The Dallas Center-Grimes School District is committed to providing all students with a safe and civil school environment in which all members of the school community are treated with dignity and respect. Bullying and/or harassment of or by students, staff, and volunteers is against federal, state, and local policy and is not tolerated by the board. Bullying and/or harassing behavior can seriously disrupt the ability of school employees to maintain a safe and civil environment, and the ability of students to learn and succeed. Therefore, it is the policy of the state and the school district that school employees, volunteers, and students shall not engage in bullying or harassing behavior in school, on school property, or at any school function or school-sponsored activity, and while away from school grounds if the misconduct directly affects the good order, efficient management and welfare of the school or District. School Board Policy 104

Filing a complaint – Online Submission Form

Asbestos has been an issue of national concern for many years. The Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act of 1986 (AHERA) was designed to determine the extent of asbestos concerns in the schools and to act as a guide in formulating asbestos management policies for the schools.

The school district facilities have been inspected by a certified asbestos inspector as required by AHERA. The inspector located, sampled and determined the condition and hazard potential of all material in the school facilities suspected of containing asbestos.

The inspection and laboratory analysis records form the basis of the asbestos management plan. Ultimately, though, starting with the 2004-05 school year, all DCG students attended classes and activities in facilities that are certified as asbestos free.

A certified management planner has developed an asbestos management plan for the school district facilities which includes: notification letters, training for employees, a set of procedures designed to minimize the disturbance of asbestos-containing materials, and plans for regular surveillance of the materials. A copy of the management plan is available for inspection in the district office at: 2405 W. 1st Street, Grimes, IA 50111.

The Board of Directors of the Dallas Center-Grimes Community School District hereby confirms its intent to support the school discipline policy, to support staff who enforce the discipline policy, and to hold staff accountable for enforcing the discipline policy.

Students who have an infectious or communicable disease are allowed to attend school as long as they are able to do so and their presence does not pose an unreasonable risk of harm to themselves or does not create a substantial risk of illness or transmission to other students or employees. If there is a question about whether a student should continue to attend classes, the student shall not attend class or participate in school activities without their personal physician’s approval. Infectious or communicable diseases include, but are not limited to, mumps, measles and chicken pox.

State law forbids school employees from using corporal punishment against any student. Certain actions by school employees are not considered corporal punishment. Additionally, school employees may use “reasonable and necessary force, not designed or intended to cause pain” to do certain things, such as prevent harm to persons or property.

State law also places limits school employees’ abilities to restrain or confine and detain any student. The law limits why, how, where, and for how long a school employee may restrain or confine and detain a child. If a child is restrained or confined and detained, the school must maintain documentation and must provide certain types of notice to the child’s parent.

If you have any questions about this state law, please contact your school. The complete text of the law and additional information is available on the Iowa Department of Education’s website: www.iowa.gov/educate.

For the purposes of this policy, the defined words shall have the following meaning:

• “Electronic” means any communication involving the transmission of information by wire, radio, optic cable, electromagnetic, or other similar means. “Electronic” includes but is not limited to communication via electronic mail, Internet-based communications, pager service, cell phones, and electronic text messaging.
• “Harassment” and “bullying” shall mean any electronic, written, verbal, or physical act or conduct toward a student based on the individual’s actual or perceived age, color, creed, national origin, race, religion, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical attributes, physical or mental ability or disability, ancestry, political party preference, political belief, socioeconomic status, or familial status, and which creates an objectively hostile school environment that meets one or more of the following conditions:

1. Places the student in reasonable fear of harm to the student’s person or property.
2. Has a substantial detrimental effect on the student’s physical or mental health.
3. Has the effect of substantially interfering with a student’s academic performance.
4. Has the effect of substantially interfering with the student’s ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities, or privileges provided by a school.

“Volunteer” means an individual who has regular, significant contact with students.

“Trait or characteristic of the student” includes but is not limited to age, color, creed, national origin, race, religion, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical attributes, physical or mental ability or disability, ancestry, political party preference, political belief, socioeconomic status, or familial status.

Students may graduate early if the course work required for graduation under board policy “Graduation Requirements” has been fulfilled. Students interested in graduating early should contact the high school guidance counselor for an application form and details. Please refer to Board Policy 505.1. Students who graduate early cannot participate in any of the school activities, except for prom and commencement.

Dallas Center-Grimes Community School District does not discriminate in its education programs or educational activities on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, creed, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religion, marital status, socioeconomic status, or abilities/disabilities in its education programs, activities or employment policies as required by Title VI and Title XII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, Title IX of the 1972 Education Amendment, Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Iowa Code #216.9. Students are educated in programs which foster knowledge of, and respect and appreciation for, the historical and contemporary contributions of diverse cultural groups, as well as men and women, to society.

Students who feel they have been discriminated against are encouraged to report it to the school district Affirmative Action Coordinator, Ms. Alyson Finley via email at alyson.finley@dcgschools.com. Inquiries may also be directed in writing to the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, Grimes State Office Building, Des Moines, IA, 50319-0201, (515) 281-4121; or the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1475, Chicago, IL 60661

The district charges fees for certain items, such as textbook rental, and other items in accordance with state law and guidance from the Iowa Department of Education.

Students whose families meet the income guidelines for free and reduced price meal, the Family Investment Program (FIP), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), transportation assistance under open enrollment, or who are in foster care are eligible to have their student fees waived or partially waived. Students whose families are experiencing a temporary financial difficulty may be eligible for a temporary waiver of student fees. Parents or students who believe they may qualify for fee waivers can pick up waiver forms in any school office or can be downloaded from the school’s website. This waiver does not carry over from year to year and must be completed annually.

Fees are due on the first day of school and can also be paid during the annual registration process.

In keeping adequate health histories, we are better able to evaluate, understand, and be responsive to your child’s individual needs. Please contact the school nurse regarding any developments concerning your child’s health. This would include hospitalizations, all medications (type, amount and time given), fractures, all recent diagnoses of medical conditions and any other medical information that would be pertinent to the student’s performance and attendance.

If you are a new resident and do not have a doctor or dentist, you may call the Polk County Medical Society (288-0172) or the school nurse, who will be glad to give you assistance.

In accordance with 281 IAC Chapter 33, Iowa Administrative Code, the Dallas Center-Grimes Community School District is required to give written notice to homeless children and families if the district is going to deny access to their educational programs. Homeless children and families may obtain free legal services by contacting:

Legal Aid Society of Polk County 1111 9th Street – 3rd Floor – Des Moines, IA 50314 – Phone: (515) 243-1193

In accordance with Chapter 33, Iowa Administrative Code, the Dallas Center-Grimes Community School District en- courages homeless children and youth to enroll in school. Alyson Finley, Director of Student Services, is the identified homeless education liaison. She can be contacted at 515-992-3866.

“Homeless child or youth” is defined as a child or youth from the age of 3 years through 21 years who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence and includes the following:

1. A child or youth who is sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason; is living in a motel, hotel, trailer park, or camping grounds due to the lack of alternative adequate accommodations; is living in an emergency or transitional shelter; is abandoned in a hospital; or is awaiting foster care placement;
2. A child or youth who has a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings;
3. A child or youth who is living in a car, park, public space, abandoned building, substandard housing, bus or train station, or similar setting; or
4. A migratory child or youth who qualifies as homeless because the child or youth is living in circumstances described in paragraphs “1” through “3” above.

The school district provides students with instruction in human growth and development. Parents may review the human growth and development curriculum prior to its use and have their child excused from human growth and development instruction. Parents should contact the principal if they wish to review the curriculum or to excuse their child from human growth and development instruction.

Many communities in Iowa, including Dallas Center and Grimes, have residents living in the community that are on the Iowa Sex Offender Registry. We are aware of residents living in Grimes and in Dallas Center that are on the sex offender register, although we no longer receive any official notification. We want to make you aware of the situation so you can discuss it with your child(ren).

The sex offender register is available online at http:// www.iowasexoffender.com/. Parents are encouraged to be aware of this information by accessing this website. If you do not have access to the Internet, or need assistance in accessing this information, please contact 992-3866. If you are unable to access this information, we will provide the information verbally or send copies of it in the mail.

Please be aware that this notification is to serve only as a means for the public to protect themselves. Any action taken by anyone against these individuals, including vandalism of property, verbal or written threat of physical harm, or physical assault against these individuals or their family, can result in arrest and prosecution.

In compliance with the child abuse policy passed by the State Board of Education, the Dallas Center-Grimes Schools designate the following as investigators of physical and sexual abuse of students by school employees:

Level I Investigators for Dallas Center-Grimes Community School District are:

Primary Investigator:

Mr. Greg Carenza , 515-992-3866

Alternate Investigator:

Mrs. Shana Olson 515-992-3866

Level II Investigators will be an official(s) from outside the district’s regular staff. The primary investigator will examine reported incidents of physical and sexual abuse of students by school employees. She/he will review all allegations and determine whether a Level Two referral is warranted. The investigator must notify local law enforcement authorities in cases of proven serious physical and sexual abuse.

The investigator must also give a copy of the report to the employee’s superintendent. All proven cases of abuse by certified employees will be reported to the Iowa Professional Teaching Practices Commission. Counseling services for the student will be arranged upon request from the parents or student.

Dallas Center-Grimes CSD – Procedure Regarding Life-Threatening Allergies*

The parent of a student with a life-threatening allergy should notify the building principal, including an explanation of the severity of the health threat, a description of signs and symptoms to be aware of, and a list of foods and materials to avoid.  Parents, in consultation with their primary care provider or board-certified allergist, will provide the list of allergens to be avoided.  The allergy must be clearly documented by the student’s primary care physician or a board certified allergist. 

Building principals, in consultation with the school nurse, will be responsible for notifying classroom teachers, classroom associates, substitutes, and parents of students in classrooms where one or more students have a life-threatening allergy.  This information shall also be written on the DCG online registration health form.

The building principal is responsible for notifying the Director of Transportation with the name(s) of students with life threatening allergies.  The Director of Transportation shall be responsible to communicate this information to the student(s) regular bus driver and any substitute driver.

A referral may be made to the Section 504 Building Coordinator to request parental consent for a Section 504 evaluation for the identified student. Individualized accommodation plans will be developed for eligible students based on need.

When appropriate, the building principal may request that the parent sign a Health Release of Information to allow ongoing communication between school personnel and  the student’s physician or allergist regarding the implications of any life threatening allergy and development of an allergy action plan.

The USDA requires medical verification that a student has a food allergy disability before food service staff in the Child Nutrition Program can make meal accommodations and provide a safe meal. Parents requesting accommodation will be provided a copy of the Department of Education’s form. The form must be completed and returned to the building principal for food modifications to be implemented.

Staff that work directly with children identified as having a life threatening allergy will be trained by the school nurse. This includes, but is not limited to the teacher(s), associates, food service staff, administration, bus drivers, and extra curricular sponsors/coaches/directors. Instruction will include:

• how to read food labels appropriately for the allergen,
• use of the student’s Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Emergency Action Plan which is located in the student’s health file and is written by the child’s physician, and use of an epinephrine auto injector (EpiPen or AuviQ) and its location during the school day and during extra curricular activities.
• how to recognize indications of a life-threatening allergy and how to assist

Any allergic reaction will be documented appropriately in the student’s electronic health record and the parent will be notified. A review of emergency procedures will occur after each incident requiring use of emergency medication.

Homemade treats, snacks, or other food items for groups of students (i.e., class celebrations) may not be brought into any school building by any student, parent, or staff member. Only prepackaged or commercially-prepared foods that contain a complete ingredient list will be allowed for groups of students.

Classrooms with students who have life threatening allergies may have more specific guidelines depending on the type(s) of allergy that will be communicated to all students and their parents in that classroom.  This may include a request to parents that they avoid sending snacks or food to the classroom that contains the identified allergen.

Alternative snacks will be provided by the parent (if deemed necessary) and may be kept with the teacher for times when the student may not be able to participate in the regular classroom snack.

Handwashing procedures meant to avoid exposure, including washing hands with soap and water before and after eating will be emphasized in a classroom where a food allergy exists.

A table will be designated in the lunchroom that is allergy aware. Any student with food allergies may elect to sit at this table. Seating accommodations may be provided to minimize access to the food allergen.

Dallas Center-Grimes CSD will promote a safe physical environment that protects children with allergies and provide a climate that supports their positive psychological and social development. Children with allergies need an environment where they feel secure and can interact with caring people they trust.

*Dallas Center-Grimes CSD uses the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Voluntary Guidelines for Managing Food Allergies In Schools and Early Care and Education Programs to guide its policies, procedures, and training.

Under federal law, DCG must provide military recruiters your child’s name, address and telephone number, without your prior written consent. Parents of secondary school students have a right to request that their child’s name, address and telephone number not be released to a military recruiter. Parents/guardians may request that information not be provided by completing the form that can be found on the school’s website, www.dcgschools.com or by calling 515-992- 3866. Please return the form to the Superintendent’s Office, 2405 West 1st Street, Grimes Iowa 50111.

The Dallas Center-Grimes Community School District offers career and technical programs in the following service areas:

• Agricultural, Food, and Natural Resources
• Applied Science, Technology, Engineering, and Manufacturing
• Arts, Communication, and Information Systems
• Business, Finance, Marketing, and Management
• Health Service
• Human Services

It is the policy of the Dallas Center-Grimes Community School District not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, creed, age (for employment), marital status (for programs), sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status (for programs) in its educational programs and its employment practices. In addition, the Dallas Center-Grimes Community School District is required by Title IX and its implementing regulations not to discriminate on the basis of sex and this requirement extends to admission and employment.  There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination. If you have questions or a grievance related to this policy please contact Dr. Greg Carenza, Associate Superintendent of School Improvement, 2405 W. 1st Street, Grimes, IA 50111, Telephone: (515) 992-3866, Email: greg.carenza@dcgschools.com

Director of the Office for Civil Rights, Denver Office, U.S. Department of Education, Cesar E. Chavez Memorial Building, 1244 Speer Boulevard, Suite 310, Denver, CO 80204-3582.  Telephone: (303) 844-5695, Facsimile: (303) 844-4303, TDD: (800) 877-8339.  Email: OCR.Denver@ed.gov

Parents/Guardians in the Dallas Center-Grimes Community School District have the right to learn about the following qualifications of their child’s teacher: whether the teacher has met state licensing criteria for the grade level(s) and subject area(s) taught; whether the teacher is teaching under emergency or provisional status through which state licensing criteria have been waived; the undergraduate degree major of the teacher, and any graduate certification or degree held by the teacher, including the field of discipline of the certification or degree; if your child is provided services by paraprofessionals, their qualifications. Parents/Guardians may request this information from the Office of the Superintendent by calling 515-992-3866 or sending a letter of request to the Office of the Superintendent, 2405 W. 1st Street, Grimes, Iowa 50111

Open Enrollment is the process 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 281–Iowa Administrative Code 17.

House File (HF) 2589 eliminates the previous March 1 deadline for open enrollment. This change allows parents/guardians to apply for open enrollment at any time without the need for good cause. The receiving district may deny an open enrollment request if one of the following applies:

• The application violates the district’s insufficient classroom space policy,
• The district does not have the appropriate special education program,
• The application would adversely affect the district’s implementation of a court-ordered desegregation plan, or
• The student has been expelled or suspended.

Private Instruction applies to students between the ages of 6 and 16 (by September 15th) who are using a plan and a course of study in a setting other than a public or organized accredited nonpublic school. It includes competent private instruction (CPI) by a licensed practitioner or a non-licensed person, independent private instruction (IPI), home school assistance programs (HSAP), and non-accredited nonpublic schools. Dallas Center–Grimes does not have a home school assistance program (HSAP.) If you have questions on the options, need help on the forms, or assistance with this information, please contact Deanna Sandegren at 515-992-3866 or go to https://www.educateiowa.gov/ and search for Private Instruction.

Families that are participating in CPI are required to file CPI forms with the district by September 1st of each school year. Only CPI students may dual enroll with the district for the purposes of state testing or participation in academic or extracurricular activities.

CPI students that do not have an Iowa-certified teacher assisting with their educational program, must take an annual assessment. The annual assessment can either be a standardized test or portfolio as a baseline as well as annually. Parents may choose to dual enroll for testing purposes and DCG will administer the tests if parents wish to use these services. If a portfolio review is chosen, the parent is responsible for finding a portfolio evaluator that is a certified, licensed teacher in the state of Iowa.

Families who are participating in IPI are requested to communicate the names of the students to central office.

Student directory information is designed to be used internally within the school district to assist certified personnel.

The principal or person in charge of each attendance center may release the following types of information to the public, where appropriate, keeping in mind the privacy of the student and the student’s family and the totality of the surrounding circumstances:

• Student’s name
• Participation in officially recognized activities and sports 
• Weight and height of members of athletic teams
• Photograph
• Degrees, honors, and awards received
• Dates of attendance
• Grade level
• The most recent educational agency or institution attended

If you choose not to allow any information to be released, please complete the appropriate form and send it to Superintendent’s Office, 2405 West 1st St., IA 50111. The form can be accessed on the school’s website, www.dcgschools.com , or by calling 515.992.3866. Please understand that by completing and signing this form, no information can be released, including athletic or music programs, plays, the district newsletter, etc.

Release of information on the district’s website does not allow for the identification of individual students’ contact information.

Through Senior Year Plus (SYP), school districts are provided with a variety of options to enhance students’ high school experience. Enacted by the legislature in 2008, SYP was created to provide increased and more equal access to college credit and advanced placement courses. Courses delivered through SYP provide students the opportunity to take a rigorous college curriculum and receive, in many cases, both high school and college credit concurrently.

SYP includes: Postsecondary Enrollment Option (PSEO), courses delivered through sharing agreements between community colleges DCG (concurrent enrollment), enrollment in college courses independently as a tuition-paying student, and Advanced Placement courses. It is important to note that students must demonstrate proficiency on the Iowa Assessments in reading, mathematics, and science to participate in SYP programming (with the exception of CTE courses.)

Student lockers and desks are the property of the school. As such, they should not be considered private or confidential. Locker/desk inspections without prior notice may be conducted periodically throughout the school year and when conducted, the students will be present for the inspection. Student lockers/desks may also be searched in compliance with the board policy that regulates search and seizure.

Dallas Center-Grimes Community School District maintains records on each student in order to facilitate the instruction, guidance and educational progress of the student. The records contain information about the student and his or her education and may include, but are not limited to, the following types of records: identification data, attendance data, record of achievement, family background data, aptitude tests, educational and vocational plans, honors and activities, discipline data, objective counselor or teacher ratings, and observations and external agency reports.

The records of each student are generally located in the school in which he or she is attending. The person in charge of record maintenance for each school building will note in the student’s other records any exception. The name and position of the person responsible for maintenance of student records for each school building is listed:

Dallas Center Elementary – Debra Cale/Principal

Heritage Elementary – Diann Williamson/Principal

North Ridge Elementary – April Heitland/Principal

South Prairie Elementary – Patty Morris/Principal

Dallas Center-Grimes Middle School – Jason Snow/DCG Middle School Principal

Oak View – Joan Cundiff/Principal

Dallas Center-Grimes High School – Matthew Blackmore/Principal

The following persons, agencies and organizations may have restricted access to student records without prior written consent of the parent or student over the age of 18 years. Any other access to student records shall be only upon written consent or upon court order or legally issued subpoena.

• to school officials within the school district and AEA personnel whom the superintendent has determined to have a legitimate educational interest, including, but not limited to, board members, employees, school attorney, auditor, health professionals, and individuals serving on official school committees;
• to officials of another school district in which the student wishes to enroll, provided the other school district notifies the parents the student records are being sent and the parents have an opportunity to receive a copy of the records and challenge the contents of the records unless the annual includes a provision that records will automatically be transferred to new school districts;

Notification includes a provision that records will automatically be transferred to new school districts;

• To the U.S. Comptroller General, the U.S. Attorney General, the U.S. Secretary of Education or state and local educational authorities;
• In connection with financial aid for which the student has applied or which the student has received if the information is necessary to receive the financial aid;
• to organizations conducting educational studies and the study does not release personally identifiable information; to accrediting organizations;
• To parents of a dependent student as defined in the Internal Revenue Code;
• To comply with a court order or judicially issued subpoena (consistent with an inter-agency agreement between the school district and juvenile justice agencies);
• In connection with a health or safety emergency; or, as directory information.

Student records are reviewed and inappropriate material destroyed periodically and, at a minimum, whenever a student moves from the elementary level to the middle school level, from middle school level to the high school level, and when a student transfers out of the district. Those records not of permanent importance are destroyed within three years after graduation or discontinued attendance.

The parents of disabled students, or disabled students over age 18, will be informed when personally identifiable information in the records is no longer needed to provide educational services, and before the information is destroyed. Parents of students under age 18, or over 18 if still claimed as a dependent, and students over age 18 may exercise the opportunity to review educational records of the student, to obtain copies of the records, to write a response to material in the record, to challenge the content of the record on grounds of inappropriateness, inaccuracy or an invasion of privacy, and to have the records explained.

The procedure to be followed in exercising any of the rights under school policies or files may be obtained from any of the aforementioned persons responsible for maintaining student records.

Students and parents may file with the Department of Education, complaints concerning alleged failures of the school district to comply with federal legislation dealing with student records. Correspondence should be addressed to: The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act Office, Department of Education, Switzer Building, 330 C Street SW., Washington, D.C. 20201.

If you are the parent or legal guardian of a student, you have the right to (1) inspect and review your child’s educational records; (2) ask for an explanation of any item in the records; (3) have copies made at a reasonable cost; (4) be informed of types and locations of records being collect- ed or used by the agency; (5) ask for the amendment of any record if you feel it is inaccurate, misleading or violates privacy rights; (6) a records hearing if the agency does not make the requested amendment; (7) give or withhold con- sent to disclose your child’s records; (8) be told to whom information has been disclosed.

Senate File 496 outlines the procedures for administering surveys in a school setting. School districts are prohibited from administering or conducting an invasive physical examination of a student, a student health screening that is not required by state or federal law, or a formal examination or survey of a student that is designed to assess the student’s mental, emotional, or physical health that is not required by state or federal law, without first acquiring the written consent of the student’s parent or guardian. 

The board of directors of a school district must receive the prior written consent of a student’s parent or guardian before requiring a student to take part in any survey, analysis, activity or evaluation that reveals information concerning any of the following about the student or the student’s family, whether the information is personally identifiable or not:

1. The political affiliations or beliefs of the student or the student’s parent or guardian.
2. Mental or psychological problems of the students or the student’s family. 
3. Sexual behavior, orientation, or attitudes.
4. Illegal, antisocial, self-incriminating, or demeaning behavior
5. Critical appraisals of other individuals with whom the student has close familial relationships.
6. Legally recognized privilege or analogous relationships, such as those of attorneys, physicians, or ministers. 
7. Religious practices, affiliations, or beliefs of the student or the student’s parent or guardian. 
8. Income, except when required by law to determine eligibility for participation in a program or for receiving financial assistance under such a program.

An employee of a school district, or a contractor engaged by a school district shall not answer any question pertaining to any student related to the social or emotional abilities, competencies, or characteristics of the student, unless the board of directors satisfies all of the following requirements:

1. Parents and guardians are provided detailed information related to the survey. 
2. District received written consent from a student’s parent or guardian authorizing the employee to answer questions in the survey pertaining to the student.
3. This section does not prohibit an employee or a contractor engaged by a school district from answering questions pertaining to any particular student enrolled in the school district as part of the process of developing or implementing an individualized education program for each student. 

Each district will give written notice to a student’s parent or guardian of an examination or survey of the student required by state or federal law that is designed to assess the student’s mental, emotional, or physical health not less than seven days prior to the examination of the survey. The notice shall include a copy of the examination or survey or a link to an internet site where the parent or guardian may access the examination or survey. This does not apply to a hearing or vision examination.

Tobacco use is prohibited in all district facilities, on school grounds, and in school vehicles.

DCG policy states, “All school district facilities and property, including school buildings, vehicles and land shall be off limits for tobacco use.” The policy continues to state, “This requirement extends to employees, visitors, and students. This policy applies at all times, including school-sponsored and non-school-sponsored events. Persons failing to abide by this request shall be required to extinguish their smoking material or leave the school district premises immediately and/or be report- ed to appropriate authorities.” Patrons are asked to abstain from tobacco use on school property. This includes all school activities regardless of the location. We thank you for your continued cooperation.

According to Iowa law, parents must be permitted to submit a religious or medical exemption for their child to attend school and/or daycare centers if their child is not fully up-to-date on their vaccinations. There are many reasons, including religious and medical, that may cause parents to decide not to follow the recommended CDC childhood vaccination schedule. 

Iowa Code, Chapter 139a.8(6) and Iowa Administrative Code, 641-7.7(139) outlines the immunization requirement for Iowa children attending licensed childcare centers and/or elementary or secondary schools. This code states students shall submit one of the following: Iowa Department of Public Health Certificate of Immunization, Certificate of Immunization Exemption – Religious Exemption, or Certificate of Immunization Exemption – Medical Exemption.

Immunization Law – Iowa Department of Public Health

Religious Certificate of Immunization Exemption 

Medical Certificate of Immunization Exemption