good news august-september 2011

8/6/2019 Good News August-September 2011

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Student/parent rightsin identifcation,evaluation, placement

The following is a description of student and parent rights granted byfederal law. The intent of the law is to keep you fully informed concerningdecisions about your child and to inform you of your rights if you disagreewith any of these decisions.

YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO:1. Have your child take part in, and receive benets from public educa-

tion programs without discrimination based on a disability.2. Have the school district advise you as to your rights under federal

law.3. Receive notice with respect to identication, evaluation, or placement

of your child.4. Have your child receive a free appropriate public education. This in-

cludes the right to be educated with other students to the maximum extentappropriate. It also includes the right to have the school district make rea-sonable accommodations to allow your child an equal opportunity to par-

ticipate in school and school-related activities.5. Have your child educated in facilities and receive services comparableto those provided students without disabilities.

6. Have your child receive special education and related services if she/he is found to be eligible under the Individuals with Disabilities EducationAct (IDEA) (PL 10 1 -476), or to receive reasonable accommodations underSection 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.

7. Have evaluation, educational, and placement decisions made basedupon a variety of information sources, and by individuals who know thestudent, the evaluation data and placement options.

8. Have transportation provided to a school placement setting at nogreater cost to you than would be incurred if the student were placed in aprogram operated by the school district.

9. Give your child an equal opportunity to participate in nonacademicand extracurricular activities offered by the school district.

10. Examine all relevant records relating to decisions regarding yourchilds identication, evaluation, educational program and placement.

11. Obtain copies of educational records at a reasonable cost if the feewould effectively deny you access to the records.

12. Receive a response from the school district to reasonable requestsfor explanations and interpretations of your childs records.

13. Request amendment of your childs educational records if there isreasonable cause to believe that they are inaccurate, misleading or other-wise in violation of the privacy rights of your child. If the school districtrefuses this request, it shall notify you within a reasonable time, and adviseyou of the right to a hearing.

14. Request mediation or an impartial due process hearing related to de-cisions regarding your childs identication, evaluation, educational pro-gram, or placement. You and your child may take part in the hearing andhave an attorney represent you.

15. Ask for payment of reasonable attorney fees if you are successful onyour claim.

16. File a local grievance.

The person in the school district who is responsible for section 504 com-pliance is: superintendent Joe Drake, 641-464-0500.

A Newsletter from the Mount Ayr Community School District. . . caring and working together to create excellence in a dynamic educational process for the global citizen.

Good NewsGood NewsAugust-September 2011

Many notices oered or new school yearFirst day orstudents Aug. 23

First day of school for the 2011-12year for Mount Ayr Community schooldistrict will be Tuesday, Aug. 23.

School pictures tobe taken Aug. 29

Individual pictures of all MountAyr Community school students willbe taken Monday, Aug. 29.

An opportunity will also be givenfor preschool children to have theirpictures taken at the same time. Thepreschool pictures will be taken from7:10 to 8:15 a.m. on the stage at theelementary gymnasium.

No school will beheld on Labor Day

There will be no classes in theMount Ayr Community school districtMonday, September 5, because of theLabor Day holiday.

Classes will resume Tues., Sept. 6.

Orientation setor elementary

An elementary meet-the-teacher-night and open house has been set forMonday, Aug. 22.

The session begins at 6:15 p.m. inthe elementary gym with a school-wide Title I meeting for all parents,followed by an open house from 6:30to 7:30 p.m. for students, parents andthe community.

Locker padlocks

available againPadlocks will be available for rentat the Mount Ayr Community highschool again this year for an afford-able rate.

Padlocks will cost $5 to rent for theyear and $3 will be returned to stu-dents when they return the padlock atthe end of the year.

Copy o curriculumobjectives available

Parents who would like a copy ofthe schools curriculum objectives cannotify the principals ofce with thechilds name, grade level, and subject

areas desired. Allow two weeks forprocessing.

Senior citizen passesavailable again

Once again the Mount Ayr Com-munity school district will be offer-ing senior citizens who are 65 or overand live in the Mount Ayr Communityschool district senior citizen passes.

This pass will be good for admis-sion to Mount Ayr Community athleticevents with the exception of any homedistrict or state athletic events.

No passes can be used for schoolmusicals.

Parents/guardians considering the use of the open enrollment option toenroll their children in another public school district in the state of Iowashould be aware of the following dates:

March 1, 2011 -- Last date for regular open enrollment requests for the2011-12 school year.

Open enrollment requests for entering kindergarten students and thosefalling under the good cause denition must be led by the Thursday be-fore September 1 of any given school year.

For further details, contact the school ofce.

Open enrollment notice to parents

Insurance animportant part onew school year

As families across the state be-gin making preparations for anotherschool year, the Iowa Department ofPublic Health is making every effortto put childrens health care coverage

at the top of families back-to-schoolchecklist - right up there with buyingschool supplies and new school shoes.Parents need to know that they canearn as much as $40,000 for a fam-ily of four and their children couldqualify for Hawk-I, (lowas StateChildrens Health Insurance Program)which provides low-cost or free healthinsurance.

According to statewide statistics,approximately 40,000 children in Iowado not have health care coverage. Andwithout insurance, these kids will faceobstacles in school that their peers sit-ting at the desks next to them may not.

The U. S. Department of Health andHuman Services reports that childrenwithout health care coverage are lesslikely to receive proper medical carefor sore throats, ear aches and asthma,the common childhood illnesses thatoften cause school absence. In fact,a Florida study found that uninsuredFlorida children are 25 percent morelikely to miss school than insuredchildren. Without health insurance,theres a large chance that health prob-lems will get in the way -- of their at-tendance, of their ability to focus andlearn, and in their likelihood of tryingout for sports and recreational activi-ties due to risk of injury.

Eligibility in the Hawk-I is basedon family size and household income.Benets include doctor visits, visionexams, hospital care, prescriptions,dental visits and emergencies. Formore information on the program, call1-800-257-8563 or visit the website atwww.hawk-i.org.

Season ticketsavailable again

This year we are offering a stu-dent athletic pass for all sports eventsthroughout the year for $35.

Adult season tickets will be avail-able for several of the sports seasonthis year as well.

These tickets provide a conve-nience for those attending events regu-larly as well as a savings on admissionthroughout the course of the season.

Seasons include football, volley-ball, basketball, softball and baseball.

Please call the high school ofceat 464-0512 before the beginning ofeach sports season to get pricing in-formation for the season passes.

Passes may not be used for invita-tional tournaments nor state sponsored

tournaments.


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Homeless Education Services availableHello, I want to take this time to introduce myself. My name is Kris Quick

and I will be serving as the homeless liaison for the Mount Ayr Communityschool district during the 2011-12 school year.

Each year we ask the community to help us in identifying students thatmay require extra support or help from the school or school personnel dueto their homelessness.

The denition of homeless is anyone who, due to lack of housing,lives:

--DOUBLED UP. A child that lives with relatives or friends due to aloss of housing due to disasters, lack of employment, parents will not allowthe child to live at home, or other similar situations.

-- SHELTER/TRANSITIONALLY HOUSED. Children who areplaced by the state or have individually or as a family have accessed and/orare living in a public or private shelter or transitional housing project on atemporary basis.

-- UNSHELTERED. Children living in cars, parks, public spaces,

abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similarsituations of public and places not ordinarily used as a regular sleeping ac-commodation for human beings.

-- OTHER. Abandoned children temporarily housed by hospitals,YMCAs or organizations.

What homeless families need to know.-- Homeless children have a right to attend school.-- Homeless children have the right to stay in their home school if

the parents choose.-- Your child can not be denied school enrollment just because school

records or other documentation are not immediately available.-- Your child has the right to transportation services to and form the

school of origin.-- Your child has the right to participate in extracurricular activities

and all federal, state or local programs for which he/she is eligible.If you know of anyone that would qualify under this denition, please

contact me at school at the following number -- 641-464-0515.

Dear Parent/Guardian:Children need healthy meals to learn.

The Mount Ayr Community School Dis-trict offers healthy meals every school day.Breakfast costs $1.25 a day for elementaryage students and $1.40 a day for secondaryschool students. Lunch costs $1.75 per dayfor elementary students and $1.85 a dayfor secondary students. Your child(ren)may qualify for free meals or for reduced

price meals. Reduced meal prices are 30cents for breakfast and 40 cents for lunch.1. Do I need to ll out an application

for each child? No. Complete the IowaEligibility Application for your householdwith all children (except foster children)listed. We cannot approve an applicationthat is not complete, so be sure to ll outall required information. Return the com-pleted application to: Mount Ayr Commu-nity Schools, 1001 E. Columbus, MountAyr, IA 50854, Phone 641-464-0532.

2. Who can get free meals? Childrenin households getting Food Assistance orFIP and most foster children can get freemeals regardless of household income.Children enrolled in Head Start can getfree meals regardless of income. Also,your children can get free meals if yourhousehold income is within the free lim-

its on the Federal Income Guidelines.3. Can foster children get free meals?Yes, foster children that are under the

legal responsibiity of a foster care agen-cy or court are eligible for free meals.Any foster child in the household is eli-gible for free meals regardless of income.

4. Who can get free milk? If yourschool participates in the Special MilkProgram for half day kindergarteners, yourkindergarten child may be eligible for freemilk. Children who buy extra milk witha meal or if they have an afternoon milkbreak are not eligible to receive free milk.

5. Can homeless, runaway and mi-grant children get free meals? Yes. Pleasecall Sue Larsen at 641-464-0515 to see ifyour child(ren) qualies, if you have notbeen informed that they will get free meals.

6. Who can get reduced price

meals? Your child(ren) can get lowcost meals if your household incomeis within the reduced price limits onthe Federal Income Chart on this page.

7. I currently receive Food Assis-tance or Family Investment Program(FIP) benets. Do I need to ll out anapplication? Perhaps. School enrollmentrecords have been compared to recordsfrom the Department of Human Servicesto identify children who are members ofhouseholds receiving Food Assistance orFIP benets. If ANY of your child(ren) areidentied during this process all your chil-dren will be directly certied as eligible toreceive free meal benets and you will benotied of their eligibility by the school.Parents need to do nothing more for their

Free, reduced price meal policy explainedchildren to receive free meal benets.

Some eligible children may not be iden-tied in this process. Households withchildren who were not identied shouldreceive a letter of direct certication fromDHS. Children on these letters will re-ceive free meal benets only if parentsprovide the letter to the school. Instruc-tions to parents are included on the letter.

If you receive a notice from EI-THER THE SCHOOL OR DHS thatonly SOME of your children are eligiblebecause of direct certication, CON-TACT THE SCHOOL. You may needto complete an application for the chil-dren who were not identied or provideadditional information to the school.

8. What if my income is not al-ways the same? List the amount thatyou normally get. For example, if younormally get $1000 each month, butyou missed some work last month andonly got $900, put down that you get$1000 per month. If you normally getovertime, include it, but do not includeovertime if you get it only sometimes.

9. Will the information I give bechecked? Yes, we may ask you to sendwritten proof. You are not required toprovide proof with your application.

10. If I dont qualify now, may Iapply later? Yes. You may apply atany time during the school year if yourhousehold size goes up, income goesdown, or if you start getting Food As-sistance, FIP, or other benets. If youlose your job, your children may beable to get free or reduced price meals.

11. What if I disagree with the schoolsdecision about my application? Youshould talk to school ofcials. You alsomay ask for a hearing by calling or writ-ing to: Superintendent Joe Drake, MountAyr Community Schools, 1001 E. Colum-bus, Mount Ayr, IA 50854, 641-464-0500.

12. May I apply if someone inmy household is not a U.S. citi-zen? Yes. You or your child(ren) donot have to be U.S. citizens to qual-ify for free or reduced price meals.

13. Who should I include as membersof my household? You must include allpeople living in your household, relatedor not (such as grandparents, other rela-tives, or friends), who share income andexpenses. You must include yourself andall children who live with you. House-holds with foster or non-foster childrenmy choose to include the foster child asa household member, as well as any per-sonal income earned by the foster child.

14. I get WIC. Can my child(ren)get free meals? Children in house-holds participating in WIC may beeligible for free or reduced pricemeals. Please ll out an application.

15. We are in the military; do weinclude our housing allowance as in-

General education interventionsAs part of its general education programming, Mount Ayr Community School District

provides general education interventions to any and all students who require them.These interventions are provided in an attempt to assist your child in being as success-ful as possible in school. Professionals from Green Valley Area Education Agency 14who serve our district assist in developing and implementing these interventions. Theseprofessionals work collaboratively with your childs teacher to resolve difculties your

child is experiencing.

School district use o student recordsThe Mount Ayr Community School may release information regarding the students

in our schools. However, any student over the age of eighteen (18), parent or guardiannot desiring this information be released to the public must make an objection in writingwithin fteen (15) days of the date of this publication and within 15 days of enrollmentshould enrollment occur after that date, to the principal of their building.

The application for non-release should be made annually. Some of the informationmay be released to community organizations, churches, etc. or to the United States mili-tary, colleges and universities for their use in recruiting.

The information may consist of the following student records only:Name, address, telephone listing, date and place of birth, major eld of study, par-

ticipation in activities, sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, dates ofattendance, degrees and awards received, the most recent previous school or institutionattended by the student and other similar information.

No private information will be released to the general public or to institutions without

written permission.

News Bries

House-holdSize

REDUCED PRICE MEAlS

1

2

3

45

6

7

8For each

additional

family mem-

ber add:

20,147

27,214

34,281

41,34848,415

55,482

62,549

69,66

+7,067

1,679

2,268

2,857

3,4464,035

4,624

5,213

5,802

+589

840

1,134

1,429

1,7232,018

2,312

2,607

2,901

+295

775

1,047

1,319

1,5911,863

2,134

2,406

2,678

+272

388

524

660

796932

1,067

1,203

1,339

+136

Yearly MonthlyTwice

A MonthEvery

Two Weeks Weekly

come? If your housing is part of theMilitary Housing Privatization Initia-tive, do not include your housing allow-ance as income. All other allowancesmust be included in your gross income.There are currently no active MilitaryHousing Projects in Iowa. For a list-ing of the Military Housing Projects bystate visit the following web site: http://www.acq.osd.mil/housing/mhpi.htm.

16. What other benets might I beeligible for? Your child may be eligiblefor other benets including hawk-i (chil-drens health insurance) or for a waiverof school fees. Read the information onthe back of the Iowa Eligibility Applica-tion for hawk-i information. A school fee

Households: Your children mayqualify for free or reduced price mealsif your household income falls withinthe limits on this chart.

Privacy Act Statement: This ex-plains how we will use the informa-tion you give us.

The Richard B. Russell NationalSchool Lunch Act requires the infor-mation on this application. You do nothave to give the information, but if youdo not, we cannot approve your child

for free or reduced price meals. Youmust include the social security num-ber of the adult household memberwho signs the application. The socialsecurity number is not required when

you apply on behalf of a foster childor if you list a Food Assistance num-ber, or Family Investment Programnumber, or when you indicate that the

adult household member signing theapplication does not have a social se-curity number. We will use your infor-mation to determine if your child is el-igible for free or reduced price meals

waiver form is available from your school.17. Can children with disabilities get

food substitutions? If a child has a dis-ability, as determined by a licensed physi-cian, and the disability prevents the childfrom eating the regular school meal, theschool will make substitutions prescribedby the licensed physician. If a substitu-tion is needed, there will be no extracharge for the meal. Please note, however,that the school is not required to make asubstitution for a food allergy, unless itmeets the denition of disability. Pleasecall the school for further information.

18. Income Guidelines effective July1, 2011.

If you have other questionsor need help, call 641-464-0532.

and for administration and enforce-ment of the lunch and breakfast pro-grams. We MAY share your eligibilityinformation with education, health,

and nutrition programs to help themevaluate, fund, or determine benets for their programs, auditors for pro-gram reviews, and law enforcementofcials to help them look into viola-tions of program rules.

Non-discrimination Statement:This explains what to do if you believe

you have been treated unfairly. In ac-cordance with Federal law and U.S.

Department of Agriculture policy, thisinstitution is prohibited from discrimi-nating on the basis of race, color, na-tional origin, sex, age, or disability.To le a complaint of discrimination,write to USDA, Director, Ofce of Civ-

il Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue,SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, orcall (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202)720-6382 (TTY). USDA is an equalopportunity provider and employer.


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The Mount Ayr Community SchoolDistrict shall provide equal opportunityto employees and applicants for employ-ment in accordance with applicable equalemployment opportunity and afrmativeaction laws, directive and afrmative ac-tion laws, and directives and regulations offederal, state and local school boards.

Opportunity to all employees and ap-plicants for employment includes hiring,

placement, upgrading, transfer or demo-tion, recruitment, solicitation for employ-ment, treatment during employment, ratesof pay or other terms of compensation, andlay-off or termination.

The school district shall take afrma-tive action in major job categories wherewomen, men, minorities and persons withdisabilities are under represented. Employ-ees shall be given notice of this policy an-

nually.Individuals who le application with the

school district will be given considerationfor employment if they meet or exceed thequalications set by the board, adminis-tration and the Iowa Department of Edu-cation for the class or position for whichthey apply. In employing individuals, theboard shall consider the qualications, cre-dentials and records of the applicants with-

out regard to race, color, national origin,gender (sex), sexual orientation, genderidentity, marital status, socioeconomic sta-tus, disability, religion or creed. In keepingwith the law, the board shall consider theveteran status of applicants.

Inquiries by employees or applicantsfor employment regarding compliancewith equal opportunity and afrmative ac-tion laws and policies, including but not

limited to complaints and discriminationshall be directed to the Afrmative Ac-tion Coordinator, Mount Ayr CommunitySchools, Joe Drake, 1001 E. ColumbusStreet, Mount Ayr, Iowa 50854 or by phon-ing 464-0554.

Inquiries may also be directed to theDirector of Region VII Ofce of CivilRights, U. S. Department of Education,310 W. Wisconsin Ave., Suite 800, Mil-

waukee, Wisconsin 53203-2292, telephone414-291-1111 or the Iowa Civil RightsCommission, 211 E. Maple, Des Moines,Iowa 50309, telephone 515-281-4121. Thisinquiry or complaint to the federal ofcemay be done instead of or in addition to aninquiry or complaint at the local level. Fur-ther information and copies of the proce-dures for ling a complaint are available inthe school districts administrative ofces.

District has equal opportunity policy School closingnotifcation

From time to time during thewinter, weather problems will causeschool to begin later in the day, becancelled, or be dismissed early.

Emergency school closings willbe broadcast on the following televi-sion and radio stations:

WHO radio (1040-AM), KSIB ra-dio (1420-AM), KAAN (95.5 FM),KCCI-TV (Channel 8), WOI-TV(Channel 5) and WHO-TV (Channel13). Stations will be notied before7:00 a.m. of delays or cancellations.

The district has also teamed withSNOWCAP to deliver school an-nouncements by text or email.

Registering is simple. Visit thedistrict website at http://www.mtayrschools.org, nd the SNOW-CAP logo and click. Fill out the con-tact information. Complete the regis-tration by following the instructionsthat will be sent to each contact. Call712-202-1574 for questions or help.

Meal prices in the Mount Ayr Commu-nity school district have been announcedfor the 2010-11 school year.

Breakfast prices for K-6 students willbe $1.25 and for 7-12 students will cost$1.40. Reduced price breakfasts will be30 cents. Adult breakfasts will be $2.00.

Lunch prices for K-6 students will be$1.75 and prices for 7-12 students will be$1.85. Reduced price lunches will be 40cents. Adult price for lunch will be $3.00.

Afternoon milk or juice will be $8 permonth.

Please note that if a lunch and/orbreakfast account goes over a $25 limit,students will be given only a peanut butter

sandwich and milk in lieu of their regularmeal.

School meal

prices reported

Postsecondary enrollment optionThe Postsecondary Enrollment Act allows 11th and 12th

grade students to enroll part time at an eligible community col-lege, state university or private college or university. The act hasa dual purpose: to promote rigorous educational pursuits and toprovide a wide variety of options for secondary students.

For public school students, the students high school pays thecollege or university for the cost of tuition, textbooks, materialsand fees up to $250. Costs beyond $250 are paid by the studentor the family. Transportation is not provided within this Iowalegislation.

Students are encouraged to inquire with the school principal,Ken Harrison, or counselor, John Larsen, telephone 464-0531regarding this program.

Proessional qualifcations o teachersIn compliance with the requirements of the No Child Left Be-

hind statute, the Mount Ayr Community School District informsparents that you may request information about the professionalqualications of your child(ren)s teachers. The following in-

formation may be requested: 1) certication; 2) college major/graduate certication or degree held by the teacher; 3) qualica-

tions of the paraprofessional, if paraprofessional services areprovided.

If you wish to request information concerning yourchild(ren)s teachers qualications, please contact Superin-

tendent Joe Drake, 1001 E. Columbus, Mount Ayr, IA 500854,phone 464-0500.

Special Education servicesavailable in MAC school district

Kris Quick is serving as the Mount Ayr Community schooldistricts Special Education Coordinator.

If you have a child with special education needs and youneed assistance, please let her know. Her phone number is641-464-0515.

Special Education ServicesChildren with special needs between the ages of 2 and 21

are eligible to receive a free, appropriate education providedthrough the public school system.

Children with some disabilities are eligible for servicesfrom birth. Parents who believe their child may be eligible,should request an educational evaluation by contacting theirchilds school district or Area Education Agency.

News Bries


4/4

News BriesThe Board of Education recog-

nizes the need for some students totake medication during school hours.Medication can be administered byauthorized school personnel under thefollowing conditions and procedures:

1) All prescription drugs to be dis-pensed by school personnel can onlybe performed under the written order

of a physician, designated by the par-ent or guardian.

2) All prescription drugs acceptedby school personnel for dispensationduring school hours shall be accompa-nied by a signed medication permis-sion form (607.E)

3) The amount of medication storedon school premises shall not exceedone months supply of dosage to bedispensed during school hours.

4) All medication for each childto be dispensed by school personnel

shall be maintained in an appropriatemedical container.

5) All mediation shall be stored ina locked cabinet or desk drawer andeffective controls shall be maintainedby school personnel to guard againstinappropriate use by the student, otherstudents or staff.

6) All medication may be dispensed

by either the school nurse or a traineddesignee, with preference for the uti-lization of the school nurse wheneverpossible. A record of daily dispensa-tion must be maintained.

7) The school shall not be responsi-ble for monitoring the usage of medi-cation by a child during school hourswhen the student carries and self-ad-ministers his or her own medication.

For information, check with theschool nurse, Stacey Andresen.

Medication procedure told orstudents in MAC school district

Guidelines or reporting abuseTo ensure the safety of students, the Board of Education has appointed a lev-

el one investigator, Stacey Andresen, R.N. at the high school and elementaryschool (alternate is Joe Drake, superintendent) and a level two investigator, Sher-iff Mike Sobotka, to comply with requirements of the Iowa Administrative Code,in the event of student abuse by a school employee.

Stacey Andresen may be reached at 464-0546 (elementary building) and 464-

0533 (high school building).

More specifc inormation availableabout school curriculum or parents

The Mount Ayr Community School District will provide information on allcurriculum to parents and guardians. If you have questions on curriculum con-tent on Human Growth and Development, or any other segment of the schoolcurriculum, please contact the school principal for information.

All parents are free to discuss or inspect instructional materials priorto their use in our classrooms. Parents may request their child be excused fromcertain classroom activities.

7-12Nurse

464-0533

BusGarage

464-0534

7-12Principal464-0510

K-6Nurse

464-0546

K-6Principal464-0539

ElementaryCounselor464-0541

High SchoolCounselor464-0532

Supt. ofSchools

464-0500

TransportationDirector464-0502

Special Ed.Coordinator

464-0554

PressBox

464-0535

good news august-september 2011

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