Policies and Notifications

Asbestos Notification: In accordance with the Federal Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act Regulations, the Dixie School District 101 is required to notify parents, teachers, and other employees each year of the availability of Asbestos Management Plans and actions the District is taking to maintain asbestos containing materials in its building. The 1988 certification of an asbestos-free building and asbestos-free bus garage may be accessed at the district office.

Pesticide/Herbicide Applications: Our district has put into place the following guidelines for notifying parents, students and staff of pesticide/herbicides applications according to Washington State Law. A pesticide is defined as any chemical designed to kill living things. We limit our use of pesticides as much as possible. If you believe your child to be sensitive to chemicals, please notify our school nurse or district office at 525-5339 as soon as possible. We utilize the services of “Best Pest” company (509) 526-5002 for all applications. There are to be no pesticide applications by school employees.

Prohibition of Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying (Policy3207):
The District is committed to a safe and civil educational environment for all students, employees, volunteers and patrons, free from harassment, intimidation or bullying. “Harassment, intimidation or bullying” means any intentional written, verbal, or physical act, including but not limited to one shown to be motivated by any characteristic in RCW 9A.36.080(3), (race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation or mental or physical disability), or other distinguishing characteristics, when the intentional written, verbal, or physical act:

● Physically harms a student or damages the student’s property; or

● Has the effect of substantially interfering with a student’s education; or

● Is so severe, persistent, or pervasive that it creates an intimidating or threatening educational environment; or

● Has the effect of substantially disrupting the orderly operation of the school?

Nondiscrimination (Policy 3210): The district shall provide equal educational opportunity and treatment for all students in all aspects of the academic and activities program without regard to race, creed, color, national origin, sex, or non-program-related physical, sensory or mental disabilities. RCW 49.60 Law Against Discrimination. District programs shall be free from sexual harassment.

The superintendent shall provide for the annual evaluation, periodic surveys, annual notice and complaint procedures as required by law to insure that there is in fact equal opportunity for all students in the district.

Child Custody (Policy 3126 - Child Custody): The parents/legal guardians who enroll a student in school will be considered as the residential parent/legal guardian of the student. The residential parent/legal guardian is responsible for decisions regarding the day-to-day care and control of the student. Parents, guardians, or surrogate parents have the two-fold right to receive information contained in the school’s written records concerning their child and to forbid or permit the disclosure of such information to non-parents. The nonresidential parent has the right, upon request, to be kept informed of the student’s school progress and activities unless there are court restrictions.

These include, but are not limited to: written grade reports, notices of school activities, reports of discipline actions, notices of teacher or principal conferences or summaries. If restrictions are made relative to the above rights, the residential parent will be requested to submit a certified copy of the court order which curtails these rights. If these restrictions are questioned by the nonresidential parent, the parents will be expected to resolve the situation between them. The student is not permitted to visit with or be released to anyone, including the nonresidential parent. The only exception to this portion of the policy is law enforcement officials acting in that capacity and emergency medical personnel providing care in the event of a medical emergency. The residential parents have access to their children and their classrooms pursuant to RCW 28A.605.

Under the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, 20 U.S.C. § 9528, the military is entitled to request the names, telephone numbers and addresses of students unless the parent, guardian or eligible student requests that such information not be provided. You have the right under the above laws to choose whether your student’s information is released or not. Parents and eligible students considering withholding disclosure of directory information should evaluate the consequences of such a decision carefully. The request to prevent disclosure of directory information will be honored for the current school year unless specifically revoked in writing. Continuing students must complete a new non-disclosure form each school year. Submission of this form will not affect directory information already published or released.

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (Policy #3231 - Student Records): The district shall maintain those records necessary for the educational guidance and/or welfare of students, for orderly and efficient operation of schools, and as required by law. The parent or eligible student has a right to: 1) Inspect and review the student’s education records; 2) Request amendment of the student’s education records to ensure that they are not inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy or other right; 3) Consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s education records, except to the extent that the Act and regulations in this part authorize disclosure without consent; 4) File with the U.S. Department of Education a complaint under Section 99.64 concerning alleged failures by the agency to comply with the requirements of the Act.

Drug Free Schools (Policy #5201 - Drug Free Schools, Community and Workplace): The Federal Drug Free Schools and Communities Act requires all school districts to communicate to their employees, students, and parents the necessity of maintaining a drug-free working and learning environment. This requirement places emphasis on conveying to students, employees, and parents the standards of conduct that are applicable to students and employees regarding illicit drugs and alcohol. Compliance with the following standards of conduct is mandatory.

1. The unlawful possession, use, sale or distribution of alcohol or illicit drugs by students and/or employees on school district property or as part of any school district activity is wrong and harmful. It is strictly prohibited and will not be tolerated under any circumstances.

2. Violation of this policy or any other district policy prohibiting drug or alcohol activity will subject students to disciplinary action (consistent with district discipline policies and local, state, and federal laws). Disciplinary action may include expulsion, completion of an appropriate rehabilitation program or referral for prosecution.

3. Violation of this policy or any other district policy prohibiting drug or alcohol activity by employees, consistent with any applicable Collective Bargaining Agreement, will subject employees to disciplinary action (consistent with local, state, and federal laws). Disciplinary action may include termination of employment, completion of an appropriate rehabilitation program or referral for prosecution.

4. The district will provide information about any available drug and alcohol counseling and rehabilitation and re-entry programs that are available to students and/or employees.

Equal Opportunities/Americans With Disabilities (Policy 5010 - Nondiscrimination - Staff): The Dixie School District shall provide equal employment opportunity and nondiscriminatory treatment for all applicants and staff in recruitment, hiring, retention, assignment, transfer, promotion, and training. Such equal employment opportunity will be provided without discrimination with respect to all affected groups as set forth in the Washington State laws against discrimination in hiring or employment as now or hereafter enacted, except insofar as such factors are valid occupational qualifications. The Dixie School District complies with all Title IX/RCW 28A.640 and Section 504 requirements and does not discriminate against any protected class as defined by state and federal regulations. This holds true for all students who are interested in participating in educational programs and/or extracurricular school activities.

Homeless Students: Enrollment Rights and Services (Policy 3115) To the extent practical and as required by law, the district will work with homeless students and their families to provide stability in school attendance and other services. Special attention will be given to ensuring the enrollment and attendance of homeless students not currently attending school. Homeless students will be provided district services for which they are eligible, including Head Start and comparable preschool programs, Title I, similar state programs, special education, bilingual education, vocational and technical education programs, gifted and talented programs and school nutrition programs.

Discrimination, Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying (Policy 6590):
Unlawful discrimination, harassment, intimidation and bullying (including cyber-bullying) are prohibited. The district will not tolerate harassment or discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender/sex, age, sexual orientation or disability. All acts of harassment, intimidation, bullying or discrimination (including cyber-bullying) should be reported immediately to a staff member or administrator. The procedures and forms for lodging an informal or formal complaint may be obtained upon request during business hours at the district office

Special Education (Policy 2161- Special Education and Related Services for Eligible Students): If your child has a mental, physical, or developmental impairment or disability that has a major impact on learning, seeing, hearing, breathing, speaking, working, and caring for oneself or performing manual tasks, s/he may be eligible for special education, related services and/or specialized educational accommodations. For more information, to refer your child for screening, or to make your youngster a focus of concern, please contact the district office. The eligible age range is from birth to 21 years.

Parent Notification: Response to Intervention (RTI):
Response to Intervention (RTI) is a way of organizing instruction and assessment that has two purposes:

1.) To identify children needing help in reading, math, writing, and prevent the development of serious learning problems; and

2.) To identify children who, even when given extra help, make very limited progress. Research has shown that these children sometimes have a learning disability.

Services and strategies our district provides to ensure all children are learning:

Tier I: The student receives core instruction from their general education teacher at a particular age or grade level.

Tier II: The student receives research based interventions used with students whose progress places them at some risk for not meeting instructional goals and whose skill needs are easily grouped with other students of similar needs.

Tier III: The student receives individualized research based interventions used with students whose progress places them at high risk for not meeting instructional goals and whose skill needs are so unique as to require individualized instructional approaches. Progress monitoring will be conducted on all students to identify the effectiveness of the intervention and make adjustments accordingly. When children continue to have difficulty:

The school will keep you informed of your child’s progress. If you and the school have tried several interventions, and progress continues to be limited, you may be asked to give consent for an evaluation. The purpose of such an evaluation is to determine what your child’s educational needs are, and to consider whether your child may have a learning disability. A parent may request an evaluation for special education services at any time, including any stage of the RTI process. To request a special education evaluation, contact the district office.

Students’ Rights and Responsibilities (Policy 3200):

In order to maintain and advance the district’s mission, it shall be the responsibility and duty of each student to pursue his/her course of studies, comply with written rules of the district which are adopted pursuant to and in compliance with WAC 392-400, RCW 28A.04.132, RCW 28A.305.160, RCW 28A.600.010, RCW 28A.600.200 and submit to reasonable corrective action or punishment imposed by the district and its agents for violation(s) of such rules. No student shall be deprived of the right to an equal educational opportunity without due process of the law. Detailed information concerning students’ rights, responsibilities, discipline, disciplinary action and due process may be found in Dixie School Board Policy and Procedures 3200 and WAC 392-400. The Procedures that contain WAC 392-400 and information regarding student due process may be obtained upon request during business hours at the principal’s office at each school building or by contacting the district office.

Tobacco Free Schools and Grounds (Policy 4215):

The Board of Directors of the Dixie School District recognizes that the use of tobacco may create a health hazard for tobacco users as well as non-users. In order to protect the health of students, staff, and the general public, and to provide a healthy working and learning environment, the Dixie School District prohibits the use of tobacco products on school district property or in school district buildings. Smoking or use of any kind of lighted pipe, cigar, cigarette, or any other lighted smoking equipment, material, or smokeless tobacco products shall be prohibited on all district property, other properties leased or rented to the Dixie School District for any educationally related purpose, and in district-owned vehicles. This policy includes public attendance at all school events on district property.

Compulsory Attendance (Policy 3110 and Policy 3121):

Children eight years of age and children under eighteen years of age are required by law to attend private or public school. Children six or seven years of age are required to attend private or public school once they have been registered for school. Under certain circumstances, children who are at least sixteen and less than eighteen years of age may be excused from further attendance at school. The superintendent shall exercise his or her authority to grant exceptions.

District Non-discrimination Statement:

Dixie School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employee has been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Jacob Bang, Superintendent (509) 525-5339.