Student Handbook

A safe, orderly, caring and positive environment is important at Edgerton. We, as a school, practice Eagle Pride which focuses on the following:

• Respect 
• Responsibility
• Safety 
• Empathy

This skill set along with rules and expectations is taught at each grade level. Please take time to discuss these important attributes with your child. Our objective is for students to display respectful, appropriate behavior. Students are expected to show Eagle Pride at all times during the school day and on the bus, and at the bus stops.

Healthy kids learn better. In order to align with federal mandates that aim to provide the best learning environment possible and support student achievement, the school district changesd its wellness policy starting with the 2017-2018 school year.

In addition to updates to physical activity, school nutrition, and other district wellness, birthday celebrations do not include food or drink. Parents/families are asked to not send birthday treats with their student to school. The new guidelines help students avoid unhealthy snacks while still providing plenty of room for tradition and fun.

If there is a non-birthday classroom event that calls for families to provide snacks, families are asked to only send nutritious snacks. Information about healthy snacks can be found on the district’s Nutrition Services webpage.

Formal conferences are scheduled twice each school year. We consider these conferences to be very important and beneficial to both the teacher and the parents, so please make every attempt to attend. In cases where two families may be involved, the custodial parent will be responsible for scheduling conferences.  

If you have concerns, please deal with them as soon as possible. You do not need to wait until conference time. It is best to direct your concern to the specific school personnel most directly related to your issue. If you have not reached a satisfactory resolution feel free to contact the school principal.  Most teachers will be available for calls before and after school. In order to avoid interruptions during instructional time, calls made during the school day will go to voicemail and will be returned as soon as possible.

Teaching students how to solve problems and making good behavioral choices is a major goal for us at Edgerton. Most inappropriate behavior is corrected by re-teaching or through some low level intervention, which occurs in the classroom. If the behavior is dangerous, against the law or continues to disrupt the learning of others, more significant measures such as dismissal, suspension or expulsion may occur. Significant measures will apply to, but are not limited to: sexual, racial and/or religious harassment, bringing a weapon or look-a-like weapon to school, verbal and /or physical assault/harassment.

Teasing/Harassment

All students deserve to be treated with respect by others. Sometimes it is difficult for children to know the difference between teasing and harassment. When a child experiences teasing, we encourage them to tell the person to stop teasing them. If this does not work, we encourage the student to report the teasing to his/her teacher or another adult. Students who continue to tease, following a conference with the teacher or principal, will face consequences for harassment. If harassment occurs, the student should report it to their teacher. 

Weapons

Bringing a weapon or look-a-like weapon to school is not permitted under any circumstance. Consequences may include immediate suspension and possible expulsion. Threats (verbal or written) to bring a weapon or to do harm to another person are also taken very seriously and can result in suspension or expulsion as well.

Fighting

Fighting is a mutual conflict in which both parties contribute to the situation by verbal and/or physical action.  This includes “play fighting” which frequently leads to real fighting. We teach all students that violence is not an acceptable way of dealing with anger and frustration.  

It is important for children to learn how to deal with anger. It is not OK to use physical violence when someone disagrees with us, teases us, takes something that belongs to us, or hits us first. If those things happen students are encouraged to work through problem solving strategies first. If this is not successful, however, students should remove themselves from the situation and report it directly to a supervising adult.   

Assault

Assault is defined as an act which intentionally inflicts or attempt to inflict bodily harm upon another. A student who physically assaults another person may be suspended for up to 10 days and in extreme cases; the child may be expelled from school. The school may recommend to the victim of the assault that a report is filed with the Maplewood Police. Violence will not be tolerated at Edgerton.

We have high expectations for all of our students. We know that it is harder for some students to meet our expectations than others, but we cannot ignore behavior that is dangerous. In these cases, licensed support staff will be called upon to intervene and support the child who is having difficulty.  

Copies of the school board policies in accordance with the Minnesota Pupil Fair Dismissal Act for Student Discipline (Policy 520) are available online at: isd623.org.

The purpose of this policy is to establish expectations of dress for students consistent with the Roseville Schools Equity Vision. Safety and belonging are important components of a positive school culture. This policy is focused on promoting both components.

Inappropriate dress includes, but is not limited to, the following: 

• Student attire that creates a danger to health or safety. 
• Attire that creates a material and substantial disruption to the educational process, school operations, or a school sponsored activity; that can reasonably be forecasted to create such a disruption; or that reflects aggression, including microaggression, toward any protected class. 
• Clothing or accessories with words, pictures, caricatures, based on stereotypes of a specific gender, race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, or disability.
• Clothing or accessories with American Indian team names, logos or mascots that depict stereotypes.  

The dress code policy applies to all school days including summer school, school related events and activities such as dances, prom, graduations and educational travel.

Additional Dress Information

Wheeled shoes may not be used at school. Shoes must be worn at all times, and tennis shoes are required for physical education. 

During winter it is important that  students wear clothing appropriate for  the weather (hat, gloves or mittens, scarf, boots, etc.). Students will be outside for recess everyday unless  the temp and/or windchill are below  zero degrees or there is precipitation.  Weather reports are consulted before sending students outside on cold days.  

Boots need to be worn usually from the  first snow until the playground dries up  in spring. The boots keep the feet dry allowed at school. The school is not responsible for any such item if it is broken, lost or stolen.

All items such as MP3 players, handheld games, and cell phones are not allowed at school. The school is not responsible for any such item if it is broken, lost, or stolen.  

Cell phone use by students during school or during Out of School Time (Unity/Friendship Connection) is not permitted. Please do not try to contact your child via a cell phone during the school day. Phones are in each classroom for teacher use in case of an emergency and any calls to a student need to come through the office (651-772-2565).

In the event of inclement weather, school closings will be announced on the following sites: KARE TV, KSTP TV, WCCO TV & RADIO, KMSP, and on the district website. Close contact is maintained with the bus company, highway department, and weather bureau. Decisions are made in the evening, if possible, or early in the morning, preferably no later than 6 a.m. The same careful checking on weather conditions is done during a stormy day when school is in session.

Announced and unannounced fire drills, lockdown practice and tornado drills will occur throughout the school year and summer. The drill practice is necessary to insure the safety of everyone in the event that a real emergency occurs. We are required by the state to conduct five drills, five lockdown practices, and one tornado drill during the school year. Additionally, we are required by the state to conduct two fire drills, one lock down, and one tornado drill during summer school.  

Roseville Area Schools works to prepare students and staff for emergencies. As we are all aware, there are many different situations involving safety, health or security, which may occur in our schools. Our goal is to prepare our staff and students to properly react to the various types of incidents that could occur.  

The Friendship Connection Program provides before and after-school care for children in kindergarten through grade six. It is open year round, closing only for major holidays. It operates five days a week, Monday through Friday, from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. All-day care is provided when school is not in session.  Drop-in care is available on a space available basis.  

In addition, when there is enough interest, Friendship Connection may also offer a half-day program for kindergarten students/families who wish to participate. This is a fee-based program which builds friendships across grade-levels and really focuses on social-emotional learning. For more information call 651-771-9835.

Students have a variety of academic needs. Curriculum enhancements for students who have exceptional academic needs beyond the regular curriculum are provided through differentiation by the cluster classroom teachers. In addition, students may participate in enrichment program services as available. Students will receive information regarding metro area enrichment programs and summer opportunities in the metro area, including North Suburban Summer Academy, throughout the school year.  

In order to participate in this program, students need to meet a set of criteria which includes: teacher input, group ability testing, and individual ability testing. Students are informally identified for services in grades 1-3 and formal identification takes place during the third grade year. Please contact the classroom teacher or the principal if you have further questions.

Conferences, open house, report cards, and newsletters are some of the ways you learn about your child’s school experience. Equally important are the informal conversations with your child Set aside time each day to hear about what your child has learned in school. Talk about the day’s happenings, friendships and feelings. Talk about school projects and become active in the Edgerton PTA.  

Homework assignments vary from teacher to teacher. Some homework consists of completing assignments that were not finished during the school day. Other homework may include special projects which relate to a unit of study or reinforces a skill worked on at school. All homework is meant to reinforce and enrich a student’s learning experience. Your support in completion of school work will greatly improve your child’s success in school. 

Roseville Area Schools is committed to providing learning and work environments that are healthy and safe for all students and staff. To this end, all district schools and instructional support facilities have been designated as latex-reduced environments. The following guidelines are in place at all district schools and instructional support facilities:

Latex balloons are restricted from Roseville Area Schools for the protection of students and staff who have latex allergies. They contain large amounts of latex residue and, therefore, carry the most danger for allergic reactions.  

Latex products of all kinds have been removed from health offices. 

The district will make every effort to order latex-free products (natural rubber products). In areas such as science classrooms, latex equipment may still be in use because latex free alternatives are unavailable. If a student has a known latex allergy, latex will not be used in that classroom. 

We continue to develop awareness of other latex products that are being used in our schools. We either replace them with latex-free alternatives, or if replacements are not available, we focus on reducing the use of these products

The Edgerton Media Technology Program is an integral part of a child’s educational process. In addition to being a part of the classroom, it serves as an extension of the classroom ... a laboratory for reading, writing and applying video and computer technical skills needed by students and teachers to become creative problem solvers and self-reliant, life-long learners.

Media Center

The Edgerton Media Technology program maintains and circulates a collection of over 17,000 books, magazines, videos, and computer software. It provides online, educational, and community resources throughout the building. It oversees a voice/video/data network, classroom computers, a computer lab, two mini labs as well as video production facilities.

Opportunities

The Edgerton Media Program, working with classrooms, provides students of all ages the opportunities to:

• Become acquainted with new and favorite authors, illustrators, in addition to their favorite books
• Learn and use a variety of print, iPad applications, and online reference materials
• Learn and practice the research process
• Foster an appreciation of good literature in addition to developing an interest in recreational reading
• Research, plan, and design multimedia projects
• Use online public library catalog and resources
• Make books, both paper and electronic
• Connect with online services and resources via the school website and the internet

Students select books, magazines, and reading kits on both a scheduled and “as needed” basis. Most books are checked out for a two-week period after which time they are either renewed or returned. Parents are encouraged to help their children take responsibility for the care of books and other materials. Replacement fees will be assessed for lost or severely damaged items.

Withdrawal from school: Families planning to move out of the district are asked to notify the office several days before their last school day. All fines and bills must be paid before the checkout is completed. All library books must be returned.

Change of address: Families who change their addresses or telephone numbers during the school year should report the new information as soon as possible. Parent’s work telephone numbers should also be updated as well as any emergency information. School should be notified of any changes in daycare arrangements as soon as possible.

Students in grades K-6 participate in physical education during the week with our physical education specialist. We cover a wide range of activities and skills throughout the year. It is very important for the children to wear appropriate clothing designed for movement in physical education. Our school district encourages wearing tennis shoes every day. Closed-toe shoes (laced or Velcro) must be worn for class. 

Students who should not participate in physical education should have a parent note for short term, one or two days, and a doctor’s note for extended periods of time.

Playground supervisors are on duty during noon recess to monitor student behavior. School patrols are also assigned playground duty on a regular basis.

Every attempt is made to assure safe playtime for the students. Safety rules have been established and are discussed in the classrooms.

Students will play outside at noon recess everyday unless:

• The temperature is below zero degrees.
• The wind chill is zero degrees or less.
• It is raining.
• There is lightning.
• There are other weather conditions that make it unsafe to be outside.

A note from the parent is given to the teacher. A doctor’s note is required after three consecutive “in” days are requested by the parent. Students should dress appropriately for the weather.

Report cards will be provided to parents during the school year. There are two components to the report card.  Students are assessed for achievement and effort.

Mid-term communication reports may also be sent to parents with information about their child at mid-semester time.  We encourage parents to contact their child’s teacher at any time if they have questions and/or concerns.

The Edgerton special education team is made up of the following professionals: speech/language clinician, school psychologist, special education teachers, school nurse and school social worker.  District itinerant staff members join the team as needed. These staff may include: occupational therapist, physical therapist, and developmental adaptive physical education teacher. This staff provides a continuum of services to students who meet the State of Minnesota criteria for a variety of specific disabilities. More information about district services or consideration for a referral is available here.

Policy Statement

Section 504

Roseville Area Schools supports the aims of Section 504 of the Human Rights Act and is committed to providing accommodations for students in our schools. 

Who Qualifies for Section 504?

A person is “disabled” within the meaning of Section 504 if he/she has a mental or physical impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities. 

Substantially Limits

Impairment is only a “disability” under Section 504 if it substantially limits one or more major life activities, such as learning. An individual must be unable to perform, or be significantly limited in the ability to perform, an activity, compared to an average person in the general population. 

Education is Considered a Major Life Activity

Major life activities include functions such as caring for one’s self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning and working. When a condition significantly limits a major life activity, an accommodation plan must be developed for that individual. Accommodations or services must be determined by a team knowledgeable about the individual and his/her disability. 

Parents or students may request accommodations under the protections of this law by contacting the building principal or program supervisor. 

District compliance officer for Section 504 is Dr. Niceta Thomas, director of student services, 651-635-1600.

A reminder that the school doors open at 9:25 a.m.; if students are walking or getting dropped off, they may not enter the building until then. Parents may accompany their children at 9:15 a.m. to the cafeteria for breakfast, or walk them down to class at 9:25 a.m. Please sign in at the main office if you wish to do so. Teachers and staff are busy preparing in the morning so are not available to chaperone students before this time. Students should not arrive at school before 9:15 a.m. If a student is eating breakfast they may enter the building at 9:15 a.m. and proceed directly to the cafeteria. Students are responsible for being in their classrooms by 9:30 a.m. even if they are eating breakfast. Thank you for your help with this. Friendship Connection is an option for families who cannot be at home with their children until school starts.

All children need to wear gym shoes for phy ed classes. Again, tennis shoes with either laces or Velcro straps are required to participate in gym class. Flip flops, sandals, platform shoes, high heels, or slip-ons will not be allowed. If your child has an injury, which requires limitations in physical activity, please contact your child’s teacher and send a doctor’s note to the school nurse.

Classes are dismissed to buses/walk/ride at 4 p.m. Buses are loaded on the north side (back) of the building. Car or van pick-ups are at the south side (front) of the building or the north (back) side. Students will be walked out at the end of the day to their vehicles if they are parent pick-up or district van transportation. Please pull as far forward along the sidewalk as possible when you drop off/pick up students. If children are ready to load/unload when they arrive, the line moves quite quickly. Please, do not ask your child to walk alone across the parking lot during pick up and drop off times. Students should be picked up before 4:15 p.m. each day as that is when our end of day supervision ends

If a parent needs to take a child out of school during school hours, parents are required to sign the child out at the office. If some person other that the parent is to sign out the child, there should be written parental permission.  Children will be kept in the classroom until the parent has signed for the child and the office notifies the teacher.

In custody cases the school must have a copy of a court order if there is a restriction on who may pick up the child. Please contact the office with this information.

**Students are not allowed to leave the school grounds without parental and school permission.

Roseville Area Schools has developed procedures to inform students and parents in the school district of their rights with respect to school records and measures taken by the school district to protect the rights of students and parents in processing school records.

The school district must obtain and use certain information about each student to plan the best programs. On the other hand, access to this information by third parties is limited and controlled in accordance with rights to data privacy extended to parents and students.

This notice outlines the types of information collected and specifies how that information is maintained, summarized or released. The building principal has been designated as the school official who is responsible for appropriate procedures regarding this information.

What Student Information Can You Inspect and Review?

Federal and state law allows you to inspect and review official records, files, and data relating to your child. This includes all material that is incorporated in your child’s cumulative record, such as, identifying data, academic work completed, and level of achievement (grades and test scores), attendance data, scores on IQ, aptitude, psychological and interest tests, health data, family background information, special education records, and verified reports of serious or recurrent behavior patterns.

Who is Responsible for Records in Our School District?

Law requires each district to identify a responsible authority that is charged with determining what records are to be kept and who has access to them. The responsible authority for records in our school district is the superintendent.  The superintendent may delegate the implementation of data privacy procedures to another official such as the building principal.

What Students are Involved?

The only data that will be released under directory information is for the K-12 students and the Early Childhood Family Education and Early Childhood Special Education Programs.

What Information is Made Public?

Our school system will maintain “directory information” relating to students. This information may be made public. You may, however, request in writing that any or all of the information below not be designated as directory information on your child and as such will not be released. You must respond by September 30 or within thirty (30) days from the time of registration by writing to your child’s building principal and asking that directory information for your child not be released. The directory information includes:

• Student’s name
• Parent/guardian name
• Grade
• Participation in officially recognized activities and sports 
• Weight and height of the members of athletic teams
• Dates of enrollment
• Degrees and awards received
• Most recent educational institution attended by student
• Pictures for school approved publications, webpages, social media, local media and local cable transmissions

Where is Student Information Kept?

While a student is enrolled in our school system, official school records are kept at the home school in the student’s cumulative record folder. Official special education records are kept at the school where the student attends.

What Happens to the Records When a Student Leaves Our School?

When a student leaves the school system (graduates, moves away, withdraws), contents of the cumulative and special education records are forwarded to other school systems, colleges, or vocational institutes at the request of the institution. Each student’s academic record is forwarded to the Data Processing Office where these records are preserved. Inactive special education records are maintained at the school where the student last attended and at the Aŋpétu Téča Education Center (651-604-3729).

What are Your Rights Regarding Student Information?

You have a right to ask and to obtain information as to what records are kept on your child.

You have a right (upon presenting proper identification) to see your child’s record and to have the contents of that record explained to you within a reasonable time after you make your request.

You have a right to receive a copy of your child’s record if you pay the cost of making the copies.

You have a right to challenge the accuracy or completeness of the records. You may make a written request that school officials change it explaining the basis of your challenge. If the change that you have requested is not made within 30 days, then the school officials must notify you of their decision. If you disagree with their decision, you have a right to a hearing. In the meantime, a copy of your written challenge to the accuracy or completeness of the record will be included in your child’s records

You have a right to file a complaint with the Minnesota Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the school district to comply with requirements of Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

Establishing safeguards to protect the right to privacy may cause some delay in getting information to the source requesting it. However, this seems a small price for protecting the right to privacy and control of information for all individuals.

Our school system asks your support and cooperation in using these procedures. If you have questions or comments on any of these matters, please call your building principal. 

Who May See Student Records?

Access is limited to the following:

• Parents or legal guardians of students, or individuals acting as parents or guardians in their absence, if the student is under age 18 or dependent
• Students
• Authorized professional personnel such as the principal, secretaries, teachers, counselors, and nurses in connection with their school functions and responsibilities
• Other schools tht provide service to the student or which the student attends.
• State or federal agencies as required by law.
• Scholarship and financial aid sponsors to whom the student is applying for aid.
• Accrediting organizations.
• Researchers who do not identify students.
• Individuals in compliance with a court order or subpoena; the school district will attempt to notify the parent or student prior to release of the information.
• Other third parties may have access to records only with the written permission of the student, parent or legal guardian. 

How to Access Education Records

Contact the building principal who will authorize assistance in inspection and revision of records.

Amendment to Educational Records

If you believe the education records to be inaccurate, misleading or in violation of privacy rights, please inform the building principal or appropriate administrator. A review of the records may result in a correction of the record, expungement of the record or, if not substantiated, a letter which expresses disagreement with data in a student’s file.

How Long are Records Kept?

Most records are destroyed when they are no longer needed by professional personnel to plan instructional programs for students. Many evaluative 

records are destroyed after one year. Contents of the cumulative record folder (less permanent records) usually are also destroyed within one year of the time when a student leaves the school system.

Certain data are converted to a permanent record (transcript) when students leave the school system. These permanent files are kept to fill requests for information from former students who later need to verify school-related information from their own records.

Special education records are destroyed six years after the student’s graduation date, or when the student leaves the district. Parents may request that special education records containing personally identifiable information on their child with a disability be destroyed when the information is no longer needed to provide educational services to the child.

I understand many important educational resources are accessed using school technology.

I will use technology in schools for educational purposes only. The school has a right to monitor my use of school technology.

I will use respectful language and behavior while using school technology.

I will be mindful of school resources by printing only what is absolutely necessary.

I will not give out personal information about myself or anyone else while using school technology. 

I will not look at, download, or communicate any material that is obscene, vulgar, sexually explicit or offensive in terms of race, ethnicity, sex or religion. I will tell a teacher if I come across any information that is inappropriate or makes me feel uncomfortable.

I will never access, remove, change or harm another person’s files. 

I will not use another person’s system or password.

I will follow all laws and school rules when I use school technology.

I will give credit when I use another’s work, whether it is from a book, the internet or elsewhere.

I will use the internet at school only with permission from a present, supervising adult.

I will be respectful of and responsible for all school technology I use, leaving it in good working order, organized and ready for the next person.

If you have any comments or questions, please contact your media specialist, school technology support staff member, or District Media/Technology Services at 651-604-1476. Check for updates to these guidelines on the Roseville webpage AUP.

1.0 Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to maintain a safe learning environment for students and staff that is free from hazing. Hazing activities of any type are inconsistent with the educational goals of the school district and are prohibited at all times.

2.0 General Statement of Policy

2.1 No student, teacher, administrator, volunteer, contractor or other employee of the school district shall plan, direct, encourage, aid or engage in hazing. 

2.2 No teacher, administrator, volunteer, contractor or other employee of the school district shall permit, condone or tolerate hazing.

2.3 Apparent permission or consent by a person being hazed does not lessen the prohibitions contained in this policy.

2.4 This policy applies to behavior that occurs on or off school property and during and after school hours.

2.5 A person who engages in an act that violates school policy or law in order to be initiated into or affiliated with a student organization shall be subject to discipline for that act.

2.6 The school district will act to investigate all complaints of hazing and will discipline or take appropriate action against any student, teacher, administrator, volunteer, contractor or other employee of the school district who is found to have violated this policy. 

3.0 Definitions

3.1 “Hazing” means committing an act against a student, or coercing a student into committing an act, that creates a substantial risk of harm to a person, in order for the student to be initiated into or affiliated with a student organization, or for any other purpose. The term hazing includes, but is not limited to: 

3.1.1 Any type of physical brutality such as whipping, beating, striking, branding, electronic shocking or placing a harmful substance on the body.

3.1.2 Any type of physical activity such as sleep deprivation, exposure to weather, confinement in a restricted area, calisthenics, or other activity that subjects the student to an unreasonable risk of harm or that adversely affects the mental or physical health or safety of the student. 

3.1.3 Any activity involving the consumption of any alcoholic beverage, drug, tobacco product or any other food, liquid or substance that subjects the student to an unreasonable risk of harm or that adversely affects the mental or physical health or safety of the student.

3.1.4 Any activity that intimidates or threatens the student with ostracism, that subjects a student to extreme mental stress, embarrassment, shame or humiliation that adversely affects the mental health or dignity of the student, or discourages the student from remaining in school.

3.1.5 Any activity that causes or requires the student to perform a task that involves violation of state or federal law or of school district policies or regulations.

3.2 “Student organization” means a group, club or organization having students as its primary members or participants. It includes grade levels, classes, teams, activities, or particular school events. A student organization does not have to be an official school organization to come within the terms of this definition. 

4.0 Reporting Procedures

4.1 Any person who believes he or she has been the victim of hazing or any person with knowledge or belief of conduct that may constitute hazing shall report the alleged acts immediately to an appropriate school district official designated by this policy.

4.2 The building principal is the person responsible for receiving reports of hazing at the building level. Any person may report hazing directly to a school district human rights officer or to the superintendent.

4.3 Teachers, administrators, volunteers, contractors and other employees of the school district shall be particularly alert to possible situations, circumstances or events that might include hazing. Any such person who receives a report of, observes, or has other knowledge or belief of conduct that may constitute hazing shall inform the building principal immediately.

4.4 Submission of a good faith complaint or report of hazing will not affect the complainant or reporter’s future employment, grades or work assignments.

5.0 School District Action

5.1 Upon receipt of a complaint or report of hazing, the school district shall undertake or authorize an investigation by school district officials or a third party designated by the school district.

5.2 The school district may take immediate steps, at its discretion, to protect the complainant, reporter, students or others pending completion of an investigation of hazing. 

5.3 Upon completion of the investigation, the school district will take appropriate action. Such action may include, but is not limited to, warning, suspension, exclusion, expulsion, transfer, remediation, termination or discharge. Disciplinary consequences will be sufficiently severe to deter violations and to appropriately discipline prohibited behavior. School district action taken for violation of this policy will be consistent with the requirements of applicable collective bargaining agreements, applicable statutory authority, including the Minnesota Pupil Fair Dismissal Act, school district policies and regulations. 

6.0 Reprisal

6.1 The school district will discipline or take appropriate action against any student, teacher, administrator, volunteer, contractor or other employee of the school district who retaliates against any person who makes a good faith report of alleged hazing or against any person who testifies, assists or participates in an investigation, or against any person who testifies, assists or participates in a proceeding or hearing relating to such hazing. Retaliation includes, but is not limited to, any form of intimidation, reprisal or harassment.

7.0 Dissemination of Policy

7.1 This policy shall appear in each school’s student handbook and in each school’s building and staff handbooks.

Legal References:
Minn. Stat. § 121A.69 (Hazing Policy
Minn. Stat. § 121A.40 to 121A.56 (Pupil Fair Dismissal Act)

Adopted: 10/14/97
Reviewed: 12/19/17

It is important that students establish and maintain good attendance patterns while in school as all day/every day attendance is vital for success in school.  School attendance is required by Minnesota State law so we are required to monitor and report attendance concerns to the Ramsey County Family Truancy and Intervention Program.  

Sickness, doctor or dental appointments, and family emergencies are recognized as excused absences. 

If a student will be absent, please email us at edg-attendance@isd623.org or call the attendance line at 651-724-6296 BEFORE 9:30 a.m. in the morning. If school has not received a call or note, the health assistant will call your home or work number to follow up on your child’s absence. Upon returning to school after having been absent, students must bring a signed note from their parents to their teacher.

Students are responsible for making up missed schoolwork. Upon returning to school, students should ask their teacher(s) about assignments. Work usually needs to be made up within one week.

For planned absences such as a trip or a dental or doctor appointment, students are required to bring a written note from their parents to their teacher in advance of their absence.

Students are expected to be at school on time. If a student is late, the student must get a late slip from the office before going to the classroom. Please do not arrive at school before 9:15 a.m. The bell to be in classrooms rings at 9:25 a.m. Students are expected to be in their classrooms and ready to learn at 9:30 a.m. and no later than 9:35 a.m.

Truancy is absence from school without permission from the parent and school.  A student will be counted as truant when s/he does not come to school or leaves school grounds without permission. Truancy is a violation of Minnesota State law which requires compulsory attendance for youth between the ages of 7 and 16 (MN Stat. 120,110, Subd.1) and will be reported to the State Truancy program. If an absence is not reported to the school attendance line it is considered an unexcused absence.  

Students must be in school every day, all day.

Each school in Roseville Area Schools has a health office staffed by a health assistant under the supervision of the licensed school nurse. The school health office functions to support students who become ill or injured during the school day, administer medications to students who require it, and provide assistance to students who need support with the management of chronic health conditions at school.

You are encouraged to contact the licensed school nurse if your student has a chronic health condition requiring management during the school day, or if you have a question regarding your student’s health.

If your student becomes ill or seriously injured at school and it is necessary for them to go home, you or your designated emergency contact person will be contacted by the Health Office to pick up your student. Students who are 18 or older may sign themselves out at the discretion of school staff.

Please notify the school office immediately each time your phone numbers or emergency contact names/numbers change, or update them in ParentVue (CLICK HERE). We depend on you for this information and we need to be able to reach you quickly in case your student is ill or injured. If we cannot reach you or your emergency contacts, we may call 911 or contact the police. Students are not allowed to call parents from a classroom to request permission to go home. 

Not every health office visit will be reported home. You are encouraged to call your school health office with any questions.

The following will help you decide whether your child is too sick and should stay home from school.

• If your child has a fever of 100 degrees or more, they should stay home for 24 hours after the temperature returns to normal and remains normal without fever-reducing medication.
• If your child has vomited or has diarrhea, they should stay home until 24 hours after the last episode.
• If your child had any rash that may be disease-related or the cause is unknown, check with your healthcare provider before sending them back to school.

If your child is ill, please call the school to report the absence each day of the illness. If you have questions regarding your child's illness, please call your school nurse or healthcare provider.

For students with health conditions that require medication during the school day, parents/guardian-provided medication is administered by the licensed school nurse, or by the health assistant or other staff under the direction and supervision of the licensed school nurse. There is no school supply of medication.

For the protection of students, families, and school personnel:

• A new medication permission form is required each and every school year.
• All medications needed during the school day are stored in the health office. Medications required in other programs or outside the normal school day hours are stored in a secure location in that program’s area.
• If there are concerns about any student medication, the licensed school nurse may contact the health care provider and/or request a healthcare provider’s order for an over-the-counter medication.
• Medications prescribed for more than two (2) weeks and which must be taken at school must have the “Dispensation of Medication” form signed by the prescribing provider and the parent/guardian. For over the counter medications, a parent’s signature only is required.
• Medication prescribed for less than two (2) weeks requires written permission from the parent/guardian only.
• All medications must be in original containers labeled with all of the following: student’s full name, medication name, dose, and times of day to take medication.
• Students are not allowed to self-administer medication without approval from the licensed school nurse, parent/guardian approval, and health care provider signature (for prescription medication).
• At the end of the school year medications will be sent home with students unless otherwise indicated. Return of controlled medications (e.g. ADHD medications) will be coordinated with families. 

Parents/guardians are encouraged to contact the licensed school nurse at the child’s school to discuss any concerns or special needs, or to request assistance in obtaining required authorization from their healthcare provider.

Prescription and over-the-counter medications will be stored in a locked cabinet in the Health Office. Emergency medications (e.g., asthma inhalers, seizure medications, epinephrine pens) will be stored in an unlocked cabinet for easy access in the event of an emergency.

Roseville Area Schools are allergy aware and strive to provide a safe school environment for students with life threatening allergies. Please provide an anaphylaxis action plan each school year, or every 12 months. To plan accommodations specific to your student, please contact the Licensed School Nurse.

Minnesota law requires students to be immunized against certain diseases or have a signed, legal medical or conscientious exemption kept in the student health record. These requirements apply to all students whether they attend public schools, private schools, or home schools. Appropriate documentation must be provided to the school health office in order for the student to enroll or remain enrolled. If a parent or guardian objects to immunizations for either medical or personal reasons, a notarized statement is needed on the Student Immunization form. The notarized statement specifies the immunization(s) the child will not be receiving. Download the form here, or contact the health office for information about obtaining a medical or conscientious exemption.

Licensed school nurses conduct vision and hearing screening at school in alignment with the recommendations from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). Teachers may identify a student who appears to struggle to see and then can request that the student is screened. Parent/guardians may also contact their licensed school nurse and request screening for their child.

Schoolwide screening provided in select grades, as recommended by MDH, are a way to identify students who may need glasses. Students may also be screened as part of a school special education evaluation. Often individuals are not aware that they are struggling to see details at a distance, so screening is helpful to identify those who should follow up with their healthcare provider.

Health screenings that licensed school nurses can provide at school include: 

• Distance vision acuity
• Close vision acuity
• Spot Vision Screener that can identify several different vision conditions
• Eye muscle balance for lazy eye (amblyopia) (for preschool to grade 1)
• Color vision deficiency 
• Hearing

When a student’s ability to attend school is interrupted by major illness or injury, they may become eligible for homebound instruction when the length of absence is anticipated to be fifteen or more school days. The application for homebound instruction is made through the school nurse. Allotted time is one hour per day for each day missed. When students have an extended illness that does not qualify for homebound instruction, they may request homework from teachers through the nurse or student support services.

The PTA meetings are held once every other month at 6 p.m. on Mondays in the Edgerton Media Center. Please check the school calendar for specific PTA Meeting Dates. All committee reports are given at this time. There is also ample opportunity for discussion of old and new business and for the sharing of ideas on how to improve our PTA programs. All PTA members are invited to attend these meetings. Officers will be elected and the budget for the following year will be approved at the May meeting.

Parents are welcome and encouraged to visit school. As a courtesy to the teacher, a prior appointment is requested so as not to disrupt children in their learning environment. Visits to the classroom are limited and may need approval by the principal. If you would like to visit a classroom, please set it up directly with the child’s teacher or Principal Michael Schroeder.  

Safety and security are paramount concerns at Edgerton. Please note all visitors must sign in at the office and take and visibly wear a visitor sticker or badge.

Students should arrive at their stop no more than five minutes before the scheduled arrival of the bus. Students need to wait at the bus stop in a safe, courteous manner. 

Safety means staying out of the street and not playing games near traffic. Courtesy means being respectful of private property near the bus stop. Parents are responsible for their child’s behavior and safety, to and from the bus stop, prior to entering and immediately after exiting the bus.

Bus transportation is a privilege extended by the board of education; it is not a right. All students are required to obey bus conduct rules which are in place to protect the safety and well-being of all students. Failure to observe these rules may result in the loss of bus privileges.

If your child will be riding a different bus home from school, please send him/her with a note giving them permission to do so.

• Immediately follow the directions of the driver and patrols.
• Sit in your seat facing forward.
• Talk quietly and use appropriate language.
• Be safe: Do not throw any objects, do not stick your head or arms out the bus windows.
• Keep your arms, legs and belongings to yourself.
• Show respect for others (no fighting, harassment, intimidation or horseplay).
• Treat the bus with respect.
• No eating or drinking.
• Do not bring any weapons or dangerous objects on the bus.
• Obtain permission before riding on any bus to which you are not normally assigned.

Minnesota state law requires that school bus safety be taught in schools during the first weeks of school. The law also suggests that young students receive school bus safety training before they come to school the first day. As a parent, you are your child’s most influential teacher. We ask that you teach your child about school bus safety. The information below will help you explain to your child how to be safe on and around the bus. Spend some time with your child on these points. Explain the reasons why they are important, and go over them again three or four times on different days so that your child will have a safer bus ride when school starts.

Bus Safety Guidelines

• Be ready for the bus at the scheduled time. Bus times are set based on the streets that they run on and with a standard loading time. If a student is late to the stop, and the bus has to wait, the bus will be late to all the rest of the stops and to school. Bus riders who are late to stops often don’t act safely, and are in more danger than if they were ready on time.
• Wait until bus is stopped before moving toward the bus and getting on. Often students get anxious as the bus arrives, so they run forward while the bus is still moving. This is a dangerous practice because a student could slip or fall in front of the bus
• After getting on the bus, go to a seat, sit down and stay seated. Law requires that students be seated while the bus is moving. Students should sit down quickly so that the bus runs on time. If a student is standing when the bus is moving, he or she may get knocked down or around by the movement of the bus.
• Remain quiet on the bus, so you don’t distract the driver. While the bus is moving, kids often talk, and that is OK unless it gets too loud. When the bus is loud the driver can’t hear important things like sirens or train whistles, or can be distracted by having to pay attention to the kids and miss something important like a stoplight, or a car coming from another direction.
• Do what the driver tells you to do.  The driver is in charge of the bus, and sometimes has to tell students to be quiet, or to sit down, or to wait to get on or off the bus. The driver is trying to keep students safe and so kids should do what he or she says.
• Make sure that you get on the right bus – know your bus number. The bus that takes a student to school may be different than the bus that brings them home at the end of the day. 
• Be ready to get off the bus when it gets near your stop, don’t get out of your seat until the bus is stopped.  Many times young students get so involved in a conversation and forget to watch for their stop. This means that the student has to take time to gather their belongings before they get off the bus. Doing this makes other stops late.
• After getting off of the bus, move away from the bus. If you have to cross the street wait until the driver has placed the stop sign in position.