The student council (Student Advisory Council - SAC) provides for student activities, serves as a training experience for student leaders, promotes the common good, gives students a share in the management of the school, develops high ideals of personal conduct, acts as a clearinghouse for student activities, seeks to interest students in school district affairs and helps solve problems that may arise. Members of the council are student representatives who have direct access to the administration.
The principal, in conjunction with the students and licensed employees, will set forth the guidelines for the student government's elections, operations, and other elements of the government.
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Approved: 11/14/67 Reviewed: 5/13/13; 6/10/19 Revised: 12/14/09; 7/14/25
Secondary school student-initiated curriculum-related organizations and non-curriculum related organizations are encouraged. Upon receiving permission from the principal, such organizations may use school facilities for group meetings during non-instructional time.
Non-instructional time will mean any time before the first period of the day and after the last period of the day in which any student attends class. Meetings will not interfere with the orderly conduct of the education program or other District operations. It is within the discretion of the principal to determine whether the meetings will interfere with the orderly conduct of the education program or other District operations. Activities relating to and part of the education program will have priority over the activities of another organization.
Curriculum-Related Organizations
It will be the responsibility of the principal to determine whether a student group is curriculum- related. One or more of the following questions will be answered affirmatively if the group is curriculum-related:
Secondary school curriculum-related student organizations may use District facilities for meetings and other purposes during non-instructional time. Employees are assigned to monitor approved meetings and may interact with curriculum-related organizations.
Non-Curriculum-Related Organizations
Student-initiated, non-curriculum-related organizations are provided access to meeting space and District facilities.
Only students may attend and participate in meetings of non-curriculum-related groups. Such attendance is strictly voluntary and student-initiated. As a means of determining whether a student's attendance is voluntary, the principal may require parental consent for the student to attend the meetings.
Employees will be assigned to monitor approved meetings. Employees will not participate in the meeting or assist in planning, criticizing, or encouraging attendance.
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Approved: 11/14/67 |
Reviewed: 6/10/19 |
Revised: 12/14/09; 5/13/13; 7/14/25 |
Students, as part of the education program, may participate in contests or other public and private events approved by the Superintendent that will be of benefit to the student and the education program. Performance at such events is a privilege.
Students, who perform at such events, serve as ambassadors of the District and must conduct themselves in the same manner as required in the regular school day. Students who fail to abide by this policy and the administrative regulations supporting it may be subject to disciplinary measures.
Students will be allowed to perform in these events only with proper permission and supervision and when the events do not disrupt the education program or other school district operations. The events must be approved by the Superintendent, unless it involves unusual travel and expense, in which case the board must approve of the performance.
In determining whether to approve a student performance, the Superintendent shall consider the following guidelines:
• Performances by student groups below the high school level should be allowed on a very limited basis;
• All groups of students should have an opportunity to participate; and,
• Extensive travel by one group of students should be discouraged.
It is within the discretion of the Superintendent to determine whether the event will benefit the education program and the participating students. Contests or other performances by students unapproved by the Superintendent are the responsibility of the parent and the student.
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Approved: 5/13/13 Reviewed: 6/10/19 Revised: 7/14/25
Participation in school activities is a privilege. School activities provide the benefits of promoting additional interests and ability in the students during their school years and for their lifetime.
Students will have an opportunity to participate in a school activity unless the activity is not offered or the student cannot participate for disciplinary reasons. If the activity is an intramural or interscholastic athletic activity, students of the opposite sex will have a comparable opportunity for participation. Comparable opportunity does not guarantee boys and girls will be allowed to play on each other's teams when there are athletic activities available that will allow both boys and girls to reap the benefits of school activities, which are the promotion of additional interests and abilities in the students.
Student activity events must be approved by the superintendent unless they involve unusual travel expense, in which case the board will take action. The events must not disrupt the education program or other school district operations.
A high school student who participates in school sponsored athletics may participate in a non-school sponsored sport during the same season.
It is the responsibility of the superintendent, or superintendent’s designee, to develop administrative regulations for each school activity. These regulations will include, but not be limited to, when physical examinations will be required, how and when parents will be informed about the risk of the activity, academic requirements, and proof of insurance on the student participating in certain activities. Students wanting to participate in school activities must meet the requirements set out by the school district for participation in the activity.
Approved: 11/14/67 Reviewed: 11/9/09; 6/10/19 Revised:1/8/07; 5/13/13; 7/14/25
Extra-curricular activities of students are recognized as essential and desirable for the school program and are deemed worthy of liberal financial support, but extravagant or wasteful expenditure of money is to be avoided.
All student activities of the District shall be under the control and supervision of the Superintendent, but the Superintendent may, at his discretion, delegate details of management to principals, faculty, committees, athletic director, sponsors, or to competent students. The principal or his/her designee will be on duty when a major activity is in progress. This includes activities when the public is invited.
All student organizations and classes will keep complete and accurate financial and business records. All classes and organizations will budget their spending within their financial receipts. Each organization and class must be self-supporting.
All student activity monies will be deposited with the building office manager or building principal. All monies w ill be deposited in the bank weekly.
No member of the student body or faculty shall be permitted to solicit funds or merchandise for any activity without the approval of the principal.
All school sponsored activities shall be completed by twelve o'clock midnight (with the exception of those receiving special permission from the Superintendent).
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Approved: 5/13/13 |
Reviewed: |
Revised: 6/10/19; 7/14/25 |
The District seeks to provide all students who desire to participate in athletic events the safest conditions of participation. Every student seeking to participate in athletics will therefore be required to submit to a physical examination by a licensed physician, ARNP, PA-C, or other licensed healthcare provider. Such physical examinations shall be at the expense of the student. The examination shall be based on sound medical practices.
The parents/guardians of students who seek to participate in athletics shall be required to complete an information form that provides school officials with additional information on prospective athletes before athletic participation is approved by the school.
Should the physician's report reveal any medical problem experienced by the prospective athlete that might be determined as life or health threatening, participation will be denied. Any athlete, who has sustained an injury, or a health problem requiring a physician's care, must receive a medical release from a licensed physician before the student may return to athletic participation.
The Board directs the Superintendent to ensure that all District patrons, employees, directors, physicians, and students be made familiar with this policy through proper induction, information, and orientation programs.
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Approved: 11/12/90 |
Reviewed: 7/14/08 |
Revised: 5/13/13; 6/10/19; 714/25 |
The District considers concussions and head injuries serious matters, and will follow all laws and regulations regarding the identification and management of such injuries. The District shall provideannually to each parent or guardian of each student in grades seven through twelve a concussions and brain injury information sheet, as provided by the Iowa Department of Public Health, the Iowa High School Athletic Association, and the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union. The student and the student’s parent or guardian shall sign the sheet and return it to the District prior to the student’s participation in any extra-curricular interscholastic activity.
If a student’s coach or activity sponsor observes signs, symptoms or behaviors consistent with a concussion or brain injury during an extra-curricular interscholastic activity, the student shall be immediately removed from the activity. Extra-curricular interscholastic activity means any dance or cheerleading activity or extracurricular interscholastic activity, contest or practice governed by the Iowa High School Athletic Association or the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union that is a contact or limited contact activity as identified by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
The student’s parent or guardian shall be contacted as soon as possible following the injury, and told that the student cannot return to participate in the activity until evaluated by an appropriate health-care professional. The student shall not return to participate in the activity or practice on the same day of a concussion. The student shall not return to participation in an extracurricular interscholastic activity, contest or practice until a written clearance to participation signed by the appropriate health care provider is given to the district. The student shall be examined by an appropriate health-care professional the same day the injury occurs. A licensed health care provider means a physician, physician’s assistant, chiropractor, advanced registered nurse practitioner, nurse, physical therapist or licensed athletic trainer. There may be situations when the Iowa High School Athletic Association, Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union and/or the District specifically designates individuals to act as the health-care professional during an activity or event. In such situations, the Iowa High School Athletic Association’s, the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union’s, and/or the District’s decision regarding the designation of the healthcare professional is final. The written release shall be maintained as part of the student’s cumulative record.
For students who participate in an extracurricular interscholastic activity which is a contest in grades seven through twelve, the District shall adopt a return to play protocol consistent with the Department of Public Health’s rules and a return to learn plan based on guidance developed by the Brain Injury Association of America in cooperation with a student removed from participation in an extracurricular interscholastic activity and diagnosed with a concussion or brain injury, the student’s parent or guardian, and the student’s licensed health care provider to accommodate the student as the student returns to the classroom.
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Approved: 6/10/19 Reviewed: Revised: 7/14/25
HEADS UP: Concussion in High School Sports
The Iowa Legislature passed a new law, effective July 1, 2011, regarding students in grades 7 – 12 who participate in extracurricular interscholastic activities. Please note this important information from Iowa Code Section 280.13C, Brain Injury Policies:
“Licensed health care provider” means a physician, physician assistant, chiropractor, advanced registered nurse practitioner, nurse, physical therapist, or athletic trainer licensed by a board.
“Extracurricular interscholastic activity” means any extracurricular interscholastic activity, contest, or practice, including sports, dance, or cheerleading.
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What is a concussion?
A concussion is a brain injury. Concussions are caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body. Even a “ding,” “getting your bell rung,” or what seems to be a mild bump or blow to the head can be serious.
What parents/guardians should do if they think their child has a concussion?
What are the signs and symptoms of a concussion?
You cannot see a concussion. Signs and symptoms of concussion can show up right after the injury or may not appear or be noticed until days after the injury. If your teen reports one or more symptoms of concussion listed below, or if you notice the symptoms yourself, keep your teen out of play and seek medical attention right away.
STUDENTS:
If you think you have a concussion:
IT’S BETTER TO MISS ONE CONTEST THAN THE WHOLE SEASON.
Signs Reported by Students:
PARENTS:
How can you help your child prevent a concussion?
Every sport is different, but there are steps your children can take to protect themselves from concussion and other injuries.
Signs Observed by Parents or Guardians:
Information on concussions provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
For more information visit: www.cdc.gov/Concussion
IT'S BETTER TO MISS ONE CONTEST THAN THE WHOLE SEASON.
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IMPORTANT: Students participating in interscholastic athletics, cheerleading and dance; and their parents/guardians; must annually sign the acknowledgement below and return it to their school. Students cannot practice or compete in those activities until this form is signed and returned.
We have received the information provided on the concussion fact sheet titled, “HEADS UP: Concussion in High School Sports.”
___________________________________________________ ____________________________________________
Student’s Signature Date Student’s Printed Name
___________________________________________________ _____________ _________________________
Parent’s/Guardian’s Signature Date Student’s Grade Student’s School
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Approved: 6/10/19 Reviewed: Revised: 7/14/25
Total cognitive and physical rest, also called the complete rest phase, is the first step in the recovery plan. This should last for three days or less if the student is symptom free for 24 hours. Activities that should be avoided include cell phone use (including texting), computer use, and video games. Activities that can be done include yoga, light meditation, light stretching activities, and breathing exercises. Light thinking activities are the second step in the recovery plan. Activities that are appropriate include listening to music that is calm and relaxing and playing familiar games. Activities that were mentioned in the complete rest phase may be expanded upon (yoga, meditation, stretching exercises, and breathing activities). Now you have reached the return to school phase in the recovery plan. Start with half-days or attending school part time. Discuss a 504 plan with accommodations with the teacher and school sta. Identify accommodations that will make the student most successful. Always monitor the student carefully, allow rest breaks, and look for signs that he or she is not doing well. Everyone involved with the student should work together. This includes parents and school sta. It is key for everyone to keep the lines of communication open while monitoring the recovery plan.
Return-to-play Protocol.
The following return-to-play step-wise process shall begin when the student who has been removed from participation in any extracurricular interscholastic activity governed by the Iowa High School Athletic Association or the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union is no longer showing signs, symptoms, or behaviors consistent with a concussion or other brain injury for a minimum of 24 hours and has received written medical clearance from a licensed health care provider to return to or commence such participation.
Return-to-play process.
Each step shall take a minimum of 24 hours.
a. If the student shows signs, symptoms, or behaviors consistent with a concussion or other brain injury at any step of the return-to-play protocol, the student must stop the activity and the student’s licensed health care provider and parent or guardian shall be contacted.
b. If the student shows signs, symptoms, or behaviors consistent with a concussion or other brain injury during this process, an additional 24-hour period of rest shall take place. After the 24-hour period of rest, the student shall drop back to the previous level when the student showed no signs, symptoms, or behaviors consistent with a concussion or other brain injury and begin the progression again.
Return-to-play steps.
STEP 1:
Athlete has received written medical clearance from a licensed health care provider to begin the return-toplay process, AND the athlete is back to regular activities, including school, without experiencing any concussion signs, symptoms, or behaviors for a minimum of 24 hours.
STEP 2:
Low impact, light aerobic exercise. Walking or stationary cycling at slow to medium pace. No resistance/weight training.
STEP 3:
Basic exercise, such as running in the gym or on the field. No helmet or other equipment.
STEP 4:
Noncontact, sport-specific training drills (dribbling, ball handling, batting, fielding, running drills) in full equipment. Resistance/weight training may begin.
STEP 5:
Full contact practice and participation in normal training activities.
STEP 6:
Contest participation.
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Approved: 6/10/19 Reviewed: Revised: 7/14/25
Students may be exposed to non food irritants or environment that pose a risk to the student’s health and safety during the school day. Parents and students shall take all precautions to ensure that they are not exposed to such irritants and/or allergens.
If the parent(s) requests a meeting, the District will meet with the parent(s) and/or student to discuss the student’s exposure to irritant(s) and/or allergen(s), and, if appropriate, develop a plan based on the student’s physician’s recommendation to limit the above student’s exposure to irritant(s) and/or allergen(s). Every such plan to avoid exposure shall include a completed Parental Identification of Student Irritant and/or Allergen Form and a completed Parental Authorization and Release Form for the Administration of Medication to Student.
The District cannot guarantee that the student will never be exposed to such irritants and/or allergens. If a student is exposed to such an irritant and/or allergen and/or suffers from an allergic reaction, the District may administer medication to the student as necessary according to its policies and procedures.
____________________________________________________________________________
Approved: 1/13/20 Reviewed: Revised:
In keeping with good community relations, student school activities will not be scheduled on Wednesday night during family time whenever possible. For purposes of this policy, “family time” is defined as 3:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. for Pre-Kindergarten through 8th Grade and 5:45 p.m.- 8:30 p.m. for 9th through 12th Grade. On the rare occasion a State sponsored event is scheduled at our facility we will plan to host the event. It is the responsibility of the principal and activities director to oversee the scheduling of school activities for compliance with this policy.
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Approved: 5/13/13 Reviewed: 6/10/19 Revised:
The Spirit Lake Community School District is committed to providing each student with an equitable education. This textbook policy is designed to ensure that all students will have access to the appropriate textbooks associated with concurrent enrollment courses that will support and enrich their learning experience.
The concurrent enrollment program, also known as district-to-community college sharing, promotes rigorous academic or career and technical pursuits by providing opportunities for high school students to enroll part-time in eligible nonsectarian courses at or through community colleges. Per Senior Year Plus (SYP), concurrent enrollment courses are offered through contractual agreements between community colleges and school districts within their service area. Spirit Lake CSD is in partnership with Iowa Lakes Community College.
According to Senior Year Plus Programming (SYP), the Spirit Lake Community School District is responsible for the costs of tuition for eligible students to register for concurrent enrollment courses. A student registered for a concurrent enrollment course is responsible for the act of purchasing, renting, or borrowing the appropriate college textbook(s) and for the costs associated with that, unless students qualify for a textbook waiver and that student submits the appropriate textbook waiver form to the high school counselor by the concurrent enrollment registration deadline date communicated to stakeholders each academic term.
Textbook Waiver Options
● Full Waiver - A student shall be granted a full waiver of all textbooks fees if:
○ The student or the student’s family meets the financial eligibility criteria for free meals offered under the Child Nutrition Program
○ The student or the student’s family meets financial eligibility criteria for participation in the Family Investment Program (FIP)
○ The student or the student’s family is eligible for transportation assistance under open enrollment provided under 28I-IAC 17.9(3)
○ The student is in foster care. Note: Supplemental Security Income eligibility is not a qualifier because a student may qualify for SSI without regard to financial circumstances
● Partial Waiver - A student shall be granted a partial waiver of all textbooks fees if:
○ The student or the student’s family meets the financial eligibility criteria for reduced price meals under the Child Nutrition Program. A partial waiver shall be based on a sliding scale related to an ability to pay.
● Temporary Waiver - A student shall be granted a temporary waiver of all textbooks fees if:
○ At the discretion of the school board, a student may appeal for or be granted a temporary waiver of a fee or fees (note: it does not have to be all fees) in a hardship case. A temporary waiver shall be determined on a case-by-case basis, and may be granted at any time during a school year. The maximum length of a temporary waiver shall be one year.
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Approved: 6/12/17 Reviewed: 6/10/19 Revised:
I, __________________________, hereby request ⬜Full, ⬜Partial, ⬜Temporary) Textbook Fee Waiver for the following student(s):
Child’s Name Registered Concurrent Enrollment Courses
___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________
Please list names and ages of all household members:
____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________
Food Stamp Case Number:______________________________________________________
Total Household Monthly Income:_________________________________________________ Address:____________________________________City:_____________________________
Telephone Number:___________________________ Date: ____________________________
Signature of Parent/Guardian:_________________________ Date:_______________________
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For Office Use Only Date submitted: ⬜ Approved, ⬜Denied:
Reason: _______________________________________________________________________________
Approved: 6/12/17 Reviewed: 6/10/19 Revised:
An all-pupil insurance program may be offered to the parents of pupils in the District. The Board upon recommendation of the Superintendent shall select an insurance company to issue such policies for all schools in the District.
The purchase of pupil insurance shall be voluntary with the entire cost being paid by the student or the student’s parents.
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Approved: 11/14/67 Reviewed: 7/14/08; 6/10/19 Revised: 3/10/03; 5/13/13
Students may produce official school publications as part of the curriculum under the supervision of a faculty advisor and the principal. Official school publications include material produced in the journalism, newspaper, yearbook, or writing classes and distributed to the student body either free or for a fee.
Any expression made by students, including student expression in official school publications, is not an expression of official school policy. The District, the Board, and the employees or officials are not liable in any civil or criminal action for any student expression made or published by students unless the employees or officials have interfered with or altered the content of the student speech or expression. The liability, if any, is only to the extent of the interference or alteration of the speech or expression.
Official school publications are free from prior restraint by employees or officials except as provided by law. A faculty advisor will supervise student writers to maintain professional standards of English and journalism and to comply with the law including, but not limited to, the restrictions against unlawful speech. The production of official school publications is guided by the law and by the ethical standards adopted by professional associations or societies of journalism.
Persons, other than students who believe they have been aggrieved by student expression in a student-produced official school publication, will follow the grievance procedure outlined elsewhere in the Board’s policies.. Students who believe their freedom of expression in a student-produced official school publication has been restricted will follow the student grievance procedures set forth in this series of policies.
The Superintendent shall be responsible for developing regulations, which shall include, but not be limited to, reasonable rules including time, place, and manner of restrictions. The Superintendent will be responsible for distributing this policy and the student publications code to the students and their parents.
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|
Approved: 11/14/67 |
Reviewed: 6/10/19 |
Revised: 12/14/09; 5/13/13 |
Official school publications defined.
An "official school publication" is material produced by students in the journalism, newspaper, yearbook, or writing classes and distributed to students either free or for a fee.
Expression in an official school publication.
*Commit unlawful acts;
*Violate school rules;
*Cause the material and substantial disruption of the orderly and efficient operation of the school or school activity;
*Disrupt or interfere with the education program;
*Interrupt the maintenance of a disciplined atmosphere; or
*Infringe on the rights of others.
3.The official school publication is produced under the supervision of a faculty advisor.
Responsibilities of students.
Responsibilities of faculty advisors.
Liability.
Appeal procedure.
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Approved: 5/13/13 Reviewed: 6/10/19 Revised:
All school-sponsored events shall be under the control and supervision of school personnel. Approval for an event shall be secured from the principal of the building involved, and the event shall be placed on the school calendar before any public announcement is made. Hours, behavior, and activities related to school-sponsored events shall be reasonable and proper as determined by the administration.
School-sponsored social events are open to the students enrolled in the District. Others, such as alumni or nonschool students, may attend as the date or escort of students enrolled in the District or with the permission of the licensed employees supervising the event.
Students’ behavior shall be in keeping with the behavior required during regular school hours.
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Approved: 11/14/67 |
Reviewed: 6/10/19 |
Revised: 12/14/09; 5/13/13 |