Student Handbook

Dear Students,

As your Superintendent, it's with immense joy and anticipation that I welcome you to a new school year. As we embark on this academic year, I want to take a moment to talk about something that's more than just a document—it's a roadmap to our shared success: our Student Handbook.

The Student Handbook is a key tool in helping us navigate our shared journey. It's not just about rules; it's about understanding how we can all contribute to a vibrant, safe, and inclusive school community. It lays down the steps we can take to achieve academic success, cultivate equity and inclusion, and promote social and emotional learning. These aren't just goals; they are commitments we make to each other, guided by our core values of integrity, inclusion, trust, and authenticity.

Achieving Academic Success

Every one of you has the potential to achieve greatness. Our commitment is to provide you with the tools, resources, and support you need to unlock that potential. The handbook outlines the academic expectations and resources at your disposal. Remember, success is a journey, not a destination, and every challenge is an opportunity to learn and grow.

Cultivating Equity and Inclusion

Our diversity is our strength. We are committed to creating an environment where every student feels valued, understood, and included. This means ensuring that our policies, practices, and programs reflect the diversity of our community and promote equity for all students. Your voice is crucial in this process. We encourage you to share your ideas, experiences, and perspectives to help us build a more inclusive school community.

Promoting Social and Emotional Learning

Understanding and managing our emotions, feeling empathy for others, establishing positive relationships, and making responsible decisions are key skills that will serve you throughout your life. Our handbook emphasizes the importance of social and emotional learning as we believe in nurturing not just academic but also emotional intelligence.

In closing, I want to remind you that you're not alone on this journey. Together, we can achieve extraordinary things. Let's embrace this year with enthusiasm, determination, and a commitment to excellence in all that we do.

Here's to a fantastic year ahead!
 
Marcy Doud
Superintendent 

When parents, guardians, and caregivers are involved with their students' schooling, students learn more and achieve better outcomes. We encourage families to become involved in their student’s education as early as the admissions process, and they should always feel free to contact the staff and administration about their student’s progress.

The mission of Intermediate District 287 is to be the premier provider of innovative specialized services to ensure that each member district can meet the unique learning needs of its students.

This Student Handbook is intended to help students, parents, guardians, and caregivers become familiar with Intermediate District 287 and serve as a reference while you or your student attends a District 287 school. 

The information contained in this Handbook is subject to revision based on law or school board changes, such as the adoption of new or revised policies. School rules will always be regulated by federal and state laws as well as District 287 policies and procedures.  

This Handbook may need to be updated throughout the year if changes to policy or law are made. Any given revision of the Handbook may not be the most recent policy and should be read for generalized informational purposes, not as the final word on any policy or rule. 

Intermediate District 287 is committed to fostering and embracing diversity at all levels of the organization. In fact, our Strategic Priorities prioritizes racial equity and excellence as top outcomes for District 287. 

• We recognize that each student brings their own unique capabilities, experiences and characteristics. 
• We believe in treating each person with respect and dignity. 
• We strive to create and encourage a supportive and understanding environment in which all individuals realize their maximum potential by recognizing and celebrating our differences. 
• We recognize the importance of reflecting the diversity of our students and the communities we serve. Our diversity encompasses differences in race, ethnicity, gender, language, age, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, religion, socioeconomic status, physical and mental ability, thinking styles, experience, and education. 
• We believe the array of perspectives that results from such diversity promotes a more responsive and creative professional learning community. 
• We recognize that racism, ageism, sexism and other forms of discrimination are problems both for our organization and society.
• We are committed to tackling racial and cultural stereotypes and microaggressions within and outside our organization. 
• We have clear reporting procedures for any discrimination or harassment combined with follow-up procedures designed to prevent future incidents. 
• We will continue to combat discrimination in the wider community through partnerships with member districts and community-based groups.

In compliance with Minnesota Statutes Section 123B.03, Intermediate District 287 requires a criminal history background check on all individuals who are offered employment and other individuals who provide services to students.

Parents/guardians who wish to observe their student in the classroom during the regular school day must schedule the visit in advance with the building principal. The building principal will follow our internal procedure for determining whether or not permission will be granted for the visit.   

1. If permission is granted, the parent/guardian will be given a visitor’s identification badge and an escort while in the building. 

2. If permission is not granted, and the parent/guardian believes their request to visit a classroom has been improperly denied, the visitor may submit a written appeal to the Superintendent. The decision of the Superintendent or designee is final.

Intermediate District 287 must follow federal and state laws to protect the privacy of student records.

Periodically, District 287 gathers information from students and their parents or guardians. This data may range from contact information, to student work samples and information about student performance toward goals. The information collected is used to determine grades, progress, the need for different or additional services and for educational evaluations and programming, and it may be shared with staff members within District 287 and its member districts, as well as other individuals who have a legitimate educational interest in accessing those records. 

District 287 has a practice of forwarding all educational records related to a student to the district in which the student seeks to enroll or to which the student transfers. 

Subject to limitations imposed by law, students and their parents or guardians may request to inspect, review and/or have a copy of the education records of the student. Students and their parents or guardians may also:

• Request changes or additions to the education records that they believe are inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy rights under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA);
• Provide written consent before the school discloses personally identifiable information from the education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent; and
• File a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education about any alleged failures by the District to comply with FERPA: Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20202.

District 287 staff are mandated reporters of student neglect or abuse.

On occasion, student information or photos may be shared on social media, in Intermediate District publications, or for other District purposes. For this reason, certain information has been designated as “directory information” and is available to the general public: Student’s name, student photograph or video for school approved publication, date and place of birth, grade level, participation in officially recognized activities, dates of attendance, degrees, honors and awards received, most recent educational agency or institution attended, and names of the student’s parents/guardians.

To prevent the release of any or all of this information, students and parents or guardians must complete the Directory Opt Out form and contact the building administration within two weeks of the student’s enrollment date or September 15 of each subsequent year of enrollment.

The Intermediate District 287 Calendar is updated each school year. It includes important dates throughout the year. Individual program calendars may vary and will be provided to you at the beginning of the school year.

Intermediate District 287 expects all students to do their own work and not use technology inappropriately. Students must submit original work or plagiarize (copying or using another’s ideas, concepts, facts, and/or words as though they are your own, including the improper use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) software such as ChatGPT, Google Bard, etc.

The unethical use of (AI) programs and software is not acceptable. Unethical use includes::

• Generating assignment submissions that would be considered plagiarized
• Answering assessment questions
• Creating any work (like art, presentations, text, video, music, etc.) with the help of AI and claiming it as solely your own work.
• Sharing work submissions, or AI-generated answers, or enabling others to use AI-assisted work as solely student’s own work.

Under Minnesota Law, children must attend school from the time they are enrolled until they are age 18, unless they are legally withdrawn from school at age 17. A parent or guardian must make a child attend school according to Minnesota Statutes Sec. 120A.22. Unexcused absences interfere with student achievement and may result in interventions to improve attendance.

If a student has so many absences (even parent/guardian-approved) that they are excessive and interfere with the student’s educational program, they may be interpreted as truancy and follow-up procedures will be implemented. All instances of truancy may be reported to the appropriate authorities.

A student is tardy if they are not at school at the official start time. Students who leave the building early with permission from their parent/guardian must check out in the front office of their school.

Frequent absences will result in more frequent contacts with parents or guardians to determine the causes of absences and to collaboratively work towards solutions for more frequent attendance and more successful schooling.

The safe transportation of students is a high priority for Intermediate District 287. To ensure that students are transported safely and securely, our transportation department trains our staff to follow District 287 policies and state laws. Therefore, parents, guardians, or any individual not employed by District 287 are not allowed to board a bus or school van. 

The school bus/Type III van is an extension of the classroom, so the expectations for students at school extend to their behavior on the bus. The driver is responsible for management of students on the school bus, shuttle bus, or District 287 Type III van. Therefore, the bus driver or District 287 employee will report any misconduct to program staff.

While on the bus or van, students should:

• Treat people and property as they would like themselves and their property to be treated. 
• Sit down right away and remain seated while on the bus or Type III van. 
• Wear a seatbelt at all times and wear the shoulder belt, if available. 
• Sit in the back seat of all District 287 vans if 12 years old or younger. 
• Not eat or drink. 
• Talk at a conversational volume level and listen to music with headphones at a volume that cannot easily be heard by others.
• Not throw objects. 
• Not touch bus safety equipment unless needed for an emergency. 
• Follow instructions of the driver. 
• Keep all objects and body parts inside the bus/Type III van.

Appropriate clothing for school includes:

• Clothing that is appropriate for the weather. Temperatures inside the buildings may fluctuate. It is always a good idea to dress in layers to ensure maximum comfort levels.  
• Clothing that does not create a health or safety hazard. 
• Clothing must be suitable for all scheduled classroom activities, including physical education, science labs, wood shop, and other activities where unique hazards may exist. Specialized courses may require students to wear special attire, such as safety gear, which will be provided by Intermediate District 287.
• Clothing that covers private parts/areas (genitals, buttocks, and breasts) and undergarments (bras, underwear, boxers, etc, excluding bra straps and waistbands) during normal wear (i.e. when sitting, standing, or walking). All clothing covering private parts/areas must not be see-through.

Students must not wear: 

• Clothing or jewelry depicting, advertising, or advocating for the use of, referencing, or picturing drugs, alcohol, tobacco, or other products or activities that are illegal for use by minors. 
• Clothing or jewelry that includes emblems, badges, symbols, signs, words, objects or pictures  using or depicting hate speech targeting groups based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religious affiliation, or any other protected group and/or which approves, advances or provokes any form of religious, racial or sexual harassment, discrimination and/or violence against other individuals as defined in the Harassment and Violence Policy.
• Clothing or footwear that could damage Intermediate District 287 property.
• Clothing that is obscene and/or depicts pornography, nudity, or sexual acts. 

Other dress code information:

• It is not Intermediate District 287’s intention to limit protected speech. Instead, District 287 seeks to create an environment that is safe and free of harassment, violence, and discrimination, as well as prepare students to dress for the workplace. 
• If a student comes to school with clothing that does not fit the dress code, staff will work with the student to find alternative clothing or other solutions that ensure the student’s ability to take part in their education program as quickly as possible. 

Intermediate District 287 believes in putting students first. We strive to create and maintain our schools as places that are safe and free from threats or the influence of people or groups that promote violence or threaten the physical or emotional safety of our community. 

District 287 will make a good faith effort to promote healthy human relationships and foster a learning environment that is physically and psychologically safe for all students in order to nurture a supportive learning community.

All Intermediate District 287 instructional staff are trained in the Crisis Prevention Institute’s nonviolent crisis prevention and intervention strategies. In addition, many sites are staffed with personnel who are specially trained to intervene in situations that have become violent or threatening to the safety of students or staff.

Our schools practice Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS). The PBIS Framework focuses on teaching students expected behavior, providing supports for students, and strategies for school staff to proactively create a positive environment. Students in our programs earn privileges and additional opportunities based on a number of factors.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call 988

Everyone can help prevent suicide. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals.

Hennepin County can help people who are in the midst of a mental health crisis. Professionals are available to assist in managing the immediate crisis, help with de-escalation and safety planning, and provide clinical assessment. Telephone consultations also are available.

Hennepin County Mobile Crisis Teams 

• Child Crisis Line (ages 17 and younger): 612-348-2233
• Adult Crisis Line (ages 18 and over):  612-596-1223

Given the prevalence and exponential growth of the types of personal electronic devices available, the Intermediate District 287 has the right to ban cell phones in certain programs or buildings.

District 287 maintains the right to control the time, place, and manner in which personal electronic devices are used. Some programs allow students to carry phones or other personal electronic devices, and other programs require students to turn them in while in school. Check with staff about the rules for your program.

District 287 defines personal electronic devices as, but not limited to, the following: 

• Cell phones 
• Smart phones 
• iPod or music player
• iPad or other tablets
• Laptop  

If use of personal electronic devices interferes with the educational environment, student learning, and/or the ability of others to feel safe at school, devices may be taken from students and returned to either students or parents/guardians at the discretion of program staff or administrators.  

The best way for a parent or guardian to contact their student during the school day is by calling the school office, not contacting their personal cell phone.

The use of Intermediate District 287 technology and the Internet is a privilege, not a right. Misuse, intentionally damaging hardware or software, and other activities such as hacking, planning or conducting illegal activity online, or using social media for harassment or threats shall result in disciplinary action ranging from denial of privileges to referral to law enforcement agencies for criminal prosecution. 

Students should never assume that anything they do on a District 287 device or while connected to District 287’s internet is private. Devices and internet use can and may be monitored. 

Individual programs may have their own additional rules regarding District 287 technology use. Check with program staff to find out what rules and procedures apply to you. 

The use of personal electronic devices on District 287 property will adhere to the Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) procedure, and parents/guardians will need to fill out the BYOD consent before a student brings a device to school. This document is linked at the beginning of the Handbook.

Intermediate District 287 is committed to ensuring educational environments promote and protect student and staff health, well-being, and the ability to learn by supporting healthy eating and physical activity.

Throughout District 287, food services complies with federal guidelines to offer students a healthy and balanced diet. Some sites have planted gardens on-site and may be able to offer fresh produce to students and families when available.

We welcome participation by parents/guardians, students and staff as a part of the wellness policy guidelines to review the policy, share ideas, and engage in ways that support student wellness. View the HM180 Wellness policy linked at the beginning of the Handbook.

A comprehensive approach to school safety means that we must double down on the foundational trauma-responsive practices we know keep our schools safe, like trusting relationships with students, mental health supports, strong check-in and screening processes, and rigorous and engaging curriculum. The physical security of buildings is just one layer of safety, and we need many layers of safety working in tandem to optimize our safety efforts.

If you have any questions regarding safety, please reach out to your school's front office and they can put you in touch with your school's safety representative.

Intermediate District 287 follows a layers of safety model to provide the best care for our students.

Robust Safety Planning

• Review and investigations of workplace injuries
• Required safety planning and drills
• Threat Assessment Procedure
• District-wide and site-level safety and wellness committees with stakeholders
• Emergency Plan and Procedure Guide

Emergency Notifications

• District/site-wide notifications of any emergencies (ie. fire, evacuations, shelter in place, lockdown, etc.).  Notifications are sent to staff's cell phones and Chromebooks via the RAPTOR Alert system.

Doors Locked and CCTV

• CCTV: School buildings are equipped with Closed-circuit television systems that record activity in certain areas inside and outside of the building.
• Doors: Internal doors remain locked during the day and require a key card for access. External doors open for 30 minutes in the morning for student drop off, then are programmed to lock for the remainder of the day.

Visitor Check-In

• All visitors are required to sign in during school hours. This requires checking a photo ID and printing a visitor badge. The RAPTOR system checks in all visitors and screens their identity through a national sex offender registry, and any individuals that are banned from 287 premises.

Student Screening Process

• All students are screened as part of our entry into school by greeting students and thoroughly checking backpacks and coats. Many schools have mastered an effective school welcoming process. What does this look like and feel like? It’s about continuing to develop what we already know: strong relationships with students are essential.
  • Checking in with students
  • Assessing students’ physical and emotional well-being
  • Taking “temperature” of the day’s climate, collectively and individually
  • Empathy and understanding of how students show up and noticing when someone seems “off”
  • Conversations that start the day on a positive note
  • Body language that shows interest and care for students
  • Acknowledging, greeting, and making eye contact with students

Weapons Detection System

• Weapon/Metal Detection system designed to screen all persons entering a 287 facility for any possible concealed weapons on their person or belongings. Any potential weapon identified by the system is captured by a video clip of the specific person concealing the possible weapon and the location of the possible weapon.

Student Safety Coaches

• This school safety model focuses on relationships, de-escalation, and healing-centered approaches to safety. These staff replaced School Resource Officers, although we collaborate closely with local law enforcement as needed. 

Mental Health Support

• Each site within District 287 has a mental health team comprised of School Psychologists, Social Workers, Behavior Support Professionals, and School Counselors. These staff assist with student mental health concerns and threats that may arise during a regular school day, or in a crisis situation. We also have a district-wide Mental Health team that supports sites which consists of the Director of Student Supports, Clinical Professionals, and a Hennepin County Systems Navigator that assists students and families access programs and support within the Hennepin County Community.

Relationships

• Strong, meaningful relationships between caring adults and students are one of the foundations of a safe and welcoming school environment. We strive to make this the number one safety layer of preventing a crisis. 

Cyber Measures

• The district has a Cybersecurity Incident Response plan to prevent, identify, respond to, and recover from cybersecurity threats that may impact the confidentiality, integrity, or availability of the district's information systems and data. This plan aims to protect the district's assets, ensure the safety and security of all stakeholders, and minimize the impact of any incident the district may encounter.