS 2/NBC 5/ABC 7/WGN 9/ and Fox 32. If the schools are closed, Homewood District 153 will be listed. If the schools are not closed, no comment will be made.
School District website: www.hsd153.org and the District’s Facebook account.
Occasionally, it is necessary to close a single building. The same procedure will be followed for any building closure.

1.100 - Video and Audio Monitoring Systems

A video and/or audio monitoring system may be in use on school buses and a video monitoring system may be in use in public areas in and around each District building. These systems have been put in place to protect students, staff, visitors, and school property. If a discipline problem is captured on an audio or video recording, these recordings may be used as the basis for imposing student discipline. If criminal actions are recorded, a copy of the recording may be provided to law enforcement personnel.

1.110 - Accommodating Individuals with Disabilities

Individuals with disabilities shall be provided an opportunity to participate in all school-sponsored services, programs, or activities and will not be subject to illegal discrimination. When appropriate, the District may provide to persons with disabilities aids, benefits, or services that are separate or different from, but as effective as, those provided to others.

Individuals with disabilities should notify the Superintendent or Building Principal if they have a disability that will require special assistance or services and, if so, what services are required. This notification should occur as far in advance as possible of the school-sponsored function, program, or meeting.

1.120 - Students with Food Allergies

State law requires our school district to annually inform parents of students with life-threatening allergies or life-threatening chronic illnesses of the applicable provisions of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and other applicable federal statutes, state statutes, federal regulations and state rules.

If your student has a life-threatening allergy or life-threatening chronic illness, please notify the building principal or school nurse.

Federal law protects students from discrimination due to a disability that substantially limits a major life activity. If your student has a qualifying disability, an individualized Section 504 Plan will be developed and implemented to provide the needed supports so that your student can access his or her education as effectively as students without disabilities. Not all students with life-threatening allergies and life-threatening chronic illnesses may be eligible under Section 504. Our school district also may be able to appropriately meet a student’s needs through other means.

1.130 - Care of Students with Diabetes

If your child has diabetes and requires assistance with managing this condition while at school and school functions, a Diabetes Care Plan must be submitted to the building nurse. Parents/guardians are responsible for and must:

Inform the school in a timely manner of any change which needs to be made to the Diabetes Care Plan on file with the school for their child.
Inform the school in a timely manner of any changes to their emergency contact numbers or contact numbers of health care providers.
Sign the Diabetes Care Plan.
Grant consent for and authorize designated School District representatives to communicate directly with the health care provider whose instructions are included in the Diabetes Care Plan.

For further information, please contact the building nurse.

1.140 - Suicide and Depression Awareness and Prevention

Suicide and depression awareness and prevention are important Board goals.

The Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals.

https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
Call: 988

Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 from anywhere in the United States, anytime. Crisis Text Line is here for any crisis. A live, trained Crisis Counselor receives the text and responds, all from our secure online platform. The volunteer Crisis Counselor will help you move from a hot moment to a cool moment.

1.160 - Parent Organizations and Booster Clubs

Parent organizations and booster clubs are invaluable resources to the District’s schools. While parent organizations and booster clubs have no administrative authority and cannot determine District policy, the School Board welcomes their suggestions and assistance.

Parent organizations and booster clubs may be recognized by the Board and permitted to use the District’s name, a District school’s name, or a District school’s team name, or any logo attributable to the District provided they first receive the Superintendent or designee’s express written consent. Consent to use one of the above-mentioned names or logos will generally be granted if the organization or club has by-laws containing the following:

The organization’s or club’s name and purpose, such as, to enhance students’ educational experiences, to help meet educational needs of students, to provide extra athletic benefits to students, to assist specific sports teams or academic clubs through financial support, or to enrich extracurricular activities.
The rules and procedures under which it operates.
An agreement to adhere to all Board policies and administrative procedures.
A statement that membership is open and unrestricted, meaning that membership is open to all parents/guardians of students enrolled in the school, District staff, and community members. A statement that the District is not, and will not be, responsible for the organization’s or club’s business or the conduct of its members, including on any organization or club websites or social media accounts.
An agreement to maintain and protect its own finances.
A recognition that money given to a school cannot be earmarked for any particular expense. Booster clubs may make recommendations, but cash or other valuable consideration must be given to the District to use at its discretion. The Board’s legal obligation to comply with Title IX by providing equal athletic opportunity for members of both genders will supersede an organization or club’s recommendation.

Permission to use one of the above-mentioned names or logos may be rescinded at any time and does not constitute permission to act as the District’s representative. At no time does the District accept responsibility for the actions of any parent organization or booster club regardless of whether it was recognized and/or permitted to use any of the above-mentioned names or logos. The Superintendent shall designate an administrative staff member to serve as the recognized liaison to parent organizations or booster clubs. The liaison will serve as a resource person and provide information about school programs, resources, policies, problems, concerns, and emerging issues. Building staff will be encouraged to participate in the organizations.

1.180 - Awareness and Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse, Grooming Behaviors, and Boundary Violations

Child sexual abuse, grooming behaviors, and boundary violations harm students, their parent/guardian, the District’s environment, its school communities, and the community at large, while diminishing a student’s ability to learn.

Warning Signs of Child Sexual Abuse

Physical signs:

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or other genital infections
Signs of trauma to the genital area, such as unexplained bleeding, bruising, or blood on the sheets, underwear, or other clothing
Unusual weight gain or loss

Behavioral signs:

Excessive talk about or knowledge of sexual topics
Keeping secrets
Not talking as much as usual
Not wanting to be left alone with certain people or being afraid to be away from primary caregivers
Regressive behaviors or resuming behaviors that the child had grown out of, such as thumb sucking or bedwetting
Overly compliant behavior
Sexual behavior that is inappropriate for the child’s age
Spending an unusual amount of time alone
Trying to avoid removing clothing to change or bathe

Emotional signs:
● Change in eating habits or unhealthy eating patterns, like loss of appetite or excessive eating
● Signs of depression, such as persistent sadness, lack of energy, changes in sleep or appetite, withdrawing from normal activities, or feeling “down”
● Change in mood or personality, such as increased aggression
● Decrease in confidence or self-image
● Anxiety, excessive worry, or fearfulness
● Increase in unexplained health problems such as stomach aches and headaches
● Loss or decrease in interest in school, activities, and friends
● Nightmares or fear of being alone at night
● Self-harming behaviors or expressing thoughts of suicide or suicidal behavior
● Failing grades
● Drug or alcohol use

Warning Signs of Grooming Behaviors

School and District employees are expected to maintain professional and appropriate relationships with students based upon students’ ages, grade levels, and developmental levels.

Prohibited grooming is defined as (i) any act, including but not limited to, any verbal, nonverbal, written, or electronic communication or physical activity, (ii) by an employee with direct contact with a student, (iii) that is directed toward or with a student to establish a romantic or sexual relationship with the student. Examples of grooming behaviors include, but are not limited to, the following behaviors:
● Sexual or romantic invitations to a student
● Dating or soliciting a date from a student
● Engaging in sexualized or romantic dialog with a student
● Making sexually suggestive comments that are directed toward or with a student
● Self-disclosure or physical exposure of a sexual, romantic, or erotic nature
● Sexual, indecent, romantic, or erotic contact with a student
● Failing to respect boundaries or listening when a student says “no”
● Engaging in touching that a student or student’s parents/guardians have indicated is unwanted
● Trying to be a student’s friend rather than filling an adult role in the student’s life
● Failing to maintain age-appropriate relationships with students
● Talking with students about personal problems or relationships
● Spending time alone with a student outside of their role in the student’s life or making up excuses to be alone with a student
● Expressing unusual interest in a student’s sexual development, such as commenting on sexual characteristics or sexualizing normal behaviors
● Giving a student gifts without occasion or reason
● Spending a lot of time with a student
● Restricting a student’s access to other adults

Warning Signs of Boundary Violations

School and District employees breach employee-student boundaries when they misuse their position of power over a student in a way that compromises the student’s health, safety, or general welfare. Examples of boundary violations include:
●Favoring a certain student by inviting the student to “hang out” or by granting specialprivileges
●Engaging in peer-like behavior with a student
●Discussing personal issues with a student
●Meeting with a student off-campus without parent/guardian knowledge and/orpermission
●Dating, requesting, or participating in a private meeting with a student (in person orvirtually) outside of a professional role
●Transporting a student in a school or private vehicle without administrative authorization
●Giving gifts, money, or treats to an individual student
●Sending a student on personal errands
●Intervening in a serious student problem instead of referring the student to anappropriately trained professional
●Sexual or romantic invitations toward or from a student
●Taking and using photos/videos of students for non-educational purposes
●Initiating or extending contact with a student beyond the school day in a one-on-one or non-group setting
●Inviting a student to an employee’s home
●Adding a student on personal social networking sites as contacts when unrelated to alegitimate educational purpose
●Privately messaging a student
●Maintaining intense eye contact with a student
●Making comments about a student’s physical attributes, including excessively flatteringcomments
●Engaging in sexualized or romantic dialog
●Making sexually suggestive comments directed toward or with a student
●Disclosing confidential information
●Self-disclosure of a sexual, romantic, or erotic nature
●Full frontal hugs
●Invading personal space

If you believe you are a victim of child sexual abuse, grooming behaviors, or boundary violations, or you believe that your child is a victim, you should immediately contact the Building Principal, a school social worker, or another trusted adult employee of the School.

The Illinois State Board of Education has created a resource guide to help students, parents/guardians and educators find help in the event sexual abuse is suspected, reported, and/or being investigated: https://www.isbe.net/Documents/Faiths-Law-Resource-Guide.pdf

CHAPTER 2: ATTENDANCE, PROMOTION, AND GRADUATION

2.10 - Attendance

Illinois law requires that whoever has custody or control of any child between six (by September 1st) and seventeen years of age shall assure that the child attends school in the district in which he or she resides, during the entire time school is in session (unless the child has already graduated from high school). Illinois law also requires that whoever has custody or control of a child who is enrolled in the school, regardless of the child’s age, shall assure that the child attends school during the entire time school is in session.

2.20 - Student Absences

Subject to specific requirements in State law, the following children are not required to attend public school: (1) any child attending a private school (including a home school) or parochial school, (2) any child who is physically or mentally unable to attend school (including a pregnant student suffering medical complications as certified by her physician), (3) any child lawfully and necessarily employed, (4) any child over 12 and under 14 years of age while in confirmation classes, and (5) any child absent because of religious reasons, including to observe a religious holiday, for religious instruction, or because his or her religion forbids secular activity on a particular day(s) or time of day.

For students who are required to attend school there are two types of absences: excused and unexcused. Excused absences include: illness (including up to 5 days per school year for mental or behavioral health of the student), observance of a religious holiday or event, death in the immediate family, family emergency, situations beyond the control of the student as determined by the school board, circumstances that cause reasonable concern to the parent/guardian for the student’s mental, emotional, or physical health or safety, attending a military honors funeral to sound TAPS, or other reason as approved by the building principal.

Additionally, a student will be excused for up to 5 days in cases where the student’s parent/guardian is an active-duty member of the uniformed services and has been called to duty for, is on leave from, or has immediately returned from deployment to a combat zone or combat-support postings. The Board of Education, in its discretion, may excuse a student for additional days relative to such leave or deployment. A student and the student’s parent/guardian are responsible for obtaining assignments from the student’s teachers prior to any excused absences and for ensuring that such assignments are completed by the student prior to his or her return to school.

Students who are excused from school will be given a reasonable timeframe to make up missed homework and classwork assignments.

All other absences, including vacations, are considered unexcused.

The school may require documentation explaining the reason for the student’s absence.

In the event of any absence, the student’s parent/guardian is required to call the school the start of the school day before to provide the reason for the absence. If a call has not been made to the school by mid-morning on the day of a student’s absence, a phone call will be made to inquire why the student is not at school.

Attendance Reporting Phone Number: 708-647-2200

Tardies to School
Students are expected to arrive at school on-time every day. Tardy students miss important instruction at the start of class and can be a distraction to other students and the learning process. If a student arrives late to school, they will need to obtain a pass from the office.

Early Dismissal
Students who need to leave school before the end of the day for a doctor's appointment or some other urgent matter are requested to provide written notice if possible or to call the office no later than one hour before pick-up time. Please pick the student up in the school office at the appointed time. At that time you will be asked to sign the student out of school. If the student returns to school before the end of the day, please sign the student in at the office before returning to class.

Diagnostic Procedures for Identifying Student Absences and Support Services to Truant or Chronically Truant Students
State law requires every school district to collect and review its chronic absence data and determine what systems of support and resources are needed to engage chronically absent students and their families to encourage the habit of daily attendance and promote success. This review must include an analysis of chronic absence data from each attendance center.

Furthermore, State law provides that school districts are encouraged to provide a system of support to students who are at risk of reaching or exceeding chronic absence levels with strategies and are also encouraged to make resources available to families such as those available through the State Board of Education’s Family Engagement Framework to support and engage students and their families to encourage heightened school engagement and improved daily school attendance.

“Chronic absence” means absences that total 10% or more of school days of the most recent academic school year, including absences with and without valid cause, and out-of-school suspensions.

The School and District use the following diagnostic procedures for identifying the causes of unexcused student absences: Interviews with the student, his or her parent/guardian and any school officials who may have information about the reasons for the student’s attendance problems. Supportive services to truant or chronically truant students include: parent conferences, student counseling, family counseling, and information about existing community services.

2.30 - Release Time for Religious Instruction and Observation

A student shall be released from school, as an excused absence, to observe a religious holiday or for religious instruction. The student’s parent/guardian must give written notice to the Building Principal at least five calendar days before the student’s anticipated absence(s). This notice shall satisfy the District’s requirement for a written excuse when the student returns to school.

2.40 - Make-Up Work

2.50 - Truancy

Student attendance is critical to the learning process. Truancy is therefore a serious issue and will be dealt with in a serious manner by the school and district. Students who miss more than 1% but less than 5% of the prior 180 regular school days without valid cause (a recognized excuse) are truant. Students who miss 5% or more of the prior 180 regular school days without valid cause are chronic truants.

Students who are chronically truant will be offered support services and resources aimed at correcting the truancy issue. If chronic truancy persists after support services and other resources are made available, the school and district will take further action, including referral to the Regional Office of Education. A parent or guardian who knowingly and willfully permits a child to be truant is in violation of State law.

2.60 - Grading and Promotion

The school year is divided into three academic trimesters for all subject areas. Official grades are posted after each trimester. Progress reports are made available to parents in the middle of each trimester. All parents may access current grades in the Parent Portal through Infinite Campus.

The decision to promote a student to the next grade level shall be based on successful completion of the curriculum, attendance, and performance on the standardized tests required by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and/or other assessments. A student shall not be promoted based upon age or any other social reason not related to academic performance.

2.70 - Homework

Homewood School District 153 acknowledges the importance of homework as a continuation of the learning process. Homework provides practice that helps expand academic achievement, self-discipline and responsibility. The effectiveness of homework is based on the coordinated efforts of the schools, parents, teachers and students.

Homework Time Guidelines

The following are the suggested guidelines for time allotted for daily homework:

Grades K-2: 10 to 20 minutes
Grades 3-5: 20 to 60 minutes
Grades 6-8: Due to the content in honors classes, students may be required to spend additional time on homework. Every student is expected to spend additional time reading independently and practicing math facts.

Types of Homework

Preparation: Introduction of new materials that enable students to obtain background information or allows teachers to assess students’ background knowledge.
Practice: Reinforces prior knowledge and newly acquired skills/concepts taught in the classroom.
Extension: An opportunity for students to apply acquired skills/concepts to other situations.
Project/Product: An extension of skills and concepts taught in classrooms that may require research. Project expectations and timeframe(s) are communicated to the students. The Project should reflect a student's work.

Expectations for Students and Parents/Guardians

Complete homework and turn it in on time.
Obtain and complete missed assignments due to absences per grade level expectations.
Organize materials and assignments using the assignment notebook, 1:1 device, and/or folders.
Contact the teacher with questions about homework.
Check homework and share completed assignments and assignment notebook with family.
Maintain balance between schoolwork and extra-curricular activities.
Designate a quiet place to study and complete homework.

2.80 - Home and Hospital Instruction

A student who is absent from school, or whose physician, physician assistant, or advanced practice registered nurse anticipates that the student will be absent from school, because of a medical condition may be eligible for instruction in the student’s home or hospital. Eligibility shall be determined by State law and the Illinois State Board of Education rules governing (1) the continuum of placement options for students who have been identified for special education services or (2) the home and hospital instruction provisions for students who have not been identified for special education services. Appropriate educational services from qualified staff will begin no later than five school days after receiving a written statement from:

a physician licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches,
a licensed physician assistant,
a licensed advanced practice registered nurse.

Instructional or related services for a student receiving special education services will be determined by the student’s individualized education program.

A student who is unable to attend school because of pregnancy will be provided home instruction, correspondence courses, or other courses of instruction (1) before the birth of the child when the student’s physician, physician assistant, or advanced practice registered nurse indicates, in writing, that she is medically unable to attend regular classroom instruction, and (2) for up to three months after the child’s birth or a miscarriage.

CHAPTER 3: STUDENT FEES AND MEAL COSTS

3.10 - Fees, Fines & Charges: Waiver of Student Fees

The Superintendent will recommend to the School Board a schedule of fees to be charged to students for the use of textbooks, consumable materials, extracurricular activities, and other school student fees. Students are expected to take proper care of all books, electronic devices, and any other materials issued to them. They will be charged the replacement cost for lost books. A fee will be assessed for excessive wear and/or unnecessary damage to the book or electronic device. If the book or device is damaged beyond use, the student will be required to pay the cost of replacement. Fee waivers are available to students who currently live in a household that meets the free lunch or breakfast eligibility guidelines established by the federal government pursuant to the National School Lunch Act, as well as homeless students.

Students receiving a fee waiver are not exempt from charges for lost and damaged books, technology devices, locks, materials, supplies, and equipment. Eighth graders with any unpaid fees will not be allowed to participate in non-curricular graduation activities.

3.20 - School Meals Program

Hot Lunch
The cost of lunch is $3.45, including milk. Milk purchased separately is $0.35. In accordance with the USDA guidelines, students who qualify for free or reduced priced meals cannot take milk only for free. All milk taken without the meal will be charged to the student’s account. For students who qualify for a reduced fee, the cost of lunch is $0.40.

The following a la carte items are available at all HSD 153 schools:

Juice Cup $ .50
Soy Milk $1.10
Lactose Free Milk $1.10

Additional a la carte items are available at James Hart School. To purchase a la carte items, students must have money in their lunch account. You may add funds to your student's account by going to the parent portal.

Breakfast

Our district food provider will distribute the breakfast items.
For students who incur a cost for breakfast, the fee will be deducted from the student’s lunch account. The cost of breakfast is $2.50, including milk. For students who qualify for a reduced fee, the cost of breakfast is $0.30.

The State of Illinois establishes economic guidelines whereby students qualify for free or reduced-price meals lunches and the waiver of fees. These guidelines and forms are available at registration and from the district office. Forms should be completed and submitted to the main office.

CHAPTER 4: TRANSPORTATION AND PARKING

4.10 - Bus Transportation

The District shall provide free transportation for any student in the District who resides: (1) at a distance of one and one-half miles or more from his or her assigned school, unless the School Board has certified to the Illinois State Board of Education that adequate public transportation is available, or (2) if adequate public transportation is not available, within one and one-half miles from his or her assigned school where walking to or from school or to or from a pick-up point or bus stop would constitute a serious safety hazard due to either (a) vehicular traffic or rail crossing or (b) a course or pattern of criminal activity, as defined in the Ill. Street Gang Terrorism Omnibus Prevention Act, 740 ILCS 147/.

Students are expected to ride the same morning and afternoon bus unless special arrangements have been made with the District Office.

Bus stop locations are selected to serve the children from central locations near their homes. Your child should ride the bus to and from the stop location closest to their home. Note: Parents may not request bus route changes or an additional bus stop to provide a convenient stop at their driveway.

Bus safety is everyone's responsibility. By following these procedures, all students can expect a safe ride.

When waiting at the bus stop, stand away from the road and board the bus when it comes to a complete stop.
Stay seated while the bus is in motion and remain seated until the bus has come to a complete stop at the appropriate destination.
Keep your hands and your head inside the bus at all times. Pushing, tripping, fighting, throwing objects, or delaying the bus is considered to be inappropriate and improper bus conduct.
Maintain a quiet talking voice on the bus and use appropriate language.
Help keep the bus clean by not eating or drinking on the bus.
Keep the aisle clear at all times. Backpacks, books, coats, and other objects should be kept on your lap to allow for a safe exit in case of an emergency.
In case of emergency, remain on the bus until the driver or another adult gives instructions.
The school or bus driver may assign seats at any time.
Video monitors and equipment are present on the school bus and used when transportation is provided for any school related activity.
When dismissed from school, students should go directly to their bus.
Students are not allowed to use any electronic equipment to videotape, or take photographs on the bus.
Parents are encouraged to contact their child’s school if there is a bus-related incident or concern. Parents may not board or ride the bus to or from school.

4.15 - Bus Conduct

The Superintendent, or any designee as permitted in the School Code, is authorized to suspend a student from riding the school bus for up to 10 consecutive school days for engaging in gross disobedience or misconduct, including but not limited to, the following:

Prohibited student conduct as defined in School Board policy, 7:190, Student Behavior.
Willful injury or threat of injury to a bus driver or to another rider.
Willful and/or repeated defacement of the bus.
Repeated use of profanity.
Repeated willful disobedience of a directive from a bus driver or other supervisor.
Such other behavior as the Superintendent or designee deems to threaten the safe operation of the bus and/or its occupants.

If a student is suspended from riding the bus for gross disobedience or misconduct on a bus, the School Board may suspend the student from riding the school bus for a period in excess of 10 days for safety reasons. The District’s regular suspension procedures shall be used to suspend a student’s privilege to ride a school bus.

4.20 - Parking

CHAPTER 5: HEALTH AND SAFETY

5. 10 - Immunization, Health, Eye & Dental Examinations

Illinois General Assembly; Section on Health Examination and Immunizations

Homewood School District 153; Health Services Webpage

Immunizations

It is mandatory under Illinois law that all school students be immunized before entering school or have permitted exemption documents signed by their physician licensed to practice medicine in all its branches, licensed advanced practice registered nurses, or licensed physician assistant.

Physicals
Illinois law also requires that all students have a completed physical examination (including health history and physical education approval) completed by a physician licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches, licensed advanced practice registered nurses, or licensed physician assistant within 1 year of entering early childhood, pre-kindergarten, kindergarten and sixth grade.

Exclusion Dates

Willow Students: all health documents must be on file before the student will be permitted to attend school. Transfer students from out of state/country must submit a new exam with completed immunization records on the Illinois Health Examination Form within 30 days of registration to avoid exclusion from school.
Churchill and James Hart Students: required health documents must be on file by October 1 to avoid exclusion. New Churchill and James Hart students transferring from another school in Illinois after this date must have all forms on file before they will be permitted to attend. Transfer students from out of state/country must submit their most recent required physical and complete immunization record by October 1, or within 30 days if registered after the start of the school year (whichever is more lenient) to avoid exclusion from school.

Dental
Illinois state law requires a dental examination by May 15th of the current school year for all students entering kindergarten, second, and sixth grades. The examination must be performed and signed by a licensed dentist and returned to school.

Vision
Illinois state law requires proof of an eye examination by October 1st of the current school year for all students entering kindergarten or the year the student is first enrolled in the State of Illinois. The examination must be performed and signed by an optometrist or physician who provides complete eye examinations.

Vision/Hearing Screening
Vision and hearing screening will be completed by district personnel as mandated by the Illinois Department of Public Health during the school year. Vision screening is not a substitute for a complete eye and vision evaluation by an eye doctor. A student 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 twelve months and that evaluation is on file at the school. Vision and hearing screening is not an option. If a current vision examination report is not on file at the school, the student in the mandated grade will be screened.

5.25 - Student Illness

School Nurses will follow Illinois Department of Public Health Communicable Disease School Nurse Guidance available at: https://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/diseases-and-conditions/infectious-diseases/cd-school-nurse-guidance.html.

The following information is intended to assist parents in making decisions about health and illness.

A student with a temperature of over 100.4 degrees or above, will not be allowed to attend school. A student must be fever-free for twenty-four hours without the aid of fever reducing medication before returning to school.
If a student has a persistent stomachache, vomiting, and/or diarrhea, parents/guardians will be called for pickup at the discretion of the school nurse.
If a student is absent from school due to illness, or if it is necessary for a student to leave school due to illness, the student may not return to the school to participate in after-school activities. If a student comes to school ill, or becomes ill during school, they will be sent home.
A student with a sore throat, hacking cough, thick nasal discharge, and/or irritated, draining eyes should not attend school.
A student with a rash may be sent home from school, until it is determined by a healthcare provider that the rash is not contagious.
A student with nits/head lice may go home at the end of the day, be treated and return to class after appropriate treatment has begun, as advised by IDPH School Nurse Guidance.
Communicable diseases such as (but not limited to) COVID-19, chicken pox, ringworm, fifth disease, streptococcal infections, conjunctivitis, and head lice must be reported to school. In cases of certain infectious diseases, a physician’s re-admission slip is required. Please contact the nurse at your student’s school for cases of communicable disease.
Adults listed as emergency contacts should be within a reasonable distance in order to reach the school in a timely manner. These contacts will be called if we are unable to reach a parent/guardian in the event a student is ill, or in an emergency situation.
If a student needs emergency care and is transported to the hospital via ambulance, it will be a medical determination whether care will be given prior to parent consent.
Following a head injury and/or concussion, student will be assessed by school nurse and parents/guardians notified. If further evaluation is warranted or a concussion occurs outside of school, parents/guardians will supply doctor’s note with specific restrictions and return to learn/play guidelines.
If a student is hospitalized, it is recommended that a school re-entry meeting be held prior to the student’s return. This may include the school nurse, social worker, and administrator.
It is imperative that school has accurate telephone numbers for parents and emergency contacts.
If a student is absent for five consecutive days, a physician’s note is requested before returning to school. Also, students who have injuries such as sprains and fractures need to have a physician’s note stating any restrictions of activity and the recommendations to allow equipment (crutches) in the school setting. A note will be required to allow the student to participate again after the injury is healed and/or the cast and/or the crutches are no longer needed. Students will not be allowed to participate until the release from the physician is received by the health office.
It is important for parents/guardians to notify the school of all health concerns on an annual basis and discuss them further with the school nurse. Health information is shared with only those staff members who have a legitimate interest to know the information for the safety of your student.
Hospital or homebound instruction may be provided for students who are not able to attend school due to a health condition, which in the opinion of a licensed healthcare provider will cause an extended absence or frequent absences from school.
Updated action plans are requested each school year for students with medical conditions that may require care at school, included by not limited to: asthma, severe food allergies, diabetes, seizure disorder, etc.

5.30 - Guidance and Counseling

The School District provides a guidance and counseling program for students. The Superintendent or designee shall direct the District’s guidance and counseling program. School counseling services, as described by State law, may be performed by a qualified guidance specialist or any certificated staff member.

The counseling program will assist students with interventions related to academic, social, and/or personal issues. Students shall be encouraged to seek academic, social, and/or personal assistance.

Each staff member is responsible for effectively guiding students under their supervision in order to provide early identification of intellectual, emotional, social, or physical needs, diagnosis of any learning disabilities, and development of educational potential. The District’s counselors shall offer counseling to those students who require additional assistance.

5.40 - Safety Drill Procedures and Conduct

Safety drills will occur at times established by the school board. Students are required to be silent and shall comply with the directives of school officials during emergency drills. There will be a minimum of three (3) evacuation drills, a minimum of one (1) severe weather (shelter-in-place) drill, a minimum of one (1) law enforcement lockdown drill to address a school shooting incident, and a minimum of one (1) bus evacuation drill each school year. There may be other drills at the direction of the administration. The law enforcement lockdown drill will be announced in advance and a student’s parent/guardian may elect to exclude their child from participating in this drill. All other drills will not be preceded by a warning to students.

Code Yellow / Code Red Drills

It is important that we have the appropriate steps in place to handle unsafe situations. We will frequently practice Code Yellow and Code Red Drills, so that the students are prepared in the case of an emergency. The descriptions below identify each code, what the steps are, and what would create a Code Yellow or Red. Practicing these drills can be scary for some students, but it is important that we are prepared to respond effectively in any emergency situation.

Code Yellow:

A Code Yellow is used when an unsafe situation happens in close proximity to a school, as long as no imminent threat is posed;
All interior/exterior doors remain locked and student movement is restricted;
Students can switch classes if necessary, and;
No one may enter or exit the building until the Code Yellow is lifted by law enforcement.

Code Red:

A Code Red is used when an active threat is present in the school;
All interior / exterior doors remain locked and all hallways are cleared;
Students and staff shelter in place away from the classroom door until cleared by a police officer or other official;
No one is allowed to enter the school for any reason.

We work with local police and fire departments to protect the safety of our students. Please stress with your students the following safety guidelines. They are important when walking to and from school or the bus.

The importance of staying with a friend when walking to and from school, or around the neighborhood.
Adults ask other adults for help; they don't ask students. Don't talk to people you do not know.
If they see something or someone suspicious, they should report it to their teacher or another adult immediately.
Not to get into any vehicle if he/she does not know the driver.

CHAPTER 6: DISCIPLINE AND CONDUCT

6.20 - School Dress Code

We expect all students to be dressed appropriately and comfortably for school each day. Students are expected to be reasonably dressed and prepared to participate in a professional school environment. Any student whose dress is deemed to be inappropriate will be provided with a shirt or shorts that will appropriately cover the dress code violation.

Clothes must be worn in such a way that the genitals, buttocks, stomach, sides, back and chest area are fully covered with opaque fabric. All undergarments must be fully covered. The following apply to all student attire: a) Shirts must have opaque fabric in the front, back and on the sides under the arms that extends to the waistband, b) Pants/sweatpants/shorts/ skirt/dress/leggings must be worn at waist level and in such a way that genitals, buttocks, undergarments are fully covered with opaque fabric, and, c) Shoes must be worn at all times.

The following guidance is intended to illustrate implementation of the above requirements for students, parents, and school personnel while on school property:

Jackets, coats, hats, hoods, gloves, and other forms of outerwear apparel are not to be worn in school. Fleece and sweatshirts may be worn in school as long as a hood is not covering a student’s head.
No head covering or cap may be worn in the school unless for religious or health reasons.
Only prescription glasses may be worn in school.
Attire, earrings, jewelry, pins, or any other type of wearing apparel or accessories that advertise, promote, or depict alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, drugs, gangs, weapons, nudity, obscenity, or profanity are not to be worn in school.
Students are not permitted to wear or advertise in any manner drug, alcohol, weapons, or any controlled substance paraphernalia.
Pajama attire is not to be worn in school, unless given special permission [PBIS reward, etc.].

6.30 - Student Behavior

The goals and objectives of this policy are to provide effective discipline practices that: (1) ensure the safety and dignity of students and staff; (2) maintain a positive, weapons-free, and drug-free learning environment; (3) keep school property and the property of others secure; (4) address the causes of a student’s misbehavior and provide opportunities for all individuals involved in an incident to participate in its resolution; and (5) teach students positive behavioral skills to become independent, self-disciplined citizens in the school community and society.

When and Where Conduct Rules Apply
A student is subject to disciplinary action for engaging in prohibited student conduct, as described in the section with that name below, whenever the student’s conduct is reasonably related to school or school activities, including, but not limited to:

On, or within sight of, school grounds before, during, or after school hours or at any time;
Off school grounds at a school-sponsored activity or event, or any activity or event that bears a reasonable relationship to school;
Traveling to or from school or a school activity, function, or event; or
Anywhere, if the conduct interferes with, disrupts, or adversely affects the school environment, school operations, or an educational function, including, but not limited to, conduct that may reasonably be considered to: (a) be a threat or an attempted intimidation of a staff member; or (b) endanger the health or safety of students, staff, or school property.

Prohibited Student Conduct

The school administration is authorized to discipline students for gross disobedience or misconduct, including but not limited to:
1. Using, possessing, distributing, purchasing, or selling tobacco or nicotine materials, including without limitation, electronic cigarettes.
2. Using, possessing, distributing, purchasing, or selling alcoholic beverages. Students who are under the influence of an alcoholic beverage are not permitted to attend school or school functions and are treated as though they had alcohol in their possession.
3. Using, possessing, distributing, purchasing, selling, or offering for sale:

a. Any illegal drug or controlled substance, or cannabis (including marijuana, hashish, and medical cannabis unless the student is authorized to be administered a medical cannabis infused product under Ashley’s Law).
b. Any anabolic steroid unless it is being administered in accordance with a physician or licensed practitioner’s prescription.
c. Any performance-enhancing substance on the Illinois High School Association’s most current banned substance list unless administered in accordance with a physician or licensed practitioner’s prescription.
d. Any prescription drug when not prescribed for the student by a physician or licensed practitioner, or when used in a manner inconsistent with the prescription or prescribing physician or licensed practitioner’s instructions. The use or possession of medical cannabis, even by a student for whom medical cannabis has been prescribed, is prohibited unless the student is authorized to be administered a medical cannabis infused product under Ashley’s Law.
e. Any inhalant, regardless of whether it contains an illegal drug or controlled substance: (a) that a student believes is, or represents to be capable of, causing intoxication, hallucination, excitement, or dulling of the brain or nervous system; or
(b) about which the student engaged in behavior that would lead a reasonable person to believe that the student intended the inhalant to cause intoxication, hallucination, excitement, or dulling of the brain or nervous system. The prohibition in this section does not apply to a student’s use of asthma or other legally prescribed inhalant medications.
f. Any substance inhaled, injected, smoked, consumed, or otherwise ingested or absorbed with the intention of causing a physiological or psychological change in the body, including without limitation, pure caffeine in tablet or powdered form.
g. Look-alike or counterfeit drugs, including a substance that is not prohibited by this policy, but one: (a) that a student believes to be, or represents to be, an illegal drug, controlled substance, or other substance that is prohibited by this policy; or (b) about which a student engaged in behavior that would lead a reasonable person to believe that the student expressly or impliedly represented to be an illegal drug, controlled substance, or other substance that is prohibited by this policy.
h. Drug paraphernalia, including devices that are or can be used to: (a) ingest, inhale, or inject cannabis or controlled substances into the body; and (b) grow, process, store, or conceal cannabis or controlled substances. Students who are under the influence of any prohibited substance are not permitted to attend school or school functions and are treated as though they had the prohibited substance, as applicable, in their possession.

4. Using, possessing, controlling, or transferring a weapon as that term is defined in the Weapons section of this policy, or violating the Weapons section of this policy.
5. Using or possessing an electronic paging device. Using a cellular telephone, video recording device, personal digital assistant (PDA), or other electronic device in any manner that disrupts the educational environment or violates the rights of others, including using the device to take photographs in locker rooms or bathrooms, cheat, or otherwise violate student conduct rules. Prohibited conduct specifically includes, without limitation, creating, sending, sharing, viewing, receiving, or possessing an indecent visual depiction of oneself or another person through the use of a computer, electronic communication device, or cellular phone. All electronic devices must be kept powered-off and in a school-issued locker/cubby during the regular school day
6. Using or possessing a laser pointer unless under a staff member’s direct supervision and in the context of instruction.
7. Disobeying rules of student conduct or directives from staff members or school officials. Examples of disobeying staff directives include refusing a District staff member’s request to stop, present school identification, or submit to a search.
8. Engaging in academic dishonesty, including cheating, intentionally plagiarizing, wrongfully giving or receiving help during an academic examination, altering report cards, and wrongfully obtaining test copies or scores.
9. Engaging in hazing or any kind of bullying or aggressive behavior that does physical or psychological harm to a staff member or another student or urging other students to engage in such conduct. Prohibited conduct specifically includes, without limitation, any use of violence, intimidation, force, noise, coercion, threats, stalking, harassment, sexual harassment, public humiliation, theft or destruction of property, retaliation, hazing, bullying, bullying using a school computer or a school computer network, or other comparable conduct.
10. Engaging in any sexual activity, including without limitation, offensive touching, sexual harassment, indecent exposure (including “mooning”), and sexual assault.
11. Teen dating violence, as described in Board policy 7:185, Teen Dating Violence Prohibited.
12. Causing or attempting to cause damage to, or stealing or attempting to steal, school property or another person’s personal property.
13. Entering school property or a school facility without proper authorization.
14. In the absence of a reasonable belief that an emergency exists, calling emergency responders (such as calling 911); signaling or setting off alarms or signals indicating the presence of an emergency; or indicating the presence of a bomb or explosive device on school grounds, school bus, or at any school activity.
15. Being absent without a recognized excuse. State law and School Board policy regarding truancy control will be used with chronic and habitual truants.
16. Being involved with any public school fraternity, sorority, or secret society, by: (a) being a member; (b) promising to join; (c) pledging to become a member; or (d) soliciting any other person to join, promise to join, or be pledged to become a member.
17. Being involved in gangs or gang-related activities, including displaying gang symbols or paraphernalia.
18. Violating any criminal law, including but not limited to, assault, battery, arson, theft, gambling, eavesdropping, vandalism, and hazing.
19. Making an explicit threat on an Internet website against a school employee, a student, or any school-related personnel if the Internet website through which the threat was made is a site that was accessible within the school at the time the threat was made or was available to third parties who worked or studied within the school grounds at the time the threat was made, and the threat could be reasonably interpreted as threatening to the safety and security of the threatened individual because of his or her duties or employment status or status as a student inside the school.
20. Operating an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) or drone for any purpose on school grounds or at any school event unless granted permission by the Superintendent or designee.
21. Engaging in any activity, on or off campus, that interferes with, disrupts, or adversely affects the school environment, school operations, or an educational function, including but not limited to, conduct that may reasonably be considered to: (a) be a threat or an attempted intimidation of a staff member; or (b) endanger the health or safety of students, staff, or school property.

For purposes of this policy, the term possession includes having control, custody, or care, currently or in the past, of an object or substance, including situations in which the item is: (a) on the student’s person; (b) contained in another item belonging to, or under the control of, the student, such as in the student’s clothing, backpack, or automobile; (c) in a school’s student locker, desk, or other school property; or (d) at any location on school property or at a school-sponsored event.

Efforts, including the use of positive interventions and supports, shall be made to deter students, while at school or a school-related event, from engaging in aggressive behavior that may reasonably produce physical or psychological harm to someone else. The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that the parent/guardian of a student who engages in aggressive behavior is notified of the incident. The failure to provide such notification does not limit the Board’s authority to impose discipline, including suspension or expulsion, for such behavior.

Disciplinary Measures
School officials shall limit the number and duration of expulsions and out-of-school suspensions to the greatest extent practicable, and, where practicable and reasonable, shall consider forms of non-exclusionary discipline before using out-of-school suspensions or expulsions. Potential disciplinary measures include, without limitation, any of the following:
1. Notifying parent(s)/guardian(s).
2. Disciplinary conference.
3. Withholding of privileges.
4. Temporary removal from the classroom.
5. Return of property or restitution for lost, stolen, or damaged property.
6. In-school suspension. The Building Principal or designee shall ensure that the student is properly supervised.
7. After-school study or Saturday study provided the student’s parent/guardian has been notified. If transportation arrangements cannot be agreed upon, an alternative disciplinary measure must be used. The student must be supervised by the detaining teacher or the Building Principal or designee.
8. Community service with local public and nonprofit agencies that enhances community efforts to meet human, educational, environmental, or public safety needs. The District will not provide transportation. School administration shall use this option only as an alternative to another disciplinary measure, giving the student and/or parent/guardian the choice.
9. Seizure of contraband; confiscation and temporary retention of personal property that was used to violate this policy or school disciplinary rules.
10. Suspension of bus riding privileges in accordance with Board policy 7:220, Bus Conduct.
11. Out-of-school suspension from school and all school activities in accordance with Board policy 7:200, Suspension Procedures. A student who has been suspended will also be restricted from being on school grounds and at school activities.
12. Expulsion from school and all school activities for a time period not to exceed 2 calendar years in accordance with Board policy 7:210, Expulsion Procedures. A student who has been expelled will also be restricted from being on school grounds and at school activities.
13. Transfer to an alternative school program if the student is expelled or otherwise qualifies for the transfer under State law. The transfer shall be in the manner provided in Article 13A or 13B of the School Code.
14. Notifying juvenile authorities or other law enforcement whenever the conduct involves criminal activity, including but not limited to, illegal drugs (controlled substances), look-alikes, alcohol, or weapons or in other circumstances as authorized by the reciprocal reporting agreement between the District and local law enforcement agencies. The above list of disciplinary measures is a range of options that will not always be applicable in every case. In some circumstances, it may not be possible to avoid suspending or expelling a student because behavioral interventions, other than a suspension and expulsion, will not be appropriate and available, and the only reasonable and practical way to resolve the threat and/or address the disruption is a suspension or expulsion.

Corporal punishment is prohibited. Corporal punishment is defined as slapping, paddling, or prolonged maintenance of students in physically painful positions, or intentional infliction of bodily harm. Corporal punishment does not include reasonable force as needed to maintain safety for students, staff, or other persons, or for the purpose of self-defense or defense of property.

Isolated Time Out, Time Out, and Physical Restraint
Neither isolated time out, time out, nor physical restraint shall be used to discipline or punish a student. These methods are only authorized for use as permitted in 105 ILCS 5/10-20.33, State Board of Education rules (23 Ill.Admin.Code §§ 1.280, 1.285), and the District’s procedure(s).

Weapons
A student who is determined to have brought one of the following objects to school, any school-sponsored activity or event, or any activity or event that bears a reasonable relationship to school shall be expelled for a period of at least one calendar year but not more than two calendar years:
1. A firearm, meaning any gun, rifle, shotgun, or weapon as defined by Section 921 of Title 18 of the United States Code (18 U.S.C. § 921), firearm as defined in Section 1.1 of the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act (430 ILCS 65/), or firearm as defined in Section 24-1 of the Criminal Code of 1961 (720 ILCS 5/24-1).
2. A knife, brass knuckles, or other knuckle weapon regardless of its composition, a billy club, or any other object if used or attempted to be used to cause bodily harm, including look-alikes of any firearm as defined above.

The expulsion requirement under either paragraph one or two above may be modified by the Superintendent, and the Superintendent’s determination may be modified by the Board on a case-by-case basis. The Superintendent or designee may grant an exception to this policy, upon the prior request of an adult supervisor, for students in theatre, cooking, and similar programs, whether or not school-sponsored, provided the item is not equipped, nor intended, to do bodily harm.

This policy’s prohibitions concerning weapons apply regardless of whether: (1) a student is licensed to carry a concealed firearm, or (2) the Board permits visitors, who are licensed to carry a concealed firearm, to store a firearm in a locked vehicle in a school parking area.

Re-Engagement of Returning Students
The Superintendent or designee shall maintain a process to facilitate the re-engagement of students who are returning from an out-of-school suspension, expulsion, or an alternative school setting. The goal of re-engagement shall be to support the student’s ability to be successful in school following a period of exclusionary discipline and shall include the opportunity for students who have been suspended to complete or make up work for equivalent academic credit.

6.45 - Harassment & Teen Dating Violence Prohibited

No person, including a School District employee or agent, or student, shall harass, intimidate, or bully a student on the basis of actual or perceived: race; color; national origin; military status; unfavorable discharge status from military service; sex; sexual orientation; gender; gender identity (whether or not traditionally associated with the student’s sex assigned at birth); gender-related identity or expression; ancestry; age; religion; physical or mental disability; order of protection status; status of being homeless; actual or potential marital or parental status, including pregnancy; association with a person or group with one or more of the aforementioned actual or perceived characteristics; or any other distinguishing characteristic. The District will not tolerate harassing, intimidating conduct, or bullying whether verbal, physical, sexual, or visual, that affects the tangible benefits of education, that unreasonably interferes with a student’s educational performance, or that creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive educational environment. Examples of prohibited conduct include name-calling, using derogatory slurs, stalking, sexual violence, causing psychological harm, threatening or causing physical harm, threatened or actual destruction of property, or wearing or possessing items depicting or implying hatred or prejudice of one of the characteristics stated above.

Sexual Harassment Prohibited
The District shall provide an educational environment free of verbal, physical, or other conduct or communications constituting harassment on the basis of sex as defined and otherwise prohibited by State and federal law. See policies 2:265, Title IX Sexual Harassment Grievance Procedure, and 2:260, Uniform Grievance Procedure.

Making a Report or Complaint
Students are encouraged to promptly report claims or incidences of bullying, intimidation, harassment, sexual harassment, or any other prohibited conduct to the Nondiscrimination Coordinator, Building Principal, Assistant Building Principal, Dean of Students, a Complaint Manager, or any employee with whom the student is comfortable speaking. A student may choose to report to an employee of the student’s same gender.

Reports under this policy will be considered a report under Board policy 2:260, Uniform Grievance Procedure, and/or Board policy 2:265, Title IX Sexual Harassment Grievance Procedure. The Nondiscrimination Coordinator and/or Complaint Manager shall process and review the report according to the appropriate grievance procedure. The Superintendent shall insert into this policy the names, office addresses, email addresses, and telephone numbers of the District’s current Nondiscrimination Coordinator and Complaint Managers. The Nondiscrimination Coordinator also serves as the District’s Title IX Coordinator.

Nondiscrimination Coordinator:
Dr. Scott McAlister
Superintendent
18205 Aberdeen St., Homewood IL 60430
(708) 799-8721
[email protected]

Complaint Managers
Mr. James Cassidy
Administrator of Educational Technology
18205 Aberdeen St. Homewood IL 60430
(708) 799-8721
[email protected]

Ms. Melanie Mandisodza
Director of Student Support Services
18205 Aberdeen St., Homewood IL 60430
(708) 799-8721
[email protected]

The Superintendent shall use reasonable measures to inform staff members and students of this policy by including:
1. For students, age-appropriate information about the contents of this policy in the District’s student handbook(s), on the District’s website, and, if applicable, in any other areas where policies, rules, and standards of conduct are otherwise posted in each school.
2. For staff members, this policy is in the appropriate employee handbook(s), if applicable, and/or in any other areas where policies, rules, and standards of conduct are otherwise made available to staff.

Teen Dating Violence Prohibited
Engaging in teen dating violence that takes place at school, on school property, at school-sponsored activities, or in vehicles used for school-provided transportation is prohibited. For purposes of this policy, the term teen dating violence occurs whenever a student who is 13 to 19 years of age uses or threatens to use physical, mental, or emotional abuse to control an individual in the dating relationship; or uses or threatens to use sexual violence in the dating relationship.

The Superintendent or designee shall develop and maintain a program to respond to incidents of teen dating violence that:
1. Fully implements and enforces each of the following Board policies:

a. 2:260, Uniform Grievance Procedure. This policy provides a method for any student, parent/guardian, employee, or community member to file a complaint if he or she believes that the School Board, its employees, or its agents have violated his or her rights under the State or federal Constitution, State or federal statute, Board policy, or various enumerated bases.
b. 2:265, Title IX Sexual Harassment Grievance Procedure. This policy prohibits any person from engaging in sexual harassment in violation of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. Prohibited conduct includes but is not limited to sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking.
c. 7:20, Harassment of Students Prohibited. This policy prohibits any person from harassing, intimidating, or bullying a student based on the student’s actual or perceived characteristics of sex; sexual orientation; gender identity; and gender-related identity or expression (this policy includes more protected statuses).
d. 7:180, Prevention of and Response to Bullying, Intimidation, and Harassment. This policy prohibits students from engaging in bullying, intimidation, and harassment at school, school-related events and electronically. Prohibited conduct includes threats, stalking, physical violence, sexual harassment, sexual violence, theft, public humiliation, destruction of property, or retaliation for asserting or alleging an act of bullying.

2. Encourages anyone with information about incidents of teen dating violence to report them to any of the following individuals:

a. Any school staff member. School staff shall respond to incidents of teen dating violence by following the District’s established procedures for the prevention, identification, investigation, and response to bullying and school violence.
b. The Nondiscrimination Coordinator, Building Principal, Assistant Building Principal, Dean of Students, or a Complaint Manager identified in policy 7:20, Harassment of Students Prohibited.

3. Incorporates age-appropriate instruction in grades 7 through 12, in accordance with the District’s comprehensive health education program in Board policy 6:60, Curriculum Content. This includes incorporating student social and emotional development into the District’s educational program as required by State law and in alignment with Board policy 6:65, Student Social and Emotional Development.
4. Incorporates education for school staff, as recommended by the Nondiscrimination Coordinator, Building Principal, Assistant Building Principal, Dean of Students, or a Complaint Manager.
5. Notifies students and parents/guardians of this policy.

6.50 - Cafeteria/Lunchroom Rules

The district maintains a closed campus during the lunch period and all students are expected to remain on the school grounds during that time. The only exception to this will be by parent request and the parent must agree to assume direct supervision for their students during the lunch period. Lunches may be dropped off for students by parents/guardians/family members but we do not accept order delivered by food vendors such as Door Dash, Grub Hub, Jimmy Johns, etc. These will be turned away at the door.

If students forget their lunch, students may purchase a lunch from school. Cash is not accepted in the lunchroom, however students may add funds to their lunch account by uploading funds through a student’s account on Parent Portal.

The table and floor around the student should be left in a clean condition for the next group. Any student referred for throwing food, littering, or misconduct will be subject to disciplinary action. Students are not allowed to distribute treats/snacks in the lunchroom.

Glass containers are not allowed in school and will be confiscated. Cooperation with the lunchroom personnel, custodial staff and fellow students is expected.

6.40 - Field Trips

Field trips are encouraged when the experiences are a part of the school curriculum and/or contribute to the District’s educational objectives.

All field trips must have the Superintendent or designee’s prior approval, except that field trips beyond a 200-mile radius of the school or extending overnight must have the prior approval of the School Board. The Superintendent or designee shall analyze the following factors to determine whether to approve a field trip: educational value, student safety, heightened security alerts, and liability concerns. On all field trips, a bus fee set by the Superintendent or designee may be charged to help defray the transportation costs.

Parents/guardians of students: (1) shall be given the opportunity to consent to their child’s participation in any field trip; and (2) are responsible for all entrance fees, food, lodging, or other costs, except that the District will pay such costs for students who qualify for a fee waiver under Board policy 4:140, Waiver of Student Fees. All non-participating students shall be provided an alternative experience. Any field trip may be canceled without notice due to an unforeseen event or condition.

CHAPTER 7: INTERNET, TECHNOLOGY AND PUBLICATIONS

7.10 - Acceptable Use of the District's Electronic Networks

Electronic networks are a part of the District’s instructional program and serve to promote educational excellence by facilitating resource sharing, innovation, and communication.

The term electronic networks includes all of the District’s technology resources, including, but not limited to:

The District’s local-area and wide-area networks, including wireless networks (Wi-Fi), District-issued Wi-Fi hotspots, and any District servers or other networking infrastructure;
Access to the Internet or other online resources via the District’s networks or to any District-issued online account from any computer or device, regardless of location; District-owned or District-issued computers, laptops, tablets, phones, or similar devices.

The Superintendent shall develop an implementation plan for this policy and appoint system administrator(s).

The School District is not responsible for any information that may be lost or damaged, or become unavailable when using the network, or for any information that is retrieved or transmitted via the Internet. Furthermore, the District will not be responsible for any unauthorized charges or fees resulting from access to the Internet.

Curriculum and Appropriate Online Behavior
The use of the District’s electronic networks shall: (1) be consistent with the curriculum adopted by the District as well as the varied instructional needs, learning styles, abilities, and developmental levels of the students, and (2) comply with the selection criteria for instructional materials and library resource center materials. As required by federal law and Board policy 6:60, Curriculum Content, students will be educated about appropriate online behavior, including but not limited to: (1) interacting with other individuals on social networking websites and in chat rooms, and (2) cyberbullying awareness and response. Staff members may, consistent with the Superintendent’s implementation plan, use the Internet throughout the curriculum.
The District’s electronic network is part of the curriculum and is not a public forum for general use.

Acceptable Use
All use of the District’s electronic networks must be: (1) in support of education and/or research, and be in furtherance of the goals stated herein, or (2) for a legitimate school business purpose. Use is a privilege, not a right. Users of the District’s electronic networks have no expectation of privacy in any material that is stored on, transmitted, or received via the District’s electronic networks. General rules for behavior and communications apply when using electronic networks. The District’s administrative procedure, Acceptable Use of the District’s Electronic Networks, contains the appropriate uses, ethics, and protocol. Electronic communications and downloaded material, including files deleted from a user’s account but not erased, may be monitored or read by school officials.

Internet Safety
Technology protection measures shall be used on each District computer with Internet access. They shall include a filtering device that protects against Internet access by both adults and minors to visual depictions that are: (1) obscene, (2) pornographic, or (3) harmful or inappropriate for students, as defined by federal law and as determined by the Superintendent or designee. The Superintendent or designee shall enforce the use of such filtering devices. An administrator, supervisor, or other authorized person may disable the filtering device for bona fide research or other lawful purpose, provided the person receives prior permission from the Superintendent or system administrator. The Superintendent or designee shall include measures in this policy’s implementation plan to address the following:

Ensure staff supervision of student access to online electronic networks,
Restrict student access to inappropriate matter as well as restricting access to harmful materials,
Ensure student and staff privacy, safety, and security when using electronic communications,
Restrict unauthorized access, including “hacking” and other unlawful activities, and
Restrict unauthorized disclosure, use, and dissemination of personal identification information, such as, names and addresses.

Authorization for Electronic Network Access
Each staff member must sign the Authorization for Access to the District’s Electronic Networks as a condition for using the District’s electronic network. Each student and his or her parent(s)/guardian(s) must sign the Authorization before being granted unsupervised use.

Confidentiality
All users of the District’s computers to access the Internet shall maintain the confidentiality of student records. Reasonable measures to protect against unreasonable access shall be taken before confidential student information is loaded onto the network.

Violations
The failure of any user to follow the terms of the District’s administrative procedure, Acceptable Use of the District’s Electronic Networks, or this policy, will result in the loss of privileges, disciplinary action, and/or appropriate legal action.

7.20 - Guidelines for Student Distribution of Non-School Publications

For purposes of this section and the following section, a publication includes, without limitation:
(1) written or electronic print material, (2) audio-visual material on any medium including electromagnetic media (e.g., images, MP3 files, flash memory, etc.), or combinations of these whether off-line (e.g., a printed book, CD-ROM, etc.) or online (e.g., any website, social networking site, database for information retrieval, etc.), or (3) information or material on electronic devices (e.g., data or voice messages delivered by cell phones, tablets, and other hand-held devices).

Creating, distributing, and/or accessing non-school sponsored publications shall occur at a time and place and in a manner that will not cause disruption, be coercive, or result in the perception that the distribution or the publication is endorsed by the School District.

Students are prohibited from creating, distributing, and/or accessing at school any publication that:

Will cause substantial disruption of the proper and orderly operation and discipline of the school or school activities;
Violates the rights of others, including but not limited to material that is libelous, invades the privacy of others, or infringes on a copyright; is socially inappropriate or inappropriate due to maturity level of the students, including but not limited to material that is obscene, pornographic, or pervasively lewd and vulgar, contains indecent and vulgar language, or sexting as defined by School Board policy and Student Handbooks;
Is reasonably viewed as promoting illegal drug use; or
Is distributed in kindergarten through eighth grade and is primarily prepared by non-students, unless it is being used for school purposes. Nothing herein shall be interpreted to prevent the inclusion of material from outside sources or the citation to such sources as long as the material to be distributed or accessed is primarily prepared by students.

Accessing or distributing on-campus includes accessing or distributing on school property or at school-related activities. A student engages in gross disobedience and misconduct and may be disciplined for: (1) accessing or distributing forbidden material, or (2) for writing, creating, or publishing such material intending for it to be accessed or distributed at school.

7.30 - Access to Non-School Sponsored Publications

Non-School Sponsored Publications Accessed or Distributed Off-Campus
A student engages in gross disobedience and misconduct and may be disciplined for creating and/or distributing a publication that: (1) causes a substantial disruption or a foreseeable risk of a substantial disruption to school operations, or (2) interferes with the rights of other students or staff members.

Bullying and Cyberbullying
The Superintendent or designee shall treat behavior that is bullying and/or cyberbullying according to Board policy 7:180, Prevention of and Response to Bullying, Intimidation, and Harassment, in addition to any response required by this policy.

7.40 - Annual Notice to Parents about Educational Technology Vendors Under the Student Online Personal Protection Act

School districts throughout the State of Illinois contract with different educational technology vendors for beneficial K-12 purposes such as providing personalized learning and innovative educational technologies and increasing efficiency in school operations.

Under Illinois’ Student Online Personal Protection Act, or SOPPA (105 ILCS 85/), educational technology vendors and other entities that operate Internet websites, online services, online applications, or mobile applications that are designed, marketed, and primarily used for K-12 school purposes are referred to in SOPPA as operators. SOPPA is intended to ensure that student data collected by operators is protected, and it requires those vendors, as well as school districts and the Illinois State Board of Education, to take a number of actions to protect online student data.

Depending upon the particular educational technology being used, our District may need to collect different types of student data, which is then shared with educational technology vendors through their online sites, services, and/or applications. Under SOPPA, educational technology vendors are prohibited from selling or renting a student’s information or from engaging in targeted advertising using a student’s information. Such vendors may only disclose student data for K-12 school purposes and other limited purposes permitted under the law.

In general terms, the types of student data that may be collected and shared include personally identifiable information (PII) about students or information that can be linked to PII about students, such as:

Basic identifying information, including student or parent/guardian name and student or parent/guardian contact information, username/password and student ID number
Demographic information
Enrollment information
Assessment data, grades, and transcripts
Attendance and class schedule
Academic/extracurricular activities
Special indicators (e.g., disability information, English language learner, free/reduced meals or homeless/foster care status)
Conduct/behavioral data
Health information
Food purchases
Transportation information
In-application performance data
Student-generated work
Online communications
Application metadata and application use statistics
Permanent and temporary school student record information

Operators may collect and use student data only for K-12 purposes, which are purposes that aid in the administration of school activities, such as:

Instruction in the classroom or at home (including remote learning)
Administrative activities
Collaboration between students, school personnel, and/or parents/guardians
Other activities that are for the use and benefit of the school district

CHAPTER 8: SEARCH AND SEIZURE

8.10 - Search and Seizure

Here you will find a comprehensive policy on student searches and seizures. The policy includes student rights under State and federal law and procedures for searching students and their possessions. In order to maintain order and security in the schools, school authorities are authorized to conduct reasonable searches of school property and equipment, as well as of students and their personal effects.

School Property and Equipment as well as Personal Effects Left There by Students
School authorities may inspect and search school property and equipment owned or controlled by the school (such as lockers, desks, and parking lots), as well as personal effects left there by a student, without notice to or the consent of the student. Students have no reasonable expectation of privacy in these places or areas or in their personal effects left there. The Superintendent may request the assistance of law enforcement officials to conduct inspections and searches of lockers, desks, parking lots, and other school property and equipment for illegal drugs, weapons, or other illegal or dangerous substances or materials, including searches conducted through the use of specially trained dogs.

Students
School authorities may search a student and/or the student’s personal effects in the student’s possession (such as, purses, wallets, knapsacks, book bags, lunch boxes, etc.) when there is a reasonable ground for suspecting that the search will produce evidence the particular student has violated or is violating either the law or the District’s student conduct rules. The search itself must be conducted in a manner that is reasonably related to its objective and not excessively intrusive in light of the student’s age and sex, and the nature of the infraction. When feasible, the search should be conducted as follows:

Outside the view of others, including students,
In the presence of a school administrator or adult witness, and
By a certificated employee or liaison police officer of the same sex as the student.

Following a search, the parent/guardian of the student will be notified by school officials.

Seizure of Property
If a search produces evidence that the student has violated or is violating either the law or the District’s policies or rules, such evidence may be seized and impounded by school authorities, and disciplinary action may be taken. When appropriate, such evidence may be transferred to law enforcement authorities.

CHAPTER 9: EXTRACURRICULAR AND ATHLETIC ACTIVITIES

9.10 - Extracurricular Activities and Code of Conduct

CHAPTER 10: SPECIAL EDUCATION

10.10 - Education of Children with Disabilities

It is the intent of the district to ensure that students who are disabled within the definition of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 or the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act are identified, evaluated and provided with appropriate educational services.

The School provides a free appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment and necessary related services to all children with disabilities enrolled in the school. The term “children with disabilities” means children between ages 3 and the day before their 22nd birthday for whom it is determined that special education services are needed, except those children with disabilities who turn 22 years of age during the school year are eligible for special education services through the end of the school year. It is the intent of the school to ensure that students with disabilities are identified, evaluated, and provided with appropriate educational services.

A copy of the publication “Explanation of Procedural Safeguards Available to Parents of Students with Disabilities” may be obtained from the school district office.

Students with disabilities who do not qualify for an individualized education program, as required by the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and implementing provisions of this Illinois law, may qualify for services under Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 if the student (i) has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, (ii) has a record of a physical or mental impairment, or (iii) is regarded as having a physical or mental impairment.

10.20 - Discipline of Students with Disabilities

Behavioral Interventions
Behavioral interventions shall be used with students with disabilities to promote and strengthen desirable behaviors and reduce identified inappropriate behaviors. The School Board will establish and maintain a committee to develop, implement, and monitor procedures on the use of behavioral interventions for children with disabilities. The committee shall review the State Board of Education’s guidelines on the use of behavioral interventions and use them as a non-binding reference. This policy and the behavioral intervention procedures shall be furnished to the parents/guardians of all students with individual education plans within 15 days after their adoption or amendment by, or presentation to, the School Board or at the time an individual education plan is first implemented for a student; all students shall be informed annually of this policy and the procedures. At the annual individualized education plan review, this policy shall be given to the parents/guardians and the behavioral interventions procedures explained and made available to them on request.

Discipline of Special Education Students
The District shall comply with the Individuals With Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 and the Illinois State Board of Education’s Special Education rules when disciplining special education students. No special education student shall be expelled if the student’s particular act of gross disobedience or misconduct is a manifestation of his or her disability.

10.30 - Related Service Logs

For a child with an individualized education program (IEP), the school district must create related service logs that record the type of related services administered under the child’s IEP and the minutes of each type of related service that has been administered. The school will provide a child’s parent/guardian a copy of the related service log at the annual review of the child’s IEP and at any other time upon request.

CHAPTER 11: STUDENT RECORDS AND PRIVACY

11.10 - Student Privacy Protections

Surveys
All surveys requesting personal information from students, as well as any other instrument used to collect personal information from students, must advance or relate to the District’s educational objectives as identified in School Board policy 6:10, Educational Philosophy and Objectives, or assist students’ career choices. This applies to all surveys, regardless of whether the student answering the questions can be identified and regardless of who created the survey.

Survey Requesting Personal Information
School officials and staff members shall not request, nor disclose, the identity of any student who completes any survey or evaluation (created by any person or entity, including the District) containing one or more of the following items:

Political affiliations or beliefs of the student or the student’s parent/guardian.
Mental or psychological problems of the student or the student’s family.
Behavior or attitudes about sex.
Illegal, anti-social, self-incriminating, or demeaning behavior.
Critical appraisals of other individuals with whom students have close family relationships.
Legally recognized privileged or analogous relationships, such as those with lawyers, physicians, and ministers.
Religious practices, affiliations, or beliefs of the student or the student’s parent/guardian.
Income other than that required by law to determine eligibility for participation in a program or for receiving financial assistance under such a program.

The student’s parent(s)/guardian(s) may:

Inspect the survey or evaluation upon, and within a reasonable time of, their request, and/or
Refuse to allow their child to participate in the activity described above. The school shall not penalize any student whose parent(s)/guardian(s) exercised this option.

Instructional Material
A student’s parent(s)/guardian(s) may inspect, upon their request, any instructional material used as part of their child’s educational curriculum within a reasonable time of their request.

The term “instructional material” means instructional content that is provided to a student, regardless of its format, printed or representational materials, audio-visual materials, and materials in electronic or digital formats (such as materials accessible through the Internet). The term does not include academic tests or academic assessments.

Physical Exams or Screenings
No school official or staff member shall subject a student to a non-emergency, invasive physical examination or screening as a condition of school attendance. The term invasive physical examination means any medical examination that involves the exposure of private body parts, or any act during such examination that includes incision, insertion, or injection into the body, but does not include a hearing, vision, or scoliosis screening.

The above paragraph does not apply to any physical examination or screening that:

Is permitted or required by an applicable State law, including physical examinations or screenings that are permitted without parental notification.
Is administered to a student in accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. §1400 et seq.).
Is administered pursuant to the District’s extracurricular drug and alcohol testing program (see Policy 7:240, Conduct Code for Participants in Extracurricular Activities).
Is otherwise authorized by Board policy.

Selling or Marketing Students’ Personal Information Is Prohibited
No school official or staff member shall market or sell personal information concerning students (or otherwise provide that information to others for that purpose). The term personal information means individually identifiable information including: (1) a student or parent’s first and last name, (2) a home or other physical address (including street name and the name of the city or town), (3) a telephone number, (4) a Social Security identification number or (5) driver’s license number or State identification card.

The above paragraph does not apply: (1) if the student’s parent(s)/guardian(s) have consented; or (2) to the collection, disclosure or, use of personal information collected from students for the exclusive purpose of developing, evaluating or providing educational products or services for, or to, students or educational institutions, such as the following:

College or other postsecondary education recruitment, or military recruitment.
Book clubs, magazines, and programs providing access to low-cost literary products.
Curriculum and instructional materials used by elementary schools and secondary schools.
Tests and assessments to provide cognitive, evaluative, diagnostic, clinical, aptitude, or achievement information about students (or to generate other statistically useful data for the purpose of securing such tests and assessments) and the subsequent analysis and public release of the aggregate data from such tests and assessments.
The sale by students of products or services to raise funds for school-related or education-related activities.
Student recognition programs.

Under no circumstances may a school official or staff member provide a student’s personal information to a business organization or financial institution that issues credit or debit cards.

11.20 - Student Records

A school student record is any writing or other recorded information concerning a student and by which a student may be identified individually that is maintained by a school or at its direction or by a school employee, regardless of how or where the information is stored, except for certain records kept in a staff member’s sole possession; records maintained by law enforcement officers working in the school; video and other electronic recordings (including electronic recordings made on school busses) that are created in part for law enforcement, security, or safety reasons or purposes, though such electronic recordings may become a student record if the content is used for disciplinary or special education purposes regarding a particular student.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Illinois School Student Records Act afford parents/guardians and students over 18 years of age (“eligible students”) certain rights with respect to the student’s school records. They are:

1. The right to inspect and copy the student’s education records within 10 business days of the day the District receives a request for access. A parent/guardian or student should submit to the building principal a written request that identifies the record(s) he or she wishes to inspect. Within 10 business days, the building principal will make arrangements for access and notify the parent/guardian or student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. In certain circumstances, the District may request an additional 5 business days in which to grant access. The District charges $.35 per page for copying but no one will be denied their right to copies of their records for inability to pay this cost. These rights are denied to any person against whom an order of protection has been entered concerning the student.

2. The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the parent/ guardian believes are inaccurate, irrelevant, or improper. A parent/guardian may ask the District to amend a record that is believed to be inaccurate, irrelevant, or improper. Requests should be sent to the building principal and should clearly identify the record the parent/guardian wants changed and the specific reason a change is being sought.

If the District decides not to amend the record, the District will notify the parent/guardian of the decision and advise him or her of their right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the parent/guardian when notified of the right to a hearing.

3. The right to permit disclosure of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s education records, except to the extent that the FERPA or Illinois School Student Records Act authorizes disclosure without consent.

Disclosure without consent is permitted to school officials with legitimate educational or administrative interests. A school official is a person employed by the District as an administrator, supervisor, instructor, or support staff member (including health or medical staff and law enforcement unit personnel); a person serving on the School Board. A school official may also include a volunteer, contractor, or consultant who, while not employed by the school, performs an institutional service or function for which the school would otherwise use its own employees and who is under the direct control of the school with respect to the use and maintenance of personally identifiable information from education records (such as an attorney, auditor, medical consultant, therapist, or educational technology vendor); or any parent/guardian or student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks. A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility or contractual obligation with the district.

Upon request, the District discloses education records without consent to officials of another school district in which a student has enrolled or intends to enroll, as well as to any person as specifically required by State or federal law. Before information is released to these individuals, the parents/guardians or eligible student will receive prior written notice of the nature and substance of the information, and an opportunity to inspect, copy, and challenge such records.

Academic grades and references to expulsions or out-of-school suspensions cannot be challenged at the time a student’s records are being forwarded to another school to which the student is transferring.

Disclosure is also permitted without consent to: any person for research, statistical reporting or planning, provided that no student or parent/guardian can be identified; to another school district that overlaps attendance boundaries with the District, if the District has entered into an intergovernmental agreement that allows for sharing of student records and information with the other district, any person named in a court order; appropriate persons if the knowledge of such information is necessary to protect the health or safety of the student or other persons; and juvenile authorities when necessary for the discharge of their official duties who request information before adjudication of the student.

4. The right to a copy of any school student record proposed to be destroyed or deleted.

The permanent record is maintained for at least 60 years after the student transfers, graduates, or permanently withdraws. The temporary record is maintained for at least 5 years after the student transfers, graduates, or permanently withdraws. Temporary records that may be of assistance to a student with a disability who graduates or permanently withdraws, may, after 5 years, be transferred to the parent/guardian or to the student, if the student has succeeded to the rights of the parent/guardian.

5. The right to prohibit the release of directory information.
Throughout the school year, the District may release directory information regarding students, limited to:
● Name
● Address
● Grade level
● Birth date and place
● Parent/guardian names, addresses, electronic mail addresses, and telephone numbers
● Photographs, videos, or digital images used for informational or news-related purposes (whether by a media outlet or by the school) of a student participating in school or school-sponsored activities, organizations, and athletics that have appeared in school publications, such as yearbooks, newspapers, or sporting or fine arts programs
● Academic awards, degrees, and honors
● Information in relation to school-sponsored activities, organizations, and athletics
● Period of attendance in school

Any parent/guardian or eligible student may prohibit the release of any or all of the above information by delivering a written objection to the building principal within 30 days of the date of this notice.

6. The right contained in this statement: No person may condition the granting or withholding of any right, privilege or benefits or make as a condition of employment, credit, or insurance the securing by any individual of any information from a student’s temporary record which such individual may obtain through the exercise of any right secured under State law.

7. 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.

The name and address of the Office that administers FERPA is:

U.S. Department of Education
Student Privacy Policy Office
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington DC 20202-8520

CHAPTER 12: PARENTAL RIGHT NOTIFICATIONS

12.20 - Standardized Testing

Students and parents/guardians should be aware that the State and District require students to take certain standardized tests, including the following:

Assessment	Dates for the Assessment
Fall NWEA (MAP Growth ELA & Math, Reading Fluency)	September 3 – September 26, 2025
Fall IXL Benchmark	September 15 – September 30, 2025
KIDS (Kindergarten individual Development Survey)	Fall Observation and Evidence Collection: First 40 Days of student attendance Data entry window (1 week before the 40^th day and 1 week after)
Winter NWEA (MAP Growth ELA & Math, Reading Fluency)	January 7 – January 30, 2026
Winter IXL Benchmark	January 7 – January 30, 2026
ACCESS Testing	February 2 – February 20, 2026
OLSAT 2^nd Grade	Begin March 2 – March 20, 2026
IAR	State Window: March 2 – April 17, 2026 District Window: March 16 – March 20
ISA	State Window: March 2 – April 30, 2026 District Window: April 6 – April 17
DLM	State Window: March 11 – May 6, 2026
Spring NWEA (MAP Growth ELA & Math, Reading Fluency)	May 1 – May 22, 2026
Spring IXL Benchmark	May 1 – May 22, 2026
Illinois Physical Fitness Assessment	All Year – data due June 30^th (5^th grade and 7^th grade)

Parents/Guardians are encouraged to cooperate in preparing students for the standardized testing, because the quality of the education the school can provide is partially dependent upon the school’s ability to continue to prove its success in the state’s standardized tests. Parents can assist their students achieve their best performance by doing the following:

1. Encourage students to work hard and study throughout the year;
2. Ensure students get a good night’s sleep the night before exams;
3. Ensure students eat well the morning of the exam;
4. Remind students and emphasize the importance of good performance on standardized testing;
5. Ensure students are on time and prepared for tests, with appropriate materials;
6. Teach students the importance of honesty and ethics during the performance of these and other tests;
7. Encourage students to relax on testing day.

12.30 - Homeless Child's Right to Education

When a child loses permanent housing and becomes a homeless person as defined at law, or when a homeless child changes his or her temporary living arrangements, the parent or guardian of the homeless child has the option of either:

continuing the child’s education in the school of origin for as long as the child remains homeless or, if the child becomes permanently housed, until the end of the academic year during which the housing is acquired; or
enrolling the child in any school that non-homeless students who live in the attendance area in which the child or youth is actually living are eligible to attend.

12.40 - Sex Education Instruction

District 153 students in grades 6-8 take Health education as a Specials class each year. The general topics related to sexual health in the James Hart class are listed below. District 153 students in grade 5 participate in annual presentations from the Candor Health organization and the mandated Erin’s Law presentation from our social workers. The topics related to health education during the presentation are listed below. A student’s parent/guardian has the option to opt the student out of the classes / presentations by submitting the request in writing.

If you have inquiries about the about instruction and materials, please reach out to your student’s health teacher, Kim Johnson, James Hart Principal, or Morgan Koncel, Director of Curriculum.

12.50 - Health Education Classes/Content Related to Sexual Health

GRADE LEVEL	CONTENT/TOPICS	PROVIDER
5th-Grade	● Understanding puberty changes ● Comparison of female and male reproductive anatomy ● The menstrual cycle ● Physiological changes of adolescents ● Sexual harassment ● Sexting	Candor Health [annual presentation] School Social Workers
6th- Grade	Introduction to health- wellness, components of Health, peer pressure, decision making, refusal skills, bullying, conflict resolution, and goal setting. Mental Health Unit – characteristics of good mental health, stress, anxiety, depression, and suicide. Mental disorder research project. Healthy Relationships – communication, acceptance, teen dating violence, and Erin’s Law with a social worker Dangers of vaping.	SD 153 Health Teachers
7th-Grade	• Introduction to health- wellness, components of Health, peer pressure, decision making, refusal skills, bullying, conflict resolution, and goal setting. • Body systems. The students will complete a body system project and present it to the class. The students will be assessed on their knowledge of the skeletal and muscular systems. • Disease Unit - cardiovascular disease, cancer, allergies, asthma, diabetes and now to prevent them and treat them. • Healthy Relationships – communication, acceptance, teen dating violence, and Erin’s Law with a social worker. • Distinguishing myths and facts related to STIs and HIV • Exploring consequences of infection with STIs and HIV • Transmission methods, symptoms, and treatments of STIs • Behaviors to avoid or reduce the risk of STIs, including HIV • Evaluating how HIV and other STIs are and are not transmitted • Benefits of abstinence • Describing the negative consequences of sexual intercourse and reducing risk • Identifying situations requiring professional health services • Contraception methods • Risks of unintended pregnancy • Behaviors to avoid or reduce unintended pregnancy • Knowing the characteristics of healthy relationship • Safe and respectful social media use • School policies and programs that promote dignity and respect for all • Common social, emotional, physical, and cognitive changes during adolescence • Healthy habits and hygiene during puberty • Reproductive anatomy and physiology • The menstrual cycle • Knowing the characteristics of healthy relationships • Safe and respectful social media use • School policies and programs that promote dignity and respect for all • Knowing the characteristics of healthy relationships • Distinguishing myths and facts related to STIs and HIV • Exploring consequences of infection with STIs and HIV • Transmission methods, symptoms and treatment of STIs, including HIV and AIDS • Impact of HIV and AIDS on the body • Behaviors to avoid or reduce the risk of STIs • Evaluating how STIs are and are not transmitted • Sexual orientation- school policies and programs that promote dignity and respect for all • Healthy ways to express feelings and affection	SD 153 Health Teachers
8th-Grade	• Introduction to health- wellness, components of Health, peer pressure, decision making, refusal skills, bullying, conflict resolution, and goal setting. • Emergencies – basic first aid, Heimlich maneuver, CPR/AEDs, and how to handle different emergencies. • Substance abuse unit – alcohol, drugs, and addiction. • Healthy Relationships – communication, acceptance, teen dating violence, and Erin’s Law with a social worker. • Food and nutrition (reading food labels, nutrients, disease prevention)	SD 153 Health Teachers

12.60 - English Learners

The school offers opportunities for resident English Learners to achieve at high levels in academic subjects and to meet the same challenging State standards that all children are expected to meet.

Parents/Guardians of English Learners will be informed how they can: (1) be involved in the education of their children; (2) be active participants in assisting their children to attain English proficiency, achieve at high levels within a well-rounded education, and meet the challenging State academic standards expected of all students; and (3) participate in family events geared specifically towards English Learners.

For questions related to this program or to express input in the school’s English Learners program, contact the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at 708-647-2222.

12.70 - Pesticide Application Notice

12.80 - Mandated Reporter

12.90 - Sex Offender Notification Law

State law prohibits a child sex offender from being present on school property or loitering within 500 feet of school property when persons under the age of 18 are present, unless the offender meets either of the following two exceptions:

1. The offender is a parent/guardian of a student attending the school and has notified the Building Principal of his or her presence at the school for the purpose of: (i) attending a conference with school personnel to discuss the progress of his or her child academically or socially, (ii) participating in child review conferences in which evaluation and placement decisions may be made with respect to his or her child regarding special education services, or (iii) attending conferences to discuss other student issues concerning his or her child such as retention and promotion;
2. The offender received permission to be present from the School Board, Superintendent, or Superintendent’s designee.

If permission is granted, the Superintendent or Board President shall provide the details of the offender’s upcoming visit to the Building Principal.

In all cases, the Superintendent or designee shall supervise a child sex offender whenever the offender is in a child’s vicinity. If a student is a sex offender, the Superintendent or designee shall develop guidelines for managing his or her presence in school.

CHAPTER 13: SCHOOL SPECIFIC INFORMATION

13.10 - Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports (PBIS)

The administration and staff of District 153 schools are proud of our students, and your accomplishments. School wide expectations are necessary to ensure a safe and productive learning environment. Students and parents are expected to support the district-wide positive behavior program.

The PBIS process is a system that supports the implementation of evidence-based practices and procedures. Homewood School District begins the PBIS process by establishing clear expectations for behaviors that are taught, modeled, and reinforced across all settings and by all staff. The PBIS team also develops school-wide behavioral expectations that include clear, identifiable behaviors, how the behaviors will be taught and how the behaviors will be consistently encouraged and acknowledged.

	Be Respectful	Be Responsible	Be Ready to Learn
Classroom	Use appropriate language, tone, & volume Listen attentively & wait your turn to speak Follow adult directions Honor the property of others	Actively participate in your education Be on task & organized Work appropriately Be on time Recycle Do your own work Turn in homework on time Use assignment notebook	Be on time and in your assigned seat Bring all required materials Listen attentively to instructions and engage in class discussions Complete all assignments
Restroom	Respect others’ space & privacy Be patient and wait your turn Enter & exit washroom quietly Use quiet voices	Wash your hands with soap & water Keep water in the sink Get permission to use the washroom Report problems to an adult Respect school property Clean up after yourself Flush toilet after use	Use passing period and lunch times for bathroom breaks
Hallway/Locker	Use appropriate language, volume, & tone Speak politely when addressed Follow directions Treat others as you wish to be treated	Stay to the right side of the hallway Walk with your hands at your side Go directly to destination Use only your locker Keep belongings organized	Have clean and organized locker Get to class on time
Lunchroom	Use appropriate language, tone & volume Eat & touch only your food Listen when instructions are being given from an adult Use please and thank you when talking to others Be considerate of personal space at the table Enter and exit lunchroom quietly	Keep food on the table Clean up after you are finished eating Use good table manners Recycle Sit at your assigned lunch table	Observe time limits Be on time to your class after lunch
Bus/Bus Stop	Use appropriate language, tone, & volume Follow adult directions	Get on your assigned bus Be alert to traffic at your bus stop Keep windows at the designated line Keep track of your belongings No food/drink on the bus Put trash in trash bags	Enter and exit bus appropriately Go directly to your seat Be at your bus stop on time
Assemblies	Sit quietly Eyes forward Listen attentively Use appropriate applause Be a good participant Show appreciation	Follow adult directions Walk with your class in a single file line to designated area Wait to be dismissed by an adult	Attend programs with an open mind, ready to experience new and different things Turn off phones and put away headphones
Media Center	Obey school rules, no food, or drinks Treat other students and Media staff politely Use quiet voices	Return library materials on time Have a pass from a teacher to use the media center or lab Bring necessary accessories if applicable (headphones)	Bring all necessary materials with you

Positive Behaviors
An important component of the PBIS program is to praise students when they are caught modeling expected behaviors. When inappropriate behavior is displayed, a referral may be initiated. This form is used to document behavior and collect data regarding the type of behavior, location, and time of day. Students will receive verbal praise from staff and students, and other celebrations throughout the school year.

Negative Behaviors
Negative student behaviors may receive non-verbal redirection, reflection sheet, a phone call home, mediation, parent meetings, and/or office referrals.

Continuing misbehavior and/or major disciplinary situations are reported to the office and become a part of the student’s discipline record.

13.20 - Student Expectations

At all times and in all circumstances, students are expected to be safe, be responsible and be respectful. To provide a productive, orderly and positive learning environment for all, District 153 relies upon Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) and Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) as a framework for behavioral and academic expectations.

Students are expected to follow the discipline guidelines established by the Board of Education Policy.
Students are expected to respect the rights and property of every member of the school community.
Students are expected to engage in learning and respond appropriately to the instructions and directions of all adults in the school community.
Students are expected to play safely on the playground equipment and use the equipment properly.
Any form of harassment, aggressive behavior, and/or bullying will not be tolerated. Students may not exhibit physical aggression, including rough play such as tackling, wrestling, pushing, hitting, play fighting or retaliationUse of profanity/inappropriate language is not acceptable.
Buying and selling of items is not allowed on school grounds.
Cellular phones and smart watches must be kept powered off and out of sight throughout the school day. All other electronic devices should not be brought to school. The school district is not responsible for personal electronic devices brought to school.
Toys are not allowed in school.
The use of skateboards, scooters, skates, hoverboards, and heelies are not permitted on school grounds.
Fidget devices that cause disruption to the learning environment will not be allowed.

13,25 Staff Expectations

All District employees are expected to maintain high standards in their school relationships, to
demonstrate integrity and honesty, to be considerate and cooperative, and to maintain professional
and appropriate relationships with students, parents, staff members, and others. In addition, the Code
of Ethics for Illinois Educators, adopted by the Illinois State Board of Education, is incorporated by
reference into this policy. Any employee who sexually harasses a student, willfully or negligently fails to
report an instance of suspected child abuse or neglect as required by the Abused and Neglected Child
Reporting Act (325 ILCS 5/), or otherwise violates an employee conduct standard will be subject to
discipline up to and including dismissal.

All required employees must file a Statement of Economic Interests as per the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act.
School Board policy 2:105, Ethics and Gift Ban, applies to all District employees. Students shall not be
used in any manner for promoting a political candidate or issue.

13.30 - Recess Guidelines

Parent/Guardian Handbook

WELCOME TO THE 2025-2026 SCHOOL YEAR

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION AND GENERAL INFORMATION

CHAPTER 2: ATTENDANCE, PROMOTION, AND GRADUATION

CHAPTER 3: STUDENT FEES AND MEAL COSTS

CHAPTER 4: TRANSPORTATION AND PARKING

CHAPTER 5: HEALTH AND SAFETY

CHAPTER 6: DISCIPLINE AND CONDUCT

CHAPTER 7: INTERNET, TECHNOLOGY AND PUBLICATIONS

CHAPTER 8: SEARCH AND SEIZURE

CHAPTER 9: EXTRACURRICULAR AND ATHLETIC ACTIVITIES

CHAPTER 10: SPECIAL EDUCATION

CHAPTER 11: STUDENT RECORDS AND PRIVACY

CHAPTER 12: PARENTAL RIGHT NOTIFICATIONS

CHAPTER 13: SCHOOL SPECIFIC INFORMATION

SCHOOL HANDBOOOKS