Cowboy ChroniCles August 2014

ClArion-goldfield-dowsCommunity school district

fro m t h e de s k o f t h e s u p e ri nte n d e nt d r. r o b e r t o l s o n

Peanuts, Popcorn & Cracker Jackscontinued on next page

High School Parking LotFinally, the high school park-

ing lot is completely being over-hauled. After years of moisture-related problems with trying to keep the parking lot paved and a period of neglect, allowing the district to save money to con-struct a parking lot properly, the parking lot will be ready for the start of the school year. It wasn’t scheduled to be complete for registration and we apologize for the inconvenience this causes, but it will be worth it when fin-ished.

For the parking lot to endure the test of time, new larger ba-sins and tiles were installed. Sur-face tiling was also installed, con-nected to the larger tile. Moisture under the old paving resulted in frost boils, discovered as spring in the form of “alligator checking” of the asphalt that eventually be-came pot holes.

Damage caused by delivery truck turning into the thinner paved, student-parking area (not designed for truck traffic) to back-up to the loading dock located at the back of the school, was con-sidered into a new designed turn-out lane. This provides a place for the trucks to drive into the load-ing dock area and back straight up to the loading dock.

It is difficult to spend $1.6 mil-lion dollars on a parking lot, es-pecially when it doesn’t raise a single student test score. How-ever, doing the project right will eventually save money over time. Continually resurfacing a parking lot without the necessary infra-structure was a waste of money. The new parking lot should look good for years to come.

Iowa 3rd in Child Well-Being

According to an Associated Press article that appeared in the Quad-City Times, Iowa ranked third in the nation for child well being. This is up four places from the previous year. This was deter-mined by examining four indica-tors: economic well being, educa-tion, health and family & commu-nity.

Iowa ranked first in the nation in health, third in economic well being, seventh in family & com-munity and thirteenth in educa-tion. The study was done by a Baltimore-based, privately fund-ed Casey Foundation Grant; pro-vided to help disadvantaged chil-dren and families the past twenty-five years.

Special SpeakerStaff of Clarion-Goldfield-Dows

will be listening to a nationally recognized speaker Monday, Au-gust 18th, the day before the first day of classes. Kevin Honeycutt grew up in poverty and attended school in many cities across the U.S. As he witnessed education around the country, he collected powerful experiences that still in-fluence his conversations and his work with educators. He is pas-sionate about meeting the needs of “at-risk” learners and develop-ing approaches to re-engage the “lost” learner. Kevin travels the country and the world speaking at conferences and working with educators promoting a “tradigital” approach to education.

Peanuts, Popcorn & Cracker Jacks

Is the time coming when con-cession stands at school sporting events will be required to serve food that complies with the same requirements as school nutrition programs? Will concession stands serve carrots for fans to crunch on rather than popcorn? There are some who are taking sight on any food item served by the school.

Peanuts, Popcorn & Cracker JacksContinued from page 1

In earlier articles in the newsletter, it has been shared that the federal government limits caloric in-take, sodium, fat, refined sugar, and white bread. It is amazing, many food items provided by the USDA Commodity program that supplies surplus food items to school, is too high in sodium and fat to in-clude in school lunches.

There may be a time concession stands will need to either be supervised by the school nutrition program or apply for a permit required by Iowa Code for tem-porary food establishments. Much of this push is asso-ciated with food stands that appear in large events like VEISHEA and RAGBRAI. Many of the most dangerous food items that are prone to rapid growth of infectious or toxic microorganisms include raw or cooked food from animals (meat, eggs, poultry, etc.), foods having raw seed sprouts, cut melons, garlic and oil mixtures, dairy products, and custard and cream pies.

It is important to handle food safely and provide the safest foods from a clean facility that exercises sanitary practices. Having standards that embrace these standards are welcome. It is hoped that this doesn’t open the door for more regulations and limit-ing of traditional food items served at school events. (Information provided by the Iowa State University Extension, April 2010)

School is CoolHow many households today don’t have air condi-

tioning? Many schools built in Iowa were constructed during the baby boom era in the ‘50s and ‘60s, when air conditioning was a luxury, enjoyed only in mov-ie theaters. Air conditioning was a pricey option in automobiles and window fans were the only option to provide homes a way to cool off. Many of those schools are without air-conditioning today and heat-related, early dismissals are very common in August when most schools are in session.

I know many of the “old timers” make comments that reminisce with statements like, “When I was in school, we never let school out for heat”. As true as that statement may be, most households didn’t have air conditioning then either.

This year, in addition to the geothermal heating and cooling system at the high school, the elementa-ry and middle school will also be cooler than last year. Through the generosity of the Hagie Foundation, the

elementary and middle school will have classrooms with dehumidifiers that include cooling and heat-ing features. Although this may not totally eliminate heat-related early dismissals, we are confident that the units will keep students in school on days when early dismissals were necessary in the past.

New Staff and New AssignmentsThe new school year will include a number of new

faces and people performing different duties. We want to welcome the following individuals to their new assignments:• Krystle Bosch-Allison ~ 4th Grade• Kaira Downing ~ Elementary Art• Emily Greenfield ~ Elementary Music• Hannah McLaughlin ~ 2nd Grade• Alicia Petak ~ HS Special Education• Anne Ries ~ Kindergarten• Austin Warnke ~ HS Social Studies• Regina Boeset: Food Service• Patty Stockman-Sann ~ HS AD, Concessions, Sub• Steve Haberman ~ MS AD• Casey Simmons ~ Title I Reading• Kim Vierkant ~ Title I Reading• Deb Coldiron ~ MS Para-Educator• Sonia Vinsand ~ HS Para-Educator• Sherry Reece ~ HS Para-Educator

Rural School Advocates of IowaClarion-Goldfield-Dows is a charter member of a

new organization, Rural School Advocates of Iowa (RSAI). Superintendent, Dr. Robert Olson serves as the organization’s chairperson. The organization is focused on providing the best possible educational opportunities for students in rural Iowa by the re-moving challenges that make that difficult.

There are conditions specific to rural Iowa with which urban and suburb school districts do not have to content. For example, Clarion-Goldfield-Dows CSD is the seventh largest geographic school district in the state of Iowa. With a school district larger than 350 square miles, transportation is more expensive per student than urban school districts. This means rural school districts have less money per student for instructional costs. The group is working on this issue and other similar issues to provide equitable education to all students, without regard to where students live.

Anyone interested in learning more about this or-ganization, visit its website at http://www.rsaia.org.

ClArion-goldfield-dowsCommunity school district

2014 - 2015school Calendar

Aug 5 Registration (11:00 am - 7:00 pm)Aug 6 Registration (10:00 am - 5:00 pm)Aug 18 Open House: (6:00 pm - 7:00 pm)Aug 19 Classes Begin - Early dismissal - 1:30 pmAug 20 - 22 Early dismissal - 1:30 pm each daySept 1 No School - Labor DaySept 10 Early dismissal - 1:30 pmSept 15 No School - Teacher Professional DaySept 24 Early dismissal - 1:30 pmOct 8 Early dismissal - 1:30 pmOct 22 End 1st Quarter (44 days) Early dismissal - 1:30 pmNov 12 Early dismissal - 1:30 pmNov 21 Teacher Prep for Conferences - Dismiss 1:30 pm Nov 24 - 25 Parent & Teacher Conferences - Dismiss 1:30 pmNov 26 - 28 No School - Thanksgiving VacationDec 10 Early dismissal - 1:30 pmDec 23 Early dismissal - 1:30 pmDec 24 - Jan 2 No School - Christmas VacationJan 5 Classes ResumeJan 9 End 2nd Quarter (46 days) {Pending Snowdays}Jan 12 No School - Teacher Professional DayJan 21 Early dismissal - 1:30 pmFeb 11 Early dismissal - 1:30 pmFeb 25 Early dismissal - 1:30 pmMar 10 Teacher Prep for Conferences - Dismiss 1:30 pmMar 11 - 12 Parent & Teacher Conferences - Dismiss 1:30 pmMar 12 End 3rd Quarter (44 days) {Pending Snowdays}Mar 13 No SchoolMar 25 Early dismissal - 1:30 pmApr 2 Early dismissal - 1:30 pmApr 3 - 6 No School - Easter BreakApr 22 Early dismissal - 1:30 pmMay 13 Early dismissal - 1:30 pmMay 14 Seniors’ Last DayMay 17 CommencementMay 21 Early dismissal - 11:00 am End 4th Quarter (44 days) {Pending Snowdays}

Snow Makeup Days: May 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, etc.

On May 8th the school district host-ed its annual Appreciation Breakfast. Employees of the district, with years of service in multiples of five years, were recognized for their service. The names of these employees were also listed in the May 2014 school district newsletter.

Unfortunately one name was omit-ted from the school newsletter list. Congratulations to Dan Smith for 15 years of service to the school district!

high school laptop rolloutThe date for the Clarion-Goldfield-

Dows High School laptop rollout for the 2014-2015 school year is set for August 14. Each student is required to attend with at least one parent or guardian in order to receive the MacBook Air laptop computer they will be using this year.

Students and parents should meet in the high school gym at the following times:6:00 pm All freshmen, sophomores and parents6:45 pm All juniors, seniors and parents

If you have any questions, please call the high school office at (515) 532 2895.

Middle school iPad rolloutOn August 18th the Clarion-Gold-

field-Dows Middle School will rollout student iPads for the 2014-15 school year. Students are required to attend with at least one parent or guardian in order to receive their iPad.

Students and parents should meet in the middle school gym at the following times:6:00 pm All 6th grade students and parents6:45 pm All 7th & 8th grade students and parents

If you have any questions, please call the middle school office at (515) 532 2412.

sChool registrAtion – High School CafetoriumtuesdAy, August 5  •  11:00 am – 7:00 pm

wednesdAy, August 6  •  10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Clarion-goldfield-dows textbook & Preschool fees, elementary snack Milk and school Meal Prices

Meal Status Regular Reduced Free

Book Rent (Pre K-K) $45.00 $16.00 $0.00Book Rent (1-5) $50.00 $18.00 $0.00Book Rent (6-8) $60.00 $21.00 $0.00Book Rent (9-12) $65.00 $23.00 $0.00

All fees listed above qualify for the $130 family maximumPreschool (3 Yr.) / month $45.00 $16.00 $0.00Preschool (4 Yr.) / month $0.00 $0.00 $0.00

PREP-KINDERGARTEN & KINDERGARTEN: All students must be five years of age on or before September 15, 2014 to enroll in kindergarten. Kindergarten classes meet daily, all day. Prep-Kindergarten meets daily from 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.THREE YEAR OLD PRE-SCHOOL: All students must be three years of age on or before September 15, 2014 to enroll in three year old pre-school. Three year old pre-school classes meet Monday and Thursday OR Tuesday and Friday for two and one-half hours.FOUR YEAR OLD PRE-SCHOOL: All students must be four years of age on or before September 15, 2014 to enroll in four year old pre-school. Four year old pre-school classes every day except Wednesday for three hours.

**Reminder: If needed bring Physical and Immunizations to the Nurse at Registration.

Elementary Snack Milk $27.00 $27.00 $27.00(No F&R Status Discounts) K-12 Breakfast $ 1.55 $ 0.30 $ 0.00K-5 Lunch $ 2.00 $ 0.40 $ 0.006-12 Lunch $ 2.20 $ 0.40 $ 0.00

Registration fees are the same as last year but meal prices increased in consideration of the challenging economy. Anyone experiencing financial difficulties should consider applying for free or reduced price meals and registration fees. Just a reminder, any bills incurred prior to the free and reduced application approval are not retroactive or forgivable. It is best to apply BEFORE charges are made. Free and Reduced Price Meal Applications are available at the elementary, middle school and high school offices and the superintendent’s office. For more specific information about the Free and Reduced Price Meals Program, contact Kris Mraz in the Clarion-Goldfield-Dows High School office at 515-532-2895.Parents also please discuss with your student about buying extra foods and/or milk at breakfast or lunch. It is important that you discuss your family’s financial limitations in regards to the purchase of extras. If your student receives free or reduced meals, the extra foods will still be charged at full price. So you will need to deposit extra funds in the family meals account to cover the cost of any extra foods your student purchases.

Adult Athletic Season Activity Ticket – $50.00 (Good for all home athletic events except tournaments)

Student Accident and Athletic Insurance will be available registration daybut must be paid with a separate check.

ClArion-goldfield-dows ClAsses begin tuesdAy, August 19

SCHOOL HOURSHigh School .....................8:30 am – 3:17 pm Elementary students are requestedMiddle School .................8:30 am – 3:20 pm to arrive at schoolElementary School .........8:30 am – 3:20 pm no earlier than 8:00 am.

Clarion-goldfield-dows will dismiss at 1:30 pm tuesdAy, August 19 thru fridAy, August 22

busserViCeBus routes will be posted at registration. If you have recently moved to the district, please call the office of the Superintendent of Schools at 532-3423 or the bus garage at 532-3758.

bACk to sChool oPen houseSponsored by TAP (Teachers and Parents)

MondAy, August 18  •  6:00 - 7:00 pmJoin us at the Elementary or High School entrance for a special treat.

fACulty bACk to sChool workshoPs August 15th and August 18th

School breakfast will be served at the high school beginning at 7:15 am

andat the elementary & middle school

at 8:00 am.

School lunch will be servedat the high school beginning at 11:19 am

andat the elementary & middle school

at 11:00 am

The Clarion-Goldfield-Dows Elementary, Middle School and High School

2014-2015 ClAss suPPly lists are currently available on the school district website:

www.clargold.org

Clarion Goldfield Teachers and Parents organiza-tion (TAP) is kicking off their annual “Adopt-a-Class-room” fund drive, which raises money for all of the C-G-D teachers to use for their classrooms and students throughout the 2014-2015 school year. At the end of the fund drive all teachers will receive an equal share of the Adopt-a-Classroom donations.

Sponsorships are again $25.00 and you may spon-sor as many classrooms as you would like. There will be recognition levels for the number of classrooms sponsored. A list of all the donors will be prominent-ly displayed on a permanent THANK YOU banner in each school building. The school district newsletter will also publish list of donors.

tAP “Adopt-A-Classroom” fund drive beginsIf you would like to participate in the program,

please send your donation of $25.00 per sponsorship to:

CG TAP Adopt-A-Classroom Committee319 3rd Avenue NE

Clarion IA 50525Please list exactly how you would like your name(s)

to be printed on the banner. In order to receive rec-ognition for your donation on the permanent ban-ner, please have your donation in by September 15th at the very latest.

Thank you for your generous support for this pro-gram that directly benefits all the C-G-D students and teachers.

Many 6th graders participated in the Bayview Writing Contest. The following students were recognized for the poems they wrote: 1st Place - Elissa Dames, Honorable Mention - Courtney Harle, 3rd Place - Katherine Soenen and 2nd Place - Tyla Brinker.

Congratulations to the 2013-2014 6th Gradersfor Their Reading and Writing Accomplishments

The 6th grade reading class spent a lot of time reading last school year.

Top readers with number of books read were — Period 1: Carter Goodell & Noah Anderson - 35, Chloe Hanson - 33; Period 3: Maya LaRue - 36 and Courtney Harle - 70; and Period 5: Jesus Acat - 49, Katherine Soenen - 37.

Congratulations on a great year of reading!

Emma Schluttehofer was also a participant in the Wright County Soil and Water Conservation Poster Contest.

2nd Place Story winner was Kylie Klaver and 1st place story winner was Carter Goodell.

Elissa Dames was also awarded overall 1st place in poems for all the 4-6th graders who participated.

Courtney Harle was the overall top reader.

Fifty-six students had ZERO late assignments for the year and were rewarded with a trip

to the Iowa Cubs venue in May. These students along with several adults

made the trip to Des Moines and enjoyed the Iowa Cubs game.

on-time homework Assignments earned outings in Mayfor 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students

During the 2013-2014 school year, students in 3rd, 4th and 5th grades that worked hard all year long and completed and handed in their homework assignments on time

earned outings to Des Moines or Lake Cornelia.

Special congratulations go out to Alaina Friesleben, Kylie Greenfield, Natalie Kirstein, and Paige Nelson

for having had ZERO late assignments for THREE years in a row.

Thirty-six students with only 1-5 late assignments enjoyed some time fishing, playing games

and eating lunch at Lake Cornelia.

Equal Employment Opportunity Affirmative Action

(Code No. 401.1) It is the policy of the Board of Directors to extend equal opportunities to all employees and to applicants for employment who meet the qualifications established for the classification of position for which they apply. No employee or applicant shall be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, disability, age, religion, creed, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, and socioeconomic status.

The district will affirmatively re-cruit women and men, members of diverse social/ethnic groups and per-sons with disabilities for job catego-ries where they are underrepresent-ed. The district will also comply with veteran preference laws. It is also the policy of this agency to provide a fair and supportive work environment for all employees regardless of their gen-der, race, national origin, creed, age, marital status or disability. Harassment of a sexual nature or with demeaning intent related to race, national origin, gender, disability, age or religion, made by one employee to another is a violation of this policy.

Inquiries or grievances related to this policy may be directed to Dr. Rob-ert Olson, 319 3rd Avenue NE, Clarion, IA 50525, phone 515-532-3423, or to the Director of the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1475, Chicago, IL 60661.

Carryover Period for the2013-2014 free and reduced Meal status ends october 1

The meal status of students who participated in the Free and Reduced Price Meal Program last school year will carry over through October 1, 2014. If the school does not receive a new application by October 1st, then the students’ meal status will revert to FULL PAY on October 2nd.

No application is needed if the student lives in a household that has a member direct certified by the Iowa Department of Human Services. The school will mail notification letters to these households before the Octo-ber 1st carryover deadline.

Iowa Eligibility Applications for the 2014-2015 school year will be available on the Clarion-Goldfield-Dows website at www.clargold.org; beginning August 1 they will also be available at the Elementary, Middle School, High School and District offices. Applications for Free or Reduced Price meal assistance may be filed at any time during the school year. If your family has a change in household size or income, you may become eligible for free or reduced price school meals.

If you have any questions about your household’s meal status for the 2014-2015 school year or about the Free and Reduced Price Meal Program, please call Kris Mraz at the High School office at 515-532-2895.

2nd graders enjoy a

field trip to living history

farmsin urbandale

May 30 , 2014

Affirmation of Board Support of School Discipline Policies

The Clarion-Goldfield-Dows Community School Board af-firms its intent to support discipline policies, its intent to sup-port school staff who enforce the discipline policies and its intent to hold school staff accountable for implementing the discipline policies.

Release of Information and PhotographsIn the Clarion-Goldfield-Dows Community School District,

photographs or likenesses may be released without written consent unless qualified objectors comply with the following procedure.

If any parent or guardian of students under the age of 18, or students over the age of 18, object to this policy of releasing photographs or likenesses, they should contact IN WRITING by September 15, 2014 (or within two weeks of the student’s enrollment, should it occur after this date), the superintendent, who will then notify the appropriate school principal. Address requests to Dr. Robert Olson, Superintendent, Clarion-Gold-field-Dows Schools, 319 3rd Avenue NE, Clarion, IA 50525.

Abuse of Students By District EmployeesAs directed by Chapter 102 of the Iowa Code, the Clarion-

Goldfield-Dows Community School District has appointed a des-ignated investigator, who is responsible for the investigation of allegations regarding the abuse of students by school employ-ees. 1. Physical abuse or intentional infliction of injury or exces-

sive force. Contact Superintendent Dr. Robert Olson at 532-3423 or the county sheriff.

2. Sexual abuse by sexual offenses or misconduct or encour-aging prostitution. Contact Nurse Katie Stecher at 532-2463 or the county sheriff.

Homeless StudentsThe board will make reasonable efforts to identify home-

less children and youth within the district, encourage their enrollment and eliminate barriers to their receiving an educa-tion which may exist in district policies or practices. The desig-nated coordinator for identification of homeless children and for tracking and monitoring programs and activities for these children is Dr. Robert Olson, Superintendent, at 515-532-3423.

Lead Disclosure/Water TestingBecause of the danger of lead ingestion in young children

and pregnant women, and because lead ingestion may cause lowered I.Q. and other developmental problems, the Clarion-Goldfield-Dows Community School has tested its water coolers for lead. The sample results have indicated extremely low levels that are within the limits prescribed by law. The sample results are on file in the main office of each school district.

Anyone having questions should contact Dr. Robert Olson, Superintendent, at 532-3423.

Equal Employment Opportunity Affirmative Action(Code No. 401.1) It is the policy of the Board of Directors to

extend equal opportunities to all employees and to applicants for employment who meet the qualifications established for the classification of position for which they apply. No employee or applicant shall be discriminated against on the basis of race, creed, color, gender, national origin, religion, age or physical/mental disability.

The district will affirmatively recruit women and men, mem-bers of diverse social/ethnic groups and persons with disabili-ties for job categories where they are underrepresented. The district will also comply with veteran preference laws. It is also the policy of this agency to provide a fair and supportive work environment for all employees regardless of their gender, race, national origin, creed, age, marital status or disability. Harass-ment of a sexual nature or with demeaning intent related to race, national origin, gender, disability, age or religion, made by one employee to another is a violation of this policy.

Inquires or grievances related to this policy may be directed to the Director of Curriculum, Administrative Office, Clarion, IA 50525-1113, phone 515-532-3423, to the Director of the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, or to the Director of the Region VII Of-fice of the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Com-mission in Kansas City, MO.

Notice to Parents: Human Growth and DevelopmentThe school shall provide instruction in human growth and

development including instruction regarding human sexual-ity, self-esteem, stress management, interpersonal relation-ships and acquired immune deficiency syndrome. Parents may inspect the curriculum objectives and instructional materials prior to their use in the classroom. This information may be in-spected by contacting the building principal at 515-532-2895 (High School), 515-532-2412 (Middle School) or 515-532-2873 (Elementary).

A pupil shall not be required to take instruction in Human Growth and Development if the pupil’s parent or guardian com-pletes a “Human Development Student Excuse Form”. This form is available through the principals’ offices and must be filed there upon completion.

Student Directory InformationThe district and/or the principal of each school may release

the following types of directory information to the public using discretion relative to the privacy of the student and the family and the totality of the surrounding circumstances: Name, Ad-dress, Telephone Listing, Date and Place of Birth, Major Field of Study, Participation in Officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, Dates of Attendance, degrees and awards received, and the most pre-vious school or institution attended by the student.

Parents, who do not want their child’s directory information to be given out, and/or published, must notify their principal in writing no later than September 15 of each school year.

looking forward to seeing all the Preschool to 12th grade studentsin the new Clarion-goldfield-dows school district

STUDENT PERSONNELSeries 500

Policy Title: Student Fee Waiver & Reduction Procedures Code No: 505.7R1The board recognizes that while certain fees charged students are ap-propriate and authorized, certain students and their families are not financially able to pay the fees. The school district will grant either full waivers, partial waivers or temporary waivers depending upon the cir-cumstances and the student or student’s parents’ ability to meet the financial criteria.A. Waivers 1. Full Waivers-a student will be granted a full waiver of textbook fees

and drivers education fees charged by the school district if the stu-dent or student’s parents meet the financial eligibility criteria for free meals under the Child Nutrition program, Family Investment Program, Supplemental Security Income guidelines, or transporta-tion assistance under open enrollment. Students in foster care are also eligible for full waivers.

2. Partial Waivers-a student will be granted a partial waiver of textbook fees and drivers education fees charged by the school district if the student’s parents meet the financial eligibility criteria for reduced price meals offered under the Child Nutrition

program. A partial waiver shall be based on the same percentage as the reduced price meals.

3. Temporary Waivers-a student may be eligible for a temporary waiv-er of textbook fees and drivers education fees charged by the dis-trict in the event the student’s parents are facing financial difficulty. Temporary waivers may be applied for at any time throughout the school year and shall not extend beyond the end of the school year.

B. ApplicationParents or students, eligible for a textbook fee and drivers education fee waiver, shall make an application on the form provided by the school district. Applications may be made at any time but must be re-newed annually.C. ConfidentialityThe school district will treat the application and application-process as any other student record and student confidentiality and access provi-sions will be followed.D. Appeals & DenialsAppeals and denials of a waiver may be appealed to the building Prin-cipal. If disagreement still exists, appeals may be referred to the Super-intendent.E. Fines or ChargesFines or charges assessed for damage or loss to school property are not fees and will not be waived.F. NoticeThe school district will annually notify parents and students of the waiver. The following information will be included in registration ma-terials and printed in the district newsletter which is available on the school website.Students whose families meet the income guidelines for free and re-duced price lunch, the Family Investment Program (FIP), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), transportation assistance under open enroll-ment, or who are in foster care are eligible to have their student fees waived or partially waived. Students whose families are experiencing a temporary financial difficulty may be eligible for a temporary waiver of student fees. Parents or students who believe they may qualify for temporary financial hardship should contact the Superintendent’s Sec-retary at registration for a waiver form. This waiver does not carry over from year to year and must be completed annually.Approved: 7/8/96 Revised: 6/9/14 Reviewed: 8/10/09

OPEN ENROLLMENT TRANSFERSCode No.501.10

Procedures as a Sending District – Transfers OutThe school district will participate in open enroll-

ment as a sending district. As a sending District, the board will allow resident students who meet the re-quirements to open enroll to another public school district.

Parents requesting open enrollment out of the school district for their student will notify the send-ing and receiving school district no later than March 1 in the school year preceding the first year desired for open enrollment. The notice is made on forms pro-vided by the Department of Education. The forms are available at the Superintendent’s office.

Parents of children who will begin kindergarten in the school district are exempt from the open enroll-ment March 1 deadline. Parents of children who will begin kindergarten will file in the same manner set forth above by September 1. Parents who have good cause as defined by law for failing to meet the March 1 deadline, may make an open enrollment request by September 1 unless another deadline applies.

The receiving district will approve enrollment re-quests according to the timeline established by law. The parents may withdraw the open enrolment re-quest prior to the start of the school year. The receiv-ing district’s superintendent will notify the parents and sending school district by mail within five days of the school district’s action to approve or deny the open enrollment request.

The board may approve a student’s request to al-low the receiving district to enter the school district for the purposes of transportation.

An open enrollment request out of the school dis-trict from parents of a special education student is reviewed on a case-by-case basis. The determining factor for approval of such an open enrollment re-quest will be whether the special education program available in the receiving school district is appropriate for the student’s needs. The area education agency di-rector of special education serving the receiving dis-trict will determine whether the program is appropri-ate. The special education student will remain in the school district until the final determination is made.

See a complete list of all

Middle School and High School sporting events

on the school website

www.clargold.org

Notification of Rights under FERPAThe Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) af-fords parents and students over 18 years of age (“eligibility students”) certain rights with respect to the student’s edu-cation records. They are:

(1) The right to inspect and review the student’s educa-tion records within 45 days of the day the district re-ceives a request for access.

Parents or eligible students should submit to the school principal (or appropriate school official) a writ-ten request that identifies the record(s) they wish to inspect. The principal will make arrangements for ac-cess and notify the parent or eligible student of the time and place where the records may be inspected.

(2) The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the parent or eligible student believes are inaccurate or misleading or in violation of the student’s privacy rights. Parents or eligible stu-dents may ask the school district to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate or misleading. They should write the school principal, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate or misleading. If the district decides not to amend the record as requested by the parent or eli-gible student, the district will notify the parent or eli-gible student of the decision and advise them of their right to a hearing regarding the request for amend-ment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the parent or eligible student when notified of the right to a hearing.

(3) The right to consent to disclosures of personally iden-tifiable information contained in the student’s educa-tion records, except to the extent that FERPA autho-rizes disclosure without consent.

One exception, which permits disclosure without consent, is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person em-ployed by the district as an administrator, supervisor, instructor, or support staff member (including health or medical staff and law enforcement unit person-nel); a person serving on the school board; a person or company with whom the district has contracted to perform a special task (such as an attorney, audi-tor, AEA employees, medical concultant, or therapist); or a parent or student serving on an official commit-tee, such as a disci0plinary or grievance committee or student assistance team, or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks.

A school official has a legitimate educational inter-est if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility.

Parents or eligible students have the right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education con-cerning alleged failures by the district to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the office that administer FERPA is: Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Ave., SW, Washington, DC, 20202-4605.

BOARD OF DIRECTORSSeries 800

Policy Title: Collection of Unpaid Bills Code No. 816The district has a fiduciary responsibility to seek payment of out-standing bills. Collection efforts, however, shall not place students in the position of being denied basic services for which parents/guardians owe. It is the philosophy of the Board not to penalize stu-dents for outstanding bills, but shall modify services provided to students when parents/guardians show no evidence of attempting to retire outstanding bills.Below is an example of district efforts to collect unpaid bills for the nutrition program.Bills Owed the Nutrition Program(When appropriate, these strategies may be used to encourage payment of other outstanding bills) 1. Communicating with secondary school students when lunch

accounts are approaching zero. 2. Send home notes to parents when lunch balances are in the

negative. Parents will also be provided information concerning eligibil-

ity for free or reduced priced meals. 3. Mail letters to parents who fail to pay negative balances to

encourage payment. 4. For bills associated with the nutrition program that exceed

$40.00 for regular paying single child and $100 for families with more than one child utilizing the nutrition program.

5. For bills associated with the nutrition program that exceed $10 for reduced paying single child and $25 for families with more than one child utilizing the nutrition program.

6. Any student with a negative balance that exceeds the limits identified in items 4&5 above, will be provided a sack lunch, consisting of a peanut butter or cheese sandwich, fruit and milk.

7. Mail letters to parents who habitually fail to pay negative bal-ances to offer repayment schedules to avoid collection.

8. Mail letters to parents who do not contact the district office to pay outstanding bills or develop a repayment schedule that then the district’s attorney would be authorized to seek col-lection in small claims court if not contacted immediately.

9. File collection in small claims court. 10. Upon favorable judgment against parents/guardians in small

claims court, the student shall be with held from commence-ment exercises, until full payment of outstanding bills are re-ceived.

11. The district will employ the professional services of a com-mercial collections agency.

Other unpaid bills include registration, projects, fund raiser pur-chases, fines, etc. Collection strategy variations may differ more to specifically address the bill owed. For example, if a student has a history of not returning proceeds from school fund raisers, the stu-dent will not be allowed to participate in a fund raiser involving the collection of money.Legal Reference: Chapter 631 Iowa Code (Small Claims)Cross Reference: 701 School Lunch Program 701.1 Purpose of Program, 701.2 Scope of Program, 701.3 financial Support, 810 Audits.Adopted: 10/9/07 Revised: 12/12/11 Reviewed: 7/11/11

Annual Notification Asbestos Activity Sum-mary

The Clarion-Goldfield-Dows Community School District is required by AHERA rules to annually report to the pub-lic any activities that are directly related to asbestos in the school and to inform the public of the availability of the schools management plan.

The school district does a three-year re-inspection and also a six-month inspection to look for any changes of the asbestos. If there are no changes in the asbestos, it is left as is. If damage has occurred, corrective actions are taken.

All campus centers have been inspected by the district-inspector and all asbestos is in good order.

Please be assured that the district’s on going efforts related to the management and control of asbestos-con-taining materials is geared towards providing a safe and healthy environment for students, employees and occu-pants. If you have any questions, or would like to review the management plans and updated materials, please feel free to contact Dr. Robert Olson at 515-532-3423.

Notification of Rights Under the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA)

PPRA affords parents and students who are 18 or emanci-pated minors (“eligible students”) certain rights regarding our conduct of surveys, collection and use of information for marketing purposes, and certain physical exams. These include the right to:

• Consent before students are required to submit to a survey that concerns one or more of the following protected areas (“protected information survey”) if the survey is funded in whole or in part by a program of the U.S. Department of Education (ED) –

1. Political affiliations or beliefs of the student or student’s parent;

2. Mental or psychological problems of the student or stu-dent’s family;

3. Sex behavior or attitudes; 4. Illegal, anti-social, self-incriminating, or demeaning be-

havior; 5. Critical appraisals of others with whom respondents

have close family relationships 6. Legally recognized privileged relationships, such as with

lawyers, doctors, or ministers; 7. Religious practices, affiliations, or beliefs of the student

or parents; or 8. Income, other than as required by law to determine pro-

gram eligibility.

• Receive notice and an opportunity to opt a student out of – 1. Any other protected information survey, regardless of

funding; 2. Any non-emergency, invasive physical exam or screen-

ing permitted or required as a condition of attendance, administered by the school or its agent, and not neces-sary to protect the immediate health and safety of a stu-dent, except for hearing, vision, or scoliosis screenings, or any physical exam or screening permitted or required under State law; and

3. Activities involving collection, disclosure, or use of per-sonal information obtained from students for marketing or to sell or otherwise distribute the information to oth-ers.

• Inspect, upon request and before administration or use – 1. Protected information surveys of students; 2. Instruments used to collect personal information from

students for any of the above marketing, sales, or other distribution purposes; and

3. Instructional material used as part of the educational curriculum.

Clarion-Goldfield-Dows Community School District has ad-opted policies, in consultation with parents, regarding these rights as well as arrangements to protect student privacy in the administration of protected surveys and the collection, disclosure, or use of personal information for marketing, sales, or other distribution purposes. Clarion-Goldfield-Dows Com-munity School District will directly notify parents and eligible students of these policies at least annually at the start of each school year and after any substantive changes. Clarion-Gold-field-Dows Community School District will also directly notify parents and eligible students, such as through U.S. Mail or email, at least annually at the start of each school year of the specific or approximate dates of the following activities and provide an opportunity to opt a student out of participating in:• Collection, disclosure, or use of personal information for

marketing, sales or other distribution• Administration of any protected information survey not

funded in whole or in part by ED.• Any non-emergency, invasive physical examination or

screening as described above.

Parents/eligible students who believe their rights have been violated may file a complaint with:

Family Policy Compliance OfficeU.S. Department of Education

400 Maryland Avenue, SWWashington, D.C. 20202-4605

early school dismissals and no school daysAugust 19 thru August 22 — 1:30 p.m. Early Out

sePteMber 1 — No School ~ Labor Day Holiday