School Hours

Classes start at 7:50 a.m. and end at 3:08 p.m. 

Before School: At 7:20, students may enter the building for warmth and stand in the main entrance lobby OR walk directly to the cafeteria. While in the cafeteria, students must be seated. Breakfast may be purchased from 7:20-7:45 (if purchasing breakfast the student is still expected to be on time to AT. They may request breakfast-to-go to ensure this if desired). The rest of the building is open to students beginning at 7:35. No students are allowed in the hallways prior to 7:35 unless they have a pass signed by a teacher. Adjustments may be made depending on weather conditions (rain, extreme cold, etc.)

Students must be in one of the four locations below and meet expectations before school starts. Any student not following the expectations of school staff may be sent to the office with a referral.

• An AT Classroom  (supervised by an adult):  Follow instructions given by school staff. All school rules apply. 

• Hallway: Must be walking, not standing/blocking the hallway.  Follow instructions given by school staff. All school rules apply. 

• Library: Students may only enter the library if they want to check out or return a book or if they have computer issues they would like resolved.  

• Cafeteria: Students may enter the cafeteria only if they are purchasing and eating breakfast.  Students may purchase "Grab and Go" meals and take them to their AT to eat.  No food or drink, except water, is allowed to be consumed in the hallways. 

Any student arriving after 7:50 a.m. will need to check into the Main Office. Their tardy-to-school will be recorded and they will be issued a pass to enter their A.T. classroom.

End of School Day: Students may be on school grounds after 3:15 p.m. only with teacher/coach supervision.  Designated doors in the front of the building will be open until 4:00 p.m. The main office closes at 4:00 p.m. Athletes and spectators for activities are to use the Activity doors on the southwestern part of the school.  If school is dismissed early or students are leaving an after-school activity, they are expected to leave the grounds within ten minutes.  We ask that parents are prompt in picking up students. 

Daily Academic Schedule

There is enough time to get from one class to another during passing time (3 minutes) if students move quickly without visiting at lockers or in the hallways. Taking books for several classes will cut locker trip time and allow students longer breaks.  Students should use their break time to return books to the library and use the restroom. 

Bell Schedules can be found here.

Course Catalog can be found here.

Snow Days

For information regarding the cancellation of school or special events during inclement weather, listen to the local radio or TV Stations. The school messenger will also notify students, parents, and staff via phone, e-mail, and/or text (students, staff, and caregivers should assure that current numbers and e-mail addresses are accurate in Infinite Campus).  Please do not call the school. 

Library materials are checked out for three weeks and students may check out up to five books at once. 

Students are welcome to visit the library before school, after school, or in between classes. A pass is required to visit the library during class. There is a NO GUM policy in the library. Note the before school expectations: 

• Library Expectations:

  • Furniture must be placed back where it came from prior to leaving. 

  • Follow instructions given by school staff.

  • All school rules apply. 

• Library Before School: 

  •  Students may only enter the library if they want to check out or return a book or if they have computer issues they would like resolved.

• Library After School:

  • The Library is available until 4:00 daily unless announced otherwise. Activity Buses are available at 5:15 but students must be accompanied by an adult at all times between 3:17 and 5:15. Please make arrangements with Mrs. Willet if you would like to use the library after school and ride the activity bus.

The Scott County Library in Eldridge is available to students when the materials needed are not in the school library. Students may return Scott County Library books to the school library and we will return them to that library. 

Safe behavior in the hallways is a priority. Absolutely no running or horseplay is allowed. 

Respectful behavior in the hallways is an expectation. Conversational volume must be maintained in the hallways while entering and exiting the cafeteria so as to not disrupt classes still in session. If an adult addresses a student in the hallway, that student is expected to respond appropriately.

Students must be walking, not standing/blocking the hallway. The center of the hallways must remain clear at all times.  

No food or drink, except water, is allowed to be consumed in the hallways. These things should be sealed and stored in lockers.

Our school nurse is in the building from 7:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.  The nurse’s duties include administering medication, giving first aid, providing medical care to students who are ill or injured at school, conducting health screenings, and keeping medical records (immunizations, emergency information, and school physicals).  The nurse’s office is parallel to the main office just inside the north set of double doors.  

Students who are feeling ill during the school day need to check in with the nurse first, and the nurse will contact caregivers if necessary. 

Counseling/Support Services

The junior high staff is always focused on doing what is BEST for students and offers full-time counseling support and accessibility to family support services. All students and caregivers should feel free to speak with the counselors. The purpose of the school counseling program is to be of assistance to all students, families, and staff and to make the educational process as effective as possible.

Counseling services include academic and personal counseling, crisis intervention, career exploration, and referrals and coordination with outside agencies and professionals outside the school setting. 

Lockers

The school district has given you a locker for storing your personal items.  Several responsibilities come with using your assigned locker.  The items you store must be ONLY in that locker (and no other locker) and must be those things that do not violate any school rules, district policy, or laws.  Therefore, no inappropriate, educationally disruptive, or illegal materials should be displayed or kept in your locker.  If you are suspected of violating the law or school rules, your locker, your possessions, and YOU may be legally searched.  Your locker must be kept clean and damage-free.  If your locker is damaged expect to pay a fine for repairing or replacing it.  Do not share your locker or the combination to its lock with anyone.  Keep your belongings safe and secure by always locking your locker. 

• Students may bring backpacks, cell phones, and other personal items such as purses, on campus but must be stored in the student's locker throughout the school day. 

Lockers, desks and other facilities or spaces owned by the school and provided as a courtesy to you may be inspected by designated school officials at any time without prior notice to you and without any suspicion of wrongdoing.

Locker Combination

1. Spin the dial at least 3 times all the way around to the right (clockwise). This “clears”  the lock of any previous numbers. 

If at any point while entering your combination you mess up, do this again to start over.

2. Enter your combination. 

• Turn the dial to the right and stop at your first number. 

• Turn the dial to the left, going past zero and your first number. Then stop at your second number.

• Turn the dial to the right and go directly to the last number.

For most lockers at NSJH, if you continue spinning past your last number you’ll feel the lock tighten and you can pull the locker open. For newer lockers, you will simply stop right on the last number and pull the lever up to open.

Video Surveillance

The board authorizes the use of video cameras on district property to ensure the health, welfare and safety of all staff, students and visitors to district property, and to safeguard district facilities and equipment. As deemed appropriate by the superintendent, video cameras may be used in any location where there is no legitimate expectation of privacy. Video cameras will not be used in locker rooms or restrooms. Cameras may or may not be monitored on a continuous basis.

The district will annually notify students through its handbooks and/or newsletters that video camera surveillance may occur on district property.

Students who violate board policies, administrative regulations, building rules or law shall be subject to appropriate disciplinary action and to referral to law enforcement agencies. Tampering with video cameras is prohibited. Tampering will subject violators to discipline under district policy and the Good Conduct Rule, and reimbursement for necessary repairs or replacement.

Video recordings may become a part of a student’s educational record and may be used as evidence in an internal disciplinary proceeding or by law enforcement agencies. The district shall comply with all applicable state and federal laws related to record maintenance and retention for any video recording that becomes a part of an educational record.  Approved: March. Board Policy Code No. 804.9

Lockers

Lockers, desks, and other facilities or spaces owned by the school and provided as a courtesy to a student may be inspected by designated school officials at any time without prior notice and without any suspicion of wrongdoing.

Students are expected to be in their assigned locker and are responsible for its condition AND contents, and will be charged for any damages.  To insure a student is properly maintaining the assigned locker, lockers will be inspected from time to time.  Board Policy 502.7

Open Enrollment

Parents who wish to transfer their child into or out of the district under “Open Enrollment” may get information and appropriate forms in the Superintendent’s Office.

Student Directory

The following information may be released to the public in regard to any individual student of the school district as needed:

• Name, address, telephone listing, date and place of birth, participation in official activities and sports. Weight and height of members of athletic teams, dates of attendance, degrees and awards received the most recent previous school or institution attended, photograph or likeness and other similar information. The following information may be published on the internet: student photographs (first name, last initial only) and other likenesses.

Any student over the age of eighteen or parent not wanting this information released to the public must make objection in writing by September 1st to the principal. The objection needs to be renewed annually. Board Policy Code No. 506.1E9

Homeless Children and Youths

Means individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence and includes:

• children and youths who are sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason; are living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to the lack of alternative adequate accommodations; are living in emergency or transitional shelters; are abandoned in hospitals; or are awaiting foster care placement;

• children and youths who have a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings 

• children and youths who are living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings

• migratory children who qualify as homeless for the purposes of this subtitle because the children are living in circumstances described in clauses i-iii.

If this describes your situation or have questions contact your school counselor or Amy Schubert (Homeless Liaison) at 563-285-3216.

Student Protection Legislation

Iowa State law includes legislation to protect students in our schools from physical and/or sexual abuse by the school district employees or volunteers.  Physical abuse is a non-accidental physical injury that leaves a mark at least twenty-four 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; 1) necessary to stop a disturbance, 2) to obtain a weapon or other dangerous object, 3) for purposes of self-defense, 4) to protect the safety of others, 5) to remove a disruptive student, 6) for the protection of property or to protect a student from self-infliction of harm.

This law entails a three-step process.  If you believe that your child has been physically or sexually abused by a district employee, a Level I investigator will determine the facts in your case.  If indeed abuse is supported, the case will be moved to a Level II investigator.  If abuse is still suspected at this level, the Level II investigator will turn your case over to district court officials. Board Policy Code No. 403.6R1

Level I Investigators

Erin Paysen

John Glenn Elementary

308 North Main St.

Donahue, IA 52746 

(563) 282-9862 

Nicole Litterrer

North Scott Central Office

251 E. Iowa Street

Eldridge, Iowa  52748-1917

(563) 285-3428

Level II Investigator

Graybeard Investigations

Chuck Hauman

P.O. Box 315

Milan, IL 61264

(309) 236-1661

NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT

The North Scott Community School District (NSCSD) provides equal educational and employment opportunities and will not illegally discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, sex, disability, religion, age, ancestry, or actual or potential parental, familial, or marital status. Inquiries concerning application of this statement should be addressed to: Mrs. Erin Paysen, Equity Coordinator, 308 N Main Street, Donahue, IA 52746 Phone: (563)282-9627 

Insurance

Student medical insurance is available for those who wish to purchase it. Students involved in athletics must have either this insurance or a signed statement from a parent/guardian that the student already has medical insurance. The cost of insurance shall be borne by the student. Participation in this plan is not a contract with the school district, but rather a contract between the insurance company and student.

Textbooks And Other Fees

• ALL FEES ARE DUE AT REGISTRATION

• Students whose families meet the income guidelines for free and reduced price lunch, the Family Investment Program (FIP), may qualify for a student fee waiver. This must be renewed each year. 

• Supplemental Security Income (SSI), transportation assistance under open enrollment, or those who are in foster care are eligible to have student fees waived or partially waived. Students whose families are experiencing a temporary waiver of student fees. 

• Parents or students who believe they qualify for temporary financial hardship should contact the building principal at registration time for a waiver form. This waiver does not carry over from year to year and must be completed annually.

• The AEA runs the Driver’s Education Program for North Scott School District. The fee will be set by AEA and must be taken after school or in the summer. 

• Textbooks are checked out to each student at the beginning of the course. A record is kept of the condition of the book and the book number. Students not returning the book or returning a damaged book will be charged for replacement or repair.