Official Information & Policies

Acceptable Apparel Policy

Iowa’s educational standards (Iowa code section 256.11, 1987 supplement) require that students from grades one through twelve be taught about the effects of alcohol, tobacco, drugs and poisons on the human body as part of their health and physical education.  Any message depicting the use of alcohol, tobacco or drugs runs counter to our educational mission.  Likewise, to maintain appropriate community standards of decency, any apparel bearing a sexually explicit message will be treated in the same manner.

Dress and personal appearance should be safe, healthful and not interfere with or distract from the educational process.  Any written material which advertises a service not permitted to minors will be discouraged.  In addition, no obscene, vulgar material or pictures on any clothing will be allowed.  Such materials include, but are not limited to, buttons, badges, t-shirts or other such clothing.  Hats, stocking caps, sweatshirt hoods, or bandannas may not be worn in school after classes start.  Clothing must cover all undergarments and midriffs.  Also, backs need to be covered.  Spaghetti straps and shoulderless tops are not allowed.

Abuse of these rules may result in detention or suspension.  These rules apply for all areas of school activities including P.E., lunch and athletic practices.  IF IN DOUBT, DON’T WEAR IT!!!

Asbestos Information

The High School was a new building in 2009.  Even though the High School in Parkersburg and the building in Aplington are both asbestos-free, Asbestos Program Coordinators are assigned to the District.  Paul Watters (319+404-8837) is the Coordinator.

The Parkersburg Elementary building is on the AHERA three-year asbestos reinspection scheduled.  Asbestos surveillance inspections are made every six months between reinspections.  No major repair or removal projects are planned for the upcoming school year.  Only small-scale response actions will be conducted if needed.

For information regarding prior and future response activities, removal projects or general asbestos-related information for the Aplington-Parkersburg Community School District, contact Paul Watters or review the Asbestos Management Plan located in each school building’s main office.

Attendance

Regular attendance is VITAL for the best education of your child.  Parents are urged to cooperate with the school for promotion of regular attendance; however, we do not want your child to attend school when he/she is ill or has definite symptoms of illness. 

Reminder of Attendance Policy for

Aplington-Parkersburg High School

Absences due to medical appointments:

This school year for a student to have an excused absence and be eligible for competition, they must bring a note from a doctor.  A parent CANNOT just call in and say their son/daughter has an appointment. 

Also, if a student misses 5 consecutive days of school for illness, a doctor’s note will need to accompany the student upon their return to class. 

If a parent calls the school and informs the office that their son/daughter is running late, that does not make it an excused absence. It will remain a tardy unless there is a reason the administration feels is reasonable.

Child Abuse

Physical abuse is a non-accidental physical injury that leaves a mark at least 24 hours after the incident.  While employees cannot use physical force to discipline a student, there are times when the use of physical force is appropriate.  The times when physical force is appropriate include, but are not limited to, times when it is necessary to stop a disturbance, to obtain a weapon or other dangerous object, for purposes of self-defense or to protect the safety of others, to remove a disruptive student, to protect others from harm, for the protection of property, or to protect a student from self-infliction of harm.

All teachers, administrators, and employees of this district are, by law, considered mandatory reporters of child abuse that occurs in the home environment.  The three definitions of child abuse are namely:  Physical abuse, Sexual abuse, and Neglect, and are directed to the “person responsible for the care of a child.”

For alleged child abuse by school personnel, the building principal is the initial investigator, and the alternate is the Superintendent.  Mandatory reporters are reminded that pursuant to Chapter 232 of the Iowa Code (Juvenile Justice), any oral report of suspected child abuse must be followed by a written report to the Department of Social Services within 48 hours.

All teachers must have on file within six months of initial employment a certificate of child abuse reporting training.

In compliance with the child abuse policy passed by the State Board of Education, the school designates the following investigators of physical and sexual abuse of students by school employees:

1.  Primary Investigator will be the building principals: 

    Aaron Thomas, A-P Secondary Principal, 610 N Johnson, Parkersburg, IA 50665 (319) 346-1571

    Amy May, Elementary Principal, 602 Lincoln Street, Parkersburg, IA 50665 (319) 346-2446

    Brian Buseman, Middle School Principal, 215 10th Street, Aplington, IA 50604 (319) 347-6621.

2.  Alternate Investigator will be the Superintendent, 610 N Johnson, Parkersburg, IA 50665 (319) 346-1571

ANTI-BULLYING / HARASSMENT

Harassment, bullying and abuse are violations of school district policies, rules and regulations and, in some cases, may also be a violation of criminal or other laws.  The school district has the authority to report students violating this rule to law enforcement officials.

Students who feel that they have been harassed or bullied should:

1. Communicate to the harasser or bully that the student expects the behavior to stop, if the student is comfortable doing so.  If the student needs assistance communicating with the harasser or bully, the student should ask a teacher, counselor or principal to help.

2.  If the harassment or bullying does not stop, or the student does not feel comfortable confronting the harasser or bully, the student should:

a. Tell a teacher, counselor or principal; and

b. Write down exactly what happened, keep a copy and give another copy to the teacher, counselor or principal including;

1. What, when and where it happened;

2. Who was involved;

3. Exactly what was said or what the harasser or bully did;

4. Witnesses to the harassment or bullying;

5. What the student said or did, either at the time or later;

6. How the student felt; and

7. How the harasser or bullying responded.

Sexual harassment may include unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature.  Harassment or bullying on the basis or age, color, creed, national origin, race, religion, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical attributes, physical or mental ability or disability, ancestry, political party preference, political belief, socioeconomic status or familial status includes conduct of a verbal or physical nature that is designed to embarrass, distress, agitate, disturb or trouble persons when:

1. places the student in reasonable fear of harm to the student’s person or property;

2. has a substantially detrimental effect on the student’s physical or mental health;

3. as the effect of substantially interfering with the student’s academic performance; or 

4. has the effect of substantially interfering with the student’s ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities, or privileges provided by a school.

Sexual harassment includes, but is not limited to:

1. verbal, physical or written harassment or abuse;

2. pressure for sexual activity;

3. repeated remarks to a person with sexual or demeaning implications; and

4. suggesting or demanding sexual involvement, accompanied by implied or explicit threats.

Harassment or bullying based upon factors other than sex includes, but is not limited to:

1. Verbal, physical, or written harassment or abuse;

2. Repeated remarks of a demeaning nature;

3. Implied or explicit threats concerning one's grades, job, etc;

4. Demeaning jokes, stories or activities.

5. Unreasonable interference with a student’s performance or creation of an intimidating, offensive or hostile learning environment.

Latex-Safe Schools

At Aplington-Parkersburg Schools, we strive to provide a safe environment for our students, visitors and staff.  With that goal in mind, we continue to take steps to reduce the use of latex which can cause serious allergic reactions for some people.  We need your help.  Please do not send or bring any school supplies that are made of latex.  Also do not bring or send traditional rubber (latex) balloons.  We are unable to have them at our schools.  As an alternative, we suggest Mylar balloons which are latex free.

Human Growth & Development

The school district provides students with instruction in human growth and development.  Parents may review the human growth and development curriculum prior to its use and have their child excused from human growth and development instruction.  Parents should contact the principal if they wish to review the curriculum or to excuse their child from human growth and development instruction.

Nondiscrimination Notification

It is the policy of the Aplington-Parkersburg Community School District not to illegally discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, disability, religion, creed, age (for employment), marital status (for programs), sexual orientation, gender identity and socioeconomic status (for programs) in its educational programs and its employment practices.  There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination.  If you have questions or a grievance related to this policy please contact the District’s Equity Coordinator:  Robert Hughes.  He may be contacted at 610 N. Johnson Street, Parkersburg, IA  50665, jon.thompson@a-pcsd.net, or at (319) 346-1571,  if you need to discuss any of these matters. 

Telephones

Office phones are for approved school business only.  There is a phone in the office that can be used with permission from office personnel.  A reminder that if a student is ill and wants to go home, they need to come to the office.  The office will contact the parent/guardian/emergency person for permission for the student to leave.

Cell Phones

At the high school students are allowed to check their cell phones between passing periods and also during lunch.  Cell phones and other electronic devices will be confiscated and turned into the office when:

1) a device disrupts class in any way.  NO electronic devices should be used during a class period without the teacher notifying the students.

2) a student has headphones in without permission during a class period

3) a student is on their phone without permission during a class period 

Consequences for improper use: On the first offense, these items will be confiscated and turned in to the principal’s office.  Following a meeting with the principal or the principal’s designee, the student’s phone will be returned.  A second offense will require the parent/guardian to meet with the principal or the principal’s designee before item(s) will be returned to the student.  If further violations occur, the student’s parents will be notified by administration, and a plan will be developed to correct the situation.

  The following are strictly prohibited and will result in immediate confiscation of the item(s) and will require the student’s parents/guardians to meet with the principal or principal’s designee in order to retrieve the confiscated item(s):

1.      students possessing or bringing a laser pointer on to school grounds

2.      students using cell phones or cameras in the locker rooms or restrooms

Refusal to turn items over to a staff member will result in a half-hour detention.

Students are discouraged from bringing expensive electronic devices to school, as the District assumes no responsibility for lost or stolen items.

Records

The Aplington-Parkersburg Community School District adheres to the following statements in the management of educational records:

1.   Students’ parents and eligible students have the right to inspect and review a student’s records.

2.  The Aplington-Parkersburg Community School District will limit the disclosure of information contained in a student’s educational records except under the following conditions:

        a.  by prior written consent of the student’s parents or the eligible student

        b. as directory information that the parent or eligible student has not prohibited from disclosure

        c.  under certain limited circumstances permitted by the  “Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act” (FERPA)

3.  The student’s parent or eligible student has the right to seek to correct parts of the student’s educational record which he or she believes to be inaccurate, misleading or in violation of student rights.  This includes the right to a hearing to present evidence that the record should be changed.

A student record is anything concerning the instruction, guidance or educational progress of a student which is maintained in any medium including, but not limited to, written, print, film, or tape for others to see or hear.  A student record is distinguished from personal professional working note in that the latter two are intended for use by the collector only.

Post Secondary Enrollment Option

Students in grades 9 - 12 may receive class or vocational-technical credits that count toward graduation requirements for successfully completed courses at community colleges, private college or state universities.

The school district may pay up to $250 of the cost of a course taken by 9th and 10th grade talented and gifted students and 11th and 12th grade students.  The school district pays only for courses which are not offered by the high school and which are offered during the regular school year by the community college, private college or state university.  The school district does not pay for the costs of summer school classes; however, summer school classes are eligible for credit.  The student must provide his/her own transportation. There is a $35 book rental fee per PSEO/Concurrent Enrollment Course.

Students who fail the course or fail to receive credit in the course paid for by the school district must reimburse the school district for all costs directly related to the course.  Prior to enrolling in a course, students age 18 or over or the parents of students under age 18 shall sign a form indicating they are responsible for the costs of the course should the student fail the course or fail to receive credit for the course.  The school district may waive the cost of the course for students who fail the course for reasons beyond their control, including, but not limited to, the student incapacity, death in the family or a move to another school district.

Students interested in participating in this program should contact the high school counselor.

Open Enrollment Notification Requirements

Iowa's open enrollment law allows students residing in one school district to request transfer to another school district upon the parents' request.  Students wishing to open enroll to another school district must apply for open enrollment by March 1 of the school year preceding the school year in which they wish to open enroll. Students interested in open enrolling out of the school district must contact the Superintendent for information and forms.

Parent/guardians considering the use of the open enrollment option to enroll their child/ren in another public school district in the state of Iowa should be aware of the following dates: March 1, 2024 - last date for regular open enrollment request for the 2024-2025 school year. 

 The deadline for kindergarten students open enrolling is Sept. 1 of the year they want the open enrollment.

Parents/guardians of open enrolled students whose income falls within current federal poverty guidelines are eligible for transportation assistance. This may be in the form of actual transportation or in the form of a cash stipend.

Parents/guardians should be aware that open enrollment may result in the loss of athletic eligibility.

Authorization For Releasing Student Directory Information

    The Aplington-Parkersburg Community School District has adopted a policy to assure parents and students the full implementation, protection and enjoyment of their rights under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA).  A copy of the school district’s policy is available for review in the office of the principal of all of our schools.

  This law requires the school district to designate as “directory information” any personally identifiable information taken from a student’s educational records prior to making such information available to the public.

  The school district has designated the following information as directory information:

•  student’s name, address and telephone number, date and place of birth

•  e-mail address, grade level, enrollment status, major field of study, participation in officially recognized activities and sports

•  weight and height of members of athletic teams

•  dates of attendance, degrees and awards received and the most recent previous educational institution attended by the student

•  photograph and other likeness and other similar information.

  You have the right to refuse the designation of any or all the categories of personally identifiable information as directory information with respect to your student provided that you notify the school district in writing no later that September 1 of each school year. 

 If you desire to make such a refusal, please complete and return the slip below.

If you have no objection to the use of student information, you do not need to take any action.