Guide to Students and Parents 2020-21 Administrative Center 35 W. Third St. Peru, Indiana 46970 765-473-3081 2020-21 Board of School Trustees Mr. Ron Mullett – President Mr. Tim Comerford – Vice President Mr. Charles Wagner – Secretary Mr. Jarrod Ellis – Member Dr. Greg Quin – Member Ms. Brittany Justice – Member Mr. Chris Wolfe – Member Central Office Administrators Mr. Sam Watkins, Ed.S. – Superintendent – 473-3081 Mr. Dan Durrwachter – Assistant to the Superintendent – 473-3081 Building Principals Mrs. Kristi Eddy – Elmwood – 473-7335 Mrs. Linda Watkins – Blair Pointe – 473-4741 Ms. Sheri Spiker – PJHS – 473-3084 Mr. Paul Frye – PHS – 472-3301 Section 504 Officers Building Level – Principal Corporation – Sam Watkins, E.d.S. TABLE OF CONTENTS Table of Contents …………………………………………………………………..……... page 4 Superintendent’s Welcome..……………………………………………………………….. page 6 Enrollment Requirements………………………………………………………………….. page 7 Registration Requirements…………………………………………………………. page 7 Kindergarten Eligibility……………………………………………………………. page 7 Emergency Information……………………………………………………………. page 7 Non-Custodial Parents……………………………………………………………... page 7 Athletic Eligibility…………………………………………………………………. page 8 Academic Information………..……………………………………………………………. page 8 Semester Schedule (High School)………………………………………………… page 8 Graduation Requirements………………………………………………………….. page 8 Athletic Eligibility…………………………………………………………………. page 8 Graduation/Attendance Requirement……………………………………………… page 8 Class Change Policy……………………………………………………………….. page 8 Early Graduation…………………………………………………………………… page 10 Graduation Qualifying Exams/End-of-Course Exams…………………………….. page 10 Commencement Exercises…………………………………………………………. page 10 English As A Second/New Language (ESL) (ENL) ……………………………… page 10 Standardized Achievement Testing/NWEA……………………………………….. page 11 Grade Point Average (GPA) and Class Rank………………………………………. page 11 Corporation Grading Scale………………………...………………………………. page 12 Homework…………………………………………………………………………. page 12 Student Privacy and Parental Access to Information………………………………. page 13 Educational Materials Fees and Free/Reduced Meals & Textbook Assistance …… page 14 Interim Evaluation Reports on Academic Progress………………………………... page 14 Promotion or Retention…………………………………………………………….. page 14 Student Academic Improvement Plan (SAIP)……………………………………... page 16 Internet: Acceptable Use Policy…………………………………………………… page 17 Family & Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) …………………………….…… page 18 General Equal Opportunity & Nondiscrimination Statement………………………….….. page 19 Visitors…………………………………………………………………………………….. page 20 Health Services….…………………………………………………………………………. page 20 Immunizations………………………………………………………………………page 20 Medication…………………………………………………………………………. page 20 Illness and Injury at School………………………………………………………... page 22 State Mandated Screenings………………………………………………………… page 23 Head Lice…………………………………………………………………………... page 23 Bed Bugs…………………………………………………………………………... page 23 Pregnancy………………………………………………………………………….. page 24 Meningococcal Disease……………………………………………………………. page 24 Records/Release of Information............................................................................................ page 24 Student Rights & Protections…………………….………………………………………… page 25 Attendance Policy………………………………………………………………………….. page 25 Student Responsibility…………………………………………………………….. page 26 Parental Responsibility……………………………………………………………. page 26 4 School Responsibility – Parental Notification…………………………………….. page 26 Make-Up Work……………………………………………………………………. page 26 Exempt Absences Counted As Present………………..…………………………... page 26 Excused Absences…………………………………………………………………. page 27 Absences Resulting From School Discipline……………………………………… page 27 Unexcused Absences………………………………………………………………. page 27 Excessive Absenteeism……………………………………………………………. page 27 Truancy……………………………………………………………………………. page 27 Tardiness…………………………………………………………………………… page 28 Cutting Class……………………………………………………………………….. page 28 Leaving School Without Permission………………………………………………. page 28 Loss of Credit (High School Only)………………………………………………… page 28 Effect of Out-of-School Suspension and/or Habitual Designation on Driver’s License ………………………………………………………………………… page 29 Student Code of Conduct ………………………………………………………………….. page 29 Non-Discrimination Pledge………………………………………………………... page 30 Core Behavioral Expectations………………………………………………………page 30 Disciplinary Consequences………………………………………………………… page 31 Bullying Definition ………………………………………………………………... page 33 Criminal Gangs and Criminal Gang Activity……………………………………… page 34 Military Recruiters – Parent Opt Out ……………………………………………… page 36 Collection and Forgiveness of Debt ..……………………………………………… page 36 Conduct Violations and Applicable Consequences……………………………….. page 36 Due Process Procedures and Limitations…………………………………………. page 47 Board Consideration of Student Due Process Appeals……………………………. page 48 Disciplinary Procedures for Students with Disabilities……………………………. page 48 Parent Participation Policy………………………………………………………… page 48 Search and Seizure Policy…………………………………………………………. page 49 Bus Transportation …..……………………………………………………………………. page 50 Search of Students and/or Property While on the Bus ..…………………………………… page 51 PCS Conduct of an Athlete………………………………………………………………… page 51 Penalties……………………………………………………………………………. page 52 Due Process………………………………………………………………………… page 54 Random Drug Testing……………………………………………………………… page 55 Letter Jacket & Blanket Policy…………………………………………………….. page 60 PCS-Parent/Fan Decorum…………………………………………………………. page 60 Mandated Drills……………………………………………………………………………. page 61 Yearly Notices Title I Parent Notification letter……………………………………………………. page 62 Collaboration Schedule………..…………………………………………………… page 63 Emergency School Closing Notice………………………………………………… page 64 SP 40-2011, Child Nutrition Reauthorization 2010: Outreach to Households on the Availability of the School Breakfast Program………………………….… page 65 AHERA Notice …………………………………….……………………………… page 66 Forms Objection to Release of Information………………………………………………. page 67 5 Superintendent’s Welcome Dear Parents, Guardians, and Students: Welcome to the 2020-21 school year! Peru Community Schools is honored to have your child for another year of education. Your child's safety and security are of paramount importance to me as we return. Peru Community Schools has put in place many precautions recommended by the CDC to ensure the welfare of all our students and staff. We feel it is our responsibility to every parent or guardian to ensure each child is educated in a safe environment, receives a high-quality educational experience, and our pledge to you is that your child will graduate with opportunities. Our teaching staff is highly qualified and dedicated so that “all” students will be served Positively, Compassionately, and Successfully. Our graduation rate and reading scores are continually leading the county. With exceptional educational programs, winning athletics, and nationally recognized fine arts, you could not have chosen a better school corporation for your child. Included in this handbook is information related to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA); release of directory information policy; and the Peru Community Schools 2020-21 Student Conduct Code. The Peru Community School's 2020-21 Attendance Policy and Student Conduct Code are something with which you must be familiar. We have high expectations for all students to achieve to their utmost potential and those expectations start with us. We wish for Peru Community Schools to be the leader in educational excellence in our region and beyond. We will work together with you to achieve this lofty goal. We at PCS thank you for allowing us to be your child’s educational provider. When you visit us, I think you will be satisfied in our positive climate and highly effective learning environment at each building. I look forward to an outstanding year working with the students and families of Peru Community Schools. We are proud to have your student attend one of the finest school corporations in the State of Indiana! Respectfully Yours, Sam Watkins Ed.,S Go Tigers! Peru Community Schools Educating Students Positively, Compassionately, and Successfully 6 ENROLLMENT REQUIREMENTS A. REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS A child may attend the Peru Community Schools if his/her legal residence is with a legal guardian and within the PCS attendance boundaries or has received the building principal and Superintendent’s approval on the “transfer tuition” application. A legal guardian must accompany the child who is enrolling “new” to the district and present the following documentation: 1. Original Birth Certificate: Or other proof of child’s date of birth; 2. Proof of Guardianship: Legal documents or court order if other than parents; Completed Immunization Record: Copy of physician records, records from another school, or completed form from PCS; 3. Verification of Legal Residency: Current lease or purchase contracts, utility bills, or other verifiable documentation. Note: Residency means a permanent and principle place of habitation, which a person uses for a home, for a fixed or indefinite period and remains when not called elsewhere for work, studies, recreation, or other temporary or special purposes. A temporary or occasional dwelling used primarily for school attendance purposes is not a Legal Residence. A student may be expelled from school if the student’s Legal Residency (Settlement) is not within the PCS boundaries. 4. PCS will immediately enroll students in