Grain Valley Schools

Grain Valley Schools uses the following tools to communicate with staff, families and the community.

ParentSquare
The school district uses recorded phone call messages, email, and text messages to communicate announcements such as building or district related emergencies, school closings, late start, etc. 

Grain Valley Schools App
The Grain Valley Schools app is available to download from your phone’s app store.

GrainValleySchools.org website
Our website is designed with parents in mind.  Visit the website at grainvalleyschools.org to find out information about the district or to visit your student’s school website.

Social Media
Follow Grain Valley Schools on Facebook and Instagram.
https://www.facebook.com/GrainValleySchools/
gv_schools on Instagram

GV Schools Community News 
An external email communication to all families and interested community members that include accomplishments of students and team members, as well as highlight any challenges or news that may be of interest to families is sent out quarterly. These notices include survey questions and links to additional information and resources. Messages will be sent through ParentSquare.

Eagle’s View 
The Eagle’s View is a magazine produced to highlight the accomplishments of students and team members of the school district. The magazine is published three times each year and mailed to all residential and business mailing addresses within the school district. The circulation is over 9,000.
Email Grain Valley Schools to learn how your business can advertise in the Eagle’s View magazine.

Web Streaming

Various district sporting events, high school graduation, and School Board meetings are available via streaming video on:

• GVHSEagleMedia
• School Board Meetings

Inclement Weather
On cold mornings where forecasts indicate that opening schools may be questionable, a plan for assessing road and weather conditions goes into effect.  A final determination on a potential snow day, Alternative Method of Instruction (AMI) day or late start is made as soon as possible. 

Although an infrequent occurrence, changing weather conditions may dictate the early dismissal of schools.  Once children are at school, at least three hours are required to get the last child home from the time a decision is made to close schools.  We have early release plans in place for a 2-hours early dismissal or a 1-hour early dismissal.  In those rare instances when school is dismissed early, it is most important that parents/guardians have discussed with their child a procedure to follow that will insure safety and eliminate possible anxiety. Children should be instructed about what they are to do, whom they are to contact, and/or where they are to go if school is dismissed early.  One suggestion: Parents/guardians may want to contact a neighbor or friend and arrange for the child to stay with them should the parent/guardian not be at home. Parents/guardians are encouraged to notify their child’s school any time there is a change to the family’s early release transportation plan.

We use ParentSquare to make phone calls, email, and text messages to alert parents/guardians of any school cancellations and area television stations are notified

NOTIFY LAW ENFORCEMENT AND SCHOOL OFFICIALS OF ANY PERCEIVED THREAT TO SCHOOL SAFETY

It is the goal of Grain Valley Schools to provide a safe learning environment for students and a safe working environment for employees. 
The passage of school bond issues over the years has allowed us to make significant security upgrades to our schools. Some safety features are obvious and public information. Other security-related details are matters of closed record.

Property Access
In general, district buildings and property are not open to the public unless the district has specifically opened a building or property for public use or for an event to which the public is invited. Each school has established regular business hours and locations where members of the general public may contact the district and interact with district employees.

School doors remain locked when school is in session. Visitors are screened by camera and intercom at the main entrance at each school and may only enter the school through the school office area. ID is required to leave the office area. Other security-related details are matters of closed record.

Each school has set hours when parents/guardians may drop off and pick up their students. The district is not responsible for the supervision of students except during regular school hours or other times designated by the district. Parents are not permitted to drop off or leave children at the school during unsupervised periods.

All district employees and volunteers are required to maintain security in district buildings, enforce building access rules and take action when school security is compromised.

We employ several Grain Valley Police Department officers who work directly with students and support the safety efforts of our district full-time.

Classroom Security
All classroom doors are locked from inside the classroom during class time. Teachers are trained to use an additional barricade device available in each classroom.

Surveillance Cameras
The district utilizes surveillance equipment on district property and in district facilities for security purposes.

Firearms and Other Weapons
No person shall carry a firearm, whether loaded or unloaded, a concealed weapon or any other weapon readily capable of lethal use onto any school property, any school transportation or onto the premises of any function or activity sponsored or sanctioned by the district, except for authorized law enforcement officials. School officials are prohibited from authorizing (or unless specifically authorized through the superintendent’s office) any person to bring weapons, including concealed weapons, beyond the exceptions.

Training
Our teachers are trained on how to respond to a variety of threat risks. Students and teachers participate in regular fire evacuation, severe weather, and school lock down drills. In addition, we conduct active shooter training with staff. Active shooter training is provided by ALICE Training Institute.

School employees constantly emphasize emergency and safety measures, including procedures and preparations. Our Emergency Response Team meets on a regular basis to address safety and security training and procedures.

Employees are also trained to identify students exhibiting unhealthy behaviors. These students are identified and offered appropriate interventions through a team effort at the schools. We have staff members who have participated in regional, state and national conferences focusing on school and youth safety and crisis planning. 

Local, state, and national law enforcement agencies issue recommendations that strongly influence how we prepare for a variety of potential safety risks. 

Security Records
In accordance with law and district policy, the district has closed records pertaining to district security guidelines, policies and response plans; structural plans of real property; security systems; and access and authorization codes for security systems. Other security-related records will only be provided to members of the public upon request when required by law.

Be Alert
All citizens are urged to notify law enforcement or school officials with any perceived threat to school safety.

Parent Notification
In the event of a crisis at school, the district will use ParentSquare to notify parents/guardians of the crisis, the district’s response, and provide instructions on how parents/guardians are to be reunited with their child. Notifications may occur by phone call, email and/or text alert.

The 1:1 Chromebook program assigns Chromebook computing devices to students in grades 6-12.   Grain Valley Schools loans a Chromebook to each student.  In return, the student is expected to maintain the device and use the District-provided Chromebook as requested and required by teachers to improve learning opportunities and experiences. Students are expected to follow the guidelines within the Breakthrough Learning 1:1 Chromebook Handbook for safe and effective use.  Students are expected to bring their District provided Chromebook to class every school day.  If  students do not have their Chromebook, they will be expected to check one out from the Library before their first class; however, devices are on a first come, first serve basis.
 

• If a student attempts to access inappropriate content or writes inappropriate content using their district-issued Chromebook, a notification is sent to your child’s administrators and to the technology department.
• In the event of a student attempting to access materials related to self-harm, your child’s administrators and counselors will be notified.
• There is no expectation of privacy while using Chromebook, networks, or technology. The Chromebook is the property of GVSD, and GVSD may search the Chromebook at any time.   

  
For more information, please refer to the Student Handbook. 

Electronic communication devices such as cell phones, ipods, e-readers etc may only be used in accordance to your school’s Student Handbook.  Personal devices may be used in the classroom for educational and curricular use only and is at the discretion of the teacher. Teachers will make students aware when it is acceptable to have cell phones out during class. Any use outside of these times, or use in an irresponsible manner is considered a violation of our Electronic Device Policy and will warrant disciplinary action. Students can not take, or possess pictures or videos of other people without their consent. Any electronic device has the same level of privacy as other student possessions (i.e.-bag, locker, or vehicle).  All electronic devices are subject to search by school administration and students should not have an expectation of privacy. Refusal to comply with the confiscation of, search of, or disciplinary action related to electronic devices may result in further disciplinary action. See student handbook for specific details.
 
If a student has questions regarding the confiscation of their electronic device they should give it to the adult and then ask to speak with them at an appropriate time and place.
 

Missouri school districts are responsible for meeting the educational needs of an increasingly diverse student population by providing a wide range of resources and support to ensure that all students have the opportunity to succeed and be college prepared and career ready. Our school district has programs designed to help meet the unique educational needs of children working to learn the English language, students who are advanced learners, students with disabilities, homeless students, the children of migratory workers, and neglected or delinquent students. For more information, contact our director of student services at (816) 847-5006 x1.

Policy KKB (Reviewed 12/2/2021)

Definitions
Audio Recording – Registering sounds on tape, digitally or by other mechanical or electronic means.
Recording – For the purposes of this policy, “recording” means audio and visual recording.
Visual Recording – Registering visual images on film, tape, digitally or by other mechanical or electronic means.
 
General Rule
The district may create audio and visual recordings on district property, on district transportation or at district activities for:
1.    Providing security;
2.    Maintaining order;
3.    Professional staff development;
4.    Educational purposes; and
5.    Other purposes related to furthering the educational mission of the district.

However, because the district predominantly serves minors, is subject to a number of confidentiality laws, respects parent/guardian and community privacy concerns and seeks to minimize disruption to the education environment, the district prohibits other persons or entities from making audio or visual recordings unless authorized in this policy.
 
Administrator Authority
The superintendent or designee has the authority to authorize audio and visual recording on district property or at a district activity. Likewise, even if recording is authorized under this policy, the superintendent or designee may prohibit any person or entity from recording:
 
1.    To protect privacy interests;
2.    To comply with copyright or other licensing or intellectual property limitations;
3.    If the recording creates a disruption to the education or working environment;
4.    If the recording is done in a location where a person may be in a state of undress; or
5.    For other legitimate reasons as determined by the superintendent or designee.
 

Board Meetings, Performances and Activities Open to the General Public
The district allows audio and visual recording at performances, events and activities that the general public is invited to attend (such as athletic competitions, concerts and plays, open board meetings and board committee meetings) as long as district guidelines applicable to those events are followed and unless recording is prohibited by licensing or other intellectual property laws.
 
Events Sponsored by Individuals or Entities Authorized to Rent or Use District Facilities
The district may allow audio and visual recording of events or activities sponsored by an outside entity authorized to use or rent district facilities if permitted by the event sponsor.
 
Research and Educator Preparation
With permission from the superintendent or designee, staff and students may be recorded for research purposes or by preservice education professionals for evaluation purposes. Consent from all relevant parties must be secured when required by law.
 
Recording by the Media
The media may make audio or visual recordings on district property or at district events as authorized by the superintendent or designee.
 
Recording by Students
In addition to other recording authorized in this policy, students may make audio and visual recordings on district property or at district activities if allowed by a teacher or activity sponsor as part of the class or activity or as permitted by the principal, superintendent or designee. Students may be disciplined, excluded from district activities and prohibited from attending with a phone or other recording device if the student makes recordings in violation of this policy and other district rules regarding recording.
 
Recordings by Parents/Guardians or Family Members of Students
In addition to other recording authorized in this policy, parents/guardians or family members of students may be allowed to record performances or events to which only parents/guardians or family members are invited, such as family nights and graduation celebrations, at the discretion of the principal, superintendent or designee. However, the recording must respect the privacy of other students and families present.
 
Recording by District Employees and Agents
District employees and agents may make and use audio or visual recordings for professional staff 
development use, for educational purposes or for other purposes related to furthering the educational mission of the district when authorized by the principal, superintendent or designee. Otherwise, recording is prohibited. Recordings obtained while acting as a district employee or agent may not be used for personal purposes or posted on social media unless authorized by a supervisor.
 
Recording Meetings
In general, the district prohibits the recording of employee meetings and meetings between employees and parents/guardians unless authorized by the superintendent or designee.
 
Recording Meetings under the IDEA or Section 504
 A student’s parent or legal guardian may audio record any meeting about the student held under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, including individualized education program (IEP) and Section 504 meetings. The parent or legal guardian seeking to record must notify the district prior to the time the meeting is scheduled to occur. Recordings made by the parent/guardian will remain the property of the parent/guardian, but the district may make its own recording. Everyone present during a recorded meeting must be notified that the meeting is being recorded unless the recording is done in such a manner that it is obvious to those present that the meeting is being recorded.
 
Undisclosed Recording or Transmitting
The district prohibits undisclosed recordings where persons involved do not consent to the recording and it is not otherwise obvious that recording equipment is present or being used, unless the superintendent or designee determines in rare circumstances that such recordings are necessary for security reasons. The district prohibits the simultaneous electronic transmission of any conversation by any person to a third party without the consent of all involved in the conversation even if the conversation is not recorded.
 
Use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems
Anyone seeking to operate unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) on or over district property or at a district event must receive authorization from the superintendent or designee. Authorization will be granted only when such operation is on behalf of the district, supports the mission of the district or otherwise serves a public purpose.

All UAS with the potential to capture or produce visual images of district property or district events must be operated in accordance with applicable Federal Aviation Administration regulations or safety guidelines.

Student Users
All student users and their parents/guardians must sign or electronically consent to the district’s User Agreement prior to accessing or using district technology resources, unless otherwise excused by this policy or the superintendent or designee. Students who are 18 or who are otherwise able to enter into an enforceable contract may sign or consent to the User Agreement without additional signatures. Students who do not have a User Agreement on file with the district may be granted permission to use the district’s technology resources by the superintendent or designee.

General Rules and Responsibilities
The following rules and responsibilities will apply to all users of the district’s technology resources:

1. Applying for a user ID under false pretenses or using another person’s ID or password is prohibited.
2. Sharing user IDs or passwords with others is prohibited except when shared with the district’s technology department for the purpose of support. Individuals who share IDs or passwords may be disciplined and will be held responsible for any actions taken by those using the ID or password. A user will not be responsible for theft of passwords and IDs, but may be responsible if the theft was the result of user negligence.
3. Deleting, examining, copying or modifying district files or data without authorization is prohibited.
4. Deleting, examining, copying or modifying files or data belonging to other users without their prior consent is prohibited.
5. Mass consumption of technology resources that inhibits use by others is prohibited.
6. Use of district technology for soliciting, advertising, fundraising, commercial purposes or financial gain is prohibited, unless authorized by the district or in accordance with policy KI. Use of district technology resources to advocate, support or oppose any ballot measure or candidate for public office is prohibited.
7. Accessing fee services without permission from an administrator is prohibited. A user who accesses such services without permission is solely responsible for all charges incurred.
8. Users are required to obey all laws, including criminal, copyright, privacy, defamation and obscenity laws. The district will render all reasonable assistance to local, state or federal officials for the investigation and prosecution of persons using district technology in violation of any law.
9. The district prohibits the use of district technology resources to access, view or disseminate information that is pornographic, obscene, child pornography, harmful to minors, obscene to minors, libelous, or pervasively indecent or vulgar.
10. Accessing, viewing or disseminating information on any product or service not permitted to minors is prohibited unless under the direction and supervision of district staff for curriculum-related purposes.
11. The district prohibits the use of district technology resources to access, view or disseminate information that constitutes insulting or fighting words, the very expression of which injures or harasses other people (e.g., threats of violence, defamation of character or of a person’s race, religion or ethnic origin); presents a clear and present likelihood that, because of their content or their manner of distribution, they will cause a material and substantial disruption of the proper and orderly operation and discipline of the school or school activities; or will cause the commission of unlawful acts or the violation of lawful district policies and procedures.
12.  The district prohibits any use that violates any person’s rights under applicable laws, and specifically prohibits any use that has the purpose or effect of discriminating against or harassing any person on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, disability, age, genetic information, pregnancy or use of leave protected by the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
13. The district prohibits any unauthorized intentional or negligent action that damages or disrupts technology, alters its normal performance or causes it to malfunction. The district will hold users responsible for such damage and will seek both criminal and civil remedies, as necessary.
14. Users may install and use only properly licensed software and audio or video media purchased by the district or approved for use by the district. All users will adhere to the limitations of the district’s technology licenses. Copying for home use is prohibited unless permitted by the district’s license and approved by the district.
15. At no time will district technology or software be removed from district premises, unless authorized by the district.
16. All users will use the district’s property as it was intended. Technology resources will not be moved or relocated without permission from a building administrator. All users will be held accountable for any damage they cause to district technology resources.

Technology Security and Unauthorized Access

1. All users shall immediately report any security problems or misuse of the district’s technology resources to a teacher or administrator.
2. Use of district technology resources in attempting to gain or gaining unauthorized access to any technology system or the files of another is prohibited.
3. Use of district technology to connect to other systems, in evasion of the physical limitations of the remote system, is prohibited.
4. The unauthorized copying of system files is prohibited.
5. Intentional or negligent attempts, whether successful or unsuccessful, to interfere with the ability of others to utilize any district technology are prohibited.
6. Users will be granted access privileges to district technology resources as determined appropriate by the superintendent or designee. Any attempt to secure a higher level of privilege without authorization is prohibited.
7. The introduction of computer viruses, hacking tools or other disruptive or destructive programs into a district computer, network or any external networks is prohibited.

Online Safety and Confidentiality
Curricular or noncurricular publications distributed using district technology will comply with the law and Board policies on confidentiality.

All district employees will abide by state and federal law, Board policies and district rules when using district technology resources to communicate information about personally identifiable students. Employees will take precautions to prevent negligent disclosure of student information or student records.

All students will be instructed on the dangers of sharing personal information about themselves or others over the Internet and are prohibited from sharing such information unless authorized by the district. Student users shall not agree to meet with someone they have met online without parental approval and must promptly disclose to a teacher or another district employee any message the user receives that is inappropriate or makes the user feel uncomfortable.

Electronic Mail and Messaging
A user is generally responsible for all e-mail and other electronic messages originating from the user’s accounts; however, users will not be held responsible when the messages originating from their accounts are the result of the account being hacked.

1. Forgery or attempted forgery of electronic messages is illegal and prohibited.
2. Unauthorized attempts to read, delete, copy or modify electronic messages of other users are prohibited.

Waiver
Any user who believes he or she has a legitimate educational purpose for using the district’s technology in a manner that may violate any of the district’s policies, regulations or procedures may request in writing a waiver from the building principal, superintendent or their designees. In making the decision to grant a waiver to a student, the administrator shall consider the student’s purpose, age, maturity and level of supervision involved.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Use Plan
District students are strictly prohibited from engaging in the following uses of Al:

1. Using Al in a way that violates any district policy or applicable law; 
2. Inputting into any Al any confidential or critical data, as defined in policy EHBD, or any other confidential information unless the Al coordinator has approved the use as safe, appropriate, and legal; 
3. Using Al to violate the instructions or requirements of any assignment; 
4. Representing Al-generated content as their own work; 
5. Using Al to create or disseminate false information on matters or events of public importance; 
6. Using Al to create any altered image or voice of any person without obtaining that person’s permission; 
7. Using Al to generate any material that is obscene or harmful to minors; 
8. Using Al to harass, embarrass, defame, misinform, or otherwise harm any person; 
9. Using Al to disrupt district operations, including instruction; 
10. Using an Al product that is not permitted by the Al Use Plan; or 
11. Using Al to negatively affect the district or in a way that causes harm. 

Students may be disciplined for violating these prohibitions, including violations that occur off campus and create a nexus to the educational environment. When Al is involved in other misconduct, the principal or designee may view the use of Al as an aggravating factor that justifies stronger disciplinary consequences.

Reporting AI Concerns and Misuse 
Individuals who have a concern about the safety or effectiveness of approved Al products should report the concern to the Al coordinator or building administrator who will investigate the matter and take steps to resolve the concern. 

Individuals who suspect Al misuse or are aware of Al use that is potentially harmful or otherwise violates the law or district policies or procedures must report the matter to the Al coordinator or building administrator to investigate the alleged misuse or harm. 

Electronic Communication Between Staff and Students
Staff members are encouraged to communicate with students and parents/guardians for educational purposes using a variety of effective methods, including electronic communication. As with other forms of communication, staff members must maintain professional boundaries with students while using electronic communication. Communication with parents and students through a staff member’s personal device is discouraged.

The district’s policies, regulations, procedures and expectations regarding in-person communications at school and during the school day also apply to electronic communications for educational purposes, regardless of when those communications occur. Staff communications must be professional, and student communications must be appropriate. Staff members may only communicate with students electronically for educational purposes between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. Staff members may use electronic communication with students only as frequently as necessary to accomplish the educational purpose.

1. When communicating electronically with students for educational purposes, staff members must use district-provided devices, accounts and forms of communication (such as computers, phones, telephone numbers, e-mail addresses and ParentSquare, when available. If district-provided devices, accounts and forms of communication are unavailable, staff members communicating electronically with students must do so in accordance with number two below. 
2. Staff members may communicate with students using district-provided forms of communication without first obtaining supervisor approval. These communications may be monitored. With district permission, staff members may establish websites or other accounts on behalf of the district that enable communications between staff members and students or parents/guardians. Any such website or account is considered district sponsored and must be professional and conform to all district policies, regulations and procedures.
3. A staff member may utilize ParentSquare to communicate with students in grades 7-12 to organize or facilitate a district-sponsored class or activity if the communication is determined necessary or beneficial. If the district-sponsored app, ParentSquare, is not available or appropriate, the district will provide temporary authorization for a staff member to use their personal device while including the parent and/or supervisor. If directed to do so, staff members are required to provide their supervisors with all education-related communication with students upon request.
4. Staff use of any electronic communication is subject to the district’s policies, regulations and procedures including, but not limited to, policies, regulations, procedures and legal requirements governing the confidentiality and release of information about identifiable students. Employees who obtain pictures or other information about identifiable students through their connections with the district are prohibited from posting such pictures or information on personal websites or personal social networking websites without permission from a supervisor.
5. The district discourages staff members from communicating with students electronically for reasons other than educational purposes. When an electronic communication is not for educational purposes, the section of this policy titled “Exceptions to This Policy” applies, and if concerns are raised, the staff member must be prepared to demonstrate that the communications are appropriate. This policy does not limit staff members from communicating with their children, stepchildren or other persons living within the staff member’s home who happen to be students of the district.

Adapted from Administrative Procedure 
EHB-AP(1) and Policy EHB.

The Grain Valley School District understands that adequate nutrition is essential to students’ mental, physical, and academic growth.  However, unpaid meal charges place a large financial burden on our Nutrition Services Department.  The District participates in the School Breakfast Program (SBP) and the National School Lunch Program (NSLP).  District students, whether at the free-, reduced-, or paid-rate, will receive a full reimbursable breakfast and/or lunch meal that meets USDA requirements regardless of whether they have, or do not have, adequate money in their student account to cover the cost of the meal at the time of service.  No reimbursable meal will be taken from any District student in the event there are no funds or a negative balance in a student’s meal account.  

Prepackaged snacks and drinks will not be allowed to be charged if a student does not have enough funds in their account. 

Students who put extra servings of hot entrée items on their tray will be charged for those items regardless of pay status.  

Although a District student may carry a negative balance, it is the student’s parent/guardian that is responsible for payment in order to keep the student’s balance from becoming negative.  If a student has a negative balance prior to becoming eligible for free or reduced meals, the parent/guardian is still responsible for that balance. To accommodate students who purchase school meals, payment options include an online payment system that will take credit and debit cards, or cash and check payments may be made at all school sites.

Parents/guardians of students with negative account balances will also receive daily emails to remind them to make a payment to cover their student’s negative balance. 

A District student’s balance, whether positive or negative in nature, will follow the student throughout their academic career.  The parent/guardian is still responsible for the negative balance accrued even if the student graduates at the end of their senior year or transfers out of the district.  Upon request, positive balances may be refunded or moved to another student’s account(s).  

If charges continue without repayment:

• Parent/guardian may be contacted by school 
• staff to offer services or assistance as needed.
• Parent/guardian may be encouraged to submit a Free- And Reduced-Priced Meal Application.

Employees are not allowed to charge meals and must provide payment at the time of service.  
This written policy will be provided, through mail or email, to all District household families at the start of the school year and to all families transferring into the District throughout the course of the year.  When enforced to a particular student, this written policy will be provided again to the District household through mail or email. 

This written policy will be provided to all school staff responsible for policy enforcement including, but not limited to:  school food service professionals responsible for collecting payment for meals at the point of service, staff involved in notifying families of low or negative balances, and staff involved in enforcing any other aspects of the meal charge policy, school social workers, school nurses, the family school liaison, and other staff members that may assist students in need, principals, assistant principals, and any other administrators.
 
DEFINITIONS:
What Is a National School Lunch Program, or NSLP, Meal?
For lunch, all meals must provide five components:  fruit, vegetables, meat/meat alternates, grains, and milk.  For a lunch to be a program meal, the meal must contain ½-cup fruit or vegetables and at least two other servings from the five component groups.  Three of the five components must be chosen with one of those components being either a fruit or vegetable for the meal to be reimbursable.

What Is a School Breakfast Program, or SBP, Meal?
There are three component groups that make up the breakfast meal pattern:  grains (with optional meat/meat alternate allowed), fruit, fluid milk.  For the breakfast meal to be a program meal the three components must be served.

What Is a Charged Meal?
A charged meal occurs when a student enters the cashier line with a program meal and does not have the funds in his/her account or in-hand to sufficiently pay for the program meal.  These meals are not taken from students.  
 
District employees are mandated by the State of Missouri to report any instances of suspected abuse or neglect to the Children’s Division (CD) of the Department of Social Services.  District personnel will report to the CD any instance where a student’s arrival at school with no provision for food leads to a reasonable cause to suspect neglect.

Donations
Individuals wanting to donate may make donations to individual schools to pay off all or some unpaid meal charges.  Parents/Guardians of students who are graduating or transferring out of the district can donate the positive balance in their student’s meal account to pay off other students’ unpaid meal charges.  Requests should be submitted to the Nutrition Services Department with the student’s name and ID number.

Administrative Procedure EF-AP(1)

Unless meals are provided at no charge, the district expects students and employees to pay for meals prior to or at the time of receipt. The ability to charge meals is a privilege, not a right, and is subject to the limitations established in this procedure.

Notice
At the beginning of each school year, a copy of this procedure will be provided to every parent/guardian in the district as required by law. In addition, a copy of this procedure, along with information about free and reduced-price school meals, will be provided to the parents/guardians of all students who enroll after the beginning of the school year.

A copy of this procedure will also be provided to all building administrators, staff responsible for collecting payment for meals at the point of service, staff involved with notifying parents/guardians about account balances, school social workers, nurses, counselors, the district liaison for homeless children and youths, and any other staff who regularly assist students in need.

A copy of this procedure will also be posted on the district’s website, and information about charging meals will be included in the student handbook.

Employees
Employees may charge meals only after completing the form provided by the district authorizing the district to withhold the amount of any unpaid charges from the employee’s pay. The district will withhold amounts due from meal charges in the pay 
period immediately after the charges are made. Employees may appeal a deduction for meal charges using the process outlined in policy DLB.

Students

1. A student may not accumulate more than six unpaid meal charges.
2. Students may not charge à la carte items.
3. A student with money in hand will not be denied a meal even if the student has past due charges.
4. Students will not be identified, singled out, shamed or punished by the district for the failure of their parents/guardians to pay for or provide meals, and the district will not withhold student records in violation of law.

Alternative Meals
A student who has accumulated six unpaid meal charges and is still unable to pay for meals may be provided an alternative meal. Alternative meals will be on the regular serving line and will be available to all students as an alternative to the regular meal. If a student has been provided a regular meal, that meal will not be taken away from the student even if the student should have been provided an alternative meal due to unpaid meal charges.

Interventions
After a student accumulates six unpaid meal charges, the district will encourage the parents/guardians to submit an application for free and reduced-price meals if an application has not been recently submitted, and the student will be referred to a counselor for intervention. The counselor will:

1. Meet with the student to assess to the extent possible whether the student or the student’s family is experiencing hardships, barriers or other circumstances with which the counselor could assist.
2. Make repeated attempts to contact the parents/guardians to notify them of the lunch charges, discuss the situation and any other concerns the counselor may have after meeting with the student, and resolve the situation.
3. Encourage the parents/guardians to submit the free and reduced-price meals application and inquire about any assistance that might be needed to complete the application.
4. Provide other resources as applicable.District employees are mandated by the state of Missouri to report any instances of suspected abuse or neglect to the Children’s Division (CD) of the Department of Social Services. District personnel will report to the CD any instance where a student’s arrival at school with no provision for food leads to a reasonable cause to suspect neglect.

Working with Parents/Guardians
To ensure that parents/guardians have ample opportunity to resolve situations involving unpaid meal charges, the district will:

1. Provide timely notification to parents/guardians when account balances run low (when applicable) and each time their student charges a meal.
2. Invoice parents/guardians for unpaid meal charges during the district’s monthly billing cycle, in addition to providing notification of outstanding balances by other means.
3. Work with parents/guardians to create a payment plan that allows for the payment of accumulated balances over time.

Debt Collection Delinquent Debt
Unpaid meal charges will be considered a delinquent debt 90 days after notice that charges are due when no payment or payment plan agreement has been made. Unpaid charges will be considered delinquent as long as the district determines the debt is collectible and efforts to collect the debt are ongoing. The district will make reasonable efforts to collect delinquent debt, including turning over unpaid meal charge balances to a collection agency when the superintendent or designee determines such action is in the best interest of the district. The district’s Nonprofit School Food Services Account (NSFSA) funds may be used to cover the costs of reasonable efforts to collect delinquent debt, including costs associated with using a collection agency.

Bad Debt
When the district determines that collection of delinquent debt is impossible or too costly, the debt will be reclassified as bad debt. Bad debt is debt that will be written off as an operating cost. These costs must be restored using nonfederal funds. NSFSA resources may not be used to cover any costs related to bad debt. Instead, local funds will be used to cover the costs. Local funds include:

1. State revenue matching funds in excess of state revenue matching-fund requirements.
2. State and local funds provided to cover the cost of student meals.
3. Local contributions from organizations or individuals.
4. Revenue from adult meals prepared using resources outside the district’s food service and not funded by the NSFSA.
5. Revenue from the sale of à la carte items and profits from foods not purchased with NSFSA funds and funded by an account separate from the NSFSA.
6. Revenues from catering or contracting services that operate from an account separate from the NSFSA.

Records
The district will maintain detailed records pertaining to delinquent and bad debt, including:

1. Evidence of efforts to collect unpaid meal charges.
2. Evidence that collection efforts fell within the time frame and methods established by this procedure.
3. Financial records showing when delinquent debt became bad debt.
4. Evidence that funds written off as bad debt were restored to the NSFSA from nonfederal sources.

School Nutrition Programs 
In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the district is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by the USDA. These programs include the National School Lunch Program, the Special Milk Program, the School Breakfast Program and the Summer Food Service Program. Any person or representative alleging discrimination based on a prohibited basis has the right to file a complaint within 180 days of the alleged discriminatory action with the USDA Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights or the district’s compliance officer using the process outlined in policy EF. Our school offers free and reduced-price breakfast and lunch programs for eligible students. Families can easily apply online and find more information about the program.

Definitions
Authorized Prescriber – Includes a healthcare provider licensed or otherwise authorized by state law to prescribe medication.

Diabetes Medical Management Plan – A document developed by the student’s personal healthcare team that sets out the health services needed by the student at school and that is signed by the student’s personal healthcare team and parent/guardian.

Medications -- For the purposes of this policy, medications include prescription drugs and over-the-counter drugs, including herbal preparations and vitamins. Medications also include substances that claim or purport to be medicinal or performance enhancing, including essential oils, cannabidiol (CBD) products, and CBD derivatives..

General
The Grain Valley School District is not legally obligated to administer medication to students unless specifically included in a Section 504 plan or an individualized education program (IEP). However, the Board recognizes that some students may require medication for chronic or short-term illnesses to enable them to remain in school and participate in the district’s education services. Parents/Guardians are encouraged to submit any relevant information regarding the medications their student needs, including a diabetes medical management plan or other information the district may use to develop an IEP, Section 504 Plan or individualized health plan (IHP). The district will review all information submitted by the parents/guardians and work with them to create a plan to meet the student’s medical needs while at school or school activities.

The district prohibits students from possessing or self-administering medications while on district grounds, on district transportation or during district activities unless explicitly authorized in accordance with this policy. The superintendent, in collaboration with the district nursing staff, will establish administrative procedures for storing and administering medications in compliance with this policy and pursuant to state and federal law. Medications will only be administered at school when it is not possible or effective for the student to receive the medication at home.

The administration of medications is a nursing activity that must be performed by or under the supervision of a registered professional nurse. A registered professional nurse may delegate the administration of medication to a licensed practical nurse or unlicensed personnel who are trained by the nurse to administer medications. The registered professional nurse is responsible for developing written procedures for training unlicensed personnel in the administration of medications and for supervising the administration of medication by others. In accordance with law, any trained or qualified employee will be held harmless and immune from civil liability for administering medication in good faith and according to standard medical practices. A qualified employee is one who has been trained to administer medication according to standard medical practices.

The nurse or designee must maintain thorough documentation of all medications administered to students.

Nurses must use reasonable and prudent judgment to determine whether to administer particular medications to students while also working in collaboration with parents/guardians and the school administration. In carrying out their legal duty to protect the health, welfare and safety of students, nurses will, when necessary, clarify authorized prescriber orders and respond in accordance with such clarifications.

The district shall not knowingly administer medications in an amount exceeding the recommended daily dosage listed in the Physician’s Desk Reference (PDR) or other recognized medical or pharmaceutical text. The district will not administer the first dose of any medication. Parents/Guardians are encouraged to arrange to administer prescription medications themselves when possible.

Staff, students and all other individuals are prohibited from possessing or administering any medication, while on district grounds, on district transportation or during district activities, that is illegal pursuant to state or federal law.

Medical Marijuana
The district does not permit the possession, use, or administration of marijuana or marijuana-infused products for medicinal or other purposes on district property or at district events since these products are prohibited under federal law. This prohibition applies even if the student has a valid, Missouri-issued, medical marijuana card.

Over-the-Counter Medications
The district (i.e., registered nurse or designee) may administer over-the-counter medications to students, kindergarten through twelfth grade, upon receipt of a written request and permission to do so from the student’s physician and the parent/guardian. The prescription must list the reason for the medication, the dose to be given at school and the time to given at school.

The parent/guardian must bring the medication to school in the original manufacturer’s container, sign the required documents and pick up the medication at the end of the school year.

Prescription Medications
Unless otherwise authorized in this policy, the parent/guardian must provide the district with written permission to administer the medication before the district will administer the prescription medication to the student. The prescription label will be considered the equivalent of a prescriber’s written direction, and a separate document is not needed.

Emergency Medications
All K-12 buildings in this district are equipped with naloxone (nasal), epinephrine auto-injectors, and asthma rescue medications.  The school nurse or another employee trained and supervised by the school nurse may administer this medication when they believe, based on training, that a student is having a serious or life-threatening reaction or episode.  A prescription or written permission from a parent/guardian is not necessary to administer these medications in an emergency situation. 

Parents/guardians may opt out by informing their student’s school in writing that their student cannot receive Naloxone.

Possession and Self-Administration of Medications
The district will permit a student to possess and self-administer emergency medications as required by law, except for substances that are illegal under state or federal law, and as allowed in this section. Permission to possess and self-administer medications may be revisited if there is evidence that the student is not handling or administering the medication appropriately or that the student’s actions may be harming his or her own health or the health and safety of other persons. Such permission is required for students to possess and self-administer medications while at school, at a district-sponsored activity and on district-sponsored transportation. Such permission shall be effective only for the same school and school year for which it is granted.

A student with an IEP or Section 504 plan may possess and self-administer medications in accordance with the IEP or Section 504 plan. Students who do not have an IEP or Section 504 plan may possess and self-administer medications in accordance with 1) or 2) below:

1. Students with Diabetes: Upon written request of the parent/guardian and upon authorization by a student’s diabetes medical management plan, the district will permit a student with diabetes to perform blood glucose checks, administer insulin through the student’s insulin delivery systems, treat hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia, and otherwise attend to the care and management of the student’s diabetes. The district will permit the student to possess on his or her person at all times all necessary supplies and equipment to perform these monitoring and treatment functions. The student shall have access to a private area for performing diabetes care tasks should the parent/guardian or student request such access. Students with diabetes who wish to possess and self-administer medications are subject to the same requirements (below) as students with other health conditions.
2. Students with Other Chronic Health Conditions: Students may possess and self-administer medications for the treatment of asthma, anaphylaxis and other chronic health conditions in accordance with this policy and law. The district will not permit students to possess and self-administer medications unless all of the following requirements are met:

• The medication was prescribed or ordered by the student’s physician.
• The physician has provided a written treatment plan for the condition for which the medication was prescribed or authorized that includes a certification that the student is capable of and has been instructed in the correct and responsible use of the medication and has demonstrated to the physician or the physician’s designee the skill level necessary to use the medication.
• The student has demonstrated proper self-administration technique to the school nurse.
• The student’s parent/guardian has signed a statement authorizing self-administration and acknowledging that the district and its employees or agents will incur no liability as a result of any injury arising from the self-administration of such medication unless such injury is a result of negligence on the part of the district or its employees or agents.

Consequences
Students who possess or consume medications in violation of this policy while on district grounds, on district transportation or during a district activity may be disciplined up to and including suspension or expulsion. Employees who violate this policy may be disciplined up to and including termination. District administrators will notify law enforcement when they believe a crime has occurred.

Adapted from Policy JHCD.
 

Bullying
In accordance with state law, bullying is defined as:

1. “intimidation, unwanted aggressive behavior, or harassment that is repetitive or is substantially likely to be repeated and causes a reasonable student to fear for his or her physical safety or property;
2. “substantially interferes with the educational performance, opportunities or benefits of any student without exception; or
3. “substantially disrupts the orderly operation of the school.”

Bullying includes, but is not limited to: 
physical actions, including violence, gestures, theft, or property damage; 
oral, written, or electronic communication, including name-calling, put-downs, extortion, or threats; 
or threats of reprisal or retaliation for reporting such acts.

Cyberbullying
A form of bullying committed by transmission of a communication including, but not limited to, a message, text, sound or image by means of an electronic device including, but not limited to, a telephone, wireless telephone or other wireless communication device, computer or pager.  
The district has jurisdiction over cyberbullying that uses the district’s technology resources or that originates on district property, at a district activity or on district transportation. 

Even when cyberbullying does not involve district property, activities or technology resources, the district will impose consequences and discipline for those who engage in cyberbullying if:

1. there is a sufficient nexus to the educational environment,
2. the behavior materially and substantially disrupts the educational environment,
3. the communication involves a threat as defined by law, or 
4. the district is otherwise allowed by law to address the behavior.

Designated Officials
The principal of each building is hereby designated as the individual to receive and investigate reports of bullying.  Each building principal shall designate at least two teachers or administrators in the building who are authorized to receive and investigate reports of bullying in the principal’s absence or at the principal’s discretion.
 
The district compliance officer appointed in policy AC will serve as the district wide anti-bullying coordinator.  The anti-bullying coordinator will receive all completed investigative reports from all buildings and analyze the reports to identify any information that would inform the district’s anti-discrimination and anti-bullying education and training programs.  In addition, the anti-bullying coordinator will assist in making any relevant reports as required by state and federal law.

Employees Required to Report
School employees, substitutes or volunteers are expected to intervene to prevent student bullying, appropriately discipline the perpetrator, assist the victim and report the incident to the building principal or designee for further investigation and action.

Any school employee, substitute or volunteer who witnesses or has firsthand knowledge of bullying of a student must report the incident to the building principal or designee as soon as possible, but no later than two school days after the incident.

District employees and substitutes who violate this policy will be disciplined or terminated.  Discipline may include suspension with or without pay, a negative evaluation, prohibition from being on district property or at district activities, mandated training or other appropriate remedial action.

Volunteers who violate this policy may no longer be permitted to volunteer.

Investigation
Within two school days of receiving a report of bullying, the principal or designee will initiate an investigation of the incident.  Reports that involve students from multiple buildings will be investigated cooperatively by the principals of each building involved.

The investigation shall be completed within ten school days of the date the report of bullying was received unless good cause exists to extend the investigation.

Upon completion of the investigation, the principal will decide whether bullying or harassment occurred and, if so, whether additional discipline is warranted in accordance with the district’s student discipline code.  

Discrimination or Harassment
If at any time during an investigation of a potential violation of the student code of conduct the principal suspects that illegal discrimination, harassment or retaliation as described in policy AC may have occurred, the principal will report the incident to the compliance officer designated in that policy, who will assist in the investigation.  If the alleged bullying involves a special education student or a student with disabilities, the principal will also notify the special education director.

If the incident involved allegations of illegal discrimination or harassment, the principal’s decision may be appealed in accordance with policy AC.  

Student discipline may be appealed when allowed by law in accordance with Board policy.

Any report of possible discrimination or harassment received from students, staff, or families by the principal must be reported to the compliance officer.

Findings
The principal or designee must explicitly determine whether or not bullying has occurred, according to the specific definition.

If bullying is determined, then the consequences, support, and reporting detailed in policy must be followed.

If the incident is determined to NOT be bullying, but another condition of the student discipline code of conduct was violated, than the principal or designee should follow the appropriate policy.

Consequences
1st offense: Detention, in-school suspension, or 1-180 days out-of-school suspension.

Subsequent offense: 1-180 days out-of-school suspension or expulsion.

Students who participate in bullying or who retaliate against anyone who reports bullying will be disciplined in accordance with the district’s discipline code.  Such discipline may include detention, in-school suspension, out-of-school suspension, expulsion, removal from participation in activities, exclusion from honors and awards, and other consequences deemed appropriate by the principal or superintendent.  The district will also contact law enforcement when required by law or notify social media companies of inappropriate online activity when appropriate.

Even in situations where the district does not have jurisdiction to discipline a student for bullying, such as when the acts take place off campus and there is an insufficient nexus to the district, the principal or designee will take appropriate actions to assist student victims.  Such actions may include, but are not limited to, contacting the parents/guardians of the victim and the alleged perpetrators, communicating that this behavior is not allowed on district grounds or at district activities, notifying the appropriate district staff to assist the victim, and taking additional action when appropriate, such as notifying law enforcement or social media companies of inappropriate online activity.

Policy Publication
The district shall annually notify students, parents/guardians, district employees, substitutes and volunteers about this policy and the district’s prohibition against bullying.  A copy of this policy shall be included in student handbooks and posted on the district’s website.

Training and Education Students:
The district will provide education and information about bullying and this policy to students every year.  The 
principal of each school, in consultation with school counselors and other appropriate school employees, will determine the best methods for facilitating the discussion.  Methods may include, but are not limited to, assemblies; homeroom presentations; class meetings; team or club meetings; special presentations by counselors, social workers or mental health professionals; and open-house events.  When practical, parents/guardians will be invited to attend.

Team Members:
Volunteers who spend a significant amount of time with students, cafeteria staff, custodians, bus drivers, office staff, para-professionals must all be trained on responding to bullying.

The district’s anti-bullying coordinator will provide information and appropriate training designed to assist employees, substitutes and volunteers who have significant contact with students in identifying, preventing and responding to incidents of bullying.

In addition to educating students about the content of this policy, the district will inform students of:

1. The procedure for reporting bullying.
2. The harmful effects of bullying.
3. Any initiatives the school or district has created to address bullying, including student peer-to-peer initiatives.
4. The consequences for those who participate in bullying or engage in reprisal or retaliation against those who report bullying.

Support for Victims of Bullying
The principal or other appropriate district staff will work with victims and their families to access resources and services to help them deal with any negative effects that resulted from the incident.

School counselors, social workers, mental health professionals, school psychologists or other appropriate district staff will educate students who are victims of bullying about how to overcome the negative effects of bullying including, but not limited to:

1. Cultivating the student’s self-worth and self-esteem.
2. Teaching the student to defend him- or herself assertively and effectively without violence.
3. Helping the student develop social skills.
4. Encouraging the student to develop an internal focus of control.

Adapted from Policy JFC

Policy JG: Student Discipline

It is essential that the district maintain a safe school environment and a climate that allows teachers to communicate effectively with all students in the class and allows all students in the class to learn. Discipline will be equitably applied and viewed as a learning opportunity with the ultimate goal of improving behavior, safety and the school climate. The district seeks to minimize the unnecessary exclusion of students from classrooms and school and encourages the superintendent and district staff to exclude students only when necessary to maintain a safe and appropriate learning environment.

The superintendent or designee is authorized to contact the district’s attorney for advice on the legality of district discipline or the discipline process. The Board encourages the superintendent to recommend changes to Board policy related to student discipline as needed. 

Discipline Code
To assist district staff in maintaining the necessary education environment, the Board of Education has created a discipline code that addresses the consequences for students whose conduct is prejudicial to good order and discipline in the schools or impairs the morale or good conduct of other students.

The district’s comprehensive written code of conduct includes, but is not limited to, this policy, JG-R1, JGA, JGB, JGD, JGE, JGF and associated procedures. The district’s comprehensive written code of conduct will be placed on the district’s website, and a copy will be available in the superintendent’s office during normal business hours. The code of conduct will be distributed to all students and their parents/guardians at the beginning of each school year, which may be accomplished by directing students and parents/guardians to the district’s website. These policies, regulations and procedures will apply to all students in attendance in the district’s instructional and support programs as well as at district-sponsored activities

Equity
All district staff are required to enforce district policies, regulations and procedures in a manner that is consistent, developmentally appropriate and equitable. District staff who increase or decrease the consequences for student misconduct based on individual circumstances must document the reasons for the variance. The superintendent or designee will regularly review district discipline data to determine whether district policies are being equitably enforced and, when necessary, make recommendations to the Board for policy changes, training or resources to further the district’s goals for providing equitable education to all students.

Discipline for Off-Campus Misconduct
Students may be disciplined for misconduct that occurs off district grounds and outside a district activity when allowed by law including, but not limited to, the following situations:

1. The district’s technology is used. 
2. The student’s conduct negatively impacts the education environment or there is a nexus to the education environment. 
3. The student has been charged with, convicted of, or pled guilty to the commission of a felony in a court of general jurisdiction (not a juvenile court). The Board may suspend such students after a hearing in accordance with law. 
4. The student has been indicted on, charged with or convicted of one of the specific crimes listed in § 167.171, RSMo. (see in policy JEC) or petition has been filed or adjudicated in juvenile court involving one of the specific crimes listed in § 167.171, RSMo. The district shall exclude such students from school or from the Board Policy Manual Grain Valley R-V general education environment after appropriate due process. 
5.  The student transfers to the district during a suspension or expulsion from another public school or a private or parochial school, and the district determines that the conduct would have resulted in a suspension or expulsion in this district. The district may honor a student’s suspension or expulsion in such cases after providing appropriate due process when necessary. 

Immediate Removal
The Board authorizes the immediate removal of a student upon a finding by a principal or superintendent that the student poses a threat of harm to self or others, as evident by the prior conduct of such student. Any such removal will be subject to the appropriate due process procedures and in accordance with law.

Enforcement
Building principals are responsible for the development and enforcement of additional student conduct rules needed to maintain proper behavior in schools under their supervision. All such rules shall be consistent with Board-adopted discipline policies and regulations.

Teachers have the authority and responsibility to make and enforce necessary rules for discipline in the classroom, subject to review by the building principal. The Board expects each teacher to maintain a satisfactory standard of conduct in the classroom.
All district staff enforcing student discipline should seek to minimize, as much as possible, the amount of instructional time the student loses.

Training
All district employees shall annually receive instruction related to the specific contents of the district’s comprehensive code of conduct and any interpretations necessary to implement its provisions, this includes but is not limited to; confidentiality requirements and the approved methods for dealing with acts of school violence and disciplining students with disabilities.
 

Policy JFG (Reviewed 3/14/2024)

To maintain a safe learning environment and properly investigate potential misconduct, district personnel may search student property and district property used by students. In some limited situations, the district may require students to undergo drug and/or alcohol testing. All searches will be conducted professionally and in accordance with law. The superintendent or designee is directed to provide staff with appropriate training and is authorized to contact the district’s attorney for advice prior to conducting any search.

Searches by District Personnel

Searches of District Property
Students do not have an expectation of privacy in district-provided property. Lockers, desks, technology, and other district property are provided for the convenience of students and are subject to periodic inspection in accordance with law.

Searches of Student Property
Student property, including vehicles parked on district property, may be searched based on reasonable suspicion of a violation of law, district policy, or other rules applicable to students. Reasonable suspicion must be based on facts known to the administration, credible information, or reasonable inference drawn from such facts or information. Searches of student property shall be limited in scope based on the original justification for the search and shall be carried out in the presence of adult witnesses when possible. Students’ privacy and dignity shall be respected.

Searches of Students
If reasonable under the circumstances, district administrators performing a search may require students to empty pockets or remove jackets, coats, shoes, and other articles of exterior clothing that when removed do not expose undergarments not otherwise observable.
When district administrators have reasonable suspicion that a student is in possession of contraband, the administration is authorized to use a mobile metal detector to conduct the search.

District administrators will contact law enforcement officials to perform a search if they reasonably suspect that a student is concealing controlled substances, drug paraphernalia, weapons, stolen goods, or evidence of a crime beneath their clothing and the student refuses to surrender such items. District administrators may contact law enforcement officials for assistance in performing a search in any case in which a student refuses to allow a search or in which the search cannot be conducted safely.

District employees, administrators, and volunteers, other than commissioned law enforcement officials, shall not strip search students, as defined in state law, except that an administrator may conduct such a search if a commissioned law enforcement officer is not immediately available and the administrator has reason to believe that the student possesses a weapon, explosive, or substance that poses an imminent threat of physical harm to the student or others.

If a student is strip searched, as defined in state law, by an administrator or a commissioned law enforcement officer, the district will attempt to notify the student’s parents/guardians as soon as possible. For the purposes of this section, the term “strip search” shall not include the removal of clothing in order to investigate the potential abuse or neglect of a student, give medical attention to a student, or screen a student for medical conditions.

Drug-Detection Dogs
The district may arrange for law enforcement officials to use professionally trained dogs to detect the presence of drugs on district property. A drug-detection dog alerting to the presence of drugs will constitute reasonable suspicion for district administrators to conduct a search. Drug-detection dogs will not come into direct contact with students. The superintendent or designee shall develop procedures for the use of drug-detection dogs.

Student Drug and Alcohol Testing
If district personnel have reasonable suspicion that a student is under the influence of drugs or alcohol, the district may require the student to take a drug or alcohol test. Students who refuse to participate in drug or alcohol testing may be disciplined as if they tested positive for the substance. Drug and alcohol testing are not a necessary or exclusive means of determining from the available evidence that a violation of district policy has occurred.

In accordance with law, the district may implement a random student drug-testing program for students in extracurricular activities.

School Resource Officers
A school resource officer (SRO) may accompany district officials executing a search or may perform searches under the direction of district officials based on the reasonable suspicion standard. However, the SRO may choose not to participate in the search if the SRO believes that such participation might interfere with the successful future criminal prosecution of the student.

A family with a household of four and a weekly income under $1,144 qualifies for free or reduced school breakfast and lunch at school for students.

Likewise, if your family experiences a change in income, even if temporarily, or a change in household size, your family may be eligible for free or reduced meals at school.

We want any eligible family to have this opportunity. Free and reduced lunch status is confidential.

Eligibility Criteria for Free and Reduced Price Meals

Free and Reduced Price Information

Free and Reduced Meal Application

Contact Food and Nutrition Director Andy Hughes with any questions about free or reduced meals.

Email Andy Hughes

816-994-4812

No child is permitted to enroll in or attend district-sponsored preschools, daycare centers or nursery schools until the district has satisfactory evidence demonstrating that the child has been immunized, that immunizations are in progress or that the student has an immunization exemption as permitted by law.

Upon request from a parent/guardian of a student enrolled in or attending district-sponsored preschools, daycare centers or nursery schools, the district will inform the parent/guardian whether any student enrolled or currently attending the facility in which the district-sponsored preschool, daycare center or nursery school is located has an immunization exemption on file. The district will only verify whether any student has an exemption on file. The district will not release any information that would identify a particular student with an exemption or a particular type of exemption.

The district will notify parents/guardians at the time of initial enrollment of their student in district-sponsored preschools, daycare centers or nursery schools that they may request notice from the district as to whether any students currently enrolled in or attending the facility have an immunization exemption on file with the district.

In the event of an earthquake, it’s crucial to act quickly to protect yourself. Follow these steps: Drop to your hands and knees, take cover under a sturdy piece of furniture, and hold on until the shaking stops. 

Be Prepared for an Earthquake
 

Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 (ESSA) Complaint procedures for certain federal programs. 

Programs include Title I. A, B, C, D, Title II, Title III, Title IV.A, Title V Revised 4/17 2 In compliance with ESSA Title VIII- Part C. Sec. 8304(a)(3)(C) Local education agencies are required to disseminate, free of charge, this information regarding ESSA complaint procedures to parents of students and appropriate private school officials or representatives. Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Complaint Procedures for ESSA Programs Table of Contents General Information

1. What is a complaint? For these purposes, a complaint is a written allegation that a local education agency (LEA) (the District) or the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (the Department) has violated a federal statute or regulation that applies to a program under ESSA. 
2. Who may file a complaint? Any individual or organization may file a complaint. 
3. How can a complaint be filed? Complaints can be filed with the District or with the Department. 
4. How will a complaint filed with the District be investigated? Complaints filed with the District are to be investigated and attempted to be resolved according to the locally developed and adopted procedures. 
5. What happens if a complaint is not resolved at the local level (the District)? A complaint not resolved at the local level may be appealed to the Department.
6. How can a complaint be filed with the Department? A complaint filed with the Department must be a written, signed statement that include
   1. A statement that a requirement that applies to an ESSA program has been violated by the District or the Department, and
   2. The facts on which the statement is based and the specific requirement allegedly violated.
7. How will a complaint filed with the Department be investigated? The investigation and complaint resolution proceedings will be completed within a time limit of forty-five calendar days. That time limit can be extended by the agreement of all parties. The following activities will occur in the investigation
   1. Record. A written record of the investigation will be kept. 
   2. Notification of the District. The District will be notified of the complaint within five days of the complaint being filed. 
   3. Resolution at the District. The District will then initiate its local complaint procedures in an effort to first resolve the complaint at the local level. 
   4. Report by the District. Within thirty-five days of the complaint being filed, the District will submit a written summary of the District investigation and complaint resolution. This report is considered public record and may be made available to parents, teachers, and other members of the general public. 
   5. Verification. Within five days of receiving the written summary of a complaint resolution, the Department will verify the resolution of the complaint through an on-site visit, letter, or telephone call(s). 
   6. Appeal. The complainant or the District may appeal the decision of the Department to the U.S. Department of Education.
8. How are complaints related to equitable services to nonpublic school children handled differently? In addition to the procedures listed in number 7 above, complaints related to equitable services will also be filed with the U.S. Department of Education, and they will receive all information related to the investigation and resolution of the complaint. Also, appeals to the United States Department of Education must be filed no longer than thirty days following the Department’s resolution of the complaint (or its failure to resolve the complaint). 
9. How will appeals to the Department be investigated? The Department will initiate an investigation within ten days, which will be concluded within thirty days from the day of the appeal. This investigation may be continued beyond the thirty-day limit at the discretion of the Department. At the conclusion of the investigation, the Department will communicate the decision and reasons for the decision to the complainant and the District. Recommendations and details of the decision are to be implemented within fifteen days of the decision being delivered to the District. 
10. What happens if a complaint is not resolved at the state level (the Department)? The complainant or the District may appeal the decision of the Department to the United States Department of Education.
     

The primary goals of the Grain Valley R-V School District’s wellness program are to promote student health, reduce student overweight/obesity, facilitate student learning of lifelong healthy habits and increase student achievement. The following procedures will guide the implementation of the district wellness program.

Nutrition Guidelines
The district is committed to ensuring that all foods and beverages sold, provided or made available to students on school campuses during the school day support healthy eating and create an environment that reinforces the development of healthy eating habits. For that reason, and as required by law, the district has set the following nutrition standards for its meal programs, competitive foods and beverages sold outside the meal programs, and other foods and beverages provided or made available to students during the school day.

For the purposes of this procedure, the school day is the time period from the midnight before to 30 minutes after the official school day. These meal standards do not apply to food sold at other times, such as evening or weekend events.

Nutrition Standards for Meal Programs
The food sold to students as part of the district’s meal programs will meet the requirements of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Nutrition Standards for Competitive Foods and Beverages
The foods and beverages sold and served during the school day outside the reimbursable school meal programs (competitive foods and beverages) will meet or exceed the USDA Smart Snacks in School (Smart Snacks) nutrition standards. These standards will apply in all locations any time foods and beverages are sold to students during the school day, which includes, but is not limited to, foods and beverages sold in vending machines, school stores, and snack or food carts; à la carte options in cafeterias; and food and beverages sold through district-sponsored fundraising, including fundraising by student-initiated groups, unless an exemption applies, as described below.

Fundraising Exemption to Nutrition Guidelines
Unless otherwise prohibited by Board policies or limitations on marketing, the following are exemptions to the rule requiring that foods sold as fundraisers meet USDA standards:

1. Foods sold off campus, outside the school day or to nonstudents do not have to meet the USDA standards.
2. Foods that do not meet USDA standards and are not intended for consumption at school may be delivered during the school day, and order forms for such food may be distributed during the school day, to the extent that these activities otherwise comply with district policies and procedures.
3. Each school building within the district may hold up to five one-day fundraisers per school year on district property during the school day that involve the sale of foods that do not meet USDA standards.

Nutrition Standards for Foods and Beverages Provided to Students during the School Day
All foods and beverages the district provides or makes available to students during the school day will meet or exceed the Smart Snacks nutrition standards. This includes, but is not limited to, foods and beverages provided or made available to students for celebrations, classroom parties and birthdays, regardless of the source of the food. The district will provide parents/guardians and district employees a list of foods and beverages that meet the Smart Snacks nutrition standards and a list of healthy party ideas, including nonfood celebration ideas.

Water
Students will have access to safe and unflavored drinking water throughout the school day in every district facility used by students. Free, safe and unflavored drinking water will be available to students during mealtimes in the places where meals are served.

Policy Review
The wellness program coordinators will provide policy revision recommendations to the Board as part of the periodic report. The recommendations will be based on analysis of the compliance indicators and comparison of the district’s policy to model policies provided, recommended or referenced by the USDA. The Board will revise the wellness policy as it deems necessary. Administrative procedures will be revised accordingly.

School Breakfast Program
The School Breakfast Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and non-profit private schools and residential child care institutions. The Food and Nutrition Service of the United States Department of Agriculture administers the Program at the Federal level. The School Food Services department of the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education administers the program at the state level.

School districts and independent schools that choose to participate in the Program must serve breakfast meals meeting Federal nutrition requirements, and offer free or reduced-price breakfasts to all eligible children. In exchange, participating institutions receive cash subsidies from the USDA for each reimbursable meal served.

All school breakfasts must meet Federal nutrition requirements, though decisions about the specific foods to serve and how the foods are prepared are made by local school food authorities. Information about the meal requirements may be found on the National School Lunch Program website

The Department of Social Services provides many services for Missouri children through the MO HealthNet for Kids (MHK) Program, the state’s healthcare program for children. Two divisions within the department, the Family Support Division and the MO HelathNet Division coordinate to provide these service.

Through the MO HealthNet for Kids program, children receive full, comprehensive coverage including primary, acute and preventative care, hospital care, dental and vision care as well as prescription coverage. Whether your child is currently enrolled in MO HealthNet for Kids 
or you’re interested in learning more about the program, this portal page has been created to help you find information from all three divisions including how to apply, who is eligible, what benefits are offered and how to find a doctor in your area.

Apply online, call toll free (855) 373-4636 to request an application, or visit your local Family Support Division office to apply.

Notification of Rights under FERPA for Elementary and Secondary Schools

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords parents and students who are 18 years of age or older (“eligible students”) certain rights with respect to the student’s education records. These rights are:

1. The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days after the day the school receives a request for access. Parents or eligible students should submit to the school principal a written request that identifies the records they wish to inspect. The school official will make arrangements for access and notify the parent or eligible student of the time and place where the records may be inspected.
2. The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the parent or eligible student believes are inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy rights under FERPA. Parents or eligible students who wish to ask the school to amend a record should write the school principal, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it should be changed. If the school decides not to amend the record as requested by the parent or eligible student, the school will notify the parent or eligible student of the decision and of their right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the parent or eligible student when notified of the right to a hearing.
3. The right to provide written consent before the school discloses personally identifiable information (PII) from the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. One exception, which permits disclosure without consent, is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by the school as an administrator, supervisor, instructor, or support staff member (including health or medical staff and law enforcement unit personnel) or a person serving on the school board. A school official also may include a volunteer or contractor outside of the school who performs an institutional service of function for which the school would otherwise use its own employees and who is under the direct control of the school with respect to the use and maintenance of PII from education records, such as an attorney, auditor, medical consultant, or therapist; a parent or student volunteering to serve on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee; or a parent, student, or other volunteer assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks. A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility. Upon request, the school discloses education records without consent to officials of another school district in which a student seeks or intends to enroll, or is already enrolled if the disclosure is for purposes of the student’s enrollment or transfer.
4. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the school to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the Office that administers FERPA are: Student Privacy Police Office, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20202.

• To an agency caseworker or other representative of a State or local child welfare agency or tribal organization who is authorized to access a student’s case plan when such agency or organization is legally responsible, in accordance with State or tribal law, for the care and protection of the student in foster care placement.  (20 U.S.C. § 1232g(b)(1)(L))
• To the Secretary of Agriculture or authorized representatives of the Food and Nutrition Service for purposes of conducting program monitoring, evaluations, and performance measurements of programs authorized under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act or the Child Nutrition Act of 1966, under certain conditions.  (20 U.S.C. § 1232g(b)(1)(K))

The district may release directory information on students to qualified individuals, groups, or vendors only. Directory information consists of the student’s name, grade/age, and may contain height and weight information as printed in athletic programs for interscholastic play. Other examples of such information release may include yearbook production needs and school picture data. Parents/guardians may request that this directory information on their student not be released by notifying the principal, in writing, at their child’s school within ten school days after this annual notice.  Even if a parent or eligible student notifies the district in writing that he or she does not want directory information disclosed, the district may still disclose the information if required or allowed to do so by law. See the list below of the disclosures that elementary and secondary schools may make without consent.

FERPA permits the disclosure of PII from students’ education records, without consent of the parent or eligible student, if the disclosure meets certain conditions found in §99.31 of the FERPA regulations. Except for disclosures to school officials, disclosures related to some judicial orders or lawfully issued subpoenas, disclosures of directory information, and disclosures to the parent or eligible student, §99.32 of the FERPA regulations requires the school to record the disclosure. Parents and eligible students have a right to inspect and review the record of disclosures. A school may disclose PII from the education records of a student without obtaining prior written consent of the parents or the eligible student –

To other school officials, including teachers, within the educational agency or institution whom the school has determined to have legitimate educational interests. This includes contractors, consultants, volunteers, or other parties to whom the school has outsourced institutional services or functions, provided that the conditions listed in §99.31(a)(1)(i)(B)(1) - (a)(1)(i)(B)(2) are met. (§99.31(a)(1)).

To officials of another school, school system, or institution of postsecondary education where the student seeks or intends to enroll, or where the student is already enrolled if the disclosure is for purposes related to the student’s enrollment or transfer, subject to the requirements of §99.34. (§99.31(a)(2)).

To authorized representatives of the U. S. Comptroller General, the U. S. Attorney General, the U.S. Secretary of Education, or State and local educational authorities, such as the State educational agency in the parent or eligible student’s State (SEA). Disclosures under this provision may be made, subject to the requirements of §99.35, in connection with an audit or evaluation of Federal- or State-supported education programs, or for the enforcement of or compliance with Federal legal requirements that relate to those programs. These entities may make further disclosures of PII to outside entities that are designated by them as their authorized representatives 
to conduct any audit, evaluation, or enforcement or compliance activity on their behalf. (§§99.31(a)(3) and 99.35).

In connection with financial aid for which the student has applied or which the student has received, if the information is necessary to determine eligibility for the aid, determine the amount of the aid, determine the conditions of the aid, or enforce the terms and conditions of the aid. (§99.31(a)(4)).

To State and local officials or authorities to whom information is specifically allowed to be reported or disclosed by a State statute that concerns the juvenile justice system and the system’s ability to effectively serve, prior to adjudication, the student whose records were released, subject to §99.38. (§99.31(a)(5)).

To organizations conducting studies for, or on behalf of, the school, in order to: (a) develop, validate, or administer predictive tests; (b) administer student aid programs; or (c) improve instruction. (§99.31(a)(6)).

To accrediting organizations to carry out their accrediting functions. (§99.31(a)(7)).

To parents of an eligible student if the student is a dependent for IRS tax purposes. (§99.31(a)(8)).

To comply with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena. (§99.31(a)(9)).

To appropriate officials in connection with a health or safety emergency, subject to §99.36. (§99.31(a)(10).

Information the school has designated as “directory information” under §99.37. (§99.31(a)(11)).

Military and Higher Education Access 
​The district will disclose the names, addresses and telephone numbers of secondary school students to military recruiters or institutions of higher education as required by law. However, if a parent, or a secondary school student who is at least 18, submits a written request, the district will not release the information without first obtaining written consent from the parent or the student. The district will notify parents, and secondary school students who are at least 18, that they may opt out of these disclosures. 

Notice for Directory Information
 – The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), a Federal law, requires that our schools, with certain exceptions, obtain a parent/guardian’s written consent prior to the disclosure of personally identifiable information from a child’s education records.  However, our schools may disclose appropriately designated “directory information” without written consent, unless the parent/guardian has advised the school to the contrary in accordance with school district procedures.  The primary purpose of directory information is to allow our schools to include this type of information from a child’s education records in certain school publications.  Examples include:

• A playbill, showing your student’s role in a drama production;
• The annual school yearbook;
• Recognitions or participation in classroom or school activities shared in social media or publication;
• Graduation programs; and
• Sports activity sheets, such as for wrestling, showing weight and height of team members.

Directory information, which is information that is generally not considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if released, can also be disclosed to outside organizations without a parent’s prior written consent.  Outside organizations include, but are not limited to, companies that manufacture class rings or publish yearbooks.  In addition, two federal laws require local educational agencies (LEAs) receiving assistance under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to provide military recruiters, upon request, with the following information – names, addresses and telephone listings – unless parents have advised the LEA that they do not want their student’s information disclosed without their prior written consent. [1] 

If you do not want your child’s school to disclose directory information from your child’s education records without your prior written consent, you must notify the principal of the school in writing within 10 days of receiving this notification.

The following information is included in what the Grain Valley School District has designated as directory information: 

• Student’s name                                                
• Parents’ names
• Participation in officially recognized activities and sports
• Weight and height of members of athletic teams
• Photograph, videotape, digital image, recorded
• sound
• Degrees, honors, and awards received
• Artwork or coursework on display
• Date and place of birth                                     
• Dates of attendance
• The most recent educational agency or institution attended
• Grade level
• Student ID number, user ID, or other unique personal identifier used to communicate in electronic systems that cannot be used to access education records without a PIN, password, etc. (A student’s SSN, in whole or in part, cannot be used for this purpose.) 
• Enrollment status (e.g., full-time or part-time)
   

Policy JHDA
Inspection
Any parent may inspect, upon request, any instructional material used as part of the educational curriculum and all instructional materials, including teachers’ manuals, films, tapes or other supplementary material, that will be used in connection with any survey, analysis or evaluation as part of any applicable program. Further, a parent may inspect, upon request, a survey created by a third party before the survey is administered or distributed by a school to a student. The term “instructional material” does not include academic tests or academic assessments.

In general, the district will not collect, disclose or use personal student information for the purpose of marketing or selling that information or otherwise providing the information to others for that purpose. In the rare case where the district may collect information from students for the purpose of marketing or selling that information, parents may inspect any instrument used before the instrument is administered or distributed to a student, upon request and in accordance with Board policy.

Consent Required
In accordance with law, no student, as part of any program wholly or partially funded by the U.S. Department of Education, shall be required to submit to a survey, analysis or evaluation (hereafter referred to as “protected information survey”) that reveals any of the following information without written consent of a parent:

1. Political affiliations or beliefs of the student or the student’s parent.
2. Mental or psychological problems of the student or the student’s family.
3. Sex behavior or attitudes.
4. Illegal, antisocial, self-incriminating or demeaning behavior.
5. Critical appraisals of other individuals with whom respondents have close family relationships.
6. Legally recognized privileged or analogous relationships, such as those of lawyers, physicians and ministers.
7. Religious practices, affiliations or beliefs of the student or the student’s parent.
8. Income other than that required by law to determine eligibility for participation in a program or for receiving financial assistance under such program.

Notice and Opportunity to Opt Out
In accordance with law, parents will receive prior notice and an opportunity to opt a student out of:

1. Any other protected information survey, as defined above, regardless of the funding source.
2. Any nonemergency, invasive physical exam or screening required as a condition of attendance, administered by the school or its agent and not necessary to protect the immediate health and safety of a student, or any physical exam or screening permitted or required under state law, except for hearing, vision or scoliosis screenings.
3. Activities involving the collection, disclosure or use of personal information obtained from students for marketing, selling or otherwise distributing information to others.

The district will directly notify parents at the beginning of the school year of the specific or approximate dates during the school year when the above-listed activities will occur or are expected to be scheduled.

Notification of Policy and Privacy
In accordance with the law, parents will be directly notified of this policy at least annually at the beginning of the school year and within a reasonable period of time after any substantive change in the policy.

The district will take measures to protect the identification and privacy of the students participating in a protected information survey, regardless of the source of funding. These measures may include limiting access to the completed surveys and the survey results as allowed by law. All student educational records will be protected in accordance with law and Board policy JO-1.

The provisions of this policy applicable to parents will transfer to a student who is 18 years old or emancipated.

Adapted from Policy AC. 

General Rule
The Grain Valley R-V School District Board of Education is committed to maintaining a workplace and educational environment that is free from illegal discrimination, harassment and retaliation in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its programs, services, activities and facilities. In accordance with law, the district strictly prohibits discrimination and harassment against employees, students or others on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, disability, age, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by law. The Grain Valley R-V School District is an equal opportunity employer.

The board also prohibits:

1. Retaliatory actions including, but not limited to, acts of intimidation, threats, coercion or discrimination against those who: a) Make complaints of illegal discrimination or harassment; b) Report illegal discrimination or harassment; c) Participate in an investigation, formal proceeding or informal resolution, whether conducted internally or outside the district, concerning illegal discrimination or harassment.
2. Aiding, abetting, inciting, compelling or coercing illegal discrimination, harassment or retaliatory actions.
3. Discrimination, harassment or retaliation against any person because of such person’s association with a person protected from discrimination or harassment in accordance with this policy and law.

As used in this policy, “discrimination, harassment or retaliation” has the same meaning as “illegal discrimination, harassment or retaliation” and is limited to acts prohibited by law. All employees, students and visitors must immediately report to the district for investigation any incident or behavior that could constitute discrimination, harassment or retaliation in accordance with this policy. If a student alleges sexual misconduct on the part of any district employee to any person employed by the district, that person will immediately report the allegation to the Children’s Division (CD) of the Department of Social Services in accordance with state law.

Sexual Harassment Reporting and District Response
Sexual harassment is prohibited under this policy and policy ACA, but policy ACA applies only to a narrower category of sexual harassment under Title IX, as defined in the federal regulations. All sexual harassment reports must be made to the Title IX coordinator identified in policy ACA and evaluated for policy ACA applicability. If a sexual harassment report is made to any other district employee, the report must be promptly referred to the Title IX coordinator for intake. Incidents of alleged sexual 
harassment that are not investigated under policy ACA may be referred for processing under this policy.
 
Additional Prohibited Behavior
Behavior that is not unlawful or does not rise to the level of illegal discrimination, harassment or retaliation might still be unacceptable for the workplace or the educational environment. The district encourages students, employees and the public to report such behavior so that it can be promptly addressed, but the grievance process in this policy is reserved for allegations of illegal discrimination, harassment and retaliation.

Full Policy Language

• Boy Scouts of America Equal Access Act
• Interim Measures
• Consequences and Remedies
• Compliance Officer Duties
• Public Notice
• Student-on-Student Harassment
• Investigation
• Collaboration With Outside Agencies
• Grievance Process
• Confidentiality and Records
• Training

School Nutrition Programs
In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its agencies, offices and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs (including the district), are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by the USDA. These programs include the National School Lunch Program, the Special Milk Program, the School Breakfast Program and the Summer Food Service Program.

Any person or representative alleging discrimination based on a prohibited basis has the right to file a complaint within 180 days of the alleged discriminatory action with the USDA Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights or the district’s compliance officer using the process outlined in policy EF.
 
Definitions
Compliance Officer – The individual responsible for implementing this policy, including the acting compliance officer when performing duties of the compliance officer.

Grievance – A verbal or written report (also known as a complaint) of discrimination, harassment or retaliation made to the compliance officer.

Harassment – A form of discrimination, as defined above, that occurs when the school or work environment becomes permeated with intimidation, ridicule or insult that is sufficiently severe or pervasive enough that it unreasonably alters the employment or educational environment.

Behaviors that could constitute illegal harassment include, but are not limited to, the following acts if based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, disability, age, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by law or based on a belief that such a characteristic exists: graffiti; display of written material, pictures or electronic images; name calling, teasing or taunting; insults, derogatory remarks or slurs; jokes; gestures; threatening, intimidating or hostile acts; physical acts of aggression, assault or violence; theft; or damage to property.

Sexual Harassment – A form of discrimination, as defined above, on the basis of sex. Sexual harassment is unwelcome conduct that occurs when a) benefits or decisions are implicitly or explicitly conditioned upon submission to, or punishment is applied for refusing to comply with, unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors or conduct of a sexual nature; or b) the school or work environment becomes permeated with intimidation, ridicule or insult that is based on sex or is sexual in nature and that is sufficiently severe or pervasive enough to alter the conditions of participation in the district’s programs and activities or the conditions of employment. Sexual harassment may occur between members of the same or opposite sex. The district presumes a student cannot consent to behavior of a sexual nature with an adult regardless of the circumstance. “Sexual Harassment under Title IX” is a subset of this definition, and the district’s response to qualifying allegations is set forth in policy ACA.

Behaviors that could constitute sexual harassment include, but are not limited to:

1. Sexual advances and requests or pressure of any kind for sexual favors, activities or contact.
2. Conditioning grades, promotions, rewards or privileges on submission to sexual favors, activities or contact
3. Punishing or reprimanding persons who refuse to comply with sexual requests, activities or contact
4. Graffiti, name calling, slurs, jokes, gestures or communications of a sexual nature or based on sex.
5. Physical contact or touching of a sexual nature, including touching of intimate parts and sexually motivated or inappropriate patting, pinching or rubbing.
6. Comments about an individual’s body, sexual activity or sexual attractiveness.
7. Physical sexual acts of aggression, assault or violence, including criminal offenses (such as rape, sexual assault or battery, and sexually motivated stalking) against a person’s will or when a person is not capable of giving consent due to the person’s age, intellectual disability or use of drugs or alcohol.
8. Gender-based harassment and acts of verbal, nonverbal, written, graphic or physical conduct based on sex or sex stereotyping, but not involving conduct of a sexual nature.

Working Days – Days on which the district’s business offices are open.
 
Compliance Officer

The board designates the following individual to act as the district’s compliance officer:

Dr. Carrie Reich, Director of Student Services
101 NW Sni-A-Bar Parkway, P. O. Box 304
Grain Valley, Missouri, 64029.
Phone: (816) 847-5006 / Fax: (816) 229-4831

In the event the compliance officer is unavailable or is the subject of a report that would otherwise be made to the compliance officer, reports should instead be directed to the acting compliance officer:

Director of Human Resources
101 NW Sni-A-Bar Parkway, P. O. Box 304, 
Grain Valley, Missouri, 64029
Phone: (816) 847-5006 ext. 1005 / Fax: (816) 229-4831
 

Reporting
Students, employees and others may attempt to resolve minor issues by addressing concerns directly to the person alleged to have violated this policy, but they are not expected or required to do so. Any attempts to voluntarily resolve a grievance will not delay the investigation once a report has been made to the district.
 
Reports Involving Sexual Harassment
In cases involving sexual harassment, all persons must report incidents directly to the Title IX coordinator for evaluation under policy ACA. All district employees will instruct all persons seeking to make a report or complaint to communicate directly with the Title IX coordinator. Even if the suspected victim of discrimination, harassment or retaliation does not report on their own behalf, district employees are required to report to the Title IX coordinator any observations, rumors or other information about actions prohibited by this policy and policy ACA.
 
All Other Reports
Unless the concern is otherwise voluntarily resolved, all persons must report incidents that might constitute discrimination, harassment or retaliation directly to the compliance officer or acting compliance officer. All district employees will instruct all persons seeking to file a grievance to communicate directly with the compliance officer. Even if the suspected victim of discrimination, harassment or retaliation does not file a grievance, district employees are required to report to the compliance officer any observations, rumors or other information about actions prohibited by this policy. If a person refuses or is unable to submit a written complaint, the compliance officer will summarize the verbal complaint in writing. A grievance is not needed for the district to act upon finding a violation of law, district policy or district expectations.

Even if a grievance under this policy is not directly filed, 
if the compliance officer otherwise learns about possible discrimination, harassment or retaliation, including violence, the district will conduct a prompt, impartial, adequate, reliable and thorough investigation to determine whether unlawful conduct occurred and will implement the appropriate interim measures if necessary.
 

Full Policy AC: Prohibition Against Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation

All responsible public agencies are required to locate, evaluate, and identify children with disabilities who are under the jurisdiction of the agency, regardless of the severity of the disability, including children attending private schools, children who live outside the district but are attending a private school within the district, highly mobile children, such as migrant and homeless children, children who are wards of the state, and children who are suspected of having a disability and in need of special education even though they are advancing from grade to grade. 

The Grain Valley School District assures that it will provide a free, appropriate public education (FAPE) to all eligible children with disabilities between the ages of 3 and 21 under its jurisdiction. 

Disabilities include autism, deaf/blindness, emotional disorders, hearing impairment and deafness, intellectual disability, multiple disabilities, orthopedic impairment, other health impairments, specific learning disabilities, speech or language impairment, traumatic brain injury, visual impairment/blindness and young child with a developmental delay.

The Grain Valley School District assures that it will provide information and referral services necessary to assist the State in the implementation of early intervention services for infants and toddlers eligible for the Missouri First Steps program.

The Grain Valley School District assures that personally identifiable information collected, used, or maintained by the agency for the purposes of identification, evaluation, placement or provision of FAPE of children with disabilities may be inspected and/or reviewed by their parents/guardians. Parents/guardians may request amendment to the educational record if the parent/guardian believes the record is inaccurate, misleading, or violates the privacy or other rights of their child. Parents have the right to file complaints with the U.S. Department of Education or the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education concerning alleged failures by the district to meet the requirements of the Family Educational Rights and The Grain Valley School District has developed a Local Compliance Plan for the implementation of State Regulations for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This plan contains the agency’s policies and procedures regarding storage, disclosure to third parties, retention and destruction of personally identifiable information and the agency’s assurances that services are provided in compliance with the General Education Provision Act (GEPA). This plan may be reviewed by contacting the Director of Special Services, Grain Valley School District, during normal school business hours.

This notice will be provided in native languages as appropriate.
 

Policy IGAEB (Revised Date 02/20/2020)

The Board of Education recognizes that parents/guardians should be the primary source of sexuality education for their children. The Board also recognizes that effective sexuality education, taught in concert with parents/guardians, helps students avoid risks to their health and academic success and prepares them to make informed decisions as adults.

The district will offer instruction in human sexuality and will provide instruction regarding sexual abuse as required by law. All instruction will be appropriate to the age of the students receiving the instruction, and students may be separated by gender for the instruction.

Notice and Opt-Out
The district will notify parents/guardians of the basic content of the district’s human sexuality and sexual abuse instruction. The district will also notify parents/guardians of their right to remove their student from any part of the district’s instruction on these topics upon written request. The district will make all curriculum materials used in the district’s human sexuality and sexual abuse instruction available for inspection prior to the use of such materials in actual instruction.

Human Sexuality and Sexually Transmitted Diseases
As required by state law, any course materials and instruction relating to human sexuality and sexually transmitted diseases shall be medically and factually accurate and shall:

1. Present abstinence from sexual activity as the preferred choice of behavior in relation to all sexual activity for unmarried students because it is the only method that is 100 percent effective in preventing pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases and the emotional trauma associated with adolescent sexual activity. Students shall be advised that teenage sexual activity places them at a higher risk of dropping out of school because of the consequences of sexually transmitted diseases and unplanned pregnancy.
2. Stress that sexually transmitted diseases are serious possible health hazards of sexual activity. Students shall be provided with the latest medical information regarding exposure to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), human papillomavirus (HPV), hepatitis and other sexually transmitted diseases.
3. Present students with the latest medically factual information regarding both the possible side effects and health benefits of all forms of contraception, including the success and failure rates for the prevention of pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, or present students with information on contraceptives and pregnancy in a manner consistent with the provisions of federal abstinence education law.
4. Include a discussion of the possible emotional and psychological consequences of preadolescent and adolescent sexual activity and the consequences of adolescent pregnancy, as well as the advantages of adoption, including the adoption of special needs children, and the processes involved in making an adoption plan.
5. Teach skills of conflict management, personal responsibility and positive self-esteem through discussion and role playing at appropriate grade levels to emphasize that the student has the power to control personal behavior. Students shall be encouraged to base their actions on reasoning, self-discipline, sense of responsibility, self-control and ethical considerations, such as respect for one’s self and others. Students shall be taught not to make unwanted physical and verbal sexual advances or otherwise exploit another person. Students shall be taught to resist unwanted sexual advances and other negative peer pressure.
6. Teach students about consent, sexual harassment and sexual violence. Specifically, students will be taught that:
   1. Consent is a freely given agreement to the conduct at issue by a competent person, and that:
   • An expression of lack of consent through words or conduct does not constitute consent.
   • Lack of verbal or physical resistance does not constitute consent.
   • Submission resulting from the use of force, threat of force or fear does not constitute consent.
   • A current or previous dating, social or sexual relationship between two parties does not by itself constitute consent.
   • The manner of dress chosen by a person does not constitute consent.
   2. Sexual violence is causing or attempting to cause another to engage involuntarily in any sexual act by force, threat of force, duress or without the person’s consent.
   3. Sexual harassment is uninvited and unwelcome verbal or physical behavior of a sexual nature, especially by a person in authority toward a subordinate 
7. Advise students of the laws pertaining to their financial responsibility to children born in and out of wedlock and advise students of the provisions of Missouri law pertaining to statutory rape and statutory sodomy.
8. Teach students about the characteristics of and ways to identify sexual predators.
9. Teach students safe and responsible Internet use, including the dangers of online sexual predators, when using electronic communication methods such as the Internet, mobile phones, text messages, chat rooms, social media, e-mail and instant messaging.
10. Instill in students the importance of having open communication with responsible adults, reporting any inappropriate situation, activity or abuse to a responsible adult and, depending on intent and content, to local law enforcement, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s “CyberTipline.”
11. Explain the potential consequences, both personal and legal, of inappropriate text messaging and sexting, even among friends.

 
The district will not permit a person or entity to offer, sponsor or furnish in any manner any course materials or instruction relating to human sexuality or sexually transmitted diseases to its students if the person or entity is a provider of abortion services. No district personnel or agents, acting in their offcial capacities, will encourage any student to have an abortion.

Sexual Abuse
In accordance with law, the district will provide trauma-informed, developmentally appropriate training to students in grades 6–12 regarding sexual abuse including, but not limited to, instruction on:

1. How to recognize sexual abuse;
2. How to report an incident of sexual abuse;
3. How to obtain assistance and intervention; and
4. Resources for students affected by sexual abuse.
    

In compliance with state law, the Board of Education establishes clear channels of communication between teachers, administrators, law enforcement officials and other schools concerning acts of school violence and other behaviors that endanger the welfare or safety of students, staff or patrons of the district. The purpose of this policy is to designate specific actions committed by students that must be reported to teachers, administrators and/or law enforcement officials as well as those actions that must be documented in a student’s discipline record.

Definitions
The following definitions and terms apply to this policy:

Act of School Violence/Violent Behavior – The exertion of physical force by a student with the intent to do serious physical injury to another person while on school property, including while on school transportation in service on behalf of the district or while involved in school activities.

Need to Know – Relates to school personnel who are directly responsible for the student’s education or who otherwise interact with the student on a professional basis while acting within the scope of their assigned duties.

School or District Property – Property utilized, supervised, owned, rented, leased or controlled by the school district including, but not limited to, school playgrounds, parking lots, school transportation and any property on which any school activity takes place.

Serious Physical Injury – Physical injury that creates a substantial risk of death or that causes serious disfigurement or protracted loss or impairment of any part of the body.

Serious Violation of District’s Discipline Policy – One or more of the following acts if committed by a student enrolled in the district:

1. Any act of school violence/violent behavior.
2. Any offense that occurs on district property, on district transportation or at any district activity and that is required by law to be reported to law enforcement officials.
3. Any offense that results in an out-of-school suspension for more than ten school days.

Reporting to School Staff
School administrators shall report acts of school violence to all teachers at the attendance areas in which the involved students are educated and to other school district employees with a need to know the information to adequately supervise the students and to protect themselves or others. In addition, any portion of a student’s individualized education program (IEP) that is related to demonstrated or potentially violent behavior shall be provided to any teachers and other district employees with a need to know the information.

The superintendent or designee will inform district employees with a need to know of any criminal act committed or allegedly committed by a student in the district that is reported to the district by a juvenile officer or an employee of the Children’s Division (CD) of the Department of Social Services, sheriff, chief of police or other appropriate law enforcement entity in accordance with state law. Such reports shall not be used as the sole basis for denying educational services to a student.

Reporting to Law Enforcement Officials
School administrators are required by law to report certain crimes to law enforcement. In an effort to support timely and accurate reporting, the Board encourages all employees who have information about any criminal act to share that information with their supervisors. The Board expects employees to share information regarding serious criminal acts, and employees must report criminal acts when required by law and Board policy.

Any crime listed in this section, or any act that if committed by an adult would be a crime listed in this section, that is committed on school property, on any school transportation or at any school activity must be reported immediately by the appropriate school administrator to the appropriate law enforcement entity. The following criminal acts are subject to this reporting requirement:

1. First- or second-degree murder under §§ 565.020, .021, RSMo.
2. Voluntary manslaughter under § 565.023, RSMo.
3. Involuntary manslaughter in the first or second degree under §§ 565.024, .027, RSMo.
4. First- or second-degree kidnapping under §§ 565.110, .120, RSMo.
5. First-, second- or third-degree assault under §§ 565.050, .052, .054, RSMo.*
6. Rape in the first or second degree under §§ 566.030, .031, RSMo.
7. Sodomy in the first or second degree under §§ 566.060, .061, RSMo.
8. Burglary in the first or second degree under §§ 569.160, .170, RSMo.
9. Robbery in the first degree under § 570.023, RSMo.
10. Possession of a weapon under chapter 571, RSMo., 18 U.S.C. § 921
11. Manufacture of a controlled substance under § 579.055, RSMo.
12. Delivery of a controlled substance under § 579.020, RSMo.
13. Arson in the first degree under § 569.040, RSMo.
14. Property damage in the first degree under § 569.100, RSMo.
15. First-, second- or third-degree child molestation under §§ 566.067, .068, .069, RSMo.
16. Sexual misconduct involving a child pursuant to § 566.083, RSMo.
17. Sexual abuse in the first degree pursuant to § 566.100, RSMo.
18. First-degree harassment under § 565.090, RSMo.
19. First-degree stalking under § 565.225, RSMo.

* Immediate reporting of third-degree assault under § 565.054, RSMo., may not be required if an agreement with law enforcement exists.

If the district is aware that a student who is suspended for more than ten days or expelled is under court jurisdiction, the superintendent shall notify the appropriate division of the juvenile or family court of the suspension or expulsion.

All employees shall immediately report to the principal any incident that constitutes a crime, including any incident in which a person is believed to have committed an act that if committed by an adult would be first-, second- or third-degree assault, rape in the second degree or sodomy in the second degree against a student or school employee, while on school property, school transportation or at school activities. Employees shall also inform the principal if a student is discovered to possess a controlled substance or weapon in violation of the district’s policy. The principal shall immediately report these listed offenses to the appropriate law enforcement entity and the superintendent. However, if the district has entered into an agreement with law enforcement regarding the reporting of third-degree assaults, the district will report third-degree assaults to law enforcement in accordance with that agreement.

School districts may report or disclose education records to law enforcement entities and juvenile justice authorities if the disclosure concerns the law enforcement entity’s or juvenile justice authority’s ability to effectively serve, prior to adjudication, the student whose records are released. The officials and authorities to whom such information is disclosed must comply with applicable restrictions set forth in state and federal law.

Reporting Third-Degree Assault
The superintendent and the appropriate local law enforcement entity may develop a written agreement outlining the procedure for reporting any incident in which a student is believed to have committed an act that if committed by an adult would be third-degree assault. If such an agreement exists in the district, the principal shall report third-degree assaults to the appropriate local law enforcement entity in accordance with the agreement.

Student Discipline Records
The Board of Education directs the superintendent or designee to compile and maintain records of any serious violation of the district’s discipline policy for each student enrolled in the district. Such records shall be made available to all district employees with a need to know and shall be provided to any school district in which the student subsequently attempts to enroll within five business days of receiving the request, in accordance with state law. If a student is placed in another school by the CD, the records will be transferred to the new school within two business days after notification by the CD. Personally identifiable student records will only be released or destroyed in accordance with state and federal law.

Pursuant to Department of Secondary and Elementary Education (DESE) data reporting requirements, the district shall report rates and durations of, and reasons for, student suspensions of ten days or longer and expulsions.

Confidentiality

Any information received by a school district employee relating to the conduct of a student shall be received in confidence and used for the limited purpose of assuring that good order and discipline are maintained in the schools.

Liability
Teachers and authorized district personnel, including volunteers selected with reasonable care by the district, shall not be civilly liable when acting in accordance with the Board’s policies, including the Board’s discipline policies, or when reporting acts of school violence or threatened acts of school violence to the appropriate supervisor or other person, pursuant to law and district policy

Pursuant to Missouri Senate Bill 638, Section 161.1050, the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has established the “Trauma-Informed Schools Initiative.”

For the purposes of this initiative, the following terms are defined as follows: 

1. “Trauma-informed approach” -an approach that involves understanding and responding to the symptoms of chronic interpersonal trauma and traumatic stress across the lifespan 
2. “Trauma-informed school” -a school that: 
   1. realizes the widespread impact of trauma and understands potential paths for recovery 
   2. recognizes the signs and symptoms of trauma in students, teachers and staff 
   3. responds by fully integrating knowledge about trauma into its policies, procedures and practices; and 
   4. seeks to actively resist re-traumatization

DESE recommends The Missouri Model as the developmental framework for the Trauma-Informed Schools Initiative.

The implementation of a trauma-informed approach is an ongoing organizational change process. A “trauma-informed approach” is not a program model that can be implemented and then simply monitored by a fidelity checklist. Rather, it is a profound paradigm shift in knowledge, perspective, attitudes and skills that continues to deepen and unfold over time. Some leaders in the field are beginning to talk about a “continuum” of implementation, where organizations move through stages. The continuum begins with becoming trauma aware and moves to trauma sensitive to responsive to being fully trauma informed. 

The Missouri Model: A Developmental Framework for Trauma-Informed

An Introduction to Trauma (Professional Training): 
“Research has revealed that the prevalence of trauma is high particularly in specific target populations. This webinar will introduce viewers to the definition and prevalence of trauma, as well as examining the social, biological and health impact.

The Grain Valley School District, as a recipient of federal financial assistance from the United States Department of Education and operates a public elementary or secondary education program and/or activity, is required to undertake to identify and locate every qualified person residing in the District who is not receiving a public education; and take appropriate steps to notify disabled persons and their parents or guardians of the District’s duty.

The Grain Valley School District assures that it will provide a free appropriate public education (FAPE) to each qualified disabled person in the District’s jurisdiction regardless of the nature or severity of the person’s disability.   For purposes of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the provision of an appropriate education is the provision of regular or special and related aids and services that (i) are designed to meet individual educational needs of disabled persons as adequately as the needs of nondisabled persons are met and (ii) are based on adherence to procedures that satisfy the requirements of the 504 federal regulations.

The Grain Valley  School District has developed a 504/Title II Procedures Manual for the implementation of federal regulations for Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, Subpart D.  This Procedures Manual may be reviewed by contacting the Director of Special Services at the Grain Valley School District’s Central Office during normal school work hours. 

This notice will be provided in native languages as appropriate

Adapted from Policy ACA 
Adopted 09-03-2020

Read the full policy language
See the full policy language at https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/SB_ePolicy/SB_PolicyOverview.aspx?S=220&Sch=220&CC=Y for more details.

The Grain Valley School District does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its education programs and activities, including employment and admissions, as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX). All forms of sex-based discrimination are prohibited in the district, but this policy focuses exclusively on sexual harassment as defined in Title IX that occurs within the education programs and activities of the district. However, the district will respond promptly to investigate and address any report or complaint of sexual harassment. 

“Sexual harassment under Title IX” is conduct on the basis of sex within the scope of the district’s education programs or activities (as defined in this policy) that satisfies one or more of the following: 

1. An employee of the district conditioning the provision of an aid, benefit or service of the district on an individual’s participation in unwelcome sexual conduct; 
2. Unwelcome conduct determined by a reasonable person to be so severe, pervasive and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person equal access to the district’s education program or activity; or 
3. “Sexual assault” as defined in 20 U.S.C. 1092(f)(6)(A)(v), “dating violence” as defined in 34 U.S.C. 12291(a)(10), “domestic violence” as defined in 34 U.S.C. 12291(a)(8) or “stalking” as defined in 34 U.S.C. 12291(a)(30). 

If a student alleges sexual misconduct on the part of any district employee to any person employed by the district, that person will immediately report the allegation to the Children’s Division (CD) of the Department of Social Services in accordance with state law and district policy. Moreover, nothing in the policy precludes the mandatory or voluntary reporting of any suspected criminal activity to the appropriate law enforcement agency at any time. 

Reporting Sexual Harassment or Title IX Retaliation
Any person may report sexual harassment regardless of whether the person is the alleged victim (complainant). However, Board members and employees must immediately report to the Title IX coordinator any incident or behavior that could constitute sexual harassment or retaliation in accordance with this policy. Reports may be made at any time, including during nonbusiness hours, by using the telephone number, email address or office address listed below. 

The Board authorizes the following individual(s) to serve as the Title IX coordinator(s) for the Grain Valley R-V School District and coordinate and implement the district’s efforts to comply with the requirements of Title IX. 

Dr. Carrie Reich, Director of Student Services;
P O Box 304, 101 NW Sni A Bar Parkway, 
Grain Valley, MO 64029; (816) 847-5006, 
Fax: (816) 229-4831; Email: creich@gvr5.net 

In the event the Title IX coordinator is unavailable or is the respondent to a complaint, reports should instead be directed to the compliance officer or alternate compliance officer listed in policy AC. 

Notice of the Policy against Discrimination on the Basis of Sex 
The district will provide notice of the district’s prohibition on discrimination on the basis of sex under district policy and Title IX to students, parents/guardians, employees, applicants for admission and employment, and all unions or professional associations holding collective bargaining or professional agreements with the district. 

The district’s policy prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sex and the contact information of the Title IX coordinator(s) will be prominently displayed on the district’s website and in each handbook or course catalog. 

Title IX Grievance Process upon Filing of a Formal Complaint 
The district’s grievance process will provide a prompt and equitable resolution of complaints and will: 

1. Treat complainants and respondents equitably by providing remedies to a complainant where a determination of responsibility for sexual harassment has been made against the respondent; 
2. Comply with Title IX regulations before imposing any disciplinary sanctions or other actions that are not supportive measures against a respondent; 
3. Require a decision-maker to objectively evaluate all relevant evidence, including both inculpatory and exculpatory evidence, and not make credibility determinations based on a person’s status as a complainant, respondent or witness; 
4. Require that all Title IX coordinators, investigators, those responsible for facilitating informal resolution processes and decision-makers not have a conflict of interest or bias for or against complainants or respondents generally or an individual complainant or respondent; 
5. Presume that the respondent is not responsible for the conduct until a determination of responsibility is made at the conclusion of the grievance process; 
6. Follow stated timelines unless the district temporarily delays the grievance process for good cause (including, but not limited to, the absence of a party, a party’s advisor, or a witness; concurrent law enforcement activity; or the need for language assistance or accommodation of a disability) and notify the parties in writing of the reason for a delay, if any; and 
7. Not require, allow, rely upon or otherwise use questions or evidence that constitutes, or seeks disclosure of, information protected under a legally recognized privilege unless the person holding such privilege has waived the privilege

Notice to the Parties 
When the complainant files a formal complaint, written notice will be provided to all known parties and will include: 

1. Notice of the grievance process, including any informal resolution process that is available and the timeline for such process. 
2. Notice of the allegations of sexual harassment under Title IX made by the complainant with sufficient details known at the time and with sufficient time to allow the respondent to prepare before the initial interview. At a minimum, the details will include the identities of the parties involved in the incident, if known, the conduct and the date and location of the alleged incident if known. 
3. A statement that the respondent is presumed not responsible for the conduct and that a determination of responsibility will be made at the conclusion of the grievance process. 
4. A statement that parties may have an advisor of their choice, who may be an attorney. 
5. A statement that the parties and their advisors will have an equal opportunity to inspect and review any evidence that is directly related to the allegations raised in the formal complaint, including evidence upon which the district does not intend to rely, so that each party can meaningfully respond to the evidence prior to conclusion of the investigation. 
6. Notice of any provision in the district’s discipline code that prohibits knowingly making a false statement or providing false information during the grievance process. 

If in the course of the investigation of sexual harassment under Title IX the district decides to investigate allegations about the complainant or respondent that were not in the initial notice, notice of the additional allegations will be provided to all known parties. 

Read the full policy language

• Interim Action 
• Investigating a Formal Complaint 
• Dismissal of the Formal Complai

Decision-Maker’s Findings and Resulting Remedies 
Within 20 business days after the closing of the questions period, including follow-up questions, the decision-maker will provide a written Title IX decision that includes: 

1. The allegations potentially constituting sexual harassment under Title IX; 
2. A description of the procedural steps taken from the receipt of the formal complaint through the determination, including any notifications to the parties, interviews with parties and witnesses, site visits and other methods used to gather other evidence and hearings held; 
3. Findings of fact supporting the determination; 
4. Conclusions regarding the application of the facts to the district’s code of conduct and, if the student code of conduct is implicated, a referral of a student respondent to district officials charged generally with the discipline of students pursuant to Missouri law; 
5. A statement of and rationale for the result as to each allegation, including a determination of responsibility, any disciplinary actions recommended to the district to be imposed on the respondent, and whether remedies designed to restore or preserve equal access to the district’s education program or activity will be provided to the complainant; and 
6. The procedures and permissible bases for the complainant and respondent to appeal. 

The written Title IX decision will be provided to the parties simultaneously, and a copy will be provided to the Title IX coordinator. 

Read the full policy language

• Finality of the Title IX Decision 
• Disciplinary Matters and Implementation of Discipline and Remedies 
• Appeals of the Determinations of Responsibility in the Title IX Decision 
• Process for Informal Resolution of Formal Complaints 
• Confidentiality 

Policy IGCD

This policy governs part-time enrollment with a hosted Missouri Course Access and Virtual School Program (MOCAP) provider, full- and part-time enrollment with other MOCAP providers, and enrollment in other virtual course options provided through the district. Students who seek full-time enrollment with a hosted MOCAP provider must enroll pursuant to policy IGCDA. 

Definitions 
Full-Time Virtual Course Enrollment – The instructional equivalent of six credits per regular term. 

Hosted MOCAP Provider – A public school district, charter school, or higher education institution that is registered through the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to provide virtual education through the MOCAP program to Missouri students. A host district may provide the courses directly or contract with a course provider to provide the courses. 

MOCAP Provider – An entity listed by DESE as part of the virtual course program under § 161.670, RSMo., that provides virtual courses for elementary and/or secondary students. 

Virtual Course – A single class that is designed to deliver all or most of the curriculum electronically. Students may be separated from their instructor or teacher of record by time, location, or both. 

General 
The district may offer virtual courses to students through district staff or by contracting for those services as part of the district-sponsored curriculum. Students may also enroll in virtual courses offered through MOCAP providers. This could result in entire course loads that are provided through virtual courses from the district, district-selected, and/or MOCAP providers while the student remains enrolled in the district. 

Students may also take virtual courses from other sources at their own expense. Before a student independently enrolls in and pays for virtual courses not otherwise accessible through the district, the district recommends that the student meet with district staff to ensure that the course aligns with the student’s education goals and that the district will accept the course credit. 

Virtual Course Enrollment 
A student or parent/guardian must receive district approval before the student may enroll in virtual courses provided by or paid for by the district or through MOCAP. 

Enrollment in courses offered through MOCAP may be denied only if the principal or designee, in consultation with the student’s parents/guardians and relevant staff, determines that it is not in the student’s best educational interest to enroll in the course. The principal or designee will consider available opportunities for in-person instruction and the student’s prior participation in virtual courses when making this decision. District staff will not deny enrollment in a MOCAP course because they do not approve of virtual learning in general or because they prefer a different virtual course or program. 

The principal or designee will approve or deny requests to enroll in a MOCAP course within ten business days from when the district receives the request unless the student has an individualized education program (IEP) or a Section 504 plan. If the principal or designee fails to make a decision about an enrollment request within ten business days, the request will be deemed approved. 

When denying student enrollment in a virtual course, the principal or designee will provide good cause reason for the decision, as well as information on how to appeal the denial. 

Appeal 
Students or their parents/guardians may appeal to the superintendent. If the superintendent affirms the principal’s decision, students or their parents/guardians may appeal the decision to the school board. The school board will make a decision within 30 days of the request for an appeal to the board. 

Students with Disabilities 
A student’s IEP team or Section 504 team will make the virtual course enrollment decisions for students with IEPs or Section 504 plans. If enrollment is appropriate, the IEP or Section 504 team will determine the services, aids, supports, accommodations, and modifications required. Any review of a decision made by an IEP or Section 504 team must go through the process provided under federal law. 

If the course enrollment is approved, the district staff will work closely with the virtual course provider to develop and implement a monitoring protocol or process to ensure that the provider is implementing the IEP or Section 504 plan. If the provider fails to implement the IEP or Section 504 plan, or the IEP or Section 504 team otherwise determines that the online program is not appropriate for the student, the IEP or Section 504 team may reconsider approval for the virtual course at any time. In all cases in which the IEP or Section 504 team determines that the provider has failed to provide the required accommodations or modifications, the district will provide to the virtual course provider the reasons for discontinuing the online program. 

Continuous Enrollment 
As required by law, the district allows for continuous enrollment in MOCAP courses throughout the year. 

Attendance and Completion 
Students who enroll in district-sponsored virtual courses or MOCAP courses through the district are expected to actively participate in those courses with the goal of completing the course. If a student does not actively participate in a course or is not progressing in the course, the district may remove the student from the virtual course and consider the student’s performance when making decisions regarding future virtual course enrollments.

Students enrolled in a district-sponsored course or MOCAP course through the district will be considered in attendance for state aid purposes in accordance with law. A completed virtual course or MOCAP course shall be counted as no less than 95 percent attendance for purposes of A+ Scholarship Program eligibility. 

Eligibility for Extracurricular Activities 
Students enrolled in virtual courses offered through the district or through MOCAP under this policy are considered district students and are eligible to participate in extracurricular activities unless restricted by the Missouri State High School Activities Association. 

State Assessments 
Students are required to take the state assessments, including district-administered EOC examinations, regardless of whether the course for which the examination is required was taken virtually or in person.

Credit 
The district will accept all grades and credits earned through district-sponsored virtual instruction and MOCAP providers. Credits obtained from other sources will be recognized in accordance with policy JECC. 

Notice 
District-provided and district-sponsored virtual courses will be advertised in the district’s course catalog. 

The district will inform students and parents/guardians of MOCAP program availability in parent/guardian handbooks and new student registration documents and feature the program on the homepage of the district’s website as required by law. The district will provide every student enrolled in the district and parents/guardians with a copy of DESE’s MOCAP guidance document at the beginning of each school year or at the time of enrollment for students who enroll after the start of the school year. In addition, the district will provide a readily viewable link to the guidance document on the main page of its website.

Payment 
The district will pay the tuition for MOCAP courses when required by law to do so but is not otherwise required to pay the tuition for a student to attend a virtual course unless the course is approved by the district as part of the district’s course offerings. 

Virtual Course Behavior and Expectations 
Students taking courses virtually are subject to district policies, procedures, and rules applicable to students enrolled in traditional courses including, but not limited to, the district’s code of conduct and prohibitions on academic dishonesty, discrimination, harassment, bullying, and cyberbullying. 

When students are participating in virtual courses, what can be seen and heard electronically from the student’s location becomes part of the district’s education environment. Students are responsible for ensuring that what is seen, heard, or otherwise communicated is appropriate for the learning environment and not disruptive. The district’s code of conduct applies to virtual in-class behavior. Student speech that is prohibited on campus is also prohibited in the virtual classroom. 

Students may electronically display everyday items that they would be prohibited from possessing at school (such as pets, toys, or objects forming typical room décor) as long as the display does not disrupt learning.

We will implement an Alternative Method of Instruction plan (AMI) to make up for missed days due to inclement weather or other qualifying school closures. Under provisions of the AMI plan, all students and teachers will have a virtual instruction day without physically coming to school.  Each student will be assigned classwork that must be turned in for the day to be counted as an attendance day. This could be done virtually or by turning in a paper assignment when school resumes. The superintendent declares inclement weather days as needed, and will also determine whether or not the day will be a virtual instruction day under the AMI plan when a snow day is declared

Policy IGCDA

This policy applies to students seeking to enroll full-time in the Missouri Course Access and Virtual School Program (MOCAP) with a course provider that is a public school district, charter school, or higher education institution (a “hosted MOCAP provider”). See policy IGCD for part-time enrollment with a hosted MOCAP provider, full- or parttime enrollment with other MOCAP providers, or enrollment in other virtual course options provided through the District. 

Definitions 
District – The Grain Valley R-V School District. 

Full-Time MOCAP Student – A student who is enrolled in a MOCAP program for the instructional equivalent of six credits per regular term.

Hosted MOCAP Provider – A public school district, charter school, or higher education institution that is registered through the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to provide virtual education through the MOCAP program to Missouri students. A host district may provide the courses directly or contract with a course provider to provide the courses. 

Missouri Course Access and Virtual School Program (MOCAP) Course – A virtual course that is offered by a course provider listed by DESE as part of the virtual course program under § 161.670, RSMo. 

Hosted MOCAP Providers 
Resident students who seek to enroll with a hosted MOCAP provider on a full-time basis without paying tuition must enroll directly with the MOCAP provider and host district offering the program. Students who are accepted by the hosted MOCAP provider will have their enrollment transferred to the host district, and the student will be considered a student of the host district for all purposes. 

The District will collaborate in good faith with the virtual program and the host district. The superintendent or designee may provide relevant information and input on the student’s enrollment within ten business days of notice of the student’s enrollment application. 

Students who are denied enrollment by the MOCAP provider may utilize the state process for reviewing the decision. 

Students with Disabilities 
It is the hosted MOCAP provider’s responsibility to accommodate students with disabilities and implement students’ individualized education programs (IEPs) or Section 504 plans. The District may enter into a contract to provide services to resident students enrolled in these programs if fully compensated by the enrolling host district, but it is not required to do so. 

Access to District Facilities 
Students of full-time hosted MOCAP providers may be allowed access to District facilities for all or some portion of instructional activity if the hosting district reimburses the District for any costs. 

Eligibility for Extracurricular Activites
Resident students enrolled full-time with a hosted MOCAP provider are considered students of the host district. The District will allow these students to participate in District extracurricular activities if the District allows other unenrolled students, such as homeschooled or private school students, to participate in the activity. Otherwise, participation will be allowed only as required by law. 

Notice
The District will inform students and parents/guardians of the availability of the MOCAP program in parent/guardian handbooks and registration documents and feature the program on the homepage of the District’s website, as required by law. The District will provide every student enrolled in the District and parents/guardians with a copy of DESE’s MOCAP guidance document at the beginning of the school year or upon enrollment. In addition, the District will provide a readily viewable link to the guidance document on the main page of its website. 

Enrollment in the District 
If the District is notified that a resident, full-time MOCAP student has been disenrolled by a MOCAP provider, the District will provide a written list of available educational options in the District to the parents/guardians of the student within five business days and will promptly enroll the student when notified by the parent/guardian.