District 128 Schools
General School Information
This handbook is a summary of the school’s rules and expectations, and is not a comprehensive statement of school procedures. The Board’s comprehensive policy manual is available for public inspection through the District’s website (www.palos128.org) or at the Board office, located at:
12809 S. McVickers Avenue
Palos Heights, IL 60463
The School Board governs the school district, and is elected by the community. Current School Board members are:
William Grady, President
Amy Lyons, Vice-President
Kathy Lachowicz, Secretary
Dr. Richard Facko, Member
Dr. Patti Powell, Member
Kristin Restivo, Member
Gail Rubio, Member
Regular school board meetings are held on the second Wednesday of the month. Meetings are held at the District Office (12809 S. McVickers Ave). You can send an email to the entire board at: d128board@palos128.org
Mission and Vision of District 128
Mission Statement
It is the mission of the Palos Heights School District 128 to educate all children as individuals, to foster a love of learning, and to prepare children for a responsible and successful future in a diversified world.
Beliefs
1. Teaching and learning are ongoing processes.
2. Each child can learn and should be encouraged to reach his/her full potential.
3. Each child should be encouraged to think critically and creatively.
4. Each child is entitled to a well-balanced, quality education that is relevant to today’s society and which will enhance lifelong learning.
5. Each person should be valued as an individual and treated with dignity and respect.
6. Valuable learning results from both success and failure: therefore, each person should be encouraged to take educational risks regardless of the outcome.
7. Schools should provide the opportunity to develop self-confidence and positive interpersonal skills.
8. Schools should instill a sense of respect and responsibility for self, others and property.
9. Schools should provide a safe, caring and positive environment.
10. Home, school and community should work as a team in order to fully benefit each child.
Admission Information
Residency
A student must be a valid resident of the school district and provide required proof of residency before the student will be enrolled. Generally, residency is defined as the district wherein the person with legal custody resides. Different standards may apply to students who experience homelessness. Questions about residency and/or homelessness should be referred to the Superintendent.
Admission of Pupils
A certified birth certificate is required for each child entering District 128 for the first time. This applies to grades Pre-K through 8. Transfer students will be expected to produce other pertinent records from their previous school. A child must be five years of age on or before September 1st of the year in which the child is to be enrolled in kindergarten.
Homelessness
The McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act ensures the educational rights and protections of homeless children and youth so that they may enroll in school, attend regularly, and be successful. The legislation requires the District 128 Homeless Education Liaison to assist children and unaccompanied youth in their efforts to attend school. The following apply to homeless children and youth:
● The right to immediate enrollment, even if lacking paperwork normally required;
● Immediate enrollment in the Free and Reduced Breakfast and Lunch Program;
● The right to attend school in his/her school of origin (if requested by the parent and is feasible) or in the school in the attendance area where the family or youth is currently residing;
● The right to receive transportation to his/her school of origin, if requested by the parent;
● The right to services comparable to those received by housed schoolmates, including transportation and supplemental educational services;
● The right to attend school along with children not experiencing homelessness;
● Segregation based on a student's status as homeless is strictly prohibited.
● Where appropriate, referrals to food bank and meal programs, local service organizations (Goodwill, Salvation Army, etc.), family shelters, medical services, and other support.
To obtain additional information regarding establishing homeless status and resources available, please contact Mrs. Leslie, Director of Student Services at (708) 597-1285.
Attendance Information
Illinois law requires that whoever has custody or control of any child between six (by September 1) and seventeen years of age shall assure that the child attends school in the district in which he or she resides, during the entire time school is in session (unless the child has already graduated from high school). Illinois law also requires that whoever has custody or control of a child who is enrolled in the school, regardless of the child’s age, shall assure that the child attends school during the entire time school is in session.
There are certain exceptions to the attendance requirement for children who: attend private school, are physically or mentally unable to attend school (including a pregnant student suffering medical complications as certified by her physician), are lawfully and necessarily employed, are between the ages of 12 and 14 while in confirmation classes, have a religious reason requiring absence, or are 16 or older and employed and enrolled in a graduation incentive program.
Student Absences
There are two types of absences: excused and unexcused. Excused absences include: illness, observance of a religious holiday, death in the immediate family, family emergency, situations beyond the control of the student, circumstances that cause reasonable concern to the parent/guardian for the student’s safety or health, or other reason as approved by the principal. All other absences are considered unexcused. Pre-arranged excused absences must be approved by the principal.
The school may require documentation explaining the reason for the student’s absence.
In the event of any absence, the student’s parent or guardian is required to call their school before 8:00 a.m. to explain the reason for the absence. If a call has not been made to the school by 9:00 a.m. on the day of a student’s absence, a school official will call the home to inquire why the student is not at school. If the parent or guardian cannot be contacted, the student will be required to submit a signed note from the parent or guardian explaining the reason for the absence. Failure to do so shall result in an unexcused absence. Upon request of the parent or guardian, the reason for an absence will be kept confidential.
Cross-Reference: Board Policy 7:70, Attendance and Truancy
Release Time for Religious Instruction/Observance
A student will be released from school, as an excused absence, to observe a religious holiday or for religious instruction. The student’s parent/guardian must give written notice to the building principal at least 5 calendar days before the student’s anticipated absence(s).
Students excused for religious reasons will be given an opportunity to make up any examination, study, or work requirement.
Cross-Reference: Board Policy 7:80, Release Time for Religious Instruction/Observation
Make-Up Work
If a student’s absence is excused, he/she will be permitted to make up any missed work, including homework and tests. The student will be permitted the same number of days as he/she was absent to turn in the make-up work. The student is responsible for obtaining assignments from his/her teachers.
Cross-Reference: Board Policy 7:70, Attendance and Truancy
Truancy
Student attendance is critical to the learning process. Truancy is therefore a serious issue and will be dealt with in a serious manner by the school and district.
Students who miss 5% or more of the prior 180 regular school days without valid cause (a recognized excuse) are considered chronic truants. Students who are chronic truants will be offered support services and resources aimed at correcting the truancy issue.
If chronic truancy persists after support services and other resources are made available, the school and district will take further action, including:
● Referral to the truancy officer
● Reporting to officials under the Juvenile Court Act
● Referral to the State’s Attorney
● Appropriate school discipline
A parent or guardian who knowingly and willfully permits a child to be truant is in violation of State law.
Cross-Reference: Board Policy 7:70, Attendance and Truancy
Visitors
Under current state guidelines of Phase 4, visitor access to the schools will be restricted. Only visitors conducting essential business will be permitted to enter the schools and will be restricted to the office area during school hours. For non-essential business (dropping off items for students), schools will provide drop-off containers in the vestibules of the buildings.
All essential visitors, including parents and siblings, permitted to enter the building must be wearing masks. Essential visitors are required to enter through the front door of the building and proceed immediately to the main office. Visitors should identify themselves and inform office personnel of their reason for being at school.
Visitors will not be permitted to enter classrooms or common areas during while school is in session, unless authorized by the building administrator. Parents entering to pick up children who are ill will be directed to the appropriate location to meet the child to safely exit.
Visitors are expected to abide by all school rules during their time on school property. A visitor who fails to conduct himself or herself in a manner that is appropriate will be asked to leave and may be subject to criminal penalties for trespass and/or disruptive behavior.
Cross-Reference:Board Policy 8:30, Visitors to and Conduct on School Property
School Volunteers
All school volunteers must complete the “Volunteer Information Form” and be approved by the school principal prior to assisting at the school. Forms are available in the school office. Some teachers utilize parent volunteers in the classroom. The building principals make this decision. Volunteers responsible for direct supervision of students independent of certified staff members may be required to undergo a background check at the request and expense of the district. Teachers who desire parent volunteers will notify parents. For school-wide volunteer opportunities, please contact the building principal. Final approval for all volunteers is done by the building principal.
Volunteers are required to check in and out at the main office and receive a visitor badge before going to their destination.
Cross-Reference: Board Policy 6:250, Community Resource Persons and Volunteers &
Board Policy 4:175, Convicted Child Sex Offender; Screening; Notification
Emergency School Closings
In cases of bad weather and other local emergencies, school closing notifications will be sent directly to parents via email and/or phone. The district also posts emergency closing information on the district website (www.palos128.org ) and all district social media pages. You can also visit the Emergency Closing Center website at www.emergencyclosingcenter.com or check local radio and/or television stations to be advised of school closing or early dismissals. School closing for any reason will be announced as soon as possible. If bad weather or other emergencies occur during the school day, please check local media stations for possible early dismissal information.
For student safety, it is important that your child(ren) has an established emergency plan for where to go in case of an unplanned early dismissal.
If school is dismissed early for an emergency, all after-school events are automatically cancelled.
Cross-Reference: Board Policy 4:170, Safety
Animals on School Property
In order to assure student health and safety, animals are not allowed on school property, except in the case of a service animal accompanying a student or other individual with a documented disability. This rule may be temporarily waived by the building principals in the case of an educational opportunity for students, provided that (a) the animal is appropriately housed, humanely cared for, and properly handled, and (b) students will not be exposed to a dangerous animal or an unhealthy environment.
Equal Opportunity and Sex Equity
Equal educational and extracurricular opportunities are available to all students without regard to race, color, nationality, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, ancestry, age, religious beliefs, physical or mental disability, status as homeless, or actual or potential marital or parental status, including pregnancy.
No student shall, based on sex or sexual orientation, be denied equal access to programs, activities, services, or benefits or be limited in the exercise of any right, privilege, advantage, or denied equal access to educational and extracurricular programs and activities.
Any student or parent/guardian with a sex equity or equal opportunity concern should contact the District Superintendent.
Cross-Reference: Board Policy 7:10, Equal Educational Opportunities & Board Policy 2:260, Uniform Grievance Procedure
Fines, Fees, and Charges; Waiver of Student Fees
District 128 charges an annual standard school fee established for each grade to assist in the furnishing of instructional resources and other materials. The fee amount is established annually prior to the start of the school year. Fee information is available on the District 128 website or from the Superintendent’s office upon request. No student will be denied access to any educational service due to the inability of their parent/guardian to pay fees or certain charges. Fees may be waived for parents/guardians unable to pay. A fee waiver does not exempt a student from charges for lost or damaged books, locks, materials, supplies, and/or equipment.
Applications for fee waivers may be submitted by a parent or guardian of a student who has been assessed a fee. A student is eligible for a fee waiver if the student currently lives in a household that meets the income guidelines, with the same limits based on the household size, that are used for the federal free meals program.
The Superintendent will give additional consideration where one or more of the following factors are present:
● An illness in the family
● seasonal employment
● Emergency situations
● When one or more of the parents/guardians are involved in a work stoppage
Within 30 days, the Superintendent will notify the parent/guardian if the fee waiver request has been denied, along with the appropriate appeal process. If you have questions regarding the fee waiver process, you may contact the District Office at 708-597-9040.
Cross-Reference: Board Policy 4:110, Transportation & Board Policy 4:140, Waiver of Student Fees
Bus Transportation
In addition to the guidelines contained here, please refer to the COVID19 Health and Safety Guidelines provided from Illinois School Bus regarding the expectations for appropriate health, safety and social distancing while riding the bus.
The district provides bus transportation to and from school for all students living 1.5 miles or more from the school or for students crossing a hazardous intersection. Parents must, at the beginning of the school year, select one bus stop at which a student is to be picked up, and one stop at which a student is to be dropped off. Students are not permitted to ride a bus other than the bus to which they are assigned. Exceptions must be approved in advance by the building principal.
An adult must be present at the bus stop with each child to be sure the appropriate COVID19 pre-boarding procedure goes smoothly. Prior to boarding the bus, students must present the self-certified symptom check form to the driver indicating that symptoms were checked at home and it is safe for the student to board the bus. While students are on the bus, they are under the supervision of the bus driver. When there are discipline problems on the bus, the bus driver has the authority to address the issue for the safety of the students. In the case of a written disciplinary referral, student bus problems will be investigated and handled by the building principal.
Parents will be informed of any and all inappropriate student behavior on a bus. Parents are encouraged to discuss bus safety and appropriate behavior with their children before the beginning of the school year and regularly during the year.
In the interest of the student’s safety and in compliance with State law, students are expected to observe the following rules:
● Students will be assigned a seat and must sit in it immediately upon entering the bus. Do not stand in the entrance or in the aisle.
● Do not move from one seat to another while on the bus.
● Keep all parts of the body and all objects inside the bus.
● Loud conversation, singing, boisterous conduct, unnecessary noise or profanity is not allowed.
● Enter and exit the bus only when the bus is fully stopped.
● All school rules apply while on the bus, at a bus stop, or waiting for the bus.
● Use emergency doors only in an emergency.
● In the event of an emergency, stay on the bus and await instructions from the bus driver.
● Good behavior and behavior that will not distract the bus driver from operating the bus safely is required. Crowding, pushing, scuffling, and other needless commotion are grounds for disciplinary action.
● Do not open windows.
● Keep the bus neat and clean.
● Athletic footwear equipped with cleats or spikes are not allowed on the bus.
● Inappropriate behavior will be reported to school authorities and failure to observe safety rules may result in suspension from bus services.
● Be waiting at your bus stop on time with an adult.
● Never tamper with, damage, or deface anything in or on the bus, or any of the bus or school equipment.
● Keep book bags, books, packages, coats, and other objects out of the aisles. Keep all body parts clear of the aisles when seated.
● Eating is not permitted on the bus.
● Parents will be liable for any defacing or damage students do to the bus.
Students may be suspended from riding the school bus for up to 10 consecutive school days for engaging in gross disobedience or misconduct If a student is suspended from riding the bus for gross disobedience or misconduct on a bus, the school board may suspend the student from riding the school bus for a period in excess of 10 days for safety reasons. The district’s regular suspension procedures shall be used to suspend a student’s privilege to ride a school bus.
Video and audio cameras may be active on busses to record student conduct and may be used for the purposes of investigation into misconduct or accidents on the bus. The recordings may be used as the basis for imposing student discipline. If criminal actions are recorded, a copy of the recording may be provided to law enforcement personnel.
For questions regarding school transportation issues, contact the Superintendent’s Office at (708) 597-9040.
Cross-references: Board Policy 4:110, Transportation & Board Policy 7:220, Bus Conduct
Guidelines for Student Distribution of Non-School-Sponsored Publications
A student or group of students seeking to distribute more than 10 copies of the same material on one or more days to students must comply with the following guidelines:
1. The student(s) must notify the building principal of the intent to distribute, in writing, at least 24 hours before distributing the material. No prior approval of the material is required.
2. The material may be distributed at times and locations selected by the building principal, such as, before the beginning or ending of classes at a central location inside the building.
3. The building principal may impose additional requirements whenever necessary to prevent disruption, congestion, or the perception that the material is school-endorsed.
4. Distribution must be done in an orderly and peaceful manner, and may not be coercive.
5. The distribution must be conducted in a manner that does not cause additional work for school personnel. Students who distribute material are responsible for cleaning up any materials left on school grounds.
6. Students must not distribute material that:
a. Will cause substantial disruption of the proper and orderly operation and discipline of the school or school activities;
b. Violates the rights of others, including but not limited to, material that is libelous, invades the privacy of others, or infringes on a copyright;
c. Is socially inappropriate or inappropriate due to the students’ maturity level, including but not limited to, material that is obscene, pornographic, or pervasively lewd and vulgar, contains indecent and vulgar language, or sexting as defined by School Board policy and Student Handbook;
d. Is reasonably viewed as promoting illegal drug use; or
e. Is primarily prepared by non-students.
7. A student may use the School District’s Uniform Grievance Procedure to resolve a complaint.
8. Whenever these guidelines require written notification, the appropriate administrator may assist the student in preparing such notification.
A student or group of students seeking to distribute 10 or fewer copies of the same publication on one or more days to students must distribute such material at times and places and in a manner that will not cause substantial disruption of the proper and orderly operation and discipline of the school or school activities and in compliance with paragraphs 4, 5, 6, and 7.
Students are prohibited from accessing and/or distributing at school any pictures, written material, or electronic material, including material from the Internet or from a blog, that:
1. Will cause substantial disruption of the proper and orderly operation and discipline of the school or school activities;
2. Violates the rights of others, including but not limited to material that is libelous, invades the privacy of others, or infringes on a copyright;
3. Is socially inappropriate or inappropriate due to maturity level of the students, including but not limited to material that is obscene, pornographic, or pervasively lewd and vulgar, or contains indecent and vulgar language;
4. Is primarily intended for the immediate solicitation of funds; or
5. Is primarily prepared by non-students, unless it is being used for school purposes. Nothing herein shall be interpreted to prevent the inclusion of material from outside sources or the citation to such sources as long as the material to be distributed or accessed is primarily prepared by students.
The distribution of non-school-sponsored written material must occur at a time and place and in a manner that will not cause disruption, be coercive, or result in the perception that the distribution or the material is endorsed by the school district.
Cross-Reference: PRESS 7:310, Restrictions on Publications; Elementary Schools
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