Notifications

Alternative Programs

The purpose of this policy is to recognize the need for alternative education programs for some school district students.

Animals In School

Under controlled conditions and for limited purposes, the Byron Public Schools sanctions the presence and use of animals in schools and classrooms. Please review the 625 and 625.1 policies for further information.

Asbestos Notice

As a result of recent federal legislation, each elementary, middle and secondary school in the nation is required to complete a stringent new inspection for asbestos and to develop a plan of management for all asbestos-containing building materials. Byron Public Schools are in full compliance with this law and are following the spirit as well as the letter of the law. As a matter of policy, Byron Public Schools shall continue to maintain a safe and healthful environment for our community’s youth and employees.

A concern has been raised that, with time, asbestos-containing materials could break down and allow particles to enter the air. Because heavy exposure to asbestos particles has been linked to some cancers, an earlier federal law was passed requiring school districts to identify areas in which materials containing friable asbestos were used. More recent legislation (AHERA) requires identification of ALL asbestos-containing materials and a plan to manage those materials.

In keeping with the new legislation, all buildings (including portables and support buildings) owned or leased by the school were inspected by EPA accredited inspectors and samples were analyzed by an independent laboratory. Based on the inspection, the school prepared and the state recently approved a comprehensive management plan for handling the asbestos located within its buildings safely and responsibly.

Federal law requires a periodic walkthrough (called “surveillance”) every six months of each area containing asbestos. Also, the law requires all buildings to be re-inspected three years after a management plan is in effect. This will be accomplished under contract. Short-term workers (outside contractors i.e. telephone repair workers, electricians and exterminators) must be provided information regarding the location of asbestos they may come into contact. All short-term workers shall contact the Superintendent for this information before commencing work.

Byron Public Schools has a list of the location(s), type(s) of asbestos-containing materials found in each school building and a description and timetable for their proper management. Asbestos does not present a hazard if it is properly maintained. In 1988, all ISD 531 school buildings were inspected by accredited personnel for asbestos-containing materials. Since then, the district has conducted surveillance checks every six months and re-inspected buildings every three years as required to ensure that asbestos is property maintained.

Except for floor tile, most of the asbestos in the district is limited to non-public areas such as mechanical rooms and above ceilings. ISD 531 has limited its asbestos removal to areas where renovation or maintenance activities are planned. Management plans are on file and available for review in each building that has asbestos-containing materials. Questions regarding this notice should be directed to the Facilities Maintenance Manager at 507-624-0346.

Attendance

Regular school attendance is directly related to success in academic work, benefits students socially, provides opportunities for important communications between teachers and students, and establishes regular habits of dependability. For detailed information, see the “Student Attendance” policy.

Bully Prohibition

The school district is committed to providing a safe and respectful learning environment for all students. Acts of bullying, in any form, by either an individual student or a group of students, are prohibited on school district property, at school-related functions or activities, on school transportation, and by misuse of technology. For detailed information, see the school district’s “Bullying Prohibition” policy

• Bully Tipline

Bus Conduct

Riding the school bus is a privilege, not a right. The school district’s general student behavior rules are in effect for all students on school buses, including nonpublic and charter school students. The school district will not provide transportation for students whose transportation privileges have been revoked.

The school district is committed to transporting students in a safe and orderly manner. To accomplish this, student riders are expected to follow school district rules for waiting at a school bus stop and for riding on a school bus. Please review more complete transportation details here and policy.

Canine Searches

Byron Public Schools has teamed with the Olmsted County Sheriff’s Department to use canine drug dogs at various times during the school year. This is a proactive effort to promote a safe and drug-free environment in middle school and high school. We hope to never find any contraband and that our efforts at prevention will discourage prohibited items from coming onto campus.

The search will be used to detect potential drugs in school buildings and on school grounds, including parking lots. When the search is on school grounds, any school building that is on said grounds may be limit movement within the building of staff and students. We expect this process to cause a minimal distraction to the learning environment as instruction will continue.

If the presence of drugs is detected the school will conduct the investigation and issue any consequences in accordance with the school boards’ policies and procedures. Please review the policy for more detailed information.

Discipline

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that students are aware of and comply with the school district’s expectations for student conduct. Such compliance will enhance the school district’s ability to maintain discipline and ensure that there is no interference with the educational process. The school district will take appropriate disciplinary action when students fail to adhere to the Code of Student Conduct established by this policy.

Distribution of Non-school-Sponsored Materials on School Premises

The school district recognizes that students and employees have the right to express themselves on school property. This protection includes distributing non-school-sponsored material, subject to school district regulations and procedures, at a reasonable time and place and in a reasonable manner. For detailed information, see the complete “Distribution of Non-school-Sponsored Materials on School Premises by Students and Employees” policy.

Employment Background Checks

The purpose of this policy is to maintain a safe and healthful environment in the school district in order to promote the physical, social, and psychological well-being of its students. To that end, the school district will seek a criminal history background check for applicants who receive an offer of employment with the school district and on all individuals, except enrolled student volunteers, who are offered the opportunity to provide athletic coaching services or other extracurricular academic coaching services to the school district, regardless of whether any compensation is paid, or such other background checks as provided by this policy. The school district may also elect to do background checks of other volunteers, independent contractors and student employees in the school district. For more information review the policy here.

Fees

Materials that are part of the basic educational program are provided with state, federal, and local funds at no charge to a student. Students expected to provide their own pencils, pens, paper, erasers, notebooks, and other personal items. Students may be required to pay certain other fees or deposits, including (not an inclusive list):

• Admission fees or charges for extracurricular activities, where attendance is optional and where the admission fees or charges a student must pay to attend or participate in an extracurricular activity are the same for all students, regardless of whether the student is enrolled in a public or a home school.
• Cost for materials for a class project that exceeds minimum requirements and is kept by the student.
• Security deposits for the return of materials, supplies, or equipment.
• Personal physical education and athletic equipment and apparel.
• Items of personal use or products that a student has an option to purchase such as student publications, class rings, annuals, and graduation announcements.
• Field trips considered supplementary to the district’s educational program.
• Admission fees or costs to attend or participate in optional extracurricular activities and programs.
• Voluntarily purchased student health and accident insurance.
• Use of musical instruments owned or rented by the school district.
• A school district-sponsored driver or motorcycle education training course.
• Transportation to and from school for students living within two miles of school.
• Transportation of students to and from optional extracurricular activities or post-secondary instruction conducted at locations other than school.
• Technology

Students will be charged for technology, textbooks, workbooks, and library books that are lost or destroyed. The school district may waive a required fee or deposit if the student and parent/guardian are unable to pay.

Flex Learning Day (e-Learning Days)

This day refers to a school day where instead of coming to a school, teachers and students communicate online or set up prior learning expectations, and the students continue their learning from home. On a Flex Learning Day (FLD), teachers will share assignments and hold office hours in which they are available to provide learning support to students, see website. Teachers can opt to do this from off-campus or their classroom. For more information see policy for complete details.

Graduation Requirements

Students must meet all course credit requirements and graduation standards, as established by the state and the school board, in order to graduate from Byron Public Schools, see policy for complete details. All students must also pass the state-identified proficiency tests, Minnesota comprehensive assessments, alternate assessments, and/or other applicable tests. Students will have the first opportunity to take a test in basic requirements, contact the Superintendent for more information. Parents may opt out of the statewide assessments for their student(s) by completing the form and returning it to the school district office.

Harassment Prohibition

The purpose of this policy is to maintain a learning and working environment that is free from harassment, violence and bullying on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, familial status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, including gender identity or expression, or disability.

Hazing Prohibition

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.

Indoor Air Quality

Proper maintenance of indoor air is more than a “quality” issue. It encompasses the safety and stewardship of our students, staff, and facilities. Children are especially susceptible to indoor air pollution because their lungs are still developing, and they breathe a greater volume of air relative to their body weight. This makes air quality in schools of particular concern.

Minnesota school districts are required to develop and implement Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Management Plan and to monitor and improve indoor air quality. The Minnesota Department of Education has established guidelines that are based on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) resource document, Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Tools for Schools.

ISD 531 has developed and implemented an Indoor Air Quality Management Plan to monitor and improve air quality. Copies of the plan are available in each building.

If you are experiencing symptoms that may be related to the air quality, an IAQ Occupant Concern Form should be filled out and submitted to the building custodian.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) (Pesticide Notice)

The long-term health effects on children from the application of pesticides, or the class of chemicals to which they belong, may not be fully understood. Therefore, the district only uses pesticides when non-chemical methods have been ineffective.

A schedule of pesticide applications is available for review at each school office where pesticides are applied to school property. To view the application schedule or to be notified of any applications on days other than those specified (excluding emergency applications), contact your school principal.

Nondiscrimination

The purpose of this policy is to provide a fair employment setting for all persons and to comply with state and federal law.

Notice of Violent Behavior by Students

The school district will give notice to teachers and other appropriate school district staff before students with a history of violent behavior are placed in their classrooms. Prior to giving this notice, district officials will inform the student’s parent or guardian that the notice will be given. The student’s parents/guardians have the right to review and challenge their child’s records, including the data documenting the history of violent behavior. For more information review board policy.

Parent Right To Know

If a parent requests it, the school district will provide information regarding the professional qualifications of his/her child’s classroom teachers, including, at a minimum, the following:

1. whether the teacher has met state qualifications and licensing criteria for the grade levels and subject areas in which the teacher provides instruction;
2. whether the teacher is teaching under emergency or other provisional licensing status through which state qualification or licensing criteria have been waived;
3. the baccalaureate degree major of the teacher and any other graduate certification or degree held by the teacher, and the field of discipline of the certification or degree;
4. whether the student is provided services by paraprofessionals and, if so, their qualifications.

In addition, the school district will provide parents with information as to the level of achievement of their child in each of the state academic assessments. The school district will provide notice to parents if their child has been assigned to, or taught for four or more consecutive weeks by, a teacher who is not highly qualified.

Pledge of Allegiance

The school board recognizes the need to display an appropriate United States flag and to provide instruction to students in the proper etiquette, display, and respect of the flag. The purpose of this policy is to provide for recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance and instruction in school to help further that end.

Lead in Drinking Water

Byron Public Schools has historically conducted, and continues to conduct, Lead in Drinking Water testing per the Minnesota Department of Health’s “Reducing Lead in Drinking Water: A Technical Guidance for Minnesota’s Schools” recommendations and Minnesota Statute 121A.335 requirements. Anyone interested in discussing the district Lead in Drinking Water program or results may contact the district’s Buildings and Grounds Department for access to the documentation. Reports are available for review at the District Office. See policy for more complete details.

Lockers and Personal Possessions Within a Locker & Vehicles on Campus

The purpose of this policy is to provide for a safe and healthful educational environment by enforcing the school district’s policies against contraband.

• Vehicles on Campus
  • Patrols and Inspections
    • School officials may conduct routine patrols of student parking lots and other school district locations and routine inspections of the exteriors of the motor vehicles of students. Such patrols and inspections may be conducted without notice, without student consent, and without a search warrant.
    • Search of the Interior of a Student’s Motor Vehicle
      • The interior of a student’s motor vehicle, including the glove and trunk compartments, in a school district location may be searched when school officials have a reasonable suspicion that the search will uncover a violation of law and/or school policy or rule. The search will be reasonable in its scope and intrusiveness. Such searches may be conducted without notice, without consent, and without a search warrant. A student will be subject to loss of parking privileges and to discipline if the student refuses to open a locked motor vehicle or its compartments under the student’s control upon a school official’s request.
      • For more information review our complete policy.

Radon Testing

According to Minnesota Statute 123B.571, school districts that receive health and safety revenue to conduct radon testing must conduct the testing. Reports are available for review at the District Office.

Student Surveys: Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment

Student Records

Student records are classified as public, private, or confidential. State and federal laws protect student records from unauthorized inspection or use and provide parents/guardians and eligible students with certain rights. For the purposes of student records, an “eligible” student is one who is 18 or older or who is enrolled in an institution of post-secondary education. Please see complete copy of the school district’s “Protection and Privacy of Pupil Records” policy.

Testing of Students

Parent/Guardian Guide and Refusal for Student Participation in Statewide Testing. This site provides information that will help parents/guardians make informed decisions that benefit their children, schools, and communities.

Tobacco-Free Environment: Possession and Use of Tobacco, Tobacco-Related Devices, and Electronic Delivery Devices

Governor Tim Walz signed into Minnesota law the omnibus Health and Human Services bill, which expanded the definition of smoking to encompass an "activated electronic delivery device." To reflect these statutory changes please review Policy 419 .

Unpaid Meals

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that students receive healthy and nutritious meals through the school district’s nutrition program and that school district employees, families, and students have a shared understanding of expectations regarding meal charges. The policy seeks to allow students to receive the nutrition they need to stay focused during the school day and minimize identification of students with insufficient funds to pay for school meals as well as to maintain the financial integrity of the school nutrition program.

Weapons Prohibition

The purpose of this policy is to assure a safe school environment for students, staff and the public.

Wellness Policy

the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act (the Act) regulations added Section 9A to expand upon the previous local wellness policy requirement from the Reauthorization.

Components of the Wellness Policy Law:

• Goals for nutrition education, physical activity, and other school-based activities.
• Nutrition guidelines for all foods available on each school campus during the school day.
• Guidelines for reimbursable school meals that are no less restrictive than those issued for the National School Lunch Program.
• Implementation and evaluation plans of Byron’s local wellness 533 policy.
• Community involvement.
• Nutrition promotion.
  • This includes the district providing a list of healthy, non-food celebration and party ideas to parents and teachers.
    • Please do not send birthday snacks/treats to school, they will not be passed out and sent home.