The basic instruction program shall include the courses required for each grade level by the Iowa Department of Education. The instructional approach will be gender fair and multicultural.
The basic instruction program of students enrolled in T-K/kindergarten shall be designed to develop healthy emotional and social habits, growth in language arts and communication skills, the capacity to complete individual tasks, character education, and the ability to protect and increase physical well-being with attention given to experiences relating to the development of life skills and human growth and development.
The basic instruction program of students enrolled in grades one through six shall include: English-language arts, social studies including instruction related to civics, mathematics, science, health, age appropriate and research-based human growth and development, physical education, traffic safety, music, visual art and computer science. Computer science will be offered during at least one grade level.
The basic instruction program of students enrolled in grades seven and eight shall include: English-language arts, social studies, mathematics, science, health, human growth and development, family and consumer, career, technology education, physical education and visual art.
The basic instruction program of students enrolled in grades nine through twelve shall include, at a minimum, those courses outlined in the Board’s policy on Course Requirements.
The board may, in its discretion, offer additional courses in the instruction program for any grade level.
Each instruction program shall be carefully planned for optimal benefit taking into consideration the financial condition of the school district and other factors deemed relevant by the board or superintendent. Each instruction program’s plan should describe the program, its goals, the effective materials, the activities and the method for student evaluation.
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Approved: 3/20/00 |
Reviewed: |
Revised: 6/11/12; 6/10/13; 5/13/19; 8/11/25 |
The Spirit Lake Schools recognizes the importance of ongoing learning opportunities for students. As such, the district shall offer summer school instruction in accordance with the following:
The board, in its discretion, may offer summer school for one or more courses and student activities for students who need additional help and instruction or for enrichment in those areas. Upon receiving a request for summer school, the board will weigh the benefit to the students and the school district as well as the school district's budget and availability of licensed employees to conduct summer school.
If a child who is eligible for special education has been determined to need extended school year services as necessary to receive a free appropriate public education, as determined according to state and federal law, such services shall be provided as described in the child’s individualized education program.
In additional instances as provided by law.
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Approved: 11/14/67 |
Reviewed: 5/13/19 |
Revised: 2/22/10; 6/10/13; 8/11/25 |
The Board recognizes some students have different educational needs than other students. The board will provide a free appropriate public education program and related services to students identified in need of special education. The special education services will be provided from birth until the appropriate education is completed, age twenty-one or to maximum age allowable in accordance with the law.
Students requiring special education will attend general education classes, participate in nonacademic and extracurricular services and activities and receive services in a general education setting to the maximum extent appropriate to the needs of each individual student. Students requiring special education shall be placed in the least restrictive environment possible appropriate to the needs of each individual student.
The appropriate education for each student is written in the student's Individualized Education Program (IEP). Special education students are required to meet the requirements stated in board policy and in their IEPs for graduation. It is the responsibility of the superintendent and the area education agency director of special education to provide or make provisions for appropriate special education and related services.
Children from birth through age 2 and children age 3 through age 5 are provided comprehensive special education services within the public education system. The school district shall work in conjunction with the area education agency to provide services, at the earliest appropriate time, to children with disabilities from birth through age 2. This is done to ensure a smooth transition of children entitled to early childhood special education services.
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Approved: 9/80 |
Reviewed: |
Revised: 2/22/10; 6/10/13; 5/13/19 8/11/25 |
Students will have an equal opportunity for a quality education without discrimination, regardless of their race, sex, religion, creed, color, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, or disability.
The education program is free of discrimination and provides equal opportunity for the students. The education program will foster knowledge of, and respect and appreciation for, the historical and contemporary contributions of diverse cultural groups, as well as women and men to society. It will also reflect the wide variety of roles open to both women and men; and shall provide equal opportunity to both sexes.
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Approved: 4/10/78 |
Reviewed: 8/8/2016 |
Revised: 8/13/12; 6/10/13; 8/8/2016; 5/13/19; 10/9/23; 8/11/25
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Students in grades one through twelve will receive, as part of their health education, instruction about personal health; food and nutrition; environmental health; safety and survival skills; consumer health; family life; age appropriate, research-based human growth and development; substance abuse and non-use, including the effects of alcohol, tobacco, drugs and poisons on the human body; human sexuality; self-esteem; stress management; interpersonal relationships; emotional and social health; health resources; prevention and control of disease; and communicable diseases.
The purpose of the health education program is to help each student protect, improve and maintain physical, emotional and social well-being. The areas stated above are included in health education and the instruction is adapted at each grade level in compliance with relevant laws to aid understanding by the students.
Parents who object to health education instruction in human growth and development may file a written request that the student be excused from the instruction. The written request will include a proposed alternate activity or study acceptable to the superintendent. The superintendent will have the final authority to determine the alternate activity or study.
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Approved: 9/18/89 |
Reviewed: 5/13/19 |
Revised: 11/8/10; 6/10/13; 12/9/19; 8/11/25 |
Student Name: ___________________________________ Grade: _____________________
Parent/Guardian: ___________________________________ Phone #: ___________________
Please list the curricular objective(s) from which you wish to have your child excused and the class or grade in which each is taught. An example is provided for you to follow.
Objective Class/Grade
Ex. To understand the consequences of Health Education/6 responsible and irresponsible sexual behavior.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
I have reviewed the Human Growth and Development program goals, objectives, and materials and wish my child to be excused from class when these objectives are taught. I understand my child will incur no penalty but may/will be required to complete an alternative assignment that relates to the class and is consistent with assignments required of all students in the class.
Signature: ___________________________________ Date: ___________________
(Parent/Guardian)
Signature: ___________________________________ Date: ___________________
(School Administrator)
Students in grades one through twelve are required to participate in physical education courses unless they are excused by the principal of their attendance center.
Students may be excused from physical education courses if the student presents a written statement from a doctor stating that such activities could be injurious to the health of the student or the student has been exempted because of a conflict with the student's religious beliefs, provided such excuse or exemption fits within federal and state laws.
Students in grades 9-12 may also be excused (not exempt) from physical education courses if:
Students in grade twelve may also be excused from physical education courses if:
Students who will not participate in physical education must have a written request or statement from their parents.
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Approved: 9/18/89 |
Reviewed: |
Revised: 11/8/10; 6/10/13; 5/13/19; 8/11/25 |
Preparing students for careers is one goal of the education program. Career education will be infused into the education program for grades T-K/kindergarten through twelve. This education shall include, but not be limited to, awareness of self in relation to others and the needs of society, exploration of employment opportunities, experiences in personal decision-making, and experiences of integrating work values and work skills into their lives.
It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent to assist licensed employees in finding ways to provide career education in the educational program. Special attention should be given to courses of vocational education nature. The board, in its review of the curriculum, shall review the means in which career education is combined with other instructional programs.
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Approved: 9/18/89 |
Reviewed: 5/13/19 |
Revised: 11/8/10; 6/10/13; 8/11/25 |
The District is prohibited from using the curriculum to endorse any particular religion. The Board recognizes the key role religion has played in the history of the world and authorizes the study of religious history and traditions as part of the curriculum. Preferential or derogatory treatment of a single religion will not take place in the curriculum.
It is the responsibility of the superintendent to ensure the study of religion in the schools in keeping with the following guidelines:
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Approved: 11/14/67 |
Reviewed: 5/13/19 |
Revised: 1/10/11; 6/10/13; 8/11/25 |
The historical and contemporary significance of religious holidays may be included in the education program provided that the instruction is presented in an unbiased and objective manner. The selection of holidays to be studied will take into account major celebrations of several world religions, not just those of a single religion. Holiday-related activities will be educationally sound and sensitive to religious differences and will be selected carefully to avoid the excessive or unproductive use of school time. Teachers will be especially careful in planning activities that are to take place immediately preceding or on a religious holiday.
Music, art, literature and drama having religious themes (including traditional carols, seasonal songs and classical music) will be permitted if presented in an objective manner without sectarian indoctrination. The emphasis on religious themes is only as extensive as necessary for a balanced and comprehensive study or presentation. Religious content included in student performances is selected on the basis of its independent educational merit and will seek to give exposure to a variety of religious customs, beliefs and forms of expression. Holiday programs, parties or performances will not become religious celebrations or be used as a forum for religious worship, such as the devotional reading of sacred writings or the recitations of prayers.
The use of religious symbols (e.g. a cross, menorah, crescent, Star of David, lotus blossom, nativity scene or other symbol that is part of a religious ceremony) are permitted as a teaching aid, but only when such symbols are used temporarily and objectively to give information about a heritage associated with a particular religion. The Christmas tree, Santa Claus, Easter eggs, Easter bunnies and Halloween decorations are secular, seasonal symbols and as such can be displayed in a seasonal context.
Expressions of belief or nonbelief initiated by individual students is permitted in composition, art forms, music, speech and debate. However, teachers may not require projects or activities which indoctrinate or force students to contradict their personal religious beliefs or nonbeliefs.
Approved: 8/11/25 Reviewed: Revised:
The Board believes students should have an opportunity to reach their own decisions and beliefs about conflicting points of view. Academic freedom gives the opportunity of licensed employees and students to study, investigate, present, interpret, and discuss facts and ideas relevant to the subject matter of the classroom and appropriate to and in good taste with the maturity and intellectual and emotional capacities of the students.
It is the responsibility of the teacher to refrain from advocating partisan causes, sectarian religious views, or biased positions in the classroom or through teaching methods. Teachers are not discouraged from expressing personal opinions, as long as students are aware it is a personal opinion and students are allowed to reach their own conclusions independently.
It is the responsibility of the principal to ensure academic freedom is allowed but not abused in the classroom.
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Approved: 11/14/67 |
Reviewed: 5/13/19 |
Revised: 1/10/11; 6/10/13; 8/11/25 |
It is the belief of the Board that controversial issues should be fairly presented in a spirit of honest academic freedom so that students may recognize the validity of other points of view but can also learn to formulate their own opinions based upon dispassionate, objective, unbiased study and discussion of the facts related to the controversy. A "controversial issue" is a topic of significant academic inquiry about which substantial groups of citizens of this community, this state or this nation hold sincere, conflicting points of view.
It is the responsibility of the instructor to present full and fair opportunity and means for students to study, consider and discuss all sides of controversial issues including, but not limited to, political philosophies.
It is the responsibility of the instructor to protect the right of the student to study pertinent controversial issues within the limits of good taste and to allow the student to express personal opinions without jeopardizing the student's relationship with the teacher.
It is the responsibility of the instructor to refrain from advocating partisan causes, sectarian religious views, or selfish propaganda of any kind through any classroom or school device; however, an instructor will not be prohibited from expressing a personal opinion as long as students are encouraged to reach their own decisions independently.
The Board encourages full discussion of controversial issues in a spirit of academic freedom that shows students that they have the right to disagree with the opinions of others but that they also have the responsibility to base the disagreement on facts and to respect the right of others to hold conflicting opinions.
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Approved: 11/14/67 |
Reviewed: 5/13/19 |
Revised: 1/10/11; 6/10/13; 8/11/25 |
Because of our growing interdependence with other nations in the world, global education is incorporated into the education program for grades T-K/kindergarten through twelve so that students have the opportunity to acquire a perspective on world issues, problems, and prospects for an awareness of the relationship between an individual's self-interest and the concerns of people elsewhere in the world.
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Approved: 7/13/92 |
Reviewed: 6/10/13 |
Revised: 11/8/10; 8/11/25 |
Being a citizen of the United States, of Iowa and of the shcool district community entitles students to special privileges and protections as well as requiring the students to assume civic, economic, and social responsibilities and to participate in their country, state and school district community in a manner that entitles them to keep these rights and privileges.
As part of the education program, students will have an opportunity to learn about their rights, privileges, and responsibilities as citizens of this country, state and school district community. As part of this learning opportunity students are instructed in the elements of good citizenship and the role quality citizens play in their country, state and school district community.
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Approved: 9/18/89 |
Reviewed: 5/13/19 |
Revised: 2/22/10; 6/10/13; 8/11/25 |
The district believes in the importance of education to shape the lives of all students. Some students may consider postsecondary education and training beyond their secondary education, and have questions related to the cost of education programs and the future employability of graduates. It is valuable for students who express an interest in postsecondary education to make informed decisions related to their future options.
The district will ensure that students in grades eleven and twelve who express interest in postsecondary education will be provided with basic information to assist in their decision-making. This information includes but may not be limited to:
If the district employs a college and career transition counselor, this staff member will provide the information to interested students. If the district does not employ this type of counselor, the superintendent will designate a staff member to ensure this information is provided to interested students.
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Approved: 8/11/25 Reviewed: Revised:
Parents may request to have their child excluded from a school program because of religious beliefs. The Board authorizes the administration to allow the exclusion if it is not disruptive to the education program and it does not infringe on a compelling state or educational interest. Further, the exclusion must not interfere with other District operations. Students who are permitted to be excluded from a program or activity which violates their religious beliefs shall be required to do an alternate supervised activity or course of study.
Parents shall request to have their child excluded from a school program because of religious beliefs by notifying the building principal of their request. In notifying the building principal the parents will abide by the following:
The principal will have discretion to making the above-referenced determination. The factors the principal will consider when a student’s parents request that the student be excluded from a program or activity because of religious beliefs include, but are not limited to, staff availability to supervise a student who wishes to be excluded, space to house the student while the student is excluded, availability of a principal approved alternative course of study or activity while the student is excluded, the number of students who wish to be excluded, whether allowing the exclusion places the District in a position of supporting a particular religion, and whether the program or activity is required for promotion to the next grade level or for graduation.
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Approved: 8/14/89 |
Reviewed: |
Revised: 11/9/09; 6/10/13; 5/13/19; 8/11/25 |
Senior Year Plus was created to provide increased and more equal access to college credit. Courses delivered through Senior Year Plus provide students the opportunity to take rigorous college curriculum and receive both high school and college credit concurrently.
Eligibility Iowa law requires students to meet certain criteria to be eligible to participate in Senior Year Plus programming. The following criteria apply to all Senior Year Plus programs and are supplemented by program-specific requirements.
In accordance with this policy, students in grades nine through twelve may receive academic or career and technical education credits that count toward the graduation requirements set out by the board for courses successfully completed in post-secondary educational institutions. Students and parents or guardians shall be made aware of the post-secondary instructional opportunities as part of the development of each student's indivdiual career and academic plan as required by law. The Superintendent or designee is responsible for developing the appropriate forms and procedures for implementing this policy and the following post-secondary educational opportunities.
Concurrent Enrollment - Concurrent Enrollment Students in grades 9 through 12 may receive secondary and postsecondary academic and/or vocational-technical credits for courses successfully completed through a postsecondary educational institution in which the school district has a contractual agreement with.
Notice of the availability of the concurrent enrollment program shall be included in the school district's registration handbook, and the handbook shall identify which courses, if successfully completed. generate post-secondary credit. Students shall not be charged tuition for concurrent enrollment courses and shall not be required to reimburse the school district for tuition if they do not successfully complete a course. Students or their parents or guardians may be required to pay a fee consistent with the school district’s established textbook policy and other materials for the concurrent enrollment course to the extent permitted by law. Students or their parents or guardians may also be required to provide their own transportation to and from concurrent enrollment courses to the extent permitted by law. However, transportation shall be the responsibility of the school district for any contracted course that is used to meet school district accreditation requirements. Students who successfully complete a concurrent enrollment course, as determined by the postsecondary institution, shall receive postsecondary credit in accordance with the institution’s policies and high school credit that will be reflected on their high school transcript. The Superintendent or designee shall grant to a student who successfully completes a concurrent enrollment course a unit of high school graduation credit for every unit of high school level instruction successfully completed.
Students who take courses other than courses taken under an agreement between the District and the postsecondary educational institution and/or approved by the Board are responsible for tuition, transportation to and from the locations where the course is being offered, and other costs directly related to taking any postsecondary education course. The student and/or their parents shall not receive reimbursement for tuition, transportation or other expenses.
Eligible students may take credit during the summer months when school is not in session, but are responsible for tuition, transportation to and from the location where the course is being offered, and other costs directly related to taking any postsecondary education course.
Post-Secondary Enrollment Option - Ninth and tenth grade students who have been identified by the school district as gifted and talented, and eligible eleventh and twelfth grade students, may utilize the Post-Secondary Enrollment Option (“PSEO”) program. To qualify, a course must be a nonsectarian, credit-bearing course that leads to a degree, and in the areas of: mathematics, science, social sciences, humanities, career and technical education. A course is not eligible for PSEO if a comparable course is offered by the school district. In addition, courses at a community college with which the district has a concurrent enrollment agreement are not eligible for PSEO. Students shall not be charged for tuition, textbooks, materials, or fees related to a PSEO course with the exception of equipment that becomes the property of the student.
The school district shall reimburse the post-secondary institution for tuition and other expenses for each PSEO course up to $250. Students who successfully complete a PSEO course, as determined by the postsecondary institution, shall receive postsecondary credit and high school credit. The Superintendent or designee shall grant to a student who successfully completes a PSEO course a unit of high school graduation credit for every unit of high school level instruction successfully completed.
Transportation to and from the postsecondary institution is the responsibility of the student or parent or legal guardian of the student enrolled in a PSEO course. Eligible students may take up to seven hours of post-secondary credit during the summer months and receive high school credit upon successful completion of a post-secondary course. However, the student or student’s parent or legal guardian are responsible for all costs associated with courses taken during the summer.
Students who fail a PSEO course and fail to receive credit are required to reimburse the school district for all costs directly related to the course up to the $250.00 reimbursement maximum. Prior to registering, students under the age of eighteen are required to have a parent or guardian sign a form indicating that the parent is responsible for the costs of the course should the student fail the course and fail to receive credit. Reimbursement waivers may be granted by the board if sufficient verification is provided to show that the student was unable to complete the course for reasons outside the student’s control, including but not limited to physical incapacity, a death in the student’s immediate family, or a move out of the school district.
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Approved: 2/11/91 |
Reviewed: 5/9/16 |
Revised: 10/11/10; 6/10/13; 5/9/16; 5/13/19; 8/11/25 |
It is important to embrace technology that can foster a creative, interactive learning environment for students, and facilitate employee professional development and collaboration. The use of online platforms to host remote interaction between students and employees and to facilitate learning is encouraged in the district.
While student and employee instruction and communication using virtual and online platforms provides a wide array of learning opportunities, it is imperative that employees and students recognize that the use of such platforms is a privilege. Training related to the use of online learning platforms will be provided to employees and students.
The district shall carefully safeguard the right of students and employees to learn and teach in a respectful environment regardless of the method. All instruction and communication through online learning platforms should be appropriate to the age and ability of the participants. Students and employees should be aware that online platforms may be monitored by the district. Verbal and written communication occurring on these platforms may be recorded and stored by the district in accordance with applicable laws.
Any verbal or written communication on these platforms deemed to be inappropriate will subject the student and/or employee to the same disciplinary measures that would exist if the interaction took place through traditional in-person learning. Students and employees who have concerns about the proper use of these platforms are encouraged to speak with their teachers or building principal. The superintendent will make administrative regulations necessary to enforce this policy.
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