Emergency Information:

Parents/guardians are required to fill out new EMERGENCY INFO each year for each child entering school at registration time. It is imperative that the emergency data be updated regularly. If any of the following changes are made during the school year, please notify the school office at once.

Allergies
Medications
Medical problems
Telephone number
Parents/guardian change of employment
Change of babysitter or daycare arrangement
Emergency person to call in case a parent/guardian cannot be reached and can pick up the Student.

COMPUTER/INTERNET ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY

Every student and staff member is required to have a signed Computer/Internet Acceptable Use form on file at the school in order to have access to use the computers/Internet. If this form is not on file, access will be denied.

LOCKERS

Students may use the lockers with the permission of the Board of Education only. All lockers are the property of the Board of Education, and not the student, and the Board reserves the right to search lockers, at any time, with or without cause. By applying the concept of Reasonable Suspicion, the search of backpacks or other personal items may also be searched.

PARKING LOTS

The parking lot is property owned and controlled by the Board of Education. The Board reserves the right to use K-9 units (drug detecting dogs) to search for the presence of contraband, drugs, or alcohol in student’s vehicles while on Board of Education property or parked in Board of Education parking lots.

MONEY, VALUABLES, AND PERSONAL PROPERTY

Students are encouraged to leave all valuables and excess money at home. The school cannot be responsible for lost or stolen money or items.

LOST AND FOUND

Clothing and other articles should be marked to help insure against loss. Students should check the lost and found section periodically and claim their belongings.

STAYING AFTER SCHOOL

There are occasions when a student may need to stay after school. If this occurs, the student or school personnel will be responsible to notify the parents/guardian and give the reason. This may be arranged ahead of time or a call home may be made that day.

STUDENT RECORDS/TRANSFERS

A school student record is any writing or other recorded information concerning a student and by which a student may be identified individually that is maintained by a school or at its direction or by a school employee, regardless of how or where the information is stored, except for certain records kept in a staff member’s sole possession. Records maintained by law enforcement officers working in the school; video and other electronic recordings (including electronic recordings made on school busses) that are created in part for law enforcement, security, or safety reasons or purposes, though such electronic recordings may become a student record if the content is used for disciplinary or special education purposes regarding a particular student.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Illinois Student Records Act afford parents/guardians and students over 18 years of age (“eligible students”) certain rights with respect to the student’s school records. They are:

The right to inspect and copy the student’s education records within 10 business days of the day the District receives a request for access.
The right to request the inclusion on a student’s academic transcript one or more scores received on college entrance examinations. (HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ONLY)
The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the parent/ guardian or eligible student believes are inaccurate, irrelevant, or improper.
The right to permit disclosure of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s education records, except to the extent that the FERPA or Illinois School Student Records Act authorizes disclosure without consent.
The right to request that military recruiters or institutions of higher learning not be granted access to your student’s information without your prior written consent.

When a student is transferring out of the district, parents/guardians should notify the school at least three days in advance. One of the following requirements must be fulfilled before the school can transfer a student's records:

Either a parent/guardian is required to sign an "Authorization for Release of Information" form, which is available at each school office, or the school must receive a written request for the student's records from the school district to which the student is transferring.

It is not the policy of the district to allow records to be hand-carried by the student or the student's family members to the new attendance center.

PROGRESS REPORTS AND DEFICIENCY NOTES

Beginning in the 6th grade, progress and deficiency notices may be sent at the midpoint of the quarter or at any other time at the discretion of the teacher. Please feel free to contact your child’s teacher whenever you have academic concerns.

CREDIT FOR NON-DISTRICT EXPERIENCES

A student may receive high school credit for successfully completing any of the listed courses or experiences even when it is not offered in or sponsored by the District. Students must receive pre-approval from the building principal or designee to receive credit for any non-District course or experience. Examples of Non- District experiences could include:

Distance learning course, including a correspondence, virtual, or online course. Courses in an accredited foreign exchange program. Summer school or community college courses. College courses offering dual credit courses at both the college and high school level.2

Foreign language courses taken in an ethnic school program approved by the Illinois State Board of Education. Work-related training at manufacturing facilities or agencies in a Youth Apprenticeship Vocational Education Program (Tech Prep).

Credit earned in a Vocational Academy. Students must receive pre-approval from the building principal or designee to receive credit for any non-District course or experience. The building principal or designee will determine the amount of credit and whether a proficiency examination is required before the credit is awarded. Students assume responsibility for any fees, tuition, supplies, and other expenses. Students are responsible for (1) providing documents or transcripts that demonstrate successful completion of the experience, and (2) taking a proficiency examination, if requested. The building principal or designee shall determine which, if any, non-District courses or experiences, will count toward a student’s grade point average and eligibility for athletic and extracurricular activities.

Students who do not otherwise meet a community college’s academic eligibility to enroll in a dual credit course taught at the high school may enroll in the dual credit course, but only for high school credit.

ACCELERATED PLACEMENT

The district provides for an Accelerated Placement Program (APP) for qualified students. It provides students with an educational setting with curriculum options that are usually reserved for older students or in higher grades than the student. Accelerated placement may include but is not limited to: accelerating in a single subject or grade level. Participation is open to all students who demonstrate high ability and who may benefit from accelerated placement. It is not limited to students who have been identified as gifted or talented. Please contact the building principal for additional information.

By the fall of 2023, for each student who meets or exceeds State standards in English language arts, mathematics, or science on a State assessment, the school district is required by State law to automatically enroll the student in the following school year in the next most rigorous level of advanced coursework offered by the high school as follows:

A student who meets or exceeds State standards in English language arts shall be automatically enrolled into the next most rigorous level of advanced coursework in English, social studies, humanities, or related subjects.
A student who meets or exceeds State standards in mathematics shall be
automatically enrolled into the next most rigorous level of advanced coursework
in mathematics.
A student who meets or exceeds State standards in science shall be
automatically enrolled into the next most rigorous level of advanced coursework in science.

SPECIAL EDUCATION

The Genoa-Kingston District provides for special education programs and related services, as required by student IEPs (Individual Educational Program). It is the intent of the district to ensure that students who are disabled within the definition of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 or the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act are identified, evaluated and provided with appropriate educational services.

The School provides a free appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment and necessary related services to all children with disabilities enrolled in the school. The term “children with disabilities” means children between ages 3 and the day before their 22nd birthday, except those children with disabilities who turn 22 years of age during the school year are eligible for special education services through the end of the school year, for whom it is determined that special education services are needed. It is the intent of the school to ensure that students with disabilities are identified, evaluated, and provided with appropriate educational services.

A copy of the publication “Explanation of Procedural Safeguards Available to Parents of Students with Disabilities” may be obtained from the school district office.

IEP MEETING DRAFT DOCUMENTATION

The District will provide parents with a copy of the draft IEP at least 3 days prior to the IEP meeting and any supporting records or reports related to the areas to be discussed. Information regarding the nature and amount of special education services to be received will be discussed at the meeting, and, as a result, will not be included in the draft documentation. This information will be sent to the parent’s email on file with the District, unless notified in writing that you would prefer it be delivered by regular U.S. Mail or made available for pick up. Any such request should be made to your child’s case manager.

Parents shall also have the right to review and copy their child's school student records prior to any special education eligibility or individualized education program review meeting, subject to the requirements of applicable federal and State law.” 105 ILCS 5/14-8.02f(c).

SERVICE LOGS

If your child’s IEP includes related services, the service provider’s log documenting the type and amount of services provided will be made available by request at IEP meetings. You also can request a copy of the log(s) anytime by contacting your child’s case manager or the Director of Student Services, Karen Simmons at ksimmons@gkschools.org

TRANSLATOR ASSISTANCE

The District provides translator services to parents for IEP meetings. Services may be provided in-person, virtually or by telephone. Parent(s) may ask that the translator only role be to translate during the meeting, and the District will make reasonable efforts to honor that request. If you would like to request a translator or have concerns about translator services, please contact the Director of Student Services, Karen Simmons at ksimmons@gkschools.org

MEDICAID

As applied to Special Education Services, parents are provided with information specific to Medicaid eligibility at IEP meetings.

If your child is currently eligible for public health insurance (typically known as Medicaid), or becomes eligible in the future, GK District 424 can seek partial reimbursement for health services provided to your child while at school. Health services include nursing services, occupational/physical therapy services, counseling services, speech services, personal care support and transportation services. The reimbursement process requires the school district to provide Illinois Medicaid with your child’s name, birth date, Medicaid number and service(s) provided. You can deny the district the right to release this data now or at any time in the future. If you deny the release of this data, the district must continue to provide health services to your child. At no time can the district charge you for the cost of health services. Please contact the superintendent if you wish to reinstate or deny the district’s ability to release this data.

RTI/MTSS

Response to Intervention (RTI) / Multi Tiered System of Support (MTSS) is the practice of providing high-quality instruction and interventions matched to student needs. Frequent progress monitoring is used to make decisions about changes in instruction or goals and applying child response data to important educational decisions.

The essential components of RTI include:

Multi-Tiers – Instruction is delivered using a 3-tiered model of increasingly intense student interventions.

Increased Time and Intensity

Tier 1- Classroom, Core Instruction
Tier 2- Small Groups (1-7), Strategic Instruction
Tier 3- Groups of 1-3 students, Intensive Instruction

Full Use of School Resources - Instruction and interventions may be delivered by someone other than the classroom teacher.

ASSESSMENTS

To evaluate student progress various assessments are used in the RTI process. These assessments include:

K-12 Social Emotional Screener 3 times / year
1- 8 MAP TEST (Measures of Academic Progress) 3 times /year
K-8 Curriculum Based Assessments (Reading, Math,) 3 times /year

Interventions-Small group instruction will vary in duration, frequency and time.

Team Approach-Grade-level and school-level teams will use a problem-solving model to develop and evaluate interventions.

Multilingual Learners

Parents/guardians of Multilingual Learners will be informed annually regarding (1) their student(s) progress towards English proficiency, as well as their student(s) academic growth. (2) how to be involved in the education of their student(s), including the services that they will receive and definitions of said services. Parents refusing ESL services must provide a written denial of services to the building principal. Students who are eligible for services will be assessed annually on their progress towards English Language proficiency regardless of refusal for services status until reaching proficiency by the state definition. Denial of services will be renewed annually.

SUPPORT SERVICES

The Genoa-Kingston School District provides for the services of social workers, counselors and certified nurses.

The Genoa-Kingston Schools will cooperate, whenever possible as well as when required by law, with the police, the Department of Children and Family Services, the Rescue Squad, the Fire Department, and all social agencies.

PBIS-POSITIVE BEHAVIOR INTERVENTIONS AND SUPPORTS

Our schools and classrooms strive to foster a learning environment that encourages positive student behavior and responsibility. This will be accomplished with proactive and positive interventions that teach, support and reinforce appropriate behavior.

DISTRICT/STATE TESTING PROGRAMS

Genoa-Kingston District testing is used by the teachers and administration to understand where students’ skills are currently (individual student growth), provide additional assistance to students, or provide differentiation when a student excels. These tests include, but are not limited to, the following:

K-8 Curriculum Based Assessments (Reading, Math,) 3 times /year
K-12 Social Emotional Screener 3 times / year
1- 8 MAP TEST (Measures of Academic Progress) 3 times /year
8 - 10 PSAT (Practice Stanford Achievement Test)
9-12 Advance Placement Tests for College Credit (Optional); Horizon
K -12 Common Formative Assessments & Common Summative Assessments
11 NMSQT National Merit Scholarship Test

Students are required by the State of Illinois Board of Education and the Illinois State Legislature to take a series of annual tests known as the IAR (Illinois Assessment of Readiness ), ISA (Illinois Science Assessment) ACCESS (for Multilingual Learners), and SAT (Stanford Achievement Test). They are required in various subject areas in the following grades:

3 - 8 IAR
5, 7, 11 ISA
K-12 ACCESS (Multilingual Learners)
9 PSAT 8/9
10 PSAT 10
11 SAT

Parents/guardians are welcomed and encouraged to cooperate in preparing students for standardized testing, because the quality of the education that the district can provide is partially dependent upon the district’s ability to continue to prove its success in the state’s standardized test. Participation in State of Illinois grant programs such as the Title 1 program may require additional testing over and above those already listed.

INSPECTION OF INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS

A student’s parent/guardian may inspect, upon their request, any instructional material used as part of their child’s educational curriculum within a reasonable time of their request.

The term “instructional material” means instructional content that is provided to a student, regardless of its format, printed or representational materials, audio-visual materials, and materials in electronic or digital formats (such as materials accessible through the Internet). The term does not include academic tests or academic assessments.

SEX EDUCATION CLASSES

Students will not be required to take or participate in a class or course in comprehensive sex education including grades 6 –12, if his or her parent or guardian submits a written objection. Nothing in this section prohibits instruction in sanitation, hygiene or traditional courses in biology or health. The student will not be subject to any disciplinary action due to their parents or guardians decision.

STUDENT PRIVACY PROTECTIONS

Surveys

All surveys requesting personal information from students, as well as any other instrument used to collect personal information from students, must advance or relate to the District’s educational objectives, or assist students’ career choices. This applies to all surveys, regardless of whether the student answering the questions can be identified or who created the survey.

Surveys by Third Parties

Before a school official or staff member administers or distributes a survey or evaluation created by a third party to a student, the student’s parent/guardian may inspect the survey or evaluation, upon their request and within a reasonable time of their request. This applies to every survey: (1) that is created by a person or entity other than a district official, staff member, or student, (2) regardless of whether the student answering the questions can be identified, and (3) regardless of the subject matter of the questions.

Parents who object to disclosure of information concerning their child to a third party may do so in writing to the Building Principal.

Surveys Requesting Personal Information

School officials and staff members will not request, nor disclose, the identity of any student who completes any survey or evaluation (created by any person or entity, including the school or district) containing one or more of the following items:

Political affiliations or beliefs of the student or the student’s parent/guardian.
Mental or psychological problems of the student or the student’s family.
Behavior or attitudes about sex.
Illegal, anti-social, self-incriminating, or demeaning behavior.
Critical appraisals of other individuals with whom students have close family relationships.
Legally recognized privileged or analogous relationships, such as those with lawyers, physicians, and ministers.
Religious practices, affiliations, or beliefs of the student or the student’s parent/guardian.
Income other than that required by law to determine eligibility for participation in a program or for receiving financial assistance under such program.

The student’s parent/guardian may: (1) inspect the survey or evaluation upon, and within a reasonable time of, their request, and/or (2) refuse to allow their child to participate in the survey. The school will not penalize any student whose parent/guardian exercised this option.

Instructional Material

Inspection of Instructional Materials:

A student’s parent/guardian may inspect, upon their request, any instructional material used as part of their child’s educational curriculum within a reasonable time of their request. The term “instructional material” means instructional content that is provided to a student, regardless of its format, printed or representational materials, audio-visual materials, and materials in electronic or digital formats (such as materials accessible through the Internet). The term does not include academic tests or academic assessments.

Complaints About Curriculum, Instructional Materials, and Programs:

Parents or guardians have the right to inspect all instructional materials used as a part of their child’s education. If you believe that curriculum, instructional materials, or programs violate rights guaranteed by any law or Board policy, you may file a complaint under the District’s uniform grievance policy.

Parents or guardians with other suggestions or complaints about curriculum, instructional materials, or programs should complete a Curriculum Objection Form, which is available from the school office. A parent or guardian may also request that their child be exempt from using a particular instructional material or program by completing a Curriculum Objection Form.

Prohibition on Selling or Marketing Students’ Personal Information

No school official or staff member may market or sell personal information concerning students (or otherwise provide that information to others for that purpose). The term personal information means individually identifiable information including: (1) a student or parent’s first and last name, (2) a home or other physical address (including street name and the name of the city or town), (3) a telephone number, (4) a Social Security identification number or (5) driver’s license number or State identification card.

Unless otherwise prohibited by law, the above paragraph does not apply: (1) if the student’s parent/guardian have consented; or (2) to the collection, disclosure or, use of personal information collected from students for the exclusive purpose of developing, evaluating or providing educational products or services for, or to, students or educational institutions, such as the following:

College or other postsecondary education recruitment, or military recruitment.
Book clubs, magazines, and programs providing access to low-cost literary products.
Curriculum and instructional materials used by elementary schools and secondary schools.
Tests and assessments to provide cognitive, evaluative, diagnostic, clinical, aptitude, or achievement information about students (or to generate other statistically useful data for the purpose of securing such tests and assessments) and the subsequent analysis and public release of the aggregate data from such tests and assessments.
The sale by students of products or services to raise funds for school-related or education-related activities.
Student recognition programs.

Under no circumstances may a school official or staff member provide a student’s personal information to a business organization or financial institution that issues credit or debit cards

A parent/guardian who desires to opt their child out of participation in activities provided herein or who desires a copy or access to a survey or any other material described herein may contact the Building Principal.

CONDUCT ON SCHOOL PROPERTY

In addition to prohibitions in other District policies, no person on school property shall:

Injure or threaten to injure another person.
Damage another's property or that of the School District.
Violate any provision of the criminal law of the State of Illinois or town or county ordinance.
Smoke or otherwise use tobacco products or E cigarettes or “vaping” while within a school building or in school-owned vehicles.
Consume, possess, or distribute alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs, look-alike drugs, and drug paraphernalia or possess dangerous weapons at any time;
Impede, delay, or otherwise interfere with the orderly conduct of the District's educational program or any other activity occurring on school property;
Willfully violate other District rules and regulations.
No animals, except service animals are allowed on school property unless otherwise permitted by the administration. As circumstances warrant, appropriate action will be taken by the District's administrators.

Genoa Kingston CUSD 424

District Handbook 2024-2025

I. ACADEMIC

II. ATTENDANCE

III. BEHAVIORAL MANAGEMENT PLAN

IV. CERTIFICATE OF BIRTH FOR NEW STUDENTS

V. EMERGENCIES

VI. MEDICAL

VII. MISCELLANEOUS

VIII. PARENTS/GUARDIAN INFORMATION

IX. ELASTIC CLAUSE

X. PROMOTION AND RETENTION POLICY

XI. STUDENT PERMANENT RECORDS

XII. PROOF OF RESIDENCY/CUSTODY

XIII. STUDENT ATHLETE CONCUSSIONS AND HEAD INJURIES

XIV. COMMUNITY RELATIONS AND PUBLICATIONS

XV. DISTRICT MEAL PROGRAM

XVI. DISTRICT FEES

XVII. RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA

XVIII. FAFSA REQUIREMENTS

IXX. ANNUAL NOTICE TO PARENTS ABOUT EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY

XX. DISCRIMINATION

XXII. EQUAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND SEX EQUITY

XXI. ACCEPTABLE USE OF THE DISTRICT’S ELECTRONIC NETWORKS