Isanti Primary School Cambridge-Isanti Schools

Family Handbook 2016-2017 Five Character Traits Respect Responsibility Self-Discipline Honesty Compassion

CAMBRIDGE-ISANTI SCHOOLS MISSION STATEMENT The mission of Cambridge-Isanti Schools, as the leader in innovative education offering unlimited options and opportunities, is to develop well-rounded individuals who excel in leadership, achieve at the highest levels and are responsible citizens, through highly effective staff addressing the unique needs of each individual in partnership with parents, students, and a unified community.

ISANTI PRIMARY SCHOOL MISSION STATEMENT The mission of Isanti Primary School, as the cornerstone of educational success, is built on innovative experiences to maximize the potential of every individual, by sculpting lifelong learners with exceptional character, providing a balance of rigorous learning opportunities with genuine care, in partnership with families and community.

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First Things First 1. School Telephone Number: 763-691-8778

Address: 301 Heritage Blvd NW, Isanti, MN 55040

2. Calling the School: When calling the school, know your child’s grade and the teacher’s name. 3. School starts at 8:15 a.m. Dismissal is at 2:57 p.m. Parents are responsible for students being on time. 4. Attendance: Attendance Line: 763-691-8770. This is a 24 hour line. Please call in any absences! 5. Report cards: Sent home with students at the end of each trimester. May be sent by mail after the 3rd trimester. 6. Classroom Visits: Limited to one hour unless you are volunteering. Must be pre-arranged with your child’s teacher. Sign in at the Office. Please wear a visitor badge. All visitors must sign in and wear a visitor badge. 7. Picking up Students: You must sign out students in the office when leaving before the school day ends (2:57 p.m.) Students will be called up to the office to meet you. 8. Students are expected to dress appropriately for 5-8 year olds in school: * No flip flops (sandals with back strap) *Long-sleeves during the winter for warmth. * No hats/caps indoors. ifnecessary) * Long pants for protection on the playground. *Coats, boots, hats, mittens, snow pants/suits are necessary in winter. * Students wearing offensive/inappropriate clothing will be asked to change, or be sent home. 9. Gum chewing is not allowed at Isanti Primary School 10. Students must not bring these personal items to school: Toys Cell Phones Electronic games IPods Skateboards/Scooters In-line Skates Radios/CD Players Dolls Bats of any kind Card Collections Remote-controlled vehicles

Hard balls Sleds

11. Bus Rules: 1. Sit in your seat 2. Keep your hands and feet to yourself 3. Use kind words and soft voices 4. Follow the driver’s directions 5. Share seats 6. Do not throw anything 7. Be respectful of school property 12. Bus Reports: Consequences when elementary students break the BUS RULES: 1st Report -- Verbal and Written Warnings 2nd Report -- 3 day suspension from bus 3rd Report -- 5 day suspension from bus 4th Report -- 10 day suspension from bus and a meeting with driver, parents, student and principal 5th Report -- Suspension from bus for the rest of the school year. 13. Key components of our discipline plan (Behavior B’s) Be Kind Be Safe Be Respectful Be Helpful Be Responsible and Follow Directions 14. School Lunch Program. Pre-pay into your family account to cover the costs of school lunches your child eats. Cost of Breakfast for students = $1.00 (Reduced = free) (Adult Breakfast = $1.70) Cost of Lunch = $2.20 (Reduced = Free) (Adult Lunch = $3.50) Half-Pint of Milk = 40¢ 15. Weather Closing: Listen to WCCO Radio (830 AM). Watch television channels 4, 5, 9 or 11. TV channel 4, WCCO, is the best. Start watching by 6:00 a.m. Also, watch the district website for weather announcements. 16. If you have questions or need to check out something that does not sound right, call your child’s teacher. Talk with your child’s teacher about classroom activities, the learning program, homework, behavior/friendship issues, school materials, etc. The best time to call is during your child’s “Specials” or after school. 17. Keyless Entry: Isanti Primary School has a keyless entry system. What this means is that all doors, except the front door by the flagpole, are locked throughout the entire day. Staff may enter locked doors using their key card. All visitors must enter through the front door, show a government issued ID and sign in at the office. This system provides a great level of security for both staff and students. Please know that we now have security cameras both inside and outside of our building.

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Dear Students and Parents/Guardians: Welcome to the 2016-2017 school year! We are a PreK through Second grade building. We have half of the district Early Childhood Program at our school (the other half housed at Cambridge Intermediate School). The Early Childhood Program includes preschool, special education and family education. Our student enrollment K - 2 is approximately 450. Additionally, there could be as many as 100 early childhood students enrolled in various programs throughout the year It is my hope that you all had an enjoyable and refreshing summer. I am looking forward to working with you and your children. The entire staff anticipates a great year of learning and growing together. As parents you are extremely important to your child’s learning experience. It is our hope that we can work together to help meet the needs of all students. This handbook will provide you with many of our policies, rules, guidelines and practices. It is important that you read through the handbook and share this important information with your child or children. Many of your questions can be answered by simply reading through this handbook. The “FIRST THINGS FIRST” page in the front of the handbook is a page you should not miss!! If you should have further questions or concerns about this handbook, or school in general, please feel free to call us at school. Shane Dordal Principal

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STUDENT SUCCESS All of our programs and instruction are directed to the purpose of success. For example, our reading/communication program supports vocabulary development, phonics instruction, comprehension strategies and writing while at the same time providing a rich literature base. We believe the more a child reads and is read to, the better reader the child becomes. Our math, science, health and social studies curriculums provide increased hands-on experiences through which meanings and relationships are stressed. Another important part of a child’s education is that area we call social and emotional growth. To foster this growth we believe that it is important to positively reinforce and encourage students’ efforts. As a school we have been focusing on Bluejacket Pride and our students are very proud of what it means to show this in our school and communities. Through this process we will help children develop character, recognize limits and help them recognize the need to take responsibility for their actions. A copy of our discipline policy is included in this handbook.

SCHOOL PROGRAMS AND SERVICES Full Curriculum Offerings Parent/Teacher Organization Computer Labs Specialists in Music, PE, Media, Art Social Worker School Lunch/Breakfast Programs Volunteer Program Title I Parent-Teacher Conferences Special Education Targeted Services after School and Summer Programs

ACADEMICS Minnesota Standards: My child is in elementary school. How do the Standards impact my child? All our children need to be prepared to succeed as future citizens. Formal preparation for high school graduation and life beyond school begins the first day your child enters the classroom. Third and fourth grade students are tested in reading and mathematics to measure their achievement relative to the high standards. These tests are called the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments. As a PreK -2 school we will be providing strong instruction in the basics of reading, math and writing. Students will also be working in social studies, science and the specialist areas. Everything we do helps the child prepare for success with the Minnesota standards. What statewide tests does my child have to take? There are no statewide tests for students in Pre-K – 2nd Grade. However, all of our students in K-2 will experience taking NWEA tests in reading and math on the computer in the fall, winter, and spring. All students will participate in reading and math probes using TIES assessments throughout the year.

Curriculum Criteria in Reading, Writing and Math Reading is one of your child’s most important skills. Your child will read for many different purposes: 1. to learn about different types of literature 2. to obtain information 3. to understand instructions and perform tasks 4. for their own enjoyment Reading carefully and doing different activities related to our reading helps us to understand what we read. Children build their language skills in order to: 1. get a general understanding of what they read 2. interpret what they read 3. reflect and respond personally to what they read 4. critique (analyze and evaluate) what they read Writing is one important way your child can communicate with others. Teachers will use a step-by-step method (called the writing process) to help students improve their writing skills. Using the writing process, your child

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will learn language arts skills and will practice writing to inform, to persuade and to express ideas. When using the writing process your child will learn to: 1. gather information and ideas about a topic 2. organize ideas 3. consider purposes of writing and who the readers will be 4. use different types of sentences 5. use correct grammar and spelling Students will be taught the “Six Traits of Writing”: 1. Organization: From beginning to end 2. Voice: Putting myself into my writing 3. Ideas: My message 4. Word Choice: Playing with language 5. Sentence Fluency: Listening to sound 6. Conventions: Mechanics, punctuations and editing Math prepares students with skills essential for success in everyday life and future careers by using the Everyday Math Program to teach: 1. classifying and ordering (grouping things and putting them in order) 2. measuring (solving problems by asking how much, how far, how long) 3. estimating (making approximations, give reasons, and find answers when some information is missing) 4. computation (adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing, fractions and decimals to solve many different types of problems) 5. using math language (using words, symbols, pictures, diagrams and numbers to explain how numbers relate to each other and understand how the same problem can be represented in different ways) 6. using information mathematically (making charts or graphs, predicting events based on fact, or using probability or geometry to recognize shapes and patterns)

APPROPRIATE DRESS FOR ELEMENTARY STUDENTS Long Pants for Play: Throughout the school year students are encouraged to wear long pants because of the nature of play by 5-8 year olds in an elementary school. With large numbers of children playing at the same time there are more chances for accidental injury. Our playground has hard surfaces and equipment where wearing long pants provides extra protection. Appropriate Clothing and Footwear: Students must not wear ‘short’ shorts, swimming suits, clothing with offensive words or images, short tops (above waist level), tops that bare a lot of skin area (halter tops) or footwear (such as flip flops) that will impede their movement around the school or provide increased opportunity for an accident. It is especially important that students wear protective footwear. During the spring and summer our health personnel deal with many injuries to toes and feet that could have been prevented with proper footwear. Sandals with a back strap are a much better choice if sandals need to be worn. Winter Clothing: In winter students need coats, boots, hats, mittens, and snow pants/suits to protect them from getting wet and cold. Children go out for about 20-30 minutes of fresh air and exercise each day unless temperatures are below 0 degrees F. Hats/Caps: Unless requested because of special activities, caps/hats will not be worn in the building during the school day. Appropriate Appearance: Students are responsible for making sure their appearance is appropriate for the school setting and will not cause undue disruptions in the classroom. Student must not wear wild hair dye, inappropriate pictures on their clothes, etc. The point is not to infringe on a student’s individuality, but rather to help insure a learning environment that is free of unnecessary disruptions.

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ATTENDANCE Enrollment at School Kindergarten students must have reached the age of five on or before September 1 of the current year to enter our schools. This is a state law. Attendance Think of school attendance as your child’s opportunity and job. By law students must be in school. Most importantly, students need to be in attendance to maximize their learning. This means that students will benefit greatly by being here every day and on time. Tardiness We want students to be at school! Habitual tardiness (frequently missing school for a portion of the day) negatively affects learning. We will monitor tardiness and actively work with parents and/or guardians to assist them in any way possible in an effort to improve their child’s attendance. Students attend school for 174 days each year. Each of those days we start out with reading instruction. If a child is 15 minutes late each of those days, altogether they will have missed 43.5 hours of reading instruction. This is a very serious matter at this age as reading instruction is so important to everything a child will do in the future. Please help us and your child by getting them to school on time.

BICYCLES, SKATEBOARDS, SCOOTERS, Etc. There is a bike rack for student bicycles. Students should use this rack and remember to lock their bicycles for safety during the day. The school is not responsible for student bicycles. Bikes must not be used during the school day or around the building before or after school. For safety, bicycles must be walked across the street in designated school crossings. Bicycles must be walked around when on school property. Students must follow bicycle safety rules including local and state bicycle laws. Other wheeled modes of transportation to school such as scooters, skateboards, etc. must not be used on the school grounds once the child arrives.

BUILDING USE AND HOURS Morning Arrival Students must not arrive at school before 7:50 a.m. unless they are participating in the school breakfast program. The breakfast program will begin at 7:45 a.m. School buses will open their doors at approximately 8:00 a.m. and students will come right into the building. There will be no morning playground time. Please remember: THERE IS NO SUPERVISION BEFORE 7:50 a.m. PLEASE DO NOT DROP YOUR CHILDREN OFF BEFORE 7:50 a.m. We do want our students safe at school! DAILY SCHEDULE 8:00 a.m. 8:15 a.m. 8:15 a.m. 11:00 a.m. 11:00 – 11:35 11:40 – 12:15 12:20 – 12:55 12:20 p.m. 3:05 p.m. 2:57 p.m.

School Doors Open -- Opening Bell School Begins -- Tardy Bell A.M. preschool starts A.M. preschool ends Kindergarten Lunch 1st Grade Lunch 2nd Grade Lunch P.M. preschool starts P.M. preschool ends Dismissal Bell

Morning Opener School-wide announcements and patriotic activities are held at the beginning of each week during the morning opener. Students have the right to participate in the Pledge of Allegiance or to sit out

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CARE OF PUBLIC PROPERTY Our schools are a source of pride for our communities and we expect many years of benefit from these facilities. Expensive equipment and materials have been provided to give students all the advantages of modern education systems. Every person in our building is expected to take care of this property and to keep the facility in excellent condition at all times. This goes along with our character traits of respect and responsibility. In the unfortunate event that there should be negligent student actions that result in the damage of school property, the school district will hold the student and his/her parents/guardians responsible for repair or replacement of the damaged item/s. We are happy that we have the resources in our media center and textbooks in our classrooms for student use. However, excessive wear, damage and lost media books or textbooks will be charged back to students at the conclusion of the school year.

CLASSROOM AND GENERAL STUDENT CONDUCT It is the policy that all teachers/supervisors have a responsibility and authority to maintain good order in their classrooms/areas. If necessary, teachers/supervisors can restrict privileges, remove students from class, send students to the Kid’s Resource Room (Time Out) or send students to the principal’s office. The building principal has responsibility and authority to maintain safety and good order in the entire building.

COLD WEATHER GUIDELINES Students play outdoors during most winter days. The decision whether to play outdoors will be made by school staff considering the following factors: Temperature (below 0 degrees F), wind chill, precipitation, and students’ tolerance for the elements and the “need” for outdoor play. Students who are well enough to be at school are well enough to go outside and play. Students should always come appropriately dressed for outdoor play. If there is a medical reason a child should not participate in recess a doctor’s note will be required.

Appropriate winter dress includes a warm coat, snow pants, a hat, mittens and snow boots. Students will not be allowed to go outside if they are not dressed appropriately. During the winter students may also be limited to a snow free area of the playground if they do not have boots.

EARLY DISMISSAL/SCHOOL CLOSINGS In case of an early dismissal (either due to a weather or other emergency) parents/guardians are responsible to have a prearranged plan to provide care for their children. Please discuss this plan with your child so that they will not become alarmed by not knowing what to do. WEATHER CLOSINGS: When school is called off due to weather conditions, announcements will be made over radio station WCCO (830 AM). TV Channel 4 WCCO is an excellent source for school closing information. You could also tune in to TV Channels 5, 9, or 11. Please listen to or watch these stations starting at 6 a.m. or earlier. Please do not call school officials or the TV and radio stations. Also…. Check the school and/or district website for weather related closings.

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EMERGENCY AND HEALTH SERVICES The School Health Services is designed to facilitate care to all students; to protect and promote the students’ optimal health, and to eliminate or minimize the health barriers to enhance learning. The school nurse acts as a liaison between parents, educational, and medical personnel. If at any time during the school year changes occur in your child's health status, please notify the school nurse. She can interpret these changes for school personnel and can recommend and help implement any modifications in the school program necessary to meet the needs of your child. Confidentiality is important to us so health information will only be shared with other Cambridge-Isanti personnel on a need to know basis. The nurses are available to address any questions and/or concerns regarding the well-being of your child. Please feel free to contact the nurse at your child’s school. While there is always a school nurse available in the district on school days, each school nurse is only available in her building(s) part time. Health Administrative Assistants and Office Administrative Assistants work with the school nurse to provide assistance to students in the health office. Students are allowed into the health office only with permission from teachers, unless an emergency exists. Please update your student’s health information, family and emergency contact information online using Skyward Family Access. Go to www.c-ischools.org and click on the Skyward Family Access tab at the bottom of the page.

Accidents, Illnesses and Injuries: Students who become ill or injured during the school day are to report the ailment to their teacher and go directly to the Health Office. If the illness or injury is prolonged or severe, school personnel will attempt to contact a parent/ guardian. If a student must go home, the parent/guardian is to make arrangements to pick up the student and have a place for him/her to go. If an emergency exists, an immediate attempt will be made to contact a parent/guardian, but if warranted, students will be taken to Cambridge Medical Center while parents/guardians are being contacted. If the parent/guardian cannot be reached a representative of the school will act as an agent to consent to the giving of any and all medical, dental, hospital, or surgical care to the student. Keep the following criteria in mind when deciding whether or not to send your student to school. These are the same criteria the school uses to determine whether a student needs to be sent home:  Fever of 100 degrees F or higher, vomiting and diarrhea (student must be free from all of these symptoms for 24 hours before returning to school)  Red, runny, crusty or mattered eyes, especially if causing discomfort and prevent student from functioning in the school setting  Suspicious looking rash and temperature elevated above 99.4 degrees F  Injury causing inability to function due to pain and/or discomfort  Caregiver discretion of illness severity affecting school participation  Family circumstances causing excess emotional stress Please be respectful of this policy so that we can keep your student and all of our students as healthy as possible.

Medications at School Procedure:

 If possible, all medications should be given at home under parental/guardian supervision.  A written order by a licensed provider is required for all prescription and over- the- counter medication that needs to be taken at school for two weeks or longer. This would include daily or as needed medications. If there is a change in medication, a new authorization form must be completed by the parent and physician/licensed prescriber. Without proper authorization forms, we will not be able to administer any medications.  For medication, over- the- counter or prescribed, that will be taken at  school short term (two weeks or less); only parent authorization is required.  All controlled substances (i.e. Ritalin, Adderall, Codeine) must be brought to school by a parent/ guardian.  Medication must be brought to school in the original prescription or over- the- counter container. Pharmacies are willing to divide the prescription so you have a container for home and school. Bring all medications directly to the health office.  Cambridge Medical Center and other area clinics are aware of the authorization policy and can fill a form out for you to sign and send/fax to your school.

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**Authorization to Administer Medication at School form is available on the school district website in the Health Services section at www.c-ischools.org under Departments or in the Health Office.

Immunization Requirements: According to Minnesota state laws and the MN Department of Education regulations, all children entering school for the first time are required to have on file proof of immunizations. Parents who conscientiously oppose immunization or whose children have a medical reason for not receiving an immunization may file a legal exemption to these requirements. An Immunization form and current list of the immunizations your child needs to start school and to start seventh grade can be found on the school district website www.c-ischools.org in the Health Services section or obtained from the Health Office.

Special Dietary Requests: The school district recognizes the importance of building an awareness of addressing the health management of students with food allergies. If your child has a food allergy please alert the school nurse and food service director every fall, we will work together with you to create a food allergy plan. Children with food allergies or intolerance do not have a disability as defined under 7CER15b.3 of USDA’s nondiscrimination regulations. Therefore, school food personnel may make substitutions for children who do not meet the disability requirement, but are not required to do so. Such substitutions may be made on a case-by-case basis when supported by a medical statement signed by a licensed physician. (Note, the exception is lactose intolerance, see below.) When the physician’s assessment indicates that a food allergy may result in severe, life-threatening (anaphylactic) reaction, the child’s condition would meet the definition of disability and then substitutions prescribed by a licensed physician are required. Banning food items from school will be avoided. Banning an item creates a false sense of security. It is unrealistic to maintain an accurate food label file listing ingredients because manufactures can change their list of ingredients on a regular basis. Based on parent request, it may be possible to identify a separate table in the cafeteria or other areas of the school as a “reduced allergy zone” for children in grades K-4. Children in grades 5-12 would be expected to use self-management techniques including knowing:  Safe and unsafe foods  Strategies for avoiding exposure to unsafe foods  Symptoms of allergic reactions  How and when to tell an adult they may be having an allergy-related problem  How to read labels (age appropriate) It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to seek nutrition consultation from a Registered Dietitian for specific information on managing the student’s allergies. A telephone meeting or other meeting would be scheduled with the school Food Service Director to discuss meal options. Within the district, a copy of the Student Allergy Form will be sent to the Food Service Director’s office. Food Service Director will discuss menu changes with the appropriate kitchens. The Food Service Director and/or Cook Manager will keep the Health Services Department informed of any meal modifications.

Lactose Intolerance: MN State Statute 124D.114 requires a Sponsoring Authority of school meal programs to provide one of these alternatives for a student with lactose intolerance if the parent has requested, in writing, an alternative:  Lactose reduced milk, or  Milk fortified with lactase in liquid tablet, granular, or other form, or  Milk to which lactobacillus acidophilus has been added.  Juice cannot replace milk in the National School Lunch Program.

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Latex Procedure: Because Cambridge-Isanti Schools has concerns for students and staff with latex allergies/ sensitivities we have decreased latex usage in our district and a latex procedure has been developed. Each latex allergic individual differs in symptoms. Allergic reactions can range in intensity from hives and rashes (from surface contact with latex) to life-threatening symptoms causing severe respiratory distress (called anaphylaxis - which is caused by airborne latex particles).When gloves are stretched, and placed on a person’s hands or a latex balloon is blown up and/or popped, latex particles can become airborne and remain that way for many hours (up to 24 hours). Because of this, Cambridge-Isanti Schools prohibits the use of latex balloons and latex gloves in any building, twenty four hours a day, every day of the year (not just during the school day/ school year). By reducing latex use, we can reduce the risk. Thank you for being sensitive to the needs of others.

Head Lice Head lice continue to cause concern and frustration for some parents, teachers, and students. Parents/ guardians have the primary responsibility for the detection and treatment of head lice. School nurses will work with and assist families as needed in a cooperative and collaborative manner. The Health Office will, at the discretion of the school nurse, check students for head lice who have symptoms of: scalp itching, exposure to someone with head lice and per parent request. The Health Office will contact the parent/ guardian and send home information for the parent/ guardian with children who are found to have live lice. Exclusion of a student with head lice will be based on the discretion of the school nurse. A child with head lice has likely had head lice for a month or more by the time it is discovered. We do not send home notes when a student in class has been diagnosed with head lice. If your child has head lice, please notify the Health Office. A complete copy of the district head lice procedure is available at www.c-ischools.org or in the Health Office. Important facts about head lice:  Lice do not hop, jump, or fly.  The only way they can get from one person to another is direct touching, head to head.  Lice are not passed on by pets.  Because of use and overuse of head lice shampoos, head lice have become resistant to the products that once would kill them so no head lice product is 100% effective. That is why combing and nit removal is important.  Removing the nits (eggs) and live lice with a special metal-tooth comb is time consuming but the most effective way to get rid of them.  Schools are not the most common places where head lice are spread, even though they have been blamed in the past. Sleepovers among friends and relatives are thought to be a common way they are passed from home to home.  School-wide head checks are not recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics.  The most effective screening occurs when parents check their own children at home.  Please perform weekly head checks on your student for head lice.  Exclusion from school is no longer recommended in regards to head lice.

Strep Throat Strep throat is very common among kids and teens. Symptoms of strep throat include fever, stomach pain, headache and red-swollen tonsils. All of these symptoms are not always present. The cause of strep throat is a bacterium known as Streptococcus pyogenes, or group A streptococcus. Streptococcal bacteria are highly contagious. They can spread through airborne droplets when someone with the infection coughs or sneezes. You can also pick up the bacteria from a doorknob, grocery cart, daycare facilities, or other surfaces and transfer them to your nose or mouth. Kitchen utensils and bathroom objects are other common modes of infection transmission. Strep bacteria flourish wherever groups of people are in close contact. Although strep throat can occur anytime of the year, it tends to circulate in late fall, winter and early spring. We do not send home notes when a student in class has been diagnosed with strep throat.

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Prevention tips:  Wash your hands: Proper hand washing is the best way to prevent all kinds of infections. That's why it is important to wash your own hands regularly and to teach your children how to wash their hands properly, using soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.  Cover your cough and catch your sneezes: Teach your children to cover their coughs (with a tissue or their sleeves).  Don't share personal items: Teach your child not to share drinking glasses, toothbrushes, eating utensils, or other personal items.

Pink Eye Pink eye, or conjunctivitis, is the most common eye infection affecting kids. Irritation, burning and itchy eye(s), swelling of the lid(s), sensitive to light, pink or red in color, increased tearing, and discharge from eye(s). All or some of these symptoms may be present. School policy does not automatically exclude students with pink eye. Viral conjunctivitis can clear up on its own in a few days to a few weeks. Bacterial conjunctivitis will require medication. We do not send home notes when a student in class has been diagnosed with pink eye. Prevention tips:  Teach your child to wash their hands frequently  Teach your child to avoid touching or rubbing their eye(s).  Do not share towels or washcloths at home.

Screenings Vision and Hearing Screenings and Scoliosis Screenings are conducted during the school day in accordance with the recommendations of the MN Dept of Health. Volunteers selected and trained by school nurses are used to complete the screenings.  Vision and Hearing Screenings: The Health Office screens first, third, fifth and seventh grade students each year. Additional students are screened throughout the year as parents or teachers request.  Scoliosis Screenings: The Health Office screens girls for scoliosis in the fall of their fifth grade year and the spring of their sixth grade year. Additional students are screened throughout the year at parent or teacher request.

FIELD TRIPS Field trips are taken throughout the school year and are considered part of the curriculum. Signed parent/guardian permission slips will be required. Field trips are for school age children only. If parents/guardians volunteer to chaperone they will be expected to ride to and from the trip location with the class. Chaperones are asked not to bring younger siblings along on the trip. Chaperones will be expected to supervise a small group of children under the teacher’s direction. Parents/guardians may not drive their child to and from the field trip unless an unusual circumstance exists and with the agreement of the building principal. Additionally, at times it may be necessary to exclude a student from a field trip if extreme behavior has been a factor. This is the same process as when a student is excluded from the classroom for unacceptable behavior.

FILMS AND VIDEOS Films and videos used to support the school curriculum shall meet the usual criteria used to select instructional materials. Films and videos used to reward classrooms or to entertain at parties will be G-rated only and previewed for appropriateness. Students should not bring videos from home for school use. To substitute the viewing of an entertainment film or video for instructional time is both an abuse of the medium and an activity that cannot be approved by the profession.

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FIRE LANES/NO PARKING ZONE No parking in fire lanes, please. The area by the loading dock and the tall pine trees (WEST OF THE BUILDING) is a fire lane area. Please do not park in this area. In the event of a fire or other emergency we must be able to have this area free for emergency vehicles. We appreciate your cooperation!

FOOD SERVICE Philosophy The nutrition program aims to provide high quality, nutritious meals to our students. The program includes breakfast and lunch. Information and applications for free and reduced meal programs are available in each school office, the district food service office, or from a food service computer person. Only one application per family is needed. The school district uses a computerized meal program. Parents/guardians may PREPAY into a family account from which the cost of meals is deducted as they are eaten. Students are issued a meal identification PIN # to purchase meals through their PREPAID family meal account. Parents/guardians of a newly enrolled student are asked to contact the food service office to receive a PIN # for your child. The food service department phone number is 763689-6210. Family accounts may be used for breakfast, lunch or just milk Information concerning your family meal account status is available by calling the food service office or checking Family Access on the district web site. It is the parents/guardians responsibility to keep a positive balance in your family meal account. Parents/guardians MUST PREPAY their account. This can be done in several ways:  by sending checks, made payable to: ISD #911 Food Service, 625A Main Street North, Cambridge, MN 55008  payments may be sent to school with students in a sealed envelope with student’s full name.  payments (minimum $20.00) can be made using a credit card, through the district web site. Contact the Food Service office @ 763-689-6210 for help with these payment options. Breakfast Program Breakfast is available before classes begin each morning. Breakfast will start at 7:45 a.m. and closes at 8:15 a.m. Students eligible for free and reduced meals may also participate in the breakfast program. A reduced price breakfast is actually free. Lunch Program A school lunch, which meets a third of a child’s daily nutrition requirements, includes protein, a vegetable, a fruit, bread and milk. Reduced-price meals and free meals are available to students whose family income meets governmental guidelines. Milk may be purchased to accompany home-packed lunches. WE DO NOT ALLOW STUDENTS TO BRING POP FOR LUNCH. We appreciate your efforts to help your child make a healthier beverage decision.

HOMEWORK All homework requested during or prior to student absence due to illness, vacation or family emergency will be assigned by the teacher or discussed with the student upon the student’s return to school. It should be understood that children who are absent from school do miss classroom instruction. The classroom instruction must take place prior to sending homework. Areas parents/guardians may concentrate on with students who are absent from school, whether ill, on vacation or other reasons, may include: writing, spelling, math (addition, subtraction, time, money) and oral and silent reading.

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KIDS’ RESOURCE ROOM The KRR is staffed by the social worker and an instructional assistant with support from a teacher in the Emotional/Behavioral Disorders area. A. Definition of the Kids’ Resource Room: There are multiple purposes for the Kids’ Resource Room.  First, the room serves students who need extra TLC (tender loving care and positive adult attention) due to situations in their lives.  Second, the room provides pre-referral behavioral and social interventions for students, as well as programming for already identified students with emotional, social and behavioral challenges.  The Kids’ Resource Room provides an atmosphere that is positive in which all students have the opportunity to feel more successful and comfortable in their school. Positive programs may include reinforcement with students showing Bluejacket Pride.  Finally, the Kids’ Resource Room provides a place for students who need a “Stop and Think” due to behavior issues in the classroom or school in general. B. What the Program has to offer Students and Staff: 1. Programming: Point Sheets: Focuses on specific behavioral goals often with a token economy system. Positive Café: Breakfast/Lunch/Snack The students get the chance to practice appropriate social skills and manners with peers. This also allows the students who struggle with unstructured time to have positive adult attention. Check-In: Students can check in with a KRR staff member to facilitate accountability for their behavior. In addition, this allows for the student to have an opportunity to have extra positive attention. Some students check-in a few minutes early at arrival time to avoid “problem” times such as lining up. Groups: A variety of small groups dealing with social skills, friendship, self-esteem, family changes, anger management and chemical use in the home are offered. We have also offered a military group for students whose parents/guardians are deployed. Be Cool: This is a center that is available for teachers to refer students to in time when he/she is becoming frustrated, agitated, angry or needs time alone. Ultimately, the student’s anger would be redirected enabling him/her to cool down more quickly. 2. All-School Positive Reinforcement: The following building-wide programs are administered from the KRR. Bluejacket Pride Tickets: These slips are given by staff to reinforce character traits. Students deposit their “Bluejacket Pride Tickets” in a container and we work as a school to earn various celebrations. Last year we had pep-fests, a dance party, staff versus student obstacle course, and Bluejacket Pride celebrations. 3. New Student Welcome: New students who enroll after the school year begins will be spotlighted by having an Isanti Primary School Cares About You interview along with the child’s picture hanging up in one of the showcases within our school. Along with the interview and picture, KRR staff will invite the new student and an “ambassador” from his/her classroom to visit the KRR. This would be a time of showing the student around the room, explaining its purpose, playing a game and discussing how the transition to Isanti Primary School is going. 4. Stop and Think: a. Purpose: The purpose of the Stop and Think area is to redirect behavior. The Stop and Think area also provides students with a safe environment in which to calm down. Students who are being physically or verbally aggressive may automatically be assigned a Stop and Think.

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b. Goals: 1. To enable the child to resolve a problem in school in as brief a time as possible and still be able to return to class that same day. The maximum time is 10 minutes of quiet time unless the student is not able to calm down 2. To provide a place away from reinforcement for a temporary time 3. To provide reduced stimulation in an environment which is non-threatening and “psychologically safe” during a period of anxiety 4. To provide a place for a child to regain self-control 5. To provide a safe, controlled environment for managing a student’s behavior (i.e. when the behavior is out of control in the classroom and the student is not responding to behavior interventions) c. Stop and Think Procedures 1. The student is asked to leave his/her classroom and come to Stop and Think in the KRR. 2. On arrival, a brief description of Stop and Think will be given to the student. 3. The student sits for a maximum of 10 minutes of quiet time. This may be longer if the student is not able to calm down. 4. Upon completion of Stop and Think, the student and staff discuss the situation that occurred in the classroom and what can be done next time to solve the problem. 5. The student is then responsible for taking home the Stop and Think form, explaining the incident to his/her parent or guardian, and returning the form signed by his /her parent or guardian. (The parent/guardian signature indicates that they have received the form.) 6. If the form is not returned on the following day, the student will miss recess. 7. If the form is not returned following the second day, the parent/guardian will be contacted by Kid’s Resource Room staff and the student will once again stay in for recess. 8. If the form is not returned following the second day, the parent/guardian will be contacted by Kid’s Resource Room staff and the student will once again stay in for recess.

KIDS’ TEAM The purpose of the Kids’ Team is to help classroom teachers plan and design instruction so that students at risk of failure can raise their level of academic achievement in the regular classroom. Kids’ Team also helps classroom teachers change student behavior in desirable ways. Kids’ Team is not special education. Kids’ Team is a service available to all students and their teachers in Isanti Primary School. Staff members representing the following departments are on the team: Regular Education, Special Education, Administration, Title I, Nursing, Psychology, Speech Therapy, ESL, and Social Work.

LOCKERS & DESKS Lockers and desks are issued to students on the first day of school. As a part of respecting our environment, students will be expected to keep their lockers and desks neat and clean. For security purposes, students should not leave money or valuables in lockers or desks. We request that students not place stickers in or on lockers or desks; these are difficult to remove. Students placing stickers in/on lockers or desks will be accountable for removing them. We request that students refrain from writing on lockers and desks. Damage to lockers and desks by the student could be considered vandalism. Lockers and desks are the property of the school district and are subject to investigation at any time by school officials. Students are responsible for their lockers, inside and out!

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LOST AND FOUND Each year mittens, sweaters, caps, boots, and other kinds of clothing are turned in to the “Lost and Found” and are never claimed. We’d urge that parents carry out a labeling system in order to limit items lost. Parents and/or children should check the “Lost and Found” area in the cafeteria. To help eliminate lost items: • Clearly label your child’ coats jackets, sweaters, caps and boots with full name and grade. • Personally check the lost and found as soon as you suspect an item is lost. • Use caution in allowing articles of sentimental or monetary value to be brought to school. • Any items left in the lost and found for longer than one month are donated to a charitable organization or disposed of.

PARENT INVOLVEMENT Parent/guardian involvement in the education of their children is highly encouraged and valued. The following are ways parents/guardians may become involved in the school district. 

Making Sure We Can Always Contact You: Please update your emergency and contact information as soon as possible using Family Access. If you experience difficulty with this please contact the school office. We must be able to reach you!

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Indicating Teacher Preference Parents have the option to place a request for a teacher for their 1st through 3rd grade students. We open up requests in the spring. Parents are notified through the school newsletter. Forms must be requested through the principal’s office. The criteria we use to group students include: We make every attempt to honor - having an equal number of girls and boys; all requests but cannot guarantee - having academic balance from one class to the next; that your request will be filled. - separating students who have problems being together; - the relationship between a teacher and student; and - any special needs of the student.

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Parent-Teacher Organization Isanti Primary School has a Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) that meets monthly during the school year. PTO meeting dates will be sent to you in a school newsletter.

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Communication With the School Examples of when parent/guardian support is important: * Completing and returning the Emergency Card annually (include plan for emergency closing) * Call the school by 8:00 a.m. at 763-691-8770 the day your child is absent stating the reason for absence. * Attend conferences * Call teachers after school or during prep time * Complete and return permission forms in a timely manner * Write a note for changes in transportation plans * Contact the nurse or health secretary with medical concerns * Prearrange with the teacher for guests to visit class with your child. Guests allowed up to one hour.

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Conferences Family-teacher conferences will be held mid-tri during the first trimester and we will be meeting with parents and guardians in February/March of 2017. Classroom teachers will send home information prior to conferences. Isanti Primary School has always had a great response from parents. We hope to have 100% conference attendance!

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

Volunteer Program As volunteers, parents/guardians can support and enhance many programs and activities in our school. Activities include assisting with book fairs, health screening, tutoring students, assisting in classrooms, working with students on computers and helping prepare teaching materials. VOLUNTEERS: * Give teachers more time to teach * Provide individual help to students * Enrich the curriculum by bringing in special interests and experiences * Improve school-community relations * Have an opportunity for personal growth * Develop new skills * Learn more about their schools and community * Allow students to view and interact with a variety of adult role models

A volunteer can be anyone willing to give his or her time and talent. Volunteers are high school students, parents, guardians, senior citizens and other members of the community. Please consider sharing your time and talent with us. Complete and return the volunteer application form. All volunteers are required to undergo a background check. Certain volunteer opportunities will require a paid background check.

PARKING Please enter the front parking lot from 3rd Ave. (east of the school) not from County Road 5. Note the “Enter Only” and “Do Not Enter” signs posted at the entrance to the front lot. Thank you very much! Parking space in the front of the school is minimal and is mostly reserved for the Early Childhood Program. If you routinely pick up your child/children from school, please pick them up along the sidewalk in the front of the building. Turning left off of 3rd avenue is no longer an option due to the new parking configuration. The back parking lot directly behind the school is not a pick-up and drop-off area. Please park in designated parking spots only. Please do not park in fire lanes (look for signs). Please do not block the loading dock area. After buses have left at the end of the day visitors may park in the back of the school. Please notice that there are several yellow gates that are closed during the day. Please do not go through these gates. Our students’ safety is a primary concern!

PERSONNEL Contact information for school personnel can be found on the district website at http://www.cischools.org/school/isanti-primary-school/staff-directory.

SCHOOL BOARD Contact information for school board members can be found on the district website at http://www.c-ischools.org/about/school-board/meet-board.

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PICKING UP STUDENTS Student safety is very important to us! Any visitors entering our school must immediately report to the main office for identification and registration. Children will not be dismissed from classrooms or allowed to have a visitor without proper notification from the main office. Picking Up Students During the School Day Report to the main office. Identify yourself, provide a government issued ID and sign out the child/children. The main office staff will arrange for the students to come to the office. Please wait for children in the office. Picking Up Students at the End of the School Day Send a note for the classroom teacher or call the school with your request to pick up a student and meet the student in front of the building at dismissal time. If you cannot call ahead, report to the main office, identify yourself, sign out your child/children, and office personnel will have them dismissed from the classroom(s) to meet you in the office. If the child/children is/are already on a bus, office personnel will call the bus and ask for the child/children to be sent back into the building to meet you. Adults are not allowed to wait by classroom doors or to take children from bus lines without authorization from the main office. Parking space is minimal in front of the school. If you routinely pick up your child/children from school, please park on 3rd or 4th Avenues across County Rd. 5 from the school and ask your children to cross with the crossing guard and then meet your vehicle. It is important to remember that students cross the parking area in front of the school as they come to school and leave school for the day. Please stop at the stop sign. THERE IS A STOP SIGN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PARKING AREA THAT MUST BE RECOGNIZED BY DRIVERS. PLEASE HELP US WATCH OUT FOR THE CHILDREN’S SAFETY. SHOULD THERE BE A BUS UNLOADING IN THE FRONT PARKING AREA, PLEASE DO NOT GO AROUND IT.

PHOTO POLICY There are occasions when representatives of Cambridge Isanti Schools and or the media photograph or videotape students while in school or while attending/participating in school sponsored functions. Parents/guardians NOT WANTING their children to be specifically identified in photographs or on videotape should notify the principal’s office in writing.

REPORT CARDS Report cards will be issued to all students. Report cards are generally either distributed at school or mailed to students approximately two weeks after the end of the quarter. Parents of elementary students who have fees or fines due will be contacted by the office to arrange payment.

SAFETY DRILLS Tornado, Fire, and Building Lock Down Drills One tornado drill, five fire drills, and five emergency/lock down drills are required by state law. Cards with emergency evacuation procedures are posted in each classroom. During a fire emergency drill, students are to

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walk rapidly (not run) in single file and leave books and other items behind. It is very important that students listen to their teachers at this time. Our students and staff will also participate in “lock down” emergency drills during the school year. This procedure would be used in the event of an intruder in the building or a community event that requires that we take increased steps to safeguard our students and staff.

STUDENT CONDUCT Discipline plan Philosophy: The school staff and parents/guardians share the responsibility of helping children behave appropriately in the school environment where children have rights and responsibilities. The school staff will help students learn to follow rules of proper conduct and safety. Student self-discipline is a main goal of the discipline plan at our school. Another goal is to foster communication between the school staff and parents to help students behave properly. The guidelines for our discipline philosophy are the Character Traits of: RESPECT, RESPONSIBILITY, HONESTY, SELF-DISCIPLINE AND COMPASSION. To put it in child-friendly terms…

Isanti Primary School follows the “Behavior B’s”: *Be kind

*Be safe

*Be respectful

*Be responsible and follow directions

*Be helpful

The purpose of the discipline program is to provide an excellent learning climate at our primary school. The success for this program will be determined by those who abide by the rules and work to keep our school an excellent learning facility. Students who behave properly will be rewarded and/or recognized, just as students who misbehave will experience an appropriate consequence. A system of rewarding students for proper behavior and removing privileges for misbehavior shall be designed by each grade level. Positive reinforcers may include: 1. Free time 2. Special Film/Video 3. Popcorn Party 4. Recreational Games 5. Additional Recess

6. 7. 8. 9.

Special Treat Special Awards Good Example Board Recognition by receiving Bluejacket Pride ticket

Consequences may include: 1. Removal of classroom privilege, snack time, recess time or special activities 2. A Stop & Think (time-out) in the Kids’ Resource Room 3. In-school suspension 4. Phone call to parent 5. Conference with parents and student 6. Out of School Suspension Consequences shall NOT include: 1. Detention that causes a student to miss the afternoon bus 2. Corporal punishment

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SPECIFIC RULES FOR SPECIAL AREAS Cafeteria 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Quiet Voices Hands and feet to self Walking feet Stay in your spot Raise your hand for help Food is for eating only Respect others

Playground 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 5. 6.

Play safely Stay on the school property in assigned areas Use playground equipment properly Wear appropriate clothing Use kind words and actions Line up quickly and quietly when playtime is over Follow directions of playground supervisors

Bathrooms 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Use the bathroom responsibly Help keep the bathroom clean Visit the bathroom only briefly Please wash your hands Keep your hands, feet and all objects to yourself

Hallway 1. Always look forward 2. Hands and feet to self 3. Voices off 4. Keep to the right

Behavior During Other School Activities The type and level of behavior expected of students during instructional times is a model for student conduct at school activities such as programs, field trips and concerts. Good audience behavior includes sitting quietly, paying attention and showing appreciation for the efforts of the performers. Frequently, special behavior rules are applied during field trips because of the variety of settings and activities. Generally students are expected to follow the direction of their adult leaders, pay attention and represent their community in the best possible way. To ensure maximum enjoyment of all school activities, certain levels of crowd conduct are necessary. Courtesy toward the performers by all members of an audience is desirable and necessary. In large crowds, listening to the participant ensures the opportunity for enjoyment by everyone present. When activities involve other schools, respectful and sportsmanlike conduct is desirable. It is hoped that a positive attitude by Cambridge-Isanti crowds will ensure a mutual response when our participants are involved at other schools. Due Process If students feel they have followed procedures concerning school policy yet have reached an impasse, they may file a grievance by doing the following: Step 1: The student must present a written statement of facts concerning the impasse to the principal within 15 days of the initial situation. The statement should include specifics such as dates, names and incidents. Step 2: The principal will investigate the grievance and respond in writing to the student and faculty members involved within five days. Step 3: If the impasse is not resolved, the grievance will be presented to the Superintendent of Schools and a meeting of involved parties will be arranged, including parents/guardians of the involved student. Conciliation is the goal of this meeting. A time limit of 10 days is provided for this procedure. Step 4: If the impasse is not resolved, it will be presented to the School Board. Their decision will be final.

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Principal’s Role with Discipline The principal’s involvement in school discipline supports teacher monitoring of student conduct and the Stop & Think process in the Kids’ Resource Room. Any student behavior that is deemed to be particularly unsafe is to be reported to the principal. This behavior includes fighting, swearing, disrespect, destruction of property, stealing and truancy, harassment and the use/possession of weapons, tobacco or drugs. Based on the severity and frequency of this behavior and other inappropriate behavior a student may be automatically removed from the classroom for In-School suspension or may be excluded from school through Out-of-School suspension or expulsion. If a student is assigned In-School or Out-of-School suspension, parents/guardians will be contacted immediately and may be required to come to school to reinstate the student to the classroom. In conference with the parent/guardian, an appropriate course of action shall be determined. Stop and Think Room ( See Kids’ Resource Room) Our school has a special Stop and Think room supervised by trained adult personnel for students who need to settle down or cool off. Being able to go somewhere to calm down is better than having a situation escalate. See complete information under Kid’s Resource Room.

STUDENT/FAMILY CONFIDENTIALITY / RECORDS & RELEASE OF INFORMATION It is the policy of this school district to protect the privacy rights of students and keep confidential any matters that encroach on these rights. At times it is necessary to involve police, social services, probation or other public agencies regarding the welfare of students. District staff will take appropriate measures to ensure that the confidentiality of students is maintained during these contacts.

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES Gum: Gum chewing is not allowed at IPS – it is a gum free zone! Knives or Other Weapons: Knives and other weapons or look-a-like weapons are not allowed in school, on the school bus, or on any school district property Leave These Items at Home: Items such as cell phones, Ipods, toys, “trinkets”, skateboards, scooters, radios, remote-controlled toys, dolls, collector cards of any type, roller blades, electronic games, etc., are to be left at home. They get broken, lost, stolen and become the center of attention, distracting from the learning process. The school will not be responsible for any of these items. Bats and hard balls are not to be brought to school or to be taken on the school bus for any reason. Skateboards, Bikes & Scooters: Skateboards, bikes & scooters are not to be used on school property. It is acknowledged that some student use skateboards, bikes or scooters to “ride” to school. Once the child is on school property the skateboard, bike or scooter must not be in use. Pets: Students are not to bring pets to school unless as part of a class activity; teacher approval is required. In such cases, adults are asked to bring the pets at the time of the activity. Pets are allowed to stay only for a brief visit. Pets must be under the control of the visiting adult at all times. Patriotism: Elementary students participate in patriotic activities including the Pledge of Allegiance each morning. Students may choose to sit out of this activity

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STUDENT BILL OF RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES The right to be treated with courtesy and respect means: I will use proper language. I will keep my hands and feet off others. I will respect the rights and feelings of others and carry out my responsibilities the best I know how. I will ask before I borrow, and return what I borrow. I will be honest. I will stay in my own space. The right to work in a quiet area means: I will use a proper indoor voice. I will listen and follow directions. I will make good use of my time. I will not distract others. The right to attend a neat, clean school, free from vandalism, means: I will treat books, materials, furniture and the building with care. I will keep my area clean and orderly. I will report litter and vandalism to my teacher. The right to play on a safe playground free from danger and rough play means: I will practice and obey safe rules. I will play fair. I will control my anger in a proper way. I will resolve conflict in a peaceful manner. The right to walk safely within and outside the building means: I will walk safely. I will not butt, push, ask for ‘heads’ or run. I will keep my hands and feet off others. I will not distract others when in the hall. I will not ride my bike, skateboard or use rollerblades/skates on school property

SOCIAL WORKER Isanti Primary School has a full time social worker 5 days per week. The job responsibilities include developing behavioral programs, working with parents and agencies, and assisting in developing appropriate programs for students with special needs. The social worker is not trained as a counselor or therapist. The social worker does not work with individual students in a therapeutic or counseling manner. The social worker and an instructional assistant share the facilitation of the Kids’ Resource Room which includes our Stop and Think area.

SPECIAL EDUCATION The Special Education program works with students with identified special needs in academic and/or behavioral areas. These students have learning, speech or behavior challenges far below the expected levels of typically developing students. To qualify for this service, students must be referred for special testing and meet strict criteria. Special education teachers develop an individual education plan (IEP) for each of these students with the help of parents/guardians and regular classroom teachers.

STUDENT PICTURES Our students have school pictures taken twice each school year, usually in September and then again in the spring. All pictures are on a prepay/order basis.

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TELEPHONE/STUDENT MESSAGES It is encouraged that parents call the main office and leave a message for their child’s teacher. Emergency messages called into the main office will be delivered immediately to students or staff. Other messages will be delivered when convenient which is during the teacher’s prep or lunch time. Our goal is to avoid interruptions in the classroom. The telephone in the main office is for business use. Classroom telephones may be used at teacher discretion.

TITLE I PROGRAM Schoolwide Title I program is a federal program providing funds to school districts to help students who have been identified by their classroom teachers as needing extra help in reading and /or mathematics. At Isanti Primary School, we are a schoolwide Title I program. All students at Isanti Primary school benefit from the schoolwide Title 1 designation. A formal notice will not be sent to parents as students move in and out of services. Each student’s classroom teacher will continue to communicate with parents regarding their child’s learning. Additional information can be found on our school website.

TRANSPORTATION Bus Schedules/Directions are available on Family Access. View them under Student Information on the transportation website. Things you should know! 1. Students will only be allowed to ride the bus that they are assigned. Bus passes will not be accepted to ride other buses. 2. Day variant pick up and drop off locations will not be allowed. A family may select one pick up location and one drop off location. The locations must be within the attendance area of the school and the request must be consistent for at least 30 days. Parents that wish to have their student transported from an alternate site must complete the alternative site form for each of their children. These forms are available at your student’s school or on-line at the District web-site under the transportation page. 3. Certain items will not be allowed on the bus due to their size. A student should only bring what they are able to hold on their lap and the items should not interfere with another student’s space on the bus. Please see the transportation web page for the exact list. The list is also available in the appendix of this handbook.

USE OF TOBACCO All Cambridge-Isanti Schools, grounds and vehicles are tobacco free. We ask for your cooperation in refraining from smoking or using tobacco products while in district buildings and vehicles and on district grounds. Students using or possessing tobacco products are subject to discipline as listed in the school policy.

VISITING STUDENTS AND STUDENT GUESTS: Visiting Students During the School Day  Pre-schedule with your child’s teacher.  Report to the main office and sign in.  Identify yourself and indicate you have scheduled a visit a in the classroom.  The main office will give you a visitor’s badge to indicate authorization.  Visits are limited to about one hour. Student Guests Students wishing to visit from outside the school are welcome. Visits are limited to one hour. Teachers must be notified ahead of time.

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VOLUNTEER PROGRAM We encourage you to become a volunteer in our school. Your time and presence in the building is extremely important to the students’ learning. If you are interested please fill out a volunteer application and send it to school. If you have questions please contact Mary Pierce, our volunteer coordinator, at 691-8778. A volunteer application is included as part of this handbook. All volunteers are required to undergo a background check.

Certain volunteer opportunities will require a paid background check.

WEAPONS (USE/POSSESSION OF) Minnesota schools are weapon-free zones. Recent laws are tough on anyone caught possessing or using a dangerous weapon within one city block or 300 feet of any Minnesota school or school bus carrying students. Students are forbidden knowingly and voluntarily to possess, handle, transmit or use any instrument in school or on school grounds that is ordinarily or generally considered a weapon. Any object which could be used to injure another person and which has no school-related purpose for being in school or on school grounds will be considered a weapon for the purposes of this policy. The following are examples of instruments ordinarily or generally considered weapons: knives, guns, lead pipes, chains, chuck sticks, throwing stars, darts, metal knuckles, blackjacks, unauthorized tools, explosives or other chemicals and “look-a-likes”. Violation of this policy may be cause for expulsion from school in accordance with school and district policy. Police will be contacted when there is a suspected violation of criminal laws concerning weapons. Students who have been found guilty on a weapons charge that occurred outside the schools may be subject to expulsion proceedings.

WITHDRAWALS AND TRANSFERS Parents/guardians are to contact the school office if a student is withdrawing from the school district or transferring to another school. Students must return all school materials and equipment, pay all fines or assessments, and complete work at a reasonable stopping point before school records will be transferred to another school.

EMPLOYMENT & SERVICES CRIMINAL HISTORY BACKGROUND CHECKS: The school district has adopted a policy, the purpose for which is to promote the physical, social and psychological well-being of its students. Pursuant to this policy, the school district shall seek criminal history background checks for all applicants who receive an offer of employment with the school district. The school district also shall seek criminal history background checks for all individuals who are offered the opportunity to provide athletic coaching services or other extracurricular academic coaching services to the school district, regardless of whether compensation is paid. These positions include, but are not limited to, all athletic coaches, extracurricular academic coaches, assistants and advisors. The school district may elect to seek criminal history background checks for volunteers, independent contractors and student employees.

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School Board Policy links can be found at: http://www.c-ischools.org/policy-manual

ADMISSION OF NON-RESIDENT STUDENTS (Open Enrollment) Open Enrollment within the District Contact the school for information about “within district” open enrollment. This is the process that occurs when a student in the Isanti attendance area wishes to attend school in the Cambridge schools and vice versa. Application for this must be made through the building principal of the school where the student wishes to attend.

BUILDING USE AND RENTAL The Community Education Office coordinates rental and use of School District buildings, facilities and equipment. Groups and organizations wishing to use school facilities should make arrangements with Community Education at 689-6189.

CHEMICAL USE POLICY Minnesota schools are drug-free zones. Laws are tough on anyone caught selling or possessing illegal drugs within one city block or 300 feet of any Minnesota school or school bus carrying students.

INTERNET ACCEPTABLE USE AND SAFETY POLICY #524 I. PURPOSE The purpose of this policy is to set forth policies and guidelines for access to the school district computer system and acceptable and safe use of the Internet, including electronic communications. II. GENERAL STATEMENT OF POLICY In making decisions regarding student and employee access to the school district computer system and the Internet, including electronic communications, the school district considers its own stated educational mission, goals, and objectives. Electronic information research skills are now fundamental to preparation of citizens and future employees. Access to the school district computer system and to the Internet enables students and employees to explore thousands of libraries, databases, bulletin boards, and other resources while exchanging messages with people around the world. The school district expects that faculty will blend thoughtful use of the school district computer system and the Internet throughout the curriculum and will provide guidance and instruction to students in their use. III. LIMITED EDUCATIONAL PURPOSE The school district is providing students and employees with access to the school district computer system, which includes Internet access. The purpose of the system is more specific than providing students and employees with general access to the Internet. The school district system has a limited educational purpose, which includes use of the system for classroom activities, educational research, and professional or career development activities. Users are expected to use Internet access through the district system to further educational and personal goals consistent with the mission of the school district and school policies. Uses which might be acceptable on a user’s private personal account on another system may not be acceptable on this limited-purpose network IV. USE OF SYSTEM IS A PRIVILEGE The use of the school district system and access to use of the Internet is a privilege, not a right. Depending on the nature and degree of the violation and the number of previous violations, unacceptable use of the school district system or the Internet may result in one or more of the following consequences: suspension or cancellation of use

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or access privileges; payments for damages and repairs; discipline under other appropriate school district policies, including suspension, expulsion, exclusion or termination of employment; or civil or criminal liability under other applicable laws. V. UNACCEPTABLE USES A. The following uses of the school district system and Internet resources or accounts are considered unacceptable: 1. Users will not use the school district system to access, review, upload, download, store, print, post, receive, transmit or distribute: a. pornographic, obscene or sexually explicit material or other visual depictions that are harmful to minors; b. obscene, abusive, profane, lewd, vulgar, rude, inflammatory, threatening, disrespectful, or sexually explicit language; c. materials that use language or images that are inappropriate in the education setting or disruptive to the educational process; d. information or materials that could cause damage or danger of disruption to the educational process; e. materials that use language or images that advocate violence or discrimination toward other people (hate literature) or that may constitute harassment or discrimination. 2. Users will not use the school district system to knowingly or recklessly post, transmit or distribute false or defamatory information about a person or organization, or to harass another person, or to engage in personal attacks, including prejudicial or discriminatory attacks. 3. Users will not use the school district system to engage in any illegal act or violate any local, state or federal statute or law. 4. Users will not use the school district system to vandalize, damage or disable the property of another person or organization, will not make deliberate attempts to degrade or disrupt equipment, software or system performance by spreading computer viruses or by any other means, will not tamper with, modify or change the school district system software, hardware or wiring or take any action to violate the school district’s security system, and will not use the school district system in such a way as to disrupt the use of the system by other users. 5. Users will not use the school district system to gain unauthorized access to information resources or to access another person’s materials, information or files without the implied or direct permission of that person. 6. Users will not use the school district system to post private information about another person, personal contact information about themselves or other persons, or other personally identifiable information, including, but not limited to, addresses, telephone numbers, school addresses, work addresses, identification numbers, account numbers, access codes or passwords, labeled photographs or other information that would make the individual’s identity easily traceable, and will not repost a message that was sent to the user privately without permission of the person who sent the message. 7. Users must keep all account information and passwords on file with the designated school district official. Users will not attempt to gain unauthorized access to the school district system or any other system through the school district system, attempt to log in through another person’s account, or use computer accounts, access codes or network identification other than those assigned to the user. Messages and records on the school district system may not be encrypted without the permission of appropriate school authorities. 8. Users will not use the school district system to violate copyright laws or usage licensing agreements, or otherwise to use another person’s property without the person’s prior approval or proper citation, including the downloading or exchanging of pirated software or copying software to or from any school computer, and will not plagiarize works they find on the Internet. 9. Users will not use the school district system for conducting business, for unauthorized commercial purposes or for financial gain unrelated to the mission of the school district. Users will not use the school district system to offer or provide goods or services or for product advertisement. Users will not use the school district system to purchase goods or services for personal use without authorization from the appropriate school district official. 10. Users will not install, modify or delete software from school district systems. Users must follow school district software procedures. B. If a user inadvertently accesses unacceptable materials or an unacceptable Internet site, the user shall immediately disclose the inadvertent access to an appropriate school district official. In the case of a school

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district employee, the immediate disclosure shall be to the employee’s immediate supervisor and/or the building administrator. This disclosure may serve as a defense against an allegation that the user has intentionally violated this policy. In certain rare instances, a user also may access otherwise unacceptable materials if necessary to complete an assignment and if done with the prior approval of and with appropriate guidance from the appropriate teacher or, in the case of a school district employee, the building administrator. VI. FILTER A. With respect to any of its computers with Internet access, the School District will monitor the online activities of minors and employ technology protection measures during any use of such computers by minors and adults. The technology protection measures utilized will block or filter Internet access to any visual depictions that are: 1. Obscene; 2. Child pornography; or 3. Harmful to minors. B. The term “harmful to minors” means any picture, image, graphic image file, or other visual depiction that: 1. Taken as a whole and with respect to minors, appeals to a prurient interest in nudity, sex, or excretion; or 2. Depicts, describes, or represents, in a patently offensive way with respect to what is suitable for minors, an actual or simulated sexual act or sexual contact, actual or simulated normal or perverted sexual acts, or a lewd exhibition of the genitals; and 3. Taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value as to minors. C. An administrator, supervisor or other person authorized by the Superintendent may disable the technology protection measure, during use by an adult, to enable access for bona fide research or other lawful purposes. VII. CONSISTENCY WITH OTHER SCHOOL POLICIES Use of the school district computer system and use of the Internet shall be consistent with school district policies and the mission of the school district. VIII. LIMITED EXPECTATION OF PRIVACY A. By authorizing use of the school district system, the school district does not relinquish control over materials on the system or contained in files on the system. Users should expect only limited privacy in the contents of personal files on the school district system. B. Routine maintenance and monitoring of the school district system may lead to a discovery that a user has violated this policy, another school district policy, or the law. C. An individual investigation or search will be conducted if school authorities have a reasonable suspicion that the search will uncover a violation of law or school district policy. D. Parents have the right at any time to investigate or review the contents of their child’s files and e-mail files. Parents have the right to request the termination of their child’s individual account at any time. E. School district employees should be aware that the school district retains the right at any time to investigate or review the contents of their files and e-mail files. In addition, school district employees should be aware that data and other materials in files maintained on the school district system may be subject to review, disclosure or discovery under Minn. Stat. Ch. 13 ( the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act). F. The school district will cooperate fully with local, state and federal authorities in any investigation concerning or related to any illegal activities or activities not in compliance with school district policies conducted through the school district system. IX. INTERNET USE AGREEMENT A. The proper use of the Internet, and the educational value to be gained from proper Internet use, is the joint responsibility of students, parents and employees of the school district. B. This policy requires the permission of and supervision by the school’s designated professional staff before a student may use a school account or resource to access the Internet. C. Parents may complete an Internet non-agreement form if they do not want their child to have access to the Internet. The non-agreement form is located in the main office in each school building and in the Education Center.

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X. LIMITATION ON SCHOOL DISTRICT LIABILITY Use of the school district system is at the user’s own risk. The system is provided on an “as is, as available” basis. The school district will not be responsible for any damage users may suffer, including, but not limited to, loss, damage or unavailability of data stored on school district diskettes, tapes, hard drives or servers, or for delays or changes in or interruptions of service or misdeliveries or non-deliveries of information or materials, regardless of the cause. The school district is not responsible for the accuracy or quality of any advice or information obtained through or stored on the school district system. The school district will not be responsible for financial obligations arising through unauthorized use of the school district system or the Internet. XI. USER NOTIFICATION A. All users shall be notified of the school district policies relating to Internet use. B. This notification shall include the following: 1. Notification that Internet use is subject to compliance with school district policies. 2. Disclaimers limiting the school district’s liability relative to: a. Information stored on school district diskettes, hard drives or servers. b. Information retrieved through school district computers, networks or online resources. c. Personal property used to access school district computers, networks or online resources. d. Unauthorized financial obligations resulting from use of school district resources/accounts to access the Internet. 3. A description of the privacy rights and limitations of school sponsored/managed Internet accounts. 4. Notification that, even though the school district may use technical means to limit student Internet access, these limits do not provide a foolproof means for enforcing the provisions of this acceptable use policy. 5. Notification that goods and services can be purchased over the Internet that could potentially result in unwanted financial obligations and that any financial obligation incurred by a student through the Internet is the sole responsibility of the student and/or the student’s parents. 6. Notification that the collection, creation, reception, maintenance and dissemination of data via the Internet, including electronic communications, is governed by Policy 406, Public and Private Personnel Data, and Policy 515, Protection and Privacy of Pupil Records. 7. Notification that, should the user violate the school district’s acceptable use policy, the user’s access privileges may be revoked, school disciplinary action may be taken and/or appropriate legal action may be taken. 8. Notification that all provisions of the acceptable use policy are subordinate to local, state and federal laws. XII. PARENTS’ RESPONSIBILITY; NOTIFICATION OF STUDENT INTERNET USE A. Outside of school, parents bear responsibility for the same guidance of Internet use as they exercise with information sources such as television, telephones, radio, movies and other possibly offensive media. Parents are responsible for monitoring their student’s use of the school district system and of the Internet if the student is accessing the school district system from home or a remote location. B. Parents will be notified that their students will be using school district resources/accounts to access the Internet and that the school district will provide parents the option to request alternative activities not requiring Internet access. This notification should include: 1. A copy of the user notification form provided to the student user. 2. A description of parent/guardian responsibilities. 3. A notification that the parents have the option to request alternative educational activities not requiring Internet access and the material to exercise this option. 4. A statement that the Internet use non-agreement form must be signed by the parent if they do not want their child to have access to the Internet. 5. A statement that the school district’s acceptable use policy is available for parental review. XIII. IMPLEMENTATION; POLICY REVIEW A. The school district administration may develop appropriate user notification forms, guidelines and procedures necessary to implement this policy for submission to the school board for approval. Upon approval by the school board, such guidelines, forms and procedures shall be an addendum to this policy.

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B. The administration shall revise the user notifications, including student and parent notifications, if necessary, to reflect the adoption of these guidelines and procedures. C. The school district Internet policies and procedures are available for review by all parents, guardians, staff and members of the community. D. Because of the rapid changes in the development of the Internet, the school board shall conduct an annual review of this policy.

TRANSPORTATION – BUS RULES (Policy #709) The safety of every student on school vehicles is of great concern to all of us. Every precaution is taken to assure that the students arrive at their designated bus stop safely. This requires the cooperation of the parents. The driver must give his/her entire attention to driving the vehicle. Anything that happens on a vehicle to divert the driver's attention from his/her job immediately endangers the safety of the riders. It is therefore, absolutely necessary that the children riding in the vehicle conduct themselves in the best possible manner. The following rules governing the pupils riding the school vehicles will be enforced at all times: I. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

Immediately follow the directions of the driver. Sit in your seat facing forward. Talk quietly and use appropriate language. Keep all parts of your body inside the bus. Keep you r arms, legs and belongings to yourself. No fighting, harassment, intimidation or horseplay. Do not throw any object. No eating, drinking, or use of alcohol, tobacco, or drugs. Do not bring any weapon or dangerous objects on the school bus. Do not damage the school bus.

TRANSPORTATION - PROHIBITED OBJECTS (Policy #709) If an item can be carried on a student's lap, without interfering with the space of another passenger, it will be accepted. Certain items will not be accepted: a. Instruments: • Guitars 4 • Tuba • Drums • French Horn b. Sporting Equipment: • Bats • Golf Clubs • Sleds • Skates not in a bag • Skis/Ski Poles • Skateboards • Snowboards • Tennis Rackets • Fishing Poles • Balls (all types) not .in a bag c. School Projects: • No Live or Dead Animals (e.g., mice, rats, snakes, cats, dogs) • Small Engines • Fundraisers • Luggage • Shop Projects (e.g., tables, gun racks, shelves)

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d. Miscellaneous

Items: Archery Equipment • Guns (loaded or unloaded) • Gas Cans (full or empty) • Lighters • Cigarettes • Drugs or Alcohol - Ammunition

TRANSPORTATION- SCHEDULES Transportation Schedules will only be available online via Family Access approximately two weeks prior to the start of school. Please verify that your student's information is correct to ensure that they are scheduled correctly. An Alternate Site Form is available for students who need to be picked and/or dropped-off at a location other than their home. If students have an Alternate Site Form on file with the Transportation Office., this address is where they will be scheduled to until notified by a parent/guardian of a change. Students are allowed one pickup and one drop-off location. Bus Passes are not accepted. Please notify the Transportation Office of any changes or if your student will not use lSD #911 transportation. TRANSPORTATION - STUDENT CONDUCT (Policy 11709-R) First Report A warning will be given at the discretion of the principal or principal's designee. Second Report Up to a 3-day suspension from riding the bus may be imposed at the discretion of the principal or principal's designee. Third Report Up to a 5-day suspension from riding the bus may be imposed at the discretion of the principal or principal designee. Fourth Report Up to a 10-day suspension from riding the bus may be imposed at the discretion of the principal or principal designee. The principal sends a bus letter to parent(s)/guardian(s) notifying them of the suspension. A parent/student/principal/driver conference is required before the student resumes riding the bus. Fifth Report A parent conference is held. Suspension from riding the bus for the remainder of the year may be imposed at the discretion of the principal or principal's designee. Serious Bus Conduct Violations: Students who misbehave severely may be returned to the school immediately and reported to the building principal or other designated individual. Based on tile severity of a student's conduct, more serious consequences may be imposed at any time. Depending on the nature of the offense, consequences such as suspension or expulsion from school may also result from school bus/bus stop misconduct. Transportation Phone: 763-552-6287 Fax: 763-552-6299 Email: [email protected] Website: www.c-ischools.org

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Health & Safety: Asbestos, Pesticide, and IAQ Notifications To: From: Date: Subject:

Parents and Employees of Cambridge-Isanti Public Schools Independent School District #911 2016-2017 School Year ANNUAL HEATH & SAFETY NOTIFICATIONS

Asbestos The Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) requires that each school district notify workers and building occupants annually regarding asbestos-related activities. Until the late seventies, asbestos was commonly used in commercial and residential building materials such as floor tile, fire-proofing spray, and thermal system insulation used on pipes, tanks, and boilers. Our school buildings are inspected for asbestos-containing materials every three years according to AHERA protocol, using state accredited inspectors, to ensure that these materials are maintained in a safe condition. The last Three-Year inspection was last conducted in May 2013 and is scheduled to be completed again in May 2016. AHERA also requires that the District conduct periodic surveillance inspections every six months to evaluate the condition of asbestos-containing materials. The 6-month periodic inspections were completed in November 2015. Management plans are continually updated and are available for review upon request. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Minnesota Department of Education has recommended that asbestos-containing materials (ACM) be maintained in-place whenever possible. Therefore, the District has limited its asbestos removal to areas where renovation or maintenance activities are planned. There is currently no planned asbestos abatement for the 2016-2017 school year. If you have any questions regarding this matter, you may contact the District’s Asbestos Designated Person, Mark Eisenbacher, at 763-689-6211.

Indoor Air Quality The District has developed an Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Management Plan which contains information for concerned parents and staff regarding the air quality in the school. This management plan also contains plans for addressing any known issues and locations where more information can be obtained. Per the requirements of the Department of Education, Cambridge-Isanti Public Schools is notifying all staff and parents that the IAQ Coordinator is Mark Eisenbacher, who can be reached at 763-689-6211. Please contact the IAQ Coordinator if you should have any questions, concerns, or would like to view the IAQ Management Plan. Additional information about Indoor Air Quality, including parental checklists for at home, can be found on the EPA website at http://www.epa.gov/iaq/schools.

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Cambridge-Isanti School District #911 General Notice for School Employees and Parents A Minnesota state law went into effect in the year 2000 that requires schools to inform school employees and parents if they apply pesticides on school property. Specifically, this law requires schools that apply these pesticides to maintain an estimated schedule of pesticide applications and to make the schedule available to employees and parents for review or copying at each school’s office. Although not required by the law, schools may choose to include a copy of the estimated schedule of pesticide applications with this general notice. The prospective dates for applications in Cambridge-Isanti Public School District for the 2016-2017 School Year are during the weeks of:      

July 11, 2016 August 1, 2016 September 12, 2016 October 17, 2016 November 21, 2016 December 26, 2016

     

January 16, 2017 February 13, 2017 March 13, 2017 April 17, 2017 May 1, 2017 June 12, 2017

State law also requires that employees and parents be informed that the long-term health effects on children from the application of such pesticides or the class of chemicals to which they belong may not be fully understood. Cambridge-Isanti School District is continuing to work closely with its health and safety resources to ensure compliance with integrated pest management. If you have further questions, I can be reached at 763-689-6211. Sincerely, Mark Eisenbacher Director of Buildings and Grounds Request for Pesticide Notification Cambridge-Isanti Public Schools I understand that the school will make available an estimated schedule of pesticide applications for review and copying at the school office. Should a pesticide application be schedule at a time different from the days specified in the original schedule, I would like to be notified. The form below must be returned by October 01, 2016. I would prefer to be notified by (circle one):

US MAIL

E-MAIL

Please print neatly: Name of Parent/Guardian: _____________________________ Date: ________________ Address: ________________________________________________________________ Day Phone: ________________Evening: ________________ E-mail: ________________ Return to: Mark Eisenbacher, Director of Buildings and Grounds Cambridge-Isanti Public Schools 625A Main Street North Cambridge, MN 55008

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AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM CAMBRIDGE-ISANTI SCHOOLS FOOD SERVICE DEPARTMENT SCHOOL MEAL PRICES Breakfast: K-12 $1.00 Reduced/Free Breakfast: No Charge Lunch: K-5 grade $2.20 6-12 grade $2.45 Reduced/Free: No Charge Extra Milk: K-12 $.40 FREE AND REDUCED MEAL APPLICATIONS Applications must be completed each school year and should be received before the first day of school to ensure your child(ren) receive the Free/Reduced benefits for the first day of meals. If you don’t qualify at this time, but have a change in income or family size during the school year, you may reapply for Free/Reduced meals at any time. When your application has been processed you will receive a letter in the mail stating your eligibility. Free and Reduced Eligibility Letter: Your children may qualify for a reduced fee for Activities / Athletics and Community Education classes based on your approval for Free and Reduced meals. Please retain the letter of approval received from Food Service. It is your responsibility to share your approval letter with these departments, when paying for activities for your children, to qualify for the reduced fee. FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE, WE OFFER SEVERAL PAYMENT OPTIONS ***LIVE MasterCard or Visa credit or debit card payment process. No more worrying about the 10:00 am deadline. Immediately after you enter your payment, it is available to your student’s for their meal purchases. Go to www.c-ischools.org, choose Family Access, and follow the prompts. Service Fee: A $1.00 service fee will be assessed to the customer for each credit card or debit card payment. 100% of the service fee goes to cover the cost of processing the electronic payment; it does not go to foodservice. ***Low Account Balance Reminder: You can now sign up to have an e-mail reminder sent to you when your family account balance falls below $10.00. Go to Family Access and choose E-mail Notification in the left hand column.

Payment Drop Boxes: Located in the office at each school and at the Food Service Office in the District Office Building at 625A Main St. North in Cambridge. Payments placed in the drop boxes by 10:00 a.m. will be credited to the account the same day. Payments made after 10:00 a.m. will be credited to the account the following day. Cash Payments: Place cash payments in a sealed envelope with the student(s) first and last name and key pad number printed legibly on the envelope. This is very important to ensure placement of payments in the correct account. Check Payments: Please print the student(s) first and last name and key pad number in the memo section of the check. This is very important to ensure placement of payments in the correct account. Student Information: The Skyward Student Management System allows parents/guardians to access student information over the internet. This program enables parents/guardians to view their student’s current and previous lunch purchases, food service payments, account balance, as well as student academic information. Ala Carte Items: If you do not wish for your child(ren) to purchase ala carte items: Send a written request to: Food Service Attn: Debbie Knickerbocker

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625A Main St. North Cambridge, MN 55008 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Call Debbie at 763-689-6210 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ e-mail: Debbie at [email protected] Insufficient Funds Policy: Grades K - 8 Students in grades K - 8 will receive a verbal reminder (grades K-5 will also receive a hand stamp) from the cashier when their family account falls below $10.00. A phone call will be made to the parent / guardian when the family account balance falls below $1.00. Students will be allowed to charge one meal. If a payment is not received the following day, the student will be offered a sandwich and a carton of milk at no charge. Food Service will do their best to alert the parent when the lunch account balance is low, but the final responsibility rests with the parent / guardian. Grades 9 - 12 High School students will receive a verbal reminder from the Food Service cashier when their account falls below $10.00. Students will be allowed to charge one meal. If a payment is not received the following day, the student will be offered a sandwich and a carton of milk at no charge. Questions: If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to give us a call. Food Service Office: Debbie Knickerbocker, Administrative Assistant 763-689-6210 Have a great year!

Nathan Huff Food Service Director Our Mission Statement

To serve healthy school meals that provide energy and nutrients children need for sound minds and bodies, and to promote healthy eating habits through education and encouragement.

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Isanti Primary School Shane Dordal, Principal 301 Heritage Blvd NW, Isanti, MN 55040 Phone: 763-691-8778 /Fax: 763-691-8700 www.c-ischools.org

Dear Parent or Guardian: Welcome to the start of a new school year! You have the right to request and review information from your school district on the professional qualifications of your child’s teacher. The new federal “Every Student Succeeds Act” law requires schools that receive federal education funds under Title I, Part A, to provide this information to you if you request it. The information must be provided to you in a reasonable amount of time. The information you may request includes the following: 

Has the teacher met state qualifications and licensing requirements for the grade levels and subject areas in which the teacher provides instruction?



Is the teacher providing instruction under emergency or another provisional status that means regular state qualifications or licensing criteria have been waived?



What college degree does the teacher have, as well as any other graduate degree or certification? In what academic subject area(s) were the degrees received?



Are paraprofessionals providing instructional services to my child? If so, what are their qualifications?

The district is also required to inform you if your child has been taught for four or more consecutive weeks by a teacher who does not meet the federal definition of being “highly qualified.” Highly qualified teachers are those who have met state qualifications and licensure requirements. If this is the case, you will be notified. All teachers are required by the “Every Student Succeeds Act” law to be highly qualified by the start of the 20052006 school year. One of the law’s intentions is to improve student achievement by focusing on improvements in teacher quality. For additional information about the requirements for teacher quality, visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website. If you have questions, please call (763) 691-8778. Sincerely,

Shane Dordal Principal

Independent School District #911

Cambridge-Isanti Public Schools

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ISANTI PRIMARY SCHOOL CAMBRIDGE-ISANTI SCHOOLS ATTENDANCE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES K – 8 Minnesota State Statute requires that children attend school. For students under the age of 12, it is presumed that it is a parental responsibility to ensure the child’s attendance. Between the ages of 12 through 17, it is primarily the student’s responsibility to get to school on a daily basis. A student is required to attend school each and every day and each and every class period. If they miss a school day or part of a day, for legitimate reasons, a parent or guardian must notify the school.

The school attendance line is (763) 691-8770 Examples of excused absences include:  Illness  Medical or mental health appointments  Religious holidays  Family emergencies  Dental appointments  Vacations  Suspensions  School sponsored activities Examples of unexcused absences include:  Missed the bus  Overslept  Bus Suspension If a student is absent without lawful excuse on three or more days, or any part of the school day, they are considered truant. Truancy is a violation of Minnesota State Law. The parents, school, and community are all partners in working towards the goal of school attendance and educational success. The Law is “designed to provide a continuum of intervention and services to support families and children in school and combating truancy and educational neglect.” When a student has had 3 unexcused absences, the school will begin initial interventions. The school is legally required to notify the parent or guardian that the child is a “continuing truant” under the law at three unexcused absences. A letter will be sent outlining potential legal consequences as well as recommended action for the parent. If a student continues to be truant another letter will be sent to the parents after 5 unexcused absences. At this point, parents are strongly encouraged to attend a school conference with their son or daughter. If the student has 7 unexcused absences, they are considered “habitually truant.” The school is required to report to Isanti County Family Services or Isanti County Court Services that the student is in violation of the compulsory attendance laws. When a child is absent for 7 or more days for any reason, the child’s parent/guardian will receive a letter notifying them of our concerns and a potential meeting will be arranged by school personnel. If a child’s absences reach 10 or more days for any reason, the school reserves the right to require a note from a physician specifically stating that the child is too ill to attend school for that day. 39