2024-2025 Nixa Junior High Student/Family Handbook

As a political subdivision, employer, recipient of federal funds and educational institution, the Board of Education is prohibited from, and hereby declares a policy against, engaging in unlawful discrimination, including harassment creating a hostile environment, on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, disability, age or use of leave protected by the Family and Medical Leave Act, in its programs, activities, and with regard to employment. The Board is an equal opportunity employer.

Any person having inquiries, including person with impaired vision or hearing can obtain information as to the existence and location of services, activities, and services that are accessible to and usable by persons with disabilities by contacting the Executive Director of Special Services, 301 S. Main, Nixa, MO 65714, karenmcknight@nixaschools.net, 417-724-6260, or the Sodexo Facilities Director, robertklug@nixaschools.net, 417-724-6390. Questions concerning the Nixa Public Schools’ compliance with regulations implementing Title II of the Americans Disabilities Act, Title VI, Title IX, Section 504, or Equal Opportunity Employment is directed to contact the following designated coordinators:

Equal Opportunity Employment - Mark McGehee- Faught Administration Center (417) 724-6270

Title VI and Title IX - Mark McGehee- Faught Administration Center (417) 724-6270

Section 504 - Michelle Miller- Faught Administration Center (417) 724-6275

Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) - Karen McKnight- Faught Administration Center (417) 724-6260 and Robert Klug- Sodexo (417) 724-6390

Homeless Students - Jennifer Feinke - (417) 839-2936

Nixa Junior High recognizes the importance of regular student attendance to a successful learning experience. There is a direct relationship between daily attendance and high student achievement. Frequent absences of students from regular classroom learning experiences disrupt the continuity of the instructional process. The benefits of classroom instruction, once lost, cannot be entirely regained. We encourage all doctor and dental appointments to be made for after school hours, whenever possible.

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Attendance Rules and  Procedures

Parents must notify the office by email at jhattendance@nixaschools.net, telephone or in person by 8:30 a.m. when their child is absent from school.  If a parent does not notify the school of his/her child's absence, the absence will be recorded as "unexcused."  The school may attempt to contact the parent or guardian in the event a student is absent and no communication has been made to the school by parents.  The student may be counted truant until a parent or guardian can verify the absence.  If the parent/guardian does call in an absence, the absence will be recorded as "Excused" up to 8 absences.  Once 8 absences have been reached the following absences will be counted "unverified" unless a doctor's note is provided.  Whenever a doctor's note is provided it will be "Excused" and uploaded to PowerSchool.  Students are expected to complete all assigned class work or homework from any absence. It is the student’s responsibility to obtain and make up all student work deriving from an absence. Students will have one day for each day of absence to complete the missed assignments.

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Attendance Protocols

• The Nixa Public Schools attendance procedure will read that eight days, or the equivalent thereof will be the limit on absences per semester and any absence more than eight days will be considered excessive.
• As a result of excessive absences the school will:
  • Mail or Email two letters to the parents/guardians
  • Attempt two personal contacts. One of the personal contacts will be a face-to-face meeting.
• Through these contacts, the school officials will work with the parent/guardian to ascertain what the problem is and attempt to agree on a contract in an attempt to rectify the problem.
• On the ninth absence, the juvenile office and county prosecutor may be notified of the absences with documentation of all contacts the school has made.
• When the referral is received by the offices of the juvenile and prosecutor, they will review the school district report and determine what course of action to take, up to and including the filing of charges. In addition, the Children's Division (CD) of the Department of Social Services will also be notified.
• If the child continues to be absent from school after the initial referral to the juvenile and prosecutor’s office, the district will place a Hotline call to the CD.
• Any or all of these steps may be skipped if the families have a prior history with the Nixa Public Schools Task Force on Education Attendance, or evidence of neglect is discovered.
• Any student who earns less than 60 hours of seat time will be required to make up the missed seat time. 
  • The student will be required to attend summer school.
  • If the student does not attend summer school they will be enrolled in a virtual program the following year or be retained. 

 All students and parents/guardians of Nixa Junior High School will be held responsible for knowing, understanding, and complying with all of the attendance policies.

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Early Departure

Any student leaving school during the school day must have a parent/guardian check them out in the office. Parents must go to the office and escort their children out of the building. If a child returns to school during the school day, a parent must check him or her in. Students are not allowed to leave the building or campus for any reason without parent and administrative approval.

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Tardiness

Students are expected to be in their seats when the tardy bell rings each period. Students arrive at school after 8:10 a.m. on Monday and after 7:40 a.m. Tuesday through Friday will be counted tardy by the first hour teacher. Students demonstrating excessive tardiness will be subject to disciplinary action.

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Truancy

Truancy is when a student:

• Leaves campus without permission from the office and a parent or guardian
• Comes to school but does not attend any or all classes or authorized activities
• Is somewhere other than school when the parents think the student is at school
• Obtains permission from a teacher or the office to go to a certain place on campus but does not go there
• Brings a parent-signed note that is forged or sets forth an invalid reason for the absence
• Excessive, unjustifiable absences, even with the consent of the parent

Students who are truant will not be allowed to make up missed work, and disciplinary action will be taken.

The district may disclose education records to representatives of the CD when reporting child abuse and neglect in accordance with law. Once the CD obtains custody of a student, CD representatives may also have access to education records in accordance with law. CD representatives may also have access to directory information and may obtain access to student education records in emergency situations, as allowed by law.
 

To ensure accurate and up-to-date information about Nixa Public Schools and the Junior High, parents are required to update contact information with the district every year (and when contact information changes).  

Parents will receive the following types of alerts from schools:

• Routine notification calls do not directly affect the safety of students, staff or parents. These calls include upcoming events, delayed school bus routes and absenteeism.
• Emergency notification calls or emails are used during critical incidents where a child, staff member or parent’s safety is in immediate jeopardy. These calls include lockdowns, evacuations and relocations.
• Text alerts will be used to distribute quick reminders or information. If your primary phone is your cell phone, you will receive text alerts. (You will have the option to opt-out of receiving alerts.) Text alerts will be limited but will occur more frequently than our routine notification calls.
• Email Updates will be sent out to the email address that parents enter into the student information system. These will include reminders and updates on various school events. 
• QuickNews is the district’s weekly e-newsletter that is sent out to all members of the community who sign up. This service is delivered by email and includes updates for events across the district as well as news items in the district. Sign up for QuickNews on the District’s homepage at www.nixapublicschools.net.

Directory information is information contained in an education record of a student that generally would not be considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if disclosed without the consent of a parent or eligible student. The district will designate the types of information included in directory information and release this information without first obtaining consent from a parent or eligible student unless a parent or eligible student notifies the district in writing as directed. Parents and eligible students will be notified annually of the information the district has designated as directory information and the process for notifying the district if they do not want the information released. Even if parents or eligible students notify the district in writing that they do not want directory information disclosed, the district may still disclose the information if required or allowed to do so by law. For example, the district may require students to disclose their names, identifiers or district email addresses in classes in which they are enrolled, or students may be required to wear, publicly display or disclose a student identification card or badge that exhibits information that is designated as directory information.

The school district designates the following items as directory information:

• General Directory Information – The following information the district maintains about a personally identifiable student may be disclosed by the district to the school community through, for example, district publications, or to any person without first obtaining written consent from a parent or eligible student: Student's name; date and place of birth; parents' names; grade level; enrollment status (e.g., full-time or part-time); participation in district-sponsored or district-recognized activities and sports; weight and height of members of athletic teams; dates of attendance; degrees, honors and awards received; artwork or course work displayed by the district; schools or school districts previously attended; and photographs, videotapes, digital images and recorded sound unless such records would be considered harmful or an invasion of privacy.
• Limited Directory Information – In addition to general directory information, the following information the district maintains about a personally identifiable student may be disclosed to: school officials with a legitimate educational interest; parent groups or booster clubs that are recognized by the Board and are created solely to work with the district, its staff, students and parents and to raise funds for district activities; governmental entities including, but not limited to, law enforcement, the juvenile office and the Children's Division (CD) of the Department of Social Services: The student's address, telephone number and the parents' addresses, telephone numbers.

It is generally accepted that cleanliness, good grooming, and appropriate dress are necessary to reduce distraction, promote health, and provide a productive learning atmosphere. Extremes in dress and personal appearance which cause distraction or pose health problems will not be tolerated at school. Clothing that calls undue attention to the wearer is not appropriate at school. Dress and grooming will not be allowed to disrupt the educational environment in any way.

1. Clothing, accessories and jewelry cannot, in any way, either directly or indirectly, advertise, support, or suggest the use of tobacco products, alcoholic beverages, or illegal drugs and/or substances.
2. Clothing, accessories and jewelry cannot, in any way, either directly or indirectly, display or suggest graphics of a sexual nature, profane speech, obscene language, gang affiliation, illegal activity, violence, or anything else that is unacceptable or inappropriate for school. Clothing with racially inflammatory or verbally harassing material such as confederate flags or swastikas shall not be worn or displayed.
3. Halter tops, tube tops, tops that show bare midriffs, backless tops, sheer or mesh-style tops, shirts with the sides cut out, strapless tops, lingerie, off-the-shoulder tops, or single- strap tops are not permitted. Tank top straps must be at least 1” in width, and must not show clothing/undergarments that are layered beneath the straps (underlying layers are considered to be “underwear”, and should not be visible).
4. Shorts and skirts must be worn at an appropriate length with complete coverage.
5. Hats, head coverings, visors, sunglasses, and any other non-prescription eyewear are not permitted.
6. Chains hanging from clothes (or the body) jewelry of any kind with spikes, and jewelry that causes a distraction to the educational environment is not permitted.
7. Students must wear footwear designed for public, outdoor use.

Any type of extreme dress, or dress that is disruptive or distracting to the educational environment (such as short skirts, mini-dresses, low-cut tops, clothing that is too revealing, sagging pants or shorts, or clothing that is not properly fastened or that contains tears that expose undergarments or an undergarment area) will not be permitted. 

Teachers and administration will use their best judgment in determining the disruption (or potential disruption) caused by clothing. Violators of the above guidelines will be required to seek appropriate attire. Repeated violations of these guidelines may result in disciplinary action.
 

To participate in any extracurricular activity, students must meet all applicable requirements of the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA). Coaches and sponsors may set eligibility requirements that are in addition to the MSHSAA rules and will be announced at the beginning of that season. A completed MSHSAA physical form with all health insurance information and required signatures must be on file  in Final Forms before a student is eligible to participate in any summer camps or try out for a sport or cheerleading.  Students that participate in athletics and any MSHSAA sanctioned activities will be required to pay a one- time $30 activity fee to participate. This fee will be good for the entire school year for all athletics/activities. Students may inquire to the activities director for the possibility of the fee being waived due to financial hardship. Students must pay the activity fee prior to competition. Students who quit an activity will not receive a refund.

In addition to MSHSAA rules:

• Students must be in attendance at least four periods in order to participate in or attend any school- sponsored or MSHSAA activity that night. Any student determined to be ill (i.e., high fever) at the time of the activity will not be permitted to participate in or attend the athletic contest or activity, regardless of the percentage of school attended that day. (Students must also be present on Friday for at least four hours in order to participate in or attend a Saturday or Sunday activity.)
  • Part-time students (with four or less seated courses) at Nixa Junior High must be in attendance for all courses to be eligible for practice or game.
  • Part-time students (with five or more seated courses) at Nixa Junior High must be in attendance for at least four courses to be eligible for practice or game.
• Students must adhere to all school rules and district policies while participating in school-sponsored activities, both on our campus and away from our campus.
• Students must display a positive attitude, excellent citizenship, and appropriate sportsmanship at all times, including at practices, meetings, and competitions.
• Students must attend school on a regular basis. Irregular patterns of attendance will jeopardize a student’s eligibility.
• Students receiving a suspension, either ISS or OSS, will be subject to a suspension of playing privileges as stated in the citizenship code signed at the beginning of the playing season.

FERPA is a federal law that protects the confidentiality of a student’s educational records. It also requires schools receiving federal money to provide parents access to their child’s records and allows them to request modification of the child’s educational records. This right is also extended to students the age of 18 and older.

 

Flowers and balloons will not be accepted for delivery unless they are pre-paid. Money will not be held in the office for these items. Students will receive the delivery at the end of the school day. Inflated balloons will not be allowed on the bus or in the hallways. Balloons shall not be taped to lockers or any other school property.
 

Open containers of food or beverages must be thrown away upon arrival into the building. Food and beverages are permitted only in the cafeteria during breakfast or lunch. Pre-approved, teacher-sponsored celebrations may involve commercially prepared snacks for the students on special occasions. Consequences for violations may range from confiscation to suspension. 

Students are not allowed to have food delivered from any commercial establishment during the lunch period. This includes commonly used services such as DoorDash or GrubHub. These services will be turned away and food will not be accepted. 
 

No student on or about school property or at any school activity:

• Shall wear, possess, use, distribute, display or sell any clothing, jewelry, bandanas, emblem, badge, symbol, sign or other thing which is evidence of membership in or affiliation with any gang.
• Shall commit any act or omission or use any speech, either verbal or non-verbal (gestures, handshakes, etc.), showing membership in or affiliation with a gang. This includes written speech of any kind.
• Shall use any speech or commit any act or omission in furtherance of the interests of any gang or gang activity including, but not limited to:
  • Soliciting others for membership in any gang.
  • Requesting any person to pay for “protection” or otherwise intimidating or threatening any person.
  • Committing any illegal act or violation of school district policies.
  • Inciting another person to act with physical violence upon any other person.
     

 

Grade Reports

Grade reporting periods are generally three to six weeks in length and can be viewed on Parent Portal.

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Letter Grades

Grades will be earned based on the following percentages:

A 95-100%

A-  90-94%

B+ 87-89%

B  84-86% 

B-  80-83%

C+ 77-79%

C  74-76%

C-  70-73%

D+ 67-69%

D  64-66%

D- 60-63%

F  Below 60%

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Grade Point Average

Grade points will be computed each semester using the semester grades earned in all classes. The grade point average is computed by dividing the cumulative grade points earned by the number of credits attempted, carried to two decimals with no rounding off. The following scale indicates the number of grade points earned for each corresponding letter grade for each full unit (1) of credit.

A, A-  = 4.00

B+, B, B-  = 3.00

C+, C, C-  =  2.00

D+, D, D-  =  1.00

F =  0.00

The Nixa Board of Education has approved awarding high school credit for the following 8th grade classes: Algebra I, French 1, and Spanish I. Students enrolled in these classes will have their semester grade averaged into their high school grade point average regardless of the letter grade earned (a letter grade of F would not earn credit). Nixa Junior High views receiving credit as a great opportunity to get a head start on meeting high school credit requirements, in turn allowing students more flexibility in class scheduling during their junior and senior years. 

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Retention/Promotion

Every student must obtain 5 credits (3 of which must be the core classes of English, Math, Science and Social Studies) in order to meet the criteria for promotion to the next grade level.

In the event a student fails to pass the required classes, an individualized summer school plan will be developed for that student and they will be required to attend the summer school credit recovery program. In addition, if a student obtains no credit in one particular core class, they will be required to attend the summer school credit recovery program as well. Any student who does not meet this summer school requirement, will be considered for grade-level retention.

Summer school credit recovery is recommended for any student who fails 1 or .5 credits of a core class. 

.5 credit - 1 semester course

1 credit - year long course

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Missing and Late Work Policy

• Missing Work Definition
  • Work not submitted due to an absence
  • Work that is not submitted or is incomplete
  • Work not submitted due to accommodations
• Late Work Definition
  • Work that was not submitted according to the student’s appropriate due date*
    • *some work is due at different times for different students due to IEP or 504 accommodations
    • Includes absent work not submitted according to the absence policy (one day per day absent)
• What can be turned in even if it is late?
  • Everything that is important enough to be included in the gradebook.  May be an alternate, equivalent assignment over the same concepts.
• Timeframe for accepting late work
  • A designated cut off date for each semester will be established at the start of the last month of the semester by administration. This date will be communicated to teachers, students and parents. The date will most likely fall within the last two weeks of the semester. 
• Penalty or consequence for late work
  • The maximum penalty for late work is a 10% deduction

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Test Retake Policy

• Purpose - We are committed to having grades in the gradebook that accurately depict a student’s level of understanding. Assessments will reflect what a student truly knows. We will allow students to demonstrate growth in content knowledge and ensure their grade indicates their current understanding.
• Definition of a Summative Assessment -  A summative assessment is a test or individual project that is unquestionably the student’s own work used to evaluate student learning at the end of an instructional unit by comparing it against some exemplar. 
• Items Eligible for a Test Retake - Any original summative assessment is eligible for retake regardless of the initial grade.
• Amount of Credit Awarded for a Retake - When a student demonstrates mastery of content as part of a summative retake process, he/she will receive full credit.
• Qualifications for Test Retake Eligibility - Students must practice the learning goals prior to retaking an assessment.
• Timeframe for Test Retake - Within 5 school days of the student receiving or being notified of the grade. 

Verification of current immunizations must be on file with the school nurse before new students begin classes (see immunization chart at end of handbook). Parents, please be sure that home and work phone numbers are on file in the office and updated when changed. Students are expected to be in attendance every day, though there are times when sickness requires an absence. Students should remain at home under the following circumstances:

• Student is unable to participate fully in all school activities because of illness
• Student has a contagious condition or a rash with an unknown cause
• Student has a fever of 100 degrees or more within the last 24 hours
• Student has been vomiting, has had diarrhea within the past 12 hours, or is unable to eat normally
• Student has a diagnosis of strep throat that has not been under antibiotic treatment for 24 hours
• Student requires fever-reducing medication or ongoing pain relief medication

If a student has any of these symptoms while at school, a parent/guardian will be contacted to remove them from school due to illness.

If a student must have medication of any type given during school hours, including over-the-counter drugs, parents/guardians have the following choices:

• Parents may come to school and give the medication to their child at the appropriate time(s). Parents may obtain a copy of a medication form from the school nurse or office manager. The student’s healthcare provider must complete the form by listing the medications(s) needed, dosage, and number of times per day the medication is to be administered. Prescription and non- prescription medicines must be brought to school by a parent or guardian in the original labeled bottle which contains instructions on how and when the medication is to be given. When a prescription is filled, parents should ask the pharmacist to make an extra container with the label on it for the school nurse. A parent or guardian MUST provide a written request for the school nurse to give any medication. STUDENTS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO CARRY ANY MEDICATION ON THE BUS OR IN BACKPACKS (except pre-approved emergency medications). MEDICATIONS WILL NOT BE SENT HOME WITH STUDENTS.
• Over-the-counter drugs will be administered only as prescribed on the label or according to the PDR. Over-the-counter drugs must be received in the original container.
• Parents may consider an alternative schedule for administering medication (e.g., outside of school hours) by discussing options with the healthcare provider.
• All medication (prescription and over the counter) must be kept and administered through the school nurse office. Students are not to carry any medications with them. If a student is found to have medications on them or in their belongings they will receive serious disciplinary action ranging from in-school suspension to 180 days of out-of-school suspension. 

School personnel will administer any medication to students ONLY when they have received a medication form that is properly completed and signed by the prescriber. Medication must be received in an appropriately labeled container.

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Immunizations

Please refer to The 2024-2025 Missouri School Immunization Requirements for Nixa Public Schools immunization requirements. 

The Junior High website includes a link to Parent Portal and Canvas, which can be used to access individual student classes, grades, and assignments. In addition, Parent Portal may also be used to contact teachers regarding worked missed during absences, upcoming activities, and other information. For assistance with these programs, contact the front office secretary Jenni McCarthy at 417-724-6400 or jennimccarthy@nixaschools.net.

All students will receive a student identification badge (Student ID) at no cost at the beginning of the school year. Students are required to be in possession of this ID at all times during school hours. The ID will be equipped with a bar code which can be scanned in order to purchase school meals and check out books in the library. A fee of $5.00 will be charged to replace student ID if it is lost or damaged. 

The district may report or disclose education records to law enforcement and juvenile justice authorities if the disclosure concerns law enforcement's or juvenile justice authorities' ability to effectively serve, prior to adjudication, the student whose records are released. The officials and authorities to whom such information is disclosed must comply with applicable restrictions set forth in federal law. If the district reports a crime committed by a student with a disability as defined in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the district will transmit copies of the special education and disciplinary records to the authorities to whom the district reported the crime as allowed by law. Law enforcement officials also have access to directory information and may obtain access to student education records in emergency situations as allowed by law. Otherwise, law enforcement officials must obtain a subpoena or consent from the parent or eligible student before a student's education records will be disclosed.
 

 

Open Hours

Monday: 8:05-3:15 PM, Tuesday- Friday: 7:15 AM – 3:15 PM 

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Library Rules and Regulations

1. Students disturbing the work of others will be asked to leave.
2. Students caught removing materials from the library without checking them will have library privileges revoked for a determined set of time and followed by a disciplinary referral.
3. Students are responsible for the materials checked out in their name. They should NOT allow other students to use materials they have checked out.
4. Students are limited to two items checked out to their possession. A third item is allowed for the completion of a research project or class assignment.  Students may check out two additional online items such as an eBook or audiobook through the library catalog.
5. Students are allowed 10 school days for books, but can renew these items as long as the items are not on hold for another student.  Students with overdue/lost materials may use materials only while in the library and will not be permitted to check out additional items until materials are paid for or returned. Replacement costs will be charged for lost/damaged items. Unpaid charges will remain on student accounts. Students will not be allowed to check out items at the high school library and their diploma will be held until the charges are cleared.
6. Parent permission is required for the checkout of Playaways due to the expensive replacement cost if lost or broken. Playaways are portable media players that allow students to listen to a book being read aloud. Students can check out one PlayAway at a time after the parent permission form  is returned.

Students can request a locker through the counseling office to store their books and personal items. Once a locker has been assigned, a student may not change locations without administrative approval, including sharing a locker with another student. Students must not share their lock combinations with any other students. Students are advised not to bring valuables or large amounts of money to school. The school district will not be responsible or liable for any personal items that are lost, stolen, or damaged. Students who tamper with or damage their lockers will be subject to disciplinary action and may be assessed a reasonable fee. Lockers are the property of the school district and are subject to periodic searches without warning.
 

Students are allowed approximately 22 minutes for lunch and are required to eat in the Commons. All parents should complete and submit a free and reduced form during online enrollment, even if they feel they do not meet the criteria for qualification. This information is kept highly confidential. Free and reduced lunch forms are available during registration in August, or on the district website. Breakfast will be available in the Commons before school each morning from 7:15-7:30. Students are not allowed to have food delivered from any commercial establishment during the lunch period. Parents/guardians are welcome to check in at the main office and join their child in a designated area during lunch on Fridays only. Other members of family, such as siblings, are not allowed. Vending machines are available during lunch.

An electronic lunch payment system will be used during breakfast and lunch. A student ID, which is provided by the district, will be used at the point of purchase to debit the amount from the student’s account. Money may be placed on account one of two ways:

1. Turning a lunch envelope with cash or check into the cashier before school.
2. Adding funds using the SchoolPay online system. This can be accessed through the “Parent” tab of the Nixa Public Schools website, or by going to: 
3. https://nixapublicschools.schoolpay.com/
    

The use of Personal Electronic Devices (PEDs) (i.e., MP3 players, headphones, cameras, cell phones, and other such devices) is prohibited during school hours, unless permission is granted by a teacher or administrator for educational purposes. Upon arrival at school, all PEDs must be TURNED OFF and stored. Any PED that is seen or heard during school hours will be referred to the office, where it will be kept for the remainder of the day. 

• Offense(s): Student will receive an AD card signature and discipline will be assigned accordingly.

Emergency evacuation and preparedness drills will be conducted routinely throughout the school year. They are designed to help prevent injuries and deaths in the event of a real emergency. These drills are taken very seriously, and students are expected to remain orderly, cooperative, and quiet during all drills. All teachers will review evacuation routes and procedures with students on the first day of school and periodically thereafter. Any student acting upon or assisting others with a false fire alarm will be suspended from school and the incident will be reported to the local police department.
 

Students must remain in all classes for which they are scheduled. Due to the nature of picking electives prior to the start of the school year, students cannot request a schedule change. Extenuating circumstances may necessitate the change of a schedule but would be at the discretion of an administrator. 

Nixa Public Schools will implement the components of the Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) in order to monitor the progress of all students in meeting the goals/expectations set forth by the Missouri State Board of Education. (See Policy IL) The MAP test will be given to students in Grades 3 through 8 by subject. End-of-Course tests will be given to students in Grades 8 through 12 by enrolled courses.
 

Nixa Public Schools recognizes the educational and professional value of electronic-based technology, both as a means of access to enriching information and as a tool to develop skills that students need. The district's technology exists for the purpose of enhancing the educational opportunities and achievement of district students. The professional enrichment of the staff as well as increased engagement of students' families and other patrons of the district are all enhanced with the use of technology, but are secondary to the ultimate goal of student achievement. 

Use of technology resources in a disruptive, inappropriate or illegal manner impairs the district’s mission, squanders resources and will not be tolerated. Therefore, a consistently high level of personal responsibility is expected of all users granted access to the district’s technology resources. Development of personal responsibility is an expectation of the district technology program.

The purpose of this policy is to facilitate access to, and integration of, district technology while maintaining a safe and secure operational environment. Because technology changes rapidly and employees and students need immediate guidance, the superintendent or designee is directed to create procedures to implement this policy and to regularly review those procedures to ensure they are current.

For the purposes of this policy and related procedures and forms, the following terms are defined:

• Technology Resources – All technologies, devices and services used to access, process, store or communicate information. This definition includes, but is not limited to: computing devices (stationary, mobile and hand-held); personal electronic devices (cell phones, iPods, iPads, etc.), access devices (hubs, switches, routers and wireless access points); printers (stand-alone, networked and MFP’s; multifunction peripheral devices); scanners, fax machines, electronic transmissions; servers (physical and virtual); telephone equipment; mobile phones; audio-visual equipment; 
• Internet; electronic mail (e-mail); electronic communications devices and services, including wireless access; multimedia resources and district services, systems and software (in-district, online and hosted). Technology resources may include technologies, devices and services provided to the district by a third party.
• User – Any person who is permitted by the district to utilize any portion of the district’s technology resources including, but not limited to, students, employees, School Board members, parents or guardians, guests and agents of the school district.
• User Identification (ID) – Any identifier that would allow a user access to the district’s technology resources or to any program including, but not limited to, e-mail, network and Internet access.
• Password – A unique word, phrase or combination of alphabetic, numeric and non-alphanumeric characters used to authenticate a user ID as belonging to a user.

The district’s technology resources may be used by authorized students, employees, School Board members, parents or guardians, guests and agents of the school district. All users must agree to follow the district’s policies and procedures and sign or electronically consent to the district's User Agreement prior to accessing or using district technology resources, unless excused by the superintendent or designee. (The district recognizes digital signatures as binding.)

Use of the district’s technology resources is a privilege, not a right. No potential user will be given an ID, password or other access to district technology if he or she is considered a security risk by the superintendent or designee.

All users must recognize that they do not have a legal expectation of privacy in any electronic communications or other activities involving the district’s technology resources. A user ID with email access, if granted, is provided to users of this district's network and technology resources only on condition that the user consents in his or her User Agreement to interception of or access to all communications accessed, sent, received or stored using district technology.

Electronic communications, downloaded material and all data stored on the district’s technology resources, including files deleted from a user’s account, may be intercepted, accessed, monitored or searched by district administrators or their designees at any time in the regular course of business. Such access may include, but is not limited to, verifying that users are complying with district policies and rules and investigating potential misconduct. Any such search, access or interception shall comply with all applicable laws. Users are required to return district technology resources to the district upon demand including, but not limited to, mobile phones, laptops and tablets.

The Board directs the superintendent or designee to assign trained personnel to maintain the district’s technology in a manner that will protect the district from liability in addition to protecting confidential student and employee information retained on or accessible through district technology resources.

Administrators of district technology resources may suspend access to and/or availability of the district’s technology resources to diagnose and investigate network problems, investigate potential violations of the law and/or district policies and procedures, or to prevent the district’s network from being comprised. All district technology resources are considered district property. The district may remove, change or exchange hardware or other technology between buildings, classrooms or users at any time without prior notice. Authorized district personnel may install, modify, upgrade or remove programs, information, equipment or systems at any time.

The district will monitor the online activities of minors and employees and operate a technology protection measure (“content filter”) on the network and all district technology with Internet access, as required by law. In accordance with law, the content filter will be used to protect against access to visual depictions that are obscene, harmful to minors or are child pornography. Content filters are not foolproof, and the district cannot guarantee that users will never be able to access offensive materials using district equipment. Evading or disabling, or attempting to evade or disable, a content filter installed by the district is prohibited.
The superintendent, designee or the district's technology administrator may fully or partially disable the district's content filter to enable access for a non-student user for bona fide research or other lawful purposes. In making decisions to fully or partially disable the district's content filter, the administrator shall consider whether the use will serve a legitimate educational purpose or otherwise benefit the district.

In addition to the use of a content filter, the district will take measures to prevent minors from using district technology to access inappropriate matter or materials harmful to minors on the Internet. Such measures shall include, but are not limited to, supervising and monitoring student technology use, careful planning when using technology in the curriculum, and instruction on appropriate materials. The superintendent, designee and/or the district's technology administrator will develop procedures to provide users guidance on which materials and uses are inappropriate, including network etiquette guidelines.

All students will be instructed on safety and security issues, including appropriate online behavior and the dangers of sharing personal information about themselves or others when using e-mail, social media, chat rooms or other forms of direct electronic communication. This instruction will occur in the district's computer courses, courses in which students are introduced to the computer and the Internet, or courses that use the Internet in instruction. Students are required to follow all district rules when using district technology resources and are prohibited from sharing personal information online unless authorized by the district.
All district employees must abide by state and federal law and Board policies and procedures when using district technology resources to communicate information about personally identifiable students to prevent unlawful disclosure of student information or records.

All users are prohibited from using district technology to gain unauthorized access to a technology system or information; connect to other systems in evasion of the physical limitations of the remote system; copy district files without authorization; interfere with the ability of others to utilize technology; secure a higher level of privilege without authorization; introduce computer viruses, hacking tools, or other disruptive/destructive programs onto district technology; or evade or disable a content filter.

The district’s technology resources are not a public forum for expression of any kind and are to be considered a closed forum to the extent allowed by law. The district’s web page will provide information about the school district, but will not be used as an open forum. The district’s webpage may include the district’s address, telephone number and an e-mail address where members of the public may easily communicate concerns to the administration and the Board.

All expressive activities involving district technology resources that students, parents or guardians and members of the public might reasonably perceive to bear the imprimatur of the district and that are designed to impart particular knowledge or skills to student participants and audiences are considered curricular publications. All curricular publications are subject to reasonable prior restraint, editing and deletion on behalf of the school district for legitimate pedagogical reasons. All other expressive activities involving the district’s technology are subject to reasonable prior restraint and subject matter restrictions as allowed by law and Board policies.

Trained personnel shall establish a retention schedule for the regular archiving or deletion of data stored on district technology resources. The retention schedule must comply with the Public School District Records Retention Manual as well as the General Records Retention Manual published by the Missouri Secretary of State. In the case of pending or threatened litigation, the district's attorney will issue a litigation hold directive to the superintendent or designee. The litigation hold directive will override any records retention schedule that may have otherwise called for the transfer, disposal or destruction of relevant documents until the hold has been lifted by the district's attorney. E-mail and other technology accounts of separated employees that have been placed on a litigation hold will be maintained by the district's information technology department until the hold is released. No employee who has been so notified of a litigation hold may alter or delete any electronic record that falls within the scope of the hold. Violation of the hold may subject the individual to disciplinary actions, up to and including termination of employment, as well as personal liability for civil and/or criminal sanctions by the courts or law enforcement agencies.

Any violation of district policies or procedures regarding technology usage may result in temporary, long- term or permanent suspension of user privileges. User privileges may be suspended pending investigation into the use of the district’s technology resources. Employees may be disciplined or terminated, and students suspended or expelled, for violating the district’s technology policies and procedures. Any attempted violation of the district's technology policies or procedures, regardless of the success or failure of the attempt, may result in the same discipline or suspension of privileges as that of an actual violation. The district will cooperate with law enforcement in investigating any unlawful use of the district's technology resources.

All damages incurred by the district due to a user's intentional or negligent misuse of the district's technology resources, including loss of property and staff time, will be charged to the user. District administrators have the authority to sign any criminal complaint regarding damage to district technology. 

The district makes no warranties of any kind, whether expressed or implied, for the services, products or access it provides. The district's technology resources are available on an "as is, as available" basis. The district is not responsible for loss of data, delays, nondeliveries, misdeliveries or service interruptions. The district does not endorse the content nor guarantee the accuracy or quality of information obtained using the district's technology resources.
 

Students will be allowed to use school telephones at the discretion of staff.  Messages for students will be forwarded when it is least disruptive to the learning process. Students that use personal electronic devices for unauthorized communication during the school day will be subject to discipline.
 

Textbooks will be loaned to students at no charge. All books, equipment, and facilities belonging to the school should be respected and not abused or destroyed by students. Students will be charged for repair or replacement of property that is damaged, destroyed, or lost. At the time of issue, please bring any existing damage to books or materials to the teacher’s attention.
 

Students have the option to enroll in virtual classes offered through the Missouri Course Access Program (MOCAP) in accordance with board policy IGCD. All requests must be made to the building principal within the first two weeks of each semester and will be reviewed by school personnel as appropriate to determine if virtual learning is in the best educational interest of the student. Full-time virtual students will be considered to be enrolled with their MOCAP provider for state financial and accountability purposes and will not attend on the NJH campus. 
 

The Student Code of Conduct is designed to foster student responsibility, respect for self and the rights of others, and to provide for the orderly operation of district schools. No code can be expected to list each and every offense that may result in disciplinary action. However, it is the purpose of this Code of Conduct to list certain offenses that, if committed by a student, will result in the imposition of a certain disciplinary action. Any conduct not included herein, or an aggravated circumstance of any offense or an action involving a combination of offenses, may result in disciplinary consequences that extend beyond this Code of Conduct as determined by the principal, superintendent and/or Board of Education. In extraordinary circumstances where the minimum consequence is judged by the superintendent or designee to be manifestly unfair or not in the interest of the district, the superintendent or designee may reduce the consequences listed in this policy, as allowed by law. This code includes, but is not necessarily limited to, acts of students on district property including playgrounds, parking lots, district transportation or at a district activity, whether on or off district property. The district may also discipline students for off-campus conduct that negatively impacts the educational environment to the extent allowed by law.

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Conduct at Events/Activities

Students are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that is respectful and proper. Students who become rude, obscene, and/or disruptive at school functions will be removed from the activity and will receive appropriate discipline. Game/Event expectations for all students are as follows:

• Remain seated during the event.
• Students may not re-enter after leaving the building.
• Stomping the bleachers is not permitted.
• School rules regarding discipline and behavior apply to all school-sponsored events.
• Any negative comments or remarks regarding our own or opposing team may be cause for removal from the event.
• Students are responsible for disposing of their own trash. Trash cans are located throughout the facilities and near the exits.
• If you are asked to leave the event, it is possible that you may not be permitted to attend extracurricular activities for the remainder of the school year.

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Confidentiality

Any information received by a school district employee relating to the conduct of a student shall be received in confidence and used for the limited purpose of assuring that good order and discipline are maintained in the schools.

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Corporal Punishment

The Nixa Board of Education adopted Policy JGA prohibiting corporal punishment March 10, 2005. The policy reads as follows: “No person employed by or volunteering on behalf of the Nixa Public School District shall administer or cause to be administered corporal punishment upon a student attending district schools.” A staff member may, however, use reasonable physical force against a student without advance notice to the principal, if it is essential for self-defense, the preservation of order, or for the protection of other persons or the property of the school district.

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Documentation in Student’s Discipline Record

The principal, designee or other administrators or school staff will maintain all discipline records as deemed necessary for the orderly operation of the schools and in accordance with law and Policy JGF.

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District Personnel Discussions with Students

There are many situations where school employees will meet with individual students. School counselors meet with students to discuss academics and personal issues, teachers often discuss academic performance with students, and school officials meet with students when investigating disciplinary violations. These conversations are an essential part of the educational process and it may be necessary for safety, confidentiality, legal, or other reasons to have a conversation with a student prior to contacting the parent/guardian.
 

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Due Process

All students will be afforded due process as guaranteed by constitutional provisions. The process will be in accordance with state and federal laws, as well as provisions outlined in the Board of Education policies and regulations on student suspension and expulsion.

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Interrogations & Searches

School lockers and desks are the property of the Nixa Public School District and are provided for students’ convenience. Lockers and desks are subject to periodic inspection without notice. School lockers and student possessions may be searched by school administrators when there is a reasonable suspicion that students are in possession of drugs, alcohol, tobacco products, weapons, materials of a disruptive nature, stolen property, illegal items, or any other items that pose a health or safety risk. Reasonable suspicion will be based upon facts known to the administration, credible information provided to the administration, or reasonable inferences drawn from such facts or information.

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Liability

Teachers and authorized district personnel, including volunteers selected with reasonable care by the district, shall not be civilly liable when acting in accordance with the Board’s policies, including the Board’s discipline policies, or when reporting to the appropriate supervisor or other person acts of school violence or threatened acts of school violence, pursuant to law and district policy.

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Procedural Safeguards

Any student identified as “disabled” shall be accorded all procedural rights as required under the state and federal legislation. Due process procedures, applicable to suspension or expulsion under state law, shall be provided prior to any suspension or expulsion.

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Reporting to Law Enforcement

It is the policy of the Nixa Public School District to report all crimes occurring on district property to law enforcement including, but not limited to, the crimes the district is required to report in accordance with law. A list of crimes the district is required to report is included in Policy JGF. The principal shall also immediately notify the appropriate law enforcement agency and superintendent if a student is discovered to possess a controlled substance or weapon in violation of the district’s policy.

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School Property

Property utilized, supervised, rented, leased, or controlled by the school district including, but not limited to, school playgrounds, parking lots, designated bus stops, transportation, and any property on which any school activity takes place. School districts may report or disclose education records to law enforcement and juvenile justice authorities if the disclosure concerns law enforcement’s or juvenile justice authorities’ ability to effectively serve, prior to adjudication, the student whose records are released. The officials and authorities to whom such information is disclosed must comply with applicable restrictions set forth in state and federal law.

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After-school Detention

After-school detention will be held until 3:45 Monday through Thursday. Parents are required to pick up their student at the conclusion. If a student fails to attend after school detention, they will be required to make up the missed date and will be assigned an additional date. 

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Suspensions

In-School Suspension (ISS)

Students who are assigned ISS for any disciplinary problem will be allowed to make up work for full credit when arrangements are made by the student to obtain assignments from his/her teachers at the time of the suspension. The work must be completed during ISS and in an acceptable fashion to be counted as full credit. Specific procedures/rules for ISS are given to the student at the time of the suspension. Students may not attend school-sponsored activities while serving ISS. If a student is absent on a day in which ISS is assigned to be served, the length of assigned ISS will be extended by the amount of time in which the student was absent.

Out-of-School Suspension (OSS)

Students receiving an out-of-school suspension (OSS) will receive 50% credit for any assigned work completed during the OSS. The work will be due to the teacher within two days after returning to school to receive full credit. During the assigned OSS time, students are not allowed on any school campuses (unless serving OSS at SCORE-PASS) and may not attend any school-sponsored activities. School days that have been canceled due to inclement weather do not count as days served on OSS.

Conditions of Suspension, Expulsion, and Other Disciplinary Consequences

All students who are suspended or expelled, regardless of the reason, are prohibited from participating in or attending any district-sponsored activity, or being on or near district property or the location of any district activity, for any reason, unless permission is granted by the superintendent or designee. In addition, the district may prohibit students from participating in activities or restrict a student’s access to district property as a disciplinary consequence even if a student is not suspended or expelled from school, if appropriate. In accordance with the law, a student who is suspended for any offenses listed in 160.261,RSMo., or any act of violence or drug-related activity defined by Policy JGF as a serious violation of school discipline shall not be allowed to be within 1,000 feet of any district property or any activity of the district, regardless of whether the activity takes place on district property, unless one (1) of the following conditions exist:

1. The student is under the direct supervision of the student’s parent, legal guardian or custodian or another adult designated in advance, in writing, to the student’s principal by the student’s parent, legal guardian or custodian, and the superintendent or designee has authorized the student to be on district property.
2. The student is enrolled in and attending an alternative school that is located within 1,000 feet of a public school in the district.
3. The student resides within 1,000 feet of a public school in the district and is on the property of his or her residence.

If a student violates the prohibition in this section, he or she may be suspended or expelled in accordance with the offense, “Failure to Meet Conditions of Suspension, Expulsion or Other Disciplinary Consequences,” listed in the following section (Student Discipline:  Prohibited Conduct).

The following are descriptions of prohibited conduct as well as potential consequences for violation. Building–level administrators are authorized to more narrowly tailor potential consequences as appropriate for the age level of students in the building. All consequences must be within the ranges established in this regulation. In addition to the consequences specified here, school officials will notify law enforcement and document violations in the student’s discipline file pursuant to law and Board policy.

1. Academic Dishonesty: Cheating on tests, assignments, projects or similar activities; plagiarism; claiming credit for another person’s work, including the use of artificial intelligence, fabrication of facts, sources or other supporting material; unauthorized collaboration; facilitating academic dishonesty; and other misconduct related to academics.
   • First Offense: No credit for work, grade reduction, or replacement assignment.
   • Subsequent Offense: Detention, ISS, no credit for the work, grade reduction, course failure, or removal from extracurricular activities.
2. Arson: Starting or attempting to start a fire or causing or attempting to cause an explosion.
   • First Offense: In-school suspension, 1-180 days out-of-school suspension, or expulsion. Restitution, if appropriate.
   • Subsequent Offense: 1-180 days out-of-school suspension or expulsion. Restitution, if appropriate.
3. Assault: Hitting, striking and/or attempting to cause injury to another person; placing a person in reasonable apprehension of imminent physical injury; physically injuring another person.
   • First Offense: In-school suspension, 1-180 days out-of- school suspension, or expulsion.
   • Subsequent Offense: In-school suspension, 1-180 days out-of-school suspension, or expulsion.
4. Attempting to kill or cause serious physical injury to another; killing or causing serious physical injury to another.
   • First Offense: Expulsion.
5. Bullying and Cyberbullying (See Board Policy JFCF): Intimidation or harassment of a student or multiple students perpetuated by individuals or groups. Bullying includes, but is not limited to: physical actions, including violence, gestures, theft, or damaging property; oral or written taunts, including name-calling, put-downs, extortion, or threats; threats of retaliation for reporting such acts; sending or posting harmful or cruel text or images using the Internet or other digital communication devices; sending or posting materials that threaten or raise concerns about violence against others, suicide, or self-harm. Students will not be disciplined for speech in situations where the speech is protected by law.
   • First Offense: In-school suspension or 1-180 days out-of-school suspension.
   • Subsequent Offense: 1-180 days out-of-school suspension or expulsion.
6. Bus or Transportation Misconduct (See Board Policy JFCC): Any offense committed by a student on transportation provided by or through the district shall be punished in the same manner as if the offense had been committed at the student’s assigned school. In addition, transportation privileges may be suspended or revoked. (Also, see bus discipline code).
7. Dishonesty: Any act of lying, whether verbal or written, including forgery.
   • First Offense: Nullification of forged document. Principal/Student conference, detention, or in- school suspension.
   • Subsequent Offense: Nullification of forged document. In-school suspension, or 1-180 days out- of- school suspension.
8. Disrespectful or Disruptive Conduct or Speech (See Board Policy AC if illegal harassment or discrimination is involved): Verbal, written, pictorial or symbolic language or gesture that is directed at any person that is in violation of district policy or is otherwise rude, vulgar, defiant, in violation of district policy or considered inappropriate in educational settings or that materially and substantially disrupts classroom work, school activities, or school functions. Students will not be disciplined for speech in situations where it is protected by law.
   • First Offense: Principal/Student conference, detention, in-school suspension, or 1-10 days out-of-school suspension.
   • Subsequent Offense: In-school suspension, 1-180 days out-of-school suspension, or expulsion.
9. Drugs/Alcohol (See Board Policies JFCH and JHCD) Possession, sale, intent to sell, purchase or distribution of any over-the-counter drug, herbal preparation or imitation drug or herbal preparation.
   • First Offense: In-school suspension or 1-180 days out-of-school suspension.
   • Subsequent Offense: 1-180 days out-of-school suspension or expulsion.
10. Possession of or attendance while under the influence of or soon after consuming any unauthorized prescription drug, alcohol, narcotic substance, unauthorized inhalants, counterfeit drugs, imitation controlled substances or drug-related paraphernalia, including controlled substances and illegal drugs defined as substances identified under Schedules I, II, III, IV, or V in Section 202(c) of the Controlled Substances Act.
    • First Offense: 1-180 days out-of-school suspension.
    • Subsequent Offense: 1-180 days out-of-school suspension or expulsion.
11. Sale, intent to sell, purchase, or distribution of any prescription drug, alcohol, narcotic substance, unauthorized inhalants, counterfeit drugs, imitation controlled substances or drug-related paraphernalia, including controlled substances and illegal drugs defined as substances identified under Schedules I, II, III, IV, or V in Section 202 of the Controlled Substances Act.
    • First Offense: 1-180 days out-of-school suspension or expulsion.
    • Subsequent Offense: 1-180 days out-of-school suspension or expulsion.
12. Extortion: Threatening or intimidating any person for the purpose of obtaining money or anything of value.
    • First Offense: Principal/Student conference, detention,  in-school suspension, or 1-10 days out-of-school suspension.
    • Subsequent Offense: In-school suspension, 1-180 days out-of-school suspension, or expulsion.
13. Failure to Meet Conditions of Suspension, Expulsion and Other Disciplinary Consequences. Violating the conditions of a suspension, expulsion, or other disciplinary consequence including, but not limited to, participating in or attending any district-sponsored activity or being on or near district property or the location where a district activity is held. See section of this regulation entitled, “Conditions of Suspension, Expulsion and Other Disciplinary Consequences.” As required by law, when the district considers suspending a student for an additional period of time or expelling a student for being on or within 1,000 feet of district property during a suspension, consideration shall be given to whether the student poses a threat to the safety of any child or school employee and whether the student's presence is disruptive to the educational process or undermines the effectiveness of the district’s discipline policy.
    • First Offense: Verbal warning, detention, in-school suspension, 1-180 days out-of-school suspension, or expulsion.
    • Subsequent Offense: Verbal warning, detention, in-school suspension, 1-180 days out-of-school suspension, or expulsion.
14.  False Alarms (See also “Threats or Verbal Assault”):  Tampering with emergency equipment, setting off false alarms, making false reports; communicating a threat or false report for the purpose of frightening or disturbing people, disrupting the educational environment, or causing the evacuation or closure of school property.
    • First Offense: Restitution. Principal/Student conference, detention, in-school suspension, 1-180 days out-of-school suspension, or expulsion.
    • Subsequent Offense: Restitution. In-school suspension, 1-180 days out-of-school suspension, or expulsion.
15. Fighting (See also Assault):  Mutual combat in which both parties have contributed to the conflict with verbal interaction, physical interaction, or any other form of interaction that promotes conflict.
    • First Offense: 1-180 days out-of-school suspension.
    • Subsequent Offense: 1-180 days out-of-school suspension, or expulsion.
16. Gambling:  Betting on an uncertain outcome, regardless of stakes; engaging in any game of chance or activity in which something of real or symbolic value may be won or lost. Gambling includes, but is not limited to, betting on outcomes of activities.
    • First Offense: Principal/Student conference, loss of privileges, detention, or in-school suspension.
    • Subsequent Offense: Principal/Student conference, loss of privileges, detention, in-school suspension, or 1-10 days out-of-school suspension.
17. Harassment, including Sexual Harassment (See Board Policy AC): Use of material of a sexual nature or unwelcome verbal, written or symbolic language based on gender, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, disability or any other characteristic protected by law. Examples of illegal harassment include, but are not limited to, racial jokes or comments; requests for sexual favors and other unwelcome sexual advances; graffiti; name calling; or threatening, intimidating, or hostile acts based on a protected characteristic.
    • First Offense: 1-180 days out-of- school   suspension, or expulsion.
    • Subsequent Offense: 1-180 days out-of-school suspension, or expulsion.
18. Unwelcome physical contact of a sexual nature or that is based on gender, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, disability or any other characteristic protected by law. Examples include, but are not limited to, touching or fondling of the genital areas, breasts or undergarments, regardless of whether the touching occurred through or under clothing; or pushing or fighting based on protected characteristics.
    • First Offense: 1-180 days out-of-school suspension, or expulsion.
    • Subsequent Offense: 1-180 days out-of-school suspension, or expulsion.
19. Hazing (See Board Policy JFCF):  Any activity that a reasonable person believes would negatively impact the mental or physical health or safety of a student or put the student in a ridiculous, humiliating, stressful or disconcerting position for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, admission, membership or maintenance of membership in any group, class, organization, club or athletic team including, but not limited to, a grade level, student organization or district-sponsored activity. Hazing may occur even when all students involved are willing participants.
    • First Offense: In-school suspension or 1-180 days out-of-school suspension.
    • Subsequent Offense: 1-180 days out-of-school suspension or expulsion.
20. Public Display of Affection: Physical contact that is inappropriate for the school setting including, but not limited to, kissing, cuddling, and embracing.)
    • First Offense: Principal/Student conference, detention,  in-school suspension, or 1-180 days out-of-school suspension.
    • Subsequent Offense: In-school suspension, 1-180 days out-of-school suspension, or expulsion.
21. Sexual Activity:  Acts of sex or simulated acts of sex including, but not limited to, groping, fondling, intercourse or oral manual stimulation. 
    • First offense: In-school suspension, or 1-180 days out-of-school suspension.
    • Subsequent Offense: 1-180 days out-of-school suspension, or expulsion.
22. Sexting and/or Possession of Sexually Explicit, Vulgar or Violent Material:  Students may not possess or display, electronically or otherwise, sexually explicit, vulgar or violent material including, but not limited to, pornography or depictions of nudity, violence or explicit death or injury. This prohibition does not apply to curricular material that has been approved by the district staff for its educational value. Students will not be disciplined for speech in situations where it is protected by law.
    • First Offense: Confiscation. Principal/Student conference, detention, or in-school suspension.
    • Subsequent Offense: Confiscation, detention, in-school suspension, 1-180 days out-of-school suspension, or expulsion.
23. Technology Misconduct (See Board Policies EHB and KKB and Procedure EHB-AP): Attempting, regardless of success, to: gain unauthorized access to a technology system or information; use district technology to connect to other systems in evasion of the physical limitations of the remote system; copy district files without authorization; interfere with the ability of others to utilize district technology; secure a higher level of privilege without authorization; introduce computer “viruses,” “hacking” tools, or other disruptive/destructive programs onto or using district technology; or evade or disable a filtering/blocking device.
    • First Offense: Principal/Student conference, loss of user privileges, detention or in-school suspension.
    • Subsequent Offense: Loss of user privileges, 1-180 days out-of-school suspension, or expulsion.
24. Using, displaying or turning on pagers, phones, personal digital assistants, personal laptops or any other electronic communication devices during the regular school day, including instructional class time, class change time, breakfast or lunch.
    • First Offense: Confiscation, principal/student conference, detention, or in-school suspension.
    • Subsequent Offense: Confiscation, principal/student conference, detention, in-school suspension, 1-180 days out-of-school suspension, or expulsion.
25. Violations of Board Policy EHB and procedure EHB-AP other than those listed in 19, above.
    • First Offense: Restitution. Principal/Student conference, detention, in-school suspension, or 1- 180 days out-of-school suspension.
    • Subsequent Offense: Restitution. Loss of user privileges, 1-180 days out-of-school suspension, or expulsion.
26. Use of audio or visual recording equipment in violation of Board Policy KKB.
    • First offense: Confiscation. Principal/Student conference, detention, or in-school suspension.
    • Subsequent Offense: Confiscation. Principal/Student conference, detention, in-school suspension, or 1-10 days out-of-school suspension.
27. Theft: Theft, attempted theft, or knowing possession of stolen property.
    • First Offense:  Return of or restitution for property. Principal/Student conference, in-school suspension or 1-180 days out-of-school suspension.
    • Subsequent Offense: Return of or restitution for property. 1-180 days out-of-school suspension or expulsion.
28. Threats or Verbal Assault:  Verbal, written, pictorial or symbolic language or gestures that create a reasonable fear of physical injury or property damage.
    • First Offense: Principal/Student conference, detention, in-school suspension, 1-180 days out-of- school suspension or expulsion.
    • Subsequent Offense: In-school suspension, 1-180 days out-of-school suspension, or expulsion.
29. Tobacco: Possession of any tobacco products, electronic cigarettes, or other nicotine-delivery products on district property, district transportation or at any district activity. Nicotine patches or other medications used in a tobacco cessation program may only be possessed in accordance with district policy JHCD.
    • First Offense: Confiscation of tobacco product. In-school suspension.
    • Subsequent Offense: Confiscation of tobacco product. 1-10 days out-of-school suspension.
30. Use of any tobacco products, electronic cigarettes, or other nicotine-delivery products on district property, district transportation or at any district activity. Nicotine patches or other medications used in a tobacco cessation program may only be possessed in accordance with district policy JHCD.
    • First Offense: Confiscation of tobacco product. In- school suspension.
    • Subsequent Offense: Confiscation of tobacco product.1-10 days out-of-school suspension.
31. Truancy (See Board Policy JED and Procedures JED-AP1 and JED AP2): Absence from school without the knowledge and consent of parents/guardian and/or the school administration; excessive non-justifiable absences, even with the consent of parents/guardians.
    • First Offense: Principal/Student conference, detention, or 1-3 days in-school suspension.
    • Subsequent Offense:  Detention or 3-10 days in-school suspension, and removal from extracurricular activities.
32. Unauthorized Entry: Entering or assisting any other person to enter a district facility, office, locker, or other area that is locked or not open to the general public; entering or assisting any other person to enter a district facility through an unauthorized entrance; assisting unauthorized persons to enter a district facility through any entrance.
    • First Offense: Principal/Student conference, detention, in-school suspension, or 1-180 days out- of-school suspension.
    • Subsequent Offense: 1-180 days out-of-school suspension or expulsion.
33. Vandalism (See Board Policy ECA):  Willful damage or the attempt to cause damage to real or personal property belonging to the district, staff, or students.
    • First Offense: Restitution. Principal/Student conference, detention, in-school suspension, 1-180 days out-of-school suspension, or expulsion.
    • Subsequent Offense: Restitution. In-school suspension, 1-180 days out-of-school suspension or expulsion.
34. Weapons (See Board Policy JFCJ) Possession or use of any weapon as defined in Board policy, other than those defined in 18 U.S.C. 921, 18 U.S.C.    930(g)(2) or 571.010, RSMo.
    • First Offense: In-school suspension, 1-180 days out-of-school suspension, or expulsion.
    • Subsequent Offense: 1-180 days out-of-school suspension or expulsion.
35. Possession or use of a firearm as defined in 18 U.S.C. 921 or any instrument or device defined in 571.010, RSMo., or any instrument or device defined as a dangerous weapon in 18 U.S.C. 930(g)(2).
    • First Offense: One (1) calendar year suspension or expulsion, unless modified by the Board upon recommendation by the superintendent.
    • Subsequent Offense: Expulsion.
36. Possession or use of ammunition or a component of a weapon.
    • First Offense: In-School Suspension, 1-180 days out-of-school suspension, or expulsion.
    • Subsequent Offense: 1-180 days out-of-school suspension or expulsion.

Behaviors including alcohol and drug related offenses (possession, sharing, distribution) as well as serious threats or serious weapon possession will not reset year to year. Students who incur subsequent, similar drug or alcohol offenses from grades 5 and 6 will receive the next level of discipline according to the handbook. Offenses from grades 7 and 8 will carryover to high school.
 

Vape (tobacco/nicotine)

Possession or under the influence of⁽¹⁾

1st offense - 3 days in-school suspension

2nd offense - 3 days out of school suspension

3rd offense and beyond - 5 days out of school suspension

Sharing of⁽²⁾

1st offense - 5 days in-school suspension

2nd offense - 3 days out of school suspension

3rd offense and beyond - 5 days out of school suspension

Sale or intent to sell⁽²⁾

1st offense - 3 days out of school suspension

2nd offense - 5 days out of school suspension

3rd offense and beyond - 10 days out of school suspension

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Prescription drugs, THC Products, Alchohol

Possession or under the influence of⁽¹⁾

1st offense - 20/10* days out of school suspension

2nd offense - 45 days out of school suspension

3rd offense and beyond - 180 days out of school suspension

Sharing of⁽²⁾

1st offense - 45 days out of school suspension

2nd offense - 90 days out of school suspension

3rd offense and beyond - 180 days out of school suspension

Sale or intent to sell⁽²⁾

1st offense - 90 days out of school suspension

2nd offense - 180 days out of school suspension

3rd offense and beyond - 180 days out of school suspension

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Methamphetamines, Cocaine, LSD, and Other Illegal Drugs

Possession or under the influence of⁽¹⁾

1st offense - 90 days out of school suspension

2nd offense - 180 days out of school suspension

3rd offense and beyond - Expulsion

Sharing of⁽²⁾

1st offense - 120 days out of school suspension

2nd offense - 180 days out of school suspension

3rd offense and beyond - Expulsion

Sale or intent to sell⁽²⁾

1st offense - 180 days out of school suspension

2nd offense - 180 days out of school suspension

3rd offense and beyond - Explulsion

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Serious Threat-Injury

1st offense - 45 days out of school suspension

2nd offense - 180 days out of school suspension

3rd offense and beyond - Expulsion

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Serious Threat-Weapon

1st offense - 90 days out of school suspension

2nd offense - 180 days out of school suspension

3rd offense and beyond - Expulsion

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Serious Threat-Kill

1st offense - 180 days out of school suspension

2nd offense - 180 days out of school suspension

3rd offense and beyond - Explulsion

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⁽¹⁾ A student who receives a first or second offense for being in possession or under the influence of a vape, prescription drug, THC product, alcohol, meth, cocaine, or LSD who receives a second offense with these substances will move to the 2nd offense for whatever category the second offense prescribes. (For example, a student in possession of a THC dab pen who then shares alcohol with a student would receive a 90-day OSS, and any 3rd offense involving a prescription drug, THC product, or alcohol would receive a 180-day OSS.)

⁽²⁾ Any subsequent offense involving a vape, prescription drug, THC product, alcohol, meth, cocaine, or LSD will incur a suspension equal to or greater than the previous offense (For example, a first offense for sale of a prescription drug followed by possession of alcohol (2nd offense) would result in a 90-day OSS.)

* 20 days of OSS may be reduced to 10 with agreement to a drug evaluation.
 
PASS (see below) will be offered for OSS over 21 consecutive days.
Actual days of OSS may vary slightly to best fit natural breaks in the calendar.
 

 

Program Overview:

This program would be available for students in grades 7-12 that have been suspended for 21 or more days consecutively. The purpose is to provide those students an opportunity to stay connected to school and receive assistance completing virtual coursework while serving their suspension.

Location -  SCORE High School

Times - PASS would be from 3:00-6:00 PM on Monday through Thursday on days school is in session, however, each day would have a different academic focus (Monday=ELA; Tuesday=Math; Wednesday=Science; Thursday=Social Studies).

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Student Guidelines:

Attendance - In order to participate, students must meet attendance guidelines (maximum of three (3) absences during their assigned OSS; two (2) tardies or early departures would be considered an absence).

Behavior - Students are expected to follow all instructions/requests/rules of the supervising teacher. Failure to do so, would result in removal from the program for the duration of the original OSS assignment. Any serious violation of school rules/policies would follow the school discipline code and could result in additional OSS. Cell phones or other PED (Personal Electronic Devices) with the exception of the school issued Chrome Book are not to be used during PASS time.

Academic Progress - Students are expected to use the time at PASS to work on their coursework while having the opportunity to get assistance from a teacher if needed. Failure to use the time for that purpose would result in removal from the program.

Attendance Incentive - Students that attend the program on a regular basis, maintain/earn grades of 70% or greater, and have no instances of misconduct may earn a reduction on their total number of OSS days served.

Students that have perfect attendance (0-absences) during their assigned time for PASS and meet the grade and conduct criteria above can reduce their total OSS days by 20% (rounded to the nearest whole day).

Students that have only one absence (1) during their assigned time for PASS and meet the grade and conduct criteria above can reduce their total OSS days by 15% (rounded to the nearest whole day).

Students that have only two absences (2) during their assigned time for PASS and meet the grade and conduct criteria above can reduce their total OSS days by 10% (rounded to the nearest whole day).

Instruction - Students that are serving a long-term OSS will be assigned alternative methods of instruction. Some courses offered at Nixa Junior High, may not be available via alternative methods of instruction and may result in less than a full course load (depending on an individual student’s schedule). Core area classes will take priority in determining which courses are assigned. Students will be expected to work on the courses each evening with the teacher being one resource to assist with questions they may have. The PASS teacher will not be doing direct instruction.

Disciplinary Appeal Hearing - Per Board policy, students suspended for more than 10 consecutive days have a right to appeal their suspension to the Board of Education or a Three-Member Committee of Board members. The timeline to request an Appeal Hearing will be outlined in the superintendent’s suspension letter. Appeal Hearings are scheduled based on the availability of Board members and relevant administrators which normally takes between two to four weeks to hold once officially requested.
Students may begin participating in the PASS program after their Appeal Hearing is completed OR parents may waive their right to an Appeal Hearing and students may begin participation within one week of the issuance of the long-term suspension.

Discipline Appeal Hearing Waiver - The parent/guardian may sign a waiver of appeal and request the student begin participating in the PASS program on the earliest possible date (determined by the school district). Failure to follow the attendance and behavior guidelines of the PASS program and the NHS discipline code would result in removal from the program and the conditions/dates of the original suspension would be imposed.

Serious infractions may include referral to the Christian County Juvenile Justice System. (Note: Repeated occurrence of one or more of these misbehaviors may result in referral for investigation of possible behavior disorder or professional counseling.)

**Due to the severity and frequency of an offense, each administrator may use professional discretion in determining the appropriate disciplinary step.**

Students receiving an out-of-school suspension are expected to complete and turn in all missed work to teachers upon their return to school. The student will be given 50% credit for that work, and it will be due to the teacher within two days after returning to school. 

In order to promote a safe learning environment for all students, the Nixa Public Schools prohibits all forms of bullying. The district also prohibits reprisal or retaliation against any person who reports an act of bullying among or against students.

Definitions

• Bullying – In accordance with state law, bullying is defined as intimidation, unwanted aggressive behavior, or harassment that is repetitive or is substantially likely to be repeated and causes a reasonable student to fear for his or her physical safety or property; that substantially interferes with the educational performance, opportunities or benefits of any student without exception; or that substantially disrupts the orderly operation of the school. Bullying includes, but is not limited to: physical actions, including violence, gestures, theft, or property damage; oral, written, or electronic communication, including name- calling, put-downs, extortion, or threats; or threats of reprisal or retaliation for reporting such acts.

• Cyberbullying – A form of bullying committed by transmission of a communication including, but not limited to, a message, text, sound or image by means of an electronic device including, but not limited to, a telephone, wireless telephone or other wireless communication device, computer or pager. The district has jurisdiction over cyberbullying that uses the district's technology resources or that originates on district property, at a district activity or on district transportation. Even when cyberbullying does not involve district property, activities or technology resources, the district will impose consequences and discipline for those who engage in cyberbullying if there is a sufficient nexus to the educational environment, the behavior materially and substantially disrupts the educational environment, the communication involves a threat as defined by law, or the district is otherwise allowed by law to address the behavior.

• School Day – A day on the school calendar when students are required to attend school.

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Designated Officials

The principal of each building is hereby designated as the individual to receive and investigate reports of bullying. Each building principal shall designate at least two teachers or administrators in the building who are authorized to receive and investigate reports of bullying in the principal's absence or at the principal's discretion. The district compliance officer appointed in policy AC will serve as the district wide anti bullying coordinator. The anti-bullying coordinator will receive all completed investigative reports from all buildings and analyze the reports to identify any information that would inform the district's antidiscrimination and anti-bullying education and training programs. In addition, the anti-bullying coordinator will assist in making any relevant reports as required by state and federal law.

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Reporting Bullying

School employees, substitutes or volunteers are expected to intervene to prevent student bullying, appropriately discipline the perpetrator, assist the victim and report the incident to the building principal or designee for further investigation and action. Any school employee, substitute or volunteer who witnesses or has firsthand knowledge of bullying of a student must report the incident to the building principal or designee as soon as possible, but no later than two school days after the incident.

Students who have been subjected to bullying, or who have witnessed or have knowledge of bullying, are encouraged to promptly report such incidents to a school employee. Any school employee receiving such a report shall promptly transmit the report to the building principal or designee.

If the bullying incident involves students from more than one district building, the report should be made to the principal or designee of the building in which the incident took place or, if more appropriate, to the principal or designee of the building attended by the majority of the participants in the incident.

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Investigation

Within two school days of receiving a report of bullying, the principal or designee will initiate an investigation of the incident. Reports that involve students from multiple buildings will be investigated cooperatively by the principals of each building involved, or those principals may request that the district's compliance officer designated in policy AC conduct the investigation. If at any time during the investigation the principal determines that the bullying involves illegal discrimination, harassment or retaliation as described in policy AC, the principal will report the incident to the compliance officer designated in that policy, who will assist in the investigation. If the alleged bullying involves a special education student or a student with disabilities, the principal will also notify the special education director.

The investigation shall be completed within ten school days of the date the report of bullying was received unless good cause exists to extend the investigation. Upon completion of the investigation, the principal will decide whether bullying or harassment occurred and, if so, whether additional discipline is warranted in accordance with the district's student discipline code. The principal will generate a written report of the investigation and findings and send a copy of the completed report to the district's anti bullying coordinator. The principal or designee will document the report in the files of the victim and the alleged or actual perpetrator of bullying. All reports will be kept confidential in accordance with state and federal law.

If the incident involved allegations of illegal discrimination or harassment, the principal's decision may be appealed in accordance with policy AC. Student discipline may be appealed when allowed by law in accordance with Board policy.

The principal or other appropriate district staff will work with victims and their families to access resources and services to help them deal with any negative effects that resulted from the incident.

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Consequences

Students who participate in bullying or who retaliate against anyone who reports bullying will be disciplined in accordance with the district's discipline code. Such discipline may include detention, in- school suspension, out-of-school suspension, expulsion, removal from participation in activities, exclusion from honors and awards, and other consequences deemed appropriate by the principal or superintendent. The district will also contact law enforcement when required by law or notify social media companies of inappropriate online activity when appropriate.

Even in situations where the district does not have jurisdiction to discipline a student for bullying, such as when the acts take place off campus and there is an insufficient nexus to the district, the principal or designee will take appropriate actions to assist student victims. Such actions may include, but are not limited to, contacting the parents/guardians of the victim and the alleged perpetrators, communicating that this behavior is not allowed on district grounds or at district activities, notifying the appropriate district staff to assist the victim, and taking additional action when appropriate, such as notifying law enforcement or social media companies of inappropriate online activity. District employees and substitutes who violate this policy will be disciplined or terminated. Discipline may include suspension with or without pay, a negative evaluation, and prohibition from being on district property or at district activities, mandated training or other appropriate remedial action. Volunteers who violate this policy will no longer be permitted to volunteer.

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Policy Publication

The district shall annually notify students, parents/guardians, district employees, substitutes and volunteers about this policy and the district's prohibition against bullying. A copy of this policy shall be included in student handbooks and posted on the district's website.

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Training and Education

The district's anti-bullying coordinator will provide information and appropriate training designed to assist employees, substitutes and volunteers who have significant contact with students in identifying, preventing and responding to incidents of bullying.
The district will provide education and information about bullying and this policy to students every year. The principal of each school, in consultation with school counselors and other appropriate school employees, will determine the best methods for facilitating the discussion. Methods may include, but are not limited to: assemblies; homeroom presentations; class meetings; team or club meetings; special presentations by counselors, social workers or mental health professionals; and open-house events. When practical, parents/guardians will be invited to attend. In addition to educating students about the content of this policy, the district will inform students of:

1. The procedure for reporting bullying.
2. The harmful effects of bullying.
3. Any initiatives the school or district has created to address bullying, including student peer-to- peer initiatives.
4. The consequences for those who participate in bullying or engage in reprisal or retaliation against those who report bullying.

School counselors, social workers, mental health professionals, school psychologists or other appropriate district staff will educate students who are victims of bullying about how to overcome the negative effects of bullying including, but not limited to:

1. Cultivating the student's self-worth and self-esteem.
2. Teaching the student to defend him- or herself assertively and effectively without violence.
3. Helping the student develop social skills.
4. Encouraging the student to develop an internal locus of control.

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Additional School Programs and Resources

The Board directs the superintendent or designee to implement programs and other initiatives to address bullying, respond to such conduct in a manner that does not stigmatize the victim, and make resources or referrals available to victims of bullying. Such initiatives may include educating parents/guardians and families on bullying prevention and resources.

August 2015
 
Dear Parent / Guardian,

The Nixa Public Schools are required by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (Public Law 107-110), to inform parents of the status of our highly qualified teachers.

Upon your request, our District is required to provide to you in a timely manner, the following information:

• Whether the teacher has met State qualification and licensing criteria for the grade levels and subject area in which the teacher provides instruction.
• Whether the teacher is teaching under emergency or other provisional status through which State qualification or licensing criteria have been waived.
• Whether your child is provided services by a paraprofessional and, if so, their qualifications.
• What baccalaureate degree major the teacher has and any other graduate certification or degree held by the teacher, and the field of discipline of the certification.

In addition to the information that you may request, the Nixa Public Schools must provide to each individual parent:

• Information on the achievement level of your child in each of the State academic assessments as required.
• Timely notice that your child has been assigned, or has been taught for four or more consecutive weeks by a teacher who is not highly qualified.

NOTE: If your child participated in the spring state required academic assessment, results are provided to you each fall as soon as they are returned to the district.

Sincerely,

Nixa Public Schools