Beginning in 2008, Iowa law requires that children entering kindergarten, ninth grade and out-of-state transfer students receive a screening for dental disease. Proof of the dental screening must be documented on specific forms available from your school nurse.

No child will be prevented from attending school without proof of dental screening. If families have difficulty meeting the requirements, IDPH and local public health will provide assistance to children and schools to ensure that the necessary dental screenings are obtained. IDPH encourages parents of children entering kindergarten or ninth grade to contact their health provider to check their child’s records and make appointments for check-ups if necessary. For more information on dental screenings, contact your school nurse.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) specifies rights related to educational records. This Act gives the parent or guardian the right to:

1. inspect and review his/her child’s educational records
2. make copies of these records
3. receive a list of the individuals having access to the child's records
4. ask for an explanation of any item in the records
5. ask for an amendment to any report on the grounds that it is inaccurate, misleading, or violates the child’s rights
6. have a hearing on the issue if the school refuses to make the amendment

Contact the Associate Superintendent at 967-4294 for more information, or the Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Dept. of Education, 400 Maryland Ave. SW, Washington, D.C. 20202-4605.

In 1988, as a response to national concern about serious health issues in our society and their impact on school children, the Iowa State Legislature passed the Human Growth and Development Act which mandated school districts to develop K-12 Human Growth and Development curriculum. Iowa Code 279.5 requires all Iowa school districts to provide instruction in human growth and development. The law requires the following topics be addressed in some appropriate manner and that a representative committee in each district be responsible for recommending the extent and depth of each topic.

• Personal Development
• Human Sexuality
• Sex Stereotypes and Abuse
• Sexually Transmitted Diseases

If you have questions or would like to preview materials, contact the building principal. After review, if you decide you do not want your child to participate in the Human Growth and Development instruction, you may complete the Pupil Excused from Instruction Form () and return it to the building principal.

Recent legislation has specific guidelines pertaining to what will be considered acts of physical or sexual abuse by school employees, including inappropriate as well as intentional sexual behavior towards students. All such activities are clearly in violation of the policies of the Southeast Polk School District.

To ensure compliance, the Superintendent (967-4294) has been appointed as the district's Level I investigator, with a designated Level II as his alternate. If the complaint is found to be without grounds, the Level I investigator can cause the complaint to be dropped. If legal action is required, or the incident comes under the auspices of the Department of Human Services, then the appropriate agency is notified. The investigator may also refer the case to the Level II investigator, as can another person if they disagree with the Level I findings.

Open enrollment is the cost free option by which parents/guardians residing in an Iowa district may enroll their children into another Iowa school district under the terms and conditions of Iowa Code section 282.18 and the administrative rules of the Iowa Department of Education, 281 Iowa Administrative Code Chapter 17.

Contact Karen Haines at 515-957-3406 or hainesk@se-polk.k12.ia.us with any questions.

All students entering preschool and kindergarten must have a current physical along with the state required immunizations. All students entering 9th grade are required to have a physical. Additionally, students in grades 7-12 are required to have an athletic physical prior to participating in extra-curricular sports. Junior high age students often require immunization boosters, so please check with your doctor.

All kindergartners entering school must have the Varicella (chickenpox) immunization or documented history of having the disease. If your child has had the chickenpox, then the vaccine is not needed. However, the year they had the disease will need to be placed in the space for the Varicella on the immunization form.

Other recommended immunizations can be found HERE.

Parents and guardians of students in the Southeast Polk Community School District have the right to learn about the following qualifications of their child’s teachers:

• state licensure requirements for the grade level and content areas taught
• current licensing status and baccalaureate/graduate certification/degree

In an effort to provide a healthy, safe and productive environment in which to work and learn, the following board policies have been adopted:

• All district buildings and vehicles are tobacco free. This includes the school campus. No smoking is allowed outside of the buildings.
• Employees of the district are prohibited from the possession, use, or distribution of illegal drugs while on duty.
  

Breach of discipline is any conduct of students which interferes with the maintenance of school decorum. Acts of behavior which conflict with or disrupt the educational program or which are antagonistic to the welfare of other students and school personnel cannot be tolerated. Insubordination and other misbehavior are incompatible with good citizenship and educational programs.