Crystal Lake Elementary District 47
300 Commerce Drive
Crystal Lake, IL 60014
815.788.5000
www.d47.org
2016-2017
Parent/Student Handbook on
Rights, Responsibilities and
Discipline
District 47 Mission Statement
Educational excellence for all students is our passion and commitment.
Board of Education
Mr. Jeff Mason
Mr. Curtis Wadlington
Mrs. Donna Ricci
Mr. Rob Fetzner
Dr. Betsy Les
Mrs. Eileen Palsgrove
Mr. Ryan Farrell
Table of Contents
Asbestos Notification.......................................................................................................................................... 3
Attendance .......................................................................................................................................................... 3
Bicycles................................................................................................................................................................ 5
Bus Conduct ....................................................................................................................................................... 5
Sex Equity ........................................................................................................................................................... 6
Grievance Procedures ........................................................................................................................................ 6
Electronic Device Use ........................................................................................................................................ 8
The Family Educational Rights And Privacy Act (Ferpa) For Elementary And Secondary Schools ........ 9
Food Allergy Procedures ................................................................................................................................. 10
Health Office Procedures ................................................................................................................................ 10
Homework ........................................................................................................................................................ 13
Blackboard Notification System ..................................................................................................................... 13
Learning Media Centers and On-line Access ................................................................................................ 13
Lockers and Desks ........................................................................................................................................... 14
Pesticide Application Procedures ................................................................................................................... 14
Pets on School Property................................................................................................................................... 15
Preschool Diagnostic Screening ...................................................................................................................... 15
Progress Reports/Grading............................................................................................................................... 16
School Closing Information ............................................................................................................................ 16
School Hours .................................................................................................................................................... 16
School Lunch Program .................................................................................................................................... 17
Severe Weather Procedures ............................................................................................................................ 17
Snacks/Treats at School ................................................................................................................................... 18
Student Appearance (Dress Code).................................................................................................................. 18
Student Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) for Electronic Network Access ....................................................... 19
7:190 STUDENT BEHAVIOR ........................................................................................................................ 22
Student Discipline Guidelines for Students Receiving Special Education Services ................................... 28
Student And Family Privacy Rights ............................................................................................................... 30
Sex Offender Notification ................................................................................................................................ 31
Use of Publicity Photographs/Videos ............................................................................................................. 31
Visiting Your Child’s School........................................................................................................................... 31
Weather Guidelines for Outside Student Activities ...................................................................................... 32
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Asbestos Notification
In compliance with AHERA (Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act), we are
pleased to inform you that the asbestos present in all of our schools is in good repair and none
of it poses any health hazard to students, staff or visitors. The asbestos is managed so that
the current status of our schools can be maintained into the future.
The inspection reports and management plans are available for your review by calling the
principal at your school.
Attendance
Crystal Lake School District 47 considers attendance in class to be a crucial component of a
student’s education. As such, attendance constitutes part of the academic program in the
district and is an important part of a student’s academic performance. When a student is
absent for all or part of a day, a parent or guardian must call the school on that day and
report the reason for the absence on each day of the absence.
Absences
Students will be allowed FOUR days of absences without question, per trimester, provided
there is a call from a parent/guardian. (Note: absences that fall under the EXCUSED
category and are accompanied by supporting documentation if needed, are not
counted toward the FOUR days of absence.) Count of these days starts over at the
beginning of each trimester. Absences without a parent call by the middle of the day will
be considered truant.
Absences will be EXCUSED only for the following valid reasons:
1. Illness. A doctor’s statement may be required for repeated or extended absences.
2. Observance of a religious holiday.
3. Serious illness or death in the immediate family or family emergency.
4. School-related activities such as field trips, music tours, or participation in athletic
contests.
5. Scheduled family vacation if cleared with building Administration at least one week
in advance of the day of departure.
6. Doctor/Dentist appointments verified by doctor’s note/receipt specifying date and
time.
7. Required court appearances verified by a parent and court documentation.
8. Other absences at the discretion of building Administration.
If a parent/guardian requests consistent late arrivals or early dismissals due to extraneous
circumstances, a plan must be made with building Administration in advance to preserve
academic integrity.
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Vacations
Each student should be aware of all school vacations. Whenever possible, visits, trips,
appointments, etc. should be scheduled on vacation time or the weekends. The Winter and
Spring Break are the two long vacations each year. Normal school activities and routine
will be held the last day before vacation begins and immediately after returning to
school. It is very important not to miss these days. Parents/Guardians must communicate
one week in advance of departure with building Administration if family vacations are to be
taken during the school year.
Truant Absences
A truant absence is one in which a student is absent from school for an unexcused reason
for all or part of a given school day. Once the student has accumulated four absences
without supporting documentation to demonstrate the absence is excused, contact will be
made with the parent/guardian by building staff. The purpose of this contact is to ascertain
the reason for absence so that the appropriate staff member (Nurse, Social Worker, School
Psych, Administration, etc) can manage the case. Additionally the staff member will
explain that one of the Excused Absences conditions must be met and that appropriate
documentation must be supplied or future absences will be considered Truant.
The 5th day of absence without a valid Excused Absence will be considered truant day
#1. The following may occur:
 A letter will be mailed home detailing the attendance policy.
 This is not a punitive letter, but one of concern on our part.
The 6th+ days of absences without a valid Excused Absence will continue to add to the
number of truant days. Upon the student’s return to school, he/she will meet with school
personnel to discuss the absences and set up a plan. The following steps may be
implemented by the school:
 A letter detailing the dates of absences
 Parent phone contact made by school personnel
 A meeting at school
 School-based support services
 Other problem solving methods at the discretion of building Administration
The 9th day of absences without a valid Excused Absence will continue to add to the
number of Truant days.
 Any of the above interventions may occur
 A certified letter will be mailed home citing the state Truancy statute
 Referral to outside support services
 A meeting with building Administration, parents/guardians, and student must take
place
The 9th day of absence without a valid Excused Absence may result in the situation being
referred to the Regional Superintendent's Office and truancy being filed. 105ILCS5/26-2a
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Bicycles
Bicycles are to be used only to and from school and may not be on the school
playground. All bicycles should be parked in the bike racks and secured with a lock. School
District 47 does not take any responsibility for the bicycles while they are on school premises.
Pre-school and kindergarten students are not permitted to ride bicycles to school. First
and second grades students are encouraged not to ride bicycles to school. It is very hard for
young children to ride their bikes safely to school while carrying books, lunch boxes,
backpacks, etc. We ask all parents to think carefully before they allow their children to
ride a bike to school and allow it only after a discussion on bicycle safety.
Roller blades, scooters, and skateboards are not allowed on District 47 property. If any of
these items are brought to school they will be confiscated and kept in the school office until
a parent or other authorized adult makes arrangements to pick them up. Roller shoes
are also not allowed to be worn to school.
Bus Conduct
Electronic visual and audio recordings may be used on school buses to monitor conduct and
to promote and maintain a safe environment for students and employees when
transportation is provided for any school-related activity. Whether students ride a bus
every day to and from school or occasionally for a field trip, it is important for them to be
aware of the fact that the bus driver is in complete charge of the bus and is responsible
for the safety of all passengers. The following school bus rules and regulations have been
put in place to provide a safe bus environment.
1. Be five (5) minutes early at the designated school bus stop.
2. Stay off the roadway at all times while waiting for the bus. Be careful in
approaching the place where the bus stops. Do not move towards the bus until the
bus comes to a complete stop and the door is opened. If you must cross the street to
board or exit the bus, do so only after the bus driver has signaled it is safe to do so.
3. After boarding, go immediately to your seat and sit down. When boarding or
exiting the bus, move quickly but do not push, crowd, or shove.
4. Make room for other students boarding.
5. Remain seated while the bus is in motion.
6. No teasing, roughhousing, or noisy conduct while on the bus. Unnecessary
confusion and noise may divert the bus driver’s attention and could result in a
serious accident.
7. Keep all body parts inside the bus. Do not wave or hang out of the windows. Do
not pass or throw anything out of the windows. Windows may be lowered only to
their designated, marked height.
8. Follow the bus driver’s instructions.
9. In case of a road emergency, remain in your bus seat until given instructions by
your driver.
10. Be absolutely quiet when approaching and passing over railroad grade crossings.
11. Treat the school bus and its equipment as you would valuable furniture in your
home. Never tamper with the bus or its parts.
12. Assist in keeping the bus interior clean and sanitary at all times. No eating, gum
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chewing, or drinking is allowed while on the school bus.
13. No animals or pets are allowed on the school bus.
14. Keep the aisles clear. Books, backpacks, coats, band and athletic equipment must
not block the aisle.
15. Take all your belongings with you when leaving the bus.
16. Do not ask the driver to deviate from the assigned route, or make an unscheduled
stop. The driver is not allowed to do so without proper authorization from the
office.
17. After school, the buses leave at a prescribed time. Students missing the bus will
have to make other arrangements to get home, as the bus will not return.
18. Cell phones must remain silent. Infractions of these rules will result in the driver
filing a “Bus Conduct Report” with the school administrator.
The school
administrator will meet with the student(s) involved and notify parents. Serious
infractions or recurring problems could result in the suspension or permanent
removal of transportation privileges. School administrators reserve the right to
assign permanent seats to students.
Students who are not eligible for regular bus transportation are not permitted to ride the bus
to or from school with another student at any time. Also, space limitations do not allow
students to ride any bus other than the one they are assigned to ride.
Sex Equity
No student shall, based on sex or gender identity, be denied equal access to programs,
activities, services, or benefits or be limited in the exercise of any right, privilege, advantage,
or denied equal access to educational and extracurricular programs and activities (Board
Policy 7:10).
Any student may file a sex equity complaint by using Board policy 2:260, Uniform
Grievance Procedure. A student may appeal the School Board’s resolution of the complaint
to the Regional Superintendent of Schools (pursuant to 105 ILCS 5/3-10 of The School
Code) and, thereafter, to the State Superintendent of Education (pursuant to 105 ILCS 5/23.8 of The School Code).
Grievance Procedures
District 47 is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in relation to race, gender, religion,
national background, age, marital status and physical/mental challenges as required by state
and federal law. The District has jurisdiction over Title IX complaints (on the basis of sex) as
well as other complaints of harassment and discrimination alleged and/or occurring within
the District. Respect for the dignity and worth of each individual shall be paramount in the
establishment of all policies by the Board and in the administration of those policies by the
administration.
Sexual harassment of students is prohibited. Any person, including a district employee,
agent, or student, engages in sexual harassment whenever he or she makes sexual advances,
requests sexual favors, and/or engages in other verbal or physical conduct, including sexual
violence, of a sexual or sex-based nature, imposed on the basis of sex, that:
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1.
2.
Denies or limits the provision of educational aid, benefits, services,
or treatment
or that makes such conduct a condition of a student's academic status; or
Has the purpose or effect of:
a. Substantially interfering with a student's educational environment;
b. Creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive educational environment;
c. Depriving a student of educational aid, benefits, services, or treatment; or
d. Making submission to or rejection of such conduct the basis for academic
decisions affecting a student.
The terms of intimidating, hostile, and offensive include conduct that has the effect of
humiliation, embarrassment, or discomfort. Examples of sexual harassment include touching,
crude jokes or pictures, discussions of sexual experiences, teasing related to sexual
characteristics, and spreading rumors related to a person’s alleged sexual activities. The
term sexual violence includes a number of different acts. Examples of sexual violence
include, but are not limited to rape, sexual assault, sexual battery, sexual abuse, and sexual
coercion.
In keeping with these statements, the following grievance procedures shall be followed when
an allegation of discrimination, harassment, or bullying against a student occurs. (It should
be noted that a complainant may file a Title IX or other harassment complaint with the
school and a criminal complaint simultaneously).
1. A student who feels that he or she has been bullied, hazed, harassed, or
cyberbullied should promptly inform a District staff member. All school
employees are required to notify the principal or school administrator or his or
her designee of the report of the incident of bullying or other harassment as
soon as possible after the report is received. Parents should report complaints
of bullying or other harassment to the building principal Anonymous
complaints may be directed to the building principals; however, formal
disciplinary action will not be permitted solely on the basis of the anonymous
report. Once an alleged bullying or harassment incident is reported, the District
will promptly inform parents or guardians of all students involved in the
alleged incident and will discuss, as appropriate, the availability of social work
services, counseling, school psychological services, other interventions, and
restorative measures.
2. The District will make all reasonable efforts to complete the investigation
within 10 days after the date the report of the bullying or harassment incident
was received and will involve appropriate school personnel in the
investigations. Both the alleged victim and perpetrator will have an opportunity
to explain what happened and identify any witnesses.
3. The District will provide parents and guardians of the students who are parties
to the investigation information about the investigation and an opportunity to
meet with the principal or school administrator or his or her designee to discuss
the investigation, the finding of the investigation, and the actions taken to
address the incident.
4. The District will provide interventions that may address and prevent future
bullying or harassment, such as school social work services, restorative
measures, social-emotional skill building, counseling, school psychological
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services, and community-based services. Any student found to have engaged in
bullying or harassment (by a preponderance of the evidence) may also be
disciplined in accordance with Board Policy 7:190.
5. A person who has been found to have falsely accused another of bullying or
harassment as a means of retaliation or as a means of bullying will be
disciplined in accordance with Board Policy 7:190.
6. Any person, student or otherwise, who retaliates against any person who
reports an act of bullying or harassment will be disciplined in accordance with
the applicable Board Policies.
The grievant is entitled to confidentiality and respect and shall not be subject to harassment
or retaliation as a result of having filed a grievance or appealed a decision. Appeal of the
decision of the school administration may be made to the Superintendent by requesting a
review in writing within 10 school days of receipt of the decision. The Superintendent is
located at the District 47 offices at 300 Commerce Drive, Crystal Lake. The investigation
report and any related documentation will be forwarded by the school administration to the
Superintendent, who will make a written decision and communicate it to the appellant and
school within 10 school days. The Superintendent's decision may be appealed to the Board of
Education by notifying the Superintendent in writing of the request to do so within 10 school
days of receipt of the Superintendent's decision. The Board of Education will receive
relevant documents from the Superintendent and make a determination within 30 school
days. Appeal outside the district (such as to the Office for Civil Rights of the Department of
Education) should be made in a timely fashion.
The Asst. Supt. of Student Learning, Scott Kubelka, serves as the Title IX Coordinator and is
available to provide assistance to the grievant as needed in the preparation and processing of
the grievance and the appeal of decisions. The Title IX Coordinator is located at the District
47 offices at 300 Commerce Drive, Crystal Lake or by calling (815) 788-5000.
Additionally, complaints alleging harassment or discrimination by a District employee or the
District itself may be made using the Uniform Grievance Procedure (Board Policy 2:260).
Such complaints should be directed to one of the District's Complaint Managers, Greg
Buchanan and Scott Kubelka who are located at the District 47 offices at 300 Commerce
Drive, Crystal Lake or by calling (815) 788-5000.
Electronic Device Use
Using a cellular telephone or any electronic device in any manner that disrupts the
educational environment or violates the rights of others, including using the device to take
photographs in locker rooms or bathrooms, cheating, or otherwise violates student conduct
rules is strictly prohibited. All electronic devices must be kept powered-off and in a
student’s locker during the regular school day unless: (a) the use of all electronic devices
may be permitted at the discretion/direction of administration/staff; (b) use of the device is
provided in a student’s individualized education program (IEP); or (c) it is needed in an
emergency that threatens the safety of students, staff, or other individuals. Use without this
permission will result in confiscation of the device and return to parents. District 47 is not
responsible for the loss of or damage to any electronic device brought to school.
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The Family Educational Rights And Privacy Act (Ferpa) For
Elementary And Secondary Schools
Notification of Rights
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords parents certain rights
with respect to the student’s education records. These rights are:
1. The right to inspect and review your student’s education records within 45 days of the
day the school receives a request for access.
2. Parents should submit to the school principal a written request that identifies the
record(s) they wish to inspect. The school official will make arrangements for access
and notify you of the time and place where the records may be inspected.
3. The right to request the amendment of your student’s education records that you
believe are inaccurate.
4. You may ask the school to amend a record that you believe is inaccurate. You should
write the school principal, clearly identify the part of the record you want changed,
and specify why it is inaccurate. If the school decides not to amend the record as
requested by you, the school will notify you of the decision and advise you of your
right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information
regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to you when notified of the right to
a hearing.
5. The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information
contained in your student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA
authorizes disclosure without consent.
6. 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); a person
serving on the School Board; a person or company with whom the school has
contracted to perform a special task (such as attorney, auditor, medical consultant, or
therapist); or a parent or student serving on an official committee, such as a
disciplinary or grievance committee, or 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.
7. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning
alleged failures by the School District to comply with the requirements of
FERPA. The name and address of the Office that administers FERPA are:
Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202-4605
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Food Allergy Procedures
District 47 has specific procedures in place for students with food allergies. The parent or
guardian of a student with food allergies should contact the school nurse who will then
develop a specific Health Care Plan in cooperation with the parent or guardian, which will
include all necessary information about the student and his/her allergies. The specific
treatment plan will be shared with ALL staff that has contact with the student. The school
nurse provides necessary in-service for staff.
 In classrooms of students with food allergies notes are sent to all parents in the
room asking for cooperation in what they send for treats and snacks. This is also
discussed at Parent Night. Parent permission is required in order for the teacher
and nurse to share the medical information of any student in the class with the
classmates.
 In those classrooms the teacher will speak directly with the holiday party planners
to discuss what foods may be eaten safely by all students.
 Per recommendations from the Health Department, we strongly encourage store
bought food items for classroom parties/celebrations. Exceptions may be made
on a case by case basis. We also strongly encourage healthy food items for these
parties.
 In the cafeteria, students are never allowed to share food with others.
Students with food allergies are monitored to make sure no one is sitting near them with
potentially reactive foods. Our kitchen does not serve peanut butter or peanuts of any form.
 Tables are thoroughly cleaned at the conclusion of each lunch period. They are
washed with a disinfectant.
 We highly recommend that students with specific food allergies wear “medical
alert bracelets” at all times.
 The following is our procedure for the celebration of a birthday: Only non-food
birthday treats are allowed at school. A small 'treat bag' with a new pencil, eraser,
stickers, and other small items make a great birthday treat.
Health Office Procedures
Due to the number of students in the respective schools, the building’s health professional is
not able to call parents individually every time their student comes to the Health
Office. The health professional will call a parent if a student:
• Is ill and needs to go home.
• Sustains any type of injury that needs immediate medical care.
• Needs some type of parental follow up, for example; a low grade fever, rash, etc.
Use of Epi-Pens by District personnel at school
Per state statute language, "When a school nurse or trained personnel administers an
undesignated epinephrine auto-injector to a person whom the school nurse or trained
personnel in good faith believes is having an anaphylactic reaction, or administers an opioid
antagonist to a person whom the school nurse or trained personnel in good faith believes is
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having an opioid overdose, notwithstanding the lack of notice to the parents or guardians of
the pupil or the absence of the parents or guardians signed statement acknowledging no
liability, except for willful and wanton conduct, the school district, public school, or
nonpublic school and its employees and agents, and a physician, a physician assistant, or an
advanced practice nurse providing standing protocol or prescription for undesignated
epinephrine auto-injectors, are to incur no liability or professional discipline, except for
willful and wanton conduct, as a result of any injury arising from the use of an undesignated
epinephrine auto-injector or the use of an opioid antagonist regardless of whether
authorization was given by the pupil's parents or guardians or by the pupil's physician,
physician assistant, or advanced practice nurse."
PE Medical Excuses
Students are expected to participate fully in physical education class unless there is a specific
medical reason or condition that does not permit them to do so.
When a student is excused from P.E., they also are not allowed to participate in recess,
inclusive of both classroom and lunch recesses (elementary), AND when excused from
participation in recess, they also are not allowed to participate in P.E. (recess is considered as
teacher-supervised physical education)
It is requested that ALL PE/recess excuses be brought to the Health Office at the beginning
of the day.
Medical/Doctor Notes
Note signed by the doctor stating need for activity restrictions, as well as reason and duration
(in best of circumstances).
Students out for extended period of time (i.e. fracture arm) need a written doctor’s release to
return to P.E. activity; the removal of the cast does not imply release. An American
Academy of Pediatrics Return to School/P.E. form must be completed in order for the school
to allow the child to be released back to activities.
Parent Notes
A parent can request an excuse from PE and/or recess for a maximum of 3 consecutive school
days. If student is still unable to participate after 3 days, a doctor’s note is required. Student
is out as under a Doctor’s note (until released), awaiting the written note from the doctor.
Casts/Crutches
 If a student needs to uses crutches at school, a doctor’s note is required and must
include: The student has been assessed and found capable of utilized crutches safely
within the school environment (use of stairs or elevator will be determined by the
building).
 A parent cannot determine the need for crutches and this must be determined by the
physician.
 Students who are in casts of any kind are automatically excluded from P.E. and from
recess (both classroom and outside recess).
 The school district reserves the right to restrict a child’s physical activities within the
school based on safety.
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Concussion Information
Even though most concussions are mild, all concussions are potentially serious and may
result in complications including prolonged brain damage and death if not recognized and
managed properly. In other words, even a “ding” or a bump on the head can be serious. You
can’t see a concussion and most sports concussions occur without loss of consciousness.
Signs of a concussion can include, but are not limited to: headaches, nausea or vomiting,
neck pain, dizziness, blurred vision, feeling foggy, drowsiness, fatigue, confusion,
concentration and or memory problems. Signs and symptoms of a concussion may show up
right after the injury or can take hours or days to fully appear. If your child reports any
symptoms of a concussion, or if you notice the symptoms or signs of a concussion yourself,
seek medical attention right away.
Any student even suspected of suffering a concussion will be assessed immediately. No
student may return to an activity (classroom, athletic and extra-curricular) after an apparent
head injury or concussion, regardless of how mild it seems or how quickly symptoms clear,
without medical clearance. Procedures require students to provide their school with written
clearance from a physician, parent and building administrator to return to their activities. In
accordance with state law, schools are required to follow this policy.
In any case where a student is suspected of having sustained a concussion, whether or not
the concussion took place while the student was participating in an inter-scholastic athletic
activity, parents or guardians shall be notified in writing of the district’s knowledge
regarding the incident. For further information, please refer to Board Policy 7:305
A STUDENT MAY NOT BRING MEDICATION TO SCHOOL. It is believed that
any medication (including aspirin, Tylenol, cough drops, etc.) should be administered in the
home when at all possible. However, under certain conditions, it is in the best educational
and health interest of the child to take medication during school time. In such cases, a doctor
must direct that prescriptions or over-the-counter medication (OTC) be given during school
hours. That request MUST be on file in the health office with both the doctor and the
parent’s signature on the “School Medication Authorization Form” directing the
administration of the medication. To ensure compliance with the rules of administering
medication at school, the medicine must be brought to school by the parent in the original
container that includes all medication information. The student’s name must be attached to
the container. The student is responsible for coming to the health office to take the medicine.
The parents must assume responsibility for informing the school of any change in the child’s
health or change in medication. No medication can be given until these conditions are met.
Please, under no circumstances, send medication with your child, as there is the possibility it
could unknowingly be taken by another child. The school reserves the right not to administer
any medication where incomplete information is provided.
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Homework
Homework is a necessary part of the District’s instructional program. Homework should
be assigned only to further a student’s educational development and as an application or
adaptation of a classroom experience. Homework:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Is used to reinforce and apply previously covered concepts, principals, and skills;
Is not assigned for disciplinary purposes;
Serves as a communications link between the school and parents/guardians;
Encourages grade appropriate independent thought, self-direction, and self
discipline; and
5. Is of appropriate type, frequency, length, and does not become excessive. The
District recommends that if daily homework is assigned, it not exceed 10 minutes
per grade level cumulative (e.g. 1st grade for 10 minutes; 8th grade for 80 minutes).
(School Board Policy 6:290)
Homework missed due to illness
If a student is going to miss school for more than one day due to illness, a parent may call
the office and request homework. If the call is received prior to 9:30 am, the homework can
usually be picked up in the office at the end of the day.
Homework missed due to vacation
Ideally, children should not be taken out of school for this purpose. Since the major
opportunity for learning takes place in the classroom setting, make-up work cannot be
considered a substitute for direct instruction. However, in the event that a student is taken
out for an extended period, the District 47 guidelines are as follows:
Missed class work is best addressed under the supervision of the teacher upon return of
the student. Upon their return, students will be required to complete such work in a
period of time equal to that which was missed.
Blackboard Notification System
District 47 uses the Blackboard notification system to relay important messages to parents.
These messages are typically sent via phone, text and email. If parents download the
district’s mobile app, push notifications may also be received. During online registration,
parents will be asked for their phone number(s) and email address(es) to enable receipt of
these messages. Should contact information change, parents should notify the school office.
Learning Media Centers and On-line Access
District 47’s Learning Media Centers are well equipped and serve as a valuable extension
of the classroom. Students are free to use the Learning Media Centers during the day as
long as they are engaged in a purposeful, educational activity. Book checkout is available to
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students on a daily basis. Please be sure books and magazines are returned promptly on
their due date.
 It is the responsibility of parents to monitor the books and periodicals that their
child is reading.
 Students will be held responsible for any inappropriate websites that are accessed
or inappropriate e-mails sent using our school computers.
Lockers and Desks
The Board of Education has provided lockers (without locks) and desks for the purpose of
providing students with a place to store outerwear, books, and other articles necessary for
their use during the day. The District retains ownership and control over the lockers and/or
desks at all times and reserves the right to inspect and search lockers and/or desks and their
contents without notice. Loss of articles is not the responsibility of the school district.
Pesticide Application Procedures
In 2000, the Illinois legislature passed SB0527 and SB0529, amendments to the
Structural Pest Control Act and the Illinois Pesticide Act that affect how pest, mice, ants,
etc., are controlled in schools.
The legislation affects the schools in basically two ways:
1. All Illinois schools are required to adopt a pest control process call Integrated Pest
Management or IPM, and
2. Schools are required to notify staff, students, and parents prior to certain types of
pest control applications.
Integrated Pest Management places emphasis on inspection and communication with the
school administration. The focus of the program is to identify and eliminate conditions in
the schools, which could cause pests to be a problem. Applications of pest control materials
are made only when necessary to eliminate a pest problem. Spraying is not part of the
program.
If it becomes necessary to use any pest control products other than traps or baits, notices
will be posted two business days prior to the application. The only exception to the twoday notice would be if there were immediate threats to health or property. If you would
like to receive written notification prior to the application of any pest control materials,
subject to the notification requirements, please contact the Building and Grounds Office
at 815.479.6240 – 42D East Street, Crystal Lake, IL.
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Pets on School Property
The McHenry County Department of Health has an Animal Control Ordinance, Article
XVII, Section 5.13, which states:
“It shall be unlawful for any domestic animal, even though on a leash to enter upon any
restaurant, or any place where food is sold or processed, to be present at or upon any
school premises, public playground, park, or public swimming pool unless permission is
granted by the agency which has jurisdiction over same. The provisions of this Section
shall not apply to working support dogs.”
If you walk to or from school with your child and family pet, please be advised that you
must remain off school grounds and on city property with your pet. Due to the increasing
number of students with severe allergies, the District will no longer be allowing pets in
the building at any time. This includes Star of the Week, Show and Tell, and Classroom
Pets, etc.
Preschool Diagnostic Screening
Federal and State laws and regulations require public school districts throughout Illinois
to engage in activities to actively seek out young children (3-5 years of age) who reside
within their communities, who may be experiencing developmental delays/disabilities
warranting special education services. If through assessment and evaluation procedures, the
school district determines that a young child does exhibit a handicapping
condition/disability requiring special education, the school district is responsible for
providing a free appropriate public education consistent with the child’s individual
education plan (IEP) which the school must develop. All the provisions including rights
and procedural safeguards contained in the revisions of the initial landmark legislation
regarding the education of handicapped children, now called the Individuals with
Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA) and its 2004 amendments, are extended to
children in their preschool years.
With District 47, activities related to the active search for and developmental assessment of
young children as young as 2-1/2 years of age, are conducted by the District 47
Preschool Diagnostic Team. This multidisciplinary team with special experiences and/or
training in working with young children is composed of specialists from the following
disciplines: speech/language therapy, school psychology, school social work, school
nursing, occupational therapy, and physical therapy. Activities conducted by this team
include developmental screenings, diagnostic evaluations, and consultations and
collaboration with other community agencies, including Early Intervention/InfantToddler providers, daycares, and nursery schools.
Although any person can refer a child to the District 47 Preschool Diagnostic Team for
consideration, requests are usually made by parents at the encouragement of other
providers working with their children. If parents are not the referring party, the Preschool
Diagnostic Team would be responsible for informing the family of the referral, and
15
parental consent would be obtained before any further action was to be taken. Each
school year, District 47 also offers several days of developmental screenings. Members of
the Preschool Diagnostic Team have a primary role in the implementation of this service.
For additional information, contact the Wehde Early Childhood Center at 815.477.6968.
Progress Reports/Grading
Students in Kindergarten through fifth grade receive a progress report at the end of each
trimester. In addition, mid-trimester reports are sent home on an "as needed" basis during
the second and third trimesters. Trimester progress reports will not be available prior to
the designed reporting dates. Parents will be able to access their child’s progress reports
via Synergy ParentVue. Parents are encouraged to call their child's teacher immediately if
any questions about progress arise between regular reporting periods.
School Closing Information
At times, usually during the winter months due to hazardous weather conditions, it may
become necessary to close school for the day. In the event that school is cancelled, the
following sources will be used to disseminate the information:





Blackboard Connect Notification System –– A message will be sent to parents via
phone, text and email. If parents download the District 47 mobile app, push
notifications may also be received. See the Blackboard Connect Notification System
in this document for more information.
Emergency Closing Center – Upon making the decision to close school, the
Emergency Closing Center is notified. A listing of all school closings can be
found at www.emergencyclosingcenter.com.
Major Chicago TV and Radio stations – Once the district notifies the
Emergency Closing Center of a school closing, all major Chicago media outlets
are notified and begin making announcements.
Local Media Outlets – STAR 105.5 radio station will broadcast school closings
upon being notified by the school district.
School District web-site – The District 47 web-site, www.d47.org will post any
cancellation of school and will also be disseminated via social media
(@CrystalLakeSD.
School Hours
The District 47 elementary school day begins with an entrance bell at 8:50 am. Students
will quietly go to their assigned lines at that time and enter the building when instructed
by the teacher. Students are expected to be in their seats and prepared to begin the school
day at 9:00 am. The District provides supervision of students beginning at 8:30 am. No
student should arrive at school prior to 8:30 am. Any student arriving for school after
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9:00 am will need to check in at the office before going to their classroom.
The District 47 elementary school day ends at 3:30 pm. If you need to pick up your child
before the official end of the school day, you should report to the school office at which time
your child will be called down to the office. Teachers are not permitted to dismiss students
from their classroom without permission from the main office.
Kindergarten class times: half day session begins with an entrance bell at 8:50 and
students are dismissed at 11:30. Please follow the same procedures listed above for a late
arrival or an early pickup.
For instructions during inclement weather and for before and after dismissal procedures
please refer to your individual school handbook pages.
School Lunch Program
Crystal Lake Community School District 47 participates in the National School Lunch
Program. This program is designed to provide students with a fully balanced, nutritious lunch
each school day.
More information regarding the nutrition standards for school meals can be found at:
http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/Governance/Legislation/nutritionstandards.htm
Lunch may be paid for daily or a multiple lunch ticket may be purchased in the cafeteria.
Lunch tickets do not have to be used on consecutive days but must be used before the end of
the school year. No refunds will be allowed for unused tickets. To purchase a lunch ticket,
please make checks payable to District 47.
If a student brings a lunch to school they are permitted to bring juice boxes or water but
NO soda pop is allowed.
Students who forget their lunch money are permitted to “charge” their lunch. Lunch charges
are expected to be paid promptly and at no time will a student be allowed to have more than
three (3) outstanding charges.
Severe Weather Procedures
Drills
Fire drills, tornado drills, bus evacuation drills, and building lock-down drills will be held
during the school year as required by law or district procedures. These are important safety
precautions for the welfare of the students, staff, and visitors to our schools.
Severe Thunderstorm Warnings & Tornado Watches
When these types of official warnings are received during the school day and extend beyond
the dismissal time, all after school activities will be cancelled for our students and they will
be instructed to go directly home or to their after school care giver. Students enrolled in
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the Crystal Lake Park District Extended Time Program will remain at the school. The
District will use the Blackboard Connect Notification System to notify parents of the
cancellation of the activities (See Blackboard Connect Notification System above).
In the event that a severe thunderstorm warning or tornado watch announcement occurs after
school hours during a school activity, the activity will continue until its scheduled ending
time.
Tornado Warnings
When a tornado warning is received during the school day, students will be directed to a
designated emergency area in the building and remain there until the tornado warning has
ended. If the tornado warning extends beyond the school day, students will remain in
the school’s designated emergency area and will not be released until the warning is over.
Parents or guardians may come to school and pick up their child. However, existing
conditions will determine whether or not a staff member is available to release your child.
While the building administrator will make every accommodation possible to locate your
child and release him/her to you, their primary responsibility is to ensure that every student
and staff member is in a designated emergency area if a tornado has been spotted in the area.
The District will use the Blackboard Connect Notification System to notify parents that
students are being retained at school until the tornado warning has expired if the warning
extends beyond the end of the school day (See Blackboard Connect Notification System).
Snacks/Treats at School
During the course of any school year, students may desire to bring treats or food items for
special events such as holiday parties, international fairs, fun fairs, etc.
School District 47 wants to ensure a positive experience for our students, and is
concerned for their health and safety when eating food items brought from a variety of
households.
For these reasons, the following snack guidelines are suggested.

Birthday treats MAY NOT be food items. Children are just as happy to receive
stickers, pencils, toys, and other small novelties.
In conclusion, the health and safety of our students is of utmost concern to the staff of School
District 47. The observance of these guidelines will help to provide a safe environment when
special celebrations are held.
Student Appearance (Dress Code)
Students are expected to wear appropriate clothing to school. Shorts are permitted in
warm weather. T-shirt and sweatshirt decorations need to be conducive to a positive
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school environment. All pants, jeans, and shorts should be of the appropriate size and
able to stay up without a belt. No spaghetti straps, bare midriffs, or other inappropriate
revealing clothing will be allowed. The wearing of hats, bandanas, or headscarves within
the school building is prohibited unless approved by the building administration.
The presence of any apparel, jewelry, accessory, notebook, or manner of grooming
which, by virtue of its color, arrangement, trademark, or any other attribute, displays
membership in a gang is strictly prohibited.
The building administrator is the final authority for judging the appropriateness of a
student’s appearance. Upon the determination of inappropriate appearance, the parents
will be called and asked to bring in a change of clothing. If a student refuses to change
their clothing or remove a piece of apparel, appropriate disciplinary actions will occur.
Student Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) for Electronic Network Access
Electronic networks include data, voice, and video systems provided by the District.
Students will be granted authorization for electronic network access that is consistent
with the District’s goal of promoting educational excellence. The failure of any user to
follow the terms of the AUP as stated in the student handbook will result in the loss of
privileges as well as appropriate disciplinary action, and/or legal action.
I understand that my student is expected to comply with the AUP and related materials and
that I may be notified of any changes to the AUP. My ignorance of the AUP and its
related materials is not an excuse for a violation or other misconduct. I am aware that if I
do not wish my child to have network access in Crystal Lake Elementary District 47, I
must submit, in writing, a signed statement that I do not grant network access. Should you
have further questions, please contact the school office.
Terms and Conditions
Acceptable Use - Access to the District’s electronic network must be: (a) for the purpose of
education or research, and be consistent with the District’s educational objectives, or (b) for
legitimate business use.
Privileges - The use of the District’s electronic network is a privilege, not a right, and
inappropriate use will result in a cancellation of those privileges. The system administrator
or Building Principal will make all decisions regarding whether or not a user has violated
these procedures and may deny, revoke, or suspend access at any time. His or her decision
is final.
Unacceptable Use - The user is responsible for his or her actions and activities involving
the network. Some examples of unacceptable uses are:
a. Using the network for any illegal activity, including violation of copyright or other
contracts, or transmitting any material in violation of any State or federal law;
b. Unauthorized downloading of software, regardless of whether it is copyrighted or
de-viruses.
c. Downloading of copyrighted material for other than personal use;
19
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
i.
j.
k.
l.
m.
Using the network for private financial or commercial gain;
Wastefully using resources, such as file space;
Hacking or gaining unauthorized access to files, resources, or entities;
Invading the privacy of individuals, that includes the unauthorized disclosure,
dissemination, and use of information about anyone that is of a personal nature
including a photograph;
Using another user’s account or password;
Posting material authored or created by another without his/her consent;
Posting anonymous messages;
Using the network for commercial or private advertising;
Accessing, submitting, posting, publishing, or displaying any defamatory,
inaccurate, abusive, obscene, profane, sexually oriented, threatening, racially
offensive, harassing, or illegal material; and
Using the network while access privileges are suspended or revoked.
Network Etiquette - The user is expected to abide by the generally accepted rules of
network etiquette. These include, but are not limited to, the following:
a. Be polite. Do not become abusive in messages to others.
b. Use appropriate language. Do not swear, or use vulgarities or any other
inappropriate language.
c. Do not reveal personal information, including the addresses or telephone numbers,
of students or colleagues.
d. Recognize that email is not private. People who operate the system have access to
all email. Messages relating to or in support of illegal activities may be reported to
the authorities.
e. Do not use the network in any way that would disrupt its use by other users.
f. Consider all communications and information accessible via the network to be
private property.
No Warranties - The District makes no warranties of any kind, whether expressed or
implied, for the service it is providing. The District will not be responsible for any damages
the user suffers. This includes loss of data resulting from delays, non-deliveries, misseddeliveries, or service interruptions caused by its negligence or the user’s errors or
omissions. Use of any information obtained via the Internet is at the user’s own risk. The
District specifically denies any responsibility for the accuracy or quality of information
obtained through its services.
Indemnification - The user agrees to indemnify the School District for any losses, costs, or
damages, including reasonable attorney fees, incurred by the District relating to, or arising
out of, any violation of these procedures.
Security - Network security is a high priority. If the user can identify a security problem on
the Internet, the user must notify the system administrator or Building Principal. Do not
demonstrate the problem to other users. Keep your account and password confidential. Do
not use another individual’s account without written permission from that individual.
Attempts to log-on to the Internet as a system administrator will result in cancellation of
user privileges. Any user identified as a security risk may be denied access to the network.
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Vandalism - Vandalism will result in cancellation of privileges and other disciplinary
action. Vandalism is defined as any malicious attempt to harm or destroy data of another
user, the Internet, or any other network. This includes, but is not limited to, the uploading or
creation of computer viruses.
Telephone Charges - The District assumes no responsibility for any unauthorized charges
or fees, including telephone charges, long-distance charges, per-minute surcharges, and/or
equipment or line costs.
Copyright Web Publishing Rules - Copyright law and District policy prohibit the republishing of text or graphics found on the web or on District websites or file servers
without explicit written permission.
a. For each re-publication (on a website or file server) of a graphic or a text file that
was produced externally, there must be a notice at the bottom of the page crediting
the original producer and noting how and when permission was granted. If
possible, the notice should also include the web address of the original source.
b. Students and staff engaged in producing web pages must provide library media
specialists with email or hard copy permissions before the web pages are published.
Printed evidence of the status of “public domain” documents must be provided.
c. The absence of a copyright notice may not be interpreted as permission to copy the
materials. Only the copyright owner may provide the permission. The manager of
the website displaying the material may not be considered a source of permission.
d. The fair use rules governing student reports in classrooms are less stringent and
permit limited use of graphics and text.
e. Student work may only be published if there is written permission from both the
parent/guardian and student.
Use of Email - The District’s email system, and its constituent software, hardware, and data
files, are owned and controlled by the School District. The School District provides email to
aid students and staff members in fulfilling their duties and responsibilities, and as an
education tool.
a. The District reserves the right to access and disclose the contents of any account on
its system, without prior notice or permission from the account’s user. Unauthorized
access by any student or staff member to an email account is strictly prohibited.
b. Each person should use the same degree of care in drafting an email message as
would be put into a written memorandum or document. Nothing should be
transmitted in an email message that would be inappropriate in a letter or
memorandum.
c. Electronic messages transmitted via the School District’s Internet gateway carry
with them an identification of the user’s Internet domain. This domain is a
registered name and identifies the author as being with the School District. Great
care should be taken, therefore, in the composition of such messages and how such
messages might reflect on the name and reputation of the School District. Users will
be held personally responsible for the content of any and all email messages
transmitted to external recipients.
d. Any message received from an unknown sender via the Internet should either be
immediately deleted or forwarded to the system administrator. Downloading any
file attached to any Internet-based message is prohibited unless the user is certain of
21
that message’s authenticity and the nature of the file so transmitted.
e. Use of the School District’s email system constitutes consent to these regulations.
Internet Safety - Internet access is limited to only those acceptable uses as detailed in
these procedures. Internet safety is almost assured if users will not engage in unacceptable
uses, as detailed in these procedures, and otherwise follow these procedures.
Staff members shall supervise students while students are using District Internet access to
ensure that the students abide by the Terms and Conditions for Internet access contained in
these procedures.
Each District computer with Internet access has a filtering device that blocks entry to visual
depictions that are: (1) obscene, (2) pornographic, or (3) harmful or inappropriate for
students, as defined by the Children’s Internet Protection Act and as determined by the
Superintendent or designee. The system administrator and Building Principals shall
monitor student Internet access.
7:190 STUDENT BEHAVIOR
This policy becomes effective and replaces the current policy on Student Discipline on the
first student attendance day of the 2016-2017 school year.
The goals and objectives of this policy are to provide effective discipline practices that: (1)
ensure the safety and dignity of students and staff; (2) maintain a positive, weapons-free and
drug-free learning environment; (3) keep school property and the property of others secure;
(4) address the causes of a student’s misbehavior and provide opportunities for all
individuals involved in an incident to participate in its resolution; and (5) teach students
positive behavioral skills to become independent, self-disciplined citizens in the school
community and society.
When and Where Conduct Rules Apply
A student is subject to disciplinary action for engaging in prohibited student conduct, as
described in the section below, whenever the student’s conduct is reasonably related to
school or school activities, including, but not limited to:
1. On, or within sight of, school grounds before, during, or after school hours or at any
time;
2. Off school grounds at a school-sponsored activity or event, or any activity or event
that bears a reasonable relationship to school;
3. Traveling to or from school or a school activity, function, or event; or
4. Anywhere, if the conduct interferes with, disrupts, or adversely affects the school
environment, school operations, or an educational function, including, but not
limited to, conduct that may reasonably be considered to: (a) be a threat or an
attempted intimidation of a staff member; or (b) endanger the health or safety of
students, staff, or school property.
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Prohibited Student Conduct
The school administration is authorized to discipline students for gross disobedience or
misconduct, including but not limited to:
1. Using, possessing, distributing, purchasing, or selling tobacco or nicotine materials,
including without limitation, electronic cigarettes.
2. Using, possessing, distributing, purchasing, or selling alcoholic beverages. Students
who are under the influence of an alcoholic beverage are not permitted to attend
school or school functions and are treated as though they had alcohol in their
possession.
3. Using, possessing, distributing, purchasing, selling, or offering for sale:
a. Any illegal drug or controlled substance, or cannabis (including medical
cannabis, marijuana, and hashish).
b. Any anabolic steroid unless it is being administered in accordance with a
physician’s or licensed practitioner’s prescription.
c. Any performance-enhancing substance on the Illinois High School
Association’s most current banned substance list unless administered in
accordance with a physician’s or licensed practitioner’s prescription.
d. Any prescription drug when not prescribed for the student by a physician or
licensed practitioner, or when used in a manner inconsistent with the
prescription or prescribing physician’s or licensed practitioner’s instructions.
The use or possession of medical cannabis, even by a student for whom
medical cannabis has been prescribed, is prohibited.
e. Any inhalant, regardless of whether it contains an illegal drug or controlled
substance: (a) that a student believes is, or represents to be capable of,
causing intoxication, hallucination, excitement, or dulling of the brain or
nervous system; or (b) about which the student engaged in behavior that
would lead a reasonable person to believe that the student intended the
inhalant to cause intoxication, hallucination, excitement, or dulling of the
brain or nervous system. The prohibition in this section does not apply to a
student’s use of asthma or other legally prescribed inhalant medications.
f. Any substance inhaled, injected, smoked, consumed, or otherwise ingested
or absorbed with the intention of causing a physiological or psychological
change in the body, including without limitation, pure caffeine in tablet or
powdered form.
g. “Look-alike” or counterfeit drugs, including a substance that is not
prohibited by this policy, but one: (a) that a student believes to be, or
represents to be, an illegal drug, controlled substance, or other substance that
is prohibited by this policy; or (b) about which a student engaged in behavior
that would lead a reasonable person to believe that the student expressly or
impliedly represented to be an illegal drug, controlled substance, or other
substance that is prohibited by this policy.
h. Drug paraphernalia, including devices that are or can be used to: (a) ingest,
inhale, or inject cannabis or controlled substances into the body; and (b)
grow, process, store, or conceal cannabis or controlled substances.
Students who are under the influence of any prohibited substance are not permitted to attend
school or school functions and are treated as though they had the prohibited substance, as
23
applicable, in their possession.
4. Using, possessing, controlling, or transferring a “weapon” as that term is defined in
the Weapons section of this policy, or violating the Weapons section of this policy.
5. Using or possessing an electronic paging device. Using a cellular telephone, video
recording device, personal digital assistant (PDA), or other electronic device in any
manner that disrupts the educational environment or violates the rights of others,
including using the device to take photographs in locker rooms or bathrooms, cheat,
or otherwise violate student conduct rules. Unless otherwise banned under this
policy or by the Building Principal, all electronic devices must be kept powered-off
and out-of-sight during the regular school day unless: (a) the supervising teacher
grants permission; (b) use of the device is provided in a student’s individualized
education program (IEP); (c) it is used during the student’s lunch period, or (d) it is
needed in an emergency that threatens the safety of students, staff, or other
individuals.
6. Using or possessing a laser pointer unless under a staff member’s direct supervision
and in the context of instruction.
7. Disobeying rules of student conduct or directives from staff members or school
officials. Examples of disobeying staff directives include refusing a District staff
member’s request to stop, present school identification, or submit to a search.
8. Engaging in academic dishonesty, including cheating, intentionally plagiarizing,
wrongfully giving or receiving help during an academic examination, altering report
cards, and wrongfully obtaining test copies or scores.
9. Engaging in hazing or any kind of bullying or aggressive behavior that does physical
or psychological harm to a staff person or another student, or urging other students
in such conduct. Prohibited conduct specifically includes, without limitations, any
use of violence, intimidation, force, noise, coercion, threats, stalking, harassment,
sexual harassment, public humiliation, theft or destruction of property, retaliation,
hazing, bullying, bullying using a school computer or a school computer network, or
other comparable conduct.
10. Engaging in any sexual activity, including without limitation, offensive touching,
sexual harassment, indecent exposure (including mooning), and sexual assault. This
does not include the non-disruptive: (a) expression of gender or sexual orientation or
preference, or (b) display of affection during non-instructional time.
11. Teen dating violence, as described in Board policy 7:185, Teen Dating Violence
Prohibited.
12. Causing or attempting to cause damage to, or stealing or attempting to steal, school
property or another person’s personal property.
13. Entering school property or a school facility without proper authorization.
14. In the absence of a reasonable belief that an emergency exists, calling emergency
responders (such as calling 911); signaling or setting off alarms or signals indicating
the presence of an emergency; or indicating the presence of a bomb or explosive
device on school grounds, school bus, or at any school activity.
15. Being absent without a recognized excuse; State law and School Board policy
regarding truancy control will be used with chronic and habitual truants.
16. Being involved with any public school fraternity, sorority, or secret society, by: (a)
being a member; (b) promising to join; (c) pledging to become a member; or (d)
24
soliciting any other person to join, promise to join, or be pledged to become a
member.
17. Being involved in gangs or gang-related activities, including displaying gang
symbols or paraphernalia.
18. Violating any criminal law, including but not limited to, assault, battery, arson, theft,
gambling, eavesdropping, vandalism, and hazing.
19. Making an explicit threat on an Internet website against a school employee, a
student, or any school-related personnel if the internet website through which the
threat was made is a site that was accessible within the school at the time the threat
was made or was available to third parties who worked or studied within the school
grounds at the time the threat was made, and the threat could be reasonably
interpreted as threatening to the safety and security of the threatened individual
because of his or her duties or employment status or status as a student inside the
school.
20. Operating an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) or drone for any purpose on school
grounds or at any school event unless granted permission by the Superintendent or
designee.
21. Engaging in any activity, on or off campus, that interferes with, disrupts, or
adversely affects the school environment, school operations, or an educational
function, including but not limited to, conduct that may reasonably be considered
to: (a) be a threat or an attempted intimidation of a staff member; or (b) endanger
the health or safety of students, staff, or school property.
For purposes of this policy, the term “possession” includes having control, custody, or care,
currently or in the past, of an object or substance, including situations in which the item
is: (a) on the student’s person; (b) contained in another item belonging to, or under the
control of, the student, such as in the student’s clothing, backpack, or automobile; (c) in a
school’s student locker, desk, or other school property; or (d) at any location on school
property or at a school-sponsored event.
Efforts, including the use of positive interventions and supports, shall be made to deter
students, while at school or a school-related event, from engaging in aggressive behavior
that may reasonably produce physical or physiological harm to someone else. The
Superintendent or designee shall ensure that the parent/guardian of a student who engages
in aggressive behavior is notified of the incident. The failure to provide such notification
does not limit the Board’s authority to impose discipline, including suspension or expulsion,
for such behavior.
No disciplinary action shall be taken against any student that is based totally or in part on
the refusal of the student’s parent/guardian to administer or consent to the administration of
psychotropic or psychostimulant medication to the student.
Disciplinary Measures
School officials shall limit the number and duration of expulsions and out-of-school
suspensions to the greatest extent practicable, and, where practicable and reasonable, shall
consider forms of non-exclusionary discipline before using out-of-school suspensions and
expulsions. School personnel shall not advise or encourage students to drop out voluntarily
due to behavioral or academic difficulties. Potential disciplinary measures include, without
25
limitation, any of the following:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Notifying parent(s)/guardian(s)
Disciplinary conference.
Withholding of privileges.
Temporary removal from the classroom.
Return of property or restitution for lost, stolen, or damaged property.
In-school suspension. The Building Principal or designee shall ensure that the
student is properly supervised.
7. After-school study or Saturday study provided the student’s parent/guardian has
been notified. If transportation arrangements cannot be agreed upon, an alternative
disciplinary measure must be used. The student must be supervised by the detaining
teacher or the Building Principal or designee.
8. Community service with local public and nonprofit agencies that enhances
community efforts to meet human, educational, environmental, or public safety
needs. The District will not provide transportation. School administration shall use
this option only as an alternative to another disciplinary measure giving the student
and/or parent/guardian the choice.
9. Seizure of contraband; confiscation and temporary retention of personal property
that was used to violate this policy or school disciplinary rules.
10. Suspension of bus riding privileges in accordance with Board policy 7:200, Bus
Conduct.
11. Out-of-school suspension from school and all school activities in accordance with
Board policy 7:200, Suspension Procedures. A student who has been suspended
may also be restricted from being on school grounds and at school activities.
12. Expulsion from school and all school activities for a definite time period not to
exceed 2 calendar years in accordance with Board policy 7:210, Expulsion
Procedures. A student who has been expelled may also be restricted from being on
school grounds and at school activities.
13. Transfer to an alternative program if the student is expelled or otherwise qualifies
for the transfer under State law. The transfer shall be in the manner provided in
Article 13A or 13B of the School Code.
14. Notifying juvenile authorities or other law enforcement whenever the conduct
involves criminal activity, including but not limited to, illegal drugs (controlled
substances), “look-alikes”, alcohol, or weapons or in other circumstances as
authorized by the reciprocal reporting agreement between the District and local law
enforcement agencies.
The above list of disciplinary measures is a range of options that will not always be
applicable in every case. In some circumstances, it may not be possible to avoid suspending
or expelling a student because behavioral interventions, other than a suspension and
expulsion, will not be appropriate and available, and the only reasonable and practical way
to resolve the threat and/or address the disruption is a suspension or expulsion.
Corporal punishment shall not be used. Corporal punishment is defined as slapping,
paddling, or prolonged maintenance of students in physically painful positions, or
intentional infliction of bodily harm. Corporal punishment does not include reasonable
force as needed to maintain safety for students, staff, or other persons, or for the purpose of
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self-defense or defense of property.
For information about disciplinary investigations and student social media accounts, please
click here:
English: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1Zm2euVM6ct0jgcYVBWOkXSgFHxDRnniBvsYB19VvTNw
Spanish: https://drive.google.com/open?id=13BgXtxNb-SCU4Vd4Nu8Z8TmsqehYO6lzGEzexpLliWo
Weapons
A student who is determined to have brought one of the following objects to school, any
school-sponsored activity or event, or any activity or event that bears a reasonable
relationship to school shall be expelled for a period of at least one calendar year but not
more than 2 calendar years:
1. A firearm, meaning any gun, rifle, shotgun, or weapon as defined by Section 921 of
Title 18 of the United States Code (18 U.S.C. § 921), firearm as defined in Section
1.1 of the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act (430 ILCS 65/), or firearm as
defined in Section 24-1 of the Criminal Code of 1961 (720 ILCS 5/24 1).
2. A knife, brass knuckles, or other knuckle weapon regardless of its composition, a
billy club, or any other object if used or attempted to be used to cause bodily harm,
including “look alikes” of any firearm as defined above.
The expulsion requirement under either paragraph 1 or 2 above may be modified by the
Superintendent, and the Superintendent’s determination may be modified by the Board on a
case-by-case basis. The Superintendent or designee may grant an exception to this policy,
upon the prior request of an adult supervisor, for students in theatre, cooking, ROTC,
martial arts, and similar programs, whether or not school-sponsored, provided the item is
not equipped, nor intended, to do bodily harm.
This policy’s prohibitions concerning weapons apply regardless of whether: (1) a student is
licensed to carry a concealed firearm or (2) the Board permits visitors, who are licensed to
carry a concealed firearm, to store a firearm in a locked vehicle in a school parking area.
Re-Engagement of Returning Students
The Superintendent or designee shall maintain a process to facilitate the re-engagement of
students who are returning from an out-of-school suspension, expulsion, or an alternative
school setting. The goal of re-engagement shall be to support the student’s ability to be
successful in school following a period of exclusionary discipline and shall include the
opportunity for students who have been suspended to complete or make up work for
equivalent academic credit.
Required Notices
A school staff member shall immediately notify the office of the Building Principal in the
event that he or she: (1) observes any person in possession of a firearm on or around school
grounds; however, such action may be delayed if immediate notice would endanger students
under his or her supervision, (2) observes or has reason to suspect that any person on school
grounds is or was involved in a drug-related incident, or (3) observes a battery committed
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against any staff member. Upon receiving such a report, the Building Principal or designee
shall immediately notify the local law enforcement agency, State Police, and any involved
student’s parent/guardian. “School grounds” includes modes of transportation to school
activities and any public way within 1000 feet of the school, as well as school property
itself.
Delegation of Authority
Each teacher, and any other school personnel when students are under his or her charge, is
authorized to impose any disciplinary measure, other than suspension, expulsion, corporal
punishment, or in-school suspension, that is appropriate and in accordance with the policies
and rules on student discipline. Teachers, other certificated [licensed] educational
employees and other persons providing a related service for or with respect to a student,
may use reasonable force as needed to maintain safety for other students, school personnel,
or other persons, or for the purpose of self-defense or defense of property. Teachers may
temporarily remove students from a classroom for disruptive behavior.
The Superintendent, Building Principal, Assistant Building Principal, or Dean of Students is
authorized to impose the same disciplinary measures as teachers and may suspend students
guilty of gross disobedience or misconduct from school (including all school functions) and
from riding the school bus, up to 10 consecutive school days, provided the appropriate
procedures are followed. The Board may suspend a student from riding the bus in excess of
10 school days for safety reasons.
Student Handbook
The Superintendent, with input from the parent-teacher advisory committee, shall prepare
disciplinary rules implementing the District’s disciplinary policies. These disciplinary rules
shall be presented annually to the Board for its review and approval.
A student handbook, including the District disciplinary policies and rules, shall be
distributed to the students’ parents/guardians within 15 days of the beginning of the school
year or a student’s enrollment.
School District #47 Bullying Policy (School Board Policy 7:180)
Bullying, intimidation, and harassment are not acceptable in any form and will not be
tolerated at school or any school-related activity. The School District will protect
students against retaliation for reporting incidents of bullying, intimidation, or
harassment, and will take disciplinary action against any student who participates in such
conduct.
Student Discipline Guidelines for Students Receiving Special
Education Services
A. In accordance with Illinois Public Act 87-1103 and the Illinois State Board of Education
Behavioral Interventions in Schools: Guidelines for Development of District Policies
for Students with Disabilities (June, 1994), behavioral interventions for students
receiving special education are considered under four distinct categories.
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A.1. Nonrestrictive Interventions:
These interventions may be used without the development of a written behavior
management plan or inclusion in the student’s IEP.
A.1.1. Allowing students to escape task
A.1.2. Calling/notifying parent
A.1.3. Contingent exercise*
A.1.4. Detention (before/after school, weekend)
A.1.5. Differential reinforcement
A.1.6. Direct instruction
A.1.7. Environmental/activity modification
A.1.8. Extinction*
A.1.9. Instructional assignment
A.1.10. Modeling
A.1.11. Peer involvement
A.1.12. Planned ignoring
A.1.13. Positive practice/over correction*
A.1.14. Positive reinforcement (individual or group)
A.1.15. Prompting
A.1.16. Proximity control
A.1.17. Punishment writing*
A.1.18. Redirecting student (physically)* - Redirecting student (verbal, nonverbal
signal)
A.1.19. Response-cost
A.1.20. Restitution over correction*
A.1.21. Self-management
A.1.22. Shaping
A.1.23. Suspension (in-school and/or out-of-school), for an aggregate of ten (10)
school days or less per school year
A.1.24. Teaching alternative behaviors
A.1.25. Teaching self-reinforcement
A.1.26. Time-out (exclusionary/physical)*
A.1.27. Time-out (non-exclusionary)*
A.1.28. Token economy
A.1.29. Verbal feedback
A.1.30. Verbal reprimand
*Depending upon the student’s needs, IEP, etc., these interventions may be restrictive in
nature. Rev. 9/95
A.2. Restrictive Interventions
These interventions may be appropriate during emergency situations, (a situation
where the student poses an immediate danger to himself/herself and/or others), or
when less restrictive interventions have been attempted and failed. Restrictive
interventions are used only after a functional analysis of behavior has been
completed and documented, a behavior management plan written, and appropriate
modifications of the student’s IEP completed. These interventions are used for a
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minimum amount of time and in conjunction with positive interventions.
A.2.1. Exclusion from extracurricular activities
A.2.2. Food delay
A.2.3. Forced physical guidance
A.2.4. Inhibiting devices
A.2.5. Manual restraint
A.2.6. Negative practice
A.2.7. Satiation
A.2.8. Suspension (in school and/or out-of-school), for an aggregate of more than
ten (10) school days per year
A.2.9. Time-out (isolation/quiet room)
A.3. Highly Restrictive Intervention
These interventions are deemed inappropriate in most circumstances.
A.3.1. Aversive mists, aromatics, tastes
A.3.2. Denial or restriction of access to regularly used equipment/devices that
facilitate the child’s educational functioning, except when such equipment is
temporarily at risk for damage
A.3.3. Mechanical restraints (excludes restraints prescribed by physical or used
as safety procedure for transportation)
A.3.4. Expulsion with continuing education program.
A.4. Prohibited Interventions
These interventions are prohibited and are illegal.
A.4.1. Corporal punishment
A.4.2. Expulsion with cessation of services
A.4.3. Faradic skin shock
A.4.4. Physical manipulation or procedure that causes pain and/or tissue damage
when used as an aversive procedure
A definition of each behavioral intervention listed is found in the document, Illinois State
Board of Education Behavioral Interventions in Schools; Guidelines for Development of
District Policies for Students with Disabilities. Rev. 9/95
Academic Dishonesty
Engaging in academic dishonesty, including cheating, intentionally plagiarizing,
wrongfully giving or receiving help during an academic examination, and wrongfully
obtaining test copies or scores.
Student And Family Privacy Rights
Pursuant to the Children’s Privacy Protection and Parent Empowerment Act, P.A. 93-462
and Protection of Pupil Rights Act, 20 U.S.C. § 1232h all surveys requesting personal
information from students must relate to the District’s educational objectives. Surveys
created by a third party, regardless of whether the individual student can be identified,
may be inspected by the parent and parents have the right to refuse to allow the student to
participate. Parents have the right to inspect, upon request, any instructional material used as
part of their child’s educational curriculum, within a reasonable time period of their request.
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No school official or staff member shall subject a student to a non-emergency, invasive
physical examination or screening as a condition of school attendance. No school
official shall market or sell personal information concerning students.
Board Policy 7.15 Student and Family Privacy Rights is available upon request from the
Superintendent’s Office. Parents have the right to opt out of activities covered by this
policy by contacting the building principal. Requests to examine curriculum materials
may be made to the building principal or Scott Kubelka, Assistant Superintendent of
Curriculum.
Sex Offender Notification
State law requires schools to notify parents/guardians during school registration or parentteacher conferences that information about sex offenders and violent offenders against
youth is available to the public on the Illinois State Police’s website. The Illinois State
Police website contains the following:



Illinois Sex Offender Registry, www.isp.state.il.us/sor/
Illinois Murderer and Violent Offender Against Youth Registry, www.isp.state.il.us/cmvo/
Frequently Asked Questions Concerning Sex Offenders, www.isp.state.il.us/sor/faq.cfm
Use of Publicity Photographs/Videos
To celebrate student success, District 47 wants to be able to share news of notable
achievements with the various communities it serves. As such, it reserves the right to use
and/or produce photographs, video, movies and voice recordings of any student in any
legal manner for the internal and external promotional and informational activities of the
District. Photos and/or video may be published on the District web sites, newsletter and
social media sites, as well as shared with media outlets (both print and online). Note:
Students may be referenced by first name, last initial or first initial, last name unless
submitting to local newspapers, which may require both first and last names. If you do
not want your child photographed or videotaped for District 47 use, please send a signed
statement to this effect in writing to Denise Barr, Coordinator of Community Relations,
Crystal Lake Elementary District 47, 300 Commerce Dr., Crystal Lake, IL 60014. Please
note that this opt-out statement must be filed annually with the District and will also prohibit
a student’s photo from appearing in the school yearbook.
Visiting Your Child’s School
Parents and visitors MUST use the main entrance to the school when visiting during the
school day. All visitors must stop at the front desk and sign in. For the overall safety of
the students and staff in our schools we ask for parents’ complete cooperation in this
matter.
District 47 has utilized the Raptor System, which requires visitors to bring a U.S.-issued
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state ID or driver’s license when visiting a D47 building for any length of time. The ID
will be scanned against a sex-offender database prior to granting a visitor access to a
building. Once scanned, the information will be stored so visitors will not be required to
present identification on future visits unless visiting another D47 school as the
visitor database is school-specific.
The process pertains only to visits beyond the main office during the school day while
students are present. It does not apply when parents or others are simply dropping off a
forgotten item or picking up a student from school.
To expedite school visits, we strongly encourage parents to stop by their child's school to
have their ID scanned. This process may alleviate congestion and long lines during busy
times, when many parents may be visiting the school for a holiday party or other special
event. If you have any questions about the system, please contact your school office.
If you need to bring something to your child during the school day, PLEASE bring it to the
office and we will make sure your child receives it. We request that parents not interrupt
instruction by going to a classroom. Teachers are happy to meet with parents upon request
but please phone ahead and make an appointment. Teachers are not available to speak
with parents when students are present and under their supervision. Teachers are also
available by e-mail for questions that do not require a long response or explanation.
Parents are allowed reasonable requests to visit their child’s classroom only after obtaining
permission from the building principal. Random and unannounced visits from parents will
not be allowed since this can be disruptive to the learning environment. Similarly,
observations by outside therapists, consultants, etc. are not allowed without prior notice
and approval by the building administrator. All visits and observations may include
participation of District personnel. As a condition of any visit or observation, the visitor
agrees to keep strictly confidential all information observed concerning children (School
Board Policy 7:360).
Weather Guidelines for Outside Student Activities
During the cold winter weather, be sure that your child comes to school with appropriate
winter coats, hats, gloves, etc. Students go outside daily for lunch recess and need to be
dressed for the weather.
Temperature/Wind Chill
15 degrees or warmer
0 to 15 degrees
Below 0 degrees
Maximum time outside
Unlimited
20 minutes
Students remain indoors
CRYSTAL LAKE ELEMENTARY DISTRICT 47
SCHOOL CALENDAR FOR 2016-2017
Monday, August 22
Teacher Institute Day-No School for students
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Tuesday, August 23
Wednesday, August 24
Thursday, August 25
Monday, September 5
Wednesday, September 28
Monday, October 10
Wednesday, October 19
Thursday, October 20
Friday, October 21
Friday, November 4
Wednesday, November 16
Wednesday, November 23
Thursday, November 24
Friday, November 25
Friday, December 16
Tuesday, January 3
Friday, January 13
Monday, January 16
Wednesday, January 25
Wednesday, February 15
Friday, February 17
Monday, February 20
Monday, March 27
Monday, April 3
Friday, April 14
Wednesday, April 26
Wednesday, May 17
Monday, May 29
Friday, June 2
Friday, June 9
Teacher Institute Day-No School for students
First Day of Attendance-Early Release for Students Grades 1-8
First Day of Kindergarten Attendance
Labor Day-NO SCHOOL
Early Release Day
Columbus Day-NO SCHOOL
Early Release Day
Parent-Teacher Conferences Grades K-8; 5-8pm
Parent-Teacher Conferences Grades K-8; 12-8pm
NO SCHOOL for students K-8
Parent-Teacher Conferences Grades K-8; 8-11am
NO SCHOOL for Students K-8
Teacher Institute Day-NO SCHOOL for students K-8
Early Release Day
Thanksgiving Break-NO SCHOOL
Thanksgiving Day-NO SCHOOL
Thanksgiving Break-NO SCHOOL
Winter Break Begins at the END of the school day
Classes Resume after Winter Break
Teacher Institute Day-NO SCHOOL for students K-8
Martin Luther King Jr. Day-NO SCHOOL
Early Release Day
Early Release Day
Half-Day School Improvement Day-Half Day for students
Grades K-5 (Noon Dismissal)
Grades 6-8 (11am Dismissal)
NO SCHOOL
Spring Break Begins
Classes resume after Spring Break
No School – Not in Attendance
Early Release Day
Early Release Day
Memorial Day-NO SCHOOL
Last day of student attendance if no “Snow Days”
are taken-Early Release Day for students
“Snow Days” to be added if necessary through June 9
8th grade Honors night will be determined after spring break of 2016-17.
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